Writing prompt - Jolly good fellow

"Your music sucks, and you suck, get over it."

June 5, 2005

As Draco approached the door to his shared office at the Ministry of Magic he heard the unmistakable rhythmic thumping of the baseline from one of her muggle songs.

She's in one of those moods, she's going to be happy and bubbly and insufferably annoying. All "make it a great day Draco"... Yuck! He takes in a deep breath, closing his eyes as he lets it out, opening the door at the same time. Trying to hurry past her desk before he is bombarded with all her sickening sweetness. Too late, as soon as Draco passes her desk, she is already raising to her feet.

"Good morning Draco!" Hermione chimes happily walking over to his desk as he is settling down. Draco does not notice she is holding something behind her back.

"Morning Granger, I hear you have started your dance party early today." He drawled not in the mood to talk.

"Oh, well yes. It's such a beautiful day, the sun is out and um... I scored a free cup of coffee at the bakery, which really made my day. The report we turned in last month has been given a rave review they will start to implement our suggestions. Kings told me not to say anything but how can I not…. (She continues to babble on)... You just have to make it a great day Draco!"

He already has a headache between the music and her blithering on about utter nonsense, Draco is feeling overwhelmed. That and the stupid chit didn't even wish him a happy birthday! She's droned on and on about reports and sunshine she could have at least looked at a calendar this morning.

'Whatever… not like anyone else cared to wish me anything' he internalized. Just as he was about to read over his notes for the day a particular song started to play startling him with the first few beats. Draco was so annoyed that the music and her voice were still going on and on that he reaches for his wand to silence the song.

"Draco, you could have asked I would have turned it down…." She started but he cut her off.

"Your music sucks, and you suck, get over it." He yelled.

Hermione looked aghast then her features fell. However, the floodgates opened and Draco could not stop the barrage of words that spilled from his mouth.

"By Merlin, Granger don't you think that all this noise first thing in the morning can be irritating? My ears are bleeding listening to the crap you call music and why are you droaning on and on about utter nonsense. Just... why? All I want to do is get my day started so I can leave early and drown myself in a bottle of Ogden's till I forget it is my birthday.

Hermione just stood there crestfallen for a moment. Then she blinked and the fire was back in her eyes. "You can be a right git Draco Malfoy! First I was playing music we had danced to that time you asked me to take you to a Muggle club. Second, I was stalling because in a few minutes the team is going to come in and sing to you for your bloody birthday. Lastly, here!" She slammed the small cello box on his desk that she held behind her back, the frosting from the top if the cupcake smashed the top of the box ruining the perfect buttercream peak.

He stared at her for a moment then looked to his desk to see the box with pink frosting smeared inside.

"You … you remembered." He said above a whisper, swallowing hard.

"Yes, it's been on my calendar for months. Many happy returns Malfoy." She said angrily as she lowered her head feeling like all the progress they had made to forge a civil working environment, a friendship even, was all for naught.

Just as she reached her seat, the office door swung open with Harry leading the way and Pansy holding a cake laden with candles.

"For he's a jolly good fellow. For he's a jolly good fellow. For he's a jolly good f.e.l.l.o.w. Which nobody can deny!" The group cheered and let out whistles as Draco blew out the candles. He took his eyes off the cake to notice Hermione at her desk ignoring all the festivities. Draco felt a lurch in his chest.

He was lashing out at being what he thought was ignored on his birthday. Attacking her because he thought she forgot. Feeling heartbroken that this was the first birthday without both his parents. Truth be told he actually enjoyed her company both in the office and outside it. Sure the sunshine and rainbows she would spew about sometimes could be a bit much but it was also a bit charming.

He didn't really notice the songs she was playing. That night at the club was one of the best nights he had ever had. They danced till two in the morning then hit the all night diner for burgers and fries. Hermione stating that the grease helped absorbed the alcohol… he laughed at that. Draco thought of how a slightly inebriated Hermione, who looked quite fit in her white dress, hair straighten, had moved her body. Gyrating her hips, arms in the air, moving to and fro against him. She was fun and he had fun and they'd almost kissed. The music did not suck then.

Draco looked down again at the ruined cupcake in the box. He did that, he thought. Ruined her happy mood because he was feeling badly. Instead of letting her shine her beautiful light on him to help chase away his shadows.

Everybody had left the office by now so it was just Hermione and Draco. He sat there for a few minutes trying to pluck up the courage to apologize. He'd hurt her feelings, he knew that. Draco cut a generous corner slice of cake and went to her desk. Towering in front of her, he cleared his throat to gain her attention.

Not bothering to raise her head she looked up at him. "Is there something you needed." She said coolly. Clearing his throat again he said.

"Hermione, I'm sorry for my behaviour earlier. I… I was wrong to lash out at you." His tone softer than she has ever heard him. She raised her head to see him standing with a slice of cake in his hand. Placing it down, he then made his way to her side of the desk. Draco offered Hermione his hand. She reluctantly took it. Coaxing her out of her chair, he sat on the edge of her desk to be eye level with her. Guiding Hermione to stand before him.

Draco held both of her hands in his. They were as soft as that night at the club. "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings." He said hanging his head. "I was not in the mood to celebrate really, it's the first one without them you know. I woke up expecting…. Expecting to see my parents at breakfast but no one was there. It hurt, then when I thought you forgot, it hurt more." Draco concluded.

Hermione let go of his hands to cup his cheeks, raising his face to meet her eyes, she said. "Draco, I'm sorry I didn't realize this was the first birthday without your folks. I just wanted to set a festive mood for when you came in. Pansy had already planned on bringing you a cake as well as getting the team together to sing to you. I should have known this day would be harder for you."

Draco relished in the feel of her hands on his face. This is closer than they had been in weeks since their night out. "I miss them." He said above a whisper his voice thick with emotion.

"I know, I know what it feels like. You feel adrift, no anchor to hold you and no lighthouse to guide you." Hermione said.

Draco just nodded. "That why I try to point out all the good things to you. You have to make it a great day, if not the days are filled with sadness. You can get lost like that." She said.

He nodded again trying to swallow past the lump in his throat.

"Hermione." He managed to choke out as he reached for her face crashing her lips to his. Hermione was shocked for a moment then began to reciprocate. She could taste the sweetness from the cake frosting on his lips. Feeling bold Hermione reached up to run her lithe fingers through Draco's soft platinum locks. Draco in turn wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer and deepening their kiss.

When they finally broke for air, Draco took in the sight of Hermione, breathing hard, lips bruised, eyes sparkling… she looked stunning.

He closed his eyes pressing their foreheads together, trying to steady his breathing.

Just then Hermione whispered "Happy birthday Draco."

The End

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