9
Baby it's Cold Outside
With the snow falling at a steady rate, Hermione knew she would have to wrap up her work soon, or risk being stuck at the office. As a shadow fell across her desk, she looked up and saw the one person she had been sure would have been the first one out the door, Malfoy. His dark grey eyes were unreadable, and his hair was perfectly styled. Unconsciously she ran her fingers through her waist length hair. "Malfoy" she acknowledged.
"Hello Granger. I didn't know you were still at the office." He said, sitting himself on the corner of her desk. "Somehow, I highly doubt that" she replied. It was well known she was one of the last ones to leave the office, even for the mandatory Christmas holiday. "Any plans for this holiday?" He asked, fingering the papers on her desk.
"None that I want to share with you" she replied, moving the papers away from him.
"You wound me, Granger…"
At this, she looked at him, with a raised eyebrow. He gazed coolly back at her, his face giving nothing away. She sighed, "why do you care?" It was the fourth time he had asked her this month. It was getting tiresome.
"You haven't been your normal, cheerful self" he replied. A laugh escaped her, in spite of herself.
"Did you just make a joke?" she asked.
"Just an observation" he replied, his grey eyes twinkling. "It is beginning to get worse" he continued, with a glance toward the window.
"Then I should probably finish this" she said, somewhat exasperated, and glanced at her watch. "I need to finish some shopping" she stated. Malfoy inclined his head and left her desk.
As the snow blew the flurries around Diagon Alley, Hermione mentally counted the people she still had to buy presents for. She was looking forward to getting home, curling up in her favorite armchair, and snuggling up with a good book. She had bought presents for the entire Weasley clan, including Harry, but still needed to buy a present for Luna and Neville. Her heels clicked on the cobblestone pavement, as she made her way to her favorite haunt, Flourish and Blotts.
"Welcome Ms. Granger" Favian said, as Hermione opened the door of the shop, setting off the bell.
"Hello Favian" she replied. "Did the book come in?"
"Yes, it arrived yesterday afternoon. I have it all wrapped up for you. Would you like to take it now, or look around a bit?" He asked, with a smile.
"I think I'll look around a bit" she said, smiling. The bookshop always made her smile. It smelled of printed parchment and something else, not quite definable, that was quite comforting.
Half an hour later, Hermione could be found in the Creature section of the bookstore. "Crumple Horned Snorkacks and Their Habitats, really Granger, I had no idea you believed" a familiar voice drawled teasingly. Hermione closed her eyes briefly, before turning around. There stood Draco Malfoy, looking quite smug in his black, woolen coat, polished shoes and hair that seemed to defy the wind. Even outside of work, she could not get rid of him. "If you must know, it's a gift for Luna." His eyes sparkled as he smirked. She rolled her eyes, and to her annoyance, Malfoy proceeded to follow her to the plant section, but said nothing as she browsed, in search of a book for Neville.
"How about this one?" He asked shortly, holding out a rather large book, entitled "Rare and Wonderous Plants You've Never Heard of Before". Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, but Malfoy's face remained unreadable. She finally took it, to examine it. "I don't think he has this one yet" she said, half to herself.
"Thanks, Malfoy" Hermione said, begrudgingly. He inclined his head in response and followed her to the front. "What are you even doing here?" she finally asked him. He had left the office hours ago, as he was never one to cut into his holiday time. "A book I ordered arrived" he said. He did not appear to have a book in his hands. Answering her unspoken question, he continued "I had it shipped to the Manor." She said nothing in response but walked back to the counter, leaving her to wonder what kind of books he might enjoy.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Favian asked, as Hermione approached the front desk.
"I did. Can you wrap them up?" She asked, handing him a few galleons.
"Thank you."
Favian quickly wrapped the books, with a flick of his wand, and handed the change to Hermione. Draco stood behind her, silently watching the exchange.
Favian glanced at Draco, then returned his gaze to Hermione. "Be careful Ms. Granger, the weather is getting worse out there. I may even close early."
She nodded her thanks, and opened the door, but gasped as the cold wind hit her. She would have to get to the apparition spot soon, then she could get home, put her feet up and have some hot chocolate and read a good book. Unfortunately, she could barely see, as she continued to walk down the street, because the flurry had turned into a full-on snowstorm and the packages she was carrying. Stopping for a minute to get her bearings, she jumped as she heard a voice in her ear. "Let me help you" he said, taking hold of her arm. Draco's breath was warm on her neck. She felt the familiar pull behind her navel, and then the suffocating darkness.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked, as the darkness disappeared, and she could breathe again.
"My condo" Draco replied. Hermione just looked at him.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"Because I don't know where you live" he replied, pulling his wand out.
"I need to go home" she said, shivering.
"Come on Granger", Malfoy said, as the wind continued to whip around them. "Let's warm up for a minute. You're freezing to death and so am I."
"I…"
"I have the best hot chocolate" he continued, unlocking the door with a tap, standing back to let her pass. She dithered a bit, but the wind seemed to be picking up, and blew her hair about. She nodded and walked past him.
"Let me take those" he offered, effortlessly removing the packages from her arms, and setting them on a side table. "Something wrong?" he asked.
"Oh, it's…this is your condo?" she said, disbelief evident in her voice. To her surprise, he laughed, well, more like chuckled. Malfoys didn't laugh outright after all. Did they? "Yes, this is my condo."
"But, it's huge!" she exclaimed, then felt him looking at her. She returned his gaze, to see a smirk on his face. She blushed. "I mean, this doesn't look like a typical condo" she said.
"It's the entire floor" he replied. She raised her eyebrow in response. He simply shrugged.
"What? I don't like neighbors." He said, matter-of-factly, walking past her. She took a moment to really study the condo. She was in what appeared to be the entry way. To the left, she saw a table and chairs. She surmised that was the dining room. Behind the dining room was probably the kitchen. Straight ahead was the living room, with floor to ceiling windows. There was a hallway off to the right. She supposed that was the bedroom and probably the bathroom.
"Care to sit down?" he asked, interrupting her thoughts. She turned to see him set a tray down, complete with a silver pot, two teacups and biscuits. "Thank you" she responded automatically, sitting on the edge of the sofa. Hermione watched as Draco deftly poured the tea into one cup, then the next. He seemed to be quite practiced at it. "Milk, sugar?" he asked, and she looked up to see his grey eyes watching her.
"Um, no thanks." He nodded and handed the teacup to her. She held it silently as she watched him pour his tea, add the milk, stir the spoon without making a sound and sit in an armchair. "I can see the gears in that pretty little head of yours turning Granger" he teased. To cover her nervousness, she took a sip of the tea.
"This is really good Malfoy" she said.
"Of course" he replied, as if this was a fact known to everyone. "So, those gears…" he prompted. She scowled at him, and he smirked at her in return. "Why here?" she asked again.
"I told you, I don't know where you live."
"No, that's not what…" she began.
"I know what you meant. Would you prefer to go to the Manor?" he asked, setting his cup down.
"No!" she exclaimed, then cleared her throat. "No, thank you" she repeated, in a softer tone. "But why…"
"Perhaps I just wanted the company of a beautiful woman" he responded, changing the tone of the conversation. Hermione gazed at the floor. She was many things, but she never thought of herself that way.
"There go those gears again" he teased.
Hermione set her cup down. "I really should be going. I have to wrap the gifts."
"But it's cold outside" he replied, putting his cup down.
"I won't be in the blizzard long." She countered, looking for her coat. How had it gotten over by the door, on the coat rack? Malfoy helped her out of it as she stood in his entryway. In the time it had taken her to figure this out, he had moved next to her. "I had an ulterior motive in bringing you here" he said suddenly. Hermione raised her eyebrow. "I was hoping you could look over these proposals and see which one suits you best" he said, handing her a stack of papers. She relaxed a smidge and thumbed through them. She missed how his liquid grey eyes watched her.
"I'll look at them tonight" she said, setting them down. She looked up, however, when she heard soft music playing, jazz. One of her favorites. "I just love this band, don't you?" he asked. She started. Malfoy was now by what appeared to be a bar and was pouring firewhiskey into a glass. When had he gotten up? "I do like this band. But I should go. Harry usually firecalls around this time."
"Then why don't you have a drink for the road?" he said, pouring a glass of dark liquid into a wine glass. "I bought this when I was last in France."
"France?" She wondered what would possibly be of interest to Malfoy in France.
"I found this wonderful muggle monastery, hidden in the countryside. They make wine and sell it to help support their monastery."
"Really?" she asked, moving forward. "I didn't know you, um…" at this, she faltered at what to say, so she took the glass and drank some. "I go to escape from life. I've changed since school, Granger."
"I daresay we all have" she conceded. Malfoy seemed to have matured now that she thought about it. He had filled out and was always well put together. Where did that thought come from? She sipped more of her wine and moved to look out the window. Draco stood behind her, firewhiskey in hand. "The city really is beautiful with snow covering it" she said, vaguely aware that he was still behind her.
"It is" he agreed and took another sip of firewhiskey. She really should leave. Why was she still here? "It's getting on toward dinner time. Would you like something?" he asked, moving toward the kitchen. She glanced at her watch, just as the clock on the mantle chimed seven o'clock. The fireplace started, and where there was previously nothing, a fire now crackled merrily. "You cook?" she asked, turning to look at Malfoy, who was moving about in the kitchen.
"Sometimes" he stated. As she watched, he flicked his wand, and the food effortlessly prepared itself. One final flick, and the food went to the table.
As they worked their way through a delicious chocolate mousse, Hermione decided she could not stand it anymore. "Malfoy?"
Malfoy, who had been in the middle of a drink, put it down and looked at her. It was an intense kind of look. Not the kind that Harry gave her, nor was it the kind of look Ron had ever given her. No, this look seemed to convey she had his full attention. As he gazed at her, she noticed his grey eyes had a mercurial quality. "This has been lovely, but you could have given those proposals to me at the office."
He smiled as he refilled his firewhiskey and her wine. "Yes, but you are never alone at the office."
He did not respond to her questioning look, so she asked a different question.
"Did you know where I was going?"
"I knew you would eventually end up at Flourish and Blotts. You love that shop." She smiled at that answer.
"Am I really that predictable?"
"No." there was that look again. "Shall we go back to the living room?"
"Um…" Hermione hesitated, glancing at her watch. Harry would have firecalled by now. Him, and Ginny, and his three kids…
He did not hurry her to answer; he watched her while she thought. She loved seeing the kids, but she wanted more. And here was someone whose whole attention was on her. It was not divided between her and his family…sometimes she missed the days of hunting horcruxes, it seemed less complicated, somehow.
"Yes, that would be nice."
He smiled, and stood after she did, waiting for her to pass. Hermione's senses vaguely noticed a woodsy scent, as she passed him.
She sat on the couch, more relaxed this time, and watched as he poured more drinks. Handing her another glass of wine, his hand brushed against hers. His fingers were surprisingly warm. "So what did you think of Thomas' report?" he asked, and she laughed.
"I'm afraid his report on the Sphinx and its use is completely inaccurate." He nodded and took another sip of firewhiskey. That's when she noticed it. In his black sweater and charcoal pants, he was effortlessly sexy. That thought made her blush. A blush that did not escape his eagle eye. "Anything wrong?" he asked, raising a perfectly manicured eyebrow. She shook her head and put her drink down. "I really should be going."
"You that anxious to be get out of here?"
"It's not that, it's just, I should get home before Harry sends the Aurors to my door." At this, Draco chuckled. "But it's cold outside, and it's so nice and warm inside" he answered, sipping firewhiskey, as the fire in the large marble fireplace warmed the room.
She gazed out the windows. The storm had increased in severity. Snow was blowing across the windows.
She heard the jazz music again. Malfoy had turned it back on while she was watching the weather. "It's up to your knees out there. Why don't we dance?" he asked, holding out his hand. If Hermione was honest with herself, she liked the new Malfoy. He had been nothing but charming, and polite, and totally focused on her. Smiling, she took his proffered hand.
Of course he's a good dancer. Why wouldn't he be?
"I'd love to know why those gears are spinning now, Hermione." He whispered in her ear, as they danced around his living room floor.
"We're on a first name basis now?"
"I think we are past surnames, don't you?" he replied. She had to agree. She liked how her name sounded when he said it. She nodded. "I, I had a really good time tonight. Mal…Draco." She confessed, glad he could not see her face, as she only came up to his shoulder. Though she could not see his reaction, he smiled as he continued to deftly lead her around his living room.
"That really was excellent hot chocolate" Hermione stated, placing the silver mug on the low coffee table.
"Was there ever any doubt?"
She looked at him, sitting next to her on the couch. He looks so smug, it ought to be illegal. She huffed, which made him smile, well, as much as she figured a Malfoy was capable of.
"If you continue to underestimate me, you will continually be surprised." His eyes had that look again, very serious, and yet, some…indefinable quality.
"Has anyone ever told you that you have the most beautiful eyes?"
She toyed with the hem of her skirt and felt her face heat up when he gently lifted her chin, so she had no choice but to look at him. His grey eyes seemed to have gotten darker, and she began to feel lightheaded. It must be the wine she thought, as she looked away. He let her, and stood when she did, gazing at her. "Those gears, Hermione, are spinning a mile a minute" Malfoy whispered into her ear. She turned towards him, but before she could speak, the clock broke the tension.
"Is it really ten o'clock?" She asked, turning to the clock on the mantle, to make sure she had heard right.
Draco put down his firewhiskey. "I suppose so" he said, sounding supremely unconcerned.
"I've got to get home" she stated, looking for the presents.
"But you'll freeze out there."
"This has been very nice" she began, moving toward the door to put her coat on. Draco had somehow made it to the front door before her and had her coat in his hands. "Thank you" she said, as he helped her put her coat on, smoothing his hands over her shoulders. "This coat is nice" he commented, nonchalantly.
"Thank you" Hermione said. "I've had it for several years." Draco made a noncommittal noise, that, in a less elegant person, would have been classified as a grunt.
"Your presents are here" he indicated to the small table near the door.
"Thank you, Malfoy. It really was very nice, especially the dinner." She smiled, as Draco looked at her, and nodded his head to her, and he donned his own coat. At her questioning look, he replied "it's quite a blizzard out there. It wouldn't be very gentlemanly of me to leave you at the mercy of the elements."
She laughed, and he smiled. "I'll be fine."
"Well, you could brave the blizzard, or you could use my fireplace." Hermione turned to gaze at him, with a questioning look. "What? How's that…"
"There are advantages to being a Malfoy" he said, gesturing to the fireplace. She huffed at his cryptic reply, but had to admit to herself that she would rather use the floo network, than apparate home. She made a mental note to find out how he had managed to connect his fireplace to hers.
"Hermione Granger's house" Malfoy's voice interrupted her inner thoughts, as the flames glowed bright green.
"What a nice home" he commented, as he stepped onto the hearth, out of the fireplace, after Hermione. She looked at him. "It's bigger than I expected."
"If you continue to underestimate me, you will continually be surprised" she replied.
"Touché" Draco replied, with a small smile, his hands in his pockets.
Setting the presents down, she was surprised to see Malfoy walking around her living room, looking at the stationery pictures that adorned her fireplace mantle and wall. "Well, thank you, Draco, for bringing me home."
"I am always happy to take you home" he replied smoothly. She rolled her eyes at the innuendo as she hung up her well-loved coat.
She turned to see him looking at her, with an unreadable expression, and heard herself ask, "would you like a nightcap?" The ghost of a smile graced his lips as he nodded his head in agreement.
As she re-entered the living room, she saw Malfoy had made himself comfortable on her couch. "Thank you" he said, taking the proffered drink from her hand. She smiled in response and sat down. She couldn't help but notice the woodsy smell again, as he was sitting closer this time. "Hermione" Draco said, breaking the silence. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Um…" Harry was probably going to invite her to their place, as usual, but she hadn't been home she thought ruefully. "Or do you have plans with Potter?" He said Harry's name without malice, but still, there was something there…
She shook her head, as she felt his arm drape over the couch, over her shoulders… "Do you have plans?" she asked.
"I was rather hoping to have plans with someone" he said, as he sipped the firewhiskey. "Paris really is lovely this time of year."
"I wouldn't know."
"Would you like to?"
At this, she looked at him, not realizing she had been sitting thisclose to Draco, on her couch, this late at night. His eyes had that mercurial quality again. She felt her face flush under his intense gaze, and unconsciously bit her lower lip. Malfoy ran his fingers through her hair, bringing her closer to him. "Hermione, tell me now if you don't want this."
Normally a very smart woman, all she managed was a strangled kind of sound. Her brain ground to a halt when she felt Draco's lips on hers. They were soft, dry and tasted like firewhiskey; which seemed to suit him.
As the clock struck eleven o'clock, Draco pulled back. "I should go. Good night, Hermione" he said, as he got off the couch, leaving a dazed Hermione in his wake. Her name sounded like honey on his lips. She watched as he threw a pinch of floo powder into the fireplace and vanished.
Hermione's morning tea and toast sat untouched as her thoughts drifted to recent events.
Harry had arrived bright and early the next morning, waking her out of a dead sleep. "Hermione, thank Merlin you're home!" he said, barging through the door, the moment a robe clad Hermione opened the door. "We were worried about you. You didn't answer last night. Are you alright?" Hermione saw the familiar look in his eyes, the one she had seen so many times at Hogwarts. "I'm fine, Harry. I went out last night, and time got away from me." What, it was the truth, she told herself.
"I tried firecalling, and then Ginny tried, but we couldn't reach you." At this, she did feel bad they had worried. "Well, I'm fine, Harry. I'm sorry to have worried everyone" she stated, smiling at him. He sighed, "I'm just glad you're alright. We'll see you at Christmas!" he said, embracing one of his oldest friends.
Her reverie was interrupted by a tapping on the window. A large Eagle Owl perched on the ledge, with what appeared to be a box. She carefully took the box from the owl, who immediately flew away and she laid it on her coffee table in the living room. The box was a beautiful shade of green, with silver ribbon wrapped around it. She had an idea who it was from.
Carefully removing the tissue paper, she found herself smiling. Inside, was a brand new, cranberry colored knee length wool coat. "for Paris" the note said, in a familiar scrawl.
Hermione made a mental to note to tell Harry she might not be over for Christmas after all.
