Can We Date You
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. That all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
'Ms. Granger, Can I bother you for a minute?'
'Of course, Mr. Malfoy.'
'I was wondering if we could make an appointment with you?'
'Um, you would have to ask my secretary, she knows my schedule.'
'Oh, no I mean a personal meeting.'
'Oh… ok I think have some free time Saturday.'
'Perfect, will you join us for lunch at the manor?'
'Um…'
'Granger, we have refurbished the whole place, you wouldn't recognize it.' Draco rushed at the look of discomfort in her face.
'Oh, ok what time?'
'Eleven work for you?'
'Yes, see you then.' as she walked off wondering what in merlins they would need with her.
~o~
'Good day Ms. Granger, thank you for joining us. You are probably wondering why we asked you here. So let's jump right in. We want to date you.' Lucius rushed the last.
'You what? You both want to date me?'
'Yes, Grang… Hermione, father finds you interesting and I have had a crush on you for some time just never thought you would actually date me.' Draco looked down to his hands.
'I have seen you fighting for our freedom and now you are fighting for elves and werewolves lives. You intrigue me, I find you beautiful, intelligent and I would love to get to know you better.'
'Date both of you? but what if in time I like just one of you over the other?'
'Well then the other would back out.' Draco said getting a nod from Lucius.
What would people say? How would that work? Date you on the odd days?' looking at Draco. 'And you on even days?' looking over to Lucius. They looked at each other and nodded.
'Works for us.' they said in unison.
'Triad relationships are normal in the wizarding world. And if we go to the other side I would stand back and let them believe Draco is your date and I'm just a tag-a-long.'
'Oh okay, you know the Weasleys' will lose their shite when they find out?'
'Not like that be any different, it will just be harder on you.'
'Well I need to think about it.'
'Just think Ms. Granger you will have access to all of the Malfoy properties all around the world, full access to the Malfoy bank accounts. You will be able redecorate this place to your desires, buy all the clothes and ball gowns you will ever need. And you will be able to fund all of your pet projects, the elves, orphans and werewolves will have everything they need.'
'Father, Hermione is not a money hungry bint, if you want to impress her just tell her she has full access to the library, that alone would cream her knickers. You just don't realize how… simple… no not simple, she is a wonderful, caring woman, even tho I was horrid to her in school she still tried to offer help. She stood at our trials, she didn't have to but she did…she is a very special person, yes she deserves all of our bank accounts but she would only use it if needed. She will even continue to work, she will continue to help every other person but herself, That is why I want to date her, to help her be the best that she can be, support her ventures and hopefully she will let me spoil her and take her to the islands for a few days of relaxation in-between her wizengamot tirades.' she smiled at his confession, he looked hopeful as to finally release his feelings for her. 'I have liked you since 3rd year when you punched me, I always wanted to ask you out but couldn't. Now I can and if you'll have me I will try my best to make it up to you. I will help you with the wizengamot. I will take care of you, I know you don't need me to but I want to. I want to be there for you.'
'Oh Draco,' as she pulled him into a hug. She felt him relax into her touch. 'You know I need some time...'
'To wrap your pretty little head around the idea, I know, take your time. I know I was an arse but I have changed and I hope you will give me a chance to show you,' he spoke into the crook of her neck. He pulled back. 'Go think and let us know, ok?' as he escorted her to the floo.
~o~
'Draco, yes come in. I have a few questions.'
'Go ahead and ask.' as he sat in front of her desk.
'Is your dad really interested in me or my status, he just wants me to up his likeability?'
'No, not that I know of he really has shown a true interest in you.'
'And you are ok with every other day? And not have me all to yourself?'
'That wouldn't be fair to father, it was his idea to ask you out. I couldn't steal you out from under him now could I?'
'Yea I guess not as it was his idea. So I will give you two a chance, say 2 months? If it's working then something more permanent? If not we all go our separate ways? Is that acceptable? And no sex for at least 4 months?'
'Yes, yes it is. So today is odd so can I take you out for a dinner tonight?' as he got up to leave. 'You are probably not ready for Diagon Ally yet so how about London?'
'Yes that will be fine meet you down by the floos at 5?'
~o~
A knock at her door. 'Come in.'
'I heard you had a nice date last night? I was wondering if you would like to join me for lunch today? I would ask for dinner but I am needed in Paris this evening.'
'Yes that would be fine let me just finish this letter up and we can go.'
'Would the café just outside of the Ministry work for you? I know you are not quite ready to explain your company.'
'Oh yes that will be fine with me. There that is done so we can go.' as she tied the letter to her owl's leg. She followed Lucius out of the building. As soon as they were free of wizard view Lucius offered his arm and escorted her to the café. They had a nice conversation of what would be expected with this arrangement.
'Well thank you for lunch and I hope you have a good week in Paris.' as they walked back to the Ministry.
~o~
'Hey, Draco come in I was hoping you didn't go to too much trouble for our date tonight? I was wondering if you would be ok with me cooking dinner?'
'Oh no, that is fine do you need help?'
'You cook?'
'No but you can teach me.'
'Of course, here can you chop these up?' as she pushed the vegies over. 'Just like cutting potion ingredients, Nice precise cuts all are to be equal.' in her best Professor's voice.
'Obviously.' he copied the tone of the professor, they both busted out laughing.
'Now, let's add it to the pot.' in no time dinner was cooked and enjoyed.
'Would you like to watch telly?' getting a confused look. 'Come on I'll show you.' as they went into the living room and sat down. She flipped thru the channels to find a nature show that intrigued Draco. Hermione snuggled next to Draco, taken his hand and holding it on her lap, he stiffened a little. 'Hey, relax, normal muggle date. Holding hands and snuggling.
'Oh I could learn to like this.' as he tightened his hold on Hermione.
'What do you think your dad will think? Not the normal pureblood courting rituals.'
'Um it will be interesting to see what he does. I think that is why he invited me into the mix. Father never had to work at a relationship… Mother was arranged and from what I've heard they never… after I was born. Mother took a mister and father surprisingly took his vows seriously and never took a mistress.'
'Oh, so he will be seriously horney?'
'Um, yes, and with the chance to bed you, merlin I am... barely able to keep my brain functioning while you sit here.' he blushed as he spoke.
'Do I need to sit over here?' as she started to shift.
'Oh no you are staying right here.' as he pulled her back over to his side. 'Can I kiss you?' she nodded, as he dipped his head to steal one.'Mmm, nice, soft lips.' as he leaned in for a second kiss.
'Who knew the ferret could kiss.' as he rolled her over and kissed her again.
'Oh, yea this ferret can kiss.' as his lips left her lips and trailed over to her jaw line, leaving kissed as he roamed her neck. 'I better stop there before I lose control and do something to get punched again.' as he stopped and pulled her back up to the sitting position. She pulled his arm around her shoulders and snuggled in.
'Yea, we did put a time limit on that kind of stuff.' as she huffed, as she flipped thru the channels.
~o~
'Lucius, how was your trip?' finding him roaming the hall of the ministry.
'Fine, I was on my way up to your office to see if you were available to go shopping on Saturday?'
'Yes, I can.' trying to keep it looking like a casual meeting.
'I will pick you up at eleven, go eat and then shop?'
'That will be fine.' as she turned to go back to her office.
~o~
'Hermione, are you ready?' as he entered her home.
'Yes,' as she took the proffered arm. They apparated to a small restaurant. They enjoyed a nice meal, as they were leaving Hermione grabbed his hand, he looked down in confusion.
'You are in muggle London and hand holding is more... normal.'
'Oh yes, normal.' he said with a cold tone in his voice, she noticed he wasn't comfortable holding hands and wasn't thrilled to be actually window shopping, if she stopped to look he would let her go and go stand to the side.
'Do you want to stay?' as they walked in her front door.
'Uhm, yes, that would be fine, you are ok without a chaperone?' as he looked around. Hermione patted the seat next to her.
'Yes, a normal muggle date doesn't require a chaperone. Well that is if you trust your date, and I trust you. Telly? Let me know what catches your eye.' as she flipped thru the channels. Lucius perked up at the history channel.
'So this is muggle history?'
'Yes.' as she got comfortable next to him and took his hand and placed it on her lap, he froze, 'Don't worry this is normal too. Holding hands and kissing is allowed.' after a few hours of telly Lucius rose.
'Well I need to get back to the manor. Thank you for your time, I enjoyed the telly programs. I hope I can come back and watch it again.'
'Of course, next time we can cook dinner here.' she noticed him flinch at the "We can", he leaned in for a quick kiss and left.
~o~
'Hey, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind if we stay home this weekend? I enjoyed cooking dinner with you.' looking down at his feet.
'Of course, I enjoyed your help. But your father I'm not too sure about.' getting a raised eye brow from Draco. 'Your father flinched when I mentioned us cooking dinner. So I'm not too sure about muggle life. He seemed so unsure of… touching me, not sure if it is the mudblood thing or just public hand holding.'
'Oh, I'm sorry, he never had to work for a "date". So…'
'I know but it just… I can't believe it was his idea. It feels so wrong being with him, I guess more him not wanting me. I'm just… arm candy. I will keep working with him but…'
'Well that is all that we can hope for.' as there was a knock on her office door.' Oh, well I need to go.' as he stole a quick kiss. 'See you Saturday, Do you want me to talk to him?' she shook her head as he opened the door. 'Granger I need those papers by the end of day, Potter.' and he walked off.
'Fine, I will take care of it.'
~o~
'So how was your date last night?' Draco asked.
'What date, he never showed or owled?' Hermione replied.
'Oh, hold on, he never showed?
'Yea, I thought this was important to him? Last week he invited me over for lunch… he spent the whole time working, the only good thing was I got wonderfully cook meal.'
'I'm so sorry, I would have thought he would have tried harder to impress you, I will get to the bottom of this tonight.' he huffed. 'Well I'm here now so can we…' as he pulled her into a hug.
'Yea, let's get dinner cooked.'
~o~
'I'm so sorry I missed our last date, I got tied up in a meeting.'
'You couldn't owl?'
'Um…'
'You are one of the richest wizards, and they won't let you excuse yourself to send a quick note home?'
'I… well… can I make it up to you? please, dinner tonight?'
'Fine, tonight seven, not a minute late.' he nodded in acceptance.
'Hey, Lucius, glad you made it. Are you ready to help cook dinner?'
'Um, yes.' he hesitated. 'You know I can get a house elf to come over and cook you know?'
'Yes, but what's the fun in that? We get to spend time together. Can you stir that pot?' as she put the noodles in the boiling water. 'Now we need to make the garlic bread.' as she grabbed the butter and a brush. 'Here just brush the butter over the bread, please.' as she sprinkled the cheese over the bread. 'Thank you now ready for the oven.' as she came over to hug him, he stiffened again. 'Oh don't worry I don't bite.' as he relaxed. 'We have gone out how many weeks now, are you not happy with me, do you even want to continue this? You always seem worried around me?' she paused to get an answer.
'I do want you I'm just… not sure of what is allowed.'
'Lucius, I have tried everything to put your mind to rest. I've tried to hold your hand, you just pull away. I try to get you to engage in what we are doing, you would rather call a house elf than spend time with me cooking. We will do our own cleaning up after dinner and if you can't stand to be next to me or the whole muggle thing, then this whole thing will not work. What was Draco's part in this? Is he truly interested in me?'
'I don't think so he just said that stuff to help me, I talked him in to it. He agreed to help me acquire you. He was just here to help me, by breaking the ice.'
'Oh well then, maybe you need to go, here is your dinner go home and enjoy it.' as she plated his dinner. 'Well since he was just here to help you with your acquisition, which has failed. So please tell him our date is cancelled. I can't have a love less relationship.' as she pushed him out the door.
~o~
'Granger, why did you cancel my date your beef is with father not me.' he yelled thru the door.
'He said he talked you into doing it not that you actually wanted to do it.' yelling back thru the door.
'Damn him. No Hermione I wanted to do this, I have wanted to do this. He was just first to claim you.' she threw the door open.
'Claim me.' she screeched. 'Oh so bro code, then?' as Draco came on in and closed the door.
'Well I had to act like I was only doing this for him, I was just supposed to be his wing man.'
'But all of the dates… why?'
'Well I was going home and telling father what you wanted and needed to make this work. But he seemed to want to do his own thing and didn't listen to me. I'm sorry he didn't want this enough to take my advice, but I want to continue this, I'm falling in love with you.' he looked down to his hands.
'Really falling in love with me?'
'Yes,'
'Oh, what will he say?'
'I don't know, he will probably be upset but he will live.'
'Would he cut you off?'
'No, but even if he tried I have my own accounts and job so I'm fine.'
