Hermione could not remember the last time she spent this much time trying to decide on an outfit. Truthfully, she still did not have a lot of wizarding clothes that were not school related. The few winter outfits she had were laid out neatly on the bed as she looked them over, moving pieces between them until she finally decided on a simple grey winter cloak with a simple black long-sleeved dress, stockings underneath and her go to black winter boots. Hopefully, this would suffice for their impromptu trip to Paris. She tossed the essentials into her beaded handbag with the undetectable extension charm and tucked her wand safely into her robes before heading down to see if Draco was ready.
A quick knock on the guest room door that Draco was currently occupying was returned with a hurried, "Just a moment," from the other side. A sweet smile tugged at the corners of her lips subconsciously as she called back, "Hurry up!"
It did not take too long before the door swung open to reveal a slightly disheveled Draco who was clearly still trying to get ready. He had on a pair of slim fit black pants with a classic white button up shirt only partially tucked in. Her dark eyes looked him over, taking in his anything but perfect image. There was something she truly enjoyed about seeing Draco when he was not perfectly put together.
"So, what's the plan?" She asked as he ushered her into the room.
"Alright," he said as he finished tucking his shirt into the waistband of his pants. "I've secured a portkey to take us to Paris, just a quick hop over at Highgate Cemetery at half eleven. I can apparate us over there so that is all sorted." Malfoy's confidence rolled off his tongue with every word, he really was in his element.
"And then?" Hermione prodded, trying to see how far he had really planned. Her words were met with a slick grin.
"And then you are just going to have to wait and see what I have planned," he retorted, the slick grin unfading from his lips. "You should probably let your parents know what we are up to so they don't expect us for dinner," he added, "that will give me time to finish getting ready and I can meet you downstairs."
There was something quite enjoyable about Malfoy having a plan and her just having to go along. She had always been the planner, it was so very nice to not have to do it all for once.
"Alright then, I'll meet you downstairs," she said as she left the room, closing the door behind her as she headed for the staircase.
Now just to tell her parents she was going to pop over to Paris for the evening and they would get dinner while they were there so to not worry about it. Totally normal thing to tell one's parents. One day she might get used to how incredibly abnormal the wizarding world was. To say it was magically seemed like such an immense understatement but at the same time, it was the only word that fit. She loved it so much.
Her smile was plastered to her lips and she felt like the excitement she was trying to suppress was about to burst. She took a deep breath, her parents sitting in their usual places in the sitting room was not unlike the last time she was home and had to erase herself from their memories. It stopped her for a moment, the sense of Deja Vu washing over her like a wave. Another deep breath and she continued into the sitting room to just let them know not to worry about them for lunch or dinner tonight.
"Mom, Dad," she started as she moved to stand in front of them.
"Yes dear," her dad spoke for both of them.
"Draco and I are just going to grab a portkey over to Paris for the afternoon, so don't worry about us for dinner tonight. We will grab something there before we head back tonight." She tried her absolute hardest to make this sound as normal as possible to her sweet muggle parents. There faces said it all.
"Okay," her dad started, always the most rational between her mom and him.
"Have fun sweetheart!" her mom injected rather unlike herself. "Just owl us if plans change so we don't worry," she said as she got up and give her a big hug.
"I will mom," Hermione said almost a little emotionally as she hugged her mom back. "I'll see you both later tonight if you are still up when we get back."
"Alright. We love you," her dad said kindly.
"Love you," she replied quickly just as Draco was making his way down the stairs.
"Ready Granger?" he called into the sitting room, clearly trying not to intrude.
"Absolutely," she grinned broadly, as she turned and headed over to him.
He held his hand out for her to take so they could apparate to were there portkey would be waiting for them. She took a deep breath, looking into his silver eyes before she placed her hand in his. As soon as her hand touched his she felt the familiar uncomfortable constriction that apparating brought with it as everything went dark.
The next thing she knew it they were somewhere dark and musty. It was cold, damp and so incredibly dark. She took a deep breath as she tried to regain her senses, this was the longest she had gone without apparating since she received her license. Malfoy's hand wasted no time in finding hers again and it instantly grounded her, a broad smile found its way to her lips as she turned to look at him.
"Ready?" he asked looking back at her.
She nodded as they moved forward through the damp stone hallway they were currently standing in. It did not take them long to begin ascending through the labyrinth of stone corridors until they finally made it to an old stone door. Malfoy pushed it open with his free hand, the bright light of outside streamed in as it opened. They were in a corridor of mausoleums, old and unused for at least half a century by the looks of them. This must be the cemetery where their portkey was waiting for them. She took another deep breath of the rainy fresh air, glad to be out of the musty tomb they had apparated to.
Her eyes stayed on Draco as he guided her through this maze of tombs in this old and overgrown part of the cemetery. It was really beautiful in a morbid kind of way. They turned into a stone arch in what seemed to be the center point of the rows of mausoleums. It was like a secret garden tucked away with a giant black oak tree at the center. Underneath the tree was an old stone bench that was covered in moss from the years of being unused and one side looked like it was starting to crumble. Draco walked them straight over to the bench looking around until he clearly found what he was looking for, an old broken lantern. Hermione watched Draco as he pulled a silver pocket watch out from inside his robes, watching it before looking up at her.
"Ready?" he asked as he put the watch back into its spot inside his robes.
"Ready," she said as they both reach for the broken lantern.
The horrible feeling that only a portkey caused immediately overtook her. There was nothing pleasant about traveling by portkey. She kept her eyes closed tight as she tried to mind over matter how horrible it felt to be ripped around by one of these things. Now all she had to do was focus on keeping her balance when they got there, all she need was to face plant upon arriving in Paris. The wind began to start to die down and she knew it would be mere moments before they hit the ground. She felt Draco's hand tighten around hers and she knew it was time.
An old alleyway quickly came into view and the next thing she knew the ground met her feet and just as she felt like she might topple forward Draco's steady hand balanced her out. She let out the biggest sigh of relief as her body slowly began to start feeling normal again.
"You okay Granger?" Draco asked sweetly as he watched her, she could feel his silver eyes checking her over for any signs of being unwell from the trip.
"I'm okay," she smiled as she pushed the windswept hair out of her face.
"Good," Draco grinned as he tossed the lantern into a pile of boxes on the wall across from them before leading them out of the alley they had arrived in.
Paris was beautiful, especially at the time of year. It was chilly and she was bursting with excitement once they started to make their way through the streets of the city. She was so curious to see where the entrance to the wizarding part of the city would be. London's was tucked away so neatly and she was anxious to see if it would be like that here. There was still so much to learn about this world and she could not wait to experience as much of it as she could.
They weaved through the city until they came to a shockingly busy plaza, in the center was a beautiful statue of a woman, turned green from age. Just as she was taking in their surroundings she could have sworn she saw the statue move. Nope no way, it had to have been a trick of her imagination. As they got closer, Draco clearly leading her straightforward she noticed her move again, almost beckoning to them. Was this it? She looked over at Draco was smiling so confidently as they approached the pedestal that she was perched on. He looked back at her with that confident smirk that she was beginning to grow so fond of. He quickly pulled his wand out and tapped the pedestal where her delicate legs hung over. She all but came to life as she gestured them into the pedestal she sat so gracefully on.
Just like that, they were standing in a very different crowded plaza, this was wizarding Paris. She was so fixated on everything around her she did not even notice Draco watching her. It was so beautiful and so different from Diagon Alley, but at the same time, they were so much alike. They stood there for a moment as Hermione took it all in, and Draco took all of her in.
"Welcome to Place Cachee, Granger," Draco finally said looking back out to the bustling square ahead of them.
Hermione's smile was as wide as it had ever been, this was everything and so much more.
"So what's up first," she finally asked as they continued to walk hand in hand through the busy district.
"Well, if you must know I made a few reservations for us at various establishments," Draco said coyly, trying to allude to the details of whatever he had up his sleeve for them. "Like this one," he added as they stopped in a doorway to a shop and opened the old wooden door for her.
"Fine have it your way," she said with a slight shake of her head as she made her way into the impeccably maintained shop. She was shocked to see fine robes displayed in the windows and racks of different wizarding fashions. She looked back at him questioningly.
"What kind of terrible person would I be if we came all the way to Paris and I didn't take you to get new robes," he grinned slyly as he gestured for her to go look around. "It wasn't completely selfless I have to admit, this is one of my favorite places to get robes from. Paris has it's very own Gladrags but I prefer this place hands down." He added before he appeared to be perusing a display case.
Hermione decided she might as well take full advantage of shopping in Paris in a place as swanky as this and was looking at the various displays of what must be in style currently in the wizarding world. She had to admit that she really did not keep up with wizarding styles, besides with dress robes. She knew once she got a job she would have to get used to wearing robes every day instead of getting away with mix matching them with her muggle clothes. This next year was really going to bring some major changes.
After looking over what felt like hundreds of different styles and colors of robes her eyes fell on the most beautiful silver robes she had ever seen. They were dressy but not as formal as the dress robes she currently owned. Upon closer inspection, they were a stunning shimmering silver fabric with this fun cape that covered the shoulders and was hemmed just above the elbow of the slim fitted sleeves. She did not even notice Draco approach her with another neatly dressed witch.
"Find something?" he asked, knowing good and well that she had.
She spun around taking him in before she noticed the woman who was standing next to him.
"This is Andrea, she will take you back to get whatever you want to be fitted to you. Pick out whatever you want, I've got my own appointment to get a few things fitted. I'll meet you at the counter when you are ready," he smiled, giving her hand a little squeeze before heading off to get his own purchases fitted.
Hermione was trying to take this all in, it was certainly the fanciest shopping experience she had ever had.
"Just let me know what you would like to try and I will have it sent back for you," Andrea said in her thick French accent. Thank goodness she spoke English.
"Thank you," Hermione said sweetly, trying to hide her shyness.
In the end, she pointed out a few sets of robes to try and after ended up picking out two sets that she had fitted. One was the silver set that had first caught her eye and the second was a sharp lavender set that really stood out from anything she owned. They were very expensive, but she decided it was worth the splurge, it could be her Christmas present to herself.
As she headed up to the front counter she soon saw Draco with a stack of large black boxes being placed carefully into a matching bag by the wizard behind the counter. He was serious about getting new robes.
"Find a few things?" he asked as Hermione made her way to stand next to him.
"A few," she said with a smile.
"Good," he replied with a sweet smile.
By then her black robe boxes had floated up from the back and the wizard behind the counter was placing them into a matching bag of her own.
"Anything else Monsieur Malfoy?" the wizard asked, his heavy accent hanging on his words.
Malfoy just shook his head prompting the wizard to hand them each their respected bags.
"Thank you for visiting us once again, we look forward to seeing you soon," the wizard said as Malfoy started to turn to leave.
Hermione just stood there flabbergasted. What just happened. Did Malfoy just buy her expensive French robes without even seeing how much they were? Was there even any money exchanged? Did he have some sort of account here? Actually, that would make sense. When he continued to walk like absolutely nothing of note had happened, she followed after him, her bag in tow. When they were a few shops down she finally placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"What just happened back there?" she asked bluntly.
"We went robe shopping?" he said confused as to what she could possibly be questioning.
She just stared blankly back at him, clearly, this was no big deal and she felt like it was so obvious how out of place she felt. Draco must have had an inkling of what was running through her head because he gave her shoulder a small squeeze.
"My parents have an account here, so I just charged everything to it. They won't question how much I spent, I've racked up some hefty bills here before," he grinned before taking her free hand and continuing to walk down the street. "Ready for some lunch?" he asked after a while as they rounded a corner on to another street.
"I could eat," she said with her grin painted back onto her lips.
"Perfect, because that is our next stop," Draco said smoothly as a small café came into view. Small tables with just enough room for two people lined the street in front of the large windows. It was picture perfect.
They were seated at a small table outside waiting patiently for their drink order when Draco broke the comfortable silence that had settled between them.
"So after this, we can check into the hotel, and relax a little bit before our next stop." His words were so casual. This was so normal to him, but it was anything but normal to Hermione.
"You got us a hotel room?" she asked shocked.
"Of course, even if we don't end up stay the night, we need a place to relax and change before dinner tonight."
"Thank Merlin I got some new robes," she laughed as their drinks made it to their table.
"I told you I had everything planned," his words were so smooth. This was Draco Malfoy in his element.
She could hardly wait to see what else he had in store for them today.