Chapter 76 - Please

When Harry had reached out to Hermione on Thursday via letter, to ask about the situation at school, she had been happy he trusted her enough again to ask for her opinion, but was also a bit wary. Albus Potter wasn't the child to complain to his father, he solved his own problems, and Hermione the setup was to strange for Hermione to let it slide.

So this time it was Hermione's turn to send a small note to Draco, asking him to meet up in a small muggle cafe, just outside of central London, as she came to the conclusion that it had something to do with him and their last conversation.

He had send a letter back the next day, confirming the day, but pushing the time a bit back. Hermione didn't care to much, as she still spend most of her time researching in the Hogwarts library and had no obligations, which was something that drove her crazy, she wasn't used to free time, undisturbed on top of it. It were these moments, when it was the hardest, because she had nothing to focus and her thoughts started to wander. Her sessions with Madame Pomfrey continued and helped, but Hermione feared she would never be free of her haunting memories. At least now she rarely cried and was able to centre herself in the present with the help of her small pendant. She hadn't allowed herself to open it lately, but just feeling it around her neck was enough.

On the day of their agreed meeting she sat in the cafe early, able the get a hold on one of the tables in the back. Like this she was close to the second staff exit, but her back was against the wall without windows, so she could keep an eye on everything around her and it wasn't possible to sneak up on her.

Draco entered the cafe in a similar muggle suit like the one he had worn to the restaurant last time, just a bit more casual styled. The first button on his shirt stood open again, and this time the suit was light grey, which made his eyes stand out.

"Granger!" He greeted her with a nod and sat down opposite of her, beckoning the waiter before he even got ride of his coat. While he draped his coat over the chair a waitress came over and smiled at them.

"A cup of coffee, black. Make it big." Draco drawled and raised his eyebrow at the woman, when she didn't start moving as soon as he was done.

"That's it." He added, as if she was stupid, and smirked when she blushed and finally ran towards the kitchen.

"You know a please hurts no one?" Hermione asked him while she shook her head in disbelief. Sometimes she forgot how arrogant he had been, still was.

"They are here to serve me and they get paid for it. It would be just another word I need to add, which means I need to wait longer."

"Merlin, you are an ass. It's common courtesy. " Hermione grumbled, but Draco saw that she wasn't really upset by the roll of her eyes and the way she placed the serviette down on her lap, never meeting his eyes. Had she been really upset she would have glared at him, her hair cracking and her brown eyes ablaze.

"I'm practical Granger, and I would never behave like a commoner. If I do, I suddenly get all this women lionise me because of my looks and my money. Been there, done that."

Draco leaned back against his chair, his gaze focused on Hermione and a smirk playing around the corners of his mouth, because he knew he had taken the wind out of her sails.

"So basically you behave like an asshole, because you think you are to good for them? Because you still believe muggles are beyond you?" Hermione asked with a straight face. Now she was looking at him, but it was more calculating, than angry.

"I don't care if she's a muggle or a witch. They all want something from me. Just like you Granger. The difference is, I am still not sure if I want to give you what you want."

"Oh, so you know what I want?" Hermione asked him, laughing dryly. "That's interesting, because most of the time I can't even figure it out myself."

"Well in this case I do. Potter talked to you, didn't he?" They stared at each other while Hermione nodded and bit her lip in worry.

"Yes Harry did. So it was really you behind it."

"He was always as subtly as a Bludger. I knew he would ask you about it, after I mentioned your name." Draco chuckled because he knew his plan had worked. While he might not be able to use Granger for better publicity, he wasn't above using the hold she had on Potter. That the men had reached out to Granger proofed, that at least their relationship was still intact, which was valuable to know.

"You manipulated him, didn't you?"

Hermione got no verbal answer, just a raised eyebrow from Draco who leaned back and observed their surroundings. When the waitress came back he took the cup from her and ignored the shy smile she send his way.

"At least they are fast." He muttered and took a sip from the brew, just to grimace and set it back down.

"Not up to your standard Malfoy?" Hermione joked and stirred her tea that was already cooling, she had been here earlier than him after all.

"To hot." Draco drawled and watched Hermione take a sip of her own. She still looked older than she should, but either her glamours were really strong, or she slept more than before. She was on the alert, her eyes following the movements of everyone behind him, but she sat still, not fidgeting with her amulet anymore, like she had last time.