Disclaimer: I don't own anything except this purely imagined story.

A/N: Someone dropped a review that said this story doesn't really have romance in it. I just want to take this time to say that I promise there will be romance. I've already warned you all that this story's pace may be too slow. It's because I want Draco and Hermione's relationship to develop naturally and more realistically, I guess. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Still, thank you for your patience with this story and me. Don't forget to tell me what you think about this! xx

Chapter Eleven

Just Another Night

May 2, 2001

I hit pause, thinking I heard a knock. After a second, I hear it again. I wonder who it is. I'm not exactly close with my next door neighbors save for the smiles and short greetings we occasionally exchange when we walk by each other. Except for Mrs. Jenkins who lives with his granddaughter at the end of the hall, I don't know these people's names. If someone wishes to visit any of the tenant here, he'll have to ring the bell downstairs and wait for the person to open the door for him. Still thinking who it might be, I put down the pint of ice cream on the coffee table and stand up to get the door.

"Malfoy," I say in surprise. He stands in my doorway, looking impeccable with his sleek dress robes and clean look. "Aren't you supposed to be at the Celebratory Ball?"

"Astoria and I had a row," he says, inviting himself in and already sitting down on the couch. He sure looks comfortable, so unlike the first time he's been here. Of course a lot has changed since then.

"So why are you here? Shouldn't you be knocking on her door?"

"I don't do that Granger. Besides, I didn't do anything wrong," he says, finally registering what I'm wearing. I'm in a pair of pajamas and a robe. I've slept in for the day. Harry, Ron and I have this tradition this time of the year. At exactly 12 midnight, we meet at the graveyard where our friends are buried. We bring butterbeers and just talk. For hours, we reminisce, chat about our present lives and just recount some funny stories. I got home at 4 this morning and I was so tired and sleepy that I slept for 10 hours straight.

Malfoy doesn't comment on my appearance but I know he's just taking his time. He looks around the room. He sees the ice cream and the paused movie on the telly. His reaction changes from pity with slight disgust to amusement.

"You had better things to do?" he says, quirking an eyebrow at me.

"What? I rarely get a break," I say and sit beside him on the couch, picking up the ice cream. I dig a spoonful and put it in my mouth.

"This is why you don't get a boyfriend," he says as a matter-of-factly.

"Excuse me but you should know that there are plenty of guys pining over me," I say. "Hey!"

I stop myself from swatting his hand away. I don't know where he got a spoon but Malfoy's helping himself with some of the chocolate chip ice cream. I have the urge to be a little selfish sometimes. Now Malfoy looks at me with slight interest, a devilish smirk on his pretty face.

"Really?" he drawls, enunciating the vowels more slowly.

I roll my eyes at him.

"Yes. You probably know him. His name is Matthew Abbott," I say, trying to be patient as I prove that I'm not making something up. "He's actually pretty sweet."

"Oh yeah? If he's as sweet as you say, why don't you date him?"

"We see each other sometimes." I shrug.

Okay. That's not exactly true. You see, I go for a check-up every other month at St. Mungo's and sometimes I bump into Matthew. He works as a Healer at the hospital. He asks me out and every time, I would refuse. It isn't that I'm not ready for a new relationship. I just think that this isn't the best time to have one. I'm too focused on my work that I might end up neglecting the other person. I would only hurt him.

"Yeah right," Malfoy says sarcastically.

"What now?"

"Granger, you work 24 hours a day —"

"You're always exaggerating—"

"—when you're not working, you're with Potter or the Weasel or me. You don't have time for dating," he tells me.

"Fine! I'm not dating him. Are you happy now?" I say exasperatedly.

He doesn't answer me. Instead he leans in close enough that I could see his pale, long lashes. I immediately freeze.

"What are you do— ?"

Using his thumb, he wipes something off the edge of my upper lip. I'm staring at him as his tongue flicks out to lick the chocolate ice cream off it.

"All I'm saying is stop working too much. For Merlin's sake, have fun Granger," he says as he grabs the ice cream from my hands and resumes eating.

I sigh and throw my head back. I look at the ceiling light for a while that when I close my eyes, there's a dark blotch behind my eyelids. I suppose I've been too hard on myself. But the truth is, I'm afraid of letting someone new in. I haven't been in any serious relationships aside from Ron. And Ron has been my best friend even before we got together. I've practically known him my whole life. And to meet someone new, getting to know him with all the pressure-of-trying-to-impress-him that go with dates — that is kind of scary. I don't know why but I tell Mafloy this.

"That's normal, I guess?" he says, "But you know you don't have to if you're not ready."

How do I know if I'm ready? I ask aloud.

"You'll know," he reassures me.

"You know, for someone who can't shut up, you're actually a good listener," I say pointedly.

"Thanks Granger. You always manage to compliment and insult me in one sentence," he says sarcastically.

I convince him to watch the rest of the movie with me. He knows about them but hasn't really seen one himself. I'm sitting with a blanket over my lap, with my legs under me while Malfoy's feet are propped up on the coffee table in front of us, his arm resting at the back of the couch. The one I was watching is one of my favorite romance movies called Notting Hill. Malfoy keeps saying it's crap but he actually keeps on asking questions about it like What's Hollywood and giving comments like This guy's like the Weasel referring to Hugh Grant's appalling roommate. Halfway though, when he becomes quiet, I see that he's fallen asleep.

When the credits finally roll with its music filling the background, I turn to look at Malfoy. There's a lock of white blond hair that falls to his face, the only thing out of place from his otherwise neatly slicked back hair. I reach for it and stop mid-air, realizing how affectionate the act would be. So instead I reach for his shoulder, shaking it as I say his name.

"What time is it?" he mumbles as he rubs his eyes.

"Almost midnight," I whisper as if I could wake the neighbours. The TV screen has already turned black.

He groans and stretches his arms above his head.

Finally fully awake, he says, "I should probably go," just as he stands up and collects the robes he took off a while ago.

I stand up as well to walk him to the door, reminding him all the way, "The next time you come here, don't Apparate right outside my door, okay? Someone might see you. In case you're forgetting, my neighbours aren't exactly used to seeing someone pop out of nowhere."

"You worry too much Granger," he says as he steps outside to the hallway.

I look at him from the doorway and try again, "I'm serious Malfoy."

He gives me a grin before he says, "Good night Granger," ignoring what I just said as he Disapparates in front of me.

I sigh and walk back to the living room to clean up. I shake my head, smiling to myself. I hate to admit it but this has been a rather good night.