Chapter Eight:
"Relax Hermione" he said. Hermione instantly calmed at the softness of his voice, he perched on the edge of the armchair, she scotched over so he could position himself more comfortably. She pressed her head to his chest, and let the tears flow. He said nothing, bust rubbed her back and held her close. Eventually she ran out of tears and she quietened to gently whimpering. He kissed her cheek softly
"Wanna talk about it?" He asked
"No" Hermione muttered.
Draco smiled, a genuine smile.
"Want me to go?"" He asked; Hermione violently shook her head
"No" she said sternly. His infamous smirk rose on his lips
"Get dressed, meet me here in 5 minutes" he said, standing up and offering his hand to pull her up, to which she accepted, while in the motion of pulling her up, he spun her round, keeping two hands on her hips looking in her eyes, neither of them moved. His eyes seemed soft and lacked the ice cold steel they held in previous years, she felt herself biting back a smile but realised quickly she didn't have to hide it. He matched her smile
"Three minutes" he said winking. She laughed lightly and did as he said, throwing on some jeans and a top as well as a hoodie, she made her way out into the common room, not surprised to meet Draco dressed, sat in the armchair, glancing over the book she was reading.
"Ready?" He asked her. She nodded. his eyes skimmed over her petite form. Skinny jeans showing off her thin waist, ample chest and framed her face beautifully. He placed a soft kiss to her cheek, took her hand in his and walked to the door. They made their way out the house, silently. Making sure not to disturb anyone. They started walking down the road, Hermione following his lead. They walked in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, but both felt they should say something…They just didn't know what to say. Draco's fingers grazed against hers, and she felt a slither of electricity go through her. Surprised at herself, she didn't realise that Draco has slipped his fingers through hers, linking their hands. They turned right and into a pub. The pub itself looked run down and disheveled. But neither cared. They walked inside and ordered a drink each. They took their drinks and Draco guided them to a table at the back of the pub where the silence overtook them.
In the background they heard the clink and chatter of the locals. Hermione looked down at the table. Trying to avoid Draco's eyes. Yet She could feel Draco's eyes blaring into the back of her head. She knew that she had to look up, so she did. Her eyes met his. They stayed there for a while, just starring into each others eyes. The tick of a clock seemed to have slowed down, each tick seeming to be minutes long.
"Wanna talk about it?" Draco asked, breaking the silence.
Hermione sighed and took a sip of her drink.
"It's stupid. Don't worry" she said dismissing the subject.
Draco opened his mouth to say something, probably an objection but suddenly the overwhelming scent of perfume overtook the room, Hermione looked up behind Draco and tried to suppress a laugh. Draco too looked up to see an old woman, perhaps late 70's dolled up in a hot pink cocktail dress. Her make up was alarming, a blood red lipstick, thick black eyeliner and dark eyeshadow, a failed attempt at a Smokey look it would appear. She reeked of cigarettes and strong liquor.
She knelt down and whispered in Draco's ear…well drunk whispering so shouting in a somewhat seductive voice.
"Let Miss Shaw show you a good time" Draco visibly tensed but the woman took it as a sign of happiness. Out of her blood red lips poked a pointy, cracked pink snake-Like tongue, she trailed it over the Shell of Draco'sDraco's ear. He shivered in discomfort.
Draco'sDraco's hand flew to his chest, looking for his wand before remembering that this was a muggle.
"Miss, I am flattered, truly I am and I'm sure your services are far more than satisfactory, but I'm not looking for that sort of entertainment tonight" he said. Only Draco Malfoy could make rejecting a whore sound sophisticated.
"Alright love, you know where to find me if your change your mind" she said, she gave him a flirtatious wink and moved her way over to. Hermione
"No" Hermione said bluntly. The woman rolled her eyes and walked off to another unsuspecting couple muttering under her breath, up still audible "prude".
Once she was out of earshot, both Hermione and Draco doubled over in fits of laughter.
"I think it's time we go" Draco said once they got their breath back. Hermione nodded they downed the last gulp of their drinks and walked out, taking a left which they hadn't seen before.
They walked for half a mile, while laughing about the muggle. Draco saw a new light in Hermione, one that he had not previously known about. She was funny, smart (obviously) but quick witted. And overall a pleasure to be around, when she wasn't bossing everyone around. They came across a large building, in neon flashing light was "24/7 bowling" both Draco and Hermione smirked and simultaneously walked inside. The place was buzzing. The beat of the bass echoed through the room, vibrating the pins to the point where every so often one would fall over on its own. There was a bar in the corner where a few elderly men were drinking pints, hollering in their drunken state.
Draco took a firm grasp of Hermione's hand as they paid for a round and put on the shoes.
They walked for half a mile, while laughing about the muggle. Draco saw a new light in Hermione, one that he had not previously known about. She was funny, smart (obviously) but quick witted. And overall a pleasure to be around, when she wasn't bossing everyone around.
Her fingers lightly grazed his and he intwined their hands. They came across a large warehouse looking building bright neon lights on the outside lit up the dark alley.
Ten pin bowling it read.
Hermione eyes lit up at the sign. This didn't go unnoticed by Draco, who tugged gently on her arm and pulled her into the building. The bass vibrated the flow from miles away. The echoing music shook the walls and echoed around inside the building. They hire a lane and swapped their shoes. They were the only ones bowling. The building itself was quite empty there's as a few elderly gentlemen, already suitably drunk at the bar singing songs, in a cringeworthy harmony, while watching football.
Hermione and Draco had their game. As it was similar to skittles, Draco quickly grasped the game, however he had improved from the skittles game and actually won the bowling.
It was just gone midnight when they left the arena. They walked back. In their tipsy, sleep deprived state they stumbled through a play park, falling and landing on a set of swings.
"Bet I can swing higher than you" Hermione giggled. Unable to resist her, Draco accepted the challenge and moments later they were both swinging as high as they could. Once the thrill of floating, escalated by the alcohol had subsided they slowed down to a stop. Breathing gently Draco turned to Hermione
"So again, why were you upset?" He asked.
"Because Harry and Neville" Hermione started but Draco cut her off
"Yes they're being distant but what's really wrong?" He asked. He looked deep into her eyes. She wanted to turn away but she couldn't.
"What if He finds us? What is He hunts us down and kills us, I know that we'd all defend Harry if you know who came here but would Harry defend us? He's being so distant? Would he give us up?" Hermione said, tears were falling down her cheeks by this point. Draco moved closer to her and pulled her body against his. He pressed a soft kiss to her forhesd as she wept into his chest.
"Hermione, Harry wouldn't do that, you know he wouldn't. Yes I admit his behaviour is absurd but he wouldn't give you up. After all you've done for him he'd be a fool to do so" Draco said
"But first there's Harry then Neville, now Ron….before long it will cause a fight, especially if more people join them" Hermione said.
"Well I can say for certain that me Theo and Blaise won't. I'm fairly certain that the twins won't and I doubt Ginny will, she's got a thing for Theo" Draco said. This caused Hermione to jerk upwards
"Theo and Ginny?" She asked smiling. Draco nodded smirking. Hermione mulled the thought over for a few minutes before smiling and laughing, laying back into his chest.
"Yeah I can imagine that" she said. Their laughter subsided and once more they were looking into each others eyes. Next thing they know their lips are inching closer until they're captured in a kiss. A slow, loving kiss. Draco broke the kiss first smiling down at Hermione.
"It's 4am, we should head back now" he said. She nodded. They walked back to the house and into Hermione room. She slipped into the bathroom and emerged minutes later in her pyjamas. She got into bed. Draco went to walk towards the door but she stopped him
"No! Sleep here tonight" she said
Draco didn't say anything but moved back Next to her, stripped down to his underwear and got into bed next to her. He kissed her cheek and fell asleep.