L
'You don't look like a morning person' she said, testing the water as Malfoy walked up to her early the next morning. They were at the Ministry office from which they were to take their portkey and he did not look happy. He just scowled at her in reply so she took a deep breath and tried again.
'I'm guessing this wasn't your idea then'
The scowl spread deeper across Malfoy's face and she shrank back a bit as he snapped 'You really think?' at her, growling low and raising one eyebrow.
'Mine either, but there could be worse people to go with' she sighed, not wanting to antagonise the beast too much she was slightly looking forward to this trip. She watched him take a deep breath and his shoulders relaxed a little.
'You're right as usual but probably none as awkward as this. Come on then. Let's get it over with' he said, reaching out a hand for her. Her heart leapt with hope this trip might just pass as enjoyable as she took the offered hand.
They stepped up to the portkey together, touching it as it glowed blue. Immediately they felt the gut wrenching pull as they flew through the air, lasting a couple of minutes as it was a long journey. They landed heavily the other side, stumbling for a second before Hermione was immediately sick.
'Oh great' he muttered but cleaned it away for her with a swipe of his wand and passed her some water. He sat staring at her whilst she recovered slightly
'I just don't like portkeys. Or brooms for that matter' she snapped, gratefully sipping the water. 'I'm fine, come on. Let's go dump our cases. I want to review the notes anyway before we're stuck with the Italians all day'.
She started walking but Malfoy just grabbed her arm and without warning apparated them both.
'What was that?' She yelled, taken by surprise but noting he hadn't let go of her arm. He seemed to notice at the same time and dropped it quickly.
'Easier this way. I was here last week remember'.
She glared at him, she'd wanted to walk to look around and from the map it was only a few streets from where they'd landed but she kept quiet and followed him into the hotel. She watched in amazement as he conversed easily, almost flirtily with the receptionist in fluent Italian. He got the keys for two rooms and walked back to her.
'You can close your pretty little mouth Granger' he said, smiling for the first time as he handed over her key. 'It's why I'm here isn't it and not the Strickson oaf? I learnt as a child. Meet you back here in an hour'.
He turned on his heel and disappeared upstairs leaving her stood in the lobby. She looked around. She hadn't stayed in many wizarding hotels but the ones she had were fascinating and this was no exception to their oddities. Even though it was early there were several groups around, readying for the day. She smiled to see even Japanese wizards followed their muggle counterpart stereotypes and had cameras around their necks, although these were far more intricate and exciting. She laughed as one made a loud bang and puff of smoke taking a picture, reminding her of Seamus. There were a couple of families setting out for the day, she loved watching wizarding children play around, there was an innocence to them many muggle children seemed to have lost. Over in the corner there was a young man sat on his own, supposedly reading the paper but really she could see he was watching everything going on. She thought she recognised him, there was definitely something familiar about him but couldn't quite place it so she pushed it to the back of her mind.
She left the lobby and headed to her room. It was perfectly pleasant if a little small and dated. A nice double bed, a desk and wardrobe in the main room but most importantly to her was a big, deep bath. It was one thing she missed about Hogwarts, the prefect's bathroom with the big pool sized bath- her little townhouse just didn't compare with its sole shower and mini tub. She quickly filled it, she'd have time for a short one whilst re reading the notes and a massive book on Italian Law. She sank down into the bubbles and next thing she knew was her alarm going off.
'What time do you call this?' He almost shouted as she ran up to him in the lobby.
'Sorry'she gasped, 'fell asleep'.
It was true. She'd had more nightmares lately, winter always seemed to make them worse and the warm scented bath had sent her right off to sleep. Luckily she'd set her alarm to stop her getting absorbed in her work so was only five minutes late.
'Great impression if we're late. Come on' he snapped, striding outside so quick she had to run to keep up. He grabbed her arm again, apparating them both to the Italian ministry visitors entrance. Hermione watched as Draco stepped onto a gondola, holding out his hand for Hermione. She looked around in amazement but stepped into the boat. The striped gondolier was silent as if noticing they didn't want to talk. They'd sat down and been punted along a minute when they went under a dark bridge. Hermione gasped as they came out the other side. Instead of the street they were on continuing they'd come out into a bustling underground street, full of wizards and shops, much like Diagon Alley.
'All the gondoliers are minor prisoners. Gives them useful employment' Malfoy whispered, as they reached a stop and got off. Hermione stood still and looked around in awe.
'Enough gawking' Malfoy snapped, striding off. She ran to catch up with him, following him through a non descriptive door, into a massive atrium.
'Granger. You're a witch. Magic shouldn't be surprising' he said exasperatedly as she stopped again.
'It is and it should be' She retorted, keeping her head down and keeping up with him as he strode off towards the desk where their wands were checked and badges issued. He shook his head at her childish giddy ness but let himself smile a little and slowed down so she could take it all in a little bit more.
The day was long and tough for Hermione- she didn't speak Italian and it was full of people very angrily shouting. She had a headache from all the to-ing and fro-ing and was generally in a bad mood.
'Dinner at 7' Malfoy said, apparating them directly back into the hotel that evening. It was easier to travel together and he'd just taken charge of navigating them around.
'I was just going to order room service' she said, yawning. A late night and busy day had taken its toll and she just wanted to crash in bed.
'Trust me. Lobby at 7' he said definitively, stalking off.
He'd been civil in company all day but either silent or eerily polite otherwise and they hadn't talked about the letter at all, not that she'd found out much. Damn you Malfoy and your arrogant attitude she thought. She'd never been to Italy before and didn't want him to ruin her trip. She was half tempted to stand him up- who was he to tell her what to do but she'd like the opportunity to talk to someone in English so decided to go with it, and as tired as she was didn't want to waste her trip shut in her room. She'd worked hard all day so decided she deserved some time off, plus he'd invited her so she was hoping he wouldn't be in much of a mood or storm off this time.
'Come on' he said, leading her out of the hotel when she met him later.
'Any chance of more than minimal words this evening? Even if they are insults' she said, the last bit quietly as they left. He looked as if he was battling an inner demon before relaxing.
'Been a long day' he said.
'Exactly why I wanted room service' she muttered.
'Trust me, you didn't want room service there. I did last time. It was bad. I found this place when I was avoiding Strickson' he motioned her in through a dirty curtain in the wall 'and it's a lot better'.
She looked around. It was a beautiful little restaurant on the waters edge. Typical backstreet Italian from what little she'd seen and imagined and read about. It smelt of pizza and tomatoes and wine. Malfoy greeted the waiter and spoke chattily in Italian. The man obviously knew him and looked keenly at Hermione smiling. He nodded at her and led them to a table next to the water's edge. There were a few other diners who looked like locals Hermione thought and a couple old Italian wizards sat arguing over wizards chess at the bar.
'This looks amazing' she said, thoroughly confused.
He sighed. 'It's not a date, Granger. I just wanted nice food and thought you might too'.
'I didn't for a second think it was a date. Just can't understand why you're horrible all day and then bring me here suddenly being nice again. It's hot or cold with you Malfoy and it's getting confusing'.
He sat down and sighed again. 'It's just food Granger' he said quietly but he couldn't understand it either. This was his hideyhole, he came here every time he came to Italy and always alone but tonight something made him invite her.
'Well, thank you' she said, glaring at the menu. They read in silence for a minute until he started watching her instead. He let the ghost of a smile creep up before laughing at her openly, putting the menu down.
'You don't speak Italian so I'll make the educated assumption you don't read it either?' He asked, still laughing at her annoyed face. She just huffed before shaking her head.
'Something you can't do that I can?'
'There's plenty you can do that I cant' she hissed. He thought about outlining exactly what, rile her up but her helplessness made him relent and not bring up the whole dark magic side he was trying to forget.
'It's true. I bet you can't balance an olive on your nose' he said, making her laugh as he tried, then flicked it up and caught it in his mouth.
'Trust me again?' He asked softly, brushing her hand on the table. She nodded, eyeing him warily. The waiter appeared again and he ordered for them both. He caught sight of her face.
'It annoys you doesn't it? That in this I beat you? There's actually something the great Hermione Granger can't do?' He was gently teasing and raised the ghost of a smile from her.
'I can beat you in a lot more. Just languages have never been my strong point' she replied.
'I learnt as a child as you know. Wizarding children especially purebloods didn't go to school before Hogwarts, education is the families responsibility. I had governesses to teach me. One Italian, one French, one Spanish for a year each so I could learn the languages' he relented, explaining.
'Not many people know I can speak four languages, including Voldemort. My father may have sold me out but thankfully he kept that quiet. I tried German but really couldn't get the accent'.
'Muggle children learnt at secondary school but obviously I came to Hogwarts and languages aren't taught there, except I guess runes and latin' Hermione replied.
'I never had time to learn and once I found out about magic I was too enthralled by that. I'm surprised there isn't an instant language spell though. Four languages is pretty impressive. I guess it made it an easy decision what job to do' she said.
Malfoy nodded.
'Slytherin' he said, tapping his head. 'Play to your strengths. Keep your talents close until you need them. Not like those Gryffindors shouting it from the rooftops, or waving their hands in the air' he ribbed gently.
She blushed, remembering her know it all attitude at school which was embarrassing now.
They spent a lovely evening sat there drinking wine, chatting about general gossip and actively avoiding the letter. Hermione was involved in some charities that Malfoy bankrolled and although he didn't let on, it was nice to hear the work they did truthfully as usually he stayed out of it or was just sung gushing praise and told how wonderful they were when he knew like anything there were issues. They walked back to the hotel at the end of the night and it just felt natural to take her hand. She was slightly tipsy and Malfoy felt the most relaxed he had in a long time.
'Well, night then' she said and being brave reached up and pecked him on the cheek before rushing off to her room in embarrassment and before he could say anything. She closed the door and a gasped as a hand roughly grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth.