Chapter 8
Draco left an awestruck Hermione standing in the foyer of her room. He changed into his pajamas and laid in bed. He was definitely developing feelings for the witch, he just didn't know how to feel about it. He fell asleep with a smile on his face that night.
The next morning he woke with a little more spring in his step. He showered and dressed in his muggle jeans he found comfortable and a simple black shirt. He went downstairs to make breakfast since he knew Hermione was going out and he wanted to stay in today.
When he walked down the stairs, he found Tonks walking in.
"Morning. I take it your Hermione's person to have our password?"
"Of course. Morning to you as well Mr. Malfoy."
Draco groaned. "Please never call me that again. That was my father. Draco is fine." He put a pot of water to boil for morning tea and set toast to make.
"Draco it is then. Any sign of Hermione this morning?" Tonks asked, sitting at one of the bar stools.
"Nope." Just then they heard music coming from her side of the room.
"She's up. And from the sound of the music, she's exceptionally chipper today. Something has made her happy." Tonks smiled at Draco, who noticed.
"And what does that mean?"
"Oh, don't get offensive. I just mean that she's happy about something that has happened. Tell me, Draco, how is things going between you and my friend?" Tonks leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand.
"Very well. We work well together. And." Draco stopped, thinking for a minute before sitting next to Tonks. "You know Hermione better than anyone, right?"
"I'd like to think so. Why?"
"Well, we have the final plans for the Halloween Ball and due to McGonagall wanting us to go together as the head boy and girl, we decided on couples. Like, as in couple pairings from wizarding and muggle world. Only thing is, I want to surprise her with our couple pairing. I need your help." Draco tool a deep breath when he finished.
Tonks smiled a wicked smile. "Read 'Pride and Prejudice'. It'll explain everything."
Just then, Hermione came walking down the stairs.
"Good morning." She greeted as she walked to the island and made her a spice of toast and tea.
"Hello my lovely. I love the outfit." Tonks said, still sitting beside Draco.
"Might want to lift that jaw up from the ground before she sees." She whispered to a very awestruck Draco. He quickly recovered, but still kept his eyes on her.
"Thank you." Hermione smiled. "Morning, Draco."
"Morning, Hermione." He said with a smile.
"Well, if you will, let's get the show on the road. Headmistress gave us a time limit today." Tonks said, standing.
"I'm coming." Hermione summoned her purse from her room and gave Draco a smile and left with Tonks.
Draco let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Hermione looked stunning this morning. He finally recovered and went to the library. He searched through the rows of muggle literature and found what he was looking for.
He sat in the window seat and began reading. Quickly becoming entranced with the story of Elizabeth Bennet.
Hermione and Tonks arrived in Wizarding London for their shopping day. Their first stop was the new shop, Witch Wear for Every Age. Hermione walked in and was immediately in lobe with the store. Everything was color coded and in order from no sleeve, short sleeve, long sleeve and so on.
"So, where to start?" Tonks asked.
"Really? You have to ask? Purple of course." Hermione laughed as she walked over to browse.
"I think you should add a little more color than just purple." Tonks said as she found her style.
"I do. I like some yellow and some green. Who knows, maybe I'll find something I like in other colors."
Tonks rolled her eyes and helped Hermione find what she wanted. Hermione surprised her when she picked out several tops like the one she wore before, with the corset middle and off the shoulder sleeves.
Hermione had a wonderful time looking for outfits. She even managed to find a few dresses and skirts to wear. And to Tonks surprise, not everything was purple. They paid for their purchases, Hermione happy that everything there was very affordable.
They had lunch at a nearby restaurant and sat down to wait on their food. Hermione put her purchases in the booth beside her by the wall, Tonks doing the same.
"So, how is everything going with Draco? You two getting along?"
"We are, actually. I'm helping him produce a patronus. It's going okay, I just need him to producd stronger happy memories."
"I'm sure he will. He mentioned the two of you are planning a Halloween Ball?"
"Yes. Headmistress thinks it will be a good idea for one. She wants Draco and I to go together to show the school two rival houses can come together. So he come up with idea for a couple's theme. I actually think it's clever." Hermione smiled.
"I know that smile. You're happy. Any ideas for your costumes?"
"No. We haven't discussed that yet. I'm not sure what we will choose. That may be a fight." She giggled.
Their food came and they ate. Shortly after they headed back to the school. Hermione went to her room and pit her things away. She rearranged her closet to put her new purchases in and arranged her regular tees into her dresser. When done, she went down to find Draco.
Draco was still sitting on the window seat when he heard Hermione. He marked his page, put the book away and walked out into the common area. Hermione had come back downstairs just as he was closing the library door.
"Hello, Draco. Did you spend all morning and afternoon in there?"
"I did. Is that so shocking?"
"No. Have you had lunch?"
"A little. I'll eat again at dinner. How was your outing?" He said as he sat on the opposite end of the sofa from the brunette.
"Wonderful. I found a store that perfectly suits me. Everything is color coded and arranged in a perfect set that it was very easy for me to find what I was looking for. It is also affordable."
"Well that sounds like you." Draco threw his arms behind his head. "McGonagall sent word that she will be announcing the Halloween Ball this evening at dinner. Since Monday starts the new month, she wants everyone to start preparing. Then she is calling a meeting with us and the Prefects afterwards."
Hermione nodded. "So, Draco, tell me a few things about yourself. We need to get to know each other a bit better and I need to know what really makes you happy."
Draco thought a moment. "Well, flying used to make me happy. It still brings some joy, but not as much. I've been flying since I could remember. Mum bought me a broomstick for my fifth birthday and I flew all evening after." He smiled.
"My favorite memory though would have to be when I flew out of the Manor's grounds and I went to this small little town down the road. I flew into this huge tree and sat there and watched all the children playing. There was this one little girl running around, laughing. Then an older kid came over, said something to her and then pushed her down. It made me mad but I couldn't do anything, so I sat in the tree."
Hermione sat up, listening to him very intently.
"The little girl came over to the tree and sat on one of the lower branches. She sat there, picking at the leaves, then I seen her take the peices of the leaf and put them back together. I was shocked and amazed. This little muggle girl could do something like that. She couldn't have been more than.."
"Seven. She was seven years old."
Draco furrowed his brows at her. "How do you know that?"
Hermione looked up at him. "Draco, that little girl was me. That was the day I found out I was different than others. I was being picked on because I was talking of flying broomsticks and magic."
Draco was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe it. "Wow. That's, that's amazing."
"Yeah. I always wondered who the boy in the tree was. I could tell he was there. It was something I felt deep down. Who knew it would be you." Hermione smiled at Draco.
He felt his stomach flutter. Before he could do anything, the portrait swung open. Draco inwardly groaned.
"Well, well, look at you Granger. You fix up quite nice. Who knew a Mudblood could actually look good under all those school robes." Blaise said as he walked over and sat in the armchair.
"And that's my cue to leave. See you at the meeting after dinner, Draco." Hermione got up and went to her room.
"Really, Blaise? Why have you come in here and then insult Hermione." Draco said.
"I didn't insult her. I just gave her a compliment."
"Using the word 'Mudblood' is a compliment? Really Blaise. You need to watch what you say."
"Now why is that?"
"Because this is our common room and were trying to get along here. Now, what did you come in here for?"
"I came to yell you were having a party in the dungeons tonight and you're coming." Blaise said, looking at his nails.
"Can't."
"And why not?"
"Well, I have a Prefects meeting after dinner then patrols after that. So, I can't."
"Whatever. Don't forget where you come from, Draco. If you ever forget, there will be those to remind you." Blaise turned and left out of the room without another word.
Draco and Hermione sat in the Great Hall for dinner, waiting for Professor McGonagall to make her announcement. Once everyone was done eating, she stood and raised her hands to quiet the students.
"I would like to announce that this year during Halloween, we will be having a Ball. It will be something for each of us to relax and have fun."
A rise of voices began in excitement. She quieted them once again.
"It will be for each year. At 10 pm, years fourth and under will leave to head back to their respective houses, teachers and Prefects will be on watch to make sure you all do go and cannot get back in. The Ball will continue until midnight for those fifth year and up. The theme this year is couples. Each couple will portray a muggle or wizarding couple." She looked over her small spectacles at the students. "Costumes must be modest, if your costumes do not match the requirements, you will be turned around at the door and cannot participate in the nights festivities."
She waited for the small murmur to die down. "Classes that day will be cancelled for any last minute preparations and short trips to Hogsmead. If you have to leave school grounds further than there, you must have special permission from myself and a parent, guardian or teacher must accompany you. Now, I would like for the Head Boy and Girl and all Prefects to accompany me to my chambers for further discussion. You are dismissed."
As McGonagall stepped away from the podium to await the Prefects and Hermione and Draco, all the other students filed out of the Great Hall. As Hermione was headed for the front of the hall, Harry stopped her.
"Hermione! I need to ask you something."
"Sorry, Harry, I need to see Headmistress. I'll talk to you later." She gave him a smile as he nodded and walked away.
The students followed the Headmistress to her chambers and began discussing the details of the Ball. Professor McGonagall set a schedule for each Prefect during the night and asked for Hermione and Draco to watch everyone from inside. Everyone agreed and went their separate ways, except those who had patrol.
Hermione and Draco patrolled the grounds together, making small talk as they went. Once back inside the castle, they went their separate ways until they met back up at their common room. They said goodnight to each other and went to their rooms.
Hermione changed into her pajamas, grabbed her sketch book and sat at her window and began to draw. Her mind kept drifting off to Draco and the night before. She couldn't help but wonder if things were indeed changing for the two of them. After all, she never really hated Draco Malfoy.
Across the foyer, Draco was writing a letter to an old friend, Hermione in the front of his mind. He knew things were changing between the two of them, because, after all, he never hated Hermione Granger.
A/N: Here it is! Finally! I'm still working on the next chapter. Some chapters will skip through the months. Hope you're all enjoying! Please review to let me know what you think!