Fallen
Hermione had worked hard, and finally convinced Draco to go on a double date. They were getting ready to have dinner with George and Eliza and Hermione was beyond excited. They weren't going anywhere too fancy so Hermione opted for a casual black dress, and paired it with a teal cardigan and a pair of black flats. She pinned back the front two pieces of her hair, and put on a minimal amount of make-up. Draco still had troubles with casual, but Hermione helped him pick out a suitable outfit. He was wearing black pants, and an ice blue button down shirt with the top two buttons undone. Hermione stepped back from Draco and gave him an appraising look. "Yeah, that's better than last time. One day I will get you to wear jeans." She smiled at him and he shook his head.
"Hermione, I will do just about anything to keep you happy. But wearing jeans is not one of those things." He grinned and walked towards her. He put his hands on her waist and drew her towards him. "I think we can agree that I look dashing in this outfit, and it is casual enough for the evening." Hermione's eyes flicked over Draco's body and she bit her lip. "Or could it be that you find me…irresistible in this outfit?" He asked in a dangerously husky purr. Hermione's breath caught and Draco grinned "And I must say that you look every inch an appropriate date, for someone so dashing." Hermione laughed and swatted Draco's arm lightly.
"Yes I agree we both look pretty good. Now is not the time to be putting the moves on me! We have to go." Draco didn't move and inch and looked at her with his eyes smouldering. Hermione smiled in spite of herself and rose on her toes to give him a quick kiss. It turned into a not so quick kiss, that had Hermione backed up against a wall with Draco's arms caging her in. She laughed against his lips and pushed Draco away from her. She had to calm her breathing a bit before she could talk. "We have to go Draco; I bet we are already late by now." Draco groaned and pressed his face into Hermione's neck, his tongue quickly flicking out and gracing Hermione's collar bone. She fought a shudder and pressed her hand onto Draco's chest. "Enough now, if you don't behave I'll make you sleep on the couch tonight." Draco laughed and brought his hands to Hermione's cheeks.
"We both know that you won't do that." Hermione sighed, it was true. Draco grinned knowing that she knew it was true. "But to keep you happy, let's go." Draco stepped back with a smirk and took Hermione's hand leading her out of her apartment.
When they finally reached the restaurant George an Eliza were waiting for them at a table. "I'm so sorry guys, Draco was fussing over his appearance and I could not convince him that he looked fine." She grinned and took the seat that Draco was holding out for her. He rolled his eyes.
"Yeah it was me that took forever to get ready." He said in a sarcastic voice. George grinned and slapped Draco on the back.
"You look beautiful mate. I am glad you took the extra time to look pretty for me. Look you and Hermione are even wearing matching lip gloss!" He laughed and Draco smirked.
"Yes, that bit was intentional." He took a napkin and wiped quickly at his mouth. George threw a wink at Hermione, who grinned and shook her head. Eliza watched the whole exchange with a bemused expression on her face.
"Well you didn't keep us waiting long; we were a bit late ourselves." Eliza threw a meaningful look at George. He smirked and looked very interested in his menu. Hermione was pleased at the way George and Eliza seemed to be connecting and decided she should set people up more often. The four all ordered food and drinks and settled into conversation. Eliza and Hermione were chatting about the clientele that Eliza had drummed up and how she could probably start up her own business in a couple of years. Draco and George were talking business as well.
"Business is booming for you as usual I take it?" Draco asked.
"Yeah, I think that having my handsome features as the face of the company is the key to our success." George grinned. Draco laughed.
"That's the secret huh?" George nodded.
"It's not easy being so good looking. Your organization is partially to thank to I suppose." George said. Draco raised an eyebrow.
"I don't recall you ever taking money from the fund."
"I haven't but having other businesses surrounding mine helps. After the war my shop was one of the only ones not run down and in disrepair. But I hardly think people would visit Diagon Alley with the express purpose of coming to a joke shop. I need those other establishments around to drum up business. I guess in a way I owe you for that Malfoy." Draco wasn't sure what to say. He hadn't really thought about things that way before.
"No one owes me a thing. I messed up during the war, I allowed terrible things to happen, and I have to be part of setting things right." George's eyebrows shot up.
"You hardly seem like the same person Malfoy, where did all this modesty come from?" George had lost his joking tone; it seemed he was genuinely curious.
"People change; I've had lots of time to reflect over who I used to be. I decided I didn't like it. Plus self-loathing tends to being people down a notch." Draco shrugged and smirked. The girls had stopped talking and were tuned into the boy's conversation.
"You are so wrong Draco. I think everyone in Diagon Alley owes you a great deal. We don't see it as you paying penance, but giving everyone a new lease on life, much like your new life." Eliza said. She smiled and then turned to smack George on the arm. "And you know his name isn't Malfoy, don't be so crass." She ordered. George grinned.
"Yes dear. Sorry Draco, I guess Hermione was right. Back when I crashed your second date. She assured me that you had changed, and you have. I guess old habits die hard." George held out a hand and Draco took it.
"There is nothing to apologize for. I am always the first to admit that I wasn't very pleasant and it's hard to see past that." Draco let go of George's hand and placed it on Hermione's knee under the table. "I just feel lucky that you all have given me a chance." There was silence for a bit around the table. George could always be counted on for breaking the silence.
"Have any of you heard the joke about the warlock who walks into a bar?" Everyone at the table laughed and Eliza put her hand over George's mouth.
"I'm not sure that the punchlines to those jokes are ever funny." George gave Eliza's hand a sloppy kiss and she pulled it away from his mouth with a disgusted look on her face. "I'm in the business of jokes baby, I know what's funny." He grinned and winked at her. Eliza grinned back and rolled her eyes. The four fell into an amicable discussion and the rest of dinner went off without a hitch. The foursome made plans for the next week, and Hermione and Draco ambled back to her flat.
"Dinner went well." Hermione grinned at Draco. He squeezed the hand the he was hold and smiled down at her.
"I think so too. I'm glad you trust me out and about with your friends." Hermione made a scoffing noise.
"It wasn't you I was worried about. George can sometimes be a pain, but I think he likes you." Draco laughed and batted his eyes at Hermione.
"Oh, do you think so? Because I was flirting with him all night and I wasn't sure he noticed." Hermione laughed.
"You know what I mean you prat! I was rather hoping you would be flirting with me tonight, but oh well." They had reached Hermione's apartment and she unlocked the door and pulled Draco into the flat. Hermione stepped out of her shoes and hung her cardigan in the closet, then meandered over to the window to look at the night sky. Draco's arms came around her from behind and she relaxed against him. Hermione sighed happily and Draco's arms tightened a bit around her. They stood like that for a good five minutes before Hermione turned in Draco's arms and she kissed him. "Draco." She sighed pulling away. "These past couple of months with you, they've been perfect. I'm so happy that you finally reached out to me." Draco rested his forehead against hers and slid a hand up to cup her face.
"I feel foolish for waiting so long." He said. Hermione leant back slightly and put her hands on Draco's neck; her fingers playing lightly with his hair.
"I don't think you realize how much you've done for me. That other day when Harry came over and I got angry…before you I would have dealt with it by downing several bottles of wine, but you calm me down and make things seem alright. I think I had a bit of a problem if I am honest looking back. We've all seen and been through so much, I thought I was coping fine, but I realize now that I wasn't. You've helped me heal Draco. I'll be grateful to you for that for the rest of my life. Draco…I love you." She whispered the last part; her eyes teary, but not crying. Draco smiled and pressed a kiss to Hermione's lips.
"I love you too Hermione. If I have helped you at all it is my privilege. You've brought me back to life." Tears did fall from Hermione's eyes at that and she slid her arms around Draco. Her lips soon found his, and he picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom.
AN: Kind of a fluffy little chapter for all you lovely readers. I want to thank my reviewers, followers, and anyone who has add my story to their favorites. I think this story might be coming to a close soon. Please leave me a review and let me know what you think! Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter :)