Keep in mind unless it says PRESENT you can assume it happened in the past ;D just a head's up.
"Are you crazy Ginny?" Hermione asked walking away from the petite red-head.
"No, I just want to see you happy...Hermione, you don't try to meet anyone...I just hate to see you alone." The sincerity in her eyes made Hermione a little more lenient, as much as she hated to admit it.
"I don't see you in a commited relationship or anything of the sort miss Ginny. And I don't need someone to be happy."
"But I go out and try, Mione, you don't." Ginny was exasperated at this. Hermione glanced over at her and it seemed she may have to be enlisting the help of a certain Malfoy again. She giggled quietly to herself at the though of asking Malfoy to help her.
She sighed, "I'll do this on one condition." Ginny squealed happily. "Do you want to hear my condition or not?" Ginny nodded. "If this is antoher terrible date, I'm not doing this anymore, don't even tell your friends about me. Got it?"
"Yes, Mione, but I have a feeling about this one."
"That is what you have said about the last three dates, all of which made me want to kill myself."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "they were not that bad." she said indigently. "Anyway, I've already told him all about you, he's really excited to meet you. I just know, that this is going to work out fantastically."
"If all these guys are so great, then why don't you date them yourself?" Hermione asked, her anger slowly growing, knowing that Ginny had set this date up before she had even given her confirmation. Ginny had no right meddling in her life.
Ginny spluttered slightly, "Well...they..." Hermione cut her off.
"I'll tell you why, they aren't that great, they aren't good enough for you, pretty little Ginny Weasley but they are okay for me. They want you but you obviously think you're too good, so you pass them off to your 'desperate' friend. You basically pawn your rejects off on me." Hermione's rant closed with a deep breath.
"No, it's not like that, I just think that they would be better suited for you!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "This is not only the last time, but it's the last time we will be talking for a while. Because honestly, I must not be good enough for your friendship if these guys aren't good enough for you but they are good enough for me."
Ginny stared at her in shock as she watched her friend leave the room. Maybe, she had been doing that but...she couldn't even think of a good enough reason to justify it. Maybe it was because she knew that Hermione was better than her in so many ways and this was the only way she could prove she was better.
Hermione sat at the restaurant waiting for this man she had been set up with. She was wracking her mind trying to remember what Ginny said his name was. Parson? No that's not right, Phil? Paxton?
"Hermione Granger?" She looked up to see an okay looking man with mousey brown hair and hazel eyes. Her mind wandered instantly to Draco. Bad Hermione, bad! "I'm Peter Gayman, Ginny set us up." Hermione nodded and gave a fake smile.
Though she didn't care for the date, she took the time to dress nicely, spending time on her make-up and hair. "You are very beautiful, Miss Granger." He said as he sat.
"Oh, thank you..." He worried her a little bit, there was something about him that just seemed off.
The date went well, he had some manners and was at least moderately intelligent. Although, she faked the majority of her smiles and laughs but he didn't seem to notice not one bit. He walked her to her door and kissed her goodnight. She hadn't felt anything. It was no passion, no feeling, and it was pretty terrible. He was slightly sloppy and wet. Finally, he left leaving her to her thoughts, which could be scary she admitted.
Hermione sent Ginny, a quick note, telling her that the date was bad and that she'd contact her when she was over her anger. It was quick and kind of cold, but Hermione was tired of Ginny's shit. She couldn't take it anymore and it was stopping now.
Hermione went into work a couple days later, she loved her job, she headed a research department for the ministry and as so she was really her own boss and only had to work when she felt like it. However, it was Hermione so she went in almost everyday and had a new project every couple, she helped her researchers but sometimes she just didn't feel like going in.
When she got home from work that day, there were three things sitting on her door step. A bouquet of half dead flowers and a cheap chocolate shaped heart. The other was a small box with a few holes in it. She picked it all up and took it inside. Ignoring the box first she opened the letter that came with the flowers and chocolate.
Hermione, your beauty rivals that of flowers and you are as delicious as this chocolate. I cannot wait to see you again and see you pregnant with my children. Lot's of Love, Peter
Hermione stared at the note horrified and quickly threw away the flowers and chocolate, Ginny picked a real winner this time. She quickly moved over to the box and prayed to god it wasn't from him also. She pulled a note from the top of the box and read it.
Granger, this wandered across my path earlier and I remembered you had one in Hogwarts. I thought it would be better suited for you then the manner take care of him. I have named him Gatsby...why? I don't know I just liked it. Take care of him, you never know when I'll be popping in. ~Draco
With a feeling of dread Hermione opened the box, she knew what Malfoy could be capable of. This however, was something she had never in her right mind would she have expected. She was sure that Draco Malfoy hated her...
As the lid came off the box a little white kitten with dark blue eyes popped its head up and looked at her with a mew. Hermione gasped. It had to be the cutest thing she had ever seen. After Crookshanks had gotten lost in the war and assumed dead, she couldn't bring herself to buy a new cat, but this little guy had just melted her heart. It crawled into her lap and batted at her hair playfully.
"Hi baby Gatsby." She said to it, a smile breaking out across her face. It mewed at her again staring up at her. She picked him up and walked over to her desk where she sat him down and pulled out a piece of parchment.
Malfoy, thank you so much! He is the cutest little thing I have ever seen. How ever can I repay you? By the way, I could have used your "rescuing" skills the other night. Let me know how I can thank you for Gatsby. ~Hermione
She realized after she wrote it that she didn't have an owl so she was going to be a little bit creative in sending this to him. She used a spell that she had only used once before to send the note to him. She hoped he would understand her lack of owl.
She sat on the floor playing with little Gatsby waiting to see if she would get a reply from Draco Malfoy. It was five minutes later a great owl was tapping on her window. It was large and beautiful, she smiled as she took the letter from it.
Granger, you should really get an owl. She snorted at the first line, of course, just like Malfoy. You should have let me know, I would have come used my pimp act on your date. And I think I have a way you can repay me. Oh by the way, she bites. ~Draco
Now he tells me, she says holding her scratched finger up, she had pulled it away just in time to not get badly nipped. The kitten was pawing and mewing at the big owl, it just stared at Gatsby, like what the bloody hell are you doing? She quickly scrawled out response to his letter so she could send it back with her owl.
Malfoy, I don't thank people with sexual favors. Think of something else.
She gave the large bird the letter and tried to sink into a book with her kitten sitting on her lap. She just couldn't concentrate though, her mind was all over, from the letter from Peter, to how sweet Draco's gift had been, also why she kept thinking of him as Draco and not Malfoy.
The bird returned with a response and she couldn't help the wide smile that appeared on her face at the sight of the bird.
Sexual favors really? I'm a bit surprised that THE Hermione Granger has such a dirty mind. I can get that without presents, keep that in mind. For the real thank you I was thinking, perhaps dinner? Saturday 7:30pm. I'll pick you up.
Hermione noticed that the bird had left without waiting for a response. He didn't want her to respond. Was this supposed to be a date? A date with Draco Malfoy? Her mind was racing, she wasn't sure if she should be thinking about the fact that it could be a real date or a ploy to embarrass her as a "mudblood." She was pretty sure that he didn't think that way anymore but she wasn't sure.
Hermione started to panic, what had she gotten herself into? She needed her best friend. She picked up Gatsby and stepped into the floo. There was only one person who could stop the full on panic attack that was on the verge of taking place.
She was in the floo her mind racing. Who was Draco Malfoy, how was she supposed to see him? Was he her friend? Her enemy? Her could be boyfriend? How would she explain this to the Weasley's? To Harry? Harry was first, he was easy, they were closer than close. She knew he would have some good insight for her.
She stepped out of the fire place into the 12 Grimmauld Place living room. Gatsby was looking around curiously. "HARRY? ARE YOU HERE?" She screamed. His footsteps sounded through the house as he walked in the room.
"Mione, what a pleasant surprise. Ohhh kitty, how cute." He said grabbing it from her hands and holding him. "What's his name?"
"Gatsby, but that's part of why I'm here, let's go sit down and get some tea. I'm going to have a panic attack soon." Harry nodded and led her into the study, having Dobby, who refused to leave him, get tea.
"Alright, explain whats going on Hermione." He said as he teased the kitten with flashes of light from his wand. "And tell me what happened with Ginny."
She sighed a perfect place to start. "Okay well it's all her fault anyway." Harry just raised an eyebrow at her. "She keep setting me up on these horrible dates and I can't say no because she sets them up before she tells me about them and you know me, I can't be that cruel. Well the one before this last one was like...really really bad and the stupid Draco Malfoy made it worse. Actually he made it better. He saved me from the date from hell and gah!" She summoned and container of ice cream and stabbed the living hell out of it before taking a large mouthful of it.
"How did he make it worse and better?" She explained to Harry what he said and did, causing Harry to laugh loudly. "You a criminal? That's awesome. How stupid was this guy to not know who you are?" Hermione shrugged.
"Anyway, Ginny decided to set me up again and I kinda went off on her, I'm tired of her not thinking of what I want just what she wants for me and setting me up with her loser rejects. So I'm not talking to her but she had already set up this stupid date with this guy. Peter which he was surprisingly not terrible looking but he was just...it was like talking to a door."
Harry sighed, "Maybe you judge to harshly." She glared at him and he put his hands up.
"Either way, I got home from work yesterday and on my porch are a bouquet with heart shaped chocolate and then a little box. With the flowers and chocolate was this terrible note!" She handed the note to Harry and watched his expression as he read it.
"Bloody Hell, what is wrong with this man? Have his children? Bloody Hell."
"Right, completely insane, anyway in the other box was Gatsby here and this note." This time she handed him the note from Malfoy. "And to make it worse, I keep thinking about him. It's like I can't stop myself." Harry gave her that look, that knowing look that he has. "NO, NO I DO NOT, DO NOT HAVE FEELINGS FOR DRACO MALFOY!" She yelled at him. "It is completely impossible, inconceivable, nope."
"Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?
"Shut it, Harry." She scowled at him.
"If you don't have feelings for him, then why don't you give Peter another chance?" Hermione scoffed.
"I will not and cannot lead a man on in that manner." Harry rolled his eyes at her.
"Wait, this note doesn't explain how you have a date with him?" She knew it was coming so she just simply handed the other letters sent between him and her...well just his side because he had hers. "Oh merlin, sexual favors Mione? Really? Either way, I think this date could be very interesting. When is it? I want to be there when he comes to the door." Harry chuckled. An uncommonly known fact was that after the war Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter had called a truce and though they may not be friends they definitely didn't hate each other.
"What are you..." Hermione started but was cut off before she could finish.
"HARRY!" A familiar voice called out.
"Oh, no." She sighed.
"Mione, I didn't know he was coming." Harry started and she nodded, he wouldn't lie to her.
At that moment a ginger with a large protruding stomach covered in a tight shirt walked in. There were crumbs dribbling down his chin and stains on the tight shirt. The manners of Ronald Weasley disgusted her like no other.
"Oh, Hermione, what are you doin' here?" He asked more crumbs falling from his mouth.
She turned her head slightly to Harry who was looking at the ground ashamed of his friendship with this man. After everything that had happened between Ronald and Hermione he had taken her side but had not quite given up his friendship with Ron.
"Well, actually I was just leaving." She muttered. Harry embraced her tightly. Their relationship was strong and they both knew they would have the others back through hell and high water.
"Have fun love, remember we all evolve from our past. Oh, and I'm not telling anyone anything." He smirked at her.
"When did you get so wise Harry Potter?" She asked with a smile, completely forgetting that the other man was in the room.
"Years of being around you darling." Was his snarky response. They hugged again and he kissed her on the forehead reminding themselves of their friendship.
"I'll see you Saturday then? 7o'clock?" He looked confused for a second but then nodded. "I love you Harry." He smiled and mouthed it back at her. And then...Ronald reared his ugly head.
"What no hug for me Mione?" He dribbled spit down his chin as he spoke. Without answering she kissed Harry on the cheek one more time and left. "Well that was rude."
"And it was disgusting what you did to her, what did you come here for?" Harry sighed.
Hermione arrived at work with a slight smile on her face. If Harry could accept her date with Draco Malfoy then she could too. She walked into her office and saw someone she wished she didn't sitting on her couch. She wanted to run out but she knew she couldn't leave them in there. She sighed, it was going to be a long day...
Authors Note: Hello dearies, so I made a change, I'm going to write the story as what lead to their engagement and you can just...assume what you want of what they are specifically telling the Weasleys and then at the end I'll have the overall response to their story so on and so forth. If you don't understand feel free to PM me your question.
