Hermione eyed Draco warily. Ron looked downright petrified of him and Harry, who had dropped by for a visit, was debating whether to turn him into St Mungos or the Weasley twins and had his wand at the ready to hex him or stun him (delete whichever is inappropriate).
Draco Malfoy was happy. Actually happy. In fact he was bouncing with joy.
"Do we want to know?" Hermione asked delicately.
Draco fairly beamed at her. "You definitely do. In fact I'm taking you to Venice for pasta tomorrow night and you have to come. You're not allowed to say no."
Suddenly Hermione grinned. Something clicked in her brain. "You did it didn't you?"
"Boy did I!"
"Well come on then, who is he?"
Draco leant forwards and whispered a name into Hermione's ear. She exclaimed in joy and surprise.
"There is no way he swings that way."
"Oh believe me he does."
"I think I preferred it when they were at each others throats." Harry mumbled so only Ron could hear.
"Yeah, since when do you two gossip together?" Ron asked as Hermione exploded into a giggle fit as Draco whispered a story into her ear.
"And he'll do it? You know the other part of the deal."
"Yeah he will. Bets on marriage?" he held out a hand to Hermione.
"Bit early for that isn't it? They haven't even been on their first date yet."
"I wasn't talking about them."
"Then who were you talking about? …Oh." Hermione blushed furiously as Draco smirked at her. "So Venice, huh?"
"Yeah I thought it would be a romantic first date."
"Only you. When's their date?"
"Tomorrow night."
"What? You haven't even told him yet."
"Oh yeah, right. Hey Ron, be at that little French bistro you like so much tomorrow night at seven thirty. I've set you up on a blind date."
"Who said I needed to be set up?" Ron asked, crossly.
Draco looked pointedly at Hermione who was suddenly engrossed in studying the ceiling beams. Ron glared at her and Harry let out the laugh he'd been withholding for the past ten minutes.
"Have I got this straight?" Harry asked ten minutes later, after a lot of explaining. "Has Mione finally agreed to go on a date with Draco?"
"Technically I agreed a week ago. Frankly I thought he'd fulfil his part of the deal a lot sooner."
"I wanted to be sure. Besides I reckon Ron will end up marrying this guy so it was worth waiting a week."
"Always so confident."
"Don't look now, but I think they're actually flirting with each other." Harry said, smirking.
"I give them a week or two and then they'll be back to killing each other."
"Hm sort of like you and me, huh Ron?" Hermione smirked.
Ron glanced at Draco and an evil little smile fixed itself onto his freckled features. Hermione suddenly looked very worried.
"So you're taking her to Venice? Trying to impress her?"
"Yes actually." Draco said unabashed.
"Mione, if you're going to be seen out with this feller you need a decent outfit."
"Yeah and the day I go dress shopping with you is the day Harry announces he's gay."
"I wish." Ron muttered.
"Hey, leave me out of this." Harry protested.
"Well fine if you won't go shopping with me then I'll just call in Ginny and Luna. Maybe I'll ask mum to help out a bit."
"Fine! Fine! We'll go shopping." Hermione paled.
"Come on then. You have nothing in your wardrobe." Ron grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the shop.
"But you hate shopping." They heard Hermione protest.
Harry and Draco laughed.
"Those two are brilliant together."
"Yeah, good thing he's gay."
"Who did you set him up with?"
"Lee Jordan."
"And you think they're soulmates?"
"They are. Believe me, he's changed since the war. Basically he's Ron with a brain that works."
"Harsh but probably true." Harry couldn't help chuckling.
"And hey even if they don't end up tying the knot then I still get Hermione."
"You've only got one date with her."
"One date is all I need."
"Cocky bastard. I've got to say it though. Hurt her and die."
"I won't, especially since it means I'd have every Weasley in England after my blood, not to mention the boy who wouldn't die, flower power loony Luna, an irate Neville, and the boy who loves to blow things up. I wouldn't anyway. Give it six months or so and she'll be Lady Malfoy."
"You seem very confident of that."
"Trust me, Hermione doesn't need that much persuading to make her fall in love with me."
"And its common knowledge that you've been in love with her since she hit you in third year."
Draco looked a bit sheepish. "Try second year before Ron started barfing up slugs."
"Wow, you're even more pathetic than we were."
"Hey."
"It's been thirteen years and you still haven't told her that you're in love with her. Grow a pair will you?"
"Says the guy who never told a girl he likes her and now she's Mrs Zambini and therefore out of reach."
"Ginny's choice is Ginny's choice."
"Yeah. The chosen one really sucks when it comes to girls."
"Bastard."
