Chapter 4
"Am I doing this right?" Pansy asked as she wiped the sweat from her concerned face. She poked at the chicken breast, which was lying on the frying pan, a few more times before she flipped it over again for the tenth time in the twenty minutes that it spent on the stove. "It doesn't seem to be cooking."
"You're fine, Pansy. It takes a while until the chicken is fully cooked and it won't help if you keep flipping it so much. Just busy yourself with something else while you wait. Why don't you wash the tomatoes?" Hermione yelled over her should while she chopped some onions.
For some strange reason, Pansy had asked Hermione to teach her how to cook, the muggle way. Hermione had noticed Pansy watching her cook before, but never thought that she would want to do it herself. Hermione should've known to be suspicious when a shipment of muggle cookbooks came in a few days ago. Then today Pansy informed her that she would be cooking dinner that night and wanted her to help.
Pansy decided to make chicken with pasta and tomato soup for dinner. Pansy had told Hermione before they started that she wanted to do everything while Hermione would only be there to help with the little things like chopping the vegetables and to answer any questions. Hermione was hesitant at first, but decided to just let Pansy do whatever she wanted. So now here they were, one pouring onions into a pot of soup and one cutting tomatoes while keeping an eye on the chicken that didn't seem to be cooking fast enough.
"Hermione, are you sure the heat is high enough?" Pansy asked, while she poked at the chicken with a wooden spoon. Hermione sighed and shook her head. She grabbed Pansy's arm and steered her away from the stove.
"Stop worrying about it, Pans. Go set the table." Hermione instructed.
"Fine." Pansy said and began to pull her fine china out of the cupboard. "I wonder when Blaise and Draco will be here. I told them dinner will be ready at eight, but they usually come early, well Blaise usually does."
Just as Pansy said that they heard a pop come from the living room. Pansy smiled brightly as she heard her fiancé call them from the other room. She didn't tell him or Draco that she would be cooking. She only told them that tonight's dinner would be special. Blaise walked in with a warm smile to both girls. He said hello to Hermione before he walked over to Pansy and wrapped his arms around the waiting girl. Draco walked in with his nose crinkled like he smelled something foul. Hermione wanted to laugh at the look on his face, but refrained herself.
"Merlin, what is that smell?" He asked, looking around the kitchen.
"Smells good, doesn't it? I'm making chicken with pasta and tomato soup. It should be ready in a few minutes. I hope you guys are hungry." Pansy said and left Blaise's arms as she walked over to check on her chicken.
Yet again, it was still a little raw. Pansy frowned, she looked over her shoulder and, when she thought no one was looking, she silently placed a spell on it. Suddenly the semi-cooked chicken became plump, juicy, and fully cooked. Of course, Hermione saw the whole thing take place, but didn't say anything. She lightly laughed and shook her head before turning to look at Draco. If she thought his face was funny before, she definitely couldn't hide her laughter with the look on his face now. His eyes were wide and jaw hanging down.
"You're cooking, Pansy?! Like, actual muggle cooking? As in no magic?" Draco asked.
"Yeah, something wrong with that?" Pansy asked him with a warning look telling him to not say anything he might regret later on.
"I think it's great that Hermione is teaching you how to cook. It smells great in here. When can we eat?" Blaise commented. Pansy smiled and kissed him on the cheek. Draco rolled his eyes and mumbled something under his breath that sounded like 'suck up'.
"Food's ready! Everyone take your seat and I'll bring the food over." Hermione called from the kitchen stove. They all took a seat in their regular spots, Blaise next to Pansy and Draco next Hermione by default, as Hermione brought over the plate of pasta. Pansy was the first to put some on her plate. Everyone else was a little hesitant to try some. They all watched as Pansy took the first bite and watched her eat. After a few minutes she was still alive, that's a good sign.
"Why isn't anyone else eating?" Pansy asked.
Blaise and Hermione quickly served themselves. They slowly took a tiny bite, chewed quickly, and swallowed. They were quite surprised; it wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. It was actually pretty good. Pansy smiled with satisfaction as she watched the two eat, but then her eyes fell upon Draco, who hadn't even touched his fork. She glared at him knowing that he didn't want to eat her food because he thought it probably tasted horrible. Draco saw that Pansy was glaring at him so he sighed and put some pasta on his plate and took a bite.
"It's delicious, Pans." Draco lied. He didn't mind it, really. It wasn't bad, but it was far from delicious. Draco had very high expectations. He lied to make her feel better and he knew it would.
"Thank you, Draco." Pansy smiled and continued to eat happily. Dinner was a success.
After dinner, the four of them retreated into the living room to have dessert. Draco had more than his share and thought it was the best thing he'd eaten all night, mainly because he had eaten very little of the dinner Pansy had prepared, which left him still hungry at the end of the meal, and she bought the dessert rather than make it. Hermione, Pansy, and Blaise watched with wide eyes as Draco downed his fourth piece of pumpkin pie.
"Slow down there, mate." Blaise said.
"Yeah, Draco, you'll get a stomach ache. I've never seen you eat so much before." Pansy commented. Draco swallowed his last bite and wiped his mouth with his napkin before responding.
"Sorry, it's just that I was still hungry. I'm good now thanks to the delicious pie." He said. Pansy glared at him before rolling her eyes. She knew he had eaten very little and that he disliked her cooking. She decided to just ignore it and leave the subject alone.
For the next hour, the four of them talked about various things ranging from Draco and Blaise working at the ministry to wedding decorations, which was mainly between Hermione and Pansy while Draco and Blaise tried not to fall asleep from boredom. Somehow the conversation shifted to relationship talk. Draco snapped out of his bored state when he heard Pansy ask Hermione about her past relationships and listened.
"I've dated a few guys before, but the only real relationship that I've ever had was with Ron. We went out for a little over a year until we realized that it wasn't working out. I much prefer being just friends with him and he feels the same." Hermione said.
"How long has it been since you broke up with Ron?" Pansy asked.
"We broke up three months after graduation."
"And have you dated anyone since then?"
"No. I guess I just never really had the time to date."
"Hermione, you haven't been on a date for years?! Poor thing, I'm going to set you up with someone."
"Pansy, don't. I don't want to get set up with some guy. I know the right person will come to me, eventually, if I'll meet him tomorrow or next week, who knows. I know someone's out there, somewhere, waiting for me."
Draco at that moment wanted to shout to her that someone was waiting for her, that that someone is sitting in the room at that moment, but reminded himself that he wasn't going to allow anything of that sort go on between them. Although he found it harder and harder to resist as he spent more time with her, thanks to Pansy. He knew, much to his dismay, that the feelings he once had and thought he got rid of, surfaced. Draco snapped out of his thoughts when he heard his name come from Pansy's mouth.
"You sound just like Draco. I've tried to get him on a date for the longest time, but he always refuses. I guess nobody wants my help." Pansy said.
"Yes, Pansy, they don't. So why don't you stop trying to be matchmaker. It's quite annoying." Draco commented.
"You don't have to be so harsh, Malfoy. She was only suggesting. She wasn't trying to force me on anything." Hermione said to Draco before she turned to Pansy. "Thanks, Pans, but I really don't think a blind date is a good idea for me."
"It's okay. At least you're understanding about it. Unlike someone…" Pansy said eyeing Draco, who just looked away not wanting to get into a row about something so ridiculous.
"How about you, Pansy? Let's hear of some of your past relationships." Hermione said.
"Let's not." Blaise said. Pansy smiled and patted his hand that was resting on her knee.
"The only relationship I care about now is with Blaise. Ever since I've been with him I don't even remember all the other guys. I just want to be with him forever." Pansy looked up at Blaise, searching for an approving face and wasn't disappointed when she saw him smirk.
"I love you." Blaise said to her.
"I love you, too."
The two smile at each other and shared a passionate kiss, not caring that Draco and Hermione were in the room. Draco rolled his eyes and looked at Hermione who was looking very uncomfortable. He put his head in his hands that were held up by his elbows on his knees and shook his head.
Before, maybe even a few weeks ago, Hermione wouldn't have mind that the two lovebirds kissed. But after living with Pansy and having to be around them for so long, Hermione grew annoyed especially since she secretly wished that she had what Pansy and Blaise had. She wanted to feel loved in that special way a couple felt for each other. She wanted someone to love.
Hermione strolled down one of the narrow isles inside the small boutique. She was supposed to have lunch with Pansy, but Pansy had to cancel last minute due to prior engagements. Hermione took this opportunity to search for a wedding gift. This was the first wedding she had ever been to and had no idea what kind of gift she was looking for.
The boutique was owned by a little old witch who had long white hair and a wrinkled face. She also very thick glass and was currently staring at her with concerned eyes that reminded her of Professor Trelawney. Hermione shivered at the thought of Trelawney and decided to leave the boutique quickly. She was almost out the door when she spotted something.
There, sitting on an elegant table, were two sparkling champagne glasses. They were sublime and Hermione grew happy, knowing that that was what she was going to get as a wedding gift. She walked over to the table, about to grab the champagne glasses, when another hand got to it first. Hermione looked up to see who had stolen her gift and found two silver eyes staring right back at her.
"Afternoon, Granger." Draco greeted.
"Good afternoon, Malfoy. Now would you kindly hand those to me. I was going to buy them for Pansy and Blaise as a wedding gift."
"I don't think so, Granger. I'm buying these glasses. So sorry."
"What? I saw them first!"
"How do you know that I didn't see them first?"
"How do you know that I didn't see them first?"
"Well, I saw them from back there and when I was walking over to grab them I saw you walking to the front door before seeing it. So, I saw them first."
"You were following me?"
"No, I wasn't. We just happen to be at the same place at the same time. It happens."
"Please, Malfoy, let me have those glasses. I don't know what else I would get if I don't buy them."
"I would…if I didn't want to buy them myself. Again, so sorry." Draco said, not apologetic at all. Hermione huffed and folded her arms. "Besides, I don't think you could afford it. Did you even think of looking at the price before you considered buying it?"
"Well, um, no…but it can't be that expensive can it?"
"These glasses were made out of completely rare diamonds. You would probably have to work another two years if you want to buy these."
"Fine." Hermione said and turned around to leave, but Draco grabbed her arm gently. She swung back around and was surprised to see a light smile on his face.
"How about I treat you out to coffee or tea to make up for taking your gift that you probably wouldn't have bought if you knew how costly it was?" He said to her.
Hermione was shocked. She didn't know what to say, actually. Would it really hurt to have an innocent lunch with Draco Malfoy? Now that she thought about it, they had been getting closer to becoming friends since they see each other at least three times a week. She got use to being around him and even felt that he was someone who she could have a decent conversation with. Besides, who could turn down a free meal?
"Fine." Hermione said again, but this time she smiled back at him.
Draco paid for the champagne glasses and escorted Hermione to a nearby coffee shop. A middle-aged waitress led them to a table for two near the back of the coffee shop. Hermione ordered a cup of tea while Draco ordered black coffee. A few minutes later the waitress came back with their drinks and some muffins that Draco had ordered for the both of them. They were chatting quietly when Hermione and Draco heard a loud gasp. They turned to see Ginny Weasley standing a few steps away from their table.
"Hermione?!" Ginny exclaimed with confusion written all over her face, most likely from seeing her friend having lunch with someone who she thought to be considered as an enemy.
"Hi Ginny…" Hermione said, voice fading slowly.
"Wha…you…Malfoy?" Ginny was flabbergasted.
"Hello, Weasley." Draco greeted, calm as ever.
"Hermione, what are you doing here with Malfoy?"
"Having lunch?"
"With him?" Ginny asked and pointed to Draco as if Hermione didn't know who she was talking about. Draco just continued to sip his coffee and listen to the girls babble on.
"He asked me to."
"Since when were you two so friendly?"
"Well, this is the first time we went out alone. It's usually with Blaise and Pansy. Didn't Harry or Ron tell you that I'm living with her now?"
"Yes, they did, but they didn't tell me that you spend time with Malfoy."
"Again, this is the first time we've spent time alone together and it's not like we're on a date or anything close to that. We're friends."
Draco wanted to smile, and though he held his composure, he was smiling brightly on the inside. He never thought that the day would come when Hermione would actually consider him a friend. The feeling that he got was not really a surprise to him, though. He didn't know whether to be angry or happy at that.
A voice was heard from the front of the coffee shop calling out Ginny's name.
"Look, I have to go, but we are going to talk about this later, Hermione. I'll make sure of it. Bye!" Ginny said, and hurried out the door to catch up with her friend before Hermione had a chance to say goodbye.
"Haven't seen that Weasley in quite some time. Nice to see that she's annoying as always." Draco said, finishing his coffee.
"Hey, that's my friend you're talking about." Hermione said, giving him a warning look.
"Speaking of friends, did I hear you say that I was you're friend earlier?"
"Well, yeah, I do consider you as a friend. I mean, unless you don't want to be friends with me, that's totally fine."
"Granger, cool it. We're friends." Draco said and gave her a small smile. Hermione smiled back and finished her tea. They talked a little bit more before deciding to leave. Just as Hermione got up and walked around the table, a waiter that was walking behind her accidentally bumped into her causing her to fall over. Draco, with this quick reflex, quickly grabbed Hermione in his arms before she fell on the floor.
Time stood still as Draco held onto Hermione's slim body. Their faces were so close that they could feel each other's breathes on their cheeks. One more inch and their lips would've been touching. Both of them stood frozen for what seemed like eternity, but it was really only thirty seconds. Neither one moved. Maybe that's because they couldn't move or maybe they didn't want to move. The two of them felt something happen inside them from their embrace. It was like a magnetic force was pulling them together, not wanting to let them pull apart.
In a strange way, Hermione liked the feeling. She hadn't felt so safe in someone's arms in a long time. It scared her how much she missed the feeling, but what scared her the most was that it was Draco who was holding her and she liked it that way. His arms were strong and she felt like he could protect her from anything.
Draco stared into Hermione's eyes and wanted to kiss her right then and there. Her face was flushed and so beautiful. But he couldn't, that would make the situation even worse. He finally got the chance to have her in his arms, even if it was because of a mistake. The feeling was so perfect, just like he had once imagined it, and he would've held her forever if he had to.
Both of them were brought back to reality when the waiter's fumbling apologizes. Hermione suddenly realized how close the two of them were and quickly pulled back. She could feel her face become as red as a tomato. Draco cleared his throat and looked around the room, not wanting to meet her eyes at the moment. Not many people were in the coffee shop so the only ones that saw the scene was the waiter and three other costumers who went back to their own business after a couple of minutes of staring.
"Um, I…I have to go." Hermione said and fled the coffee shop, not wanting to be there any longer.
Draco thought about running after her, but instead he sat back down at the table. What was the use of running after her? He wouldn't have known what to say anyways. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Great, just great, he thought. Just when he thought they were becoming better friends something like that had to happen. Things were going to be twice as awkward as it has ever been now.
A/N: Review, please! :]
-CHIBZ