Chapter 9
Hermione went to the Auror department after work. She hadn't seen Harry or Draco that day. They must have been out.
"Hey, Jamie," said Hermione as she walked in and greeted the secretary at the desk.
"Looking for Harry?" she asked.
"…Or Draco…" said Hermione.
"Or Draco? Really? You, Hermione?" asked Jamie.
"Yeah I know, it's weird. We're kind of friends now," she said.
"Ok, "said Jamie raising her eyebrows at Hermione and then smiling, "Well anyways, they just got back. I think they're in the conference room finishing up the paperwork."
"Thanks," said Hermione.
Hermione went off into the hallway to find them.
"Hey," she said as she entered the room.
"Hey, Hermione," said Harry with a smile.
She looked over at Draco and smiled at him. He smiled back. It kind of made Hermione's stomach do a flip flop but she pushed it away quickly.
"I missed you guys today," said Hermione.
"Oh so you actually went to lunch without an invitation?" asked Draco.
"I get lunch on occasion, thank you," said Hermione with a smirk.
"Well I'm sad I missed out on that," said Draco.
"Shut up," said Hermione walking over and lightly hitting him on the arm.
"Want to go shopping tonight?" asked Draco.
Hermione pulled a face.
"Oh it's not going to be that bad," said Draco.
"No. It might kill me actually," said Hermione.
"Shopping for what?" asked Harry.
"Nothing," answered Hermione not wanting to explain this to Harry just yet.
"Wrong. A dress for the Ministry ball," said Draco.
"Oh yeah. Draco told me your plan," said Harry.
"You told him!" said Hermione.
"It just kind of came up in the conversation," said Draco.
"Yeah. Why is that such a big deal?" asked Harry.
"You don't mind?" asked Hermione.
"No," said Harry confused, "Why would I mind?"
"It's Draco," said Hermione.
"Hey! I thought we had been over this. I'm good now," said Draco.
"Yeah. And you shouldn't be punished just because of… well anyways yeah you should go. You'll have fun with Draco," said Harry.
"I still don't see why you won't let me pick my own dress!" said Hermione.
"I told you. You're style's just not… "
"Be careful what you say, Draco. I have a wand and I know how to use it," she said.
"Hermione that's not what I meant," said Draco.
"Here let me fix this," said Harry, "Draco explained that he wants to help you make an impression. You're beautiful but I think the goal is to get more attention than normal. You want to make Ron jealous right? I'm pretty sure we can believe Draco won't hurt you. Right, Draco?"
"Right. You want to get Ron's attention and in order to do that if he's not there we have to catch everyone else's attention," said Draco.
Hermione sighed.
"Well I guess if you trust him in this situation I can," said Hermione.
"So… shopping?" asked Draco.
"If I have to," said Hermione biting her lip nervously.
"I promise you won't regret it," said Draco with his smirk. Looking at that Hermione wasn't sure she believed him.
Draco dragged her by the hand into a new shop she had never even seen before. It was something only a Malfoy would know about and Hermione wouldn't even dream about stepping foot in one. Everything was completely custom designed and way over priced.
"Draco, really? This isn't my kind of place," she said.
"Exactly," said Draco.
"I also can't afford any of this!" she said.
"You don't have to. I will," he said.
"I can't let you do that," said Hermione.
"Well too bad. I'll pay while you're changing," said Draco.
Hermione gave a sound in frustration.
"You're not getting out of this so just go with it. It'll be a lot easier for you," said Draco. Hermione just ignored him and rolled her eyes.
"Mr. Malfoy! So nice to see you!" said a woman who Hermione figured owned the shop.
"Nice to see you too," he said.
"What can I help you with?" she asked.
"This is my date to the Ministry ball, Hermione. We've got a plan cooked up to catch some attention. You know me and you know what I like. I only trust you with this," he said.
"Any color in mind?" she asked.
"Black," said Draco.
"Black? But I'm more of a light colored person…"
"Exactly," said Draco.
"Stop saying that. It's annoying," said Hermione.
Draco just smirked at her.
"If you could please step up onto the stand here so I can examine you," said the shop owner.
"Examine me? What am I a science project?" asked Hermione.
"What's a science project?" she asked.
"Never mind," said Hermione.
"I think I've got just the thing," said the shop owner.
With a wave of her wand a dress appeared in her hand.
"Try this on," she said with a smile.
Hermione took it without saying anything and closed the door. She hung it up on the back just to even look at it. It was black… and just about the strangest thing she and ever seen… She looked at it closer trying to figure out how to even put it on and then she opened her mouth in horror and stormed right back out.
"I am NOT wearing that!" said Hermione glaring at the lady.
"What's wrong with it?" asked Draco confused.
"It's… it's not even… ugh! It's just awful," said Hermione.
Draco looked over at the other woman. She had a smirk look on her face.
"There's nothing wrong with it. The problem she's referring to I would assume is the cut outs in the side and the slit up to the thigh," she said.
Draco's eyes widened for a second and he felt his throat go dry.
"Wait what? It has a slit too? Now I'm definitely not wearing it!" she said.
"Hermione, just try it on. You don't even know how it looks. Just try it on then we can decide," said Draco.
"No! Everyone will think I'm a total slut!" said Hermione.
Draco laughed. Hermione glared at him.
"I'm sorry. Do you really think people are going to associate the word slut with Hermione Granger?" he asked.
Hermione thought for a second and realized he was right. She looked up at the ceiling ignoring him.
"Do I have to go in and help you put it on?" asked Draco with a smirk.
Hermione felt her cheeks inflame.
"You wouldn't," she said.
"Are you sure?" he asked with a wink.
Hermione threw him another look and went into the dressing room again.
"I'm so going to regret this," said Hermione to herself and then she put the dress on.
"Ok. I'm coming out. Don't laugh," said Hermione.
Draco unknowingly held his breath in anticipation. She stepped out and folded her arms across her chest and bit her lip. The dress itself was gorgeous. It was a silky black dress with thin straps triangle cut outs in the side. And of course there was the slit. Draco finally realized he had held his breath when he got dizzy and remembered he needed air to breathe. He had no idea she even had curves… she was absolutely gorgeous.
"Well?" asked the shop owner.
"It's… amazing," said Draco.
"Really? I don't look like a slut?" asked Hermione. She let her arms fall down feeling a bit more confident.
"Of course not. I told you I wouldn't let you look bad. We're making an impression and that will definitely do it. Good job," said Draco looking at the shop owner.
"Thank you," she said proud of herself, "First time, every time."
"Will you actually wear it?" asked Draco.
"Yeah… I guess… if you think it will get Ron's attention," said Hermione.
"Oh it will," said Draco.
"Can I go change now?" asked Hermione.
Draco nodded and followed the shop owner to the register.
Nice long chapter :) Thanks for reading and reviewing!