Chapter 4: Pre-Departure

After a less than relaxing night of sleep I rose to start my second day in Paris with a slightly less happy attitude. Not only was my sworn enemy from school vacationing in the same city but I am going to be spending the rest of this vacation with him because our families are now friends. I pulled myself out of bed and went to take a shower. On the way I passed the dress I had hung up last night in preparation for today. I stopped and sighed, against my better judgement I have decided to give into what I am calling peer pressure and wear the burnt orange sundress. I should be thankful it is not green or silver as those are most likely his favourite colours, not that I really care. Today was going to be a long day, but maybe I would be able to escape into the gardens at Versailles.

OOOOO

"Draco, dear it is time to get up. Please be ready in an hour." I heard my mother call before she left the suite to go have breakfast with the Grangers downstairs.

I did not sleep at all, and even after writing a very long letter to Blaise detailing the events of last night I still had trouble getting the picture of Granger in that dress out of my head long enough to fall asleep. She is not only invading what is supposed to be a relaxing summer abroad but also my thoughts. I am not about to let her know that she is getting into my head, Merlin knows what kind mind games she'd try. On my way to the loo I passed a table with my clothes laid out on it. I picked up the note that lay on top of them.

Draco please wear this outfit. I want you to look appropriate for the Grangers.

Thank you

I glance down. Dress pants and a button down striped shirt, yes because I don't stand out enough I need to dress up to go to a tourist destination and look as though I actually live in Versailles. I guess I should be thankful that she did not add a tie.

OOOOOO

"Hermione you look lovely. I was right about that dress wasn't I?" Mum beamed as I met them in the lobby where they were waiting for the Malfoy's. I wore the sundress that had a high neck line and ended just above my knee with a pair of gold gladiator sandals and fedora. Ginny only allowed me to pack stylish pieces, or what she likes to call not my regular boring clothes.

"Thank you." I said.

"Now Narcissa has arranged a driver and a van for us to take."

"Why don't we just take the train?" I asked, dreading being stuck in a van with Draco for two hours.

"This is better and we get to see the countryside." Mum told me.

I fail to see how a crowded van is better than a spacious train with lots of room to move away from people. I just smiled and turned towards the elevator that had just opened revealing the impeccably dressed Malfoy's.

"Well you both look absolutely lovely!" Mum gushed as they came forwards. Her and Narcissa exchanged pleasantries and complimented on each other's outfits before turning to Draco and I.

"Doesn't Hermione look pretty Draco? I must say dear that dress compliments your skin so well."

"Thank you."

"Draco?"

"Yes she looks very nice, I quite like the colour on you Granger."

Stunned by the compliment, I only managed to get out "Thank you" before Narcissa started to move everyone towards the exit.

"What about me? Do I look nice? Or good?" He whispered teasingly.

"Good, I like that shirt." I said quickly taking notice of the dressier white and silver striped button down shirt he had on.

He smirked at my remark as if he knew that I was uncomfortable, before helping me into the van. Oh goody, it would be the two of us squished in the back.

OOOO

"A van Mother? Really what is wrong with the limo or better yet apparition?"

"This way we can have a nice little drive and see more of the country side. And it will give you a chance to bond more with Hermione. I think she is a lovely girl and she is very pretty."

"You have had a less than five minute conversation with her Mother. I have known her for years remember. And trust me the pretty thing is a quite recent evolution on her part."

"Draco how dare you say that."

"I didn't mean she was ugly, she was decent to look at but I did not spend that much time looking and she had some hideous clothes at school. I suppose little Weasley is responsible for her new wardrobe."

"Sometimes I do not know what to do with you. Just be nice to her. It will be the two of you in the back of the van so you need to at least talk to her."

"I enjoy talking with Granger." I replied. I really did, it was always entertaining when I could find something that would make her even more annoyed with me.

"Good, let's go than." Mother said as we stepped into the elevator.

It reached the lobby and we walked out to see the Granger's already standing there. My eyes, against my will, immediately zeroed in on Granger herself who was wearing an orange coloured dress. Why is she always so dressed up? I normally do not like the colour orange, but on her, well it definitely suited her. She was also wearing a hat, probably to keep her bushy hair less noticeable. It was not a formfitting dress but you could see the shape of her….

"Draco?" I heard my name. I looked at my mother, bullocks, what was the question? I saw her indicate to Granger. Oh right.

"Yes she looks very nice, I quite like the colour on you Granger." I tried to keep it as innocent as possible and ignore the fact that I had been staring at her. Hopefully her Dad didn't see that.

She looked completely stunned by my compliment. That was not my intention but I smirked anyway, because I managed to stun her speechless.

She managed a quiet "thank you" before my Mother was herding everyone towards the exit.

"What about me? Do I look nice? Or good?" I bent down and whispered teasingly.

"Good, I like that shirt." She said rather quickly. Still recovering I see.

I smirked at her, she was so uncomfortable…in a fun way. I helped her into the van trying not to stare again as she climbed into the back. I followed and took my seat in the back. There were three seats in the back of the van, in sort of a bench style. We both took the seats near the windows and left the small middle section open. Thankfully Blaise had a car otherwise I would have no idea what these belt things do and I did not want to make a fool of myself in front of Granger. She seemed to be watching me as I put my belt on, as if looking for an opportunity to get back at me. No luck this time sweetheart. Ok I meant Granger. No idea where that came from.

"Ready to go?" Mr. Granger called. He was sitting in the passenger's seat and his wife and my Mother in the seats behind him.

"Yes" The women called out, Granger followed with a quiet yes and I simply nodded my head. This was going to be a long ride.

Ok so I hope everyone is enjoying this story so far. Please review: comments and criticism accepted. I am a girl so it is hard to write as though I am in a guy's head…I am just as unaware of their thought process as most of you. That being said I hope I am not making Draco sound like a girl when I write on the thoughts going on in his head. At the same time I hope I am not making him sound like an exaggerated version of a guy that it makes it seem so fake and like I have no idea what I am doing. So if you have any tips or think I am doing a good job please let me know. Thank you.