Chapter 4: Prince Charming? Eh, Not So Much

It was a cold winter day and light snow was falling on the ground. It was Hermione's favourite time of the year. She strolled through the streets of Diagon Alley, window-shopping, with a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. Christmas was drawing nearer and she hadn't even begun to buy gifts, so she thought it would be a perfect opportunity. She passed by a window filled with lights and turned back, seeing the perfect gift for someone. As she went inside the store, a little bell rang on the door, alerting the owner that someone had entered.

"Good afternoon, miss. Can I help you with anything?" the man at the counter asked.

"Er, yes, actually. I'm interested in buying that broom. The one in the window, just there," she responded, pointing to the display.

"The Golden Fire, eh? A genuine broom, that is. Only one hundred made world wide," he informed her.

"Really? That's fascinating. Why weren't there more made?"

"I don't really know. I just sell 'em," he answered, scratching his head.

"Alright, then. How much is it?"

"A lot more then you could afford, I'm afraid," the man said, frowning. Who was he to know how much she could afford?

"And how much is that, may I ask?" she asked, now annoyed.

"500 Galleons, miss." That was a lot of money, but it was all right, because she had been saving up all year to buy people gifts. She had more than enough.

"Right then. Could you wrap it up, please?" The man stared at her, bewildered.

"Are you sure you have enough?" he asked suspiciously.

"Of course! It's Christmas!" she merely answered, as if it explained everything.

The shop owner shook his head, but carefully grabbed the broom from the stand and set it on the counter. He took his time wrapping it as well, giving Hermione time to browse a little more around the store. When he had finally finished, she handed him the amount needed.

"Have a good day, sir!" she told as him as she left.

She had no idea what made her want to buy a broom, nor who she was going to give it to. She hadn't really thought about it, but she knew it'd be a nice gift for someone. If she gave it to Harry, Ron would die of jealousy, but if she gave it to Ron, she knew he'd throw it in Harry's face that he had something better than his Firebolt. That didn't leave much room for happy people. She'd think of something.

The air was getting crisp and cold, so she decided she'd call it a day and go home. As soon as she got into her flat, she shook all the snow off of her hair and clothes and started some hot water for tea. Sighing, she sat down on her sofa. It was quiet, but since she lived by herself, that wasn't unexpected. Her thoughts wandered to the week before, when Draco had asked her about Ron. Maybe she shouldn't have told him anything. She had no idea why she even told him. What was I thinking? she thought to herself.

He was so strange, Draco. One minute he was mean and cruel, and other times he was nice. Why couldn't he make up his mind already?! Was he good or bad? He could drive a girl mad! He was good to have around when he wasn't throwing sarcastic remarks left and right, but he was still a mystery to her.

Just like in their seventh year at Hogwarts. Harry had defeated Voldemort and the war was over. Draco had changed sides after the war, as did most of the Death Eaters. The whole school was buzzing about that. Rumours floated around that he was a spy, still on the Death Eaters' side. It was Hermione's opinion that none of them were true. Not because she liked him or wanted to defend him, but because she didn't believe anything until she saw living proof. She didn't even realise that she had any feelings towards him until that day he had kissed her.

It was Ron who had really gotten out of hand with the rumours. When Draco went back to school, he was lower than dirt in almost all of the student's eyes. No longer was he king of the castle, the one guys wanted to be and girls wanted to shag. He was just Malfoy, ex Death Eater and a traitor. Ron thought it was his turn to shine and chatted to the other guys all about Draco's "mass murdering" rages. They believed him, of course. After all, they had no reason not to, and they did need someone else to adore. The students would die if they didn't have someone to worship. After that, Ron became a little… egotistical. Kind of like new money, so to speak. He'd stroll around with his nose up in the air as if he were the best thing that ever happened.

Hermione had gotten sick of him boasting about how everyone loved him and what not, so she had put him in his place. He had gotten just a little carried away, but he needed a wake up call. She had caught him alone while everyone else was sleeping, which was a surprise, because he had a mob around him wherever he went. She started lightly towards him, just asking him a few questions, but then she burst into a mad woman's fit and told him he was acting like a disgusting git and should stop before he ended up like Malfoy! That certainly wouldn't stop the trouble, because at that time, who would have wanted to be a Malfoy?

Though she didn't let anyone know it, she felt sorry for him. She knew she shouldn't have, but he had just been so…helpless. It wasn't as if he asked for all that had happened. It wasn't as if he had asked to have the worst parents in the world, but that hadn't mattered to anyone. All they knew was that he used to be an arse, and that's all they needed to know. That could have been the main reason she fell for him. He had changed after the war, become a better person. He wasn't arrogant and hateful any longer, yet he still gained nothing.

A screeching noise could be heard from the kitchen and she realized that the water had finished boiling. Hurrying to turn it off, she tripped over something in the middle of the floor. What could possibly cause her to fall on a newly cleaned floor? She rubbed her head and stood up.

"Bloody floor," she murmured to herself. It was at that moment she noticed a vase of flowers and an envelope. Where in the world did those come from?

She picked them up, completely forgetting about the squealing teapot on the stove. Instead, she waved her wand to shut it up and wandered over to the sofa to read the letter. Who could have sent these? she wondered to herself. She opened the envelope quickly and pulled the letter out.

Hermione,

I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since our date. I miss you so much! Why haven't you gotten back to me? Am I that repulsive that you don't even want to go out again? I honestly thought we hit it off pretty well. You seemed to thoroughly enjoy yourself, too. I thought maybe you have just been busy, so I sent you these lilies, since they're your favourite flower. I hope you like them. I also wrote you a poem.

When I think of you,

Your sweet scent of lilies,

Your lips of red roses,

Hair fields of wildflowers,

Eyes of Iris,

Smile of sunflowers,

You make me want you even more

I hope you enjoyed that. You mean the world to me, and I hope to see you soon. If you'd like to get together, meet me in the centre of London by the fountain tonight at seven.

Yours always and forever,

Jason

Hermione shook her head. That had to be the corniest poem she had ever read. Truth be told, she had only gone out with him because he wouldn't leave her alone, and to have him still bothering her was not a good thing. She was hoping she had gotten rid of him. He wasn't a horrible person, but she didn't really care all that much for him. He had a huge ego and he was exactly the type of person Lockhart had been. That could never end well for anyone…

What was she going to do? She wasn't about to go out with him again, but she didn't have the heart to ignore him. Well, writing him to tell him no couldn't hurt. She pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill and began writing.

Jason,

It was good to hear from you, but I'm sorry to have to decline your offer. I'm overloaded with work and things so I don't really have time! Thanks for the flowers. They're lovely.

Hermione

That seemed easy enough. He wouldn't be mad, nor would she have to see him. Perfect. Folding the letter, she attached it on her owl and sent it off. Finding herself with nothing to do, she decided to read a fairy tale she had picked up in a Muggle store. Soon enough she had drifted off with thoughts of three little fairies dragging a gorgeous Draco up to the top of the castle to wake her with a kiss…