A new chapter! Finally. Sorry for the wait. I've been a little caught up in other things at the moment. ANYWAY, enjoy the chapter. I think that you'll enjoy it :) My beta rocks my face off! A jillion thanks!
"Muggle London? Muggle London?" asked Hermione. She was dumbstruck. Draco Malfoy, king of the muggle haters, was taking her to eat in muggle London. They were walking down a crowded back street and the chatter of the late night crowd buzzed all around them. Draco had told her that the restaurant was just a few blocks away. She could hear music from various shops and eateries making it's way through the crowd.
Draco grinned, taking hold of Hermione's arm. "Yes, muggle London. I find that if you don't focus on the people too much, the setting is actually quite nice... Well, as nice as anything muggle could be," he said, his upper lip curling.
Hermione laughed. "How can you be here without anyone finding you? I'm guessing you have quite the bounty on your head."
"Of course I do!" exclaimed Draco. "But really, Hermione, how many Death Eaters do you think would look for a Malfoy in any muggle setting? Think about it."
"You're right," admitted Hermione, not pausing to think at all. Malfoy's and muggles do not mix well. It was like trying to mix oil and water, it did not happen. "So, why did you decide to ask me to dinner?" she questioned.
"Well, I figure we have more to talk about. I actually enjoyed our conversation last night, believe it or not," he answered.
Hermione shook her head and wondered what else there was to talk about. Draco Malfoy had asked her, Hermione Granger, out to dinner at a muggle restaurant. Soon pigs will fly and the sky will fall.
Draco led her into the small, but expensive looking building. The lights were dim, it smelled wonderful.
"Table for two," said Draco.
"Yes, sir," said the waiter. He took them to a secluded table in the back corner of the restaurant.
He gave them their menus and left them to decide what they wanted.
"So you and Black, huh?" said Draco, scanning the choices.
Hermione sighed, "I talked to you about that last night, Draco."
"You didn't go into detail," countered Draco.
"I like my private life to remain private, thank you," said Hermione curtly.
She saw his eyebrow raise, his eyes focused on something behind her.
"What?" she asked.
He smirked, Hermione could see anger flicker in his eyes. "Speak of the devil," he sighed.
Hermione spun around and saw Sirius strutting towards them. She noticed that almost every pair of female eyes was on him, and Hermione wasn't happy about it.
He came to stand beside the table.
"Fancy seeing you here!" he exclaimed. "Mind if I join you?"
"Yes, very much so actuall-"
Hermione interrupted Draco. "No, not at all! Pull up a chair!"
He smiled and grabbed a chair from a table near them.
Draco was fuming. He took Hermione out to dinner, intending to be alone with her. Then her knight in shining armor comes along and ruins everything he had planned.
"So, what are you kids doing in muggle London?" asked Sirius, flagging down the waiter.
"I was taking Hermione out to eat, obviously," snarled Draco.
Sirius took a menu from the waiter and turned back to Draco, remaining jolly. "I've been here once or twice. I strongly suggest the mushroom ravioli," he said, ignoring the looks the Draco was shooting at him.
Hermione took one look at Draco and couldn't help but laugh. Draco scowled harder into his menu.
"Come on, Draco," said Hermione, reining in the laughter a bit, not wanting to hurt his feelings.
The conversation halted when the waiter came back to take their orders.
"Mushroom ravioli," said Hermione, Sirius had the same. Draco ordered something in french, Hermione thought it didn't sound very appetizing.
As the night wore on, Draco noticed that more and more of Hermione's attention was drifting towards Sirius, just as more and more of the wine at the table disappeared down their throats. Draco preferred water when he took women out, the better to keep his head clear By the end of dinner, Hermione was hardly aware of Draco at all.
To put it simply, he was humiliated, and to make it even worse, Sirius paid for the entire dinner, leaving Draco feeling not only like a third wheel, but totally insignificant.
Hermione and Sirius stumbled out the door giggling. Draco looked upon them with disgust. Draco thought that anyone who would allow themselves to become that inebriated in public was an embarrassment to the human race.
"You two seem like your having a good time," growled Draco. "Perhaps, it's best if I retired for the night. I'm a bit on the tired side anyway." Truth be told, he was tired of seeing Hermione and Sirius together. He thought it would be better if he left, he didn't want anyone to get hurt... yet, at least.
"Pfff, okay," said Hermione, laughing. Draco's lip curled, so Hermione was a giggly drunk, lovely.
Draco apparated away without another word.
Hermione turned to Sirius. "What now?" she asked.
"I think it's a nice night for a walk," said Sirius, slurring his words a bit.
They walked along the now deserted street. The cool air was refreshing, crisp. It sobered them up a bit.
"So, how are you allowed to walk around, you know, outside?" asked Hermione, gesturing to the world around them grandly. Sirius spotted a bench on the sidewalk and pulled Hermione to sit next to him.
He sighed and put his arm around her. "Dumbledore has been at work while you've been away. He thought the process would take months, years even, but my name was cleared in a matter of days. He showed the startling evidence in my favor and I was free just like that," he said, snapping his fingers.
"Really?" asked Hermione. "Just like that?" she gasped.
"Mmmhmm!" grinned Sirius. It was quiet for a moment, they could hear the faint notes of a song floating down the street, most likely from a restaurant that was open late. Hermione perked up.
"Oh Merlin, Sirius," she gasped. "I love this song," she sprung up.
She took his hand and dragged him towards the sound. Once the music was clear enough to hear the words she stopped.
"Dance with me," she whispered quietly. Without a second thought he took Hermione in his arms.
Those fingers in my hair
That sly come-hither stare
That strips my conscience bare
It's witchcraft
"Who is this?" asked Sirius.
"Shhh," said Hermione, leaning into his chest.
And I've got no defense for it
The heat is too intense for it
What good would common sense for it do?
'cause it's witchcraft, wicked witchcraft
And although I know it's strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says "Yes, indeed" in me
"Proceed with what you're leadin' me to"
It's such an ancient pitch
But one I wouldn't switch
'cause there's no nicer witch than you
Sirius dipped Hermione elegantly. He was surprised he didn't drop her in the state he was in. He was never the most graceful person after he'd had a few. It was quite the strange event in Sirius' eyes. Dancing with the most attractive woman on the planet in the middle of the street while they are both slightly drunk. The thought made him laugh.
'cause it's witchcraft, that crazy witchcraft
And although I know it's strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says "Yes, indeed" in me
"Proceed with what you're leadin' me to"
It's such an ancient pitch
But one I'd never switch
'cause there's no nicer witch than you
The song ended and Hermione sighed. She still had her head pressed against Sirius' chest. He wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.
"Hermione?" he asked.
"Hmmm?" replied Hermione.
He pulled away and looked into her deep brown eyes, eyes he could get lost in.
He didn't say another word. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.
Instead of the rejection he was sure he was going to get, he found he was accepted eagerly. Hermione wrapped her arms around Sirius' neck, pulling him closer, wanting him as close as possible. Sirius growled, wrapping his arms around her waist.
His tongue traced her lower lip, wanting entrance. She complied, wanting it as bad as he did. The cared little about their surroundings. All that mattered now was the two of them, and nothing else.
She tasted as sweet as he'd always imagined. He smiled into the kiss.
They stopped for breath and leaned against each other's forehead.
"Hermione," he breathed, trailing a finger along her face. She shuddered, moving to rest her head against his shoulder.
"Who sang that song?" asked Sirius.
"Frank Sinatra," answered Hermione. "He only has the best voice on the entire planet!" she exclaimed. Sirius had no idea who Frank Sinatra was, but he kept it to himself. She was quiet after that.
He took her hand and started to walk down the empty street. Only a few lights were on, there was no more music. He knew she'd get around to talking when she was ready.
The longer they strolled, the colder it got. The streets were becoming crowded again, they were getting into the part of town that came alive after the hour of midnight. The part of town where neither of them wanted to be at that point.
Hermione stopped and pulled Sirius to her before they would get any closer to the loud, pumping noise of the nightclubs.
"Sirius?" she asked, playing with his fingers.
"Yes?"
"Are you serious about this? About us, I mean. I don't want to be just another girl on your list, you have quite the reputation you know. I understand that I'm younger than you, that you might not be interested in me. I am mature for my age, but I just don't want you thinking it's odd that I'm so young," she said in a rush, her words slurring ever so slightly.
"Of course I'm serious, Hermione. I wouldn't have started anything with you if I didn't want it to be genuine. I've grown out of my ladies man stage," he grinned, "honest. It does not matter to me how old you are, I can see past that. All I know is that I want to be with you."
Hermione smiled, but couldn't hide the yawn that followed.
"Are you tired?" asked Sirius.
"A little bit," sighed Hermione. She didn't want the night to end, she knew that much.
"I'll take you back to the Burrow," he said, leading her into a nearby alley. He checked to make sure it was deserted and the apparated to the Burrow.
They stumbled a little on the lawn after they arrived, and ended up in a heap on the ground.
"Damn," laughed Sirius. He stood up and lifted Hermione off the ground. She giggled, leaning against his side as he supported her walking. Nothing worse than a tired giggly drunk.
He walked her to the door and then stopped. "Can you make it inside?" he asked, holding her steady.
She nodded, standing on her tiptoes to give Sirius a quick peck on the mouth before going inside.
Hermione slowly made her way through the house in the dark. She clamored her way up the stairs, trying her hardest not to wake anyone up.
When she finally made it to Ginny's room, she opened the door, hoping Ginny was asleep already. Hermione was out of luck.
Ginny was looking at Hermione, hands on hips and a shocked expression painted on her face.
"Do you mind telling my why it was Sirius, and not Draco who brought you home? Oh, and perhaps also explaining why you kissed him before coming inside," said Ginny, sounding dangerously close to how Molly Weasley sounded when she was curious.
Hermione rolled her eyes and plopped down onto the bed, it was going to be a long night.
Review! Tell me whatcha think! Don't be a silent reader:D