Feathers

Alternate Universe: Continuation of the previous two stories

"Hermione the car will be arriving soon. Are you ready to go?"

"I don't think this is appropriate Madame."

"What? The date or the dress?
Hermione frowned deeply. "Both, if I'm honest."

Hermione stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a calf length gray dress with a black center ribbon and a wide skirt that twirled when she spun. The dress was one that Madame Malfoy had tucked back in her closet that she had never worn before. "That dress looks amazing on you darling. It was meant for you, that's why I never got rid of the thing. Gray has never been my color, but on you darling it is beautiful."

Hermione didn't speak. She just twisted her hands nervously in front of her while continuing to gaze at herself in the mirror. "As far as dating my son dear, I believe you have already been told how I feel about that matter. I basically had you married and ready to produce grandchildren. You are a lovely young woman Hermione and I think you would be very good for my Draco."

Hermione chewed on her bottom lip. "Madame, I don't think any of this is appropriate."

"Are you not interested in my son? Does he not meet your discerning tastes?"

Hermione sighed. "Draco is very attractive. But he is so much more than a handsome face."

Madame smiled. "Please go on. I love to hear about my son."

Hermione giggled. "You aren't proud of him at all are you Madame?"

"He is my only child and it took a lot of years and a lot of tears to get him here safely Hermione. He is the best thing that I have ever done in all of my years," Madame smiled genuinely. "Now tell me what you think of him, honestly."

Hermione smiled delicately. "He's rather brilliant. He has a quick wit and is incredibly intelligent. He has a vast knowledge but is willing to learn and share his expertise. He loves you unconditionally and he is one of the kindest men I have ever met. He enjoys music and art and is well versed in both subjects. When I look at him… well, my heart smiles and that smile drifts upward to my mouth rather quickly."

Madame Malfoy smiled kindly at Hermione. "You speak so highly of him, but you have reservations about being in a relationship with him. Why, if you don't mind me asking?"

Hermione twirled the ribbon of the beautiful dress around her thumb and forefinger nervously. "I… I don't come from much Madame. My parents worked very hard all my life, but we are not wealthy people. This job, this role with you, well, it has provided so much for my family. I worry about endangering my position, but I also worry about how dating Draco will look to others."

"I'm afraid you will have to provide me a little more detail Hermione dear. We have never given you pause to think you were beneath us in anyway, correct?"

"Oh no Madame, of course not," Hermione said reaching out to take her hand. "You have been wonderful to me and treated me as family."

"So, what then, seems to be the problem?"

"Draco, well, he is often photographed at various events. The women he has been with are all of his same status. I worry that I will be viewed in a negative light when the press sees us together."

Madame snorted. "You'll have no such fears dear girl. That is absolutely ridiculous. If you continue in a relationship with my son I will dare anyone to call you a gold-digger or some such nonsense."

"You are rather fierce Madame."

"Rightfully so, I should think Hermione."

The car arrived promptly at seven o'clock and the driver was a charming older gentleman who opened the door for Hermione and complimented her gown. The drive to Draco's home wasn't long, but it was long enough to make her nervous again. She stared out the window at the expansive grounds in front of estate and marveled at the beauty of the home. It was old, that much was obvious. She was curious what kind of style Draco possessed. Was he traditional or modern? Did he like color or earth tones?

"Ms. Granger," the driver said opening the door to the car. "If you please. Mr. Malfoy is just inside the foyer."

The large door opened to reveal a smiling Draco Malfoy. "Welcome Hermione," he said softly and took her hand. He placed a gentle kiss upon the back of her hand. "I almost expected you to back out of our evening."

Hermione blushed. "If I'm honest I almost did Draco."

"What changed your mind, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Your mother."

"She always is on my side Hermione."

Hermione blushed.

"I like the look of a light blush on you princess," he said with a grin reaching for her hand again. "Come on, love. Let the fun begin."

"Be honest Draco did you cook this, really?" Hermione asked before forking another bite of salmon with her salad greens.

"I did in fact. I am quite the accomplished chef as long as I am allowed to use the grill and a salad."

"Ah, so I can expect a multitude of salad ingredients were I to peruse your kitchen."

"That and maybe some beer."

"Beer?"

"I love it sadly. Much more than wine or other spirits. Mother would die though had I served you beer on our first date."

"How would she have known Draco? I would never have told her what you served."

"She would have known. She may be slowly losing her mind, but she is still sharp as a tack when it comes to reading my wrongs."

Hermione giggled and took another bite of her fish before she spoke again.

"Your home is lovely," Hermione said from across the dining room table where they were seated.

"Thank you. It was my parents' home originally but after father died mother didn't want to live here anymore. We found her the building in town that you are familiar with and I made this place my own."

"It's an eclectic mix of things. You don't seem to have a particular style for décor."

Draco laughed before sipping his glass of wine. "My style is my own. I use what I like."

"Well I think I like your style."

Draco glanced at her with a serious expression. "Is that all you like Hermione?"

Hermione pursed her lips and tapped her chin with her forefinger. "Let's see. I like the beautiful salad that you prepared."

"That was relatively simple to make, as was the salmon. What else?"

Hermione pushed back from the table and moved slowly around to his side. "I like the wine and I think I may have had one glass too many."

"I'll be a perfect gentleman," he said quietly. "What else do you like, Hermione?"

She reached him and placed two fingers beneath his chin raising his face to look her in the eye. "I really like… you."

He smiled at her and licked his lips. "May I kiss you Hermione?" he asked in a tone barely above a whisper.

"I never thought you'd ask."

She didn't have time to think then because Draco pushed back from the table and pulled Hermione into his lap before tangling his hand in her hair. His lips sought hers and a sense of urgency pushed through both of them driving the kiss to deepen. Draco's tongue swept her bottom lip and begged for entrance to her mouth which she gladly allowed. He tasted like wine and she was quickly getting drunk from his touch.

His mouth broke from hers and kissed along her jaw and throat eliciting a moan from her that snapped Hermione out of the lustful moment. "Draco," she whispered and pushed against him gently. "Draco, we have to stop."

Draco leaned his forehead against her chest and sighed. "Sometimes I detest being a gentleman," he grumbled causing Hermione to laugh loudly. "Think that's funny do you Ms. Granger?"

She smirked down at him. "Indeed, I do Mr. Malfoy."

He groaned at her candidness. "Come on then. Let's clear the table and we'll have dessert in the den."

She giggled again. "I'm glad to know you aren't going to treat me like I'm incapable."

"I would just do it myself, it would be the gentlemanly thing to do, but it means dessert will take longer to serve. I find that I am most eager to share dessert with you, Hermione."

She stood from his lap and grabbed her salad plate and wine glass. "Lead the way, Draco."

Dessert was a chocolate English trifle served in individual dessert glasses. Draco insisted on feeding it to her a bite at a time and with each bite he asked a question that she was required to answer. "I'll play your game as long as you reciprocate Mr. Malfoy."

"For certain Ms. Granger."

"Your first question then sir, and remember you are a gentleman."

Draco smirked at her. "What is your favorite food?"

Hermione laughed. "Really?"

"Really."

"Sweet or savory?"

"Both of course."

Hermione thought a moment. "Sweet would be my grandmother's tiramisu. No one makes it like she does."

"I look forward to trying it one day then, savory?"

"I love a good American hamburger. Does that make me cheesy?"

"Only if you like it with cheese," he said with a laugh. "Your turn."

"What exactly do you do everyday when you aren't visiting your mother?"

"Ah, loaded question," he said before leaning back on the large selection of pillows that graced the couch. "I'm a finder of sorts I guess you could say. My clients ask for something, legal of course, and I find it and make the offer for purchase."

"And do you ever fail?"

"You've already had your question madame, but I'll answer anyway. Yes, on occasion I do fail, but only with the most stubborn of sellers. I'm very good at what I do Hermione."

"Your question then."

"Right then. Are you ticklish?"

"What? Why would you ask…"

She didn't get to finish her question before he was on her tickling her sides and causing great peals of laughter to rip from her mouth. She grabbed a pillow from the sofa and hit him roughly several times before suddenly white fluffy feathers were floating around the pair. Draco stopped his assault and stared at her wide eyed and embarrassed face. "Draco… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…"

"Oh, I think you did mean to Ms. Granger you just didn't expect these consequences from your actions."

She burst out laughing again which made him grin from ear to ear. "Enough fun Hermione, sadly we must now clean up feathers and I need to take you home for the evening."

"I don't want this to end Draco."

"Neither do I Hermione. But it is well past midnight and I am sure my mother will be full of questions come tomorrow morning."

"Hopefully she won't tickle me to get answers."

"That would be a joy to watch I think."

FIN