Chapter 11: First Date
"Once a cheater always a cheater," said Hermione teasing him.
"Of course. I can change, but some things always stick with you," said Draco with a smirk.
Hermione looked over with a slightly shocked look on her face.
"What, you expected me to say I don't do that anymore? As I said that night and I still believe now, I'm Draco Malfoy. I always win," said Draco.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him, but then smiled.
"I don't believe you. I'm sure I've beaten you before but that's where you amnesia kicks in. Right?" asked Hermione.
"No. I'm just always right," said Draco smiling.
"You know, you're not so bad. I'm sorry I didn't trust you before," said Hermione turning serious.
"It's ok. I know the kind of person I was back then," said Draco.
There was a bit of silence before Draco decided to act on the thought he couldn't get out of his head. He wanted to be with Hermione, and he wanted to prove himself more.
"Hey, Hermione?" asked Draco.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to go out with me? On a date?" asked Draco nervously. They made progress; he didn't want to ruin it by a stupid question. The silence killed him; a few seconds seemed like hours.
"Yeah. I think I'd like that," said Hermione smiling at him.
Draco let out the breath of air he didn't realize he had been holding in and smiled back at her.
"Maybe tomorrow?" added Draco.
"Sure. What are we doing?" asked Hermione.
"You'll see," said Draco smirk.
The next day Hermione was unusually excited. She didn't remember the last time she felt that way. Draco was being so secretive too so it made it even more exciting. She took her time getting ready. Hermione wanted to look her best if she was going to give this a real shot.
A few hours later they were ready to go.
"Now can you tell me where we're going?" asked Hermione.
"Nope. Just hold on, I'll apparate us there," said Draco.
When they reached their destination Hermione gasped in shock. They were on a mountainside overlooking Hogwarts grounds. And, Draco being the romantic one chose just around sunset to take them there. It was absolutely beautiful.
"It's amazing," said Hermione.
"You always did love Hogwarts," said Draco, "I'm still surprised you never became a teacher but then again your work is more important."
Hermione looked around and then caught flickers of an older memory, but nothing solid.
"Have we been here before?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah. You remember?" asked Draco looking at her hopefully.
"Not really. Just a few flickers of something similar," said Hermione.
"It's ok. Anyways, it was our first date," said Draco.
"I'm sorry I don't remember it," said Hermione.
"You know, I'm not. I get to relive it all over again," said Draco smiling at her.
Hermione couldn't help herself. Her body was acting before she could think things through and she walked over and went straight into his arms. Draco happily wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
"Thanks for being so patient with me," said Hermione.
"Of course. I still love you and I always will. I'll never give up on you," said Draco kissing her forehead, "Anyways, are you hungry?"
"Yeah a little," said Hermione reluctantly letting go of him.
"I pulled in a favor," said Draco as he directed her to a blanket on the ground. Food magically appeared in front of them.
"Wait, did the elves do this?" asked Hermione.
"Don't worry. It was Dobby and Winky. I asked them to help and they said they didn't want payment. You know elves, if you force it on them they get offended," said Draco.
"Especially them," said Hermione remembering her days in Hogwarts when she tried to help the elves, "Well just send them socks anyways."
"Sure," said Draco laughing at that thought.
They sat down and quietly ate, just enjoying each other's company.
"Have you ever seen the Hogwarts castle up close and personal?" asked Draco.
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione.
"Well besides from being inside the towers, what about around the towers up in the air?" asked Draco with a sly smile.
"No…" said Hermione confused and now worried.
"Come on," said Draco getting up and pulling Hermione up as well.
They walked a few feet away and found a broom. Draco got on it and motioned for Hermione to join him.
"Ohh no! I may have forgotten a lot of my life but I haven't forgotten a serious fear of flying," said Hermione.
"I know. I remember. But I also remember on our first date you were afraid, but I convinced you to come," said Draco with a smirk.
"Do I even want to know?" asked Hermione. She had a feeling she knew, but she didn't know if she was quite ready for that
"I could do a demonstration if you wanted," said Draco.
Hermione laughed and shook her head at him
"You are such a flirt. It's ok, not every past event needs to get repeated. We can change things up a bit," said Hermione looking at him to see his reaction to that.
Draco's eyes went wide but then he smiled again.
"So are you coming or do I have to drag you?" he asked.
Hermione sighed and said, "Fine. I guess if I've done this before. And I don't think you'd let me die. It sounds like you'd miss me way too much."
Hermione got on the broom and put her arms tight around him. She trusted him, but she was still scared.
"You're right. No one can replace you," he said.
Hermione smiled but then quickly shut her eyes as they lifted off the ground.
"Open your eyes. Trust me, you won't want to miss this," said Draco.
"You can't even see me! How can you know that?" asked Hermione laughing.
"I know you," said Draco.
Hermione cracked an eye open and held him tighter in fear. She opened the other eye and then relaxed, but only a little bit.
"Like it?" he asked.
"I can't lie. It's pretty fabulous," said Hermione.
He flew them carefully around the entire castle. After it got dark he decided to land and go back home.
"That was amazing," said Hermione as they got back.
"Glad you liked it," said Draco.
Hermione went and sat on the couch. She was deep in thought now.
"Are you ok?" asked Draco.
"Yeah. I'm fine," said Hermione not looking at him.
Draco sat down next to her.
"I'm fine? That means you're not. You can talk to me… or I can get Ginny for you," said Draco wincing at the idea of her still not quite trusting her yet.
"It's just frustrating not remembering anything. Tonight was really great and I enjoyed going out with you. I just can't help wondering what else I'm missing. I also see how much you love me and I feel like I'm hurting you," said Hermione, tears gathering in her mind.
Draco pulled Hermione into his arms and held her tightly.
"Hermione, I'm so sorry. I wish I there was a spell or a potion or something that could help. You're not hurting me though. I told you, I won't give up on you," said Draco.
"I was being so difficult though and I know I was before," said Hermione.
"Well, maybe, but you're not anymore. We just had a great night together. How could I be hurt by that?" asked Draco.
"I don't know. I'm just sorry," said Hermione.
"I love you. We'll get through this together and our relationship will grow from that unless you don't want to and then I'll respect that and still help you," said Draco.
"I don't want that," said Hermione quietly. On the date she realized she couldn't help but be attracted to him and like him. She did have feelings for him and she wanted to make this work, not just because they were having a child together.
"Don't want what?" asked Draco.
Hermione sat up and looked at him.
"I don't want to be without you," said Hermione looking directly at him.
"Really?" asked Draco.
She smiled and said, "Really. Harry was right. The minute I let you in and gave this a shot I started to like you."
Draco gave her a heart-melting smile. Words couldn't describe what he felt. He wasn't going to lose her. He tentatively reached up and brushed her cheek with his hand. Hermione was gorgeous; he loved looking at her deep brown eyes. Draco slowly leaned in closer to her. He searched her eyes, and when he didn't find hesitancy he closed the distance between them and kissed her gently.