Chapter three-Waking up & shopping

He took hold of my hand and led me to my room, where he proceeded to get me some of my nicer nightwear "why you have that other stuff I don't know!" he muttered angrily to himself. He handed me my favourite nightdress.

Made of layers of pale peach chiffon, it has a structured bodice, the skirt is floor length, and I hadn't worn this nightdress since before the war "you had to pick out my favourite!" I told him.

I got changed and slipped in to my bed, Draco was already there. Once I had settled he wrapped himself around me, hugging me to him. "Don't let me forget him please" I whispered "I couldn't even if I wanted to; sleep princess for tomorrow never comes."

And so I fell asleep.

I bolted up out of bed, I had no nightmares! Was it Draco? My room was tidy, where was Draco? Were there multiple voices down there? There was a note on the door to my walk in wardrobe with my name on it.

Hermione

It said in fancy handwriting that could only belong to Draco.

Dear Hermione,

I am making breakfast for us downstairs in our little kitchenette; my mother is down there so I advise you get dressed.

I walked in to my walk in wardrobe and gasped, most of my clothing was gone! I looked at the letter.

You might be aware that around 4/5ths of your clothing has gone, I deemed them not worthy of such a beautiful woman so I threw them out, and before you yell at me, mother and the therapist agreed.

As to what you might wear today, I suggest something comfy because the therapist suggested that we should replenish your wardrobe, so we are going shopping today at the expense of my mother (her idea, not mine) but don't bother arguing for I know but only One person who is more stubborn than you. My Mother.

From your new friend/

Temporary stylist

Draco.

Oh what is the use in trying!?

I got my Levi skinny, dark blue, high waisted jeans and a purple, long sleeve t-shirt with a pair of purple dolly shoes. I had a quick shower and got dressed, and then I proceeded to go down stairs.

When I got down stairs I found Draco & his mum in a tight embrace, I will never get that again. I sank down to the ground crying, why you went mummy? I thought.

A pair of arms surrounded me but they weren't Draco's "If you ever need a mum I am here, I know I didn't cause your parent's death but I hope I can help you with their passing."

I looked up and saw her crying also. "Please." I whispered as I hugged her with everything I had.

I stood up and whipped away my tears; I walked to the kitchenette where Draco was pouring a cup of coffee, he put three sugars in it and stirred, he turned and said, morning beautiful, here is your coffee and I will make you some scrambled eggs on toast." he said with a smile, I smiled back "Thanks."

"One smile already, you said it would be hard!" he chuckled at me, I giggled back. "Maybe you are just better than everyone else at making me smile!"

Breakfast was quiet after that until I finished my scrambled eggs on toast.

Narcissa came in to the kitchenette with my coat and one of my handbags. "Put these on Hermione, we are going shopping." She said.

I put on my coat & handbag, then she grabbed hold of my hand and brought me to the fireplace in my common room "Diagon alley is our destination." Narcissa said.

I stepped in to the fireplace, threw down the floo powder and shouted "Diagon alley!"

After we all got there Narcissa surprised me by going in to muggle London "I like to shop here, muggles are very good at designing and making clothes, I never told Lucius for he would have killed me for it." At that moment I realised how much freedom Narcissa and Draco now had because Lucius had died, I felt relived for them.

We caught a cab to Bond Street where most of the designer stores are.

Up until lunch time we went to a number of stores, all of which knew Narcissa and Draco by name, where I got several new items of clothing, as did Draco and Narcissa for they hadn't a chance to go shopping over the summer, they had been doing a complete, make-over you could say, of their estates, getting out all of the dark objects and handing over them all to The Ministry of Magic.

Whilst I was trying on a pair of Emilio Pucci shoes when Narcissa said that she was hungry and suggested that we go to my place for lunch, "umm I don't know if I have any food in the cupboards, I haven't been home since around 10:00 on the 1st September."

But she had made up her mind, so we went to my apartment, on the way getting ingredient's for salmon pasta.

When we got there Narcissa told Draco to sort out lunch whilst she dragged me around my apartment telling me it was all wrong for me, and that the apartment block wasn't even a magical one! By the time Draco had called us for lunch I was more stresses out than I had ever been in my entire life.

After lunch Narcissa thought it would be ok to go through the apartment, and decorate it as she thought it should be, but fortunately it gave me a moment alone.

"Mother is stressing you out isn't she." He stated I nodded in agreement. "It's her way of showing that she cares, but I do see where you are coming from, telling you that your taste is rather dull."

"I decorated the apartment in the colours that reflect me at that moment, and I felt like a bland beige back then but at the moment I feel like a pale blue because I feel sad and drawn out, all of which is not because of your mother but yes she is stressing me out with her absolute need to re-decorate my apartment, but I do think it is sweet that she cares." I said.

Around 5mins later Narcissa came in to the living room, "let's go to Knightsbridge, there are more designer stores there." She said with a smile.

By the time we got back it was 8pm and I was shattered but Draco insisted to cook me some dinner. "Merlin can your mother shop!" I gasped at Draco, He laughed and nodded "it is one of her many talents." He grinned.

Shortly after un-packing my new clothes, Draco calling me down announcing dinner was ready. We sat down to a chicken dish with mashed potato, I delved right in, and it was so yummy! "Where did you learn how to cook Draco because this is delicious, so was breakfast and lunch?" I asked him.

"Whilst mum was sorting out our estates she enrolled me in to several courses, Dance, Art, Music & Cooking. I took to all of them well but cooking was by far my best subject.

I learnt from one of the best chefs in the country, Michel Roux Jr, who classically trained me in French & Italian cuisine, and his sous chef Monica Galetti who taught me the basics that every chef should know. The course started two days after the war ended and finished the day I came round your house. The reason I had to go by 7pm on that day was because I had my final exam which was to join Michel in service at his restaurant, Le Gavroche.

To say that I passed was a severe understatement; he wants me to work for him which isn't my plan for after graduation, taking over my dad's company and re-modelling it is."

I yawned "Am I boring you Hermione?" I shook my head, "no, I am just very tired, do you mind if I sleep beside you again, it's just for the first time since the war started, I didn't have any nightmares last night." He nodded. "Sure, besides you weren't the only one who got a better night's sleep as well."

I went up to my room to get changed when Draco crept up to me, grabbed me by the waist and picked me up.

He carried me to my room and lay me down on my bed; he went to my wardrobe and got me one of my new sets of pj's consisting of a camisole and little shorts made out of satin, I remember reading that satin is a fabric that is more naked than naked, "here you are, I will turn around" he said as he turned to look the other way. I got changed and slipped in to bed. "Ok Draco."

He turned around and I saw his chest again, "do you always sleep shirtless, or is this for my benefit?" I ask. He walked to my bed, got under the covers and wrapped himself around me again, I strangely felt safe with him, "both." He whispered in to my ear, and I knew he was smirking at that point. "Go to sleep Hermione, we both need some sleep before school tomorrow."