Yes, I know, it's taken me months to churn out this chapter. I'm just so so so sorry about that. I promise the next one would be better—and faster. I hope this chapter satisfy you.
I think to understand this chapter more, you guys have to refer to a side-along one shot. Compliments to the Red Hat. If you guys haven't read it yet, read it first (and review).
Oh yes, I have been nominated in the Dramione Awards! Click on my profile to find the link and vote for me!
The story must go on.
Chapter Four— Saucy Hats and Pretty Redheads
The next two weeks passed like a blur. It wasn't that she was particularly busy or anything, but everything seem to fall into routine. Hermione found that routine seem to make time go faster. She wasn't particularly pleased with that.
Over the weekend she had renewed her friendship with Ginny Weasley. She had been grateful for the momentary break from the usual routine, and truth to be told, she kind of miss her friend. So Ginny turned up in her house one day and the both of them caught up on gossip, chattering about everything under the sun. From Ron's disastrous date with some mysterious blonde, who turned out to be allergic to everything orange in colour, to Ginny's job in Witch Weekly.
Yes, Hermione was glad to see Ginny Weasley once more, but nevertheless she felt relieved when her red-headed friend left. She just wasn't ready for the stress of the Wizarding World yet.
Still, that night when she went to bed, she couldn't help but replay bits on the conversation they had in the morning.
"Should date around more, Hermione. Men like brunettes you know," Ginny commented, winking at her friend. She didn't take any notice of it.
"Look who's talking," Hermione snorted, taking in the red-head's particularly stunning dress. It was a tight black one, something that Hermione knew she would never wear in her entire life. She didn't particularly admire anything too sophisticated; she preferred it simple.
"Come on, Hermione! How else are you going to grab a guy?" Ginny whined, and Hermione sent her a withering glance.
"I am not interested yet, thanks."
"If not now, then when?" Ginny sighed. Her friend could be difficult sometimes.
"Perhaps never," was her brief reply.
"Some day you are going to eat your words, Hermione, when you meet that special someone. Just you wait." Ginny predicted, smirking in a way that made Hermione feel slightly uncomfortable.
The truth was that Hermione didn't mind. She hoped someone would sweep her off her feet too. It just seems that she had trouble finding who.
It was Thursday afternoon, around three o'clock. Business had been fairly slow moving, and few customers entered her coffee house than usual. It was the hot weather that was making everyone sluggish, Hermione thought. It was awfully nice just stay at home and curl up in bed and do nothing. She was very much tempted to do that herself.
The bell tinkled again, and Hermione tore her gaze away from her book. A familiar blond man had walked in. She wasn't surprised to see a dark-haired lady accompanying him—he had been bringing female guests alongside with him here for a couple of days now. Each time though, she noticed, he was with a different woman.
Draco Malfoy gave a curt nod (with unusual civility than he usually paid her) and took a seat near the counter. The girl followed him and the both of them placed their orders. After a while the both of them engaged in light conversation, though Hermione thought it seemed slightly one-sided on the girl's part. In fact, he sometimes appeared to be totally bored, stifling a couple of yawns himself. On several occasions he even winked at Hermione when he saw she was looking.
Once or twice in this peculiar behaviour she caught herself staring too often at Draco and his female companion, and scolded herself for prying. It was a silly thing to do, especially since they weren't the closest of acquaintance. Although she constantly reminded herself not to, Hermione still found herself watching them until the both of them left, leaving only the dregs of tea leaves behind.
The next day Draco entered the café with yet another woman. This one was really pretty; she had deep red hair that reminded her of somebody. Not Ginny —hers was more bright and flaming—but rather close to a picture that she had seen of Harry's mum. There was also something in her dark blue eyes that seemed so familiar and, well, really soft.
She seemed rather nice as well, and had given Hermione a big smile when she entered. Hermione returned it sincerely, but couldn't help but have a twinge at how compatible she looked with Draco.
Draco appeared to take a better liking to the pretty redhead as well, she had observed. The both of them seem to really hit it off, and the redhead would smile and the both of them would laugh. The girl had a really nice laughter, and Hermione found herself admiring the nice tinkle in her voice.
The redhead absent-mindedly brush lint off her light blue sundress, and this seemingly innocent movement made Hermione suddenly aware that she was staring. Again. Hermione blushed—she felt like she was intruding into an intimate moment. She didn't know why, but it felt like that. It was the same sort of feeling as being a third wheel. She quickly turned back to the book she had been reading, determined not to look up.
There was a sudden heavy weight on the table, and Hermione lifted her head. It was Draco. She looked at the clock. One hour had passed.
"Aren't you going to offer me a cup of coffee?" He asked, shaking his head. Hermione searched around the room. The redhead was gone.
"I thought you preferred tea," was all she said.
"I need something stronger today," he replied, and he ordered a cup of black coffee from a passing waitress. The both of them sat in silence until the waitress came back with Draco's order.
"You have been observing me, Granger."
This statement was so remarkably similar to the one that he made when they first met here a while ago that Hermione laughed. Draco, after a moment of confusion, realised this too and laughed along.
"Well, who are they?" she asked, obviously implying the ladies he had been with recently. Her warm brown eyes sparkled with curiosity now, eager for information.
"Blind dates," Draco replied equally straightforward, giving a roguish grin. "Not my idea though."
"Whose then?"
A grimace appeared on Draco's face and he scrounged up his features before he answered.
"Mother's."
"I can't believe Narcissa would do such a thing." Hermione said, leaning forward with interest. Draco rolled his eyes and took a sip from his cup.
"She told me a few months ago that I better bring a wife home to meet her soon. And when I didn't, she went into panic mode. Hence all those matchmaking." He said, sighing and rubbed his forehead.
"Matchmaking?" Hermione inquired.
"Matchmaking. She set me up with quite a number of girls already. Pff. As if I needed the help." Draco huffed.
"Yes, you do give off that kind of aura," Hermione joked, earning a light punch from Draco.
"I will have you know I'm devilishly handsome."
"In your dreams," Hermione said, chuckling.
"Anyway, she sets me up with a new girl everyday. It has been a downright pain. Some of them were incredibly boring."
"I assume that they are some of your mother's friend's daughters or something?" Hermione asked, remembering the posh and class most of his dated had exhibited. They reminded her of the air the Malfoys' used to carry in the past.
"Most of them. You can imagine the type of stimulating conversation we have."
"So how is it?" Hermione asked coyly.
"How is what?"
"The matchmaking."
"The truth?"
"The truth." She rolled her eyes.
"Like rubbish." Draco grinned.
"You seem happy about it," Hermione asked warily.
"Well, you can hardly qualify conversations revolving how pink colour shoes do not match that shade of black handbag as anything better."
Hermione hesitated. "The redhead seems really nice."
"Prudence?" He asked, as if surprised that she kept track of their movements.
"The pretty one with dark red hair from today."
"Oh, you mean Prue. She's rather nice isn't she?" Draco said, seemingly pleased. "We already knew each other before all these matchmaking fiasco. We are friends actually. I have no idea how mother knew her. Saucy little girl, that one."
"Oh?" said Hermione, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Imagine our reaction when we saw each other today. I swear her eyeballs were going to pop out." Draco said good-naturedly, shaking his head before taking another sip of his coffee.
"Well, at least consider her."
"Nah. We are too chummy friends to do that. May introduce her to Blaise though." Draco said laughing.
"Blaise? Him?" She said distrustfully. She had her doubts about Draco's own matchmaking.
"I have no doubt they will hit it off. They both love making jokes at my expense. And they are both incredibly cheeky."
"I have no idea Narcissa is so desperate for a daughter-in-law," Hermione said, sounding thoughtful. "But maybe that's because it's a custom in the Wizarding World to marry young."
"Partially," Draco replied, smirking.
"You mean there's another reason?" she asked, curious.
"Loneliness," he answered, sighing. "That, coupled with the fact that she fears that her only son would remain single forever."
"You have dated many before. Narcissa shouldn't be afraid of anything, should she?"
"I haven't had a romantic life in years."
His reply almost made Hermione spilled her coffee. She looked up at him, surprised. He was looking at her, grinning, as if very much amused.
"It's true," He assured her, laughing. "Not a serious one anyway."
"Narcissa must be devastated by this then, seeing how eager she is to find you a wife," Hermione commented, still slightly shocked. She didn't trust herself to pick up her cup of coffee, so she just sat there and played with the sugar.
"Very," Draco confirmed, rolling his eyes. "It's dreadful to see her act like that. I actually feel quite guilty to burst her bubble sometimes. You can't imagine how it is."
"Actually I can. I see the exact same behaviour in my parents and relatives all the time," Hermione winced, recalling her breakfast disaster weeks before.
"Then you know what it's like."
"I know what it's like." Hermione agreed. Matchmaking was one of her parent's favourite topics.
"Good. Then you will do me a favour."
Hermione looked up, her eyebrows raised. He pretended to look innocent.
"What is it?" She asked suspiciously.
"Save me from the next overly-interested one. By book or by crook."
"I will try," Hermione frowned slightly. "Though I'm not sure exactly how am I going to do that."
Relief spread across his face. "Thank you. I swear, after the next one, I'm going to make sure Mother stops shoving photos of different witches to me."
"Why only after the next one?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Because she has really high hopes on that one. Apparently she's a model that nobody can resist." Draco answered, looking straight into her eye. After two seconds, the both burst out laughing, tittering over Narcissa Malfoy's failed attempts at matchmaking.
True to his words, Draco returned the next day, this time with a gorgeous blonde witch. Hermione had to admit this one was good-looking, though personally she thought the redhead yesterday was more beautiful. This one had a haughty, holier-than-thou look.
Draco looked up at Hermione, winked and rolled his eyes in the general direction of the enthusiastic blonde, who apparently insist on a constant stream of chatter. Turning back to his date, he quickly pretending to look prim and deeply interested. And he was failing.
That girl can sure gab, Hermione mused, as Draco's date continued her story one hour after. Though she could tell that Draco was trying to be polite and gentlemanly, even he could not help but stifle a yawn. Several minutes later, she saw him shoot a pleading look again, the same one that she ignored the past few times. She hadn't been satisfied enough with his squirms.
By book or by crook, Draco had said. By book huh, Hermione mused.
Relenting at last, she got up from her seat, carrying her cup of coffee with her. Pretending again to be too engrossed in her book, she accidentally-on-purpose stumbled just as she was near Draco and his date, spilling a generous amount of coffee on her.
As if on cue, his date jumped up and shrieked, apparently very upset about the state of her dress. It was a nice coffee-brown now.
"Oh gosh! I am so sorry! I didn't mean to—was too engrossed in my book—I wonder if those stains would ever come out!" apologised Hermione dramatically.
She found his entire matchmaking affair rather amusing, and hoped that her face didn't show it. Hermione tried to hide her smile behind a façade of innocence, and rather thought she was faring quite well. She was therefore very dismayed when she realised that Draco did not appreciate her acting skills at all. He was roaring with laughter.
Apparently his date noticed it too. Mistaking his amusement for mockery, she coloured angrily, very offended over the fact that her date was laughing at her. She stood up and dumped her cup of coffee all over Draco's shirt, much to his surprise.
"See how you like to be doused with coffee!" She had yelled. And with a sneer on her face, she stormed out of the café.
Calmly Draco watched with relief as his ex-date walked out of sight. He did not seem the slightest bit disappointed being dumped. On the contrary he seemed to find the whole situation funny.
"Well, at least your mother was right. She is attractive," Hermione giggled, unable to keep a straight face.
"I hope that's not an attempt of comforting people. It's a very poor effort." Draco told her while wiping his coffee-stained shirt. Hermione gave him a withering glance before grabbing several napkins and coolly helping repair the damage.
"I resent that."
"Almost as bad as your acting, I say."
"At least I tried!"
"A fact for which I am very grateful for. Thanks anyway Granger, I owe you one," he told her gratefully.
"I would hold you to that." Hermione informed him.
"Oh?"
"I'm pretty sure I need you to return me this favour sometime," smiled Hermione. "My parents would be doing the same thing soon."
"Hermione Granger!" said a voice.
She tore her gaze away from her book. Somebody was calling her. Reluctantly she turned around, half-welcoming and half-unwilling for any distraction. Hermione looked up, only to see someone standing behind her. It was that girl with deep red hair from yesterday. She was beaming brightly at her.
What was she doing in her coffee shop again?
"Take a seat," she greeted cordially, and the petite girl slipped into the booth seat opposite her gratefully.
"Hermione Granger," she said again, still smiling.
She returned the smile with equal warmth, though with evident uncertainty. Hermione wasn't exactly sure what the pretty redhead was doing here again. In fact, she had no idea how the girl even knew her name, and wasn't sure how to addressed that issue.
The redhead must have detected her confusion, for she started to laugh, her voice tinkling like bells. Hermione noticed again how nice it sounded.
"Draco told me about you," she explained.
"Oh." Hermione wasn't sure how to respond to that.
"Anyway, my name's Prudence-- not really a prude though. My name doesn't go well with me," she introduced merrily, and Hermoine started to relax. There was something in the redhead's friendly mannerisms that make her feel comfortable.
"I know. Draco told me. But it's a nice name."
"I happened to pass by again, so I thought I would drop here to see you. Draco mentions your name a lot," she added meaningfully. Her dark blue eyes were twinkling. Strange. Hermione was pretty sure she saw that twinkle before.
"I love your shop," Prudence continued, gesturing at the surroundings. Hermione felt the corner of her lips tugging.
"Thanks. This means a lot to me, you know. My family weren't really supportive," Hermione told her confidingly before she could check herself.
"I know what you mean," she said, rolling her eyes. "Like, my uncle will always get on my case for going into journalism."
"You write?" Hermione enquired, interested.
"For Daily Prophet. A junior reporter though," she answered breezily. A waitress passed by, and Prudence turned to her for a minute to place an order. She smiled. The two of them had really hit it off.
Hermione took this time to gaze at the redhead carefully. She was really pretty, with dark red hair and pale skin. But it wasn't just that. There was something special in her smile and behaviour that Hermione found appealing. Oh, she was lovely for sure, but there was a hint of mischief in those dark blue eyes, and a slight sauciness disposition. Something in her face strongly reminded Hermione of the behaviour of her favourite red hat in the park weeks ago. Sauciness?
"You know, Draco doesn't really occur to me as the type who confides in his friend. I'm shocked he even told you about me," Hermione commented absently.
"He isn't," Prudence agreed. "But he tells me anyway."
"Known him for long?" Hermione asked, curious.
"A year or so. Why? Interested in him?" Prudence asked, smiling wickedly.
"No!" Hermione retorted, blushing a little.
"You sure?" Prudence teased cheekily. Her eyes were glittering.
"Absolutely!" Hermione nodded firmly for emphasis, but privately Prudence wondered whether or not it was more to convince her own self than anybody else.
Either way, Prudence decided not to mention her own opinions out loud. At least, she smiled coyly, not yet.
"That's too bad," she replied offhandedly. "He is such a catch. Pity he laughed at me when I tried to cook once. Otherwise I might be interested. Damn him for wanting to set me up with Zabini too!" She said, shaking her head.
"I think you would like him," Hermione said evilly, paying back for that remark about Draco.
"Not you too!" groaned the redhead, slapping her forehead and feigning anger.
"You will never know!" Hermione laughed.
"No way. Not if his head is anywhere near as big as Draco's. Kind of big-headed isn't he?" Prudence joked as she tossed her magnificent hair
"Yeah it is." Hermione said, smiling dreamily as she recalled her impression of Malfoy during her years at Hogwarts. Not a terribly good one, that's for sure.
Thinking about it now, it wasn't just her that changed. Draco has changed a lot too. It wasn't just his air. It wasn't just his improved manners. It wasn't even the way he carried himself. It was all these and something more, something that Hermione herself couldn't quite place.
Their acquaintanceship had also long transformed into something almost like friendship. Almost, but not quite there yet. Hermione wasn't sure exactly what to call her relationship with Draco. It was something between acquaintance and friends, and yet it seem to be bordering on something more.
She suddenly realised, with a start, that Prudence was observing her. Her head was tilted, as if examining Hermione closely and peering at her. And then she said something.
"You know, you are every bit as Draco described you to be."
For the second time in two days Hermione was strongly reminded of the conversations she had recently. All this playback of dialogue was acting like a blur of carousel. She had heard this line before. Someone told her this before… Only who?
Mr Bennet from the tea shop! It suddenly hit her.
"I'm sorry, but what did you just say?" Hermione asked, hardly daring to believe the coincidence of it all.
Her companion smiled saucily, her blue eyes even twinkling oddly like Mr Bennet's.
"Haven't I mentioned before? My uncle owns a tea shop," the redhead said brightly. "Let me re-introduce myself then. I'm Prudence. Prudence Bennet."
Once again, Hermione was reminded of the mischievous red hat that caused her much trouble last week.
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, its very cute. I hope you guys can also see the link between Prudence Bennet and the hat from Compliments to the Red Hat. They are both red, mischievous, saucy and have a knack for pulling Draco and Hermione together. In fact, I would go as far as to say Prudence is the human version of the hat.
I didn't intend to really create Prudence Bennet, she just came along. She is a very lively character and likable. Don't worry though, there won't be some love triangle with her.
More matchmaking coming up too. No more hints though, this is merely bribery so I can bide a little more time for the next chapter.
Naturally you all shall review, and once again vote for me in the Dramione Awards (click on my profile to find link)!