Chapter 12

Hermione awoke the next morning to an empty bed. Panic flashed through her and she saw a note on the bedside table. She recognised Draco's handwriting, his swirling calligraphy,

Dearest Hermione,

I've had to go and run a few errands this morning. Don't worry, I promise I'll be back for lunch.

Put something nice on – you'll find out why later,

Draco

A few errands, what is he up to she wondered? She couldn't help but feel a little worried, even though he'd told her not to. Why did she have to wear something nice? Hmmm, her lips formed a tight line. She wanted to know what he was doing now.

She glanced at the little wooden clock on the bedside table. Ten thirty. She really must get out of this bad habit of sleeping in. Perhaps it was an after effect of the cruciatus. She climbed out of bed and headed towards one of wardrobes to try and find a dress. She wasn't impressed. Most of the dresses she found were far too short. Pardon me for wanting to be conservative, thought Hermione. The only dress she found which she deemed to be a suitable length was a knee length dark green number. Slytherin colours, great. She found some matching shoes, and found a particularly lacy set of black underwear. Screw it, she wanted to feel sexy. She decided to shower before changing.

Hermione headed to the bathroom and had a long shower enjoying the massaging effects of the hot water on her back. Eventually she climbed out and dried her hair and body. She looked on the countertop and found an assortment of hair clips. It was going to be hard to tame her hair without the use of magic. She decided to an up-do would probably be best. She brushed and tugged her hair into a similar style she had worn to the Yule Ball a couple of years before. She fastened it with a pretty silver hair clip. She looked at herself in the mirror and examined all the bruises which covered her face. She wished she had some makeup to cover them with, but to no avail. She wrapped her towel around her and headed towards the closet to get changed.

She squealed when she got into the bathroom. Elwing was stood there waiting for her. Hermione flushed, self-conscious of her near naked state. Sensing her embarrassment, Elwing apologised. "I'm very sorry for disturbing you Mistress. Master Malfoy sent me up here to prepare some things. He asked if you could wait in the closet whilst I do so. He said he'd fetch you once I was done."

Draco was back already? Hermione glanced at the clock. It was 12 already. Had she really spent that long in the shower? Also, what on earth was Draco up to?

"Uh yes," said Hermione as she scurried to closet.

Quickly Hermione shut the door behind and began hurriedly getting dressed. She pulled the dress on and shoes on and glanced at herself in the mirror. She hated to admit it, but this colour really did suit her. She prayed a silent prayer that she wasn't turning into a Slytherin.

"Wow." Hermione turned around to see Draco by the door. She hadn't noticed him come in. Her mouth formed into a little O shape when she saw what he was wearing. A button down pale blue shirt and smart grey trousers. His hair was slicked down immaculately. He looked incredibly handsome.

"I could the same thing Mr Malfoy," said Hermione quietly. Draco strode over to her and kissed her passionately. She swooned.

"You are beautiful," he murmured against her skin. Hermione smiled shyly. What was this man doing to her?

He handed her a bunch of flowers – a dozen red and white roses. They were gorgeous.

"What's all of this in aid of?" she asked.

"All that I'm asking of you, all you're giving up for me, I had to give something to you first." Hermione opened her mouth to ask what, but Draco placed a finger on her lips.

"Come with me." Draco took her hand and led her out of the closet.

"Wow," gasped Hermione. The room had been transformed. The curtains were closed, and the room was lit entirely by candle light. Set up in the middle of it was a table and two chairs laid with fine crockery and cutlery. In the centre stood an empty vase – presumably for the flowers Draco had just given her. Flower petals were scattered throughout. The bed was covered with them. Hermione gulped. Was Draco Malfoy trying to woo her? Well it was working.

Hermione looked up at Draco.

"Hermione Jane Granger, will you be my girlfriend?" asked Draco looking a little nervous. He bit his lip. She giggled. How formal of him. She wasn't expecting that.

"Of course," she said smiling. She leant forward and gave him a soft chaste kiss on the lips. Draco Malfoy, the boyfriend of Hermione Granger? How absurd.

"Would you care to accompany me on a date?" said Malfoy gesturing at the table.

"I suppose I better accept seeing as you've gone to all this trouble," she joked.

"Watch it Miss Granger," he winked at her and pulled back a chair for her. Hermione blushed. Had Draco, her boyfriend just winked at her? She felt like a giggly school girl. She took her seat, and Draco followed suit. Elwing brought over their starter. Coupe de melon and parma ham. It was delicious.

"Can I tell you something?" asked Draco,

"Yes," said Hermione questioningly.

"I'm glad you said yes." Draco smiled, and they both laughed.

"Did you really think I'd say anything else?" Hermione asked.

"I hoped not. But you're a mystery to me Miss Granger." Hermione pouted.

"Me mysterious?" she scoffed. "One minute you're the arsehole pureblood prince of Slytherin, the next, you're this simply charming man."

"Charming?" Draco asked, failing to hide his smile.

"Yes, charming"

Hermione and Draco continued their meal in pleasant conversation, trying to find out more about each other. Hermione was pleasantly surprised to hear that Draco had read the story of Beauty and the Beast; apparently he had a secret stash of muggle books. He seemed very interested in Hermione's parent's profession. She couldn't help but feel a pang when she thought of them. She should be with them now; she was taken just before the Summer Holidays.

After they'd finished their meal, and Elwing had taken away their plates, Draco spoke.

"You did your hair just like at the Yule Ball." Draco commented.

"I'm surprised you noticed," said Hermione honestly.

"How could I not have? You were the most beautiful girl, no, woman there that day. I wanted you to be mine, so badly. I always have since the day," he admitted. It was a revelation to Hermione.

"I never knew," she whispered.

She took his hand in his across the table, they gazed at each other. She saw something in his eyes that she'd not recognised before, but now she understood – lust. She felt her cheeks burn. She felt it too.

"Hermione, come to bed with me?" he asked.

She nodded. This was it, she was about to become Draco's. She wasn't scared. A little nervous perhaps, but not scared. She wanted him and she wanted to give herself to him. She took a deep breath, and let Draco lead her over to the bed.