Beater 2, Wigtown Wanderers QLFC Season 10

Main Prompt: An Anniversary

Optional Prompts: 5. [dialogue] "This is going to be a night you'll never forget.", 12. [dialogue] "Oh, come on, [name]! What do you have to lose?" / "My pride. My sanity. My lunch." and 15. [action] kissing someone's knuckles

Word Count: 1002

~wWw~

"Come on, Hermione, just say yes," Ginny whined, pausing as she looked up at the other girl with the large puppy eyes she had perfected in her youth. Hermione glared briefly at her red-headed friend, but when it appeared to have no effect on the other girl turned slightly away, speeding up her steps so she was a half step before Ginny.

"Ginny, I've said this before and will say it again. I have no interest in dating," Hermione said firmly, ignoring the other girl's puppy eyes as her eyes darted around the crowded alley, hoping no one was listening in on their conversation.

"...Well, it's kinda too late," Ginny said, pulling Hermione to a stop, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Hermione's eyes widened at the girl's words, but Ginny continued before she could say anything.

"Oh, come on, Hermione! What do you have to lose?"

"My pride. My sanity. My lunch."

"It's one date. I promise it won't be too bad," Ginny pleaded as Hermione pulled her behind her as they walked toward Gringots.

"If I go, will you stop trying to set me up with people?" Hermione asked, knowing she wouldn't get out of this and not wanting to disappoint whatever poor sod Ginny had set up with her. Hopefully, it was someone nice and not someone who just wanted her for fame.

"Great! Tomorrow night, six pm, he will pick you up at the Burrow," Ginny squealed excitedly as they entered the grand Gringots building. Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes, but inside, she felt her heart flutter in excitement.

~wWw~

"Why did I let you rope me into this!" Hermione groaned as she turned down yet another dress that Ginny had brought for her to try. Pastel colours were awful for her skin tone. They made her appear washed out.

"Because you love me," Ginny grinned cheekily, handing the brown-haired woman another dress. The deep green dress immediately caught Hermione's eye. Its dark colour differed significantly from Ginny's other offerings. As she slipped it over her body and turned to look in the mirror, she could barely recognize the person in front of her.

"Is everything alright in there?" Ginny called from the other side of the curtain. Hermione didn't say anything. She just slid the curtain to the side and turned to her red-headed friend. Ginny didn't say anything for a moment. She just stared. The dress perfectly clung to Hermione's curves, its deep green colour perfectly offsetting her pale skin.

"Wow, you look amazing. You're going to knock the socks off his feet," Ginny whispered. Hermione let out a little laugh, not knowing quite what to say.

"Did you set me up with a Slytherin or something?" Hermione asked jokingly as she removed the dress, carefully setting it to the side as she pulled back on her regular clothes.

"Or something," Ginny called back. Hermione shook her head, never quite knowing what to do with Ginny. She draped the dress over her arm, bringing it over to the till.

~wWw~

"Hermione, your date is here!" Ginny called up the numerous flights of stairs that supported the Burrow. Her voice echoed through the mostly empty rooms.

"Coming," Hermione called back. Ginny grinned at the light-haired man, nervously shifting in the doorframe.

His breath caught in his throat as Hermione glided down the stairs to the front door. She was breathtaking.

"Malfoy?" Hermione asked. There were a few men she had been thinking of when Ginny had suggested a blind date, but Draco had never even crossed her mind. They had worked together for a few years after the war and had grown to respect each other, but they had never become friends.

"Hermione," Draco said simply, "you look breathtaking." The dark green dress suited her like no other, and her hair sat atop her head with a simple twist.

"Thanks, you look rather handsome yourself," Hermione said, taking in his dark suit. She approached the muggle aspects of the suit.

"This is going to be a night you'll never forget." Draco promised as he bent down to kiss her hand.

~wWw~

Hermione smiled as she thought of her and Draco's first date. It was exactly a year since that day. Well, a year minus three hours. Those were the three hours she had to get ready before their anniversary date.

She had the same dark green dress from before carefully laid out on her bed, and she was in the process of doing her hair in the same simple twist she had done on their first date. Her eyes drifted across the room. Photos of her and Draco lined the walls. Them laughing together and riding Muggle roller coasters.

Rising to her feet, she strode over to their six-month anniversary photo they had taken together. Draco was tickling her side in an attempt to make her smile. She hated taking photos, and this was one of the few ways Draco had found to make her smile. Her hand followed the curvature of the frame as she remembered the home-cooked pasta dinner Draco had made her. That was the first time she told him she loved him.

Hermione carefully slipped on her dress, running her hands over it to smooth over the non-existent creases.

A loud knock rang through her apartment. Draco was just on time like normal. She strode over to the door, pulling it open. She smiled at the sight before her. He was wearing the same suit he wore on their first date. She glanced over to the clock. It had been exactly a year since their first date, not a second less nor more.

"Draco," she said, pulling him towards her and giving him a small peck on the cheek.

"Hermione, you look as breathtaking as always," Draco smirked, "are you ready for a night you will never forget?" He bent down, his lips ghosting over her fingers.

"Always," she said with a smirk in return.

"Happy anniversary," Draco said, smiling down at her.

"Happy anniversary."