"Do I really need to wear this?" Hermione asked, looking at herself in the mirror. Ginny dressed her in a red turtleneck sweater over a checkerboard skirt and black tights.
"Because you have to look nice on your date." Ginny said. "You need to show him you're at least somewhat trying."
"I think you're insane." Hermione rolled her eyes. "This is a getting to know each other outing, I'm not sure you'd even call it a date."
"But is that not the definition of a date?" Luna asked from her spot on Hermione's bed.
"It is, but I feel weird calling it a date." Hermine admitted. "Earlier this year we hated each other. Now we have to like each other because a potion is telling us to?"
"At least you found your soulmate." Luna reminded her. "I still have no clue who mine is."
"Hopefully you'll find him while you're home for the holidays." Ginny reassured her. "Harry still hasn't figured out who his is."
"But didn't he sense her while we were in the village?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, and hasn't sensed her since." Ginny said. "He is happy for me and Neville though."
"Oh Merlin," Hermione gasped. "Can you imagine Ron and Harry's reaction when they find out about me and Malfoy?" Ginny and Luna looked at her for a moment before they burst out laughing.
"Please let me be there when you tell them." Ginny cried.
"Oh me too." Luna said, Hermione just rolled her eyes.
"Well, it's time for me to head towards Hogsmeade, wish me luck." Hermione groaned as she left the room.
"Good luck." Ginny winked.
"Have fun!" Luna called.
Hermione sighed as she entered Hogsmeade to find Malfoy standing on the side of the main road, standing with his hands in his coat pockets. "Hi." She said as she approached him.
"Good," Malfoy smirked. "I was not sure you would come."
"Told you I would." Hermione said, and they stood in awkward silence for a few moments. "So, what's the plan?" She asked finally.
"I figured we would walk around and get to know each other." Malfoy shrugged. "See why the potion paired us together."
"Very well, let's go." Hermione headed towards town and they walked in silence for a few moments. "You invited me, so you ask the first question." She said finally.
"Ok," Malfoy thought for a few moments. "What are your holiday plans?"
"I'm spending the holidays with the Weasleys." Hermione replied. "What about you?"
"I am going to spend the holidays with mum, and father on Christmas. Or at least try to."
"How is your mother doing? I'm sure it's been hard for her." Hermione asked as they entered the book store.
"Not great," Malfoy admitted. "She misses him, and is trying to redo the Manor to get rid of as many memories as she can." They stood at the entrance for a few moments. "Go, look," Malfoy motioned. "I have a feeling you have an idea of what you want and this is a date. I was always taught that the man treats the woman on the date. Besides, I have a feeling once my father finds out about this I will no longer be able to treat you."
"Why does your family have such strong hatred for muggleborns anyway?" Hermione asked as she headed through the store towards the muggle section.
"How we were taught." Malfoy shrugged. "All my life I heard my father and grandfather rant about how muggleborns have stolen magic from us and how they should not be able to use it." He looked around. "Where are we?"
"Muggle section, since there are muggleborns at Hogwarts we have a tiny section here to keep up with the muggle world while we're here." Hermione explained, picking up a book and reading the back. "What do you like to do for fun?" Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "What? You said we need to get to know each other."
"Well, I enjoy Quidditch, and some readings. Most of the time when I am home I spend time with my mother, making up for the brat I was growing up."
"Have you told her you got paired with me?" Hermione asked.
"I figured that would be a conversation better to have in person." Malfoy grunted. "She may not have been as outspoken on her thoughts as my father, but she never hid how she felt about Muggleborns." Hermione just nodded and returned to browsing the books.
After a while, a stack of books later, they left the store, Malfoy shaking his head. "Do you always buy that many books?"
"Only when someone else pays." Hermione smirked.
"Did you just make a joke?" Malfoy asked as headed towards Honeydukes.
"It happens." Hermione shrugged. "No, I haven't really had a chance to buy books since before I went on the run with boys. I obviously couldn't buy them while in hiding, then after the war Mrs. Weasley would freak out if any of tried to leave the house by ourselves, and while my friends love me they aren't the biggest fans of standing in the bookstore while I browse."
"What's your favorite candy?" Malfoy asked suddenly.
"Sugar Quills." Hermione stated. "And anything chocolate." Malfoy nodded. "What about yours?"
"I don't really have a favorite candy, mum sends me sweets in a care package." He said as grabbed a handful of Sugar Quills. "You said Mrs. Weasley would not let you out by yourself, what about when you were at home with your parents." Hermione's face darkened.
"Can we not talk about my parents right now?"
"You asked about mine." Malfoy pointed out.
"Yes, but my parents are a subject I refuse to talk about right now." Hermione's voice was curt and made Malfoy glare at her.
"I thought we were trying to get to know each other." He snapped.
"We are, but there are subjects that are sensitive. And my parents are one of them. My year with the boys is another. You want to continue this date you should respect my wishes or I will return to the castle or go find Luna or Ginny." Malfoy groaned as he paid for the candies and they left the store.
They walked in annoyed silence again for awhile as they headed towards the Three Broomsticks. "Why are you even doing this?" Hermione asked. "Why did you decide that this was a good idea?"
"I figured it was a good idea, if we were meant to be together." Malfoy said.
"What's the real reason." Hermione snapped as they sat down across from each other.
"You have your subjects, I have mine." Malfoy stated. "Let's just leave it at that." The couple glared at each other for a moment. Malfoy took a deep breath. "Have you told your 'boys' about us?" Hermione laughed.
"Are you kidding? I'm fairly certain they will have a reaction similar to your parents. You know how well the three of you get along."
"I guess that is true." Mafloy commented. "Are you going to tell them?"
"Probably over the holidays, after I let them have a few drinks. Hopefully there will be less freaking out if they are a bit buzzed." Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "What?" Hermione asked. "It's not like we have a say in the matter, and they are a little protective."
"You have been their friend for a long time, and Weasley has a little sister. I would not be surprised."
"Oh please, the only one that protects Ginny is Ginny." Hermione laughed. "But I wouldn't put it past the entire Weasley family to threaten you once they find out."
"I am sure I will be okay against them." Malfoy smirked.
"Even the dragons that Charlie tames? I wouldn't put it past him to use them."
"Dragons don't go after what belongs to other dragons." Malfoy said, leaning forward. "And you, Miss Granger, belong to a dragon."
"Just because your name means Dragon does not mean you're a dragon." Hermione scoffed. "And shall I remind you I don't 'belong' to anyone? Just because a potion deemed us soulmates does not mean I am yours to claim."
"No, but to the outside world, and to the Ministry, you will be the next Mrs. Malfoy, so one day, sooner or later, you will be mine to claim." Hermione glared at him.
"I am not a possession Malfoy, I suggest you remember that." With that she stood up.
"Where are you going?" Malfoy asked, standing up as well.
"Back to the castle, this date is over." With that she picked up her books and left the Three Broomsticks.
Hermione was sitting in one of the armchairs in the common room reading one of her new books when Ginny and Neville walked in later that day. "How did it go?" Ginny asked.
"Okay." Hermione shrugged. "It was going pretty well all things considered until he said I belonged to him."
"What a prat." Ginny said, sitting down.
"Yup, so I told him that I am not a possession for him to claim and left."
"Good, are you going on another date with him?" Ginny asked.
"I'm not sure, I guess it depends on how he behaves," Hermione admitted. "If he apologizes and tries to act like a decent human being maybe."
"Well, let me know how that goes." Ginny said, getting up. "I'll talk to you later."
"Later." Hermione said, returning to her book.