Chapter Thirty Seven
Hermione gazed into Draco's seductive eyes, and felt their magnetism drawing her towards him.
"Well," Draco said, breaking the spell, "I was just planning on an early night, but for some reason my fatigue has completely vanished. I fancy taking in Venice by night. What do you say?"
"Do you know what?" Hermione answered truthfully, "I had the same exact thought. But first I think I ought to get dressed, would you mind?"
"Oh no, you go ahead, I don't mind at all." Draco said cheekily, gesturing to the floor in front of him.
Hermione rolled her eyes and stepped behind a concertina screen in the corner of the room. Draco watched, resisting the urge to take a peek, as the bathrobe appeared over the top of the screen.
Hermione stepped out from behind the screen wearing a pair of tight fitting jeans and an oversized jumper, she hopped across the floor, pulling a pair of flat pumps on as she made her way over to Draco.
Draco was stood by the door to the balcony, broomstick in hand. "Shall we?" he said stepping onto the broom.
"Oh... I... err... I'm not really that keen of a flier," Hermione stuttered.
"Just give me this chance to change your mind," Draco said, holding out his hand to encourage her.
With trepidation Hermione lifted her leg over the broom, sitting behind Draco.
"Hold on tight!" Draco said, and Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco's firm torso. Draco pushed off from the surface of the balcony and the two of them rose gently into the night sky.
"It's amazing," Hermione said seeing a whole new side of Venice from the air. The sight of the pools of light reflected in the canals of the water city were captivating, so much so that Hermione had completely forgotten about her deep loathing for broomstick travel.
"I love this place." Draco said, "Mother has always loved fashion, so we travelled to Italy regularly even before... well... you know, but Venice is just something else. Even the muggles can feel the magic in the air, especially after dark."
"It's spectacular." Hermione said as they flew over Saint Mark's Square.
"Yeah and there are two huge libraries in there," Draco said smiling, "Maybe we can go and see them before you go home." Hermione snuggled her head against Draco's strong back.
"I would like that," she said happily.
Draco leant forward on the broom slightly and it responded by descending in height. They touched down gently in the centre of the piazza, and Draco cast a spell which sent the broom back to the hotel. Hermione span around on the spot looking at the beautiful arches and domes of the wondrous architecture.
A string quartet played for a small group of tourists, and Draco took Hermione's hand in his own.
"Care to dance?" He asked with an outstretched arm and a deep bow. Hermione looked around, nobody else was dancing but she didn't care. She curtseyed before him and took his hand.
"Yes let's," she said and their bodies moved close together and they danced and twirled whilst looking into each others eyes.
Hermione felt a cold feather-light object brush her cheek as the couple danced underneath the stars. She looked up and saw thousands of glittering, tumbling snowflakes floating down to where they danced.
Draco kissed away a delicate snowflake from Hermione's soft, long lashes where it had fallen, and Hermione raised her face so that her lips met his.
They stood in Saint Mark's Square under a beautiful night sky, in a flourish of snow, dancing slowly as they expressed their feelings for each other without any need for words. Draco held Hermione closely to him, his arms holding her firmly whilst Hermione ran her hands through his silver blond hair as the pair of them shared a spell-binding kiss.
Through his sensitive fingertips Draco became aware that Hermione was shivering slightly so he tucked one hand under her chin and looked into her soulful eyes. "Let's get you warmed up," he said and he took her by the hand and led her running across the square to a deserted little bar under the arches at the edge of the Square.
The couple brushed the snow off their clothes as they entered the quaint old bar and Draco led her to a candle lit table at the back of the tiny room.