A/N: I know this is late and I may or may not have rewritten it a ridiculous number of times so apologies if it's not the best. Much appreciated if you left a review!
Hermione dipped her hands into the deep pockets of her jacket, wrapped tight around her to ward off the brisk winter breeze. The sun had managed to puncture through the abundance of cloud above and offered a refreshing respite from the dull grey smothering the sky. The Gryffindor relished in the first hints of sunlight for over a week as a figure popped in to view, taking the few steps up to the castle's entrance.
"Theo." Hermione greeted politely as he paused in step to meet her. Snug inside a puffy coat, he looked almost twice the size of his usual self and she could only imagine the hilarious contrast the two of them offered to passers-by.
"Afternoon, Granger. Where you headed to?"
"Just a walk around the grounds, I could really use some fresh air."
"Really? I thought you relished the musty atmosphere of the library." He quipped with a grin, Hermione rolling her eyes with a hint of a smile.
"Only ninety-five percent of the time. I figured I shouldn't pass up the chance to get out on a day like today."
"Great minds think alike evidently, Draco's been out there for a half hour down by the lake. Maybe you two will run into each other." He suggested with a smirk almost conspiratorially. "Or are you two still joined at the hip?"
Hermione snorted rather inelegantly. "Good to know but we're hardly inseparable." Pausing for a beat, she opted to turn the tables. "How's Dean by the way?"
Theo blinked once. Then again. He cleared his throat. "I imagine you would know better than I."
She hummed for a moment. "So you wouldn't happen to know where he keeps disappearing off to in the evenings?" Her tone was light and airy but had enough of a punch that she observed him swallow.
While Hermione and Draco had opted to meet either on the Astronomy Tower or in the library several times a week, Dean's recurring absence on several nights hadn't gone unnoticed by the Gryffindor girl with Ginny and Neville also bringing attention to his frequent disappearing act.
"Haven't the foggiest."
"Uh huh. Well, have a nice day, Theo." She grinned wickedly, strolling past him as he remained rooted to the spot.
"Yeah, bye." He replied weakly. When she glanced back he was hurriedly headed back to the dungeons, shaking his head lightly.
Hermione felt the tension leave her body as she stepped into the strong rays of the sun, a smile toying at her lips. As she began her leisurely walk through the grounds she told herself she wasn't headed to the Black Lake to see the Slytherin but rather, she was merely meandering in a loose circuit and it happened to be on the way. Hagrid greeted her cheerily as she passed by his hut, a crate of blast-ended skrewts currently demanding his attention. Before she could continue on he made her promise to come for tea when she had a spare afternoon and Hermione left feeling a touch of guilt that she hadn't visited as often as he deserved. Neville and Luna spoke often about the subject of Care of Magical Creatures, once again hosted by the half-giant and the two often stopped in for hot beverages and hard cakes.
It had been over a week since Hermione had the honest chat with Malfoy in the library and they'd somehow found a way to be in each other's company almost every day. It was a refreshingly new companionship and while she had her usual group of friends who she still spent the majority of her time with, it was enjoyable to learn the ins and outs of someone different. The two very rarely broached the subject of his mother's upcoming move and Hermione had determined early on that the topic of Lucius Malfoy was one to be avoided at all costs. The head of the Malfoy family had passed many months ago but she sensed his heir still held conflicting emotions toward his father. That being said, the two returning students equally treasured the small titbits they each revealed and she found him to be an intent listener with a genuine interest in the same subjects she loved.
Passing out from the treeline she spotted Draco almost immediately, tucked under a large tree that barely held a leaf still, facing out toward the vast body of water that dissolved into darkness. He cut a thin figure, dressed all in black, his hair a stark contrast as it ruffled in the breeze. She crunched along over the pebbled shoreline, a foot from the water's edge, admiring the sunlight dancing of the surface.
"Hi." She announced herself when only a few meters away and he tipped his head to regard her interestedly.
"Nice hat, Granger."
She ran her fingers over the edge of the deep red knit with a smile, "Thanks." She was instantly reminded of the time he'd said the exact same phrase after a quidditch match many weeks ago, how much they'd grown since then. "Not interrupting some intense thoughts, am I?"
"I've finished my allotted mooching time, have a seat." He gestured to the patch of grass beside him and Hermione gratefully lowered herself into the space. It seemed warmer, pressed up against the tree's stiff trunk, partly shielded from the wind.
"I have to ask, did you charm your hat to be a different colour? I swear you have a light purple one of those." He started after a moment once she'd become settled.
"I'm flattered you noticed but no, I do have two. They were both gifts from Harry and Ron."
He scoffed, turning his gaze away from the item of clothing. "What a pair of geniuses."
"Hey!" She elbowed him in the ribs playfully and Draco shot her a grin. "Clearly nothing has changed there."
"Potter I have a fair amount of respect for but Weasley hasn't grown brains overnight. I highly doubt my opinion of him will ever change."
"Your perception of me changed." She added poignantly and he chuckled.
"You're infinitely easier to get along with and far better to look at." A soft rose colour tinged her cheeks and she turned into the wind to hide her blush. A smile tugged at his lips as he watched her avoid his gaze. "How'd you know I was here anyway?"
"I didn't really; I was just out for a jaunt. Although Theo might have mentioned you were in the vicinity."
"We were at the quidditch pitch but I didn't want to head in just yet. He's got a Charms assignment to finish." Rummaging in his coat, he pulled out a small plastic bag from his pocket and offered it to her. "Sugar quill?"
"Oh, thanks." She gratefully accepted one as he mimicked her action. "So what does Theo want to do after Hogwarts?"
"Some Ministry job, International Magical Cooperation, Unspeakable, that type of thing. He really just wants to help people but he's got plenty of skills so he's keeping his options open. What about you then? What's next for the brightest witch of her age?"
Hermione cringed at the title she'd been issued. While she appreciated it to a degree, it made her feel oddly queasy when people used it to describe her when she was actually present. "Also keeping my options open. Kingsley's offered a few choices at the Ministry and even McGonagall's mentioned a position here." She shrugged, her nails picking at a thread on the knee of her jeans. "Are you thinking of joining Theo?" Hermione snuck in slyly, glancing at him sideways as he barked a laugh.
"You're good, Granger. Clearly there's some Slytherin in you after all."
Hermione shrugged smugly, a flurry of her previous adventures flitting through her mind. "I have quite the penchant for breaking the rules, I'll have you know. But come on, I'm dying to know what your master plan is."
"Not very patient, are you?" She shook her head and he rolled his eyes. "I said if I passed I'd tell you."
"That's so far from now. You're being terribly cryptic, it's driving me mad."
"I figured as much. Alright, if I get the necessary grade by the Christmas reports, I'll tell you."
She hummed in thought before conceding. "Fine, I suppose I can wait that long. You're definitely going to succeed, you have me, remember?"
"Hermione Granger, cocky Gryffindor genius. It's a fitting title, might make you a badge."
"Oh shut it, Malfoy." She punched him lightly in the shoulder and he feigned serious injury. "Always the actor."
"I've been on the receiving end of a real hit from you. Don't think I'm likely to chance that again."
The pair shared a laugh and fell into easy conversation. It felt like their own private hideaway with no one in sight and only the sounds of the leaves rustling in the trees and the odd chirp from a stray bird seeking shelter in the branches above. The lake was eerily still, no flamboyant show from the giant squid or even stone skipping from fellow students and the calming effect was felt by the two observers. Their mutual tranquillity was shattered some time later by the low rumblings of a male voice and an irritatingly high-pitched giggle.
"Is that McLaggen?" Draco muttered from beside her, a deep frown etched into his features.
"Oh god, it is." Hermione ducked down into his shoulder, obscuring her from view. The Gryffindor boy was accompanied by a considerably smaller yet rather attractive blonde Hufflepuff. At her amusing behaviour, Draco snorted, glancing down at her hunched frame.
"You two had that thing, huh? I vaguely remember Slughorn's Christmas Party and his disturbing obsession with you."
"We didn't have a thing; I accepted his offer to attend the party as his date." She attempted to dissuade him but it only earned her an incredulously look from the blond.
"Why in Salazar's name would you do that?"
Hermione stared at her companion for a beat, momentarily burying her face in her hands before she finally spoke. "I thought it would make Ron jealous."
"Did it work?" He asked, genuinely curious. It wasn't the worst plan but he was certainly surprised she'd resorted to such measures.
The Gryffindor girl groaned, shaking her head and pulling at a strand of her hair. "I don't think so."
"Well, kudos for sticking it out, he's a slimy git."
"I was pettier back then." She still remembered how riled up seeing Ron and Lavender had made her and the ridiculous moment she'd seen Cormac in the corridor resulting in a split second decision.
"Why, because you wanted the attention of your oblivious friend who was too wrapped up in his own personal fangirl?"
"You noticed that, huh?" She uttered sheepishly, avoiding his gaze.
"Granger, anyone with eyes could see that." Glancing back over at the two flirting intruders, he kept his gaze trained on them as they trailed along the path and eventually out of sight. "You're worth a whole lot more than that prick."
Sensing the departure of their unexpected company, Hermione straightened up and Malfoy found he missed the warmth of her body so close to his. "Which one exactly? Cormac?"
"Both of them actually." He stated factually, seeing the soft smile grace her face. "Did anything ever happen between you and the Weasel?"
She didn't even bother to correct him, she knew he'd simply ignore it next time he mentioned her friend. "We kissed during the final battle but when the war ended and reality sunk in, things just weren't the same. He was grieving his brother and I left to find my parents. Nothing bad was said but I think he still feels awkward."
"Understandable, I suppose. He's still a fool, regardless."
"Awfully forthcoming with those compliments, aren't you Malfoy?"
Standing up, he brushed the dirt from his trousers and the bottom of his coat. "Maybe I like the effect it has on you."
"What?" She blurted, brown eyes wide gazing up at him.
"Come on, we don't want to miss lunch." He offered his hand to assist her and Hermione gladly slid hers into his as he pulled her up and she too dusted herself off. They headed off back up to the castle with light conversation and the playful bump of shoulders.
A/N: Next one is back at Malfoy Manor that happens to be one of the first chapters I had written and I'm honestly excited about. See you Tuesday!
