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Draco: Taste

'Knock, knock,' Hermione Granger said from the entrance to Draco Malfoy's office.

Ignoring the sudden pounding of his heart, Draco did not look up from his scroll as he waved her into the room. Without invitation, she walked over to the other side of his desk and stood behind him, bringing with her the scent of apricots and vanilla.

'What are you doing here?' she asked, as she leaned over his shoulder to examine what he was working on. 'It's New Year's Eve.'

'I could ask you the same question,' he said. Furrowing his brow, he pretended to concentrate on the text in front of him rather than the fall of curls down her back he saw out of the corner of his eye. She'd worn her hair down today. 'No hot date tonight with your Weasel?'

Hermione snorted. 'I haven't had a date since…' He heard her clear her throat. 'It's been awhile.'

The news caused his hand to jerk, but he covered the misstep by adding another flourish to his signature. With that done, he busied himself with putting the scroll away. No longer with an excuse to avoid eye contact, he raised his eyes to his coworker. 'Sounds like a potential New Year's resolution.'

Hermione shook her head, causing the curls to bounce everywhere. 'It's not something I have control over,' she said matter-of-factly.

While they frequently discussed non-work related things, Hermione's love life was a new topic of conversation—one in which he was extremely interested. But he couldn't let her know that, and so he made sure to keep his voice flat as he asked, 'And why's that?'

'I can't exactly force a guy to ask me out.'

'Yes, I suppose casting an Imperius curse is out of the question.'

Hermione huffed in exasperation as she took a seat on his desk. 'That's not what I meant.'

'So you would cast an Imperius? Tell me, is Mavis aware that she is employing a potential criminal?'

Try as he might, Draco was unable to keep from smirking when he heard Hermione's quiet growl. Picking up his quill again, he began to twist it in his fingers.

'Honestly, Granger, just do it yourself. I'm sure there are plenty of wizards falling over themselves to go on a date with you.'

She gave him a withering gaze. 'I refuse to beg for a date.'

His suggestion had been an obvious one, but he worried she'd actually take it. Draco quietly released the breath he had been holding. 'The intrepid Ms. Granger, brave enough to take on Voldemort but not the opposite sex.'

'It's not a question of bravery, but of pride. A girl wants to be asked.' She nudged his knee with her foot, and he debated wrapping his fingers around her ankle, but decided against it at the last second. 'If you're going to give me such a hard time about it, why aren't you dating anyone?'

Why indeed?

Why, for that matter, did he—the young, handsome, and rich Draco Malfoy (a catch for any witch as his mother constantly reminded him)—spend all his extra hours at work with Hermione Granger, though he was no workaholic?

And why did this same Draco Malfoy, who rarely lacked for confidence, find it so terribly difficult to tell Hermione Granger he wanted to date her?

If he had been in his office alone, he would have wrung his hands in despair. But she was here, so he merely answered, 'I have no time to date.'

'No kidding. We practically live here.'

Draco opened his right desk drawer and pulled out a decanter of Firewhisky.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. 'This just proves my point.'

'As a rule, I don't drink at work except for special occasions. I think the eve of the new Millennium qualifies.' Overcoming his childhood prejudice by falling for the world's most famous Muggleborn had to count for something too.

'Technically speaking, the new millenium doesn't start until 2001.'

'Well, if it's only technically...'

Draco set down two shot glasses and filled one with firewhisky. He pushed the glass towards Hermione, but she made no move to drink it.

With a loud sigh, Hermione pushed off the desk and began to pace. 'You realize we are the only two people on this floor right now. The only two people who even came in today.'

Of this he was acutely aware. How could he not be when he'd been trying all day to summion the courage to cross the hall and ask her to dinner?

Malfoy shrugged. 'My family are vacationing in France, and I preferred my own company to that of my house elves. But why aren't you with your family, or with the other parts of your Golden Trio?'

Hermione groaned. 'My parents are actually at a party. And I didn't want to be the third wheel at midnight, standing around looking pathetic while everyone around me is kissing. Or worse, fighting off some loser my friends tried to set me up with.'

An offer of kissing her at midnight sprang instantly to his mind but was summarily dismissed. One does not go from years of hatred to romantic overtures overnight, he reminded himself. Again. By some miracle he had managed to move their relationship from outright hostility to pleasant office camaraderie, but Draco was beginning to despair of ever crossing that last bridge. And so, instead of being elated by her self-imposed singleness, Draco could only manage some half-hearted teasing. 'Need I remind you that not five minutes ago you were complaining about being perpetually dateless.'

'I suppose it's more accurate to say I haven't accepted a date in a while.'

'Technically speaking, you mean?'

She must have found this amusing, for she laughed as she picked up her drink. 'So what's your New Year's resolution?'

'I don't have one,' he lied.

'How could you not?!' she said, her voice nearly a squeak. 'You have to have a New Year's resolution!'

'I must have missed that in my wizarding handbook. Which magical law requires it?'

Hermione ignored his question. 'Mine is to enjoy life more and try new things.'

'A sound resolution indeed.'

'At least I have a resolution,' she grumbled.

'A resolution assumes some kind of defect.'

Hermione curtsied to him in mock deference. 'Forgive me, Lord Draco. I forgot you are a god sojourning among mortals.'

'An easy mistake to make. You are forgiven.'

They smiled at one another, and not for the first time a comfortable silence fell over the room. In the stillness his thoughts clamored all the louder. Now is the time to tell her; ask her on a date now. She's practically begging for it.

Ignoring the sudden dryness of his mouth, he swallowed.

'Hermione—'

'Draco—'

Hermione giggled. 'You go.'

'Ladies first, I insist.'

Coward!

Hermione turned the full force of her sparkling brown eyes on him. 'I was just going to say that if you don't need a resolution, the least you can do is help me with mine.'

She reached over to his decanter and poured him a shot. Knowing a challenge when he saw one, he made sure to keep eye contact with her as he quickly downed the drink. The alcohol warmed his insides nearly as much as the witch in front of him.

'This is awful,' Hermione gasped between coughs. 'But here's to trying new things!'

She'd never had firewhisky?! What kind of sheltered life had she lived? And with Potter and the Weasel as her friends too.

Hermione must have seen his unspoken question, for she said, 'Butterbeer is more my speed.'

'You always were the cautious one.'

She scrunched up her nose at those words, though he hadn't meant it as an insult. Who was he to tease her about caution when he'd been sitting on the sidelines like a gormless Hufflepuff, waiting for her to fall into his lap?

She poured herself another drink, and again gagged it down.

Strong fingers wrapped around his wrist and with a tug he was out of his chair. 'I have another idea, but you'll need to dress warmly.'

'Where are we going?'

'Do you realize that we've only interacted with each other at the Ministry?'

'And those eight years at Hogwarts? What was that?'

Hermione rolled her eyes. 'Don't be such a—' And then her eyes got abnormally large. He knew the look. She always seemed to get it right before one of her flashes of brilliance. Although this was the first time he'd seen it outside the context of work. Perhaps that was why he felt so nervous now.

'Should I even ask?'

'It's probably better you don't.'

Draco reached for his coat and scarf as Hermione rushed into her office to retrieve her things. 'We'll have to go fast,' she yelled from across the hall. They met in the corridor, and Granger was practically bouncing on her toes. He took long strides, and it nearly wasn't enough to keep up with her as she bounded to the lift.

Neither of them said a word as they descended to the eighth floor. The usually bustling Atrium was dead silent. In fact, the only people there besides them were the security guards, who Granger greeted by name—naturally—as they headed to the disapparition point.

Once there, she held out her hand to him. 'Ready?'

'Just promise me we aren't going to some place crawling with every inhabitant of the wizarding world.' Draco was determined to ask her out, and he didn't want a crowd present.

Hermione's hand dropped a fraction. 'Don't want to be seen in public with me?' He could hear the strain in her voice, though she kept a smile firmly on her face, as if she were telling a joke.

Draco intertwined his fingers with hers. 'Not at all. I just hate large crowds.'

'So do I. Now brace yourself.'

His already twisted insides did not appreciate the side-along apparition, but he refused to complain. Instead, he pretended to stumble in to her when they appeared again.

'Are you alright, Draco?' she asked, wrapping her arms around him to steady him.

He straightened up, keeping his hands at her elbows, and looked around. He couldn't be sure—his vision was obscured by a tall bush—but they seemed to be in a park. There weren't any street lamps nearby, but he could still see Hermione's face in the moonlight. In the chill air, their breaths coalesced in the space between them.

This was it. The perfect moment for him to snog her senseless.

'We're in Muggle London. Near the Thames,' Hermione said in a hushed tone, eyeing him carefully.

A sudden shriek rent through the air, followed by raucous laughter and then terrible signing.

'Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1999!'

Draco stiffened, trying not to glare at a group of tipsy girls who had ruined his moment. They stumbled arm in arm through the park on their ridiculously high heels, continuing to yell tunelessly at the top of their lungs.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. 'You promised me no crowds.'

'Sorry,' she said, embarrassed. 'I forgot that people like to come here to see the fireworks.'

Hermione made her way to the path, then beckoned to him, holding her hand out again.

'Just follow me. I'll keep you safe,' she said teasingly.

'I'm not afraid of Muggles,' he huffed, but took her hand anyway.

He didn't have to follow her for very long. Their destination was just across the street. A large green and white sign shone in the dark, and while he appreciated the color scheme, Draco wasn't sure what he was looking at.

'Starbucks?'

'It's a Muggle coffee store,' she explained as she opened the door.

Draco blinked at the bright lights. The store reeked of coffee; excessively cheerful music pounded loudly in his ears, and already a Muggle had bumped into him on the way out of the store. His grip tightened around her fingers.

Thankfully, the queue moved surprisingly fast. But that brought with it another problem. Draco wasn't sure what to do.

Hermione must have sensed his trepidation for at that moment she told him, 'Don't worry. I'll order for us.'

'I wasn't worried, but I'll allow it. Special New Year's Eve dispensation.'

A man—Mike, if his name tag was to be believed—in a black shirt and green apron greeted them in an overly cheerful voice. 'Happy Holidays. What will it be?'

'Two venti caramel apple ciders with extra whipped cream,' Hermione said.

'Can I get your names please?' the cashier asked.

'Hermione and Draco.'

Mike quickly scribbled on the two cups. 'Got it.'

Draco reached for his wallet to pay, eager to contribute in some way. She may not have called this a date, but he didn't want her to think him lacking in all gentlemanly behavior. Or worse, relegate him permanently to the 'friend' category. Only, as he opened his wallet, he realized his money was no good here.

'I've got this,' she said.

Hermione pulled out a rectangle from her pocket and handed it to the cashier. It made no sense to him, but he decided not to question it. Instead he followed her over to the place people were receiving their drinks.

When their names were called, she got the cups and handed him his. He eyed the container in confusion.

Dreykoh.

Hermione laughed. 'You should see mine.'

She held her cup up, and he saw the word 'Harmonyknee' in barely legible print.

'Why don't we drink these outside?' she suggested, and he followed her out of doors. They meandered back to the park and sat down on a ledge wall.

Draco rolled the cup between his hands, using it to warm his fingers, plotting what to do next. There was no way he'd be able to look at himself in the mirror again if he didn't at least attempt something with Granger. But the same fears that had prevented him from speaking to her about this delicate subject reared their ugly heads. Certainly she couldn't like him that way. She'd laugh in his face, tell the whole Ministry, and then they'd laugh in his face too.

'I think you'll like it, since you have such a sweet tooth,' Hermione said.

'Hmm?'

Nice reply, Draco. He was never at a loss for words. Ever. So why now, when he needed his verbal acuity the most, could he barely piece together a response? He was no better than Ronald Weasley.

Hermione mistook his shudder for cold. 'If you drink it, it should warm you up.'

'Was just waiting for it to cool so I didn't burn my tongue.'

He took a small sip, letting the liquid sit on his tongue. She was right; he did like it. It was like drinking a caramel covered apple.

'I'm surprised you didn't pitch a fit when I told you where we were.'

'My purpose is to assist you with your New Year's resolution. That would hardly have been helpful.'

Hermione laughed. 'Yes, thank you for deigning to help this poor mortal along her way.'

'I think I would need to explore Muggle London a bit more before coming to any conclusions. Perhaps we should come back next week to this Starbucks.'

'Sounds like a plan, but I should warn you that there is much more to Muggle London than a coffee shop.'

He raised his cup. 'To enjoying life.'

She tapped her cup against his and grinned. 'And trying new things.'

They continued to sip their drinks in silence until a series of 'pops' went off, and a kaleidoscope of colored lights shimmered in the air.

'It's probably close to midnight,' Hermione observed.

The shouts of people counting down to ten confirmed this.

'You've inspired me to make my own resolution,' Draco said hastily, suddenly determining that now was the time to act.

'Oh? What's that?'

Draco took another swallow of his drink. 'To be brave,' he said gruffly.

He braced himself for her laughter. After all, what self-respecting Slytherin would ever admit to wanting to be like a Gryffindor?

'Well, I would say you've accomplished it. You're in the middle of Muggle London. Could you have seen yourself in this position a year ago? Or even a month ago?'

Hermione smiled widely at him, and he had to look away so he didn't smile back. There was more that needed to be said. He couldn't let himself settle for this.

'Probably not, but I still have a ways to go.'

He felt Hermione's fingers insinuate themselves into his palm. 'Don't sell yourself short. I think you're very brave.'

'Right.'

'I'm serious! Being in Muggle London, Muggle anywhere is a huge step for you. And you're with me, poster child of Muggleborns. You've completely broken with your past, started over from scratch. Made friends with your enemies.'

He shrugged his shoulders. 'It's a start, I guess.'

'If you won't believe yourself, believe me. As an official Gryffindor, I know bravery when I see it.'

Draco took a deep breath. He finally turned to look at her. 'You have a little…' he trailed off, using his finger to indicate she had something on her lip.

Her eyes went wide, and she moved her hand to wipe away the whipped cream that really wasn't there.

'I'll get it,' he said, then took her face in his hands and kissed her.

He tried to be gentle; after all, he wasn't sure how she would receive his attentions. A small kiss could be easily forgotten, explained away by with a smirk and an offhand comment. But she sighed his name against his lips—his name!-and the months of pent-up longing burst through his carefully built dam. It was the work of a moment to pull her into his lap and bury his fingers in her hair. Her mouth parted under his, and he took his time, enjoying the taste of the caramel apple on her tongue.

Eventually needing to breathe, his lips traveled to her neck, pressing open mouth kisses to the skin there. 'I've been wanting to do this for a while now,' he admitted.

'Probably not as long as I've wanted you to,' Hermione said just as breathily.

He pulled back, pleasantly surprised.

Hermione kissed him lightly on the mouth. 'I was beginning to despair that you never would, and I had employed all the Slytherin cunning I possessed, which admittedly isn't much.'

'From where I'm sitting, I think we did pretty well for ourselves.'

'Well, we were Head Boy and Head Girl. We're pretty much unstoppable.'

'Technically speaking, that makes us gods sojourning among mortals.'

Hermione laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. 'Well, if it's only a technicality...'

Another firework exploded above them, causing the night sky to shimmer in red and green.

To Be Continued