AN1: Happy New Year! If it's not 2009 yet, as it isn't for me...fine: Happy Early New Year!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable in this one-shot.
DEDICATED TO: My most constant reviewers: Erica--(Ducky1414), McFressie, Lynndsey--(blackwolfgirl2722), and Sarah--(o0oMrsBubblesClearwatero0o)!
NOTE: Okay, so, Hermione is twenty-nine. I'm going to use my artistic license and say that Draco is thirty! Hehe, and if you don't think you can picture a totally handsome thirty-year-old Draco, think again! I sure can. (Swoons)
Lynndsey and Erica know to whom I am referring! (So I think...)
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Invitation dated two weeks previous:
Malfoy:
Yes, we haven't been what you could call good friends, but it's almost New Years and I'm feeling strangely generous. So: I am cordially inviting you to my pre-New Years party at my new flat. Yes, there will be alcohol and many ex-Gryffindors to make fun of. What a good time, right?
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose that I'd ever be the one you chose out of the thousand invitations you're sure to receive; but in case I stand a little chance here comes the jackpot question in advance: what are you doing New Year's Eve?
If you aren't busy, then it would be great of you to drop by, even if it's just to personally insult every guest there.
Wondering if I'm crazy,
Hermione
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Thus far, the party had been a success. Hermione was having a wonderful time talking, mingling and drinking with everyone. She found that she was surprisingly carefree. It certainly had been an interesting year, but Hermione was glad that it was coming to an end. The upcoming year brought all sorts of possibilities, and frankly, Hermione was ready to start over. So far, she was on the right track. Her two resolutions were to: a) not be so work-obsessed and b) to find herself someone to settle down with. At this point in time, she was twenty-nine, unmarried, and with no prospects to speak of. Ginny thought it was simply tragic and Hermione was starting to feel the same way. It was time for a change, no longer would she be the prudish, bossy and plain Hermione, oh no. She would step out of her box and be different, be outgoing. She would still read more than any of her friends, but that she couldn't help.
Her invitation to Malfoy was one way to go about that change that she felt would be healthy. In the past years, it would never have even crossed her mind to invite Malfoy, but she did. It was kind of hard to be uncivil to him, considering he was now, in an indirect way, her boss. That didn't mean she couldn't still dislike him just a tad though.
It was now 11:59, the beginning of the countdown; only sixty seconds left until the New Year. Hermione looked around hopefully, hoping that someone else was looking around for someone to celebrate with too. At this point, she didn't care who it was, she just didn't want to start the New Year alone like she did last year. That had definitely not been a good start. She sighed in disappointment, it was too late. Everyone she saw was standing with someone else with red cheeks and excited eyes, waiting to start the New Year with someone special. This was it: the count was down to ten. The screaming made a swift crescendo from a dull roar to absolutely ear splitting.
Hermione pasted a happy grin on her face and joined the counting with her friends from Hogwarts, acquaintances from the Ministry, and everyone else she invited—minus a couple of no-shows.
"TEN....NINE....EIGHT....SEVEN....SIX....FIVE....FOUR....THREE....TWO....ONE...." The yells were incredibly loud which just added to the atmosphere.
Hermione was about to scream 'Happy New Year' when the phrase was sucked right from her lips in a most surprising and pleasing manner. She was spun around quickly and before she could even connect what was happening, a pair of lips was on hers. Taking advantage of the unexpected, but much welcomed stranger, Hermione responded instantly and held her mystery man tightly to her. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply though all of the other couples that had been fondly kissing stopped and were craning their heads to see who Hermione was with.
The two broke apart and Hermione met the eyes of the one who saved her from starting the New Year in a lonely and dismal way. She was shocked when she saw beautiful grey-blue eyes. Hermione's cheeks were flushed from the intensity of the kiss, from surprise and also from excitement. "Surprise, surprise; look what the snake dragged in. I didn't think you'd show." Hermione teased.
"Well, your invitation was buried under so much mail that I didn't even see it until about ten tonight. I almost wasn't going to come, but hey, who am I to turn down free alcohol and a chance to mock people?" Draco smirked and Hermione smiled up at him.
"Since you're here and don't appear to be with anyone else, would you care to dance?" She congratulated herself on her effort to make good on her resolution; if asking Draco Malfoy to dance wasn't outgoing, than nothing was. She didn't actually expect him to agree, so she had already begun entertaining the notion of walking away when he answered her.
"Sure."
Hermione looked up at him and saw that his eyes were sparkling with mirth and something else she couldn't quite place. Her eyes widened as did Draco's grin. He knew that he had caught her very much by surprise. Hermione's heart fluttered nervously as he took her hand in his and led her inside to the makeshift dance floor that had once been her spare bedroom. After many spells, it was hard to believe that it had even been a room any other than a miniature ballroom.
Music was charmed to play constantly; she had a playlist of about 100 songs that would just keep repeating. When they began their dance, a melodic orchestra song serenaded them. Never before had Hermione had a better dance partner; it was obvious to her that he had taken many dance lessons previously. He was absolutely incredible.
Suddenly the champagne colored dress with a sweetheart neckline and a hem that fell just above her knees—deemed earlier by Ginny: 'a brilliant choice'—became much too revealing. Hermione felt so exposed with Draco's hand on the small of her back gracefully gliding her around on the dance floor. The song changed to a jazzier one with piano and one that Hermione placed instantly. She was chagrined at the fact that the song starting was in fact, the song she was listening to that had inspired her to owl Draco an invitation. She desperately hoped that he wouldn't catch the similarities in the lyrics and her invite to him. The voice of Lynn Mannering crooned at them through the speakers and Hermione flinched and willed herself not to tear out of his arms and run.
A silence befell the two. It had been there before, but now it was more noticeable. It wasn't quite awkward but it wasn't quite comfortable either; it was an unusual silence. For as long as Draco had known Hermione, at school and even at work, he had never known her to be silent unless something was troubling her. For some reason, he had a strong suspicion that he was the cause of her troubles. But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what he had done to cause her current state of mind.
"Hermione,"
"Yes?" She said, looking up at him.
"Is something the matter?"
To say the least, Hermione was startled that Draco had so easily picked up on her changing mood. That was quite perceptive of him. She doubted that had Harry or Ron been in his place, they wouldn't have noticed a thing; Ginny perhaps, but certainly not anyone else.
"Of course not." She lied, not quite meeting his questioning gaze. If he could tell when she wasn't her normal self that quickly, who was to say that he wouldn't be able to tell when she was lying? Just in time as far as Hermione was concerned, the song ended and she stepped away from Draco.
"Thanks for the dance and have a great New Year." Hermione said, hoping to get away before he could probe any farther. It was absolutely nonsensical to her analytical mind. Why in Merlin's name was Draco's mere presence affecting her so much? It must have been the kiss. Damn him! This wasn't part of her plan for the New Year! She wanted to fall in love with someone who she could actually settle down with; not become strangely infatuated with Malfoy who, in her opinion, could land nearly any single (or even not single) female he wanted. There's no way he would ever want to—
"Wait!" Draco reached out and grabbed her hand right before she started to walk back outside. "Maybe it's much too early in the game, but I thought I'd ask you just the same," Hermione blushed a crimson hue that rivaled the Gryffindor scarlet at his spoken words. He was much smarter than Hermione ever thought to give him credit for. "What are you doing New Year's Day?"
"Cleaning up my flat I suppose." She answered.
"How would you like some help with that? Maybe we could get some lunch afterwards."
A small smile graced Hermione's face; if he was willing to try, than so was she. After all, what was a new year without some risks? "That would be wonderful; I'd like that."
"So it's a date then." She nodded in affirmation, her cheeks starting to turn pink. "By the way, you look absolutely stunning in that dress." With a wink he disapparated leaving a now pink-faced Hermione to deal with the questioning she was sure to get later from Ron and Harry.
Though the song had been over for a bit, it was still very much stuck in Hermione's head. The corners of her mouth quirked up slightly and she softly sang the last verse, a reminder of what she just agreed to do.
Ah, but in case I stand a little chance,
Here comes the jackpot question in advance:
What are you doing New Year's,
New Year's Eve?
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AN2: Please remember to review!! Four or five would be great! Happy New Year!
Erica, you need to leave a rhyming review!
That is what I challenge you to do!
If you decide not to, I'll sure be blue
But then, back at school, I'll tackle you with a shoe!
Oh, and always remember this, when you're in your bed,
Watching the sheep jump by, far over your head,
You will soon be quite fast asleep,
While I am with Jeff, making his lords leap!
Bahahahahahahahahahahahaha! BAM!!!!!!! Ohhh SNAP! Can you beat that!? What now, Ducky, what now!? Do you accept your challenge or are you a chicken poop?