A/N This really could be divided into two chapters but I'm not going to, mainly because I don't want to haha so I hope it makes sense being two chapters in one, it sort of needs to be like that though to make sense so I hope you enjoy it.
October came quickly and the weekend for the Hogsmeade trip was upon the third years and up. Hermione sat beside Draco in potions on the Friday and they were talking between themselves in low voices, seeing as Slughorn had left the class alone whilst he was in his office 'dealing' with important business. "Probably a huge cake is in there." Draco said cruelly to Hermione. Hermione slapped him across the head but couldn't help but smile. "Anyway, Hogsmeade tomorrow, where are we meeting and everything?" Hermione asked him.
"I'll meet you in the Main Entrance straight after breakfast." Draco replied. Hermione nodded in reply. "What should I wear?" She mused.
"Something fancy." Draco replied with a smile. Hermione thought for a moment.
"I think I have something fancy, I don't know; I wasn't expecting to be going on a date to a posh restaurant." Hermione smiled. Draco gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Where are you taking me anyway?" Hermione asked curiously. Draco smiled innocently.
"You'll find out tomorrow." He said easily. Hermione pouted a little but didn't probe because Slughorn had just reappeared, massaging his huge belly. Draco and Hermione exchanged amused glances but didn't say anything. "I say, I'm not feeling too good; class dismissed." Slughorn said. Hermione stood and gathered her books; she balanced them precariously in her arms and walked out beside Draco. "Well, we have no more lessons today, what do you want to do?" Draco asked Hermione, Hermione thought for a moment as she walked along.
"Do you want to go watch the Gryffindor's Quidditch practise?" Hermione suggested. Draco frowned. "Will I be allowed?" He asked. Hermione nodded.
"You should be it's not like you're on a rival Quidditch team." She said. "And you don't really talk to any of the Slytherin Quidditch team, so you can't give away Harry's techniques." Draco nodded. "Okay then." Draco agreed.
"Let me take these up to my dormitory then we can go." Hermione said, mounting the stairs that lead to the Gryffindor common room. "Are you going to wait for me here?" She asked over her shoulder. "Nah I'll come with you." He replied, hurrying up the stairs to catch up to Hermione. The pair walked up to the seventh floor easily and Hermione went on ahead to enter the common room. "Pigfarts." She said to the Fat Lady who nodded and swung forward allowing Hermione to enter.
Hermione walked up to the girl's dormitory and paused at the door when she heard someone crying. Cautiously she entered and looked to see which bed occupied the sobbing girl. Hermione was surprised when she found it was Lavender spread across the bed with her head buried in her pillow and her mousy coloured hair blocking her face from sight. Hermione placed the books on her bed and leant against one of the posts. "What's the matter?" Hermione asked Lavender slowly. Lavender froze and sat up and looked at Hermione, her mascara leaving black marks running down her face. "You!" Lavender screeched. "Ron argued with me and threatened to dump me because of you."
"Me? What have I done?" Hermione asked confused.
"Apparently I'm not you and I'm not allowed to insult you because Ron still cares for you." Lavender snapped. Hermione frowned. "Why have you been insulting me and why did Ron say you weren't me?" Hermione asked confused.
"Because you're always on his mind so I insult you hoping he'll forget about you and Ron said I wasn't you because I don't kiss him right."
"What?" Hermione asked laughing. "Don't listen to him, he's just being awkward. And don't worry in the long run I'm not interested in Ron in the slightest anymore. I have Draco now." Hermione said, trying to comfort her. Lavender sniffed and wiped her eyes. "He has Quidditch practice now doesn't he?" Lavender said to Hermione in a friendlier tone. Hermione nodded in reply. "Why don't you go watch him?" Hermione suggested, before instantly kicking herself, she was trying to be nice but at the same time she didn't want to sit anywhere near her when she was watching them train with Draco. "I think I will, then I can apologise. Bye Hermione." Lavender said. Hermione nodded. "One thing though." She said spinning to face Lavender.
"What?" Lavender asked.
"Don't flirt with Draco again." Hermione said in warning. Lavender nodded and left in a hurry. Hermione stood in the dormitory alone for a few more minutes before turning to pick up her red and gold Gryffindor scarf which was draped over her trunk. She walked out as she placed it around her neck. She stepped out of the common room and Draco came over to her, "I've just seen Brown, she looks like she's been crying." Draco said boredly. "But luckily she didn't acknowledge my existence." Hermione smiled to Draco.
"Yeah, she's been crying she'd argued with Ron; and she didn't acknowledge you because I warned her not too." Hermione explained as they walked back down the stairs. "Is that what took you so long?" He asked. Hermione nodded in reply.
The couple walked out the main doors and headed down to the Quidditch pitch, Hermione tightened her scarf around her neck more comfortably as a bitter autumn wind blew back her hair. The pair continued walking and entered the stands, Hermione led Draco to a back row seat instantly and sat down with him, watching the new team train. Harry's newest team members consisted of Dennis Creevey as a second chaser and little Raven Sky, a third year who looked like she belonged in the first year as the third chaser, and then a largely built sixth year boy who Hermione didn't know his name as one beater and his younger fourth year sister as the other beater. She peered down into the first row of seats and saw Lavender watching Ron closely. Hermione then looked to Draco who seemed to be studying the Gryffindor team with a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Potter's chosen a good team." Draco said thoughtfully. Hermione nodded and sat back to watch the team train.
Two hours passed and soon the team were covered head to toe in mud and trudging into the changing room. Hermione shivered and stood up before starting to make her way down the changing rooms. Draco followed her and cuddled her close whilst they stood waiting. Eventually the team began to exit; they all glanced at the couple briefly before making their way up to the castle. Harry and Ginny finally appeared and Ginny muttered a greeting, her usually bright ginger hair, a dull brown due to it being thick with mud. Hermione tried not to laugh as they began walking up to the castle. "I'm going to go shower." Ginny growled as she made her way up the marble stairs as they entered the castle. "I think I'm going to go back too. I'm tired." Hermione mumbled. She gave Draco a quick kiss and hurried up the stairs and to the Gryffindor common room leaving Harry and Draco to walk into the Great Hall together.
When Hermione reached the common room she went up to her dorm and settled on her bed. She rummaged in her drawers until she came across a small piece of parchment, Hermione took it out and reread her reply from George to double check everything.
Hermione,
Yes sure you can bring Ginny to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in the Christmas holidays; I would love that, I do however want to see you all before then. Do you fancy meeting up in The Three Broomsticks during your first Hogsmeade weekend. If so reply with me when the date is and I will be there at 11am. Don't tell Ginny though I want it to be a surprise.
Also, that's terrible about Ron, mum never raised him to be a cheater, if she knew she would be disgusted. I hope to see him because then I can give him a firm talking too, that's not on what he did and as far as I'm concerned you are still family to me.
Hope you are well and I'll see you at Hogsmeade hopefully – also tell Harry so he knows but tell him to keep it quiet too – love George.
Hermione smiled, she couldn't wait for Ginny to see her brother again, she knew how much she had missed him. She reread the letter. Draco knew too but she was still worried because he'd insisted on going with her before they went on their date. She was worried about how George would react though. She remembered how annoyed he'd been when Ginny started dating Blaise, and that was only Blaise. This was Draco Malfoy, son of his father's worst enemy. Hermione placed the letter back in her drawers and settled down for the night to begin to work on a five thousand word essay she had receive in Potions earlier in the week.
Saturday came too slowly for Hermione's liking and as soon as it arrived she was up and in the shower. She'd decided to get up extremely early to shower and style her hair, she dressed simply but regally in a fitted pale pink dress which came just above her knees and a white cardigan draped over her shoulders for warmth. She swiftly put skin coloured tights on and slipped into some pretty silver, slightly heeled shoes. She looked in the mirror. Simple, she thought but posh, just like Draco advised. She placed a little bit of lip-gloss on before walking to the seventh year girl dormitory to meet Ginny who was wearing a white denim skirt, soft red top accompanied by a white denim jacket and a rose in her hair. "You look really pretty." Ginny said to Hermione softly. "You're going to turn a few heads, Draco better watch out." She teased, Hermione smiled. "You too. Shall we go down to the hall?" She asked, Ginny nodded and the pair walked to the hall together.
The pair walked over to Harry who was sat eating toast and wearing a simple black shirt and jeans. "You look stunning." Harry said to Hermione softly who blushed. She glanced over to the Slytherin table and saw Draco watching her with his mouth slightly open wearing a simple white button up shirt, black tie, black trousers and a blazer similar to the one he wore in their sixth year. She then saw that two of his friends were dressed fancy too. Daphne and Theodore she thought. Hermione smiled and looked to Harry who was peering down the table. Hermione followed his gaze and found that she had Ron watching her longingly along with a few other Gryffindor's who all had the same expression on their face, lust. Hermione took some toast and began nibbling it. "Everything sorted?" Harry asked Hermione, referring to George. Hermione nodded and smiled. "Eleven in The Three Broomsticks." Hermione recited. Harry nodded and kissed Ginny softly, "What's going on?" Ginny asked curiously. Hermione looked at her.
"Nothing." Hermione said easily. Ginny looked between the two unconvinced before starting on some toast.
When breakfast was over Harry, Ginny and Hermione made their way to the Main Hall where Draco was waiting to the left of the doors under the large hourglass holding the Ravenclaw's house points. Hermione led Harry and Ginny over and planted a soft kiss on Draco's cheek. Draco held his hand out to her and Hermione took it, the four then left together. "Three Broomstick's first?" Draco asked Hermione quietly, peering over to Ginny. Hermione nodded slightly to him and they all started down the winding path to Hogsmeade. When they reached it Hermione glanced towards The Three Broomstick's and saw a red head sat with his back to the window. Hermione smiled. "Who wants a drink?" Hermione said brightly. There was a chorus of 'me' from Harry, Draco and Ginny and the group made their way to the pub, "Hello Madam Rosmerta." Hermione greeted as they reached the pub, Madam Rosmerta smiled in greeting to the four and Hermione pulled back with Draco, letting Harry and Ginny enter before them. The two entered and Hermione followed cautiously, standing in the doorway as Ginny looked around and let out a squeal. Hermione smiled up at Draco and stepped forward as Ginny ran over to her older brother and dived on him in a hug. Hermione took in George's looks and frowned. He looked gaunt and his eyes didn't have as bright a glimmer as they used to. She sighed sadly thinking to how different he was when he had been with Fred. She smiled when she saw George's sparkle brighten at the sight of his baby sister as she hugged him. Hermione padded towards George, Harry and Ginny slowly, keeping a tight hold on Draco's hand. George moved from Ginny and hugged Harry in greeting before looking past him to Hermione. Hermione shifted awkwardly as George looked to Draco then to Hermione then back to Draco. She then watched as his eyes flickered to their entwined hands. He walked over, to them slowly and she let go off Draco's hands. George tilted his head and held his arms open for Hermione. Hesitantly she stepped forward and hugged her surrogate big brother. "What are you doing with that daddy's boy?" George asked Hermione in a low voice.
"He's changed George, he was there for me when Ron cheated on me and was like my shoulder to cry on, he sacrificed his status to help me and then we kind of, got together." Hermione said slowly. "I don't like him." George said coldly.
"I know, but he has changed, for the better. You should hear some of the insulting things he says about Death Eaters and his father." Hermione defended. "Please forgive me." Hermione whined softly. George hugged Hermione closer and peered over her head. "You better not be up to something." George said in a hard tone to Draco. "If you harm her in any way or upset her at all. You'll have me to deal with, let alone everyone else." George snarled. "You're just lucky that I'm tired of fights and am going to give you this one chance." George continued harshly. Hermione smiled weakly to herself and let George hold onto her hand and lead her to the table he was sat at; Harry and Ginny were already seated and had been watching the conversation warily. Hermione peered over her shoulder and smiled weakly as Draco followed them to the table. George slipped into a seat beside Ginny and Hermione sat beside Harry with Draco sat beside her.
"How's school been?" George asked changing the tension from hostile to slightly more relaxed. He clicked his hands and a waiter came over. "Five Butter beers."George said, the waiter nodded and walked off returning minutes later with the drinks. "Thank you." George said taking the drinks and handing them to each person, handing Draco's to him a little more roughly. Hermione smiled gratefully to George before looking out the window as George and Ginny began talking. She jumped when she heard Draco coughing loudly. Hermione turned his attention to him quickly and began rubbing his back. "Oh no." Draco muttered. He stood quickly and hurried off. George gave Hermione a quizzical look and she just nodded. "Excuse us a minute." She said. George smiled and Hermione hurried to the entrance. She froze when she saw Draco with Narcissa Malfoy. Hermione froze and slipped out the door before walking around the side of the pair and standing a little way behind Narcissa so she could talk to Draco indirectly. "What are you doing here mother?" Hermione heard Draco say.
"I was just out for a walk but seeing as your here do you want to go get something to eat?" Hermione looked to Draco with a pleading look in her eyes. Hermione saw Draco glance past Narcissa briefly at Hermione before looking back to his mother. "I would, but I've got a date. Maybe next Hogsmeade trip?" Hermione heard Draco suggest.
"Well of course, but a date? With who? Is it that lovely Pansy Parkinson?" Narcissa asked. Hermione narrowed her eyes and glared at the back of Narcissa, Jealously overpowering her, just because Parkinson was a Slytherin she thought. Hermione glared at Draco and watched as he shook his head. "No actually, I've got a date with someone else."
"Who?"
"A girl. . ."
"What house? Slytherin?"
"Gryffindor. "Hermione moved to re-enter The Three Broomsticks, she didn't like this conversation. "Pure blood?" Hermione froze and watched as Draco shook his head. "Half blood?" Hermione didn't miss the urgency in her tone. Draco shook his head slowly again, he then gestured to Hermione and Narcissa turned to face her. "Oh." She said. Hermione glared at Draco as he gestured for her to come over. "Mother, meet Hermione Granger. . ." Draco said warily. Narcissa huffed loudly. "Your father would be so disappointed."
"Good job he doesn't know and won't know." Draco said venomously.
"But-"
"I don't want father involved in my life anymore."
"But-"
"And I don't want you to give her or me grief as long as we're together." Draco said protectively.
"Fine." Narcissa sighed, giving Hermione a disgusted look. Hermione moved from Draco and entered The Three Broomsticks without a word. Silently she sat at the table again. "What was wrong with Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"He spotted his mother."
"So?" Ginny said.
"She doesn't know about us."
"What did she say to you?" George asked.
"Nothing, she just gave me the dirtiest look imaginable." Hermione sighed. She took her bottle of Butter beer and sipped it quietly. She glanced up when Draco entered. "We need to get going Hermione." Draco said to her. Hermione drained the last of her drink and stood up.
"See you later." She muttered, "If I don't see you again today George, I'll see you at Christmas." She continued. George nodded and stood up, hugging Hermione gently. "Take care and be careful." He said to her in a low voice. Hermione nodded slowly.
"I will bye George." She replied. She moved from George and left swiftly with Draco.
Hermione crossed her arms across her chest as Draco led her to the restaurant. "I'm sorry about her love." Draco said gently. Hermione huffed in reply. "Hermione, please don't be mad at me; I'll talk to my mother, sort this all out." Draco said; Hermione didn't miss the pleading tone as he spoke. "Right." Hermione said coldly.
"I promise, anyway, we're here." Draco said. Hermione looked at the building in front of her, the bricks were a snow white colour and two lions stood facing each other in the doorway. The sign which had a brown marble case had the name 'The Silver Lioness' engraved in gold. Despite Hermione's anger she could help gasp at how beautiful the outside was. "Just wait until we're inside." Draco said softly leading her in. Hermione's jaw dropped; as they entered they were greeted by a marble fountain sending water up into the air making it glisten in the light. There were at least 150 tables set up all around the building, some with only two seats, some with more. Hermione let Draco lead her up to a stand where a man dressed in a silver suit stood with a white cloak stood. "Finest table for two you have." Draco said to the man easily. The man nodded and led the pair to a table in front of a large stage, the table cloth was a deep ruby red and the chairs made of a beautiful gold. Draco pulled the seat out for Hermione and she took it, still speechless. Draco smiled and sat opposite her, moving the crystal vase filled with roses to the side. "What do you think?" He asked.
"It's beautiful," Hermione gasped, she then looked at Draco, "I love you." She said, leaning forward to kiss him. "I love you too my little lioness." Draco purred after Hermione kissed him. Hermione smiled brightly and looked around, "What would you like?" Draco asked as their waiter returned with two menus. Hermione scanned it easily. "Everything is so expensive." She frowned. "One, you're worth, two, this is cheap to my family." Draco said. Hermione thought for a moment. "Erm. . . Can I have the. . . I don't know." Hermione frowned.
"I'm having the ham." Draco said.
"I'll have the same." She said slowly. Draco smiled and nodded.
"Drink?" He asked.
"Just a pumpkin juice." Draco nodded as the waiter return.
"Two ham's, one pumpkin juice and one dragons blood."
"Dragons blood?" Hermione asked as the waiter walked off. "It's not really dragon's blood is it?" Draco laughed softly and shook his head. "No, it's drink with different fruits in and it gives it this red tint, similar to dragon's blood." Draco explained.
"Ah." Hermione replied. "It's lovely here." She said slowly. Draco nodded and smiled.
"It really is, I thought it would be a nice way to spend our month anniversary together." Draco said softly. Hermione smiled and blushed. "Do you want to go to Honeydukes after this? I'll get you some chocolates of your choice." Draco said, Hermione thought for a moment.
"Okay, why not. . ." She said slowly. "I feel bad though, you spending all this money on me."
"I don't mind though, you're worth it and we have more than enough." Draco said warmly. Hermione smiled and moved to kiss him again. Draco however beat her to it and placed his lips on hers first. The waiter cleared his throat and the two pulled apart as he placed their drinks down. "Your food shall be ready shortly." He informed them. Hermione coughed sheepishly and thanked the waiter.
The couple started chatting together again for about half an hour until the waiter returned with their meals. He placed them down and walked off, Hermione inhaled the mouth-watering smell of the ham, chips and peas and began to eat, not before thanking Draco again. They ate in silence and soon they had both finished their meals and were draining the last of their drinks. "That was delicious. Thank you Draco." Hermione said warmly. Draco smiled softly.
"Anytime." He replied. The waiter returned with the bill and Hermione peered at the price and her jaw dropped, 20 galleons, 15 sickles and 5 knuts. She looked gratefully at Draco who was paying the waiter. The waiter waked off boredly and Draco peered at Hermione, "Ready to go?" He asked holding his hand out, Hermione nodded and took it and together they walked out. Easily Hermione walked to Honeydukes with Draco and entered swiftly. Draco placed his arm around her waist and they began browsing. "Anything you want, just say." Draco said warmly. Hermione nodded and looked around, she picked up a box of chocolates which were a soft pink colour. "Do you want the Strawberry Creams?" Draco asked, Hermione thought for a minute and nodded slowly. Draco took the box from Hermione and went over to the counter. He paid quickly and then the couple left.
The rest of the Hogsmeade trip passed with the couple browsing various shops, once or twice they were met Harry, Ginny and George but soon it was time to head back to school. Draco placed his arm around Hermione's waist and they walked up to the school together. As they entered Hermione yawned widely and Draco smiled at her, "Tired?" He asked. Hermione nodded sleepily. "I'm going to go to bed, thank you for today, I love you." Hermione said softly. Draco smiled and leant down giving Hermione a sweet goodnight kiss. "See you tomorrow." Draco said. Hermione smiled and turned to walk up to the Gryffindor common room and the warm, welcoming bed that was calling to her.