Chapter Twelve: Pride
The day of the Quidditch match dawned bright and early, sending Draco stumbling out of bed, into his clothes, and down to the kitchen in search of caffeine.
What greeted him, however, was not coffee but Potter, Hermione, and his mother sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea and laughing. Draco thought he caught the phrase "Drakie" and hastily turned around, intent on heading back to his bed.
Wasn't the match in the afternoon?
…
Unfortunately, neither Draco nor the Manor was built for camouflage, and they noticed him before he could take another step.
"Draco!" Hermione called out cheerfully.
He turned around to look at them, and winced when he saw how cheerful they were. This did not bode well for the rest of the day.
…
The match was in the afternoon.
They were just here early to make sure he didn't try to escape.
…
"Harry and Hermione thought that you deserved a day out. I'm so glad you're making friends, Draco!" Narcissa gushed.
What, was he twelve?
And since when was his mother on a first-name basis with two-thirds of the Golden Trio?
…
Well, he supposed that he might as well sit down with them and have some tea. It wasn't going to kill him.
Hermione poured him a cup and he studied her. She really did look good, especially now that she didn't have to wear the Hogwarts uniform all the time. Draco became preoccupied with the concentrated look in her eye as she poured out without spilling a drop.
"Cream or sugar?"
…
"Er…. Both…" Draco stammered, caught off guard.
Harry half smirked, his mother smiled into her cup, and Hermione impassively added both to his cup.
…
He'd liked both cream and sugar in his tea ever since he could remember, back before Hogwarts when he'd had tea with his mother every morning, a little island of calm out in the garden before his father woke.
…
"And you," Draco announced to Hermione, "Like your tea with cream only, herbal if possible, no sugar. Maybe honey once in a while. Very sensible." He gave her a wide grin.
Hermione raised an eyebrow and smirked into her tea as she took a sip.
Potter laughed out loud, a jovial sound that sounded perfectly natural in his house. "He's got you pegged, Hermione."
She said nothing, just raised an eyebrow at Narcissa.
…
"Well, Harry, what do you have in your tea?" Narcissa said, playing along. "Since we're… analyzing everyone here."
"Perhaps we should read each other's tea-leaves when we're done," Potter joked.
Hermione groaned and threw a sugar cube at Potter. He caught it in his mouth and bit down with a triumphant crunch.
Draco grinned, and said mockingly, "Harry likes cream and sugar in his tea, too."
Harry yelled indignantly, Hermione gave Draco the thumbs-up, and everyone burst into raucous laughter.
Looking around the warm kitchen, Draco decided that this was exactly what the Manor needed.
…
Potter- Harry, Draco supposed it was now- and Hermione stayed until lunch, and then the three of them apparated to the Ilkley Moor Stadium to watch the Harpies play the Wasps.
Harry was looking around for their seats, and then he spotted a couple of the Weasleys. Hermione and Draco lost him in the crowd, which was surprisingly easy to do. He supposed the Boy Who Lived had to have some hidden talents.
He looked over at Hermione, who shrugged at him and said; "Let's just head to the box, we'll meet him there."
They pushed their way through the crowds, Draco parting the way because of his height (and if he used the occasional Malfoy Glare to move aside some particularly pernicious fans, who could blame him?).
Stopped before they entered the box by a security guard who thought Draco was trying to break in, he took great satisfaction from the look on his face when Hermione said that Draco was her guest, thanks, and he should mind his manners.
…
They settled down in the private box, sitting next to each other so that Draco was highly aware that the flimsy armrest was not wide enough for the both of them to lean on without their arms touching.
He leaned forward as if interested in the pitch, even though nobody was on it yet. He heard Hermione giggle, and shot her a questioning look.
"Scared, Malfoy?" she challenged, tapping the armrest.
"Didn't want to overwhelm you, sweetheart," he replied casually, leaning back and resting his arm defiantly on the plastic-and-cloth barrier.
He was pleased to note that the tips of her ears turned the slightest pink.
…
Harry came back eventually, trailing a Weasley or two and practically vibrating with anticipation.
"Now, Malfoy," he said mock-sternly, "Don't think you can get away from us just yet. I command you to remain glued to that seat until further notice!"
"I don't mind," Draco said in a low voice, looking straight at Hermione.
"What if I do?" She smirked back.
"I don't think you do," he whispered, as the redheads got settled about them.
"You're right," She grinned back. "I don't mind."
…
He didn't see much of the match. Draco loved Quidditch, and when he was paying attention he'd appreciated how talented the Harpies were- especially Ginny.
However, there was a brunette sitting next to him that he couldn't resist teasing, and as a result he was only vaguely aware when the Harpies won.
The roar throughout the stadium was a content purr in Draco's chest as the Harpies caught the snitch, and Hermione grabbed his hand and rocketed to her feet, cheering.
He joined in the jubilant cries with all his heart.
…
Of COURSE, as he reasoned with himself after, it would do wonderful things with his reputation if he spent lots of time with the muggleborn Hermione. That was exactly why he agreed to go out to dinner with Harry, Ginny and Hermione to celebrate, of course.
It wasn't that he was looking forward to their company. No, he was tolerating them, for- for-
-his own good….
….maybe…
…
They were going to a new, upscale place in Diagon Alley, and as a result they'd agreed to meet there so they could all change. He, of course, got there first. Malfoys were never late.
Draco shook hands with Harry, was choked by a hug from Ginny (who was still so happy she was hugging everyone she knew), and then turned to Hermione.
"Enchanted," he murmured, and then bowed over her hand, brushing it with his lips.
Malfoys were also very suave.
Hermione had grinned awkwardly as Harry and Ginny –funny how he was thinking with their first names, now – laughed at the look on her face. Offering her his arm, Draco swept into the restaurant very, very pleased with himself.
…
Of course, the bow had allowed him ample opportunity to observe that the elegant red dress she was wearing made her look particularly delicious.
…
He was surprised at how easily he relaxed when he wasn't thinking about his problems.
Draco was fairly relieved by this, as people who talk about their problems all the time have a propensity to sound like whiny teenage girls, and that is definitely not flattering for a gentleman like himself.
…
The dinner had been splendid, the wine superb, and, Draco had to admit, the company was pleasant as well. Harry and Ginny, while in the midst of their tumultuous, star-crossed romance, managed to keep their conversation relevant and humorous, and of course Hermione always added witty asides.
He was surprised by the similarity to his Slytherin friends during their school days, the camaraderie apparent, supplemented by the clear loyalty that the Gryffindors held so dear.
All in all, he was surprised. Both by himself, and the company he was sharing.
…
The night ended too soon, and if Draco's hands lingered on Hermione's shoulders when he was helping her on with her coat, he was not to be blamed.
A/N:
I promised another chapter soon to make up for my woefully lax updating, and here it is!
It is a mix of Dramione and Draco; I don't like to lose his introspection to the plot- rather try to balance them as best I can.
Besides. Draco is healing, just… slowly.
Thanks to all the reviewers who managed to reply yesterday, as well as everyone who favorited and followed!
By name:
Hiddlydiddly, (thank you very much! I'm glad you're enjoying it, and I'll do my best to update!),
Mother Midnight (here you go, :) another chapter),
KodeV (Yes, Haughty Malfoy is Haughty! I hope you enjoy Suave Malfoy as well!),
Narutogirl103 (Thank you!),
The Silvermoon Wolf (I know, it's hard to keep track of time! Thanks for the feedback, appreciated),
and Guest.
Thank you all, and hopefully I'll update again soon!
-Isefyr
