Disclaimer: I do not own Queen JK's characters, only the plot of this story and Laurie.


"Hey Red, have you seen… Hermione."

I had slid under the desk on impulse, but I am deeply regretting my decision to do that now. I was not usually like this. I was much braver than this. Hogwarts Hermione would probably laugh her knickers off at the sight of this crouching-beneath-a-table Hermione.

Ginny grabbed my hand and dragged me out from underneath the table. When she got up, she covered the few steps over to Draco. What was she doing?

"Drake, have you seen Harry?"

"Yeah, he was over by the café earlier this evening."

The expression on Ginny's face changed. I think she initially intended to use that as a distraction but Draco's answer clearly came as a surprise to her.

"He was? What was he doing there? And where did he go afterwards? Tell me everything." In a frantic nature, Ginny grabbed Draco by his arms and started shaking him as she questioned him.

Draco grabbed her hands and gently removed them from his arms as he answered her questions. "He just came by to settle stuff between us and also to keep me informed about how the investigation is going. Then we had a drink together as he told me some… things and then he returned to his Auror duty. He didn't mention where exactly he was going for his-"

"What things did he tell you?" Ginny deadpanned.

"Uhh… I don't-"

"Is it about his job? And how he's quitting."

"So he told you."

"HE TOLD YOU BEFORE HE TOLD ME! HE TOLD YOU, HIS FUCKING ARCH-NEMESIS FROM HOGWARTS BEFORE HE TOLD ME, HIS FUCKING GIRLFRIEND! HE'S SO DEAD! AND YOU'RE NEXT, MALFOY!"

Ginny stormed out of the diner before any of us could get a word in edgewise, though I can't exactly blame her that. I would've reacted in about the same way if I was in her situation. All this did for me though, was leave me in conversation that both wanted and didn't want to have at this moment. Deciding to go against my previous action regarding the subject, I mustered up my Gryffindor courage and set foot into uncharted territory.

"Please save me when she comes for me. I don't want to die this young." He feigned an expression of fear. I chuckled at the sight.

"I'm not joking, Hermione. I have a lot of stuff left to do in this world… and I never want to be on the wrong end of any female Weasley's wand." He just, only just, maybe wasn't feigning it.

I smiled back at him for his comment. Try as I might, I couldn't disagree with his statement.

"So what exactly did Harry say to you about him quitting. By how you said it, it seemed like he said more than just 'I'm quitting my job'. What did he tell you?"

Draco motioned for us to sit down in the booth. As we sat, Draco recounted the events that occurred before I showed up at the café that evening. Just as he finished his tale, the owner of the diner, Mrs. Wilson, walked up to us.

"Ms. Granger, I know you are a regular patron here at our place, and as it all went down earlier, you and your boyfriend here probably have a lot to talk about. But it's almost time for dinner and this place will be crowded soon and if you're not ordering anything, we would kindly ask you to leave." It was only then did I recall that there were so many witnesses to the drama that had unfolded in this diner. I blushed lightly at her assumption, grabbed Draco's hand, muttered out an apology to Mrs. Wilson, and then dragged him out of the diner. Once we were outside, I dropped his hand and turned to face him. I was not running away from him this time.

"Hermione, I am so, so sorry about that. People keep making these assumptions that we're together and then I slipped up about the-"

"Did you mean it?"

"What?"

"You said, I'm not your girlfriend yet. Does that mean that you intend to make me your girlfriend some in the future?"

"Well… I… Truth to be told I… can't say I haven't thought about it. You're very beautiful and I'm definitely attracted. But I know you will nev-"

I kissed him. My lust for him got the best of me. I just grabbed his collar, dragged him towards me, stood on the tip of my toes and smashed my lips into his. It was different from the kiss we shared when we first met after the war. This time neither of us were piss drunk and both of us wanted this. He didn't taste of wine, instead he tasted of whipped cream and honey… and of course, strawberries.

I let my hands loose on his hair. And they thoroughly enjoyed the soft, silky tresses they have been aching for, for quite a while now. His own hands were groping me with just as much vigor, which made me quite happy. I wasn't the only one who wanted this.

I broke off our kiss before it got too heated. There was a lot of unresolved sexual tension and intimacy that had been brewing between us and I wasn't about to let it all loose on the street in front our local diner. I grabbed his hand, scoured my surrounding to find that we were alone, and then disapparated to my bedroom.

Once we were back, I leaned in once again to continue, but Draco pulled away. I started to feel a dread creep up my throat. Was I being too presumptuous? Did he really want me?

"Hermione… Are you really okay with this? I mean, I am an ex-Dea-" I've had enough of this bullshit.

"Draco, stop this nonsense and just answer me. Do you want me as your girlfriend?"

"Hermione, but-"

"No buts. Do you want me or not?"

"Yes."

"Good, because I certainly want you to be my boyfriend. Now get over here. You seem to have left something on your lips. Let me lick that off for you."

I was so close to getting my lips back on his, when we heard the front door open. Why. Do. People. Keep. Barging. Into. My. Apartment.

Fuck.


Hello. It's been a while. Over 3 months now, isn't it. And even then, such a short chapter. Why do I keep doing this to you guys?

I can't say a lot hasn't happened though. Currently I'm working at a company. Yes, I have a job now. No, I submit my work on time, I don't leave it overdue for months on end. Sorry, I keep doing it for you guys though.

Take this as a late birthday gift from me to you guys. My birthday was back on the 15th but then I was pretty busy with work, so I couldn't really get into writing again. I hope I'll update faster and longer chapters next time.

That aside, Game of Thrones is back. How did you guys find the new season. PM me if anyone wants to chat about the show, I'm always game for a GoT discussion. :P

Finally, please review, even if it is a flame. I'm always watching for reviews. If I've made any mistakes, please let me know. I just reread my whole story once again and I found quite a few SPAG mistakes. I'll rectify them in due course of time.