Harry's Perfect Date

Hermione was still on cloud nine when she woke up the next morning. After taking a quick shower, she decided to read the paper and have a cup of tea before going to Ginny's. She knew she didn't have much time. The red-head would be chomping at the bit for details, but it was still early.

Sipping her tea, Hermione picked up the paper what the Owl had left for her and nearly dropped her cup. The picture of her kissing Draco was there already. Front-page center. The title of the article read "Young, Wealthy, and In Love."

She sighed in frustration rolling her eyes. How had they written an entire front page on one little kiss? Scanning the article, she rolled her eyes and decided to meet with Ginny a little early. She needed someone to calm her down and keep her from storming the offices of the Daily Prophet and hexing someone.

Harry had to go to Andromeda's to stay with Teddy while she went out. It was the only reason he didn't jump at the chance to spend more alone time with Hermione. Usually, he wasn't held down with time constraints. His job was mostly fundraising. He helped the Ministry raise money for different endeavors. It was a little humiliating, as he felt like a piece of meat, but it gave him most days off, and really, that was what he wanted at the moment.

Either way, their date would have to wait until tomorrow, but he had to admit that he was very curious about how things had gone with the other men. Could Snape really have what it took to win her heart over? Was Draco so changed that Hermione saw a future with him? Harry knew he had the history, but what if that wasn't enough?

He knew thinking about these things would only made things more difficult, but he couldn't help it. With a sigh, he finished his coffee and picked up the paper. He still had an hour before he had to leave. Unfolding the paper, his breath caught in his throat when he saw the front page.

His eyes focused on the image first. Hermione and Draco were wrapped intimately around each other, obviously in the stands at the Quidditch game, kissing passionately. It was so public, and so raw, and so real it made him want to vomit. His curious eyes didn't stop there though. Part of him needed to read the article.

Placing his dishes aside, he smoothed out the paper on the table and began reading.

Young, Wealthy, and In Love

Draco Malfoy, obviously the big winner of the auction for Hermione Granger's virginity...and heart, was seen with the young Gryffindor, and one third of the 'Golden Trio', at the England vs. Bulgaria game yesterday. They were snuggled tightly together the whole afternoon, and Miss Granger could be found giggling at nearly everything the youngest Malfoy had to say.

This reporter was amazed at how comfortable the two seemed. After their date in Paris, last week, it seems that Draco and his charm has sealed the deal. The question is, how long will it last?

From the looks of it, Draco and Hermione are deep in the throes of passionate infatuation. She couldn't keep her eyes, or hands off him, and neither could he with her. They shared several kisses, and, when England's Seeker, Ray Evans, caught the game-winning snitch, Miss Granger nearly launched herself into her date's arms. He gladly returned her intense and passionate kiss.

For all of those taking bets on this relationship, I wouldn't bet against it. The two were inseparable the whole day, and barely even noticed anyone else around them. The look of deep admiration from Mister Malfoy, was enough to keep this reporter rooting for this gorgeous couple.

Harry rolled his eyes and looked at the picture one last time before throwing the paper out of his sight. It made his stomach turn again. He knew this would happen. He wasn't an idiot. He knew he wasn't the only one Hermione was kissing in this endeavor. He didn't know if it was the fact that it was Draco Malfoy, or the fact that he didn't like thinking about her with anyone other than himself, but that picture was haunting.

She looked free, and happy, and young in a way Harry wasn't sure he'd ever seen her before. Maybe he couldn't see her how she was when he was with her from the beginning. Maybe Draco really unleashed her inner child, or something. Whatever it was, he knew Draco was not a bad guy. He wasn't that kid he once was. But he was still Draco Malfoy.

He was pulled from his thoughts by an owl tapping at his window. With a sigh he pulled the note from Ginny's owl and opened it.

Harry,

Please take your head out of the Muggle oven. I know you are brooding over the picture in the Prophet, and I don't blame you. But you knew this would happen. Hermione likes you and Draco a lot. She's not just baking cookies with him. It's important you step out of your dream world and be realistic about this.

Your friend,

Ginny

Of course she was right. She usually always was. And he appreciated her pulling him out of his brooding stupor. He'd just have to try that much harder. If she still chose Draco over him, then he would know he did all he could. If they were as in love as they looked, he'd never get in the way. But if it was just the camera angle or timing, or if she had stronger feelings for him, Harry would still have a chance.

He knew how the Prophet got things wrong almost all the time. Just because they were kissing didn't mean anything. With a new frame of mind, he jogged up the stairs and got ready for the day.

"Hermione, calm down. Did you have fun?" Ginny asked.

"Yes," Hermione answered, smiling at her memories of her date with Draco.

"And is anything in this article untrue, besides the assumption that Draco won?" Ginny asked.

"Well, no..." Hermione said.

"Then there is no problem. Harry had to know you weren't just having tea with Draco. And besides, doesn't he deserve to know how you feel about his competition?" Ginny reasoned.

"I just don't want to hurt him. I still don't know who I'm going to choose," Hermione said. "I just didn't want this to ruin our date."

"It won't," Ginny promised. "If anything, Harry will just be more determined to win you over."

"Okay," Hermione said. "You're probably right."

"I'm always right," Ginny said with a self-satisfied smirk. "Now, details about the Draco date."

Hermione smiled at her friend, "It was amazing," she said. "Can I tell you something without you judging me?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Hermione, when have I ever judged you?"

"Point taken," Hermione said. "Well, last night, we started kissing and it got heated, and a large part of me was so tempted to say, 'forget the auction'. I know it's wrong, and totally unfair to Harry, but I couldn't help myself," Hermione blushed.

Ginny grinned. "I know the feeling," she said, looking in the direction of the living room where Adrian was hiding out. "It's important to remember that feeling though. You can't create feelings like that. That's chemistry."

"But I have chemistry with Harry too," Hermione countered.

"Okay, so just test the waters. See which one you have more with," Ginny said with a shrug. Hermione nodded, and the girls continued to talk about the date with Draco.

Hermione smiled brightly at Harry who looked absolutely beautiful on the other side of her door. She almost drooled before she motioned for him to enter her flat. His jeans seemed to have gotten smaller and were hugging him in all the right places. His light blue oxford shirt was crisp and clean and stretched over his toned chest perfectly.

"You're staring," Harry said with a very Slytherin smirk on his lips. Hermione blushed but rolled her eyes.

"Well, you do look really good today," Hermione said, deciding to be honest with him.

"And you look amazing always," Harry said, moving in to kiss her on the cheek. He lingered longer than usual before moving to her ear and whispering. "Beautiful," he breathed against her skin and Hermione shivered with pleasure. Where had this confident Harry Potter come from?

"So," she said, when she found her voice again, pulling away from him, but still holding his hand. "What is on the agenda today?"

"Well, I thought we'd weather the press frenzy and go out," Harry said. "I mean, if you choose me, we can't possibly hide away at Grimmauld Place or here all the time, can we?"

"True," Hermione said. "So, where are we off to?"

"I thought we'd start small," Harry said. "What do you say to a little trip to Hogsmeade?"

Hermione's eyes brightened and she nodded vigorously. "I haven't been there in so long. Can we go up to Hogwarts too?" She asked excitedly.

Harry chuckled. "That was the plan. I already talked to McGonagall. We've got clearance."

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione cried, launching herself into his arms. He caught her easily and pulled her close, smelling the intoxicating scent of her perfume. He set her on her feet, but kept her close, brushing his lips against her jaw.

Hermione shivered again, hoping he'd move his lips a little higher. She moaned against him when he did, capturing her lips in his and kissing her soundly on the mouth. "If I knew you'd react like this, I'd have suggested a trip to Hogsmeade a long time ago," he grinned.

"Oh, shut up," Hermione said, slapping him playfully on the arm. "Let's go."

Harry laughed as they passed by Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. "Remember when Cho threw that Queen-size hissy fit," he laughed. "I guess she wasn't far off though. I always did put you above other girls."

"Yes, but it's a little different with friends," Hermione reminded him. They had linked fingers and were walking together along the streets of Hogsmeade. "We really should stop into the Three Broomsticks while we are here. Madam Rosmerta will never forgive us, otherwise."

"Lead the way," Harry said with a wide grin, and she practically dragged him down the block to the old tavern they'd spent so much time in as children.

"Look what the kneazle dragged in!" Madam Rosmerta called from behind the bar. Harry pulled Hermione closer and they both blushed as she hurried to them. "It's been too long," she said, pulling them both into a bone-crushing hug. "Here, let me get you a table."

Finally, when they were settled in and had two butterbeers in front of them, Hermione and Harry were able to sigh with relief. So far, it seemed no one had spotted them, and no reporters were nipping at their heels. It was one of the good things about going to a place so close to the heavily warded school of Hogwarts.

"So, how's work?" Hermione asked.

"I've been rather free lately. Yesterday, I couldn't meet because I had an obligation with Teddy, not work," Harry explained.

"Oh, how is Teddy? I feel like I haven't seen him in so long," Hermione said.

"Well, he's at the stage where he doesn't want to listen to anyone. Andromeda is at her wits end. I told her that I'd be more than willing to take more time with him, but I think she likes him around. It makes her miss Tonks less," Harry said, looking down into his beer. Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand.

"Well, I can't wait to see him again. Hopefully in the next couple of months my schedule will calm down. My superior already gave me the okay to allocate some of my time to the new ward when it is funded," Hermione explained.

"Lupin would be so proud of you, you know?" Harry said.

Hermione smiled. "Proud that I used my body to get a hospital ward that would take someone like him in?" she laughed.

"Maybe not all that," Harry conceded with a chuckle. "But think about it. Who's left in the competition? Snape, whom you've known almost as long as me. Malfoy, who you have had a toxic, but intense relationship with since the beginning. Finally, me, you're best friend in the whole world. It isn't like you've narrowed it down to a bunch of skeezy wankers," he laughed.

"I'm sorry, I believe a few years ago, both Snape and Malfoy would have been considered skeezy wankers to you, Harry," Hermione said, winking at him over her drink.

"Well, okay," Harry admitted.

"But to clarify. Snape is out of the running. It's just you and Draco," Hermione said. She could be nothing but honest with her best friend, even in a situation like this.

"Really," Harry said. "I guess that explains the display in the paper."

"About that..." Hermione started, biting her lip. She wondered if the topic would ever come up.

Harry waved her off though. "No need to explain. Listen, did it suck waking up to see you kissing Malfoy on the front page of the paper? Yes. But, I mean, I wasn't naive enough to believe you were only kissing me. And I saw how he looked at you. He isn't playing a game. If I lose to him, at least I'll know it was a worthy adversary."

"Who are you and what have you done to Harry Potter?" Hermione laughed. "That's very mature of you, Harry. And I appreciate it. I'd hate to think my choice would ruin our friendship."

"Hermione, can I ask you something? And please be honest," Harry said, his gaze intense.

"Always, Harry."

"What are your feelings for him? I mean, is this just a passionate, new thing? Am I just up against new and exciting? Or is it more? I know it's unfair to ask, but please, Hermione. I need to know," Harry said, his tone almost desperate.

Hermione bit her lip and contemplated his question. "I don't know. I can't lie to you. Draco and I have something. What that is, I'm still not sure. But I have strong feelings for you as well. I think you know why this is so difficult."

"Yes," Harry said, with a sigh. He placed his hand on her thigh and moved in to kiss her lightly on the lips. "I'm sorry. I'll keep my questions about Malfoy to a minimum from now on."

"He was dying to ask about you too," Hermione admitted. "But, since we aren't as close, I think he was afraid I'd freak out," she laughed.

"I shouldn't use our friendship to get things out of you, though," Harry said. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Hermione smiled. "Now, can I have another kiss?"

"Certainly," Harry said, leaning in again. This time Hermione's arms went around his shoulders as he kissed her.

"Why is it, that I knew the first place we'd go is the library?" Harry laughed as Hermione pouted.

"Mock me, and you won't get the surprise I had planned for the library," she said, glaring at him.

"And what would that be?" Harry asked, now willingly following her toward the back of the stacks.

"Just a little fantasy I've had since about fifth year," she said coyly, turning around and pushing him gently against one of the bookshelves. It was summer, so there were no students around, luckily.

Harry swallowed audibly when he saw the lusty look in her eyes. "Hermione Granger was fantasizing about taking boys to the back of the stacks?" he asked, trying to sound calm, but that look in her eyes made his cock pulse unwillingly.

"Maybe..." she said, moving in closer to him and kissing him directly under his right ear.

"Merlin," he moaned, quickly flipping their positions so that Hermione was pressed firmly against the bookshelf while his body was pressed flush against hers. "You're going to kill me with that talk."

"Kiss me," Hermione breathed, pulling him by the fabric of his shirt. He quickly did as he was told, kissing her full on the mouth. He bit at her bottom lip until she granted his tongue entrance, and he thought he'd nearly come on the spot.

She was so beautiful, and so smart, and perfect. His hands roamed her sides, while hers roamed his shoulders and back. The beautiful moans and gasps she made in the back of her throat were enough to drive him wild, and Hermione couldn't help but be turned on by seeing Harry so dominant. It was something she'd never expected of him.

The kissing continued until they needed to breathe. "Mmm, as much as I love this, I think we need to head down to the Quidditch Pitch. I did promise I'd let you fly around a bit, didn't I?"

Harry barely remembered what flying meant at the moment, but he allowed her to pull him from the library and down to the entrance of the school.

Harry kicked open the door to Hermione's flat as his hands were otherwise occupied, holding her close to him as he kissed the breath from her lungs. "Mmm, we're here," he announced, pulling himself away from her with great effort.

"Wine?" Hermione asked.

"Can't," Harry frowned. "I've got Teddy tonight."

"Oh," Hermione said. "Well, I guess I better let you go..."

"I don't want to leave," Harry said.

"It's okay," Hermione smiled. "So, I'll owl you soon...and..."

"It's okay, Hermione," Harry said. "I know this is awkward, but we are still Hermione and Harry. I'll talk to you tomorrow, alright?"

"Sure thing, Harry." Hermione smiled with relief. She kissed him once more on the lips before showing him back out the door they'd just entered. When he was gone, she stood there for a second letting the date wash over her. It had been amazing. One of the best days she'd had in a long time.

More than that. She knew who she was going to choose. Today cemented it all for her, and as much as that raised other issues, at least she felt confident in her decision. Now, to break the news to both of them.