Chapter 5

Draco was in a state of shock. One minute he was making out with Granger and the next minute she is rushing out of the floo. The blame lies entirely on the Potter's unexpected entrance. Well not even really unexpected as it was their house afterall. Draco gathered his senses.

"Both Albus and James are upstairs, sleeping. They have been fed and put to bed at their bedtime."

He noticed the look of utter bewilderment on the face of Harry but he really was in no mood to give explanations. He himself needed to sort a lot of things out. It looked like Ginny was going to ask questions so he nodded towards both of them and made his exit the same way Granger had, only few minutes before.

Once he reached his apartment he went straight to his bedroom and started pacing. He needed to make head and tails of everything he realized this evening and all the emotions and desire that flared on kissing Hermione Granger. Also he needed to do it fast or he might overthink.

After a lot of consideration and two glasses of firewshiskey Draco penned down a letter, went to the living room, roused his eagle owl and send it to deliver a message that he had never thought he would send.

Hermione's mind was jumping from one conclusion to another. What had really happened tonight? Did some latent desire flare up in both of them. Was he planning something nefarious like making her vulnerable and then doing something awful. Was he going to laugh in her face the next time they met, commenting on how she couldn't control herself? A lot of thoughts were running through her head but unfortunately all of them seemed to be pointing towards her apparent humiliation at the hands of Draco Malfoy.

While she was pacing in her bedroom and trying to come to a concrete conclusion an owl tapped at her window. She opened the window frame and the owl flew in. The owl was unrecognizable for her and she removed the package from the owl's leg apprehensively. At once the owl flew out the still open window. Hermione performed the regular spells on the parchment to check for any dark magic. On finding none Hermione unfurled the parchment. She read the letter, her brows furrowing as she proceeded. She couldn't believe what she has just read. Draco Malfoy had just asked her out on a date, more specifically dinner next Friday. The already present turmoil in Hermione's case increased ten folds.

So Malfoy wasn't thinking whatever happened to be a heat of the moment mistake, he was actually trying to take her on a date. This only complicated things in Hermione's mind as him laughing on her seemed to no longer be an option. New doubts crept in her mind as she over thought about how to reply to his request. She thought about all the time they met each other at casual gatherings and how rather unconsciously they had been spending a lot of time together. Would anything really come out of going on a dinner with him? What would trying to get into some sort of relationship with him really achieve? What if it didn't turn out nice, which was highly possible, ruin the odd sort of camaraderie she shared with him? What if due a failed attempt she no longer have him in her life?

Draco couldn't stop fretting as to why the reply to his letter hasn't come yet. He was lying on his bed, trying to act as if he hadn't really asked Granger out on a 'date'. As the minutes passed more convinced he became that he has somehow made a huge mistake. Maybe only he had fun talking to Hermione and she was genuinely irritated of him all those times. But she had kissed him, rather enthusiastically, if Draco was to be asked, so he wasn't reading the situation too horrendously. The image of her running the moment Potters came in the room flashed before his eyes and he wasn't so sure anymore.

As such thoughts entered his mind he thought he would never live down his embarrassment now. Maybe he could switch jobs. Friendship with Ron would have to end because Granger or Potter will surely tell him. Just when his life was going good Granger had to ruin everything with her perfect smile, her bossy tone and her sinful body.

Just then the bell to Draco's flat rung and for a split second he thought maybe Granger was here to continue what they had started but such ridiculous idea was thrown out of his mind a moment after it entered. Draco dragged himself out of the bed and downstairs. He opened the door to find none other than Hermione Granger standing there. He couldn't believe his eyes.

She was still wearing what she had worn during babysitting and looked like she didn't sleep when she got home too.
"Granger what are you doing here" Draco glanced towards the clock on the wall, just above the fireplace. "at 3 o' clock in the night. You could have owled your reply. I don't want to be humiliated on face."

"Draco can we talk inside." She asked seriously.

Draco motioned her to come in and shut the door as Hermione entered his flat and sat down demurely on the sofa. He followed her and sat down on the couch facing her.

"What did you meant by dinner on Friday?"She asked jumping straight to the point.

"I meant what people generally mean when they invite other people who they find attractive for dinner."

She rolled her eyes but asked "Did you really ask me out on a date."

"Is it so difficult to understand? Yes, Granger I asked you to go on a date with me."

"Is this some kind of a prank to you, or a way your mind has come up with to have some fun."

"Granger I am really serious I would like to talk to you without only trading insults."

She still looked a little unsure so he got up from his seat and sat down next to her. He took her hands in his and looked directly into her chocolate brown eyes.

She started speaking softly. "I don't know how it happened but I have started liking you and even looking forward to meeting you. I don't want that if we tried dating and it didn't work out to lose you. My brain's telling me uncomplicated is better."

"Screw your over-achieving brain. You know what realization I have come up with. I want you in my life as someone I can grow to love not as a mere acquaintance or god forbid a friend." He took her face in his hands and continued. "I want all of you Hermione or nothing at all."

Then suddenly Granger leapt forward and hugged him fiercely and before he could even respond she straddled him and proceeded to give him the best snog of his life.

"So you are coming with me to dinner this Friday." He asked between kissing. She pulled back a little and laughed.

"I wouldn't be kissing you if I wasn't."

"I was just making sure. You did already run once after kissing me so pardon me for making sure." he smirked.

Life before Hermione Granger was going good but he was positive life after her was going to be better.