A/N: a bit of a filler chappie. I figured a nice date would be good, you know? As always, please R&R.
The next twenty-four hours were filled with trepidation on Hermione's part and excitement for Draco. He had never really considered the difficulties of life alone, had not desired to share his way of life with anyone outside of the pack. Yet, Hermione knew of him and seemed to understand what that way of living entailed and though she was scared, she had not shied away. He felt that he had a rare chance to get what he'd been determined to deny himself. The fact that it was her only served to heighten his emotion.
He had forced himself to stay away, had hidden himself away at the top of his business and concentrated on the paperwork which seemed unending. The whole thing built toward a crescendo so by the time he left to get ready on Friday evening, he practically vibrated with need and hunger. However, judging from the state of the moon, he'd soon have to begin his weekly allotment of wolfsbane potion and that meant he could only go so far. There would be nine days in which he would have to keep away from her as the potion made him ill and grumpy. Then there was the sleeping. Unlike some wolves, he stayed locked in one of the basement cells located in the Manor and only allowed himself one night to shift and hunt, when the moon's pull began to wane.
As an Alpha, he could change the night before the apex of the full moon and the night after but he had chosen this path more than a year ago and had never deviated from it. He could not (would not) change it now. There was just too much of a chance that he could hurt someone and that was unacceptable. He'd had enough of causing pain during the war and he would not be damned by doing so now.
This was much safer for everyone.
Tobias, of course, could change at will and the young man's change was both faster and less painful than his own. HIs packmate had his own human mind during the change whereas Draco sometimes did not and so the young hybrid would spend the first two days hunting and waiting for his Alpha. They only ran together on the third night. It worked for them.
By six he'd left and so had Hermione, her own thoughts a whirlwind of what ifs. She'd decided almost as soon as she'd gotten home to call in the troops, namely Ginny, to help her choose appropriate clothing for her date. She was still wary of explaining just who the date was with but figured it would be needful to do so. At least one friend would be aware and could sweep in to rescue her if things went badly.
She did not expect the date to do so but the preparation was key.
By half six, she'd showered, shaved and applied oil scented with vanilla so that her skin was free of all other scents. Draco's nose would be sensitive and she did not want to overwhelm him with her fragrance. Ginny arrived seconds later, via Floo, and the two women had gone to work. The dress chosen was a lovely shade of forest green, an off the shoulder sheath that followed her small curves and brought attention to the gentle swell of her hips and the smallness of her waist. By the time she'd slipped into a pair of black pumps and allowed her hair to tumble about her shoulders in riotous curls, corraled and controlled by a Sleakeazy potion and two different charms, she heard the roar of her Floo and left the quiet confines of her bedroom.
What greeted her almost took her breath away. Malfoy was dressed in black and blue-gray. His suit, tailored perfectly to his tall, broad-shouldered frame was offset by the shirt and a tie which faithfully picked up those colors. His shoulder length hair had been gathered up and swept into a small tail leaving only the platinum strands which fell over his forehead in a silken fringe.
He was beautiful.
Malfoy also took in his companion, his thin yet mobile mouth twisted upward in his trademark smirk. Her dress seemed as if it had been poured on and her small feet were encased in heels which elongated her legs. A small gold chain encircled her right ankle and her glorious hair begged for him to ruin it. He wouldn't but the thought was there. When the silence began to grow uncomfortable, the young man spoke.
"You look breathtaking, Granger. Are you ready?"
The curly-haired female nodded and went to grab her favorite shrug, one lined with faux ermine and warm against the cool evening air. As soon as she'd done so, Malfoy drew her in so that his arm wrapped around her waist. After he threw in a handful of powder, his melodic voice called out, "Terre en Fleurs." and the pair were gone, through the green flames. They stepped out into the newest Diagon Alley restaurant, a place she'd always wanted to try.
The expense and lack of readily available reservations had always discouraged that notion.
As Hermione dusted her self down, Draco strode forward to meet with the Maitre D'. "Reservation for Malfoy and could you please tell Blaise that we are here?"
"Right this way, if you please," the older gentleman directed them toward a corner table, one that dripped with white linen and the sparkle of small white votive candles which surrounded a single white rose.
"Oh it's lovely," Hermione ventured, her warm brown gaze landing on the table with every evidence of delight.
Malfoy allowed himself a small smile before he pulled out her chair to seat her before he strode to the opposite side of the table and sat down. "I'm glad you approve, Hermione," his voice almost purred her name. "Blaise talked me into coming. He owns the place, you know."
Almost as soon as they were seated, an impeccably dressed server approached the table, his smile bright and cheerful. "Hello. I am Richard and it would be my honor to see to your needs. May I start you off with a wine?"
"Please. Do you have the Trimbach Riesling Clos Sainte Hune? I think it would pair well with the cheese fondue."
The young man nodded, "Certainly Sir. I shall put your appetizer order in and return with the wine as requested."
After the wine and cheese fondue was served (the Riesling was delicious and paired well with their appetizer) the couple had placed their entree orders, Coq Au Vin for her and Beef Bourguignon for him. The conversation started out as hesitant, stilted, but soon gave way to comfort and questions from them both. By the time their dinner was served, Zabini had come out to speak with Malfoy and to grin, almost lasciviously, at her. It made the young woman feel slightly uncomfortable though she did her best to hide it behind a returned smile.
She felt a pull then, a different one.
It startled her.
Malfoy sensed her unease and as soon as the tall dark Italian departed, he turned his full attention to his dinner companion.
"I've never known you to be antsy, Hermione."
She glanced at him with a small grin. "It's Slytherins, yourself included. I can never figure out what you're thinking," she rejoined.
"Oh, that's easy." He gave a wolfish grin. "I am wondering how you taste."
A fire heated her cheeks and she sputtered slightly before taking a bite of her food. The chicken was melt in your mouth delicious and paired well with the herbs and spices it had been seasoned with. Draco noted both the blush and her discomfiture and could do nothing but laugh which drew the attention of the other diners seated close to their table. That only made the young woman blush even harder.
With a glare, she settled back, her appetite all but gone. "I think you say things like that to get a rise out of me."
He nodded and looked not the least bit repentant. "I've always done so, as you well know, even in school. Your eyes flash when you are angry and then, as now, I enjoy your sharp tongue."
She could only shake her head but the discussion was paused as they finished their meals. Eventually, the server returned to clear the table and take their dessert order. Malfoy deferred to her and so she asked for creme caramel. "I have a thing for sweets, you know. I just hardly ever indulge. Bad for your teeth."
Soon enough, they tucked into the rich dessert and once the table was cleared, both poured themselves another glass of wine. It was then that Hermione broached the subject that had been bothering her since the day before.
"What do you want from me, Draco." She stumbled over his name, a slight hesitation plainly heard.
"You, I think. After all, I've never considered any other alternatives before now." He spoke with a low and ruminative tone.
"Is it due to the bump?"
"Not wholly. We are drawn together. Even in school, deny it if you will, sparks flew any time we spoke. I could not act on it then but I can now. The fact that you may be Omega only heightens the original desire and you smell divine. How could I not want you?"
She dropped his gaze, her eyes fastened to the white linen tablecloth. "Do I have a choice, I mean ultimately?"
"Of course you do. If you are Omega the only way I can mate with you is with your permission." He signaled for the check. "If you are not, well I could choose you for my mate. As I've stated, we are drawn to one another and, for me, it's only gotten worse."
Well, she had no reply for that and once the bill had been paid and tips, given, the twosome headed for the Floo once more. Hermione hoped that the previous conversation would be the end of it. She needed to think but Draco, being who and what he was, had no plan on the night ending this abruptly. He still had things to say. So once he'd escorted her back to the homey confines of her apartment, he stripped out of his suit jacket and loosened his tie, a sardonic eyebrow lifted as he waited for her to make herself comfortable.
Which she did.
"Okay, Malfoy. What is it?"
The slim, diminutive young woman slipped off her pumps and headed for the kitchen, there to make a pot of really good loose leaf oolong tea. Of course, the tall blond followed her, his footfalls quiet so she wasn't prepared for the feel of his strong arms encircling her from behind. She gave a small shudder and took a deep breath but that had been stupid as his scent~ink and parchment, sandalwood, deep woods~ made her feel dizzy.
He dipped his head, the better to whisper his thoughts. "It's not only what I want, you know. It's about what you want, too." He paused and let her in on his secret. "I like you here, pressed against me, busy making tea. Did you know that when I gifted this apartment to you that it used to be mine? I wanted you safe, surrounded by things that would make you feel at home. I needed to provide something for you. I still don't understand why."
The confessional tone drew her attention and without thought, she spun in his hold, her small hands pressed against the broad expanse (heavy with muscle) of his chest. She tilted her head back, far enough that she felt the strain in her shoulders and neck so that she could fix him in her forthright gaze.
"Is it your wolf?"
He nodded but then shrugged, a small movement. "I just knew I wanted you to be here. Since that was the first time I'd laid eyes on you since school, I just assumed it had to be. Now, I am not so sure. How can I tell? This feeling, while new, is not much different than what I felt at Hogwarts. Even in our sixth year, you drew me in and we both know what was happening at that time."
Hermione gave a startled gasp and yet, she still did not attempt to break his hold. There was no point, he would not let her go until he was ready and, no matter how off-balance he made her, she knew that he would not cause her pain. It was silly to fight the inevitable. He was an immovable object. Better to finish the conversation, here and now. He'd release her then. However, he spoke once more.
"After I leave you tonight, we will not be in contact for at least fourteen days. I have a portkey set up for a slew of business meetings in Oslo and won't have time to owl you. I will contact you when I return but I know there will be a ton of work for me to catch up on with the addition of having to start my potion on the sixth in preparation for the change." He paused, his head tilted slightly. "This gives you plenty of time to figure yourself out."
Hermione nodded and then heard the whistle of her kettle. Draco immediately allowed his arms to fall away and took a step back.
"Walk me to your Floo," a quiet command.
The slender young woman did so but he paused just as they reached it. With no warning, he drew her close and lifted her slightly so that he could press a hot, demanding kiss to her lips. She felt a spark of heat and she whimpered which he met with a delighted chuckle before he stepped away.
"I will see you when the full moon ends."
With that, he scooped up a handful of powder, tossed into the fireplace, spoke his destination and walked through the green flames.
The woman he left behind touched her fingers to her lips and walked back to the kitchen and her tea. She definitely needed it, now.