Chapter Six:

Hours after Hermione gets home from her date she is laying in her bed still playing back the entire night. She is more confused than ever at this point, is this really happening? Does he like her? It sure seemed like it by the way he was acting around her; being vulnerable, holding her hand, and then as he dropped her off at her door, he had kissed her. Remembering that, she indulges, and thinks about it for the hundredth time that night…

Draco was still holding her hand as they walked casually to her door for him to say goodnight. They were currently talking about why she wasn't working with house elves anymore and her switch to werewolves. It felt good to feel like he actually cared about what she did, and she loved hearing his insight on the impasse werewolves have been facing lately. She was so entranced by him that she didn't even have time to get nervous about what would or wouldn't happen when he said goodbye. He wasn't finished with his thought when they reached the door so he casually leaned against it and she leaned against the wall next to him, allowing herself the ability to sneak a glance at Draco inconspicuously as he kept talking. One moment he was talking and the next he had gone quiet, and turned to look at her intently. She knew it was coming, but that didn't make it any less special. He slowly wrapped his hands around her waist, lightly pulling her to him, and leaned his head down until their lips met. This kiss had much more passion then she was used to, and she felt she couldn't get enough. At one point she felt his teeth nibble on her lower lip and she could have sworn her knees grew weak. Eventually the kiss did come to an end, but it was clear neither of them wanted it to.

She is seeing him again for lunch on Wednesday, and she is much more excited than nervous this time, her smile is permanently plastered to her face as she slowly drifts off to sleep.

Time has never gone slower! It is only Tuesday and she feels it has been weeks since she has seen Draco. Fortunately it is the end of the day, so only half a day tomorrow until she will be having lunch with him. Draco suggested fish and chips, there's a little place right around the corner from the Ministry, and she can't wait to see how this place compares to those they went to on Friday.

As she walks out of the floo into her apartment she notices a large eagle owl sitting outside of her window, she grabs the note off it's leg and reads:

Granger,

Is it just me or has it been far too long since I've seen you ?

Bloody hell.

You've got me out here sounding like a sappy Hufflepuff.

Since I've already started, may as well finish,

I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Draco Malfoy

She can't stop the smile from appearing on her lips even if she tried. She is turning THE Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Prince, into a Hufflepuff? The thought only makes her smile grow. She feels special knowing he can let his guard down around her and be himself. She hugs the letter to her chest and realizes it is exactly what she needed today.

At a quarter to noon Hermione hears a knock on her office door. She calls for them to come in and when she looks up she sees the pale blue eyes of the man who has completely taken over her thoughts this past week. A smile materializes on her lips and she, of course, also takes a moment to breath in his devilishly good looks.

"Hello Granger," Draco greets her as he leans over the desk and gives her a heart-stopping kiss.

"Mm, hello to you too," Hermione mumbles against his lips.

Draco ends the kiss and reminds her why he is there, "you ready for lunch?"

"Oh, yes! I'll just be two minutes, and then we can go." She tells him reassuringly. He nods and then starts walking around her office, looking at all of her knick-knacks and wall-to-wall shelves that are, of course, filled with books. She feels slightly self-conscious but only because she wants to know what he is thinking, she always wants to hear his opinion, and she can only imagine the endless conversations they could have about her books. When she is finished signing the last document she stands up and walks over to where he is standing and looking at a book. She notices he is looking at an old copy of Pride and Prejudice and she can't hold herself back anymore, "find anything that interests you?" she says with a little smirk.

"I'm assuming this is a muggle book?" He asks and turns to look at her.

"It is, I had forgotten it was on this bookshelf honestly, all of my favorite muggle novels are usually on my bookshelf at home."

He nods and then replies, "It's one of your favorites you say? Think I should give it a try?" he gives her one of his smiles like he doesn't know what she's going to say. She just rolls her eyes, because obviously he should read it, he'd be daft not to. He chuckles at her, knowing exactly what she's thinking and says he'll come and grab it after lunch. He then puts his hand on the small of her back and leads her out the door.

Their lunch together is something she hopes to never forget, she's almost positive she's never seen Draco Malfoy laugh so much in her life, and it makes it all the better that it's her who is the cause. She loves remembering simple memories such as this, just eating fish and chips outside on a beautiful summer day, with an even more beautiful man beside her. When she first re-read the letter she had wrote to Draco a few weeks ago she couldn't believe she had been so bold to call him beautiful. Sitting here now, with him next to her and having his guards down, she doesn't know how else to describe him. Eighteen year old Hermione knew she saw something real in Malfoy, and she hoped that twenty-three year old Hermione now, wouldn't get her heart broken all over again.

As Malfoy drops her off at her office after lunch, he remembers to grab the book, then as he is leaving he tells her he will probably want to talk about the book on Friday, perhaps over dinner?

This man is too good to be true, surely this won't last...she quickly pushes that thought out of her head and readily agrees to his invitation. This time though, she proposes the idea of going to a restaurant that has recently opened in Diagon Alley. The implications in her idea are clear: she is ready for people to see them together.

"It's a date" he replies, with a quick kiss on her cheek before walking out.

Since the end of the war, the daily prophet has loved trying to get the scoop on Hermione Granger's life. Constantly coming up with articles that contain half truths. Her breakup with Ron had been a tumultuous affair in the papers, and she had strived ever since to just lay low and keep her personal life, well, personal. But tonight, she was feeling bold. Draco Malfoy had that effect on her, he created this sense of security for her that she could be exactly who she wanted to be. It had been fun going out into muggle London for their dates, but it wasn't realistic. Hermione and Draco were both prominent people in the Wizarding community, and eventually the word would get out. May as well get the word out on their own terms then, right? Hermione was a bundle of nerves though, she didn't know how everyone was going to react, it ultimately didn't change how she felt about him, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't care what people thought.

As Hermione looks at the clock, she realizes Draco will be there momentarily, because that man is nothing if not punctual. As she has this last thought, she hears a knock on her door. She opens it to reveal not Draco, but -

"Harry?" Hermione confusingly calls out.

"Hey Hermione, you look nice tonight, going out?" Harry replies like it's the most normal thing in the world to drop in on Hermione unannounced.

"I am actually…what are you doing here?" she asks him while trying not to let her annoyance show, he is one of her best friends after all.

"Ah, am I to presume it's with a certain ferret?"

Hermione's annoyance turns to surprise, which is clear on her face.

"Don't be so shocked, you know nothing gets past me." Harry says with a sly grin. "But sorry to barge in before you're date, I'll be quick, I just forgot I had loaned you the invisibility cloak the other month, and I'll be in need of it tonight during a raid." Harry quickly explains.

"Oh! Of course!" Hermione yells back to him as she's already scurrying off to her bedroom to retrieve it for him, grateful for the change in subject.

As Hermione comes back into the living room with Harry's cloak, she's welcomed by a scene she never thought she'd see in a million years. There is Harry casually sprawled out on her couch, with Draco Malfoy sitting in a chair to his right, chatting like it's just a normal affair. They are both very engrossed in the conversation they are having that neither realize she has stepped into the room. She wants to laugh at the absurdity and is very curious as to what they could be talking about.

Instead she politely clears her throat to get their attention. At the sudden noise, Draco jumps to his feet and looks slightly abashed but quickly recovers and makes his way over to her. He seems to raise his hand in hesitation as if he is going to touch her but then thinks better of it and drops it.

Curious, she thinks. She then throws the cloak at Harry, "there you go, now if you would be so kind as to leave, I have a date to be going on" Hermione tells him and then turns her attention to Draco and grabs his hand. If he is embarrassed to show affection while Harry is here, then that needs to change.

"Alright, alright I'm going, but I'll see you for brunch at the Weasley's on Sunday, yeah?" Harry asks.

"Of course, you know I never miss their Sunday brunches," she tells him as he walks out the door.

Once Harry is gone, she turns her full attention to Draco, "what were you and Harry talking about that made you so weird?" she asks with a mixture of curiosity and humor.

"Ah, I have to keep some secrets to myself Granger, but nice try." He says with a smile then continues, "shall we get going?" At that she nods and grabs onto his arm as they apparate to Diagon Alley.

As they walk into the restaurant Hermione is filled with relief that they haven't run into any cameras yet, she knows it will happen, but she doesn't mind putting it off a bit longer, she likes keeping Draco all to herself.

During their meal Hermione has a question that she is very curious about, but hopes it won't be an uncomfortable conversation. Hermione clears her throat, "so odds are we will be big gossip in the papers tomorrow, how do you think your mother will react?"

Draco raises his eyebrows at her question and she can tell he is only slightly hesitating. "Yes, well, I did see her a few days ago and have briefly told her of my dates with you," he takes a deep breath, "but honestly, we haven't been on the best of terms lately." At this he turns his head to look out the window, a somber expression clouding his features.

Hermione didn't know what kind of answer she was expecting, but it wasn't that. Not wanting to pry, but also incredibly curious, her curiosity wins out. "What happened?"

If he is annoyed by her curiosity it doesn't show. Instead he answers her, "she wasn't very happy with me when I broke off the engagement with Astoria…" at this he visibly grimaces.

Hermione's stomach drops. She had all but forgotten he was engaged to her, she only ever read about it briefly in the papers.

"But I did what was best for me, and I think she's slowly coming around to realizing that" he tells her before she can say anything in response. "And back to your initial question, how will my mother react to the gossip? Well, I think she will be even more forceful in having me invite you over to meet her."

At that, Hermione gives him a small smile, clearly scared straight at the thought of meeting with Narcissa, but knowing it will mean a lot to him. "Of course," she replies, and then to ease the tension a bit she adds with a smirk, "I hope I surpass her expectations."

By the time they are leaving the restaurant, she already knows what to expect before her foot is even out the door. There are probably a dozen different photographers and journalists lingering outside and as soon as they realize who has just stepped out, the cameras are flashing and a dozen different voices are calling at them to get their attention. Draco quickly has his hand on her back and guides her into him, shielding her from the onslaught.

"Run," he whispers in her ear, and she instantly reacts pulling him with her, running thru the streets of Diagon Alley, laughing like maniacs.

And to top it all off, it starts to rain.

Draco starts to tug on her arm saying they should apparate out of there.

"No way! I love the summer rain!" She says while laughing and grabs his hands, forcing him to dance with her in the rain.

"What are you doing?" he asks, clearly never having danced in the rain before.

"We're dancing, silly, haven't you ever just danced in the rain?" She's asks, genuinely curious now.

"No, I haven't, and we're getting soaked!"

She can tell he's not actually annoyed, and it fuels her spontaneity. She pulls him closer to her and throws her arms around his neck and gives him a kiss that hopefully he will always associate with her and being in the rain. Her hands are now in his hair and she starts to uncontrollably giggle. Draco slightly pulls away from her and looks genuinely annoyed now, probably thinking she's laughing at him.

"What are you laughing at?" he asks her.

"Your hair" and she continues to giggle "It's all over the place, I don't think I've ever seen you look so, imperfectly perfect."

A second later he pulls her into him and continues their kiss. A contented sigh escapes from Hermione's lips and she can feel Draco's smile against her own. She knows she's in trouble now, but for once, she doesn't care.