As the night progressed, both Hermione and Draco found themselves thinking of one another. Each stealing glances, watching the other from across the room as they mingled. Both could still feel the residual warmth from their shared dance.
Hermione especially watched Draco with keen interest. She couldn't help but notice how Draco's presence seemed more grounded, his interactions more sincere.
One such moment happened near the auction table. Hermione watched from a distance as Draco conversed with an organizer before the final bid was announced, and without hesitation, Draco raised his hand, making a significant offer that far surpassed the previous bids.
"That's incredibly generous," the organizer remarked, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "This contribution will greatly aid our conservation efforts. Thank you, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco accepted her thanks with a nod, a modest smile gracing his lips. "It's a cause worth supporting."
Hermione felt a surge of warmth in her chest, witnessing this side of Draco. A new, warmer, kinder Draco. His commitment to righting past wrongs was clear, and his actions spoke volumes about the person he was striving to become.
She approached him. "Draco," she began, her voice gentle but unwavering, "I saw your bid. That was so kind of you."
Seeing her appear at his side once again, Draco seemed momentarily flustered, a hint of color rising to his cheeks. "Hermione," he replied, his tone softened. "It's the least I can do."
Her heart swelled. "Not everyone I know would do what you just did."
Draco shifted slightly, his discomfort at the praise evident. "It's just money, really."
Hermione smiled warmly. "It's more than just money, Draco. It's a symbol of your dedication and your willingness to make a difference."
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the rest of the ballroom seemed to fade away again.
Clearing his throat, Draco tried to steer the conversation away from himself. "How about you? Have you had a chance to enjoy the event?"
A light laugh escaped Hermione. "I've had my fair share of mingling and nostalgia. It's been a rather interesting evening, to say the least."
Draco's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Interesting, indeed."
As they stood together, the hum of the ball drifting around them, Hermione and Draco found themselves standing closer.
Draco glanced at the clock, noting the evening's waning hours. Summoning his courage, he turned back to Hermione, his gray eyes settling on her with a mix of determination and vulnerability.
"Hermione," he began, his voice a tad unsteady but sincere, "I've enjoyed our conversations tonight, more than I thought possible. We've both changed so much, and... I'd like to get to know you better outside of this event."
Hermione's eyes widened slightly, curiosity piqued by the earnestness in his tone. "What are you suggesting, Draco?"
Taking a deep breath, Draco stepped a bit closer, lowering his voice to ensure his words were just for her. "Would you join me for a drink after the ball? There's a small wizarding pub not far from here. Quiet, private. We could continue our conversation without the crowd."
Caught off guard by the invitation, Hermione felt a flutter in her chest. The spark between them was undeniable now.
"Are you sure?" she asked, searching his eyes for any hint of hesitation.
Draco nodded, a resolute glint in his gaze. "I'm certain. I'd like to spend more time with you."
Hermione's lips curved into a soft smile. "Alright, Draco. I'd like that."
Relief and a hint of triumph washed over Draco's features. "Great. After the last dance, we can slip away."
As the orchestra played the final waltz of the evening, Draco and Hermione allowed themselves one last dance within the ballroom's shimmering expanse. The music wrapped around them like a spell, each note drawing them closer.
When the music concluded, and applause filled the air, Draco gently guided Hermione through the crowd. They exchanged polite goodbyes with their friends, each step towards the exit filled with anticipation and a sense of adventure.
Once outside, the night air was crisp, carrying away the remnants of the ball's hustle and bustle. They walked together in companionable silence, making their way to the discreet, cozy pub Draco had mentioned.
They settled into a secluded corner of the pub, the warm glow from the hearth cast dancing shadows across their faces. Draco ordered two glasses of firewhisky, and soon, the rich, amber liquid shimmered before them, promising warmth and courage.
Hermione raised her glass, her eyes twinkling. "To new beginnings," she toasted, echoing their earlier sentiment.
"To new beginnings," Draco chuckled lightly, clinking his glass gently against hers. The firewhisky burned pleasantly as it went down, loosening the tension from the evening.
After a few sips, Draco leaned back, a playful smile curling his lips. "Remember the time you punched me in third year? I can still feel the phantom pain when it gets cold."
Hermione's cheeks flushed, but she laughed, letting herself relax into the memory. "Oh, yes. I couldn't believe I actually did that. You were being insufferable, though."
Draco chuckled, his gray eyes sparkling with amusement. "I suppose I deserved it. I was quite the unbearable brat back then."
Hermione grinned, leaning in. "You weren't the only one. I had my moments of unbearable know-it-all-ness."
Shaking his head, Draco responded, "You were relentless, always showing us all up in class. You were too smart for all of us, still are."
"Not all the time. Do you remember the Polyjuice Potion incident?" Hermione asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Draco leaned forward, his face animated with interest. "Which one? The one where you accidentally turned into a cat?"
Hermione covered her face with her hands, laughing heartily. "Yes, that one! Merlin, it was mortifying. Madam Pomfrey had to keep me in the hospital wing for days."
Draco laughed so hard he almost spilled his drink. "Well, you certainly made an unforgettable feline impression. I always wondered what happened there."
The night continued with their conversation flowing effortlessly from one humorous anecdote to another. Stories of pranks, mischief, and the peculiarities of their Hogwarts days.
As the evening grew late, Hermione marveled at how easy it had become to talk to Draco. Maybe it was just the pub's cozy atmosphere and the warmth of the firewhisky, but she found herself falling for him.
Draco felt a genuine smile spread across his face. "You know, Hermione, if someone had told me a few years ago that I'd be sitting here, laughing with you, I would've thought they were mad."
Hermione's eyes softened. "Me too. It just goes to show how much we've all grown."
Their glasses were nearly empty, but their hearts were full. Their laughter ebbed into a comfortable silence, their eyes reflecting the glow from the hearth.
Hermione's cheeks were still flushed from their merriment, and she found herself leaning slightly closer to Draco, feeling drawn to him by an invisible thread. He mirrored her movement, his gray eyes filled with a mixture of awe and something deeper, something unspoken.
For a long, breathless moment, they simply gazed at each other. The air seemed charged, electrified by the proximity and the shared understanding that had blossomed between them over the course of the evening.
Draco's hand, almost of its own accord, moved to gently tuck a stray lock of Hermione's hair behind her ear. The simple, tender gesture sent a shiver down her spine. "Hermione..." he murmured, his voice a soft caress.
Her name on his lips felt like a revelation, and she couldn't help but lean in further, her eyes searching his. "Draco," she whispered back, her voice trembling slightly, but filled with an earnestness that echoed his own.
With deliberate slowness, Draco closed the remaining distance, his eyes flickering down to her lips and back to her eyes, seeking silent permission. Hermione's breath hitched, her heart pounding loudly in her ears as she nodded ever so slightly, her gaze unwavering.
Their lips met in a gentle, cautious kiss. The world seemed to pause, the only sensation being the warmth and softness they found in each other. It was a kiss filled with tentative hope and the promise of something new, something uncharted.
The kiss deepened, a slow, sensual exploration between the two new lovers.
When they finally broke apart, breathless and wide-eyed, Hermione couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. "I... I can't believe we just did that," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Draco's eyes shone with a similar mix of surprise and tenderness. "Me either," he admitted, his voice filled with the awe they both felt. "But I'm glad we did."
Their hands found each other under the table, fingers intertwining.
As they sat there, the warmth of the pub around them and the night still young, Hermione and Draco knew that this was just the beginning.
—
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