Summary: Draco needs a favour off Hermione, but she's not sure she should help him...

A Favour

The wards of Grimmauld Place alerted the residents that someone had come through the Floo fireplace in the living room by making the walls turn ice blue for a moment. Hermione briefly put her hand on her wand when Harry shouted from somewhere downstairs, "It's Malfoy. He wants you, Hermione."

"In the library," she called back, taking the book she'd found to the comfy chair she'd set up for herself a few months ago by the only window in the room.

Draco's heavy footsteps came racing up the stairs, a lot faster than he usually moved. She kept the book closed on her lap and awaited his appearance. His cheeks held a red tinge, but his Quidditch training meant he wasn't as out of breath as she'd been expecting. He gave her a crooked grin, like he'd read her thoughts and he purposely breathed in and out slowly as the strode over to her.

"What?" she asked sharply.

He shoved her leg off the arm of the chair and sat on it with a glance at the book. "Another romance?"

She pinched at his thigh. "Maybe if you tried a little romance in your life, you might find that wife your so desperate for," she said pointedly.

"Who said I wanted a wife?"

"A husband then."

Draco raised an eyebrow, amusement glinted in his eyes. "Maybe I want the Malfoy line to die with me."

Hermione couldn't help the smile that graced her face. "Please let me be there when you tell your father."

He rolled his eyes. "I need your help," he said, ignoring her request.

"No." She opened her book as she shifted a little to turn her back on him.

Last time she'd helped him with anything, she'd been stuck having dinner with Lucius for two hours. He wouldn't let her leave the Manor until she'd answered every question in some life altering, mind-freeing book Draco had bought him. Not that she would admit she'd enjoyed the time, as some of the questions were actually quite thought-provoking, but still…

"You'll like this one. I promise."

Hermione sighed, closed the book and kept her eyes on the cover. "Make your proposal and I'll give you my answer."

"I need you to come to the cinema with me – that's right. I know about the cinema," he added smugly when her head swung round so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash.

She narrowed her eyes. "What are you up to?"

Draco frowned. "I really do wonder about your mind sometimes, Hermione," he said with faux-sadness. "So suspicious."

"Our friendship is a very tenuous one at best. Especially when your sneaky little ways are still abundantly clear whether they're friend or foe." She got up. "I can't come to the cinema. I have to… wash my hair."

"I'll pay," he called to her retreating back.

She ignored him and continued on. His footsteps followed after her.

"I'll buy the food," he added, walking behind her down the hallway.

She refused to answer.

"I want food," Ron said, coming out of his bedroom.

"Take Ron to the cinema. He's never been," Hermione instructed.

"Sorry, Weasley. I need a date and I said I was bringing a female."

Hermione swung round and Draco ducked quickly before the book hit his arm.

"Call me female one more time," she warned.

"Oof, you've still got a lot to learn," Ron said quietly, going back into his room.

"I didn't mean it like that," Draco said in exasperation as they carried on down the stairs. "I'll donate a lot of money to your department?"

Hermione paused at the bottom of the stairs. "How much?" she asked over her shoulder.

"Didn't you say last week you needed more manpower to lobby for law changes but there was no budget for the wages?" Draco asked sweetly.

Hermione opened her mouth. Then she shook her head. "No. That's not how I work. But nice try."

As she took a step forward she walked straight into his chest. "That's just rude."

"Please, Granger. I won't ask for another favour in at least a year. Or until I've repaid this one back. Does that sound fair?" He grabbed her hand between his. "Please."

She'd barely opened her mouth, her eyes already telling him she was agreeing, when he Apparated them both away from Grimmauld Place. In five minutes flat, he'd taken her to Malfoy Manor, put her in her an expensive knee-length designer dress of navy blue, a flick of his wand had her hair up in delicate bun that was impressive even to her, and then they were off again. She was practically dizzy by the time they arrived at the cinema.

"Do that again and I'll cut off your hands," she warned him, gripping her wand tightly.

Draco winked, kissed her cheek and shoved her forward. "Have fun."

"What? Draco!" He was gone before she'd finished calling his name. When she turned back to the cinema she was greeted by a bemused Lucius. "I'll kill him."

Word Count: 836

Degnoming Challenge: (restriction) Only Trio Era Characters