Sundays are meant for writing fanfiction.
Draco was sitting with the gang at their usual table at the Leaky Cauldron. All of them were making too much noise, having too much fun and too many servings of alcohol. If Draco had to pick some of the happiest moments of his life, these gatherings at the pub would definitely be on the list. Something about these people made him feel good and warm inside, like having your first glass of Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks or Hog's Head, depending on what pub you preferred.
"So, Draco, where are you and Hermione going on your first date?" asked Ginny from the other end of the table. Draco blushed, glanced at Hermione, and then blushed again.
"Um, we haven't decided yet. Also, would you mind keeping it down? There might be reporters lurking around," he said.
"I don't care about them," the redheaded witch replied.
"Well, I do, Ginevra, very much. I don't want to be the reason for ridiculous articles on Hermione's love life."
"Look at you, getting all protective even before your first date," she smirked and laughed. Shit, Draco thought, I hate the Weasleys and their 'humour'.
"Ginevra, don't think I don't have dirt on you. Do you want me to tell everyone about last Thursday ni-" Draco stopped talking because he was struck by a spell Ginny had cast on him. The spell sealed his lips shut and therefore he was unable to talk. Harry had put a reversing spell on him five minutes later. "Thank you, Harry, you are the best of the lot."
"Anytime, Draco," Harry replied, earning him a glare from Ginny. Draco had meant it when he said that. Harry and Draco had grown quite close and could now be labelled as best friends.
Draco turned to Hermione, sitting three seats away from him, and luckily got her attention. He made a few hand gestures, asking if he could occupy the empty seat beside her. She shrugged in response. It should be mentioned that since Hermione and Draco were really smart people, they had this silent conversation without attracting any attention. Which was excellent, because otherwise their friends would have ganged up on them.
Draco stood up, went around the table, and settled next to Hermione. This definitely didn't go unnoticed, but everyone just shut up after Draco shot them a look.
"Hey, how are you?" he smiled at her.
"Good, what about you? University keeping you busy?"
"Yes, it has. I have tons of assignments to work on, and all I am doing is sitting around at pubs."
"Knowing you, I bet you have already finished most of them," she smiled.
"Um, yes, kind of," he said tugging on his hair.
"Wow, never thought I would see you nervous!" Hermione remarked after she noticed him fidgeting.
"Excuse me, were you even there when I asked you out?" he asked with a smile. Hermione laughed at him and shook her head.
"Yes, you were pretty cute the other day," she said.
"Cute? You thought I was cute?" he asked with a grin.
"Why else do you think I agreed to go with you?" she smirked in return.
"I don't know, maybe because I am a good debating companion," he said and then leaned down to whisper in her ear, "and also because I charm the pants off of you."
She turned around to look at him with a smirk, and they were so close that Draco wanted to touch her face, pinch her button nose, kiss her everywhere. Of all the things he wanted to do to her, he did do one. He pinched her nose and laughed. She shrieked softly and hit him hard on the arm.
"Ouch, what was that for?" he asked.
"For pinching my nose, what the hell was that for anyway?" she replied.
"I wanted to, your nose is so tempting and cute."
"Glad to know that you find my nose tempting, Draco."
"Well, I do find other parts of you tempting, but I wouldn't pinch them in public, Hermione. Sorry, I am not into exhibitionism," he smirked at her, earning him another smack. Merlin, this witch is violent, Draco thought. As soon as he thought that, he found himself thinking of other things, and he thanked god Hermione couldn't read his mind.
"What are you thinking, Draco?" Hermione asked.
"Um, about our date. Do you want to go out this Friday?" At least he could think of something quickly.
"Sure, where do you want to go?"
"Do you want to go paintballing?" he asked while Hermione just looked at him with a blank stare. "What?! I love paintballing!" he defended himself.
"No, Draco."
"Alright, so how about one of those restaurants where you are supposed to eat in darkness or something?"
"Um, Draco, how long has it been since you went on a first date?"
"Too long," he muttered. "Okay, here's a brilliant idea! Let's go to Paris! I know this restaurant by the river and it is absolutely breathtaking!"
"Draco," Hermione said in a warning voice, "I am not going to Paris with you on the first date. That sounds like something rich, bratty Draco would do!"
"Well, I am rich and I am kind of a brat!" he grinned but to no use. She shot him a glare. "Sorry." He looked away for a while, thinking of something they could do and also to avoid Hermione's glare. She was a difficult woman to please, although in her defence, they were all rubbish ideas. And then, he thought of the most brilliant idea of all.
"Hey, Hermione, I know what we could do! The Weird Sisters are playing this weekend in Manchester! We could go for the concert and then dinner or something!"
Hermione looked at him with interest and then smiled. "Why couldn't you have just said this the first time, Draco?"
"Sorry," he whispered.
"Don't apologize, Draco, they were good ideas, just not for first dates," she said.
"Well that's awesome! If the first one goes well, we are definitely going for paintball on our second one!" he said excitedly.
"You are absolutely bonkers, Malfoy," she said.
"I am glad I am, Hermione!" he smiled. She gave him a small smile in return and then shifted her attention to the conversation Pansy and Luna were having. Meanwhile, Draco went back to whatever antics Fred and George were up to and asked them if he could volunteer for their next product experiments. If there was one thing Draco loved, it was being part of WWW's trials. They were fun because he, or Fred and George for that matter, never knew what was going to hit him after swallowing a weird-coloured candy. The experiments did take a wrong and painful turn sometimes, but anything for the greater good!
The gang of friends stayed at the Leaky until the time came for them to leave, and after that several of them apparated to Harry's place for a nightcap. Draco thanked Merlin that Hermione joined them. He had really enjoyed being with her tonight and wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. The now small group settled in the living room at Grimmauld Place and indulged in the same old friendly shenanigans.
Draco had ended up next to Luna on the couch and found himself engrossed in what she had to say about some weird creature found in Finland. And to everyone else's surprise, Draco knew quite a lot about creatures other people didn't know existed. Honestly, these guys just think I am just a good-looking dumb bloke, he thought to himself. This was far from the truth, because everyone knew that Draco was almost as brilliant as Hermione was, if not more.
At around midnight, Draco left Harry's house along with Pansy and Hermione, both the witches heading over to Pansy's apartment for a sleepover. Draco never thought he would see the day when he wanted to be Pansy Parkinson. But, there's a first time for everything.
At their apparition point, Draco gave Pansy a tight hug, ruffling her short hair as he always did. He then looked at Hermione and pulled her in for small hug. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Pansy looking in the other direction, trying very hard not to laugh. Draco ignored her and concentrated on the hug he was sharing with Hermione. Both of them drifted apart and smiled warmly at each other. Draco waited until the two of them apparated and then started walking home. He loved nothing more than walking, this was proved in his lonely days at Hogwarts, and he was not skipping on it on such a beautiful night.
Draco thought about almost everything under the starry sky. He thought about Hogwarts, the Malfoy Manor, his cousin Tonks, Germany, the ex-girlfriend who cheated on him and the one who he cheated on, Dumbledore's funeral, his father's funeral, and just about everything else. But most of all, he thought about how much he liked Hermione. How perfect she was and yet such a wonderful human being. Draco knew that if they ever started dating, he would have to prove his worth. He knew that Hermione would curse him if she heard him saying anything like this, but he wanted to prove himself. He wanted to be worthy of Hermione Granger, the smartest, kindest, sexiest, scariest, and most brilliant witch of her age.
Hope you enjoyed this! Have a happy weekend, wherever you are!
Love,
M.