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I paced back and forth in front of my closet, chewing on my lip as I try and figure out what to wear. It would help if I knew where we were going. But I don't. Fuck.
"Just pick something Hermione, it's just the bloody ferret for merlins sake." I murmur to myself, but I can't help but feeling nervous about what to wear. I don't wanna give the wrong impression. I don't want him thinking I'm some sort of harlot or like one of his whores he had back in our Hogwarts days. Deciding with a casual grey dress with sleeves, and ended at my mid thigh. I grabbed my jean jacket and slipped on my tan booties.
I applied a little bit of eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner and some mascara. I kept it natural and tamed my curls to lay nicely and defined with little to no frizz. I looked nice and with a final glance in the mirror I grabbed my purse and made my way out of my bedroom.
As I walk in the living room I discover Ginny sitting on the couch reading the Daily Profit "And where are you going? It's Saturday." She asked with a curious yet coy smile tugging at her lips.
"I'm, going to lunch. With. . .someone." I shyly say looking anywhere but at her, and tugging at my clothes.
"And is this, said person tall and blonde and sexy and run his own company?" I turn to meet her gaze and see shes wiggling her eyebrows at me and grinning that mischievous Weasley grin.
"This said person, might possess some of those characteristics. . .Or maybe all of them." I confess, trying to keep a smile from creeping on my face and standing confident.
"And when and where is this lunch with Mr. Malfoy taking place?" She asks grinning up at me as I stand there leaning against the wall.
"I don't know where we are going, but he will be here any minute-"
"WHAT!?! THE FERRET IS COMING HERE!?!?" Shock written all over her face while her mouth hangs open.
"Yesss. . .problem?" I ask.
"No. I'm just shocked is all." Clearly. Her face now full of mischief as she smirks at me. True be told I can't wait to see this moment play out when he arrives. It should be highly interesting with Draco seeing Ginny again.
"Well I hope your not apparating because it's raining outside" she informs me while returning to her paper. Great.
"I don't know but I hope not." I move to take a seat next to her when I see a disgusted look to suddenly appear on her face. Then I see why she's suddenly so disgusted. An article as well as a picture of Ron with he's arm around some new floozy took up the whole second page.
"He's caught himself another one."
"What's this ones name?"
"Scarlett Fawcett. Ravenclaw she's two years younger than him. You can just tell she's a gold digging whore."
"Well he's a successful quidditch player for the Appleby Arrows. He can have almost any women he wants. Let him act like a dog with two dicks. I could care less."
"Bloody git." She snarls while angrily turn the next page. But a sudden knock at the door causes the room to fall silent, and the aggravation to disappear from both of us.
Walking to the door I take a deep breath as I open the door. I'm greeted with a bouquet of exquisite flowers "Malfoy. . ." I'm in awe "Hello Granger. These are for you" holy shit. Get got my flowers.
"You got me flowers" still in shock as I gently take them from his hands. "Yes. Don't most women like flowers?" He asks walking inside. "Yes" I close the door behind him and go to the kitchen to put these in water.
"Weaslette, I didn't know you lived with her. I figured you'd be living with Potter." I over heard from the kitchen. Oh I don't wanna miss this.
"Ferret. And yes I live here too, for now. Where exactly are you taking her?" Ginny asked crossing her arms and standing confidently in from of him. He didn't even falter from her silent threat. But I couldn't help looking at how he looked. Damn. Dark jeans, black dress shoes and a nice fitted, grey long sleeved shirt and black jacket.
"I am taking her to a quant little peaceful restaurant about 15 minutes from here. Is that a problem she-weasle?" He asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Just take care of her. If not I'll hex you to death." This stare off between the two is highly entertaining, the two trying to see who's more intimidating. Honestly, idk who'd win.
I take this as my cue to intervene, "well we best be off then" I step up to try and place myself between the two. Wow he smells good. "I'll see you later Ginny." And with that Malfoy opens the door for me and ushers me outside. I'm shocked as I see his car. A car. A muggle car. "You have a car" I ask mostly to myself in shock.
"Yes. I have several " he smirks his signature Malfoy smirk, as he rushed to open the passenger door to a black 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. I quickly got in and closed he door waiting for him. Holy shit. Of course he has a badarse muscle car. He climbs in the drivers side and starts the car. "I bought this because I love the feel of how powerful the engine is. I collect different muscle cars from all over the world." Of course you do.
Driving down the road I must admit I do love the feel of this car. The purr of the engine seems to be calming my nerves of being in such a small space with him. But it's hard to when every now and then I can smell his intoxicating cologne waft up my nostrils. Making the strange butterfly's to appear once again in the bottom of my stomach. I couldn't help my shift in my seat.
"Relax Granger. I won't bite you. Your safe with me. " his voice was deep, but I could tell he meant it. We pulled into a parking lot I front of a small building. Malfoy was right the area was beautiful and quite peaceful, and not a lot of cars where here as well.
I opened my door before he could as he came around to my side, never the less he offered his hand to me to help me up out of the car. I hesitated but took it and I couldn't help but silently admit to myself that his cold hand in mine felt nice. And the harmless spark was still slightly there.
Walking inside, I took notice there were a lot of windows and private excluded tables as well as a small bar. It wasn't extremely fancy. But it was rather very nice and comfortable with a touch of elegance.
"Signor Malfoy! Che bello vederti di nuovo." (Mr. Malfoy! How nice to see you again.) A tall tan skin man with dark hair appears walking towards us. Is that Italian? Bloody hell he's a beautiful man.
"Ciao Gustav." Malfoy says shaking his hand. I slightly jumped from Malfoy gently placing his other hand on the small of my back.
"And who is this lovely creature?" He asked me with an accent. A very sexy one in fact, while he took my hand and kissed the top of it.
"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger. It's a pleasure to meet you." I try not to giggle as he looks up at me from my hand. But a low growl from Draco chest keeps me from doing so.
"Pleasure Miss. I will personally show you both to your table." Personally? Maybe he owns the restaurant.
"He's owns this restaurant as well as a hair salon down the street." Malfoy basically reading my mind as he whispers in my ear. Gustav takes out my seat for me as well as Malfoys as we sit at a secluded table in a corner in front of several windows.
"We'll have your best red wine if you don't mind." Draco asks, looking up at Gustav as he hands us out menus.
"Of course sir!" And with that he leaves. Leaving Malfoy and me alone once again. Taking a look around I notice from a far that there are at least two other couples in the restaurant, besides us.
Looking at the menu I'm grateful that it's not all written in Italian, otherwise I'd probably make a fool of myself.
I look up to see Gustav has returned and pouring the wine. "What will you have Miss?"
"Umm, I don't know. Perhaps Chicken Alfredo and a small side salad." I say and hand him my menu.
"That sounds lovely. I think I'll have the same thing." Draco agree and does the same. Gustav smiles and leaves us alone again. I couldn't help but play with the napkin in my lap as I look anywhere but his eyes. Malfoy however was burning holes in my face with his eyes.
"Granger?" He gently asks. I turn to finally meet his gaze and I couldn't help but feel a strange burning feeling in my lower regions. His vibrant grey/steal eyes were staring into mine and I had to admit, they were beautiful. Beautiful, however very intimidating. How as Ginny not effected by this?
"Yes?" Scrounging up my Gryffindor courage, which seems to vanish every time I'm around him.
"You seem nervous?"he cocks an eyebrow at me and rest his elbow in the table and entwine his fingers.
"Do I?" Ok, maybe I was. Being alone with him does that to me now.
"Yes, a little bit" he chuckles." I know this is very different-"I interrupt him.
"We've never been civil towards each other. It's kinda strange. I'm use to hearing insults from you. And if not from you, then from your cronies. So this is very different and kinda awkward."
"Granger-"
"-I mean I can't help but feel-"
"Granger-"
"-as if this were some sort of joke. I mean you've not even called me Mudblood even once yet. Are you feeling sick?" I ramble on.
"Would you bloody shut it for a moment please? Damn woman. Can't a man get a word in?" Realizing I babbled, I shift in my seat and avert my gaze from his face and look at the table.
"Look at me Granger" he softly asks, I lift my eyes to meets his steal ones once again and see the hurt in them, but they are serious non the less.
"This is no joke. I asked you to lunch because I wanted to see you again, and to talk to you about important matters. No, I'm not sick. And I do not use that word anymore. I haven't said that word since my Fifth year. And I've not said it to you since the third. I'm no longer prejudice against muggle-borns. I never wanted to be. I was forced to be by my father and deranged aunt. My mother and I never agreed with them, but we knew our place."
"What do you mean. . .?"I ask slightly confused by his choice of words.
"That's a conversation for another time. I want to tell you, and will if I trust you first. Which you can gain by doing something for me first." He averted his gaze from mine to look out the window, "I don't like the world knowing too much about me and my personal life and how I grew up. All I'll say is that I am ashamed of it. And the last thing I need is Rita Skeeter writing an article about my personal like for the whole magical world to read." He confesses with irritation in his eyes and his jaw tightening.
"Many would probably love to get their hands on that story I'm sure. But that's not why I interviewed you. I was just doing my job. I wasn't trying to evade your personal life so I could report it to a journalist. I wouldn't like it if someone did that to me." I can see him visibly relax at my words and a small smirk tugging at his lips. I knew he lived somewhat of a hard life and it tugged at my heart a little bit.
"I also asked you here, because I wanted to apologize to you." My eyes widen at his sudden words. Holy fuck. Is this happening? "I have treated you horribly over the years, as well as some of your friends. And. . .I wanted to say that, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for judging you and taunting you about your blood status and well as countless other things." Sorrow was swimming in his eyes and I almost felt tears fall from as they welled up in my eyes at his sincere apology.
"I except your apology Draco" I whisper. My words seemed to have taken effect on him as he seemed genuinely pleased with my expectance.
"Now with that said" he slightly smirked "I must also admit that I did have a somewhat, pull towards you during our years at Hogwarts. And yesterday when I felt it, I couldn't fight it like I once had."
"Excuse me?" I ask confused, but somehow I feel like I know what he's talking about, causing my heartbeat sped up with the realization.
"I want, to. . .buy you things and care for you and your wellbeing. And to make you mine. And possess you, in a certain way." What the fuck?!? Is he asking me to. . .
"Are you asking me to be your girlfriend-?"
"NO!" He nervously laughed "I'm not asking you that. You wouldn't be my girlfriend Granger. I can better explain this if you come to my place."
"Why can't you tell me now? Right here. This is very bizarre Malfoy. Your acting very strange. Wait! Possess me?" This conversation went from one extreme to the next. I take a hold of my wine and drink a rather large portion of it.
"How about we just have lunch and then you can come to my flat tomorrow evening, and I will fully and completely explain everything. I just can't here." I cautiously look at him threw confused, squinted eyes. I don't know if I should trust him or his intentions. My nervousness quickly returns as I start to question him as his intentions.
"Malfoy if your talking about-"
"Hermione, I know that your probably concerned with my intentions. I'm not going to touch you. Like that. I am an honorable man and I wouldn't disrespect a women like that. I'm not that kind of man. I might have once been a deatheater, but I wouldn't sink that low." He practically barked. "I give you my word that I will explain tomorrow night." I huff in frustration and let it go.
Our food arrived and we ate in silence most of the time until Malfoy let out a strange noise. I realize when I went to recross my legs underneath the table I accidentally brushed my legs against his. Looking up into his eyes he was staring back at me with hooded lustful eyes. I visibly gulped and tucked my legs underneath my chair. I don't know if it was the rough sexual sound he made, the touch in it's self or the sexy dangerous look he was giving me, but I suddenly feel a slight wetness in my knickers and a fire growing in my lower belly.
I then took my glass and downed the rest of the wine to try and calm my nerves. I notice that he as well had the same idea but took only a sip before standing up. I stand along with him as he shrugs on his jacket. We pushed in our chairs and make our way to the front of the restaurant.
"Gustav thank you it was excellent, place it on my tab."
"Of course, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Please come again. And Miss Hermione please come again." He winked at me and took my hand in his to give it a gentle kiss on the top once more.
"Thank you Gustav" I smiled as Malfoys hand hovers over the small of my back as we back our way back to the car. I'm grateful that it stopped raining, no longer having to be careful not to ruin my tamed hair. In silence he opens my door and closes it. He climbs in on his side, starts the engine and drives off.
I stare out the window as we sit in silence, the air between us was filled with something. I don't know what it was but it was. . .something. I guess you could say it was awkwardness and perhaps desire. His eyes never left the road, his jaw was clinched and it wasn't hard to notice how tight he was gripping the steering wheel. Was he mad at me for some reason?
The silence was killing me, "Thank you for lunch. . ." I whisper, biting my lip "It's been a very long time since I've gone on a date with someone. Or even to just lunch. Ron never liked to do that with me. Or anything for that matter. " I see him tense up with the mention of Ron's name.
We pull up to my shared flat and I watch as he turns off the car. He doesn't move he just sits there with his jaw clenched tight and a stearin look on his face as he looks forward. I start to chew on my bottom lip as I look at him. I avert my eyes and look at my purse in my lap, "The flowers were beautiful. . .and I had a wonderful time, thank you. "
"Your welcome. I will pick you up tomorrow evening at 6." He turns to finally look at me and I can't help but loose myself in his enchanting eyes. His sudden movement of his hand cupping the side of my face, pulled me from my trance. He took my jaw in his hand and gently turned my face and placed a tender kiss to my cheek. He pulled away and that Malfoy smirk was plastered to his face.
I open my door and step out, "see you tomorrow." I leaned down to smirk back at him.
"Granger." With a final wink he started up the car, revved it up and sped away. I need to get my hormones in check. I make my way inside and find that Ginny is nowhere to be found. But a note is.
' Hermione,
I went to Harry's. I'll be back later tonight. Then your gonna tell me ever bloody detail about your date with the ferret!
Love, Ginny '
I laughed to myself, I have a pretty good idea what they are up to. She didn't have to say it for me to know. Changing into a pair of leggings and a light sweater I take my book from my nightstand and make my way to the living room. Making my to the living room I spot my flowers a stop in my tracks. They really were beautiful. I walk over and pick them up and placing them in the living room on the wall table.
I curl up on the couch with a blanket around me and my book and try to read. Hence the word try. Why can't all men be like Mr Darcy? Never the less I kept finding myself thinking about Draco. Every smirk. His unexpected apology and his bizarre words. I glance back over at my flowers and realize something. I can't stop thinking about him, no matter how hard I try. Damn it.
Sweet Merlin I'm in trouble.
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