In The Library
With the Winter Solstice Party announced, the excitement was palpable in the halls of the Great Castle; most students were looking forward to inviting their crushes to this magnificent event and Hermione Granger was one of them.
She had been mulling over the idea of inviting Draco to this Solstice Party ever since she saw the announcement, and after lots of thinking, she finally had what she thought would be a perfect plan. Since she knew it to be too risky to wait for him to ask her, and she wasn't ready to ask him herself, she decided that it would be best to trick him into asking her.
Hermione had discovered that whenever they were hanging out in the library, after a certain while, she could get him to talk to her about almost everything, and even though she was aware that he had the same power over her, Hermione was almost certain that he hadn't made that discovery, which gave her a big advantage.
She was going to wait until they had reached that sweet spot of comfortable conversation to bring up the topic of the Solstice Party, and how nervous it made her to find someone to go with, someone whom she could talk to comfortably. She would then start to ramble and make herself look more vulnerable, to which Draco would respond by taking her hand in between his and reassuring her that everything would turn out okay. Then he would ask her to go with him and she would ask him whether or not he meant that. Draco would say yes. She would say yes. Problem solved.
The Gryffindor girl was aware that these kind of manipulative tactics were not really okay, but she decided to think of it as just a little push towards something that was going to happen anyways. Ginny totally agreed.
Later that month, after Hermione had made sure that her friendship with Draco had gotten stronger and their conversations were even more relaxed and playful than ever, they met in their usual spot. As time went on inside the library and Hermione and Draco had been talking for a decent amount of time, the young brunette decided that it was time to execute her master plan.
-Hey, did you hear about the Winter Solstice Party?-
Draco had, actually, not heard about the Winter Solstice Party, with him not really being interested in gossip and not being around other students all that much, he hadn't really gotten the chance to.
-Sure, when was that again?- He replied regardless.
-December 23, just a little before winter break, but it's already so close! Less than a month away! Have you figured out who you're going with?- Asked Hermione, hopeful that she hadn't waited too long to ask him.
Draco obviously had not thought about that yet, but in that small moment he remembered the kiss he had shared with Harry just a couple weeks ago. He wasn't sure what that meant for their relationship, whether it upgraded it from a friendship or not, specially since they hadn't kissed since then. Sure, they still went walking almost every day and had very deep and meaningful conversations, but neither of them had even mentioned anything about that day. Still, he thought that he probably should ask him to the party, but what about Hermione? He knew he had some feelings for her, even if nothing explicitly romantic had happened between the two, but who did he like best?
-I think I have an idea- Replied Draco knowing very well that he had absolutely no clue, but that he definitely needed to think about it a bit more before making any decisions.
-Do you know who you're going with?- He added, not really thinking about it, but rather dwelling on his own issue.
-Well, no, but I feel like it is a very hard decision, don't you? I really hope I find someone to go with. It makes me very nervous to think that I'll end up going by myself; I think I'd like to go with someone who I feel comfortable around, you know? Someone who I'm already friends with, and whom with I can have good and long conversations with, that we share the same interests, do you know what I mean?- Replied Hermione, really hoping her plan would work.
-Haha, someone like me then?- Mocked Draco, who really didn't realize what was going on, or what his answer could be interpreted as.
-Draco, that's a fantastic idea! We should definitely go together!- Replied Hermione as she leaned forward to give him a friendly hug.
-Thank you so much Draco- Added Hermione as she released him from her embrace.
Draco didn't say anything, how could he just tell her no when she looked so happy? He had already considered it even if he wasn't sure yet, perhaps Harry already had someone else to go with him anyways, in fact, he half hoped that was the case.
Hermione Granger was going with Draco Malfoy to the Winter Solstice Party.