Decidedly Charming
The keychain sitting on Hermione’s coffee table was an amusing paradox- one she couldn’t help but simultaneously laugh and wonder about.
It was a flat, small keychain in the shape of a dog, with a paw print and a small anecdote on it's side: ‘Easily Distracted by Treats and Fast Squirrels’
Was this werewolf humor?
If so… Hermione couldn’t help but chuckle that this was the portkey she was meant to use. She couldn’t deny that there were nervous feelings rumbling through her gut.
Draco Malfoy?
As the Alpha of this pack?
Draco freakin Malfoy…
It was a mind twister for sure. Hermione hadn’t seen him in years, the last she could recall was at their Hogwarts graduation- but that was it. Since when was he a werewolf?
It boggled Hermione’s mind. They’d never had a particularly good relationship during their years at Hogwarts- but neither did she really have a good relationship with anyone at Hogwarts other than her coven.
They’d had a few spats as young adults, but they’d both grown up- and Hermione was hoping their history, as somewhat contemptuous as it was, would be put aside for their meeting today.
Which was why this keychain was so confusing, did Malfoy send this particular one himself? Was that a signal that he was not the bratty, uptight little boy he once was- that shockingly- he might finally have a sense of humor about his lot in life?
Or was this just a regular portkey they might send to anyone in order to diffuse the tension that inevitably came with the unsubstantiated preconceived notions about werewolves?
A million different scenarios we’re running through Hermione’s head, all of them continuing to grow in outlandishness. This cottage was the only place that made her magic sing as gorgeously as it did, regardless of the fact that it was a bit of a fixer upper- Hermione was prepared to put in the work, and pay an outlandishly stupid amount of money for it. So to think it all rests in Draco Malfoy’s hands, was making her worry more than she should. Not because she thought he might be vindictive, but because they did have history- and she wouldn’t be able to be as objectively harsh as she was able to do with a stranger. He knew her, had known her since she was a child- the front that she was able to put on during official meetings, with purebloods especially, was not as easily done with someone who had known her before.
No! She had to stop, this wasn’t healthy- imagining all the scenarios that could go wrong.
She would just have to do it, go with her gut and get it done. And pray to whoever was listening, that she said the right thing at the right time, to Draco Malfoy of all people.
Without a second to doubt anything else, Hermione grabbed the portkey, and felt herself being pulled to a whole other country.
She arrived with a stumble, almost every time she used a portkey Hermione would temporarily forget the way it felt. And traveling such a great distance, didn’t make the journey any easier either.
Reaching inside herself, Hermione felt for her connection to the cottage. And was shocked at how far away she was from that location, when technically this was considered the same territory. The entire property must have been gigantic and could only imagine how Draco and the SLF pack acquired such a large piece of land. Or how much they might’ve paid for it.
She never thought of Scotland as being that big. Boy, was she wrong about that…
Finally, in control of herself, Hermione looked around where she landed and was in awe- this was the pack house?
It was incredible, and from what she could see it almost looked like… like a campus? People were milling about, others looked to be heading to work- and for a moment, Hermione forgot where she was. This was SLF land, and these were werewolves. Who looked no different from herself… she was ashamed to admit, that for a second, she thought she might be able to tell.
That her magic would instantly know. And maybe if she stared long enough, or if she felt for their auras- maybe she would be able to feel their second skin ripple, but only at a glance? These people were no different from herself.
These people were the same as her, creatures who were judged for being something they had no control over- when in reality they, and herself, were more than their ugliest label.
In a sense, Hermione had never felt more belonging than she had in this moment. Which was ironic, as she knew none of these people, and technically did not belong here… yet.
Her eyes were drawn to the massive centerpiece before her, a few people were sitting around one of the greatest fountains Hermione had ever seen. It was opulent, circular, and opalescent.
Almost reminding her of her greatest ally and closest friend- the moon.
Until it struck her, it most likely was created in homage to that special orb in the sky- Hermione selfishly imagined her crescent shaped friend as only her own- when in fact, the moon was worshiped by many a person. No doubt in no greater numbers, then here.
Turning her gaze, Hermione looked behind the fountain and saw a grand building with marble stairs and large pillars, holding the structure up. The entrance doors were intricately carved out of a wood that seemed almost ancient.
This place almost seemed otherworldly, and Hermione had seen a lot. But then again, Draco Malfoy was the Alpha of this pack. And had no doubt seen far finer things than she had, in all her life- chuckling to herself, Hermione sarcastically bet that maybe Malfoy had only accepted such a position if the place were kept up to his aristocratic standards.
Laughing to herself, Hermione finally realized that maybe she had been observing her surroundings for too long- panicking, she entered the building and looked around again. The inside was just as beautiful, but she had no time to dillydally.
Grabbing the closest person she could find, she desperately asked, “Excuse me? If you wouldn’t mind pointing me in the direction of where I could find Mr. Malfoy, I’d be very grateful.”
“Alpha?” He questioned, before seeing her frantic nod, “His secretary is down there. Last door on the left.”
Hermione thanked him profusely and ran-walked down said hall, trying her best to calm herself- she hated being tardy.
Not the best first impression- or second best impression, as they’d already met years ago as children.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione opened the final door to see an older lady sitting behind a desk, “Miss Granger. We’ve been expecting you.”
The woman said it with a smile, relieving Hermione slightly, “I hope I’m not too late, I had a bit of… trouble finding you.”
A little fib didn’t hurt anyone did it?
There had been no trouble other than her own ability to try and stop herself from getting distracted.
She smiled at Hermione kindly and opened her mouth to respond, when a voice interrupted- like a silent assassin appearing directly behind her- Hermione nearly jumped a foot.
“It’s no problem. I figured you’d be curious about the place. So I factored your curiosity into our meeting schedule.” Malfoy said confidently.
Like he knew her so well?
Who was he to talk about her curiosity?
How would he know a thing about it?
Her tongue was tied for a moment, and all she could do is stare- because before her, was yet another specimen. Only this time, of the physical matter.
Draco Malfoy was a complete and utter hottie.
There were no other words for it, he was stunning. And it put Hermione into shocked silence for quite a few seconds.
He was taller and broader than she remembered, though that had been years ago- And it wasn’t a secret, he was a werewolf.
An Alpha werewolf.
That had to do something to your body chemistry, because there was no other reason why this boy-turned-man, had become such a fine work of art. It simply couldn’t be explained that this was only puberty.
If this was puberty, she either missed it completely or she would have turned into a runway model some years ago!
Trying her best to regain her composure, Hermione focused instead on the words that had stumbled out of his perfect mouth.
What was it again?
Her curiosity?
And his knowledge of it?
Yes.
“Oh, did you? And did you factor my apparently innate curiosity correctly? How did I do on time?” Hermione asked sarcastically, hoping humor would mask her flustered state. To her own ears, she sounded pretty normal- she hoped.
His eyes seemed amused, which meant she might have been unsuccessful- but he continued on regardless, “I’d say I gambled pretty accurately. Got it right within a two or three minute margin.”
Was she that predictable? That even this virtual stranger could predict her so well? Seems unlikely.
But amusing nonetheless.
So she continued on, “Really? How’s the spread? Over or under?”
Draco brows rose at the gambling terms, “On that bet? I’d prefer not to say…”
That bet?
What?
Were there other bets she was unaware of?
Nodding his head towards the door, Malfoy gestured for her to follow him out the office- taking her back past the grand entrance, and the large fountain.
Only once they were on an isolated path to- where he was, no doubt leading her, did she speak again, “Hmm… Draco Malfoy? A gambler?”
A smirk appeared, and Hermione was pleased- this face she recognized. Finally he was back again into the young boy she recalled- rather than the hunk before her.
“Didn't expect that?” He chuckled.
“You any good?” Hermione questioned as he led her towards a gate he was holding open. Inside was a garden that rivaled any she had ever seen- and one of her best friends was a herbologist.
It was stunning- yet again…
There were a few dainty looking tables and chairs dispersed throughout the area, until her host finally chose one- and pulled out her chair for her, “Well I should be.”
For a moment, Hermione forgot what they had even been speaking of- gobsmacked at the man and his manners before her, she shook herself. Realizing this was a business meeting… Not a date!
“Oh yeah?” She cleared her rapidly drying throat, “Why's that?”
Almost as if he read her mind- a pot of tea was summoned before them, and Draco was pouring her a cup as he jokingly spoke, “Lots of money… Makes for lots of practice, right?”
It felt self deprecating, and Hermione was grateful- from what she could tell, he certainly wasn’t the same annoying boy from all those years ago.
He had grown up.
“Nah… I don’t think so…” she said aloud.
His blonde brows rose again, “No? Why’s that?”
“I remember you in school. Too uptight for that, I can’t see you throwing away money… Whether it was yours or someone else’s. I don’t think so.” Hermione worried for a moment that she had gone too far, and stepped over some invisible line by bringing up their time together at Hogwarts.
Like he had forgotten, and at the mention of the school he might remember her again and drop his gentlemanly like demeanor at the mention of their history.
But again, she was proven wrong.
Draco chuckled, and began to pour his own cup of tea, “Oh, you wound me, Granger. But… You might be right there. Besides, I only gamble when I know I can win.”
Gesturing around, “Is that how you got this place? From what I can feel we’re miles away from the cottage. This property must be massive.”
His brows came together a bit when she said ‘feel’ like he was confused how she might already have a connection to that small house. But he continued on after only a moment, “Well, with four legs you tend to go further a lot faster… we kinda need the space. But that’s not what we’re here to talk about, is it? It’s that old house, I believe?”
She worried for a moment, that this was when everything would change- the charming man before her would turn into a business shrew at the drop of a hat.
So she spoke as if all were the same, and he was just a friend- not a business partner, or a landlord, or a date- just two friends having tea.
“Oh no! You’ve forgotten already, I see.” Hermione sarcastically said.
Smiling his dazzling, orthodontist’s wet dreams of smile- he responded in kind, “Well, don’t you know? We’re getting old, Granger. Practically geriatric. My mind must be slipping away from me.”
He was decidedly charming, she couldn’t deny.
Had he always been this way? Hermione couldn’t recall- during their days at school, she had always been so wrapped up in her own worries- there was no way at the time she would have ever had a conversation long enough to determine if Malfoy had always been this entertaining.
“I guess it must be my burden to remind you then?” She said with her hand on her heart.
He was busy taking a tentative sip from his still steaming cup, and she took that moment to observe him- only to find a moment was too short a time to determine how she felt about this interaction.
Only that, so far- she was enjoying it.
“Ah, so gallant in your endeavors. So Gryffindor of you. I should have seen it coming… But yes, unfortunately, the misfortune of recalling our agenda must fall to you, Miss Granger.” The way he said her surname, almost sent shivers down her spine- she tried to hide it, how he affected her- but was unsure at her success of the matter,“Tell me. What is it you require that had that Estate Agent so worked up for?”
He asked the question, but Hermione figured it was facetious.
Draco was the Alpha. He must know everything that went on in his territory.
This could only be a rhetorical question.
Of that, she was sure, “You know why, Malfoy. You must.”
“Oh I must, must I?” Draco said with a grin.
She nodded back at him while drinking her own cuppa, and spoke again, “Well, I can’t imagine you’ve become… Alpha… without knowing exactly what’s going on around you.”
He was quiet for a while after that, seemingly affected by her use of the word ‘alpha’. So she tried to diffuse attention with her best asset: humor.
“Besides, I learned from the best on how to get things from people like Miss Brixley.” She awkwardly joked.
At that his brows rose humorously.
Clearly wanting her to go on, she did so- at her own peril.
It felt brazen to bring this up, but decided to throw caution to the wind and say it anyway, “Wave a little- no, a lot of money, squint menacingly- though I’ve can’t use ‘my father will be hearing about this’ so I’ve had to get creative and come up with my own version.”
It was quiet yet again, and she was still digging her own grave, “But I can see why you used it so often back then. It should be a compliment- I’ve adopted it myself, because it works… I mean, it got me here, didn’t it?”
Nothing.
He didn’t say a word.
Until finally he let out a belly laugh that filled the entire area with bellowing guffaws, as openly and loudly as she’d ever seen him.
Draco took a while to settle, before looking at her once again, “That you are, Miss Granger, that you are.”
She couldn’t help but smile back at him so fully, it having been a long while since the last time she made someone laugh so hard.
It was infectious, she found.
“So… go ahead, ‘Wow’ me with this- no doubt very well researched- proposition you’ve prepared for me. I can’t wait to hear it.” Draco finished with a flourish.
And Hermione began her (very well rehearsed) speech with no anxiety left in her entire being- only cool lighthearted fun, which had been missing from her life for quite some time.