Chapter 4
Hermione was nibbling on her pen, lost in thought. She stared at the door as if she could summon the person she was waiting for.
The Headmistress of Muggle relations wasn’t impatient. At least that’s what she told herself over the last five minutes while counting down the seconds.
Because of him.
*Knock, knock*
The sound startled her and she crammed her papers together to look busy.
„Come in!“
Blonde hair appeared when the door opened and grey eyes looked inside her bureau.
„It’s me“, Malfoy declared.
„Yes, take a seat.“
He stepped inside. „I’m sorry for being late, I hope you didn’t wait.“
Her eyes took him in, roaming over his appearance. He wore a grey dress shirt, black pants and fine dragon leather boots. A wand holster was strapped behind his back. His jacket must have laid at his office, she assumed.
Hermione needed to get a grip on herself, so she brushed him off with a waving hand. „Not at all, thank you for your message, by the way.“ She was sure she blushed while pushing her hair back and rubbing her sweaty hands along her skirt.
Malfoy had sent her a text via owl to inform her that he would be down for a meeting so they could talk about the next steps of their cooperation.
„So, you’ve finally caught up with everything?“, she asked.
Malfoy sat down, his hands resting on his thighs, not looking as nervous as she felt.
„Yeah, sure. I now have a full picture of why it’s so important to combine our work and knowledge to get the best results. The wizards and witches need a survival guide outside the magical world.“
She nodded in agreement and felt her self-confidence rising. Hermione straightened in her chair.
„Perfect. I’m looking forward to working with you.“
A sentence, she never believed saying to Draco Lucius Malfoy.
He smiled. „Me, too.“
A sentence, she never believed hearing Draco Lucius Malfoy say.
„Is there anything of urgence right now I should consider looking into?“, she asked.
„No, but I would like to have a copy of the latest version if you are okay with it.“
„Of course.“ His interest let her stomach flutter and she had to remind herself that it was work related.
„I’ll sort it out and send it to your office.“
„Great.“ He smiled and stood up.
She did the same, not knowing why.
He walked back to the door, and she felt stupid.
When he wrote to her that he got time to talk to her, she thought it would give her the chance to get to know him better. Maybe have some tea together?
What for? They were colleagues, she had to remind herself. Anyway, Hermione made sure she looked nice, when she left the house in the morning. Now she was kind of disappointed and embarrassed. She was the only person she could blame for her false hopes. It was her who said she didn’t do lunches together, he must think she didn’t want to spend time with him.
Hermione was torn that he respected her time, but also didn’t ask further questions. And now he didn’t even look at her. Not that she wanted to arouse him. Especially not at the ministry. This was not the place for romance. But when he averted his gaze, she realized that she wasn’t a sex-bomb. Never was, never will be. Had she believed she could keep up with his good looks? She still had a picture of him at the pub in her mind, wearing all black …
„Ehm, Granger?“
His voice disturbed her spiraling, so she looked up with hot cheeks.
„Yes?“
„Did you hear from your landlord?“
He stood by the door, which was still closed, his hand resting on the handle while his body pointed in her direction.
„Oh, yes. Right, I wanted to tell you and forgot. She has a building that could suit you. When are you free to view it?“ Did she sound too eager?
He didn’t seem to notice and scratched the backside of his head. „I’m not quite sure. Can I call you?“
„Call?“, she stuttered.
„Yeah.“ Now he was the one blushing and he came back to her desk while fidgeting something out of his trouser pocket. „I’ve gotten one of these at the beginning of the week. I’m trying to get the hang of it. Until now I only have Zabini’s and Pansy’s number and he writes me notes with …“, he looked up from the mobile phone, „nevermind.“ Malfoy smiled shyly.
Hermione couldn’t believe it. Malfoy had a phone?
„You’ve bought one?“ She rounded her desk and stood in front of him. He gave her the device.
„Yes, you praised the convenience of these things, so I wanted to give it a chance. It’s the same one you have.“
She tried not to be affected by this information, but a spike of adrenaline rushed through her veins. Hermione took his phone, but he had locked it with a code, when she tapped the screen.
„You must-
„Oh, sure. My bad, let me just …“
He took his phone back and their fingers brushed.
She ignored the tingling feeling that was already fleeting.
„Here.“
„Thanks.“ She typed in her number. „All set.“
Malfoy received his phone. „Can I take a photo, so I know who’s calling?“
Hadn’t he just said that he only had three contacts? „Huh?“ She was surprised, when the click of the camera told her that he was faster than her answer.
„That’s nice, I’ll take it.“
Hermione was too stunned to speak, and he headed to the door.
„I’ll call you. Or text.“ He waved, while opening the door and disappeared.
Hermione blinked.
What had just happened?
~
Draco whistled while walking the corridors to his bureau. He successfully secured Granger’s number! He couldn’t believe how smooth it went. His heart was ramming in his chest while he was trying to muster up the courage to ask for it. She clearly had been surprised.
Did he overstep?
No, she did give it willingly.
Maybe just because of the landlord affair.
He shook his head. Draco shouldn’t overthink it.
The rest of the day he tried to concentrate, but it was hard. His phone felt like a rock in his pocket and he suppressed the urge to check out the picture he took of her. He needed a clear head.
For Merlin’s sake, he wasn’t a teenage boy who was overwhelmed by puberty.
He sighed when his workday was finally over and was glad heading straight to Zabini’s flat to relax.
When he stepped out of the fireplace, Blaise was cooking in the kitchen.
„Hey, my dear, how was work?“
Draco ruffled his hair and threw his coat over the couch. He went to his friend who wore a pink apron with ruffles that said „kiss the cook“.
„Great, how was your day, my love?“ Draco took a seat on a high chair at the kitchen island.
„The neighbors were fighting again. I hope they’re breaking up, but I fear poor Timmy must make a decision whom he will follow.“
„Timmy?“ Draco raised a brow and stole of the mushrooms Blaise was chopping.
Blaise hit his hand. „The dog. No snacking before dinner.“
„Oh, right. Hey, can you show me how I send a message from my phone?“
„Again?“ Blaise crooked his hip and paused his task, holding the knife in the air instead.
Draco placed his phone on the counter between them.
„I’m still getting used to this thing.“
Blaise rolled his eyes but took the phone anyway.
„Code? Why do you have a code in here? Do you have porn I am not allowed to see?“
Draco rolled his eyes. „No. It’s 2608.“
His friend typed the numbers in. „What does it stand for?“
„Don’t be so noisy, it’s a secret.“
„Okay, who do you wanna text? The only contacts you have are mine and Pansy’s …and GRANGER?“ He almost dropped the phone and Draco grabbed it out of his hands.
„She gave it to me today.“
Blaise smiled broadly.
„I see.“ He tipped the knife in his direction. „So what are you two talking about? Are you flirting? You can write sexy text messages.“
Draco shut off his phone and rubbed his eyes. „No, she is helping me find a place to rent.“
„Yeah, I’ve heard from Ginny.“ Blaise said while turning on the stove and putting oil in a pan.
„Why aren’t you a couple at this point?“ Draco heard himself ask.
„Who said we aren’t?“
Draco stilled. „Come again?“
Blaise grinned and put the veggies in the hot pan. The mix fizzled in the oil.
„I’m sorry, I can’t hear you. It’s too loud over the noises.“ Blaise said while putting one hand on his ear.
Draco grunted and stood up.
„I’ll figure it out on my own. Don’t forget to spice it up. I hate bland food.“
„Don’t compare your poor cooking skills to mine.“ Blaise pointed his spoon at him.
„Too loud, my ass“, Draco mumbled while taking a seat on the couch.
He tipped on the letter symbol and chose Granger at the contact bar.
„Is this working?“, he wrote, hit send and waited.
Draco didn’t know when she would read it. Blaise said sometimes it takes a while before someone answers, just like when you were sending a letter via owl, but normally you wouldn’t have to wait too long.
He was surprised when his phone vibrated a minute later and a message had appeared on his home screen.
There it was: Their first conversation while being apart.
„Malfoy?“
He realized she didn’t have his number, so he rushed to confirm it.
„Yes, it’s me. – D.M.“
„Okay, it’s working. Ten points to Slytherin. You don’t need to sign your messages.“
This was amazing. He sat up.
„Have you checked when you have time?“, she asked.
„Hey, Zabini am I free this week?“, he yelled over his shoulder.
„No, you are very expensive every day of the year. Why do you ask?“
Draco shot him a glance and held up his phone.
„I am not your mother, nor your calendar, dear. But I can assure you, soccer on Saturdays is only for little boys.“
Draco groaned. „Thanks, bud.“
„You can tell your landlord, that I’m free whenever she has time.“ Send.
„Great. I’ll tell her and come back to you when I know more.“
She had used a waving hand symbol and the conversation seemed over.
He didn’t know he could do that. In case he typed something wrong he opened his chat with Blaise and looked through the different symbols he learned to be emojis.
„Why are you sending me all this stuff? Is this a love confession in hieroglyphs?“ Blaise stood behind the couch and shoved his phone in Dracos face.
„I didn’t know …
„You hit send. Don’t do that. Otherwise Granger will think you are having a stroke. Don’t overuse these little guys, got it? I know they are funny and colorful, but they are childish. You are a man.“ Blaise turned his back on him and Draco turned to see the bow his friend had tied with the apron strings.
„Sure, whatever you say.“ Draco let his head rest against the cushion.
This was a lot to process for a day.
After they’d eaten and Blaise went into his bedroom, Draco laid on the couch in his pajamas and starred at Grangers contact info. He knew the numbers from memory at this point.
Should he text her?
What could he say?
They would see each other if there was the need and they’ve cleared the matter with the landlord. Still, he couldn’t resist the urge and typed …
„Are you still awake?“
„It is 9pm. I am an introvert, not an old lady.“
„So, you’re out clubbing?“
„Actually, I’m in bed.“
„You’ll never get rid of the old lady’s allegations like that.“ A smile crept over his face.
„What are you doing?“, she asked.
„Lying in bed, I mean couch.“
„Speaking of being a hypocrite“, Granger answered and he chuckled.
„I never said, I didn’t like old peoples rituals.“
„True. Is something the matter or why are you texting?“
Shit. There it was. The doubt. The question. He panicked and sat up.
„No, just reviving my old ways of bothering you.“
That was not a good response …
Where did his charisma go?
„You can’t bother me. My inner peace is a well of chamomile tea. But speaking of old ways, I think I prefer the current version of you.“
He blinked. Once. Twice.
„I prefer the current version of you.“
The sentence burned into his retina.
He put his phone against his chest like a lovesick puppy, when another message went in.
„If you want to nag me, because I haven’t send the copy of the Wizarding Guide for Mugglethings, I went over some passages and now I want to edit a few paragraphs, before you read it.“
Was she nervous?
His anxiety ebbed. She did care about what he thought and smiled.
„Take your time. I know you are a perfectionist.“
„Nothing wrong with wanting to do a good job.“
„Never said anything different.“
„Good night, Malfoy.“
„Good night, Granger.“
He put his phone away and peacefully fell asleep at 9 pm. Just like an old man.
The week passed by in a haze. Granger had sent him her work and he read it with great interest. He asked if he was allowed to mark passages and write down questions and she had agreed.
When Saturday morning came, he waited nervously until it was time to arrive at Grangers house.
She had texted him that they could meet beforehand and walk to the house together to meet the landlord.
Draco rang the doorbell to announce himself, when Granger opened the door and looked disheveled.
He raised a brow. „You good?“
„I overslept“, she scurried away and left the door open, so he could come in.
Malfoy entered the house and closed the door. He checked his watch. „You have two minutes before we must leave.“
She ran upstairs. „I know. Please don’t pressure me.“
„Isn’t that the state in which you work best?“ He asked loudly enough so she could hear him and looked around.
Her place was cozy. She had a small entrance area, where her coats hung, and shoes stood. Her kitchen was to his right. Her cupboards were painted in a blue shade and though the counters were clean, the sink was full of dirty dishes. Did she try to clean up before he arrived?
He turned to the living room. A big green couch occupied the most space. The coffee table was full of books and magazines. The fireplace was cold and a black big screen above it piqued his interest. It looked almost like his mobile phone. His fingers itched to touch it, but he left his hands in his trouser pockets and investigated the place further. Some paintings hung on the wall and when he saw pictures of people he knew, he came closer to have a better look. A bunch of Gryffindors smiled broadly and waved in the camera. A picture of Hermione with Harry and Luna at their wedding and one with her parents. He knew them from the one time in Diagon Alley.
„Found something interesting?“ Grangers voice startled him.
He turned to her. „No, I mean, yes. Sorry, I didn’t want to –
„It’s okay. I let you in. I’m ready. Let’s go.“ She went to the door, slipping in her shoes. She looked lovely, wearing opaque stockings and a red Tartan skirt, paired with a burgundy sweater.
Malfoy took her coat before she got a chance and held it open for her.
Her eyes widened. „You don’t have to do that.“
„It’s nothing.“ He smiled and she surrendered.
Granger took her hair out of the collar and her scent drifted to him.
He inhaled it and closed his eyes, when she spoke to him.
„You sure are alright?“
Malfoy opened his eyes and nodded. „Yes, let’s go.“ He opened the door in one swift motion, while standing behind her, so she ducked under his outstretched arm and went ahead.
He closed the door behind him. „You have your keys?“
„Too late now, the door is closed.“ She laughed while showing her keys. „I have them, don’t worry.“
He squashed the sudden urge to lean forward to give her a kiss on the forehead. The last minute had felt like they were a couple and he tried to shake off the feeling.
„Lead the way.“ Malfoy raised one hand to point before him.
Granger went out of the front garden and turned left. He followed and walked next to her when they arrived at the sidewalk.
„Anything I need to know about the landlord, so I can make a good impression?“
Granger looked him up. „You already do. You ooze money and manners. She will love you, trust me.“
He smiled and they walked silently for a while.
„I thought bringing flowers, but that would be too much, wouldn’t it?“
Granger laughed wholeheartedly.
Malfoy decided on the spot that he wanted to hear the sound for the rest of his life, and he wanted to be the one making her laugh. The thought was too radical for their stage of relationship. They were colleagues. Friends?
„Granger, would you consider us friends?“, he asked shyly, avoiding her gaze, overlooking the Park they entered.
„Oh …“ She wrapped her arms around herself. A defense tactic.
He smiled, looking at her. „You don’t need to answer that.“
They took the path along a lake. It was a nice scene: An old couple feeding ducks, a Jogger running his rounds and two children with their mothers making boats of leaves and sticks.
„It’s nice here“, he said.
„It is.“ Granger looked into his face. „Different from your former living standard, I guess.“
„Yeah, but just because something changes, doesn’t mean it’s bad.“
She nodded. „That’s true.“
They arrived at a quiet alley, lined with houses that reminded him of Grangers, without a front garden.
„It’s number 19“, she let him know.
The house itself was made of dark brick, but the white hardwood door and white window frames gave it a friendly look.
It pleased Malfoy. If the inside was as appealing as the outside he would consider renting the place.
Granger went ahead and knocked on the door. Seconds later a short, old lady with goggles and a smile on her face opened. She was one of those sophisticated women who were widowed, living happily with their cats.
„Good morning, Mrs. Smith. I’m here with Mr. Malfoy, the man I told you about.“
Her smile widened and she stepped aside. „Ah, I remember. Please come in.“
They followed her invitation.
Mrs. Smith closed the door and they stood in the entrance area which was as small as Grangers.
„You are Mr. Malfoy?“ The Lady addressed him and held her hand in his direction.
„I am. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Smith.“ He took her hand in old fashioned manor and bowed.
Mrs. Smith laughed while holding her free hand before her mouth. „No need to be so formal, Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger, you should have told me what a charming boyfriend you have.“
When Draco rose he saw Granger suppressing a laugh, her expression turning serious when she mentioned her relationship status.
Boyfriend? He liked that idea.
He smiled and put his arm around Granger’s waist. „Would you please show us around, Mrs. Smith?“
The woman nodded and led the way.
Granger swotted his hand and he took it to himself.
„What do you think you are doing?“, she hissed and it reminded him of their school days.
„She thinks I’m your boyfriend. If that doubles my chances of getting a contract, I will deliver a representation as such.“
Granger snorted but let him off the hook.
They followed Mrs. Smith. The house wasn’t as open as Grangers, but he didn’t mind. There were three doors on this floor, one leading to a small guest bathroom, a kitchen without furniture and a living room with a green tiled fireplace. He liked that one for obvious reasons.
The first floor had two rooms and one bathroom with a bathtub. Overall, the size of the rooms and the condition of the house fit his needs, but there would be work to do.
„So, Mr. Malfoy what do you say?“
„I like it, I just have one question: Do I have to take care of renovations? “
„Yes, I’m afraid. You must understand, I’m too old to busy myself with workers, so that would be up to you. If that’s an exclusion criterion I can’t blame you.“
Malfoy held up both hands. „No, it’s not. I just want to know if you are okay with any improvements I come up with.“
„As long as you give me a list, so I can approve them, I am very much okay with that.“
Both smiled at each other.
„When can I sign the contract?“ Malfoy asked.
„I’ll send you the papers.“
„I am looking forward to it.“
„Very well.“ Mrs. Smith looked very pleased and they went back to the door.
„Have a nice day, Mrs. Smith“, Malfoy said his goodbye.
„You, too, “ she chirped.
Malfoy opened the door and went ahead, when he turned, because Granger wasn’t following, he saw Mrs. Smith holding her back while whispering something in her ear. The young woman blushed and he hid a smile. He could only imagine what the old lady had told her.
„Goodbye, Mr. Malfoy.“ Mrs. Smith waved before closing the door. He didn’t reply fast enough before Granger stood beside him.
„Let’s go.“ Granger hurried away and he caught up with her.
„What did she say?“
„Huh?“
Malfoy stopped her by her arm, she was almost running.
„Everything okay?“ He tilted his head.
„Yeah.“ Granger bit her lip.
„She’s a feisty old lady, isn’t she?“ Malfoy chuckled.
Granger warmed up and the corner of her mouth turned up. „She is indeed.“
„What was so scandalous that you turned into a tomato?“
She gasped and hit him with her fist on his biceps, the touch not hurting at all.
They walked again and she sighed. „She said, if you were to make a move on me, I should accept and let you put a ring on me. And if we needed more space, because we decided to make beautiful babies, she’d have a nice cottage on the landside.“
Malfoy laughed and Granger eyed him up suspiciously.
„What’s so funny?“
„You can’t stand that thought, can you?“
She huffed a breath and moved faster to get away from him.
He turned up his speed and they were at her place shortly after.
Granger fumbled with her keys, while he overlooked her front garden. „Now, I need to keep my promise.“
She turned around.
„Mowing your lawn?“, he reminded her and her eyes told him that she had forgotten.
„You don’t have to. It was a friendship service.“ She opened the door, but he was after her with a few strides, before she went inside.
„So, we are friends?“ He said, standing one step under her, leaning forward. His hair fell in his face and she looked him over.
„I guess you can say so.“ She brushed back a strand of hair.
He leaned back. „Let me know when you won’t turn me down, so I can ask you to marry me and we can move to the cottage together.“
„You forgot the babies“, she said raising one brow.
„Everything you want, Granger.“ He grinned.
She broke out of her position and stepped over the threshold. „Keep dreaming, Malfoy.“
Then she slammed the door in his face.
Oh, he would.