With her heart pounding in anticipation, Hermione Granger eagerly awaited the end of the conference's final lecture. The prospect of reuniting with her beloved Draco Malfoy in their hotel room was a delightful thought. The idea of spending even a brief moment with him before dinner with her colleague Liza Davies and Liza's potential research sponsor filled her with palpable joy. The two days of separation had tested her patience, and she was grateful that Draco had agreed to join her in Venice for a few days after the conference. She longed to have dinner alone with Draco, savouring the romantic evening in the enchanting city. Still, she felt obliged to support Liza in her crucial meeting.
As soon as the speaker concluded, Hermione dashed towards the door. During her lunch break, she had meticulously planned the shortest and fastest route from the conference centre to the hotel. She committed every turn and landmark to memory, ensuring she could navigate the path without needing a map. She texted Draco, saying she would arrive at the hotel in 10 minutes.
Draco was waiting in the hotel lobby for Hermione. The lobby was grand, adorned with marble floors and intricate chandeliers. He was impeccably dressed in his black suit and had a dry martini, shaken, not stirred. He was slightly worried since it had been more than 20 minutes since he received Hermione's text. Five minutes later, Hermione finally arrived, looking a bit messy.
Draco's relief was evident as he saw Hermione approaching. His eyes lit up with joy, and he couldn't resist teasing her, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he asked, "Lost again, Granger?"
"Oh, shut up, Malfoy!" Hermione retorted, her eyes dancing with playful affection before their lips met in a deep and passionate kiss.
They rushed to their hotel room, savouring a brief moment of intimacy before Hermione had to get ready to meet Liza. Draco lay on the bed, admiring her as she dressed. His eyes lingered on her soft, fair skin and her chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders in gentle waves. Her warm brown eyes sparkled with anticipation as she slipped into a lovely floral-patterned mini-dress with long sleeves. The dark background of the fabric made the vibrant pink and white flowers stand out beautifully against her complexion.
"Draco, you need to get dressed if you want to accompany me part of the way," she reminded him. They left the hotel together, tightly wrapped in each other's arms. After a few minutes, they had to split up. Draco would have dinner with Blaise and what he called a new and promising business connection.
Before parting ways, they kissed each other deeply and passionately. Draco said, "Don't let Liza keep you too long. I'll return to the hotel as soon as I've had dinner with Blaise." As she walked away, he whispered softly, "My love."
Draco longed to marry Hermione and start a family with her. He often dreamed of seeing her belly swollen with his child, envisioning a future filled with love and laughter. However, his heart was heavy with doubt, and he couldn't muster the courage to propose. The fear of Hermione laughing at him and rejecting his heartfelt desire kept him silent and tormented.
Blaise, one of his closest friends, was aware of Draco's internal struggle and had grown weary of his cowardice. Time and again, Blaise had tried to convince Draco that Hermione truly loved him. He had seen how Hermione looked at Draco with genuine and deep love. Blaise's words were filled with frustration and empathy, urging Draco to take a leap of faith and trust in Hermione's feelings. Yet, despite Blaise's efforts, Draco remained paralyzed by his fear, unable to take the final step toward the future he desperately wanted.
At a charming piazza near the restaurant where they were going to have dinner, Hermione met a visibly distressed Liza. The usually composed woman fidgeted with her hands, her eyes darting nervously around when she saw Hermione; a flood of relief washed over her face. "Thank you, Hermione, for joining me tonight. I don't know what I would have done without your support," Liza began, her voice trembling. "I'm so anxious; this means everything to me. It's been such a struggle to find someone who genuinely believes in the importance of the Me-Too movement within the wizarding world." Her words tumbled out in a rush, revealing the depth of her anxiety and the weight of the evening's significance. "I'm terrified I'll mess up, and I just need someone I trust by my side."
The two women made their way to a small, cosy family restaurant. As they stepped inside, Hermione's heart skipped a beat. Sitting at a table, grinning widely, was Blaise Zabini. A wave of happiness washed over Hermione as she realized that Blaise's presence meant she would also get to see Draco. She wondered where he had gone; had he lost his way?
Liza noticed the change in Hermione's expression but did not understand why. Distressed and nervous, she quickly introduced them: "Hermione, this is Blaise Zabini," she said, her voice shaky. "Blaise, this is Dr. Hermione Granger. She holds a PhD in Arithmancy."
Blaise, who couldn't resist a provocative joke, launched into a tirade: "Tell me, Miss Granger, or is it Dr. Granger? Are you also looking for a sponsor?" He began, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You aren't exactly my type, but I'm sure my good friend, Lord Malfoy, would love to support you in any way he can."
Hermione shot him a look, but Blaise continued, grinning: "You should know Lord Malfoy has exquisite taste. He loves a good backside and a nice pair of—"
"Blaise!" Hermione hissed, her face flushing with embarrassment and anger.
Blaise's grin only widened. "Relax, Hermione. You've got the perfect combination of brains and beauty. Lord Malfoy will appreciate your curves. And those breasts... well, he'd never be able to keep his hands off them. So, tell me, what's your stance on—"
Hermione, full of anxiety about what Blaise might reveal about her intimate relationship with Draco, felt her cheeks burn as she struggled to find her voice. Her silence only seemed to spur Blaise on.
"All Draco—I mean Lord Malfoy—wants is for you to agree to marry him and give him an heir. With those terms, you'll be financially secure for life."
"BLAISE!" Hermione cut him off, her face burning with a mix of mortification and happiness, realizing that Blaise was actually hinting at Draco's desire to marry her and start a family.
Draco appeared at the entrance just in time to hear Blaise's last comment. Taking in the scene, he strode over to them. "Blaise, my good friend, behave yourself. Don't embarrass my love and her colleague." Then, turning to Hermione, he added with a playful glint in his eye, "And you, Hermione, my love, no teasing about getting lost. Or I'll make sure my father hears about this."