"WHATTT!!!!????"
"I just told you Blaise"
"Wait you're in love and I didn't know?"
"I told you, I was."
"But you can't forget a childhood love. You obviously are still in love with her."
Silence.
"No" Draco finally almost whispered. "Well, maybe I am. I just didn't want anyone to find out. But it's torturing me. I can't survive being away from her anymore"
Blaise chuckled.
"It's going to work out so well"
"What the fuck are you talking about, Blaise?"
"None of your business. Well, yes it is, but, nevermind. You're coming with me to that ministry ball tomorrow"
"If you insist. Who are you going with?"
"Going with Granger of course" Blaise smiled proudly.
Malfoy spat out his wine.
"You're kidding, right?"
"Yeah, i'm going alone. Well, with you now. See you tomorrow man"
Blaise Zabini got out of Malfoy Manor with a good plan in mind.
He had just learned something crazy. Not that surprising though.
Draco Malfoy was in love with Hermione Granger.
The thing was, Hermione had been his coworker for a few years now. They were getting on really well. They were now friends. Blaise hoped.
She recently admitted to him that she had been secretly in love with his best friend for years. Since Hogwarts. What a shock.
Zabini was now walking confidently in the streets of Diagon Alley, searching for a new tie to wear at this soon-to-be wonderful gala. His plan was ready: he was going to make them talk. Or kiss.
•••••
Hermione was reading peacefully in her living room, with The Best Aurors of all Time in her hands.
She liked knowing and learning more about her job, to be more prepared.
Hermione Granger was the best auror of the country, but she already knew that. Of course.
She suddenly heard a knock on her window, waking her up from her daydreaming.
A beautiful owl was sitting on her opened window, waiting for her to get the letter it was giving her.
But who could send her a letter on a Saturday? Certainly not work. Maybe the gala of tonight was cancelled? None of her business. She'd already decided she wasn't going. She would stay in bed all night, with her coffee and her book, a free evening for once.
It could be Ginny? Doubtful, she stood up and took the letter, thanking the owl, which stayed, in order for her to send an answer back. So it was quite important, if she had to respond to that. Maybe she had to read it then.
It was Blaise. Zabini? What did he want from her? Maybe it was an emergency. She opened it.
Hermione,
I hope I'm not bothering you from your readings...(I know I am)
I'm sending you this because there's this gala tonight.. and I'm going alone. I don't want to be.
Would you please go with me? I would do anything.
Blaise Z.
Hermione had planned to do nothing tonight! She sighed.
Blaise was his friend after all, she couldn't leave him alone to this stupid party! She decided to go. Only because Blaise was alone. She was doing him a favour. He would owe her.
She searched for a piece of paper and wrote her answer. She laughed at herself and thought she was such a nice friend.
She would have to take a shower and do her makeup, put on a nice dress. Then, she would have to bear the wave of journalists, say hello to all the people she knew, wave at her friends, be bored with the long speeches... then get out because she would feel too hot, say goodbye to all the people before leaving. When she would get home, she would have to take a shower again, and look at her reflection in the mirror, seeing her tired eyes. After that, she would go to bed, but wouldn't be able to sleep, because she would be thinking too much about what had happened at this party. The day after, she would fall asleep in her office, and forget to do her work, so she would get fired, and would never be able to pay her house, and she would end her poor life in the streets, crying. Her friends would forget about her, and she would never see again these grey and blue eyes she dreams about.
•••••
Of course, a slytherin green dress, which ended up just up to her knees, two thin straps on both her shoulders. Hair half up, half down, with some pretty curls falling down on her sexy neck. Her beautiful almond eyes, with light makeup on, were sparkly, as always. She was walking with her black heels, that made her legs look longer.
It was a simple look for any woman, but it was her. And it was an amazing view.
That was what Draco Malfoy saw when Hermione Granger had entered the room.
"Hey Hermione!"
His best friend woke him up from his thoughts and he looked up to the pretty woman who had arrived.
"Hi! I just made a big effort to come here, Zabini. You look great. Oh.. hm. Hi Malfoy." Hermione turned to his direction.
Hermione blushed at the thought of what she had once said to Blaise about her little crush -fabulous love- on his best friend. But now, she was craving his attention, and at the same time, she was trying to ignore him. She has been single for a long time, and maybe this attraction was just a lack of men in her life?
"Hello Granger."
"Blaise didn't you tell me you would be alone? I wouldn't have come if I knew you were here with Malfoy." Hermione asked, trying not to look at the blonde boy.
"you wouldn't have come if you knew DRACO was here" he smirked.
He also had insisted on calling Draco by his first name. What a funny man.
"You're unbelievable, I wonder why I'm still your friend" joked Hermione.
"That is because you love me, pretty girl" Blaise whispered seductively, obviously joking.
"Don't bother telling me if i'm not welcomed here" Draco interrupted them.
Blaise smiled victoriously, seeing the look of his friend. He would have killed him in a minute, if Blaise didn't stop being so close to Hermione. But of course, Draco wasn't in love anymore... Blaise winked at him.
•••••
Later than night, Hermione decided to go take a drink, because her throat was feeling dry, by the sight of all these people.
Since she got out of Hogwarts, there was no more war, so people were gathering a lot, and it started to be difficult for her to be in front of them. As a war heroine, she was a star, and was always watched. She would love to be seen as a stranger again.
She arrived at the bar, and took a glass when Draco came to her.
"So you're friend with Blaise now, yeah Granger?"
"Of course. He's not only your friend Malfoy."
"No need to be this cold you know. I changed. I'm not the same as I was. I'm not going to insult you or anything. I'm so-"
"I'm stopping you here Malfoy. I already know you've changed. I forgave you years ago. It's just tonight, I had no intention of being here, I don't want to talk to anyone and I just want to disappear."
His eyes softened and he began to talk. "Then maybe we can-"
"Heyy guys ! How is it going? Oh, I'm coming here at the worst time aren't I?" Blaise laughed when he realised both of them had stopped
talking.
Hermione would have wanted Draco to finish his sentence, she was curious of what he would have said to her. But it seemed he didn't want to say more.
Blaise began introducing some girl to them, but she wasn't really listening. She admired Draco's features, not caring that she could get caught. His lips had not changed since she had last saw him, and when he talked to someone, she looked at how they opened, and wish she could touch-
No. She couldn't.. she couldn't think of touching his lips. But then maybe she could place both her hands of his cheeks, and kiss his beautiful and soft lips, looking at him in the eyes.
What would she do, if this situation really happened? Not that it could.. but.. the thought of it gave her a weird and hot feeling in her stomach.
What if he liked her too?
Was there any chance he did? Could he be attracted to her?
Would she let her feelings take that moment and kiss him passionately, or would she stop herself? Afraid of commitment, after her heartbreak with Ron? But this relationship with Ron as a really long time ago. Maybe it was time for her to find someone else. Draco was the only one she had ever loved, or who she had been attracted to.
That was another thing, and she couldn't let herself think of that. Draco was right next to her, and he was hotter than ever.
She came back to reality, and examined the situation: Malfoy was talking with the same girl, not glaring at her.
Blaise was the one staring at her.
"Blaise? Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"
"Not at all Hermione, it's just I get what Draco likes about you. You're really beautiful. Draco finds you perfect." He smiled slightly.
"What are you talking about? Thank you for saying that, but I'm not sure Draco finds me pretty." Hermione said, confused, and blushing.
Blaise got closer to her, grabbed her strap and let it go down on her shoulders.
Hermione didn't understand why he would take off her strap but didn't say anything. She knew something else was coming from him. She wondered what.
A few moments later, Draco turned around, facing both of them, and stood still. He was looking at her naked shoulder.
The strap was still down her arm, and it was annoying her. She met Draco's gaze, which felt so hot on her. She couldn't turn her eyes off of him.
He suddenly approached her, his presence feeling good and warm, and he touched her arm, took her strap and slid it up to her shoulder. His fingers on her skin made her melt, and she released her breath.
When his hand fell down, she looked at him, suddenly realising he was already looking at her.
Once again, Blaise moved closer to them, breaking their eye contact.
"Hey guys, what do you think of getting out of here?"
Draco stepped in. "In fact, Granger and I were thinking of leaving, but you seem to be enjoying yourself here, so you should stay. Granger?" He offered her his arm.
Hermione hesitated. What would that mean? Would he just get her home, or even just leave her outside of the ministry? Maybe it didn't matter. Maybe she just had to take his arm and let him take her wherever he wanted. She trusted him, and also wanted to go out of here, especially with Draco Malfoy.
"Of course. Blaise, I'm going with Draco. Have a good night" Hermione smiled at them both, placing her arms around Draco's.
The couple turned around, on their way to exit the room. Hermione couldn't help herself. "So we were about to leave together, huh?"
"Granger, if you didn't want to go, you could have just said it. But you did told me earlier you needed to get out. Moreover, i want to go too. Seriously, this party is so boring, i only liked the moment when we talked together. You're the only entertaining person here, really."
He must have realised what he had just said but when he looked at her to see if she was offended, she found her blushing and smiling. A bit confused too.
"We didn't even talk for that long, Malfoy"
"Back to Malfoy are we? Anyway, we did talk for a bit, and you were the only person to be real, true and honest. People here are all a bunch of liars, pretending everything's good when some of us are still being victims of dicriminations just because our parents were death eater. Well I'm not saying I don't deserve that, i do deserve to go to Askaban for what I did. I was one of them. But what I mean is you don't seem to care about it, even though you were a victim of us. Let me ask you a question, Granger. What did I do to deserve your forgiveness?"
They both had stopped walking, they were now outside, feeling the cold air. Hermione was in front of Draco, almost crying. He wasn't looking at her, but at the ground. His voice seemed vulnerable.
"Draco."
He looked up. He saw her face, and immediately smiled. At this instant, observing her eyes, he understood. He knew, he knew she wasn't going to bring him down like he had just did. He knew she wasn't thinking he was a monster.
"Draco, don't ever say that kind of thing again."
He chuckled. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that you do not deserve jail. You certainly don't deserve al this hate. People don't understand that we're all healing in our own way, and we can't heal from the horrors of the war if people keep telling us we don't deserve this healing. Draco, you deserve to be happy, you deserve this forgiveness. And I'm not talking about forgiveness of the war, because you didn't really do anything that bad. You just kept protecting your family, and I understand that completely. You didn't go to Askaban for a reason Draco. I'm talking about forgiveness of all those years where you made my life worse by treating me like I was nothing, like I didn't deserve anything."
"Hermione I'm-"
"Please let me finish. I already told you I forgive you for that. Because I know you were forced to do this, you just had to take me down because I was- I'm not worth your attention. Being a muggle born wasn't easy, but you made it worse. The thing is, now, I am so proud to be one. It's what makes me, me. I am who I am, and I really don't care anymore. I also know you don't think like that anymore and it's good thing.
Wow, I'm sorry, I didn't want to tell you all this but I felt like I had to. It actually feels so good."
Hermione sighed and put both her hands on her face to hide it. She was ashamed of letting go all of her emotions in front of him like that.
Suddenly, she felt his hands grabbing her hands, taking them off of her face.
"Look at me, don't be ashamed. You said it yourself, you're proud to be who you are. And Merlin, Hermione, I'm so proud to witness that. You're such an example for the young girls who can't accept themselves. You're a model. You're an amazing witch. I- I admire you. You're so strong. You deserve all the love in the world."
Hermione laughs. "I never thought I would hear you say that one day, Malfoy"
"You would be surprised of what I actually think."
"You already said what you were thinking"
"Not everything, Hermione"
She stopped thinking. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Then why don't you tell me everything?"
It was Draco's turn to sigh. "I can't"
"What? Why?" Hermione began to shiver. After all the things he had said, she just wanted to kiss him, to hide her face in his neck, to cry in his arms. He brought her comfort. He made her feel loved.
Draco slowly turned away, looking at the sky full of stars. "It's time to go home, Granger. Should I be a gentleman and bring you home safe?"
She was so angry at him for avoiding her question. She needed the answer, her heart needed it. There was only one way to discover if he felt the same way about her.
She had a plan.
Therewas to be a lot of risks taken, but it would be wort it. She would finally know if she had to move on, and forget about him, or if there was any chance he could like her, like she likes him.
In fact, she didn't like him, she was in love with him. But him liking her would be a great begining. She nodded, and started to walk next to him, on her way to the apparition point. She would take him to her place, and she would make him talk.
She was going to be Hermione Granger.
•••••
When they arrived at her place, they both were freezing, so Hermione invited Draco over to help him get "warmer" as she said.
He accepted, and here they were, alone, sitting on her couch. None of them seemed to be brave enough to say a word.
However, this time, Hermione had told herself she could do it. She would be the one to talk about it. He had turned her question down, and she determined to know the real answer. What had he not say to her? More than he already had said? Would it be possible that he...was also attracted to her? After all, she was not blind, she had seen the was he had looked at her earlier that night. It had been different, not the same look as usual.
And he had even been.. flirty? Merlin, she hoped. Now, it was time.
"So, i guess i should thank you for saving me from this party. I'm really grateful. But there's one more thing i need to ask you, Draco"
"Oh. Of course. Anything, Hermione"
Well.
"Please, tell me what you didn't want to tell me earlier"
"Oh, that. Hm, I don't think that's a good idea" He looked confused, but also..embarassed?
"Okay then."
"Really, you give up? Just like that?"
"Just like that" Hermione smiles, no, she grinned, and it even seemed like the famous Malfoy grin. Draco immediately wondered what idea she had in mind. She looked like she was about to do something unexpected.
Indeed, Hermione stood up, still wearing that beautiful dark green dress he liked so much, took of her shoes, and approached him. He started to worry, because he was already really turned on by the idea of being next to her, so close to her on her couch. Draco sat up straighter, and swallowed hard as she placed her hands on his shoulders, on her way to sit on him.
"May I ?" she asked in a flirty voice. She didn't wait for his answer.
"Granger, what are you doing?" Draco whispered while she sat on his lap, facing him, her hands still on his shoulders.
Hermione said nothing, just looking at him in the eyes. She couldn't help herself from staring at his lips. When she looked back up, he was the one staring at hers.
I win
She smiled and started moving her hands from his shoulders to his chest, caressing his skin through his shirt. He shivered before whispering again.
"Granger, I'm going to kiss you"
Finally, she thought.
She smiled even more and he took it as a sign of consent. He let out a sigh of contentement, and leaned to kiss her.
They both started to feel more comfortable with each other, and when they were kissing, the time stopped. It was like snow falling, a calm river. It felt so natural, but also so new. And it was new for them, nevertheless if felt like they had been doing this since forever.
"Hermione..."
After a moment, out of breath, they tried to stop for a bit. Draco was looking at Hermione like he never had before. His heart was beating so fast he couldn't breath properly. She had kissed him. Did she like him? Was he only a distraction? That kiss didn't feel like just a fling. It was so much more, so much longing feelings. He had to know. He couldn't let his chance blow away.
"Granger, what was that?" He chuckled, playing with her curls. He admired her face for a bit, like he was finally putting in pieces that this instant was real, that she was real.
"I could ask you the same, Malfoy" she touched his lips with her thumb.
"I need an answer, Hermione" He craved an answer. "Do you..do you like me? Or..."
"I do like you. But maybe it's more..I don't know how much I should tell you, actually."
"Because...You mean, there's more? Please say there's more." Draco grinned.
Hermione smiled with relief. Was that hope? Did he hope she loved him..back??
"Draco... do you? I mean, do you like me too?"
"I'm sorry if this blows this up, Granger, but.. I'm in love with you. I've been for years." He blushed and look away. "Was that the right moment to admit that kind of thing? I actually couldn't wait."
Hermione opened her eyes wide at this confession. She wasn't able to say anything.
"Oh, Granger, I'm so, so, sorry. Shit, I knew it was too soon. Hum, maybe I should just go then?"
"Go? What are you talking about? Let's talk." She finally was realising.
"No, i don't think that's a good idea. Blaise was wrong" Draco had sat up and was now searching for coat. He was so ashamed for telling her he loved her. Blaise had told him it would be worth it,but it was such a bad idea. How could he be so stupid-
Hermione had stopped him in his track. She was there, right in front of him. A tear in the corner of her eye. She spoke.
"How long?"
"I- you really want to know?"
"How long have you been..in love..with me?" It felt unreal to say it. He was in LOVE with her. How could have she been so blind?
"I've been in love with you for 8 years. Well, really in love for the past 3 years. After the war. Since we met again and started working together. But I think I've been admiring you since third year."
She couldn't believe it. Hermione had opened her mouth, and that made him laugh. She began crying.
"Granger, why are you crying?" Draco was worried. Has he scared her that much?
"Draco, it started in fourth year for me." She laughed, though she was almost sobbing.
It was now his turn to be flabbergasted.
"What?"
"I love you. I've loved you for all these years, but mostly during these 2 years working together. I assumed you counted the eighth year in 'the past 3 years'. I mean, yes, we did get along better during this year. I can't believe you love me too, I mean, all this flirting, I just tought you were being friendly. I didn't think you could actually want to do anything with me."
She was talking non-stop, not being able to contain her thoughts slipping out.
"Hermione, Hermione, look at me."
She stopped. Draco took her cheeks in his hands. He laughed.
"I guess we're very oblivious, very blind, if we didn't catch that" This made Hermione laugh too. They locked eyes, and laughed. And they kissed. Again.
Blaise was right.