Drinks at the Leaky Cauldron
Monday and come and gone, and Malfoy had sent an apology note to say he couldn’t meet for coffee as he was filling in for the potions master at Hogwarts. Hermione knew he was bound by his community service at the school, though disappointment flooded her that she wouldn’t see him.
Theo bounced into her office at the end of her second working day that week “Granger dear, can we leave now? Let’s go grab a drink at the Leaky and figure out which wizards are pretending to be straight.” Hermione laughed and checked the clock on her wall, “Well, Ron has Rose for a few hours tonight so I do have time, and I don’t much fancy going back to an empty house. So grab your coat Nott”. Theo bounced with excitement, his robes flowing behind him as he ran out the door to his own office. Hermione grabbed her shoes from under her desk, having kicked them off a few hours ago when she had been deep into a report about a wizarding family who had a pet Hippogriff running lose in their village.
Reaching into her handbag, she took out her makeup and glanced in the mirror of her compact “Merlin!, Is that how I’ve looked all day” she murmured to herself. “I think you look as beautiful as always” said a voice from the doorway, glancing up she saw the imposing figure of Malfoy stood leaning against her doorway twirling his wand.
“Draco” her lips raising in a quick smile before she could control her face. “Finished at Hogwarts?” she asked. Draco unbuttoned his robes, revealing his standard black shirt, rolled at the sleeves and a tailored pair of trousers. Hermione wondered did his entire wardrobe just consist of the same clothes but they worked for him. “Yes, it’s been quite the week at school, the third years were learning all about Amorentia this week, which has me craving coffee and croissants for days.” Hermione stilled, shaking her head at the thought that popped into her head, surely he didn’t mean… no nonsense, it wasn’t because of her.
Draco had said himself he was fond of the chocolate croissants. Realising she hadn’t replied, she slipped on her shoes “well, the coffee shop is shut for the day but I’m sure you can grab one tomorrow, and curb that craving.”
Theo arrived at the door just then, coat in hand cutting off whatever Draco was about to say “Draco, my love! Glad to see you’ve returned from playing teacher. How is my wonderful Minerva? Missing me is she?” laughing as he sat down on the edge of Hermione’s desk. “Oh yes, she asks about you everyday” Draco responded, rolling his eyes. “Fabulous.”, he winked. “Now Hermione and I were just about to go to the Leaky for a drink if you feel like coming along?. “Draco looked at Hermione checking in with her that it was okay, she nodded subtly at him to let him know she was okay with it.
That’s how Hermione found herself in a corner booth at the Leaky Cauldron with Theo stretched out beside her and Draco opposite her, a round of butterbeer in front of them. Theo was engrossed in a conversation with a beautiful witch about some obscure potion ingredient, leaving Hermione and Draco in a comfortable, if slightly charged, silence.
“You seem pensive, Granger.” he murmured, his voice low and smooth “galleon for your thoughts?” Hermione hesitated, “Just.. thinking about how different things are now,” she admitted. “These last few years have just been non stop, and now I find myself with more time alone and it’s just making me think about my life choices and everything since the war.”
Draco’s smile faded slightly. “Indeed,” he said softly. “a lifetime ago, it feels like but it’s really not.” He took a sip of his butterbeer. “We’ve both changed, haven’t we?”
Hermione nodded, her gaze meeting his. She saw a flicker of something in his eyes, that made her heart beat a little faster. She looked away, busying herself with her drink. “You have, Granger,” he continued, his voice regaining its playful edge. “You’re less, bossy and prickly that you used to be”
Hermione let out a small laugh, “I prefer to think of it as more discerning,” she retorted. Draco raised an eyebrow. "Discerning, eh? And have you discerned anything about me?" Hermione’s breath hitched. She knew where this as going, and a part of her, reckless, foolish part, wanted to see how far he would go.
“Perhaps,” she replied, meeting his gaze again. “Maybe you’re surprisingly more charming than you were at age fourteen”. Draco’s smile widened, “as are you, Granger,” he purred, leaning closer, “you’re captivating.”
Hermione felt her pulse quicken, she knew she should pull back, that this was dangerous territory. Draco Malfoy was off-limits, a forbidden fruit, the one person that Ron would never forgive her for but his attention was intoxicating.
"Draco," she began, her voice barely a whisper. “Hermione,” he countered, his hands brushing against hers on the table. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through her. Just then, Theo, oblivious to the tension between them, turned his attention back to them “everything alright here loves?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
Hermione quickly pulled her hand away, her cheeks burning, “Fine,” she said, her voice just a little too high, “just catching up”. Draco leaned back, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Indeed,” he agreed, “just catching up.”
The next hour passed in a blur, but Hermione found it difficult to concentrate on the conversation, her mind relaying Draco’s words, his touch. She felt confused, torn. She knew that a relationship with Draco Malfoy was impossible, that their past would always be a barrier, and she had Rose to consider. But a small, treacherous voice whispered in her ear, reminding her of the undeniable chemistry between them, the way her heart fluttered when he was near, and how easy she found him to talk to.
As they left the Leaky Cauldron, Draco walked her to the Apparition point. “Are you off to collect Rose now?,” he asked, his voice soft. “No, Ron is at the cottage with her so he could put her to bed, but I’ll be heading there to send him home.” Draco nodded at her, “Thank you for indulging me tonight, and letting me come along,” she shrugged casually “of course, the more the merrier.”
Hermione was unable to meet his gaze, could feel him staring at her, when his hand reached out to caress her cheek “I’m going to be asking you out on a date Granger,” she stilled, her heart racing “not right now, because I don’t think you’re ready just yet, you need time to let your heart heal but soon Hermione Granger, I’m going to sweep you off your feet and show you what you deserve.” Hermione looked at him, his eyes switching between her eyes and her mouth and felt him lean in closer to her, pulling her body tight against his, their lips within reaching distance. Draco leaned his head towards her and pressed a soft kiss on her cheek. “Goodnight Granger,” before he apparated away.
She landed with a thud at her front door, her mind still reeling. Taking a moment to catch her breath before she had to deal with Ron. The door swung up just as she went to open it, Ron catching her off guard “oh Mione, it’s just you” he stepped aside to let her in. “just me” she replied, still dazed from her heated moment with Draco. “Rose asleep” she asked, kicking off her shoes at the door and setting her bag down beside it. Ron was wandering around picking up some of his mess he had left behind, one thing she did not miss about living with him was the sheer chaos he left behind in every single room.
Ron nodded “yeah she went down about an hour ago, but I reckon she’ll be up soon for another bottle if you want me to stay?” the look of longing on his face was too much for Hermione, “It’s okay Ron, I think it’s best you head on home and I’ll get her sorted” her smile tight and forced, he had kept trying to find ways to stay longer, to spend time with her “Isn’t Lavender expecting you home soon?” she asked sharper than she intended. Ron had the foresight to look embarrassed, but shrugged “she knows I’m with Rose.”
Hermione threw herself down onto the sofa, Ron standing awkwardly beside her, a blanket in his hands “Hermione, I want you back” he stated boldly. “oh for fuck sake Ron, not again” she said exasperated, she leaned her head back against the sofa, closing her eyes “we’ve had this conversation twice this week and the answer remains the same, you’ve made your bed and now you must lie in it, and realise it will never be MY bed again, now leave.” Ron stormed off, but was mindful enough not to slam the door behind him to wake Rose.
Hermione paced the living room, the worn rug muffling her restless steps. She had spent the evening replaying what had happened at the Leaky Cauldron in her head, frame by frame, like a particularly frustrating memory charm. His eyes, that grey steel, had held a warmth she had only seen when he talked about his son, and his touch, that brief touch of his hand against hers, had sent her into a whirlwind, her body hot at the thought of his hands on her. She stopped pacing and sank onto the safe, burying her face in her hands “what is wrong with me” she asked to no one. This is Draco Malfoy, bully, Slytherin, former Death Eater.. but she didn’t really think that anymore, could see how much he had changed, what he had been through.
She remembered the moment he had leaned in, the pressure of his hands on her waist pulling her close, that hungry glance to her mouth like he needed to taste her, and of course that promise of asking her on a date, warning her. She had wanted to kiss him, nearly begged him too but he was right, she wasn’t ready. The truth was, she did have a crush on Draco Malfoy, a very complicated one, but it was there.
Standing up, she walked over the kitchen window, staring out at the stars above her. It was quiet in the countryside, a peace she normally relished but tonight it felt lonely. She thought of Ron and Harry, what would they think if she even entertained the idea of Malfoy? Ron would hate her, Harry would be Harry about it and eventually accept it, Ginny would be in her element, the red head loved gossip and scandal and had repeatedly eyed Draco in his muggle suits.
The smart thing would be to say no when he asked her on a date, and call his bluff. Logic however, seemed to have lost all meaning to her and for the first time in her life, Hermione wanted to not be smart. Why couldn’t she follow her heart like everyone else did, instead of her head. When she had married Ron it had partly been because she loved him but also because everyone else told her how much it made sense even if internally she had been unsure, but on her wedding day as she looked at him, of course it was right. Ron was her best friend, and he loved her, he would provide for her and be a good husband. Hermione shook her head, but the smart decision had broken her heart in the end hadn’t it, so even if nothing happened with Malfoy, it might just bring the excitement to her life she had been missing. Hermione knew then, when he did ask, she would say yes.
Decision made, Hermione looked around her messy house, while Ron had tried his best to tidy up after minding Rose for the afternoon, they both had very different standards as to what a tidy house really meant so with a sigh , she gathered the blankets, clothes and toys that were littered across the living room floor. It would have been easier to use magic, but she found the manual housework soothing and a chance to busy her mind for a few moments. Hermione popped her head into Rose’s nursery, and smiled, the little one still fast asleep wrapped in her favourite blanket and she went over to kiss her goodnight.
"A date with Draco Malfoy," she whispered to herself, and felt her heart race.