It Would be an Honour
There was a waking bustle that came with the early morning sunrise that March morning. It was a Hogsmeade weekend and the early risers amongst the Eight Years were already up. Early risers, namely Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. Despite all the animosity they had in the past seven years they’ve known each other, the trauma they collected in the war surprisingly brought them together and, in the year they set their differences aside, it had brought them closer.
“Good morning, Granger.” greeted Draco as Hermione descended down the great staircase, hair barely brushed and wearing a worn out, oversized jumper and baggy sweatpants. It was very muggle clothing compared to the freshly pressed robes Draco already wore. Despite that, the way she looked made him smile endearingly.
In the duration of their eighth year together, Draco has grown incredibly close with Hermione. Surprisingly, they both had similar interests and views- assuming one takes away the factor that he used to be a pureblood supremacist coerced into joining a domestic terrorist group. They bonded over similar music; they bonded over a shared interest in politics - albeit slightly opposing views that they enjoyed debating about; and they bonded over books - to the point where Hermione had shared with him muggle books about philosophy, physics and chemistry (which he surprisingly enjoyed). It was an unexpected friendship that seemed meant to be the moment they overcame the barriers of prejudice.
Lately however, Draco had noticed that he and Hermione had been spending a lot of time together. He doesn’t know why, and it certainly was not something they planned on. It simply just happens. They were both early risers so they tend to go down the Great Hall together. They tend to do their schoolwork early so they tend to spend time in the library together, and they’re both Head Boy and Girl so they tend to do patrols together. He does not mind, of course. In fact, he found that he actually liked spending a lot of time with her. She was fiery and full of life. The amount of passion that she gives in everything she does has had Draco in awe. Growing up, he always thought that this passion was just overcompensation, but he realized that this was just how she was. She was like the sun, and he basked in her presence.
“Good morning to you too, Draco.” Hermione greeted him. “Did you sleep well last night?”
“As well as I could, Granger,” he replied. She gave him a meaningful look and did not pry. She only smiled and motioned to join her at the Gryffindor table. He smiled back and motioned for her to join him at the Slytherin table. They laughed at this brief moment of wordless conversation. The both of them already knew they would go to their separate tables anyways.
This was always the first thing they’d ask each other upon seeing the other in the morning. It started off as one time thing but soon it became a habit. Draco realised that despite what seemed like a spontaneous personality, Hermione was a being of routine. He’s seen her morning routine so many times he already knew that after sitting down at her table, the first thing she would grab would be the pot of coffee then the pitcher of vanilla cream. Then she would predictably grab a breakfast pastry - usually a croissant - which she usually enjoyed by tearing bits and pieces away and dipping it in her coffee; all the while engaging in conversation with whomever was at the table with her. He also knew that it would be after breakfast that she would excuse herself and that’s when she would freshen up for the day. This was her routine for weekends.
Today she took a seat directly in front of his line of sight. Longbottom and Weaslette joined her at the table soon enough and they began talking but every now and then, he and Hermione would catch glimpses of each other, like a magnetic pull kept making them have constant eye contact. Everytime their eyes did meet, it was like an inside joke was shared between the two of them and they both could not help but smile at each other. It was amusing and Draco loved every second of it.
“Are you dating Granger?”
Draco looked beside him and noticed that Pansy was already seated beside him - which was odd because Pansy usually woke up pretty late.
“Pans, you’re up early.” Draco simply replied, dodging her question.
“Mate, you realise it's like quarter to ten already, right?” Theo, who was seated on the other side, quipped. “Have you been focusing on your girlfriend so much you didn’t notice us sitting beside you?”
Draco alternated between Theo and Pansy, giving them looks of suspicion. “What are you two talking about? I am not dating Granger and I most certainly do not have a girlfriend.”
Theo and Pansy only exchanged glances and sniggered.
Hermione was looking forward to the Hogsmeade visit. Harry and Ron were stopping by to visit and give updates about their Auror training and it has been a while since she was able to spend some time with her boys. She missed them terribly.
“Moine, Neville and I will come down for Hogsmeade around eleven, you wanna come with?” Ginny asked as they walked out of the Great Hall. “I know Harry and Ron won’t be by until after lunchtime but I was thinking we could check out that new shop that opened!”
“Oh I would love to! But I already promised Draco I’d come with him to Hogsmeade,” Hermione answered, not noticing the widening grin on the youngest Weasley’s face. “We’re picking up this alchemy book he wanted to show me. We could meet you there though!”
She and Draco have had this mini project going on about an alchemical theory they’ve agreed is inconsistent with other alchemical theories. To Hermione, having someone actually relate to her academic pursuits was refreshing. Unlike her boys, Draco actually engaged in intellectual debates with her, and challenged her mentally. Not that the past 7 years were not mentally challenging for her but to actually have a debate where the exchange of ideas led to a wider perspective was exhilarating. She looked forward to the times when they would just happen upon each other and indulge in conversation. Time moved faster AND kept still when she was with Draco. She won’t admit it loudly but his presence consumes her. It was like taking a deep dive into the sea and the tide just swallows you whole.
Lately, she’s become self-aware; catching herself staring at him and leaning in closer. She does not fully understand what it meant for her yet but she does have an idea. To be honest, if it is what she thinks it is, she would not want to pursue the idea. While she enjoys Draco’s company, his mind, and his friendship, a romance between them would be impossible. She had seen the way he looked at her and she knows that it is riddled with guilt and shame. She had done her best to reassure him but she cannot deny there are still times when flashbacks of the way places Draco in scenarios where he was the one torturing her and not Bellatrix. Hermione knows it's not true, of course; but the trauma from the war had made her decide that being Draco’s friend would be enough - even though that decision makes her heart ache.
“You didn’t tell me you were going on a date today!” Ginny exclaimed. “I’m your best girlfriend! Why didn't you tell me?”
“Ginny…” Hermione looked around, a blush blooming in her face. “Not so loud! And Draco and I aren’t dating. We have a small side project in Alchemy!”
Ginny looked at Neville who merely smiled back. There was a knowing smile between them that just screams conspiracy and Hermione was not having any of it. After a falling out with Ron when he complained of how she was not joining him and Harry in Auror Training, Ginny had been pushing Hermione into random relationships. She’s done it with Cormac McLaggen, Terry Boot, Michael Corner - basically anyone who spends time with Hermione. She knew that the spirited red-head was simply looking out for her, not wanting her to be lonely after that rough breakup. Maybe it was her way of apologising on behalf of her brother.
“Suuuuure, Mione.” Ginny said with that look in her face. “Just a side project. Uhuh. Yeah.”
“Gin.” Hermione reprimanded, only to be given a cheeky grin in return.
Shaking her head as Ginny and Neville walked away. Hermione could not help but trail her gaze towards a certain blond who was still seated at the Slytherin table, seemingly having a spirited chat with his friends. Then as if by some pull, their eyes made contact and Hermione felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She merely smiled at Draco before waving a ‘see you later.’
Hogsmeade is beautiful in the spring. The scent of Scotland’s heather and pine wafted in the air, the wildflowers began to dominate the highlands landscape, and life was beginning to emerge from the dead of winter and the rubble of the last year. Remnants of war still lingered but with spring came new hope. Students of Hogwarts, visiting wizardfolk, and magical creatures alike walked the quaint streets of Hogsmeade. Preparations for Ostara were well in order with all the rabbit imagery, spring wreaths, and fairy dances evident everywhere one looked.
“Did your family celebrate these holidays?”
Hermione and Draco were walking down one of the shop-lined streets of Hogsmeade. A parcel wrapped in brown paper and twine nestled in Draco’s arm while Hermione carried a fresh bouquet of wildflowers in hers. To anyone outside looking in their little bubble, they looked like a perfect couple. With Hermione’s simple yet elegant cornflower blue dress, Draco’s steel grey cardigan over her shoulders, and their close proximity to each other; anyone would think they were a picture perfect resolution from the newly finished war. Their fleeting glances, butterfly-soft finger touches, and non-verbal communications made it irritating for those who knew they weren’t together to watch them. In the annoyed words of Pansy and Ginny - ‘Just admit you’re dating already!’
“My father did not subscribe but mother was devout in the traditions of our Druid ancestors.”
Draco looked at Hermione as they paused in front of the Honeydukes’ storefront. Little third years excitedly flitted between them, their eager little eyes scanning the saccharine wares of the shop. In the front of the store was this humongous chocolate rabbit giving away brightly coloured eggs to entering customers.
“Would you like some-”
“Shall we enter for-”
The two of them laughed at the fact that they spoke at the same time about the same thing. It has been a common occurrence when they were together, almost as if they were so in-tune with each other that they just seemed to know what the other was thinking. Draco felt a small smile form in his face as he looked at Hermione's small hand brazenly holding on to his wrist as she pulled him into the busy store. He wanted to hold her hand. He has wanted to hold hands with her for a long time now, but everytime he does, he feels the need to back away.
Theo and Pansy were half right. He did fancy Hermione. It could even be more than just childish fancy too. But whenever he did think about it, a severe tsunami of guilt washes over him. While he knows the Granger-Weasley affair came to an abrupt stop early in the school year, he cannot bring himself to pursue the war heroine. The things he had done, the things his family and their cohorts have done to her and her fellow muggleborns - he didn’t think she would allow him within 10 metres from her proximity. But she did. She became a close friend, confidant, ally, and recently, the subject of his affections. She had been so nice, so beautiful, so perfect, that he was just happy to be around her. He did not think he was allowed to ask for more, but he did want more.
“BLESSINGS TO THE LOVELY COUPLE!” The chocolate rabbit boomed as it handed them a pink and a blue egg; and almost immediately, a rush of red blossomed in both their cheeks and they avoided each other's eyes, their smiles awkward with a hint of happiness, and none of them corrected the rabbit.
The store was crowded on the inside. It was filled mostly with Hogwarts students buying their fill of sweets to fuel the upcoming exams. The tiny, hen-like witch manning the till could barely keep up with the rush as pile after pile of sugary treats avalanched over her. Surprisingly, the shelves never looked empty despite the high demand. It kept magically refilling after an item was taken away. Boxes of acid pops, clumps of cockroach clusters, crates of Bertie Botts, jars of Sugar Quills - any sweet imaginable kept refilling themselves as children, teens, and adults grabbed them.
Hermione, who decided that focusing on the shelves was the best thing to do after that awkward entrance, did not notice Draco stopping in front of her. Her small frame crashed into his Quidditch honed body and she felt strong arms scooping her waist up before she even had the chance to fall backwards. Soon she finds herself tightly embraced into his body. She was so close that she could smell his perfume, hints of spice, lavender, black vanilla and bergamot filled her nose as she made eye-contact with his stormy grey orbs. He did not let go.
“My friends think we’re dating,” he said quietly. She could feel his grip on her waist tighten and their distance from each other closing. Blood rushed to her cheeks as the low timbre of his voice filled her ears. There was pain, longing, affection, and desire in his voice and Hermione could feel gooseflesh prickling the back of her neck.
“M-mine too…” she answered, forgetting that her bouquet of wildflowers had hit the floor along with their brown-paper package.
Draco looked at Hermione as she maintained their eye contact. Her sun-gold eyes seemed to stare right at his soul and her sweet apple blossom perfume wafted into his nose, filling his senses with just her. He subconsciously tightened his grip around her waist, as if his body already knew how much he needed her; and her warmth seemed to seep all the way into his very core, making him want to hold her tighter.
“Do you think we should?” she looked away, sheepish. “I-I-I mean only if you-! What I really mean is-! Oh my goodness, Draco.” She straightened herself and took a deep breath. “What I am asking is, would dating me be a bad idea?”
When those words exited her pretty pink lips, Draco’s heart wanted to burst as his brain bombarded him with so many thoughts. “I should ask you that question, Hermione”
Hermione would have melted on the spot if it were physically possible. His grip on her waist has turned into an embrace now. His much taller figure seemed to have engulfed her entire frame with his embrace and the rush around them seemed to disappear. Time seemed to slow down and everything was in slow motion apart from her and Draco. There was only him now and nothing else.
She smiled at him, tears of joy coming out of nowhere. “Draco, dating you would be an honour.”