Chapter 1
In the car I just can't wait
to pick you up for our very first date.
Draco was nervous, after years of pining for her, he was finally able to act on his feelings. It took a while to figure out how the muggle contraption worked, months really; but it was worth it if only to prove to her he had changed.
Hermione stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was not looking forward to tonight. Professor McGonagall had decided that all graduates should go on a 'date' with a member of an opposite house. The professor had even rented small houses in varying neighborhoods around London to make the dates seem more real and less forced. It was her bad luck that it had been strongly suggested that she go with Malfoy since she could be relied upon not to kill him. She wasn't sure if it was because they didn't believe her to be capable of such an act or because her grade would suffer horribly if she did. With a sigh she made one last attempt to keep her curls in some semblance of order when she heard a knock on her door. With another large sigh she got up to answer; let the torture begin.
Is it cool if I hold your hand?
Is it wrong that I think it's lame to dance?
Draco's palm's were slightly sweaty, he was nervously waiting for the door to open. He couldn't help but wonder how far he could go in escorting her. Would she let him hold her hand? If he was lucky, maybe she would allow him to properly escort her with his hand on the small of her back. He smiled, most people wouldn't get an opportunity for a proper escort since they had decided on clubs or bars as destinations. Draco thought that was lame and opted instead to take Hermione to dinner; he hoped she didn't mind. What was the point of a date if neither party could communicate over the noise?
Hermione waited, hand poised on the handle. Please let him get fed up and leave.
Do you like my stupid hair?
Would you guess that I didn't know what to wear?
Hermione opened the door, there he was; the ferret. HIs platinum blonde locks hung loosely and he was wearing expensive slacks and a green, button-up, silk shirt. The rich bastard was probably showing off his wealth. As if as a muggleborn she couldn't afford expensive clothes. She could tell that he tensed when she opened the door, and again when he offered her his hand reluctantly. This was going to be a long night if he continued to barely contain his dislike of her. How on earth Professor McGonagall convinced Malfoy the ask her of all people would likely never be known.
Draco tensed when she opened the door, Hermione was gorgeous. Her brown hair was silky with just the perfect amount of curl to frame her face in the best possible way. Best of all she was wearing a deep burgundy dress that hugged her curves oh so wonderfully. His hands itched and he wanted to touch the material so badly; but that would be very bad form on a first date. He hoped that she couldn't tell that he couldn't decide what to wear and just grabbed his clothes completely at random from his closet. He did want to look good for her; but after hours of searching for something she would approve of he had run out of time. Then there was his hair, it looked stupid and he knew that it had to look stupid. No matter what he did he couldn't get it to stay out of his face. It was almost like his hair could tell he was nervous and was trying to help him hide. To stop thinking about it he sucked up what little courage he had and offered her his hand.
I'm too scared of what you think
you make me nervous so I really can't eat.
Draco knew the food sitting in front of him was delicious; it was one of his favourite dishes from this restaurant. He couldn't bring himself to eat any, he had no appetite despite not being able to remember if he had eaten anything at all today. He just couldn't stop thinking about the girl in front of him. Their conversation was polite, but nothing more or less. He almost wished they would have an argument. An argument would at least show him that she acknowledged it was him she was eating with.
Hermione glanced up into cold grey eyes watching her eat her pasta. She couldn't help but notice he had barely touched his food. Spoiled bastard probably think the food is beneath him. Muggle food too good for the all powerful Malfoy heir. She bet he wouldn't even tip the waiter properly.
Let's go, don't wait, this nights almost over
Honest, let's make this night last forever
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Draco watched her clean her plate with a piece of garlic toast. Merlin she was perfect. He wished this night would never end, that he could spend eternity with this girl that was too good for him. Time was going by too quickly; he still hadn't managed to get her into a proper conversation. A little longer, just a little more time with this fiery angel to get her to see him.
Hermione finished off her garlic toast, using it to absorb the remaining sauce on her plate. This night just didn't end, ever! She wanted this stupid excuse for house unity to end so she could curl up with a book and her cat, but it just seemed to drag on. Where was the waiter? She couldn't help but wonder if Malfoy at least had enough manners to pay for her share.
When you smile, I melt inside
I'm not worthy of a minute of your time
I really wish it was only me and you
I'm jealous of everybody in the room
Hermione smiled brightly, maybe it was the dark raspberry merlot, but she never expected Draco Malfoy to be able to make her laugh so naturally. Had to be the wine, or maybe someone disguised as Malfoy.
Draco loved her smile, it lit up her entire face. Merlin how he wished he could have that smile all to himself. He couldn't help but glance around the room to see who else had seen her smile. A smile that he, Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Prince, had managed to drag out of Gryffindor's Princess.
Please don't look at me with those eyes
Please don't hint that I'm capable of lies
Hermione glared at Malfoy, he hadn't insulted her once. He had taken her to a muggle restaurant AND tipped the waiter quite well. This wasn't the Malfoy she knew and hated. She had figured that Professor McGonagall had talked him into asking her, but what if she hadn't? What if this was a trap to make her lower her guard?
Draco watched as Hermione's eyes turned from joyful to accusing; what had he done? He was sure that he had been a perfect gentleman. He knew their past wasn't the best, but she had said yes when he asked her out. He wasn't the same as he once was; he could no longer even pretend that he had ever meant the insults he had used to hurt her.
I dread the thought of our very first kiss
A target that I'm probably going to miss.
Dinner was over and Draco had once again managed to make Hermione smile. As he took her home his thoughts trailed to her lips. He couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to kiss her. Even though she would probably hex him; he still thought it may be worth it. Would she laugh at him for trying? Would she hate it so much that she would send Weasel and Potter after him? The more he thought about it the more he felt his small bit of courage draining away.
Hermione turned to open her door when Malfoy called her by her first name. She turned back towards him and felt him place a chaste kiss right next to her lips before he was turning red and rushing away.
Let's go, don't wait, this nights almost over
Honest, let's make this night last forever
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Draco Malfoy was far too dignified to run from a date, but he did put good effort into quickly retreating. He couldn't bear to see her reaction. He could only hope he could get himself to the safety of the muggle contraption before she remembered to hex him. This bloody moment seemed to take forever, why was time taunting him? Why did he have to miss?
Hermione blinked dumbly, did Draco just try to kiss her? Was he embarrassed that he missed, or did he miss on purpose? Looking back on her night it all started to make sense to her. There was a reason she was the brightest witch of her age. Draco's tensing, his lack of appetite, everything was because he was nervous. Did that mean he actually fancied her? That this wasn't some elaborate scheme to lower her guard? Everything kept playing over and over in her mind making the night seem to last forever.
Let's go, don't wait, this nights almost over
Honest, let's make this night last forever
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Draco had his hand on the car door when he heard Hermione call him back. He knew he couldn't ignore her; he would turn and face whatever punishment she had for him. She could hex his or punch him; he probably deserved worse for how he had treated when they were younger.
Hermione was almost surprised at how quickly Draco stopped and turned around. He look anxious, as if he expected her to hex him. Instead she looked into his storm grey eyes, thanked him for the wonderful evening and kissed him properly. All the while wishing the kiss would last forever.
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Those beautiful chocolate coloured eyes stared into his moments before they closed and she kissed him. Draco was shocked for a moment before he too closed his eyes and kissed her back. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he placed one arm around her waist and the other at the base of her neck; allowing his fingers to curl into her hair as he deepened the kiss. Hermione's only response was to tangle her hands in his hair and try to pull him closer. He had no idea where they would stand tomorrow, honestly he almost didn't care, he just wanted this one moment, this one perfect moment, to never end. He would deal with tomorrow when it came; when he could think clearly and form a coherent thought. Best first date ever.
