The Eighth Year - Under Major Reconstruction

7 - Cork

"So how have things been going with Malfoy?" Ginny asks me as she's snuggled up against Harry

"Well, they've been fine. To be honest, we're going out on a date tomorrow at Hogsmeade." Hermione says quickly avoiding the stares of her friends once they realize what she just said.

"Bloody hell! Why? Why would you go out with that Ferret?" Ron asks in disbelief

"Ron, honestly, We have to get married, so do you and Pansy and so do Ginny and Harry. I have to learn to like him or at least tolerate him. And that starts with going out together." Hermione grumbles taking a bite of her dinner.

"Well, at least you're trying. Is he still the same as he was?" Ginny asks not letting Ron speak again

"You know, no. He isn't. He's fascinated by muggle things, He's very kind. He's trying, really trying to be a better person. I think if he would have acted like this in our younger years then we could have been friends." Hermione tells her friends

"Don't get too close to that git without really knowing his intentions and personality. You never know what he could do." says Ron with a stuffed mouth looking a bit red in the face.

"Ron, it's fine. He won't do anything that will jeopardize him and his magic. What about you and Pansy? How are things with you?" Hermione retaliates awkwardly

"Things are fine, she is quite bossy, even more so than you. I think she means well though. She's also changed a lot since the war. Hasn't said one mean thing to me." He said to the group

"Remember not to get too close to her without knowing her true intentions and personality, You never know what she could do." Hermione mocks, using his own words against him, instead of saying anything he just looks down, quite embarrassed.

For the rest of dinner they barely talk to each other, Ron and Harry finished quickly and headed back to the common room, which just left Ginny and Hermione to talk and sit.

So of course, the minute they are out of earshot Ginny starts bursting out with questions about Draco.

"Yes, he was the one who suggested the date. He picked me up earlier and carried me to our bed and I guess I was asleep but I asked him to stay and we both fell asleep and then I felt bad for always taking the bed so he suggested a date to make up for it, that's basically how he asked me." The brown-haired girl explained quietly and quickly

"Wait, so you two slept in the same bed? Together? What happened?" Ginny pushes

"Yes, but it's only because I was asleep and confused. He said he didn't mean to touch me or anything and that he was just gonna sit next to me but he fell asleep. When I woke up his arm was around my waist..." Hermione whispered, blushing a bit

"'Mione, You're blushing! I told you that it was all gonna work out, didn't I? You've got to tell me everything that happens tomorrow. I'm gonna head back to the common room now, I'll see you later." She smiles and winks at her before glancing at the Slytherin table

Hermione sighs before continuing to eat her supper in silence, every once in a while looking over to the Slytherin table. The final time when she was just finishing eating, she looks up and realizes that a set of silver eyes are already on her, she held his gaze before awkwardly looking around and picking up her things, and heading out of the Great Hall, but before she could even get out of the door, a hand had grabbed her wrist, guessing it was Malfoy, she kept walking and pulled him out of the Great Hall so they could not be seen talking to each other willingly.

"Can I help you Malfoy?" She asks him before turning to look at him

"Well if I was Malfoy, I suppose you could." A voice she barely recognized said

"Oh...I thought you were Malfoy. What can I do for you, Blaise?"

"Well I know you're friends with Luna so I was hoping you could explain her a bit to me..." He laughs

"Oh yeah sure, she does need a bit of explaining...why did you come to me though?"

Hermione knew Blaise was a decent guy, she knew that from what Luna had told her, he had always been very kind to Luna from the very moment that they were sorted together.

"Well...I don't really know to be honest, I just know that you're with Draco so I figured you would be okay with me coming to talk to you... I really wanna make it work with Luna because of this stupid law so I have to understand her first. So shall we?" He asks leading her toward a secluded corner

"First of all, I'm not with Draco, we're not dating. Second, the first thing you need to know about Luna, is that she doesn't really care what people think about her. She is always kind and rarely gets angry at anyone. Sometimes you'll just have to humor her with her fantasies, I do think she has been starting to realize that a lot of them aren't real though. She is really just a kind person and she means well...any questions?" Hermione asks him

"What's with the weird cork necklace? And I was sort of wanting to take her out on a date...any ideas?" He asks her, whispering the last part in case there were any listening ears

"Keeps the nargles away, same as her Dirigible plum earrings. I would say head over to Hogsmeade and grab some butterbeer or go hunting for nargles." Hermione giggles knowing she was joking about the last one

"I'll go with the Hogsmeade date. Thanks for the help, Granger. Cheers!" He says walking away before Hermione stops him

"Just...not tomorrow. Wait till Saturday or something." Hermione says trying to cover up the fact that she would be going on a date with Draco Malfoy tomorrow

"Oh, want to keep your date with Draco secret? I already know. See ya in the common room Granger." He smirks before walking off

\\~//

I hate this chapter, K bye.

Sorry this was a day late. I'm pooped.

Xx Shelby