Challenge Me

C H A P T E R S I X T E E N

Draco Malfoy

She is late. The clock is exactly 6.02pm. I look away from my tiny corner of the restaurant toward the opening, once I confirm Granger is still not here, I turn my eyes towards my best mate. I observe as he plays with the rim of his glass and bounces his jean-clad leg up and down, almost exhibiting a nervous behaviour. We make eye contact and I lift my right arm to raise my glass at him – thanking him for doing me this favour.

Just as I turn my head away from him, I hear the familiar chime of the door which signals another person has just walked in, my head snaps in the direction of the door and my stomach falls onto the floor. I don't take my eyes off the brunette beauty who just sauntered in, she is breathtaking in every way someone can be.

I need to try and make myself look busy, think Draco, think. Ah huh! I will read the menu – pretend to order food and instead buy her a drink! I'm not only a genius, but I'm a gentleman.

I let my eyes wander over the witches and wizards in the musky bar, how could any of them ignore the absolute goddess that just walked in? Then again, its best they keep to themselves. She is mine.

She sat down and shook Blaise's hand – how Granger like. I watched them interact back and forth and finally called the waitress over to place my first drink. She seems like she enjoys a vodka cranberry, not so much a firewhisky.

I watched as she smiled and knitted her eyebrows in confusion as the waitress handed her the drink, insisting she didn't order it. My eyes never left her.

Three hours had passed when Granger had looked at her wristwatch, once she noticed the time, she thanked Zabini and bid him a good night. She picked up her belongings and began to exit. I caught Blaise's eye as he gave me a look, I knew what he was saying. If I didn't do it now, I never will.

I followed her as she left the bar, I wiped my sweaty palms on my trousers and took many breaths. How was I going to approach her? What was I going to say to her? Who am I kidding, the golden girl would never want anything to do with an ex death eater?

But then again, she did seem keen enough when we were snogging – honestly, what did I have to lose? Besides my ego...

I observed the way she gripped her handbag that little bit closer to her body, and the way her free hand was held closely to her wand pocket. The fact she, or any female, felt the need to do that hurt something inside my chest.

I took a breath before yelled her name, she spun around with her wand drawn to my face, the moment her eyes found him she visibly relaxed. Lowering her wand she asked me what I wanted, here goes nothing.

"I've answered this same question before, Granger, and I have the same answer. You. I want you, Hermione. I've never stopped wanting you. I want to be there when you scream in happiness or cry out of frustration, I want to be the first person you talk to every morning and the last person to be on your mind before you go to bed. I don't know why you deny your feelings, but I'm determined to change your pretty little mind – I'm not the same bully I was in school, I've changed.

I know I haven't given you many reasons to give me a second chance but I'm here, right now, begging you to. I know why it didn't work between you and weasel-bee, it wasn't because you weren't compatible. It's because you wanted more, you want someone who will challenge you, someone who completes you in every possible way. Including your intelligence. And I can, I will. I will challenge you every day if you want me to.

Please, Hermione, let me show you everything I have to offer and I promise you won't be disappointed. " My breath hitched as I laid everything out in front of the both of us. I don't remember ever emitting this much emotion, not even as a little boy. It felt different, it felt raw, and I think I am okay with that.