From Venice with Love

Hermione spent almost as much time getting ready for lunch as she did for the opera. Her mother fussed over her hair as she tried to leave. “Honestly, Mum,” she swatted her mother’s hands away. “I’ve spent more time in front of the mirror in this last week then I ever have in my life!”


“Well, dear,” her mother said kindly. “You’ve never had a boyfriend before.”

“Draco is not my boyfriend,” Hermione said weakly. “We’re just…friends, I think.”

Her mother smiled knowingly at her. “Whatever you say, dear.”

Hermione sighed, annoyed, and left the suite. When she got to the piazza Draco was there, waiting for her. She was used to seeing him in Muggle clothes now, and watched him from a distance, admiring his blue shirt and once again saw how handsome he was. His light hair was blowing crazily in the wind as he watched the square, obviously looking for her. Suddenly, his eyes met hers and he smiled. Hermione smiled back and walked towards him.

“Hello,” she said, unsure of how to greet him. Draco continued to smile and pulled her in to a kiss. It was brief, but Hermione was blushing all the same. That only made his smile widen.

“Do you get yours?” he asked.

“Get my what?”

He held out a thick sheath of papers to her. “Your letter. Mine came a half hour ago.”

“Oh!” she said. “No, not yet. What does it say?”

He shrugged. “Same thing as last year, pretty much. Once you get yours, I’ll send one of the elves to get our supplies. I’m a prefect again- I was surprised about that.”

“Congratulations!” Hermione hugged him joyfully. Her mind was on her own letter though, wondering if she’d made Head Girl or not.

“You know that means you’ll be my boss,” he teased her.

“If I’m Head Girl,” she said automatically.

Draco laughed, “Oh, come on, Hermione! Don’t act like you don’t know.”

“It’s not that!” she protested. “It’s that, well, if I say I will be and then I’m not-I’ll look pretty silly, won’t I?”

“Silly to who?” he asked. “There’s only me here and I don’t think you‘re silly. Not about this anyway. You need to learn to take what you want.”

“Like a Slytherin?” she wrinkled her nose.

“It’s better than false modesty,” he said, and cut her off as she protested. “Do you honestly think it won’t be you, Granger? Honestly?”

Slowly, Hermione shook her head. “Then it is false modesty,” he concluded. “Now, where should we eat?”

Hermione stared at him, unsettled by his statements. “Ummm-“

“Slytherins aren’t all bad,” Draco said. “Just like I assume all Gryffindors aren’t idiots, acting before they think. Am I correct?”

Hermione just nodded, trying to decide whether he had just insulted her.

“Good, let’s eat!” He led her to a nearby café where they ordered. Hermione had a salad; her stomach was a little upset thinking about her Hogwarts letter. She didn’t say much while they ate, just answered whatever questions Draco asked her, and when they were done he sighed as they got up.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked.

“Go where?”

“Your hotel, of course. I know you just spent an hour in my awe-inspiring presence not hearing a word I said, worried about your bloody letter,” he said. “So, let’s go get it. Maybe then I’ll get the attention I deserve.” He moved out of the way as Hermione struck at him half-heartedly.

“Thank you,” she said gratefully. “I’m sorry.”

“Not a problem. You can make it up to me later,” He leered at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes as they neared her hotel. “Whatever you say, Malfoy.”

They rode the elevator in silence as Hermione’s stomach jumped in anticipation.

As soon as they walked into the room, her mother held out 2 letters to her. “Hermione, these came right after you left!” she said. “Hello, Draco. How are you?”

“Fine, Mrs. Granger. And you?” he asked politely as Hermione ripped the letters from her mother’s hand, tuning them out entirely.

The first letter was the standard “Welcome Back” letter with her list of supplies. She flung it at Draco, who raised an eyebrow at her.

“Thank you for getting my supplies for me, Draco,” he said.

“Yes, of course,” she muttered at him as she focused on the second letter. Taking a deep breath, she opened it. Before she even read the letter, she could see the writing on the shiny badge that fell out of the envelope.

“Oh, Hermione!” her mother gushed. “Congratulations, dear!”

Hermione struggled to stay focused on the letter, her head swimming. She looked up at Draco, who stood patiently staring at her, smirking. “You were right-Macmillan is Head Boy.” She said finally.

“Of course,” he said. “Congratulations.”

“We’ll need to celebrate!” her mother said. “What would you like to do, Hermione? Your father and I had plans to go to the theatre tonight but we can change them.”

“No, Mum, you go,” she said. “I actually would rather rent a movie and stay in. I’m rather tired.” She stepped on Draco’s foot to keep him from protesting.

“If you’re sure...” her mother said, uncertainly. “We’ll go out tomorrow night. Draco, of course ,you’re invited as well.”

“Thank you,” he said, still frowning at Hermione, who wouldn’t meet his eyes.

As her mother left the room Hermione whispered, “I’m tired of going out. Don’t you just want to stay in?”

Realization dawned on his face and he smiled. “Of course, Granger. I’d love to stay here with you while your parents are out.”

“To see a movie, Malfoy.” She groaned. “Honestly,”

“You call it whatever you want to,” he teased.

“You do know what a movie is, don’t you?” Hermione asked.

He pretended to be offended.”Of course I do. I did take Muggle Studies, you know. I thought you had to go someplace to see one, though, like you would an opera.”

“Sometimes you do. See that machine?”” she pointed to the DVD player on top of the TV. “That plays movies at home. We’ll just have to go to the lobby and find some good movies to watch.”

Draco walked over to the DVD player and studied it.”It comes out on there?” he pointed to the TV screen and she nodded. He shrugged. “Sounds interesting.”

“Would you like to go home and change?” she asked him.

He looked down at his blue shirt and black tailored pants.”If we’re not going anywhere, why should I change?” he asked, amused.

“Well, I just thought-we’ll just be sitting around eating popcorn; you may be more comfortable in something less formal.” Hermione fumbled.

He grinned evilly at her. “If you want me to take off my clothes, Granger, just say so.”

Hermione blushed deeply. “I just meant that, well, I’m going to change. Never mind.”

Draco laughed. “I’ll be back in an hour,” he said and left, still laughing.