Puppy-Dog Tales

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Chapter 11 - Dates, Dresses, Diaries, and Dads

Responses to reviews to come next chapter.

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Draco paced the length of his room stiffly.

She was just being stubborn.

He was clearly better than Severus. There was nothing that the old fart could offer her that Draco couldn't do better!

Severus' dick was surely all old and shriveled, clad in cobwebs.

What could he do to manipulate her?

He needed to woo her so she'd forget Severus. A memory charm won't do.

He frowned as he miniaturized his trunk and stuffed it in his pocket. He stalked to the fireplace and tossed a handful of floo powder in and stepped through into the downstair's parlor.

Draco paced the empty parlor.

What could he do for Hermione? She needed to see that she was meant to carry the next Malfoy.

“What do you need, son?” asked a grumpy Lucius. He had been woken from his sleep by an elf proclaiming his son had returned.

"Hermione is a wicked witch," Draco pouted a little.

"What has she done, Draco?" Lucius asked, stumbling to a liquor counter regretting how he'd spoiled his child as he poured himself a brandy.

“She left me to go on a date with Severus.”

Lucius rolled his eyes with his back to the boy.

"Faint heart never won fair lady," Lucius said, taking a sip.

“I am not faint hearted! Severus should bugger off!”

"Instead of trying to figure out how to outdo Severus, you are sitting here and pouting," Lucius said, sitting in a chair opposite his son.

“But she should see that I am the best and not talk about old men!”

"Old men?" Lucius asked, "There are more than Severus she is interested in?"

“Yes! She always talks about you as well...you this, you that…it's gross!”

Lucius swirled his brandy, "Maybe I should give her a go. I can have up to three wives."

“Father, you won't do that1 Right?” Draco pleaded.

"I don't know. I had never thought such a young, beautiful witch would like me. And I am certain I can win a witch over Severus."

"Father," Draco said, stomping his foot.

Lucius looked at his petulant child who was practically shooting steam from his ears.

“It would be certainly interesting to woo a witch again…oh the days.”

"FATHER!" Draco said, "Stop being mean."

“A young supple body under mine...I could do so much with two witches... let your mother rest more.”

"I HATE YOU!" Draco said.

"Draco, I am teasing you. I would never take something you wanted," Lucius said, "Now sit down."

Draco slumped into a chair and slid down with his arms crossed.

“Here, have a drink, too,” Lucius said handing Draco a tumbler.

Draco drank it all in one gulp.

“I don't want you to get drunk, boy.”

"I want to be drunk. Will make it hurt less."

“You just have to win her over. It's easy, really.”

"She wants old farts. I am young and handsome. I am randy!"

“And with that attitude, you will be left with yourself and your hand, boy.”

"Why would she want you or Uncle Sev? You both are old! Why does she insist in this behavior? She wants to vex me."

“Calm down, pup. She wants a man, not a spoiled brat.”

Draco growled and reached for the brandy.

“Drinking won't solve your problem.”

"I'm thirsty," Draco said, taking a swig from the crystal.

With a flick of Lucius' wrist, the alcohol changed to water.

Draco frowned at the bottle.

"That was cruel, Father."

"What gestures have you made for Miss Granger?"

“I always lurk around her room entrance to take her to meals.”

"That is scary and stalkerlike," Lucius said, setting his own empty tumbler down.

“It's considerate! As Potty lurks too!”

"I repeat, scary, stalkerlike, and shows insecurity on your part. You want to project confidence."

“But I am confident! And I hear girls like clingy!”

"You aren't showing you are confident. You should ask to escort her. Miss Granger is a powerful, confident witch, and she will be looking for her equal in a wizard. She would not like clingy. I've been watching you, and it seems to wear on her nerves a little. She likes the gesture to be sure. But there is something missing in the delivery."

Draco pouted and summoned a bottle of cognac.

Lucius cast a spell at the bottle and sealed it against breaking and opening.

"Draco, take constructive criticism. I had my share of woes winning your mother's heart. And I succeeded by learning to please her."

“Hermione is pleased!”

"If she was truly pleased, she would have eyes for no others."

“She says she can't choose who is best,” Draco said and sunk into his char.

"Lucius, come back to bed," a squinty eyed Narcissa said as she padded into the room. She crawled into Lucius' lap and wrapped his arms around her. "I can't sleep without you next to me."

“Cissy, our boy is a pathetic brat.”

"He is a sweet boy," Narcissa said, resting her cheek over her husband's heart and closing her eyes.

"I am not PATHETIC!" Draco said, wishing he had something to throw.

“You can't woo your witch. She is all over Severus...and even wants me.”

"I will have her," Draco said, standing and jutting his jaw forward as his nose crinkled and his eyes hardened and his upper lip curled into a sneer.

“Your attitude is all wrong, boy. What else have you done?”

"I filled her room with flowers! She liked it."

"Was it practical?" Lucius asked. "Could she even walk in her room?"

“Through a path of petals she could.”

"A single vase would have been sufficient."

“A single vase doesn’t express what I feel!”

"And sending flowers enough to befuddle the whole female population of Hogwarts is so much better," Lucius said. "We can discuss the best method for wooing Miss Granger in the morning. Your mother needs sleep, and this chair is not comfortable for that."

“But it is an emergency! She might have shagged Snape by then!”

"Severus will not move that fast. He will take no chance of being a practice-shag when another wizard is on the mind of the witch. Never forget he is a potions master and the traits of those that are true masters of that craft."

Lucius lifted his sleeping wife who snuggled into him more and kissed on his chest a little sleepily.

“Yes, Snape will quickly brew a lust potion and shag her into his moldy mattress!”

"Draco, you will learn that patience is a virtue. These things take time. Neither Severus, nor Miss Granger are going to rush into anything."

“I can feel it!” Draco hid his face in his hands. Why was this so difficult?

"Draco, take a bubble-bath and relax. You need to have all your wits about you to win your witch."

"Lucius, be quiet," Narcissa said, wriggling a little in his arms as he carried her to their room.

Draco pouted and went to the floo. That was no great help.

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Hermione sighed as she slipped up to her room with the first rays of sunshine peaking through the east facing windows.

The night with Severus had been wonderful. They had done a fair share of snogging and she had wanted more, so much more but he denied her.

He was always a gentleman. She touched her tender lips and slid her hands down her sides remembering how good his touch had felt.

He had not wanted to touch her bare skin or under her knickers.

It was so unlike Draco who was always trying to get his hands places they didn't have business being

But she wanted her hands to be on Severus' skin, exploring his body.

He was so controlled and let her know he was in charge of things without forcing any issue.

And she loved the way he responded to her attention. The way his pale cheeks flushed and his breathing quickened.

She slipped into her room noticing that no Draco was waiting about for her. She sighed. It was nice to be able to walk without tripping on him. She adored him, but he had little sense of personal space.

She noticed a vase of rare purple orchids on her nightstand.

She smiled and sniffed one.

Hermione noticed a card attached to the flowers.

She plucked it off, and unfolded it.

I miss you so much. I hope you had a good night. May I escort you to breakfast? Yours forever, Draco.

Hermione kissed the note and held it to her chest.

She snatched a piece of parchment and quill. She scribbled an answer on it, and tossed it through the floo shouting 'headboy's room.'

Maybe Draco was trying hard to woo her. His attempts were cute.

Draco gasped as he saw the parchment float out of the fire with singed edges.

He snatched it and unfolded it.

Dear Draco. I am happy to accept your offer of escorting me to breakfast with you. My trunk is packed and ready for collection. Looking forward to see you, Hermione.

Draco sighed and twirled about.

He grabbed his mirror and breathed into it, "Father."

“What is it, Draco?” answered a sleepy and disheveled Lucius.

"She wants me to escort her to BREAKFAST!" Draco announced proudly puffing his chest out.

“Where do I take her to breakfast?” Draco asked soberly.

"What does she like for breakfast?"

“She likes croissants, jam and tea...mostly.”

“Take her to the Diamond Crust. They have good pastries. Anything else, son?”

"Don't flirt with her when I bring her home!" Draco said turning the mirror off and putting it in his pocket.

Draco checked his appearance in the mirror and sprayed a bit of aftershave on.

Draco took a deep breath and forced himself to walk calmly up the stairs to meet her.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"I'll be right there."

Draco was nervous.

Hermione stepped out to meet him.

"Good Morning, Draco."

“Good morning, Hermione,” he said and kissed her hand, “You look gorgeous.”

"You are handsome as well, though it is a constant state and nothing which requires tedious preparation on your part."

“It does take a while...if you saw mw in the morning you'd be peeved,” he laughed.

"I'm sure that isn't true," Hermione said, taking his arm.

"I thought you might like to go out for breakfast rather than stay here."

“That would be nice. After all, we're supposed to leave today.”

"Yes," Draco said, as he led her onto the grounds and toward the gate. "When we finish, I thought you would enjoy visiting The Silver Pen."

“It would be wonderful, Draco.”

Draco blushed as he covered her hand.

"Do you mind going sidealong?"

“I thought it might be nice to walk,” she said and kissed his cheek.

Draco tried to take her hand, and this time she let him.

"Would you like to window shop as we go?" Draco asked. "Anything you want is yours."

“Draco, you can't buy me,” she said and scowled at the blond.

"I don't think that I can, but I would wish to give you all that you want, Dearest," Draco said, drawing her hand up and kissing it.

Hermione squeezed Draco's hand a little as he lowered it and reached over putting her other hand on his arm.

The bell tinkled as they left the bread shop and walked down the stone street.

“There's a bridal shop nearby. Would you like to see it?” Draco asked, smiling softly.

"Draco, I am not your bride-to-be yet," Hermione said, tugging his arm as she saw an apothecary.

“We can visit any shops you like. The Malfoy vault can handle all the shopping you may wish!”

Hermione looked up at him and sighed.

"I don't want you to ever wish for anything. You should have all you want and then some," Draco assured her.

Hermione rubbed her cheek on his arm.

Draco sighed happily. His witch!

"Draco, there is the broom store. Do you want to go in and look?"

“But shouldn't we be looking at things for you?”

"I am interested in your interests," Hermione said, looking into his grey eyes. "I would not mind looking at brooms if you want to look."

Besides that, the boy's birthday was soon and she needed an idea of something that he would like as a gift.

“But after this we go to a store you want, okay?”

"Alright," Hermione answered, allowing Draco to hold the door open for her.

This Quidditch store was way different from the one in the main shopping district. Here the items were laid out in a vast space, each type of gear having its own tidy section.

Draco instantly gravitated toward a gleaming broom in a glass case. He stared at the broom and bit his lip.

“What is this one?” Hermione asked. She had no clue what the types of brooms were.

"It is a Thunderbolt," Draco said, and his fingers twitched a little aching to test-fly the broom.

“What does it do? Why is it closed away from the other brooms?”

"They are all handmade. It has a great deal of enchantments. The fastest broom in the world. Makes a firebolt look slow. This is the only store where they can be bought. A very limited supply. No two are exactly the same."

Draco looked down at Hermione as she inspected it.

"They are made to order and made for one person. And consequently, pricey. I've been begging Father for one for the longest, but he said he would not risk me wrecking it."

“Aw, that's a shame. You are a very good flier. Maybe you can teach me a bit?”

"Maybe a night flight would be agreeable," Draco said, gazing at the broom sadly. "I wonder whom that one is for."

Hermione felt sad for him. He looked so absorbed in the topic when he talked about the broom.

Draco sighed and wandered off a little ways away and looked at wrist guards and other protective gear.

Hermione turned to the clerk hovering nearby

"How may I help you, Miss Granger?" the young man asked, smiling at her.

“Is it possible to order a broom like the one in the display case?”

"Of course," he said, pulling out an order form. "Is the broom for you?"

“No, it's for Draco. I can't fly well myself.”

"Oh," the boy said, and his smile fell as he began to ask her the standard questions.

"Would it be possible to order custom made flying work-out clothes for him, too?" Hermione asked, looking over at the pouty boy who was playing with a snitch.

“Of course, Miss Granger. We have his measurements. Would you like the fit of the gear to be loose, average or tight?”

"Tight," Hermione said, looking over at Draco who was now had a small child in his arms.

“And what color? House colors or standard plain?”

"A dark wine red," Hermione said, watching Draco hand the little girl to her mother. The little girl waved to Draco.

Draco waved back.

“Can I interest you in our new witch flying gear?”

"No thank you," Hermione said.

"Hermione," Draco said, quickly dashing over to her as he saw the clerk hovering.

Draco glared at the clerk.

"Are you ready to go, Draco?" Hermione asked.

"Mr. Malfoy," the clerk said.

Before he could say more, Hermione punched her fist into her hand and pointed at the clerk behind Draco's back.

"You have a lovely fiancée," the clerk said, turning and walking into the back.

"What were you doing?" Draco asked, offering his arm to her.

Hermione placed her hand on his arm, "Just watching you help that little girl find her mother."

"Her name was Carolina," Draco said. "I like kids."

“That I saw you. Will make a good father one day. I was just inquiring about flying gear intended for witches,” Hermione said.

Draco gave the broom another sad look, before leading Hermione from the store.

"Lady's choice," Draco said, making a sweeping gesture at the rest of the street.

“I think I saw a bookstore a few doors down!” Hermione was glad that she had managed to fill out the order form before Draco saw. Somehow she felt that he deserved the present. And as she had a lot of funds thanks the Ministry's over-generous war hero pension, she could afford it.

"As you wish," Draco said, but he found himself abruptly stopped.

Hermione was staring at a window display containing green dress.

“That would look lovely on you,” Draco said and hugged her close.

"Don't be silly," Hermione said, though she continued to stare at the gorgeous medieval style gown with silver beading on the bodice.

“Trying on won't hurt and is free,” Draco reminded her.

"I suppose," Hermione said, allowing Draco to drag her into the shop.

"Mr. Malfoy," a saleswizard said, bouncing up to them and offering a limp hand.

“We'd like to see the dress from the window, please.”

"Of course," the saleswizard said, "For you, Miss?"

He smiled widely at Hermione.

Hermione nodded as the saleswizard took her hand and flicked his wand at the window.

The dress floated and stilled close to her. “Would you like to try it on?”

Hermione nodded. The saleswizard squealed, and led her to the dressing room.

Hermione was nervous to try on such a fine garment.

"You'll look fabulous," he said. "And the handsome man, is your affianced?"

“We are courting right now,” Hermione said and went into the changing cubicle.

"I would go for him. He is handsome, rich, and very kind."

Hermione pouted.

"Course, he is unfortunately not disposed to find me attractive. Do you want the matching gloves, shoes, hairpiece, and undergarments?”

“If that goes with the outfit, why not?”

"Indeed!" the saleswizard called summoning them and passing them over the door to her.

Hermione liked playing dress up. It was fun to be someone else for a moment.

She gasped as she looked at herself in the mirror. She now looked like she matched Draco.

She decided that it was time to show him how it looked like as she had made him wait a long time.

Hermione pulled the curtain back and stepped out.

Draco gulped as he looked her up and down. She was fabulous.

“Does it look alright?” Hermione asked, suddenly feeling shy under his heated gaze.

Draco moved quickly to her and kissed her hand.

“You look like a queen, Sweet,” Draco said, his voice husky.

“I insist on getting you this outfit, as it is a feat for my eyes.”

"Naughty man," Hermione said, hitting his arm with a fan.

Draco laughed and caught her wrist drawing it to his chest.

“You make my heart race and keep me feeling giddy. And this outfit accomplishes that tenfold. I can't even describe how happy I am to be considered your future husband.”

"Would you like to wear that out?" Draco asked.

“I can keep it on? I feel so pretty in this!'

“I will be the luckiest man in the world to have such a beauty on my arm.”

Hermione giggled as she reappeared still in her dress and moved to Draco.

"Just gorgeous," the saleswizard said, "and such a fine beau on your arm."

“Do I look good enough for you?” Draco asked, straightening his fine suit.

"Delicious," the saleswizard said, licking his lips.

Draco scowled at the saleswizard.

Hermione giggled, and took the saleswizard's hands.

"I do hope you will always come here for your clothing needs, Miss Granger," the wizard said filling out the paperwork for charging the Gringotts account.

Draco leaned in and kissed her cheek gently.

"I'm sure I'll be seeing you in the future," Hermione said. "Can you tell me who designed this gown?"

"I did," the saleswizard said very quietly.

“It is a wonderful dress. Do you do custom designs?” Draco asked, still standing close to his witch.

"Whatever the lady would wish," the saleswizard said, flushing brightly. "You're the first important lady to ever wear one of my designs."

"You're very talented," Hermione said, looping her hand through Draco's arm.

“If you can give us your name and owl address we could contact you to enquire about future designs,” Draco said.

The saleswizard quickly passed them a card for the shop after writing his name and address on the back.

“Shall we go for lunch now, sweetness?” Draco asked, taking her hand.

"I really want to go to the Silver Pen," Hermione said, looking up at him.

“Then we shall go, my Princess. And after lunch you will meet my parents and pick the puppy.”

"You are too good to me," Hermione said, leaning up and kissing his cheek.

“I need to be better than good to show you that i am worth your attention.”

Hermione giggled and hugged his arm more tightly.

“You are very handsome. That is definitely a plus. Such gorgeous eyes.”

Draco smirked as he led her up a grand marble staircase to a Grecian style building front with great glass doors.

“I hope it will be to your liking as I want you to enjoy spending time with me,” Draco said as he opened the door for her.

Hermione smiled up at him.

"Would you like to eat first? No food is allowed near the books, but there is an exclusive rooftop restaurant that revolves and gives a stunning view of town."

“Can I have a look at the books first?”

"As you wish," Draco said, and he motioned to the glass cases surrounding them. "Do you want to see Gryffindor's Journal?"

“Oh yes please! Will they let us see it just like that?”

"They will let you and me do whatever we want," Draco said, taking her hand and leading her up to a caretaker. "We want to see Gryffindor's Journal."

"You know the codes to get in, Mr. Malfoy," the elderly witch said smiling at the pair.

Hermione was giddy. She had wanted to see it since forever! And now she was so close!

Draco led her through a maze and swished his wand in a star shape chanting softly.

The wall opened and revealed a tiny cove with a single circular window.

Hermione looked up at Draco expectantly.

"After you, my dear," he said, gesturing to the room.

Hermione tried not to run to see the book in the glass case.

"Do you want to read?" Draco asked, approaching behind her.

"Read it?"

“Yes, I want!” Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes wide as she watched Draco extract the fragile leather bound journal from the case.

Draco pointed his wand at the fireplace. Flames roared up as he placed the journal in her hands.

He wouldn’t tell her that when his father had opened this restaurant and book exhibition that the journal of Gryffindor was the main exhibit because Slytherins did not care for a Gryffindor's mutterings.

"Draco, are we allowed?" Hermione asked, touching the leather gently.

"It belongs to my family. Of course we are."

Hermione took the journal with trembling hands. She caressed the old leather cover tenderly, before slowly opening the journal.

"It's nothing," Draco said with a shrug. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

"You rotten spoilt brat," a silky voice interrupted as the room glowed green for a moment. "You know you aren't to be touching my books. I don't care if it is just the musing of an idi..." Lucius cut off as he saw Hermione looking at the book as though it were a treasure.

"Good Afternoon, Father."

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There it was my lovlies. DO drop a review. They are donuts and other things as sweet and yummy to the plot wab.

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