Blind Date Surprises

A/N: I tried to get this out sooner. But the Malfoys are actually hard to write without overdoing it. They are subtely manipulative and that is not easy. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, I have taken all suggestions into account as to the ending and I think it will be enojoyable and a bit surprising. Soooo, I guess that is it. Thanks again.







Ch. 12 Malfoy Manor



They were standing in front of an enormous iron gate. Draco had Hermione’s arm gently entwined with his own. Her fingers were digging into his skin and he was certain that, if she did not let go, blood would be drawn.



“I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go home. I can’t do this, Draco.” She whimpered, trying her best to convince him to let her go away.



Draco gently squeezed her hand. “No, sorry, Hermione. We are already here. Don’t you want to be able to say you had the guts to go in?” He was trying to antagonize her into going just to prove a point. He was failing.



“If I live through this to tell anyone.” She muttered under her breath. At this, Draco sighed impatiently and stood in front of her, his steely eyes meeting her honey ones. “Hermione, do you really think I’d let any harm come to you?” He gave her a small smile that was smashed away with her next words.



“You did last time I was here.” It was barely a whisper, and she hoped he hadn’t heard, but he had. He took a deep, calming breath. Then took her hands in his and as he spoke, his searing gaze was almost too much for Hermione.



“Hermione. That was a terrible thing that happened. I know we have been through this before, but we had no choice. You know those men that say they would do anything for their family? Even kill? Well, that was my father, only fortunately he never had to kill anyone. Just give them a chance, please? For me?” At this, he gave his biggest pout and pleading look to her.



She huffed and agreed to do her best but her wand would remain in her pocket, within a seconds reach. He smiled and went to kiss her before the gate interrupted them.



“Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy regret to interrupt what they are sure was a charming moment, but would like to remind Master Draco that it is rude to lurk in doorways and to request that he and his guest continue into the manor before someone takes notice and questions your upbringing.”



Hermione stood there, jaw open, not sure if she should be scared or if she should laugh. Did that gate just insult them? She looked at Draco who was rolling his eyes at the absurdity that his Father and enchanted years ago to ward off solicitors.



They made their way up the path and to the front door. Hermione repressing all shudders at the déjà vu she kept feeling. Draco had his hand protectively on her back, his hand gently rubbing it to calm her nerves a bit.



Before they could even knock, a pokey little house elf answered, took their cloaks, and showed them to the main hallway.

“Draco, darling.” He smiled as he saw his mother standing beside his father. His mother was looking at him lovingly, obviously happy to see him. His father looked neutral at the moment, and Draco could tell he was hiding behind a wall. Keeping all emotion to himself for now. Draco only hoped it stayed that way.



Draco approached his parents, Hermione shying to herself and staying where she was. As he reached his mother, he embraced her arms and kissed her cheek, a handshake was sufficient enough for his father. Malfoy men did not hug one another.



Draco pulled back and turned to Hermione. “Mother, Father, this is Hermione. She is…”



“Ah yes, the muggleborn.” Lucius interrupted. Saying it as though it left a bitter taste in his mouth.



Narcissa stepped forward, seeing the anger in Hermione’s eyes. It wouldn’t do to get them fired up…yet. She inwardly smirked as she announced. “Let’s all go into the drawing room, shall we?” Draco noticed the pleased look on his mother’s face and couldn’t help but wonder what they had planned; perhaps this had been a bad idea.



Draco nearly passed out when he realized which room they were going to. No, this could not be happening. What were his parents thinking? “Mother, perhaps there is another room we may go to?”



Narcissa waved off her son, explaining about the drawing room being the brightest in the manor or some such nonsense. Suddenly, realization hit him. They were trying to intimidate her. Oh man, Hermione was going to flip.



He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as they went through the doors. He heard her gasp and go stiff as she, too, remembered the room…all too well. She shot daggers at Draco when he looked at her. He tried to look apologetic and convey, with his eyes, that they would not stay long.



“Ah yes, this is lovely now, is it not?” Narcissa asked Hermione innocently. Hermione clinched her teeth and responded. “Yes, Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you so much for the invitation.” There was no way she would give into them so easily.



During the next few minutes, they discussed politics, potions, and recent developments in magical healing. Lucius had enough of the pleasantries and decided to strike another blow to this little muggleborn.



“Ms. Granger, has Draco ever mentioned to you his previous engagement?” Draco glared at his father. How dare he, it hadn’t even been his choice. Hermione took it graciously, however.



“No, sir. We decided, early in the relationship, that we would do our best to leave the not so nice parts of our past where they belong.” She smiled sweetly at the elder Malfoy, deciding that Draco had little resemblance to the man, thankfully.



“You must forgive my husband, child, but you must understand. We had such high hopes for Draco. He could have any pureblooded witch he desires. It is just a small shock to us that you are what he chose, what makes you think you are good enough for Draco?” Narcissa chimed in. Lucius, under his breath added, “unless she trapped him with a muddy baby”



Hermione had heard enough. She stood up so quickly that the table in front of her turned over. “With all do respect, sir and madam, your nasty little tricks are not going to scare me away from Draco. I love him. I wouldn’t care if he were a squib. And NO, I am not pregnant. I would never stoop so low as to purposely get pregnant to trap him. As far as being good enough, that is for Draco to decide, NOT YOU. I have had enough of the both of you to last a life time. You bring me into the room in which your evil sister tortured me to an inch of my life, then you spit all of your ridiculous pureblood inbred nonsense at me as if I care. So, as ‘lovely’ as this has been, I must request that you not send another invitation as I will not respond.”



With that, she turned and headed to the door, only to find it locked. She turned around to find a very surprised Lucius Malfoy standing behind her. She glared right into his steely eyes. “let me out, Mr. Malfoy or I swear I will do things to you that will make Voldomort look like a pussy cat.”



The older man sighed and unwarded the door, allowing the young witch to run through the house, head still high, and go outside to apparate away from the horrible scene.



Draco was still in the drawing room with his mother, pride at Hermione rushing through his veins. Only when his mother called to him did he bring himself back to the present.



“No, mother. I brought her here to see the people you really are, the parents who raised me, in spite of the trials we were put through. You both acted like asses to her, reiterating the ideas she had of you. Good day, mother, father.” He kissed his mother and walked right past his father to follow Hermione home. This had been a disaster and he needed to mend it with his love.