From Venice with Love

Two nights later, Hermione found herself back at Harry’s, for the last time. She stood by the rail outside, waiting for Draco to bring back their drinks. She remembered the last time she was here and it seemed like a long time ago, not just a week. She glanced around letting it sink in that her vacation was almost over. The weather had turned cooler and she pulled her jumper tighter. She was excited to start school again, but sad to leave this beautiful place. And no matter what Draco said, she was afraid she’d be leaving him behind as well.

“Here you go,” his voice broke through her thoughts as he handed her drink to her.


She smiled. “Thanks,”


He eyed her warily. “What’s wrong? Not still upset about last night, are you?”


Hermione cringed at the memory. After the celebratory dinner last night, she and Draco had resumed watching their DVD’s in the sitting room. Unfortunately, her mother had walked in on them during a quite passionate snogging session. She hadn’t said a word at the time, but this morning she gave Hermione a long speech about what “nice girls” shouldn’t be doing.


“I was thinking about school actually,” she said.


He took a sip of his drink. “What of it?” he asked.


“I’m worried. About us.” She turned so she was squarely facing him to see his expression.

He didn’t flinch, however. “You worry too much.”


“And you don’t worry enough,” she said. “We can’t exactly board the train holding hands now, can we?”


Draco shook his head slowly. “That would be dangerous. For both of us. Someone might tell my father and he-well, to say he would be displeased is an understatement.”

Hermione shuddered at the thought. “I don’t think Ron or Harry would be too pleased either,” she said.

“Now that I would pay to see,” Draco grinned at the thought.”Ow! Stop that!”

“Be serious then,” she said, as he rubbed his arm where she’d hit him.

“I am being serious. We’ll just have to see each other when we can. Weekends. Loads of people don’t see each other except for weekends. We’ll just pretend we go to different schools.”

“You think that will work?” she said doubtfully.


“We’ll make it work,” he said quietly, staring into her eyes.

Her heart melting into a puddle yet again, Hermione smiled and decided to table the debate. She leaned forward and kissed him. He kissed her back passionately, and they both forgot for a moment where they were.

“Hello?” a voice quickly reminded them and they broke apart.


Hermione looked up to see Alessandro staring at them, an amused expression on his face.

“Hello,” she said, smoothing her shirt.

“Haven’t seen you two in days,” Alessandro said.

“We’ve been busy,” Draco snapped, glaring at him.

“I’m sure you have been.” The look he gave her made Hermione’s skin crawl.

“Excuse me,” she said. “I’m going to the loo.”

She walked towards the bathroom, but realised she’d forgotten her purse and doubled back. Draco and Alessandro were in a heated discussion, backs to her. Hermione could hear their conversation clearly.

“…to leave her alone,” Alessandro was saying.”I expected you would dump her after shagging her, leave me the pieces to pick up. I thought we were a team.”

“That was before. I never said I’d do that with Hermione,” Draco replied.

“Oh, please! Don’t tell me you actually have feelings for her?” When Draco didn’t respond, Alessandro laughed. “You do, don’t you? Oh, how the might have fallen.”

“Just shut it, Alessandro,” Draco grumbled.

“Draco, come on. Get a hold of yourself. Shag her all you want, but remember what she is. She’s just a stupid little Mud-“

“I said, shut your mouth!” Draco pushed Alessandro backwards and the bar turned silent, all eyes turned towards them.

Alessandro shook his head and chuckled. “You did not just do that.”

“Draco,” they both turned towards Hermione’s voice. “Let’s go. I’m a little tired.”


Draco glared at Alessandro one more time and without a word, followed Hermione out of the bar.

They walked silently for awhile before Hermione asked quietly. “How did he know to call me-that word?”

“He’s a wizard,” Draco said. “He used to go to Durmstrang. How much did you hear?”

“Just the end,” Hermione lied. “Why didn’t you tell me he was a wizard?”

Draco shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t think it mattered.”

They had reached her hotel by now. “Are you coming up?” Hermione asked.

“I… sure,” he said, giving her a funny look.

They were silent until they were in the sitting room. “I thought your mother walking in had scarred you for life,” Draco whispered as she turned on the TV.

“It was pretty bad, not only for me but Mum,” Hermione admitted, sitting down beside him. “I don’t think she’ll come in without making loads of noise again” She rested her head on his shoulder. “That’s the last time we’ll go to Harry’s,” she sighed.

“Maybe for you. I come here every summer,” he said.

“Yes, but after this year, school will be over. We’ll have jobs, responsibilities.”

“Maybe,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

They sat, watching TV in silence, and Hermione realised she felt safe with him, she trusted him, and finally, that she was falling in love with him.

“Draco?” she said. When he didn’t reply, she looked up at him and saw he was asleep. He looked so angelic, so perfect in sleep. Hermione brushed his hair away from his face. “Draco?” she whispered. He didn't stir so she kissed him softly. “I think I love you.”