Taking Advantage

Hermione smiled politely at Anthony Goldstein and stepped back sharply hoping that he would take the hint and make himself scarce now that the dance was done. Anthony was a nice man, and Hermione genuinely liked him, but he was beginning to press for a bit more than the friendship that she was willing to share with him. After two awkward dates, he had owled her repeatedly and had attached himself to her tonight, despite the fact that she had attended the event alone. During the dance they had just shared, he had held her a bit closer than she was interested in being held.

After another awkward moment when it became clear that Anthony had not taken the hint, Hermione decided that she was going to have to be more direct, but how? Telling an interested man that all you wanted was his friendship was always challenging, but particularly when he was a co-worker and an old friend.

“Anthony,” she began, trying to balance between friendly and no-nonsense tones, but as she gathered her courage to go on, she became aware of a shadow falling over her shoulder.

“Granger,” she heard in a silvery tone which caused her to gasp and whirl around. “I was wondering if I might have the next dance.”

“Malfoy? What are you about?” she demanded.

“Simply asking an old classmate to dance to pass the time at a dull affair,” Malfoy smirked down at her.
He certainly had grown up, Hermione noticed, not for the first time. And up and up and up. When he stood this close to her, closer than he had been since they were school mates and she slugged him right in the jaw, she had to crane her head back and fight the urge to retreat a step.

Just as Hermione began to put together her refusal, she heard Anthony clear his throat behind her and changed her mind. Call it cowardice, but she'd rather fight with Malfoy than crush Anthony's feelings, and she was happy to buy herself a bit of time before she had to let Anthony down gently.

“Certainly, Malfoy,” Hermione answered. “What could be more delightful than a chance to catch up with an old school chums.

“Excuse us, Goldstein,” Draco drawled.

Anthony sputtered as Malfoy made off with his girl, a girl who would have been shocked to know that he thought of her that way.

Draco took the opportunity to enjoy the first twirl about the floor in silence, holding Hermione as close as he dared before he sighed and moved on to the purpose of the dance.

“So, Granger,” he began. “Have you given any thought to the new law the Ministry is passing?”

“Not as much as you probably have,” she retorted. “Worried about the future of the Malfoy line much?”

“As a matter of fact,” Draco replied, “I've given the topic some thought. Pansy's having fits, but I'm beginning to think that it's my get out of Azkaban free card as long as I play that card correctly.”

“So marrying Parkinson is on par with a trip to Azkaban, is it?” Hermione pondered. “Can't say I disagree, but I'm surprised to hear you say it.”

“It's not so much Parkinson,” Draco explained. “It's the type. I've decided that I want something else in my future wife, but I doubt I'll find it within the next two weeks.”

Hermione could certainly understand wanting something more than she had been able to find in a man, but she was more than a little curious about why Malfoy would start this conversation with her. Still, he was being civil, and she wouldn't be outdone by the man who had harassed her all through school, so she was determined not to watch her tongue.

“I find myself in the same situation,” she admitted grudgingly. “I'm not at all ready to marry as I've yet to find the right person.”

“Excellent,” Draco responded. “That's just what I wanted to talk to you about.”