From Venice with Love

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The afternoon of New Year’s Eve, Draco insisted on taking Hermione out. At noon, her parents helped push her out the door over her protests. She felt sick and bloated, even though she wasn’t, and in no mood for going out. “You’ll feel better with some fresh air, dear,” her mother said as she waved from the curb as Hermione got into the cab.


“Sure,” she said listlessly waving back at her parents.

“Come on, Hermione,” Draco said, patting her arm. “It can’t be that bad.”


“Not that bad? You try throwing up every day and gaining kilos even still and see how you feel!” Hermione snapped, feeling bad instantly. “I’m sorry. I’m just not myself.”

“You supposed to wait until after we’re married to act like a shrew,” Draco said with a straight face.

Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes. “Sorry, just getting you ready.” She felt better after that, and they chatted until the cab stopped.

“We’re in Muggle London,” Hermione said, as she stepped out of the cab.

“Well, we can’t very well go to Diagon Alley, can we?” Draco replied. He led her to the steps of an obviously expensive restaurant. “Is French food okay?”

“Definitely,” Hermione said, feeling hungry for the first time in a while. The food was wonderful and she felt like herself again, laughing with Draco. She managed to forget what a mess she was and concentrate on having fun before reality crashed back in.

As they left the restaurant, the valet went to hail a cab.

“No, thank you,” Hermione said. “I’d like to walk for awhile.”

“Sure,” Draco said and they began walking up the street, shivering slightly in the cold and avoiding the crowds.

“You liked the restaurant?”

“I loved the restaurant,” Hermione said, smiling. They had reached a park and began to walk through the crowded paths. “Thank you for making me come out today. I’m sorry I haven’t been the best of company lately- I’ll try to be better.”

“You can’t help feeling sick,” Draco said, as they stopped to sit on a bench.

“I know, but some things are mind over matter.” She sighed. “I hope we don’t have a problem getting a cab.”

“We shouldn’t as long as we leave before it gets dark,” Draco said. “I would have called for a car, but then my father would know I was in London, not Italy.”

“Have you heard from your parents at all?”

Draco shook his head. “They sent me my presents before we left school. I sent my mother an owl yesterday though. Did you want to go to that party your parents invited us to tonight?”

“At the Perry’s? No,” Hermione shook her head.

“I thought you said you’re feeling better.”

“I am. That’s why I want to stay in, while my parents are out…” she trailed off.


His face brightened. “Oh, definitely. I’m sure they’ll understand.”

Hermione leaned towards him and kissed him. “It’s been a long time,” she said dreamily.

“Too long,” he agreed, between kisses. He stood up abruptly and pulled her to her feet. “Come on, let’s hurry them along,” he said.

Hermione laughed and they began to walk out of the park. She suddenly froze in her tracks. Coming towards them were Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She looked around to see if she could dive into a bush, or better yet, push Draco into one, but there were no quick hiding spots. Besides, Ginny had already seen them.

“Look, Draco.” He turned to where she was looking and saw the trio coming towards them, looks of surprise on their faces.

“Hermione? How are you?” Ginny said, still eyeing Draco. “I didn’t expect to see you.”

“Why is he here?” Ron jumped in, glaring at Draco.

“New sweater, Weasely?” Draco asked, his tone nasty as he sneered at her friends. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen that particular shade of orange before. Clashes perfectly with your hair though.”

Harry put one arm out to hold Ron back. “Hermione?”


“Hello guys. What are you doing here?” Hermione strained to smile.

“I wanted to show Ron and Ginny a bit around London. You?” Harry said.

“Just having lunch at the most marvellous restaurant. How was your Christmas?”

“Hermione! Why are you with Malfoy?” Ron said, as Harry prattled on about the holiday.

“Isn’t it obvious, Weasley?” Draco rolled his eyes. “Never mind. Forgot who I was talking to.”

“Draco, hush.” The words were out of Hermione’s mouth before she could stop them. All three of her friends looked at her, mouths wide open. Even Draco had a look of surprise on his face, but he recovered quickly.

“Did you say Draco?” Harry asked.

“Well…slip of the tongue.” Hermione said. “We’re meeting Alessandro and Gabrielle.”

“In a park?” Ginny asked.

“I thought you broke up with him,” Ron said at the same time.

“Yes, well..” Hermione struggled for an answer before Ginny cut her off.

“Hermione, is that what I think that is?” she asked, grabbing Hermione’s left hand.

“Well..”

“Hermione, are you engaged?” Harry asked.

Ron sputtered angrily. “Engaged, Hermione? I thought you were done with him?”


“We made up,” Hermione said quickly. “He came to visit at Christmas and apologised.”

“And proposed?” Ginny asked, still looking at the ring.

“Yes, that too,” Hermione said lamely.

“Hermione, are you sure that you’re okay?” Harry frowned and looked at Draco, who was watching the whole spectacle with a look of amusement on his face. “This isn’t like you.”

“I was going to tell you when I saw you on the train,” Hermione said. “It didn’t seem the type of news to send with an owl.”

“I guess not,” Harry said, still eyeing Draco warily.”Maybe we should wait with you until Alessandro shows up.”


“No, I’m fine, really.” She assured them. “It shouldn’t be long.”

“Run along, Potter.” Draco smirked at him and Hermione saw Harry’s cheeks tinge red.

“Shut up, Malfoy,” he growled.

“I’ll tell you all about it on the train,” Hermione said. “We really have to go now.”


Harry looked confused. “I thought you were meeting Alessandro.”

“Yes. At a bar down the street.”

“Then why are you here with him?”

Draco sighed and gave them a condescending stare. “Not that I need to explain myself to you, but since there seems to be no other way to get you to shut up, Alessandro went to get Gabrielle from her parents hotel. I got stuck babysitting Granger until they get back. Do you have any other questions or can I get the hell away from here?”

“I’ll see you on the train and we’ll talk then,” Hermione said, hugging each of them in turn.

“If you’re sure,” Ginny said.

“She’s sure. Can we go now, Granger?” Draco snapped impatiently.

“Good bye,” Hermione said and they walked away quickly, with her friends staring after them.

“What are the odds?” she complained as soon as they were out of earshot. “I’m not sure they believed me.”

“Maybe not,” Draco agreed. “I can guarantee you though, they have absolutely no idea about us. I think they thought I was holding you hostage or something.”


“If you were holding me captive, what would you do?” Hermione smiled seductively.

“I’ll show you,” Grinning madly, Draco went to flag down a cab.