Blind Date Surprises

A/N: Ok, I\'m not thrilled with this chapter, but I needed a filler. Again, I am aiming to have this be a happy go lucky story. Fluff, Fun, and a bit of Fornication. Sorry if this chapter bores. I tried my best. The next chapter will be another fun one to read and write. If you have any suggestions as to where the second date should be...I\'m up for it! Thanks again for reading and reviewing. While I will never hold a chapter \'hostage\' for reviews...your encouragement keeps me motivated to write and finish this story. Thank you!!!!







Ch.3 The Following Week



Harry, Ron, and Ginny all sat around the kitchen table watching Hermione. The last couple of days she had seemed different. Perhaps it was the absentminded humming she did while going about her usual activities, or maybe it was that stupid grin she’d been wearing since her blind date. One thing was for sure, Hermione Granger had been shamelessly happy and her friends had noticed.



“What did this guy do to her, Gin, put her under a confundus charm?” Harry whispered to his girlfriend…soon to be fiancé if things went right. Ginny smiled at him, “Supposedly this guy is a muggle, Harry. Hardly fit to confound anyone.”



“But you met him, right, Ginny? You were here when she left. I mean, he seems like an ok bloke to you, yes?” Ron asked her with concern lacing his voice. Ginny gazed at she and Harry’s intertwined hands. “Well, the doorbell rang and I decided to give them some privacy. I didn’t even get a look at him.”



Both boys rolled their eyes, they would never understand the mysterious workings of the female brain, and both agreed, they would never want to venture into that territory.



“Hermione?” Harry called to his friend. No response. “Hermione….” Ron followed his friends lead. She finally graced them with a distant “Hmmm?” Noting her spaciness still while chopping the lettuce, Ginny decided to play with her friend.



“Well, Harry and I just wanted you to know that we are adopting a baby from Saturn.” Hermione absently responded, “oh that’s nice, Gin”. Ron had to bite his knuckles to keep from cracking up.



“HERMIONE!!” Ginny finally shouted at her. Hermione finally snapped out of her trance, which was a shame really as she had been recounting the dance she had shared with Draco. He still hadn’t flooed or owled. But it had only been 2 days.



“What?” she innocently asked. She knew she had been a space cadet today. But she couldn’t help it. “I’m sorry guys, I just had something on my mind.”



The three exchanged looks before Harry leaned forward. “And just when do we get to meet Mr. Something?” Ron, unable to contain himself any longer, burst into laughter, nearly falling off his chair.



Hermione glared at him. She was happy they were still friends. After the final battle, they had just both agreed that they were better off staying as they were. Both had quick tempers and they clashed in the worst way as a romantic couple. Still, a breakup did not make good dinner conversation on a first date…which is why she changed the subject at dinner with Draco. Draco. *sigh*



Her evil glare lost its effect when her eyes began to glaze over in memory. Shaking her head to regain her normal composure, she began to serve dinner. Throughout the meal, the boys kept teasing and trying to get information out of her.



She couldn’t figure out why, but she was not yet ready to reveal the identity of her date to them. However, Ginny kept sending her covert looks that clearly said, ‘We’ll talk after the boneheads leave.’ She smiled, she could trust Ginny, and besides, she was just dying to tell someone all about her evening.



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Draco sat at the desk in his parlor. It had been two days since his date with Hermione and still he felt like he was floating. He had learned so much about her that he would never have guessed.



He wanted to ask her on a second date, but had trouble building the courage. He had almost owled her once, but decided it would be best to ask her in person. Now he just needed to find her office at the ministry.



He decided to be direct. Secrets had never done either of them any good in the past. Flooing into the ministry of magic, he went to Eric, the security wizard to do the usual business.



“Thank you, Mr. Malfoy, you may proceed.” The security wizard told him. Draco thanked him in return and made his way to the information desk. Surely someone there could help him find Hermione.



He was almost there, when he passed an all too familiar face that stopped him in mid step. “Minister Shacklebolt!” Draco shouted to the gentle man.



Kingsley turned and, with only a fleeting look of surprise, located his addressor. “Ah, Mr. Malfoy. What brings you to the ministry today.” He inquired in his smooth, deep voice.



“Uh, I’m here to see Ms. Granger, the only problem is, I have no idea which office is hers! Could you help me sir.” Then with some difficulty “Please.”



Kingsley looked at the young man suspiciously. Malfoys and Granger never mixed well. What could the boy want from her? “Well, Mr. Malfoy, I’m afraid Ms. Granger has the day off today. Was there anything else?”



Draco shook his head, then groaned. Of course she would have the day off. When he finally wants to do something right. That was ok, he’d just go to her flat and hope she was home. He turned on the spot and headed back to the floos.





“Draco?” Ginny asked, her eyes wide. “Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Prince, bain of your existence?” At Hermione’s confirming nod, Ginny fell back into the sofa and put her hand on her forehead. She couldn’t believe it. Of all the men in the world, that was the last person she expected it to be.



“He’s so different, Gin.” Hermione began. Ginny gave her a skeptical look. “No he really is! Or maybe he’s not and he is just finally able to show his true self, I don’t know. All I know is we had a really nice time together.”



Rubbing her temples, Ginny sat up slowly. “Just be careful, Hermione. I’d hate to have to give him a manually sex change.” Hermione’s jaw dropped at the red head’s statement. She loved Ginny, but sometimes that girl could be so crude.



“Oh, and I want to be there when you tell the boys. You will need some help containing those two.” She smirked at the older witch. Hermione got up and stretched. It was such a relief to be able to share with someone the incredible time she had with Draco.



DING DONG



Hermione looked at the clock, ‘who could that be?’ she wondered, palming her wand. They had sent the boys home over an hour ago so they could share some girl talk. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw the familiar silhouette.



She opened the door after quickly checking her appearance in the foyer mirror. “Malfoy! What are you doing here?” she exclaimed, smiling the whole time. She was pleased to see him.



“Sorry, Granger. I don’t know if this is a good time or not.” Hermione interrupted. “No, it’s ok, I’m not doing anything right now. Won’t you come in?”



Draco was very, very tempted to take her up on that. Deciding to show a bit of propriety, he shook his head. “No, that’s ok. I just wanted to ask you something.”



Trying to hide her disappointment, Hermione stepped outside to join him. She leaned against the railing, waiting for his question.



“I had a really nice time with you the other night, Gra..Hermione.” it felt strange to call her by her first name. Strange but right. She graced him with a radiant smile. “So did I Draco. It was a lot of fun, thank you.”



He nodded and began to fiddle with his pockets. “Well, you see, I was hoping we could do it again this weekend, if you’re free that is.” He added quickly, almost too quickly.



Hermione could have kissed him right there. Of course she’d like to go out with him again. Regaining her sense of control, she calmly answered, “Yes, I’m free, and I’d love to do something with you again. On one condition.”



Draco’s joy lit up his face, she’d said yes. She had not been turned off by him last time. “Anything, m’lady.” He gave a corny bow.



Chuckling, Hermione looked him in the face, her eyes sparkling. “This time, I choose what we do!”



Sticking out his hand to grasp hers he said, “Deal. See you Saturday, Hermione, floo me with the time and appropriate dress.” Smiling, she responded, “I look forward to it.”