Nothing Like You and I

A/N: This was a little fun to write and I absolutely love cliff hangers. Muahah I know, I’m evil. I am also enjoying everyone’s theories as to what is really going on with Draco. Is he really dead? Is he only a figment of Hermione’s imagination? You have to keep reading to find out!

Songs
*Of Almost Touching*
The Perishers – Midnight Skies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztpOrEQ9W4s

*Of Flowers and Dancing*
The Perishers – Pills
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23adkgoo8Jk

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Of Almost Touching

Hermione stood in front of an enlarged full size mirror and looked over her form. She couldn’t remember the last time she went on a date, a real date. Sure, there was that time she went with Ginny, Harry, and Seamus to a Witch Weekly sponsored event. It was a disaster from the beginning. Not only did Draco decide to inconveniently annoy the hell out of her by commenting on her lack of table manners, but Seamus had the wild and crazy idea that by giving Hermione as many firewhiskey shots that he had a chance to take her to bed. Too bad she spent the majority of the evening slouched over a toilet while Draco yelled at her from outside the stall. Harry threatened to hex the Creevy brothers if they took any photos of Hermione in such an inebriated state while Ginny seemed to have a laugh at Hermione’s expense – but she did hold her hair back.

She woke up with the worst hang over and Draco leering at her from above. Apparently, she had stumbled home and proceeded to remove every piece of her clothing before passing out half way on her bed. Draco had a good time staring at her naked form and wouldn’t let her live it down for days. Suffice to say Hermione didn’t see a single photo of her outside of the one where she had an arm slung around Ginny yelling into an empty space beside her – where Draco supposedly sat – and Seamus never called her back.

Then there was that one time where she ran into Cormac McLaggen at a charity event and spent the evening listening to Draco tease Cormac’s lack of lady skills while trying to stay awake. She remembered falling asleep at one point when Cormac attempted to “woo” her with his greatest feats. When dancing, he tried to lead with mixed results, ending in him stepping all over her feet, both head butting one another accidentally and her spilling her punch down the front side of his robes when she tripped. Needless to say, Draco wouldn’t let her live it down for weeks and after that ill fated attempt she refused all other offers.

She heard a long drawn out whistle from behind her and sneered into the mirror at the maker of the wolf call. Draco stood leaning against the threshold of her bedroom, grinning like a maniac and she had the right mind to hex him for it – if it’d work though. Hermione spun half way and placed her hands in front of her, raising both eyebrows.

“What?” She asked as Draco’s eyes scanned over her form.

“Who woulda known,” he answered with a mild shrug.

“Known what, Malfoy?’

“You’re a girl.” He ducked when a pillow went flying at him – although he didn’t need to as it’d just go straight through him. “That was supposed to be a compliment and in your case a bloody good one too.”

“Sorry if I don’t find your compliments all too flattering,” Hermione grumbled, pulling her curly hair up into a pony tail.

She turned and looked at herself in the mirror again and sighed. Up or down? Why was getting ready for one measly date such a pain? She ignored Draco when he approached, his footsteps tapping on the wooden floor behind her. Of course, she was the only one who heard them. His face came into view, aged five years since she last saw him. It was strange how Draco aged just as she did – prompting her to believe that he really wasn’t dead or that something was really wrong with her mind.

His hair was slicked back but not like it had been in school – rather it was naturally pushed back with few strands of hair that framed his face perfectly. His jaw was chiseled with a pointed chin, but not one that looked as if it’d take your eye out. It fit him perfectly. Standing almost a foot taller than her, Draco was no thin stick. He was proportionate and had an athletic body, slim waist, long legs and square shoulders. In essence, he reeked with an air of aristocratic nature by his flawless complexion, cobalt blue eyes and soft lips. Ok, enough.

“Coming from a Malfoy,” Draco murmured in Hermione’s ear, “It’s equivalent to Snape giving Gryffindor points.”

“Mhm,” Hermione hummed, ignoring the feeling of shivers running up her spine from his voice – deep, rumbling and husky.

“Wear it down,” he continued, leaning back from her, “You look like a bat with it up.”

“Oh, thanks. I’ll really take your advice into consideration,” Hermione rolled her eyes and let her hair down, twisting her lips to the side as she tried to figure things out.

She turned and looked at Draco, who was now across the room sitting on her drawers, “What are you going to be doing?”

“While you’re off prancing about with Nott?” Draco asked, quirking an eyebrow, “What do you think?”

Hermione shrugged and walked over to her wicker chair where she sat and pulled on some small heels on. She could never walk in anything more than an inch. Blame her tomboyish nature.

“I’ll be doing absolutely nothing. Sitting in this hell hole known as purgatory.”

“Since when do you know what purgatory is?” Hermione asked, pulling each shoe on.

“I heard your neighbors lecturing their ruddy offspring about it when they sent a ball through some one’s window while you were out cold,” Draco shrugged, “You know, since I don’t have that luxury and you snore really loud.”

“I do not!” Hermione nearly shouted, standing up from her seat as she tested her shoes, “If anything, my nose gets clogged because you’re in the room.”

“Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night,” Draco grinned, “I bet you have wet dreams about me.”

“Gross,” Hermione groaned, twisting her face into a disgusting stare that caused Draco to laugh.

“You look good though, Granger,” Draco changed the subject jumping from the top of her dresser, “I’d take you out if you had dressed like that around me.”

He brought a hand to the hem of her dress but his fingers slipped through the fabric. He wanted to touch her skirt, a light shade of periwinkle that fluttered with each step she took. He wasn’t lying when she said she looked good – she bloody well did. Hermione noticed his strained facial expression and extended her hand to him. They looked at each other as she reached out to touch his face. Draco’s eyes closed as her finger tips were mere centimeters away from his skin – and he could almost feel her touch, her body heat. And what was worse, he wanted to feel her.

Then, there was a knock. Hermione quickly withdrew her hand and blushed a little – causing Draco to quirk an eyebrow.

“He’s here.” Hermione gasped with wide eyes, rushing to her bedroom door.

Draco frowned and glanced at her Muggle clock, “Always on time, damnit.”

He closed his eyes as he heard Hermione answer the door, followed by Nott’s annoying voice permeating throughout the cottage. The door closed quick enough, leaving Draco standing alone in Hermione’s bedroom. His hands clenched as he opened his eyes and glared at Crookshanks – who had walked in and jumped onto her bed.

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Of Flowers and Dancing

Theodore Nott was the perfect gentleman in almost every standard known to man. He arrived on time, if not a minute early, carried a bouquet of flowers for her, held his arm out for her, opened doors, held out her chair, and even let her order first. The restaurant he chose was just perfect, a little one located on the Rivera in Italy. Sometimes she loved magic and this was one of those times. To travel to any part of the world in a flash was more than any one could ever want – and with some one who was attractive, intelligent, and overall a fun bloke was another.

Wearing dark robes tailored to his body, it was obvious that he still had loads of wealth – something one wouldn’t have guessed from the occupation he held or what he wore to work. His hair was slicked back, only slightly, and his forest colored eyes shone under the millions of little lights enchanted above the restaurant. They sat for hours talking about their lives after the war – although Hermione didn’t bring up the little pest Draco was now – their jobs, families, and even hobbies. It surprised her that Theo was very much into literature, although he still held prejudices against Muggles he didn’t one bring it up and she admired that. After all, you couldn’t change a person in a span of five years, now could you?

Soft sensual music began playing from the odd ensemble of people on a small stage. Their bellies full and wine flowing, Hermione was having the time of her life. Not once did she think about what havoc Draco was wreaking on unsuspecting people – or who he was watching in the shower.

“So,” Theo said quietly, resting his hand on the table, “Do you think you’re up for a dance?”

“As long as it’s a slow song and I don’t have to move much, then yes.” Hermione replied, smiling brightly at him.

“Good, because I’m a rotten dancer,” Theo agreed, standing up to offer his hand, “You should’ve seen me at the Yule Ball.”

“I did see you at the ball,” Hermione answered, coming to a stand when they touched hands and was led out onto the dance floor, “Poor Daphne Greengrass.”

“She had death heels on,” Theo laughed, “If I recall and I had to spend a day soaking my feet.”

He brought his hand to her waist and other to her hand, slowly rocking side to side with the music. Theo smiled down at her as they made their way around a small circle and Hermione couldn’t help but smile too. Once they turned in a full circle, her eyes landed on their supposed empty table. Except it wasn’t empty, not at all. She tried to hide a frown when Theo pulled her closer to him, their chests hitting one another. He glanced down at her, probably seeing if their closeness was alright – causing Hermione to quickly avert her eyes and take a breath.

The song ended and Theo led her back to the table where she sat. Crossing her arms over her chest, Hermione pulled out a fake smile when Theo began speaking about his next assignment in Whales.

“Oh, really? How interesting, not!” Draco’s voice broke through Theo’s rambling, “Can you believe this prat?”

Hermione clenched her teeth but smiled and nodded at Theo, “I always wanted to go to Whales.”

“No you don’t. You hate the rain,” Draco interrupted, gawking at her, “You’re just saying that because I’m here. Unbelievable.”

“Whales is really nice, although I haven’t been there in quite some time,” Theo said, clearly unaware their date had turned into a third wheel party.

“Liar, he was there last week visiting his gran,” Draco sneered, “He goes every year.”

“Will you excuse me for a second?” Theo then said, resting his napkin on the table.

“Sure, take your time,” Hermione replied through her teeth, watching him rise and walk off to the lavatory.

She spun around in her seat and hissed, “WHAT are you doing here? Don’t you have better things to do than to ruin my lovely evening?”

“Do you really want me to answer that question, Granger?” Draco grinned, leaning across the table.

“I asked it, didn’t I?” Hermione snarled in a hushed breath, looking around to make sure others didn’t think she was a complete nut for talking to thin air.

“I was bored and there was only so much rummaging I could do in your knicker drawer. Although, I do like that black frilly thing in there,” Hermione narrowed her eyes angrily at him, causing him to chuckle, “And I wanted to see what Nott was going to do or say to get into your knickers.”

“Right, well don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself. So, leave.” Hermione hissed, bringing her napkin to her lips to hide her mouth. “You’re not wanted!”

“Sorry for being so long,” Theo said as he returned, sitting down right next to Draco – who was giving him the stink eye.

“It’s fine,” Hermione replied with a nod, giving Draco her own stink eye quickly before Theo could notice.

Draco held his hands up and slowly faded away until the seat was empty. She exhaled and smiled at Theo – who was none the wiser about their apparent intruder. Instead, he continued asking questions about her, her hobbies, likes and dislikes.

They slowly made their way through their evening, talking and laughing until the restaurant was near closing. At three a.m. Theo and Hermione Apparated to her front steps where they stood under the moonlight just talking about random things, like her enchanted flower bed and missing doorbell. She had to further explain what a doorbell was but Theo seemed just as interested as Mr. Weasley would be.

“I had a really nice time,” Hermione whispered, resting her hands in front of her.

“I did too,” Theo replied, scratching the back of his head, “Maybe we can do this again another time?”

“Yeah, I’d love to,”

“Great!”

They looked around awkwardly before Theo leaned in to give her a hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist as he wrapped his around her shoulders. Awkward hug to say the least. When she parted, he was looking down at her and slowly leaned in brushing his lips against hers. Hermione inhaled as she felt his soft lips press onto hers, slowly moving in a chewing motion. She felt his hand move to the back of her head and held her against him as his tongue dipped out and traced along her bottom lip.

Naturally, Hermione parted her lips and allowed him entry, her own hands pressing into his back. Theo made a small groaning noise as they deepened their kiss, slowly pushing her against her door. It was only a matter of seconds before Hermione opened her door and the pair stumbled in, Theo kicking it shut with his foot.

His traveling cloak that hung loosely over Hermione’s shoulders slipped onto the ground as they moved about her cottage. Making their way to her bedroom, with Hermione being pushed against the bed, Theo towered over her and parted from the kiss. He stared into her eyes as she did his before leaning in to kiss her again. It felt amazing and sweet all rolled into one.

Hermione gasped when she felt Theo’s lips against her neck, nipping at the soft skin with his teeth ever so gently. His hands ran up the sides of her body, pushing her skirt up higher to pool at her waist while her hands caressed his muscular chest, pushing back his robes. He leaned back and pulled off his jacket, tossing it to the floor before capturing her mouth once more. Moaning softly as she felt his erection between the seams of her thighs, Hermione arched her back and brought an arm around him.

Theo groaned as he felt her hips wantonly rub against his bulge and snaked a hand to her lower back to press her chest against his. They parted lips, breathing heavily against one another while he held onto her waist and ground his hardness against the apex of her thighs. Hermione felt her knickers become wet with arousal and her cheeks flush heavily.

“Hermione,” Theo whispered, pressing his lips against hers a little rougher than previous.

The only thing that could ruin their moment just so happen to walk right into the room.

“GOOD GODS!” Draco snarled from the threshold, causing Hermione’s eyes to widen.