Dance Floor Jealousy

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. Unfortunately... *wink*







Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, guys. I had no idea where to take this story, and no time to just let it run, either. Now I'm trying, so this might be short, but at least we'll take it a little further... hope you like it!













Place: The Leaky Cauldron. (That's in London! *g*)







Draco's P.O.V. (I think it's only fair, back to him, don't you?)





The pub was nearly empty for once. This does not happen often, but today I was grateful for it. As I sat down at one of the grimy tables and ordered a cup of coffee, my hands were still shaking and I was only too aware of my mobile pressing against my thigh.





Tom brought me my coffee, and a copy of the latest Daily Prophet which I started reading just to have something to do. There was no way I could hurry into a florist shop with my heart beating like I'd just run the marathon. I didn't even know what to do next. No, what I needed was an actual plan.





While I stared at the paper without taking in anything I was seeing, my thoughts raced at a thousand miles a second. When I had last seen her before last night, she had been devastated and molten to Weasley's side as if she were made of wax.



Nonetheless, I had found out that this relationship had not lasted long. The Weasel was married, and as far as I knew, she was single.



Her friend had been happy to accept the note with my mobile number. And apparently, she didn't seem to not want to get in touch with me, or she wouldn't have sent me that message.



Now all I needed to do was to show that the feeling was mutual. More than that.





Hang on - did I just admit to myself that I wanted to be close to Hermione Granger?





Lizzy and I had once seen a Muggle movie, starring some Mad Brit or whatever that bloke's name was. The woman - who was a really tough fighter, somewhat like Hermione, now I came to think of it! - had called the man 'stranger' at their first encounter as well. And boy, the scene that followed had been more than hot!!! I remember thinking of nothing but McGonagall dancing in a tutu for the rest of the movie in order to cool my arousal...





Did I want that with Hermione Granger?





We'd had unresolved tension between each other ever since our third year at Hogwarts. Yet, somehow, maybe because I was supposed to hate her and think of her as a dirty piece of filth, I had never really considered acting on my desires. That was, until last night she knocked me dumb by just being near me...





I took a huge gulp of coffee and prayed that it would calm me, for my body had decided to remember last night's reaction and reciprocate them. No way. I may no longer be the arrogant ass I was during school, but I'm not wanking in the bathroom of the Leaky Cauldron. Merlin only knows who might have done that before me.





Ah, thanks a lot, mind - that actually helped!





As if on cue, I turned the page of the Prophet and found myself facing an ad from the flower shop. Roses, tulips, lilies, all kinds of beautiful arrangements. Looking at them, I felt my nerves fluttering again.





I didn't even know what kind of flowers she liked! How was I supposed to make the right choice, not having a clue whether she detested roses, whether the Weasel had always given her lilies, whether she thought tulips should be for springtime and springtime only?





Panic rose like heat inside me. My hands started shaking like mad, and a little voice in my head reminded me that I had never acted like this about any other girl.

Normally, Draco, all you care about is getting them laid... what's wrong with you? What's the matter? Is she so special? If the way you're acting right now is any indication, don't just get her flowers and ask her out by mail. Do it right, buddy. There might only be this one chance. And you know... this is your heart speaking, for once, so you don't know yet, but let me tell you: hearts never lie...





I closed my eyes and reconsidered what that little voice had suggested. Was it my heart speaking when it came to Hermione Granger, rather than my nether regions?





Within seconds, I opened my eyes again, wide. There was only one possible answer.



Yes.







I choked on my coffee and started coughing like mad, gasping for air. Suddenly, soft hands were gently clapping me on the back, and a voice like no other asked,

"Are you alright?"





Taking a deep breath, I froze for what felt like hours. Her hand still rested on my back, I could feel her touch through my soft shirt like burning fire. Finally, I forced myself to look round, and my silver eyes met honey brown. There was a loving smile on her face, just barely visible behind a mask of uncertainty.







"Hermione...", I croaked, my voice shaky from my near suffocation.



"I... We... What..." I cleared my throat. This was embarrassing; surely I was still able to form coherent sentences???



"Thank you for your message. I was just debating on whether I should simply write back or surprise you with a bouquet of flowers and an invitation for dinner..."



Regaining some of my old confidence, I winked at her stunned expression. She looked a little like a fish out of water, and I wished I could snog her there and then as if there was no tomorrow.



"You know, Hermione" - believe it or not, this is the first time I've ever used her name when addressing her! I had to pause on realization, but gained control quickly - "I don't think our encounter at the club last night was a coincidence. I think everything in life has its reasons. And I won't deny that it was great to see you again. I wish we could have never gotten out of touch... You are the most incredible woman I know!"





Her eyes widened in shock.



"You don't even know me", she whispered.



"You have no idea what's been going on with me. I'm no longer brilliant. I don't know where to go in life, what to do with myself. I feel like I'm looking for something that's out there, barely out of reach, and it's killing me slowly that I don't know where to find it..."





Her beautiful voice shook with emotions, and I motioned for her to sit beside me.



Was it possible that she felt the same way I did? Not knowing where to go, fully aware that something was missing, but never able to grasp exactly what it was?





"I know better than you think", I whispered.



"I've felt the same way for years. And I'm truly sorry that I never really got to know you. Maybe... just maybe... you and I would have gotten along great..."





Her eyes lit up at these words and she made to grab my hand. I was surprised at the softness of her touch, but even more at the electric current that shot through my body. It resembled most closely the burn of my cheek after she had slapped me in our third year.





"We can get to know each other now, Draco. I'd love to. What did you say earlier about a dinner invitation?"



She winked at me, it was almost Slytherin-like. I felt my dick harden, but tried to push these thoughts far, far away from me.





"Anytime, anywhere", I smiled.



"At the Neptune at seven thirty? I can pick you up from your place if you like... but do tell me what your favourite flowers are first, I beg you. There's nothing like the right decorations for a fancy dinner..."





She looked stunned, as if she couldn't believe what she had heard, but nodded her head all the same.



"Orchids..." she whispered.



"Silver orchids... Slytherin colours, if you get my point..."





At that, she gently squeezed my hand she had still been holding, got up, winked at me and departed from the pub, out into the back yard where I heard the scuttle of the bricks rearranging themselves as they formed the entrance to Diagon Alley, still sitting at the table with the coffee dregs in front of me, unable to believe my luck...









Another Author's Note:

Did you like it? I hope it's not too short. Next chapter will be Hermione's P.O.V. again, and the chappie after that they'll be out to dinner and we might even get to the smutty parts then! Tell me whether you like it and what you'd like to happen next...



Sorry again for the incredibly long wait, I promise I'll hurry with the next chapters!