From Venice with Love

Hermione had decided not to tell her parents about Malfoy coming just in case he did not show up. As the morning passed, she began to fidget more and more. He had said he supposed so? What did that mean? Maybe, if he could tear himself away from whatever he did during the day? Hermione realized that she had very rarely seen him before dusk. What time would he come? She had no idea- that had not been confirmed at all. Every time her parents did anything she flinched in her chair in the sitting room. She’d insisted on having a lie about today, so her father was watching TV and her mother was doing a crossword puzzle. Her father cleared his throat at eleven thirty and Hermione jumped up.


“Dear, what are you so skittish about?” her mother asked.


“Nothing,” Hermione said, sitting back down. This was silly! She had decided to go down to the Piazza for coffee when there was a knock at the door. Her parents looked at each other, then at her.


“Expecting anyone, dear?” her mother asked.


Hermione shrugged and got up to answer the door. Looking through the peephole she saw it was Malfoy and her stomach fluttered. She smoothed her dress and took a deep breath, trying to seem calm. “Malfoy,” she said as she opened the door.


“Granger,” he nodded his head at her. “Thought I’d stop by, see if you wanted to go to the English bookstore.”


“English bookstore?” she gasped. “I haven’t seen it.”


“I’m surprised by that,” he said, smirking.


Hermione almost closed the door on him but realized he hadn’t told her yet where it was. Sighing, she opened the door to let him pass.”Come in,” she said.


Her parents beamed when they saw him. “Draco, how good to see you!” her mother gushed.


Malfoy smiled a nice smile at her. “Good morning,” he said. “I was on my way to the English bookstore in town and thought Hermione might want to go as well. If you can spare her, that is.”


“Of course,” her mother said, hurrying to get Hermione’s coat.


“Mum, it’s not cold out,” Hermione said, dropping the coat on the sofa.


“Well, off you go!” her mother said. “You two have fun!” She pushed Hermione towards Malfoy, who backed up towards the door. As soon as they were out, her mother closed the door behind them.


For a moment they stood in the hallway awkwardly. “I think your mum likes me,” Malfoy finally said.


“She’s not subtle, is she?” Hermione laughed and the awkwardness was gone. “So where is the bookstore?”


“Not far,” he said, as they began to walk. “No sightseeing today?” he teased.


“We took a day off,” Hermione said, glaring at him. “What do you do all day?”


He shrugged. “I get up late. Get a massage, eat lunch, read some until it’s time to go out at night.”


“Sounds exciting,” Hermione rolled her eyes.


“It’s relaxing. Some of us, Granger, like to relax on holiday.” He answered sharply.


“A week maybe, but 2 months…” Hermione trailed off.


“Next year will be stressful,” he said back. “Might as well get in all the fun I can now.”


“What would be so stressful?” she asked, unsure of what stress he was referring to.


“N.E.W.T.S., Granger. Are you daft?” he said.


“I thought you meant the war,” she said softly.


Malfoy stopped in his tracks. “We’d do better not talking about that,” he said tersely, his grey eyes hard.


“Why?” she asked, despite herself.

“I think you know why,” he said resignedly. They stared at each other for a moment before Malfoy began walking again. “Granger, you have Potter to tell your deepest thoughts to. You don’t need me for that. I don’t dwell on things that I can’t do anything about.”


Hermione trotted to catch up to him.”What are we allowed to talk about?” she snapped.


“The weather, parties, books. No wonder you always look so miserable. Always dwelling on war. That and hanging out with Potter and Weasley would make me look awful too.” He turned a corner before she could reply.”We’re here,” he said.


It was small, but it seemed all the books were in English. Hermione left Malfoy near the front of the store and went to the section on Italian history. She selected a book on Venice and walked back towards the front where Malfoy was waiting.


“That was faster than I thought,” he said, looking up from a book he’d been thumbing through.


She shrugged. “I found what I wanted,” she said.


Book paid for, they were back on the street. “Fancy lunch?” Malfoy said as they stood there.


“I am hungry,” Hermione admitted.


They walked a little ways to a restaurant near the store that Malfoy seemed to know. Once they were seated, Malfoy ordered himself a scotch and Hermione a Frizzante before they began to peruse the menus. When the waiter arrived with their drinks, Hermione ordered cheese ravioli and she did not know what Malfoy ordered, she didn’t understand what he said.


After a few minutes of silence, Malfoy spoke. “Who do you think will be Head Boy?”


Hermione shrugged. ” Ernie Macmillan?”


Malfoy made a face. “You’re probably right,” he said. “He’s such a pompous arse.”


Hermione laughed. “Sometimes,” she agreed.


“No need to guess who Head Girl will be,” Malfoy said as Hermione blushed. “I daresay Pansy deserves it.”


Mouth agape, it took Hermione a moment to tell he was joking. She kicked him under the table. “Bite your tongue,” she said.


He rolled his eyes. “Of course you’ll get it, Granger. No one studies more than you,”


“Thank you,” Hermione said, sipping her drink. “But you never know.”


“Oh, please!” Malfoy snorted. “Don’t pretend like you’re worried, it’s ridiculous. Who else would they have?”


“We don’t have long to wait to find out. “ Hermione said. “Our letters should find us soon. How will we get supplies from here?”


“You’re staying until school starts?” Malfoy asked. “You can borrow my owl when it’s time, that way everything will be waiting. Maybe send it Weasley’s. He’s sure to bring it for you.”


Hermione smiled. “It would be helpful if you don’t mind,”


Malfoy shrugged. “My father is getting my supplies for me. He’ll meet me at the train station with them.”


“He’s not here?” Hermione asked.


Once again she could see a switch pull in his face as his eyes narrowed and he frowned. She could see him fight not to shout at her. “No,” was all he said finally.


Their food arrived, and Hermione put her concentration into eating. She continued to speak, and after a few minutes, Malfoy was back to the way he’d been most of the time she’s been around him in Venice- the earlier frostiness forgotten. Soon they had gone through a bottle of wine and were discussing books. Every once in a while Hermione had to remind herself this was Malfoy, he was an entirely different person. Who knew he read or thought anything? Despite herself, she enjoyed herself immensely and was quite full of both food and wine when they finally left the restaurant.


“That was wonderful!” she said as they stepped into the cooling air. Light was beginning to wane as they stood outside the restaurant.


“You’re welcome,” Malfoy smirked.


Hermione blushed. “I meant the food,” she said, but lightly. She could tell he was teasing. He had refused to let her pay her share but had finally agreed to let her pay the tip.


They began to walk and lapsed into a comfortable silence. After a few blocks, Hermione heard someone shout,” Hermione! Draco!” It was Alessandro.


Malfoy grumbled as they stopped and waited for him to catch up. He wasn’t alone- he had Gabrielle with him. Hermione groaned.


“Where are you off to?” Alessandro asked when they caught up.


“We’re just walking,” Hermione answered. “We’ve had a large lunch.”


Gabrielle snorted, but Alessandro shushed her. “Going to Harry’s?” he asked.


Malfoy and Hermione looked at each other. “You up for it?” Malfoy asked.


Hermione shrugged. “If you are,” she sighed. She actually would rather spend time alone with Malfoy, but, of course, she couldn’t say that.


“Great! We’ll walk with you,” Alessandro said.


They began walking again, but Hermione was surprised when she felt Malfoy take her hand. She looked at him, shocked, and he winked at her. Of course, she thought, it’s for Alessandro and Gabrielle’s benefit. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed, but was elated when she saw both Alessandro and Gabrielle glaring.


It wasn’t long before they reached Harry’s. Hermione once again had a Bellini though she probably had had enough already. Taking her drink, she sat with Malfoy at a table. He was already on his second drink, watching around them for any signs of Alessandro and Gabrielle.


“I think they’re suspicious,” he said, as she rolled her eyes at him.


“I think you’re paranoid,” she said. “Why wouldn’t they believe us?”


“We’re not exactly a likely match, Granger,” he said, taking a long sip of his drink.


“Thanks a lot,” she said, hurt.


Malfoy looked at her, bewildered. “What?”


“I know what I look like, Malfoy. And what you look like. You could at least have the decency not to point it out.” She took her drink and left the table, leaving him gaping after her.


Downing her drink, she went up to the bar to order another and ran into Alessandro. “Trouble in paradise?” Alessandro sneered at her.


“No, just a spat,” was all she could say.


“Typical Draco,” Alessandro sighed. “Such a player. Do you know how many-“


“No, and I don’t care to.” Hermione cut him off and walked away as soon as she had her new drink. She walked to the outdoor patio and stood by the railing facing the street. It was still early, and people were hurrying to and fro to their night’s destination. It was her own fault really, not Malfoy’s. She got caught up in his new behaviour, believing a leopard could change his spots. “I’ll not make that mistake again,” she mumbled.


“Talking to yourself?” came an amused voice beside her. Malfoy, of course. She moved to leave, but he grabbed her arm. “Stay, Granger,” he said quietly.


Startled by the seriousness in his voice, she did as he asked. He looked out towards the street, his light hair shielding his eyes from her view. Finally, he spoke. “I meant that you were so straight and narrow. Not what… you thought I meant.”


“Oh,” said Hermione, feeling foolish. “I guess I jumped to conclusions.”


Malfoy turned to her and his expression was back to its usual disdain. “Of course you did. Always thinking the worst of me,” he sighed.


Hermione laughed and elbowed him. “Ow, Granger. Watch it, I’m delicate.” He frowned. “Remember, if Alessandro took you to the Bridge of Sighs, you can’t be bad looking.”


“Was that a compliment?” she teased, trying to get him to look her in the eye.


Malfoy struggled not to smile. “If you like,” he said.


Hermione, whose head was swimmy and muddled now from a long day of drinking, smile goofily at him. She moved his hair away from his face with her hand.


The intimacy of the gesture took them both by surprise. Malfoy’s eyes widened and it seemed to Hermione they grew darker. She paused, her hand still on his hair, unsure what to do next. Her stomach jumped and she slowly drew her hand away. “Sorry,” she whispered, holding his gaze. He moved even closer to her. “It’s OK,” he whispered back, his breath ticking her face.


Suddenly, Hermione realized he was about to kiss her. She held her breath, unsure of what she should do. He seemed to hesitate, his eyes locked to hers, and after what seemed an eternity she felt his lips on hers.


The kiss was delicate, his lips were as soft as she imagined. Hermione could feel her heart fluttering madly and feverently hoped he couldn’t tell. After he realized she wasn’t going to push him away, Malfoy kissed her a little harder, his lips brushing hers with more force. He moved even closer and stroked her hair with one hand, the other touching her hand on the rail. Hermione kept her eyes closed tight and decided not to think for once, just to feel. She felt his lips open and-


“Hope I’m not interrupting,” A voice shattered the moment and Hermione pulled away quickly and looked to the owner of the voice. Alessandro.


“What?” Malfoy snapped, irritably.


“Sorry, just wanted to let you know we are moving to my house. Care to join us?”


“I really should be getting back to the hotel,” Hermione said before Malfoy could answer.


Alessandro looked at Malfoy.”Draco?”


Malfoy hesitated, then said, “Sure, why not? I’ll walk you back to the hotel first,” he said without looking at her.


Hermione felt hurt but wasn’t sure why. “No,” she said quickly.”It’s a short walk. You go.”


Malfoy again seemed to hesitate, and finally looked at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”


She nodded. “Goodnight,” she said and hurriedly walked towards the piazza without looking back. She didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt like crying.
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