I'll Always Love You.

Hermione looked at the Slytherin with a bewildered expression, “Excuse me?”

Draco grinned and leaned back on the table to cross his arms in amusement, “I said go on a date with me.”

Hermione opened and closed her mouth like a fish. She had no words because this was something she didn’t expect. She figured he asked her to do some homework, not this.

“Are you mental?”

Draco laughed this time, “Probably.”

She couldn’t do this, but if Hermione said no, then there was no chance in finding the diadem. Myrtle made it specific on what she wanted and if Hermione didn’t deliver, then she could kiss the Golden Trio’s chance goodbye.

Why though?, she thought and continued to look at him.

Why was Draco Malfoy asking her for a date? Surely he didn’t like her so what was his motive? Hermione mentally rolled her eyes. He was doing this to mess with her because he knew she get caught off guard. He knew she’d be totally uncomfortable.

“This is the terms Granger,” Draco began and looked at his nails uninterested, “Take it or leave it.”

Hermione sighed and knew what she had to do, even though she’d regret it, “Fine.”

“I expected much more of a fight,” Draco grinned. “What’s so important that you need me to go to
Myrtle’s bathroom?”

“That’s none of your business.”

Draco raised his hands in surrender, “Fair enough.”

Hermione turned around and began to gather her things, “We need go.”

“I love a demanding woman.”

Hermione rolled her eyes and walked out of the library with Draco after he grabbed his book bag. They remained silent as they traveled to the girl’s lavatory and entered through the doorway. Hermione didn’t have to call Myrtle’s name as she appeared in front of them seconds later.

“Hello Draco,” she smiled sweetly.

“Hello Myrtle,” Draco answered and smile back. “How are you?”

“Dead.”

Hermione looked between the both as they continued their conversation without acknowledging her. She was confused. Draco would never talk to someone like Moaning Myrtle because he was too much of a snob. Hermione eye’s stopped on Draco to see him laugh. He would’ve never laughed either. She narrowed her eyes and felt her blood boiling. He had to be playing everyone because that was the only option. People can’t change, especially someone like Draco Malfoy.

“Are you ready to talk Myrtle?” Hermione interrupted them with an annoyed tone.

“One more thing.”

Hermione almost growled.

Myrtle floated closer to Draco and her smile widen, “I want a kiss.”

Draco almost choked, “A kiss?”

“A kiss.”

Hermione covered her mouth to hide her laugh as Draco looked frightened.

He cleared his throat, “How can you kiss someone?”

“I can’t,” she answered with a shrug. “I won’t be able to feel it either, but I can imagine.”

Draco sighed and looked at Hermione with a glare, “I want something in return for this.”

“Like what?”

“You’ll find out.” he smirked and turned his attention back to Myrtle. “What do you need me to do?”

Myrtle grinned, “Just stand there.”

Hermione snorted as Draco closed his eyes and pursed his lips. She wish she had a camera for blackmail and was disappointed in herself she didn’t. Myrtle floated closer and lightly pushed their lips together. After a couple of seconds, Draco leaned back and shivered.

Myrtle looked at Hermione with a dreamy expression, “Talk to a Ravenclaw.”

“What—“

Hermione didn’t get a chance to ask for more information as Myrtle disappeared into the toilet again. She made a noise of disapproval and crossed her arms in frustration. She knew Myrtle wouldn’t give her much, but she expected more. Sighing, Hermione turned her attention to a disgusted Draco. She just hoped talking to a Ravenclaw would help.

“Not like you deserve it,” she began, “but thank you.”

Draco smirked and glanced at her with a mischievous look, “You’ll want to take that back when I ask for what I want later on.”

Hermione swallowed and followed Draco as he started to leave. She couldn’t help being curious as they traveled through the hallways and toward the Gryffindor Tower. Obviously, she didn’t know Draco as much as she thought and it scared her. Whatever he wanted, Hermione knew she wouldn’t like it. She felt like she sighed a deal with the devil.

Draco turned to look at her as they stopped in front of the Gryffindor portrait, “You won’t find anything.”

“What?” she looked at him confused.

“The real reason why I’m here,” he began, “I know that’s why you agree to tutor me so you can find out why.”

“I don—“

“But there isn’t anything,” he interrupted and placed his arms behind his back. “You’re not the only person who calls this place home.”

Hermione remained silent.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said with a grin and turned to walk away.

Hermione called after him, “Tomorrow?”

That grin turned into a smirk as he glanced over his shoulder, “We have a date remember?”

Before Hermione could argue, he walked deeper into the hallway. Even when he couldn’t be seen anymore, she kept her eyes fixed ahead to gather her thoughts. Maybe Ginny was right. Maybe Draco was back because he wanted to be and had no motive. Hermione sighed and turned to walk into the common room. It just didn’t make sense, but it seemed nothing made sense these days as she remembered she had a date with that certain Slytherin tomorrow.

*****

Draco Malfoy smirked as he made his way through the Slytherin Common Room and up the stairs. Granger’s face was priceless when he asked her out. He could literally see the wheels turning in her head. Draco opened his bedroom door and walked into the bathroom to get ready for bed. But, he didn’t ask her out because he liked her. No, he just liked the way she made him feel about himself. Ever since their first encounter, Draco could feel a part of himself he thought was missing coming back. Not the jerk part, but the part where he thought life was fun and adventurous. Not this messed up version he was currently in. Plus, he knew this would drive Granger crazy and that was just an added bonus. Draco walked back into his bedroom and stopped short as small figure emerged from a far corner.

“Mother?”

Narcissa Malfoy look at him with tears in her eyes, “My son.”

“How did you find me?” Draco began and stared at her in shock as she came over to give him a hug, “and how did you get in? I thought Hogwarts was guarded.”

She kissed his cheek and placed her hands on his shoulders, “I have my ways.”

As Draco stared at his mother, he couldn’t help but smile at the joy that rushed through his body. He never realized how much he missed her. He would never say that about his father because Lucius Malfoy didn’t have a nice bone in his body, but not his mother. Narcissa Malfoy loved her son and she damn well tried her hardest to prove it.

After a moment, Draco could tell she was bothered, “What’s wrong?”

She sighed and brought her arms back to her side, “Your father and Voldemort are meeting almost every day.”

Draco shrugged, “That’s not unusual.”

“No,” she began and sat on his bed, “but these meetings are lasting longer and longer.”

Draco sat next to her and took her hand, “You think their coming up with some sort of plan.”

She nodded and turned her body to look at him better, “I do.”

“Can you think of what it would be?”

“I’m afraid not,” she looked down as fear shined through her eyes.

Draco remained silent.

After a couple of seconds, Narcissa looked her son with a smile, “I just came to warn and see you.”

“I’ve missed you,” Draco said and smiled back.

“I’ve missed you too,” Narcissa placed her hand on his cheek with teary eyes. “The manor isn’t the same without you.”

“I’m sorry I left,” he mentioned and grabbed her hand once more.

“It’s okay,” she gave him a weak smile. “I understand why you did.”

Draco nodded as she kissed him on the cheek one last time and got up, “I should go before your father realizes I’m gone.”

“Will I see you again?” Draco asked and walked his mother over to the fireplace.

She smiled and gave him a hug, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Narcissa entered the fireplace and grabbed flow powder from her pocket. She stared at her son for a moment, yelled Malfoy Manor and disappeared. Draco walked back to his bed and laid down, slightly sad that she had to go. That didn’t matter however as he thought back to what she said. Voldemort and his father were up to something and whatever it was, Draco couldn’t help but think it would change everything.