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Tango	By : Alcoholic_Rootbeer Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 18416 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, and I will not make a profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
As always, a special shout out to LightofEvolution and her amazing way to give me plot bunnies to work with. Krum's involvement in this chapter is all her. ^_^ And a few other things. So thank you Light! (hearts)
So glad so many of you are enjoying this fic! I'm updating twice this week to make up for no updates last week. Cuz, you know, I love you all. Hope you enjoy!
"I would rather die of passion than of boredom."
~Vincent van Gogh
Stage Left: a determined Blaise and a sulking Draco
Setting: behind Malfoy Manor
That same evening, Blaise Zabini found Draco Malfoy tucked away inside the Quidditch shed, lacing and unlacing his boots in a lazy fashion. The clouds over Malfoy Manor brought with them a dark drizzle, discouraging any fun Draco might have had in lieu of his argument with Astoria. Upon seeing his friend, Draco gave a disgruntled growl, tightening his laces to the point of losing circulation.
"I've checked every bit of Malfoy Manor. Astoria's not here."
"That's because she's out with Daphne. A girl's night in, if you will, to calm her down." When Draco cast Blaise a glare, he added, "You could be saying thank you instead of giving me that salty expression. It was a favor to you, you know."
"Daphne doesn't do favors."
"You're right. Which means you'll owe her."
"It isn't fair, is it?" Draco snarled. "She gets to just walk out any time she wants and I'm to what? Sit at home and wait for her arrival to forgive me?"
"Viktor Krum is signing books down at Flourish and Blotts."
Blaise had his attention.
"What? The sod wrote a book?"
"Ghostwritten, I imagine, but yeah. Autobiography. And since we went to school with him for a year, I thought we might be mentioned." He waggled his brows. "Come on; you know your interest is peaked."
"You know Bulgaria isn't my team."
"But it's an excuse to get out of the house - one neither of our women can hold over our heads."
Draco smirked. Yeah, he rather liked the idea. "Alright," he agreed. "Let's do it."
Center Stage: Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley
Setting: Flourish and Blotts, of course!
Hermione stepped into Flourish and Blotts with Ginny by her side, inhaling the thick aroma of ink and parchment. "Come on, Gin. We're going to be late." To her left, her friend balanced a stack of photographs (all of Viktor Krum), a small replica set of Quidditch balls, and a pair of leather gloves on top.
"Do you think he'll be willing to sign all these for me?"
"Ginny, Viktor asked us here to give support, not force him to sign all forms of your memorabilia - you sound more and more like your brother every day."
"Well, these are for Ron," Ginny explained, "and George, and Charlie. Bill and Percy never cared much for Bulgaria."
Hermione stifled a large eye roll when she found Viktor's table set up near the front of the shop, twiddling his quill nervously and chewing on the skin of his lower lip. When his eyes met hers, they lit up in delight, and he patted a chair next to him behind the table. "Herm-o-nee! It is great to see you," he exclaimed, his accent still thick and robust. Hermione patted his shoulder as she took a seat beside him just before Ginny tossed all of her items onto the table and immediately asked him to sign them.
"Please?" she added as an afterthought.
Hermione covered up her embarrassment by saying, "See? Your first fan has arrived!"
Picking up a freshly printed copy of I am Krum (a bit of an obvious statement, Draco thought) from a pile near the door, Blaise grinned ear to ear as Draco followed him inside Flourish and Blotts. "See, mate? Isn't this better than ruminating in the dark?"
"Only because there are books," muttered Draco, eyeing a new set of advanced alchemy books just released and on display at the front desk. Because he became so lost in the freshly pried open book in front of his nose, he took no notice of the curly-haired witch sitting beside Krum as he fell in line with Blaise on the way to getting his copy signed. Nor did Draco care much about listening to Blaise going on and on about Krum's stats.
"Perhaps," he lulled, turning the pages of his book, "you should have married Krum instead."
It wasn't until they make it to the front that Draco peered over the edge of his book to notice a pair of brown eyes staring at him with interest beside Krum. Granger. He slammed the book shut.
Hermione hardly took notice of Zabini chatting it up with Viktor about the last Quidditch tournament - her eyes were set on the platinum blond man standing in front of her, looking just as bewildered at her as she was at him. Once again, fate decided to throw them together by chance, and it was becoming irritating, to say the least. And it didn't help when Ginny began throwing her two sickles into the mix, joining in conversation with Viktor and Zabini and leaving Malfoy to his own devices.
Might as well strike up a conversation, she thought. "Hello."
Malfoy gave a curt nod in response, pretending to be interested in the structural integrity of the building - meaning to say, looking anywhere but at her. Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to reading her book. It was then that Malfoy decided to bring his eyes back around, scanning her reading with mild interest.
"You're interested in Alchemy?"
A small smile breached her lips. Well, at least he was trying to make the moment less awkward, too. "I'm interested in a lot of things."
"Hey, mate. You're holdin' up the line!" Someone shouted from behind him. Malfoy stepped aside to make room, but Zabini wouldn't be budged. He continued to talk sports with Ginny and Viktor, seemingly as if he couldn't care less what happened to the others waiting for an autograph. Malfoy began to wander away, and Hermione felt a sense of sadness at the way his shoulders hung defeated. And, truth be told, a part of her wondered where he might run off to. She looked over to Viktor to excuse herself, found it useless because he was so caught up in conversation, and slipped out of her seat, setting off in the direction Malfoy went. It didn't take her long to find him, tucked away in the back of the shop. She peeked around a corner of shelves to watch him as his eyes roamed over the various tomes at his disposal.
That's when she noticed it; there was a look of serenity on his face here, amongst the books. She didn't think she'd ever seen him so calm before. His fingers glided along the backs of several hardbacks before selecting one and smirking. He took a seat at a sofa provided and cracked it open, relaxed, and yet there was a hint of uneasiness about him as he read - his body language suggested he was trying to distract himself from his thoughts. Hermione recognized it because she'd done it many times before. The fight with Astoria was, no doubt, still fresh on his mind.
She was in the middle of debating on whether she should say anything or stroll away when Malfoy muttered, not looking up from his book, "Can I help you, Granger?"
Her breath caught. Drats, she'd been found out. Hermione stepped out from behind the bookshelf and twiddled her thumbs. "I was just coming to see how you were doing after today...you know. Since your fight with Astoria."
"Fight?"
"Trifle? Whatever you wish to call it."
Malfoy sat his book in his lap and narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, in what alternate universe have we fallen into where I open up about my relationship with you?"
Slightly taken aback, Hermione sat her hands on her hips. "Well, you didn't seem to have a problem with it before, did you?"
"I never asked you to sit with me."
"You're just a regular ball of sunshine, aren't you? It's no wonder Astoria's miffed at you if this is how you talk to people on a daily basis."
"Oh, not people, Granger," he smirked. "Just you."
She huffed. "Why? I don't see you still acting this way toward Harry or Ron."
"When do you ever see any of us together to know?"
"Well, do you?"
He pondered it. "No. Just you, I suppose."
"Any particular reason?"
"Isn't it obvious? Because you can take it. No matter what I manage to dish out, you always have a quip on the backburner. It's refreshing."
"So you enjoy the degradation?" she laughed in disbelief, leaning against the shelf beside her.
"As if you could degrade me. No, I simply enjoy your small amount of intelligence - though it doesn't seem to be able to rival mine."
"You're impossible."
"And you're a stalker," he shrugged, quirking an eyebrow. "So...Krum. Is he your 'plus one' to my 'event of the century?' Assuming it still happens…" He paused momentarily, his eyebrows furrowing.
Hermione didn't feel the need to share who her plus one was, but she did share, "Viktor is just a friend." She shrugged, more comfortable in Malfoy's presence, despite the memories of her dreams. "He was in town and very nervous about his book signing, so I came to support him. Though, he seems to be doing just fine on his own."
"Blaise will gladly talk his ear off for the next two hours."
"So will Ginny."
They both grinned.
"So…" Malfoy eyed her up and down. "You're reading Alchemy, then?"
Nodding, Hermione approached him cautiously, still cradling her book in her hand. Malfoy extended his arm, silently asking to look it over. When Hermione passed it to him, their fingers touched. It was a small moment, but it sent a warm shimmer up her body.
Malfoy wet his lower lip with his tongue as he read the cover. Now, Hermione couldn't stop staring at his mouth. It was so… she smacked her cheek lightly.
Looking up from the book, he asked, "Did you just strike yourself?"
"Hmm? Oh, no." Hermione took a seat next to him, brushing elbows as she grabbed her book back. "You must have imagined it." She scooted a little further away from him and opened the pages, pretending to read in silence.
"...What are you doing?"
"Reading."
"I mean, what are you doing sitting next to me?"
"Tell me about Astoria," she blurted out. She wasn't sure why she wanted to know so badly, but she did.
Malfoy tensed beside her. "I...um…"
"Is she excited about the wedding?"
"Very much."
"And are you?"
"It's a wedding," he scoffed, giving a shrug. "Should I be?"
"Well, yes. It's not just a wedding. You're getting married. That's a big step." When he shot her an incredulous glare, she surmised, "What I mean is, it's great that you've found someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. Someone that lights a fire in you. I can see fighting with her bothers you."
"Why do you care so much?" he asked quietly.
"I guess I'm a bit...envious," she admitted. Malfoy grinned arrogantly. "Of what you two have, you git!" She shoved him in the arm playfully. "Not of anything else."
"It's alright, Granger. There are loads of women who are envious of Astoria. Not everyone can be a snake charmer."
"I don't suppose I'll ever find a lion tamer, myself," she mused, more to herself than to him.
Some time went by in comfortable silence with both of them reading their books when Ginny came around the corner. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you. Viktor's just finished his signing, and he wants us to come out for drinks with him."
"You call him Viktor now?" Hermione teased.
"Isn't it great?" Ginny was all grins. "Oh, don't give me that look, Hermione. I'm a happily taken woman. I'm just excited to get to talk Quidditch with someone who gets what it's like to play professionally."
Hermione knew the feeling. It was nice sitting with someone who seemed to enjoy silent reading as much as she did.
"Anyway, come on," Ginny continued, "Zabini says he knows this great pub that's muggle themed."
"Blaise?" Malfoy cut in. "What about Blaise?"
"Krum invited all of us - including you, Malfoy, so shape up." Ginny waved them on with her hand. "Pip, pip!"
Stage Right: Hermione, Ginny, Draco, Blaise, and Viktor Krum
Setting: Muggle Mystique
They arrived at a small pub on the outskirts of Hogsmeade called 'Muggle Mystique.' Draco wasn't fond of the name or the theme, but he wasn't about to call it quits and go home. As they walked in, they were asked to leave their cloaks at the door - 'Too wizard' the barkeep had told them. A variety of objects decorated the walls of the establishment, and all of them were muggle. Draco recognized some of them as phones and muggle street signs, but others baffled him completely. There were a variety of artificial flowers (but why? What purpose did those serve?) and unusual twinkling lights on green wires along the floorboards.
"Christmas tree lights," Granger whispered to him as she passed, excusing her and Weasley to the loo. Krum offered to grab the first round of drinks, so it was up to Blaise and Draco to procure seating. They found a circular table in the center of the establishment, all while Draco muttered how he didn't like being where everyone could see them as he motioned to his scarred Dark Mark, exposed from the lack of robes.
"This'll be good for you, Draco. Out with two Quidditch stars, no one's going to be looking at your old tattoo."
The blond still wasn't convinced. "Don't you dare tell Astoria bout this."
"Why not?"
"Because she'll invite Krum to the wedding, won't she? Or worse! The entire Bulgarian Quidditch team!"
Blaise blinked. "...And?" He earned a swift whack on the back of the head from Draco's palm. "What? They can hold their liquor and would be an excellent addition to all the stuck-up 'Sacred Twenty-Eight', wouldn't they?"
"Shall I replace you and invite Krum to be my best man, instead?"
With a smirk, Blaise chuckled. "I caught you three weeks ago stopping at the side of a pond to pet baby ducks. You wouldn't dare."
"Try me."
"I vaguely recall when we were children, you would dress up the house elves like dragons...and you would play the dragon tamer."
Draco paled as the ladies returned, taking a seat at the other side of the table. He noticed the way Granger's eyes trailed over his Mark, but she said nothing, and he was thankful for it.
"Are you alright, Malfoy?" the redhead asked. "You look a bit sick."
"He needs a good drink in him," Krum cut in, arriving back at the table while levitating an arsenal of drinks. Everyone received a cocktail glass filled with variations of colored liquids except for Krum, who sat between the pairs with a shotglass and a tall bottle of vodka. Blaise automatically reached for his drink, but Draco was skeptical. Growing up under the wing of Professor Snape, he'd learned to be weary of new concoctions and always be prepared for poison. The drink's aroma was sweet and pungent.
"What is this?" he asked.
Krum exchanged smiles with the women and winked to them before addressing the men. "It is old Russian drink. Very manly. You drink." He toasted his shot glass.
"If it's so 'manly,' why aren't you drinking it?" Draco nudged toward the women. "And why are they?"
Blaise was already halfway done with his drink by this point.
Weasley laughed into her hand, and Granger burst out giggling. "Oh, I can't keep this up! It's a muggle drink, Malfoy." She cleared her throat. "Oh, but a manly one, for sure. It's called 'Sex on the Beach.'"
"Sounds so promising," Weasley sniggered, sipping her drink.
"It's delicious," agreed Blaise with a wink. "Both variations of Sex on the Beach, I mean. Daphne has this spell that keeps the sand from getting into your-"
"-I don't want to know!" Granger covered her ears, and the whole table lit up in laughter, Draco included. Being out socializing took away many of his stresses, even if it was with Weasley and...Granger. Merlin, she had a lovely smile when she laughed, didn't she? - He pinched his own leg to punish himself for thinking such a thing. Deciding it was alright, he took a swig of his drink.
"It's...not bad," he admitted.
"Gonna have to tell Astoria you like Sex on the Beach," Blaise chided, ribbing Draco in the side. Staring down into his drink, Draco suddenly felt very solemn. He had been doing just fine until Blaise decided to mention Astoria. All of his insecurities bubbled back up to the surface, and the mood of the bar around him shifted. He didn't want to think about going back to his empty home; in fact, home sounded like the worst place to be. He felt terrible about it, but he'd nearly forgotten about Astoria for a moment and all of the pressures of the wedding looming over his head.
"Herm-o-nee tellz me you are dancing in lessons?" Krum asked the group.
"The Tango," Blaise nodded. "Though, these two are terrible at it." He nudged to Granger and then over to Draco, who was still lost in thought.
"We've gotten better," Granger tried.
"No, Hermione," Weasley patted her friend's hand. "You haven't."
"That's alright. This sod right here has no rhythm whatsoever," Blaise teased, curling his arm around Draco's neck.
"Neither does Hermione."
"Oi, now." Draco swung Blaise's arm off of him, irritated. "I have rhythm. I just think the Tango isn't worth my time."
"Here, here!" saluted Granger, tilting her drink toward him. Glad someone was on his side, he smirked and clinked glasses with her.
"Oh, please. You two are the worst when it comes to dancing," said Blaise. "We've seen you in class."
"Az I recall, Herm-o-nee was quite skilled at the Waltz," Krum offered with a wink. Granger smiled warmly in his direction.
"Thank you, Viktor!"
"Draco and I were at the same ball. Or have you lot forgotten that? God awful, Draco was."
"Hey!" Draco exclaimed.
"I smell a bet coming on," said Weasley, sipping her drink as she grinned. "Two galleons says Hermione's a worse dancer than Malfoy."
"Three says Draco's worse."
"Oh, you're on."
They shook on it. Without a word, Blaise and Weasley got out of their chairs and tugged their friends up to stand, pushing them together.
"Make me proud, Draco!" Blaise smirked. "Dance like the bloody fool you are!"
"No, Gin, I don't want to-" Granger tried to rebuttal.
"Just how much alcohol was in those muggle drinks?" Draco whispered, and then said louder, "Well, you've made arses out of us. Congratulations." He moved to go back to his chair, but Blaise pulled out his wand, shrunk Draco's seat, and pocketed it. Weasley quickly did the same to Granger's.
"Dance!" she cheered.
"You competitive brats," Granger rolled her eyes. "We aren't circus monkeys to perform for you at any given time." And with that, she started toward the door.
Draco looked over to Blaise, decided that whatever was going to come out of his best friend's mouth wasn't going to be favorable, and said, "For once, I'm with Granger on this one. Cheers." He grabbed his martini glass, swigged down the rest, and followed her out the door, grabbing both of their cloaks in the process. "Granger, wait up!"
She stopped in the middle of the street, realizing her mistake.
"Oh…um, thank you, Malfoy." She took her cloak and put it on. Draco did the same. "Right kind of you." When she made to leave again, Draco's stomach bottomed out. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't want her to go.
"Just so you know, Blaise would have won the bet." Oh, yes, Draco. Taunt her. Because that always works out so well for you.
Granger stopped, turning on her heels. "As if." There was a fire in her eyes; one that Draco liked to stare into.
"I get why you left," he continued, "little chicken, clucking and ruffling her feathers and all."
"I am not a hen. Though if anyone was a proud, strutting cock, it would be you."
"Listen to you clucking away…"
Granger stalked right up to him. "Listen here, you strutting little peacock. I've been sensitive because I understand your plight with your bride-to-be, but I won't be goaded into conceding to an arrogant git like you, so unless you plan to-"
Draco's hands curled around her, pulled her to him, and set them both into a dancing position. With a smirk, he said, "Called your bluff."
Almost satisfied, she replied, "Try not to step on my feet. I know that's your signature move."
They stared competitively into each other's eyes as they set off on their first few dance steps they'd learned of the Tango, but Draco wasn't paying attention to anything but the feeling of her hand in his and the heat that washed over him as she glared stubbornly at him. He felt so alive in the moment, he didn't even notice he was getting the steps right. There wasn't any music, but he could almost hear it ghosting his eardrums - or maybe it was just the pulse of his heart. Where his skin touched hers felt on fire, and there was a churning in his stomach. In this moment, Draco Malfoy felt more alive than he had in such a long time.
"Told you I could keep up," she taunted him, and it was only then Draco noticed how fluid they moved together. Yes, the steps were slow, but they were precise and deliberate, like playing a game of chess. The moment he realized he was dancing - actually dancing - he lost his footing and stumbled back. Granger lost her balance as well, and her combined weight with his caused him to topple backward, her on top of him. Luckily, a flower bed outside the muggle pub broke their fall. Chestnut curls scattered around his head.
Granger sneezed into his chest. "Daffodils," she muttered, looking around to the broken plants. "I'm allergic."
The pub door opened, startling them both, but luckily it was just a drunken stranger. Granger dug her hands into his chest, leaving a solid impression in his mind of her riding his hips as she pushed herself up to stand. There, she helped him to his feet and began brushing the soil off of them both.
"We tell no one about this," Draco grumbled, horrified of what Astoria might think, but more so about the slight erection in his pants that he tried to find off.
"Agreed," Granger nodded. "The last thing we need in the papers is someone thinking we're rolling around in the bushes making love to each other."
The moment she said it, her entire face flared bright crimson. Draco thought back to his dreams, and of Granger and the chocolate frogs, the same color as her hair…
"Not that I think we'd ever do that. I…goodnight, Malfoy." And then she turned and Disapparated on the spot.
As always, reviews are welcome! They give me the biggest of smiles. (hearts) CAN YOU FEEL THE LOOOOOVE TONIGHT? Or at least the sexual tension? haha
~A.
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Tango