What Happens In The Dark | By : articcat621 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 12117 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. |
A/N: This one-shot was written for the DramioneLoveFest on LJ. My prompt was, "Newly single Hermione Granger agrees to her girlfriends (up to you who they are) crazy idea to try the new dating craze: speed dating in the dark. But more than just talking can happen when the lights are out!" I loved participating in the fest, and I hope all of you enjoy this piece of yumminess. Many thanks to SweetTale4U, TrisanaChandler13, Krissy, and Craftsman for being my fantastic team of betas/alphas. I don't know where this would be without all of your help.
Disclaimer: "Harry Potter" is the property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. This work of fiction was created entirely for fun, not for profit, and no copyright infringement is intended.
What Happens In The Dark
Hermione Granger rolled her eyes at her friends' antics. They were sitting at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour as they did every Thursday afternoon. Ginny and Luna were begging Hermione to go out tomorrow evening. Apparently there was a new craze going about: speed dating in the dark.
"Please, Hermione?" Ginny begged. "I think you would have a wonderful time."
Hermione shook her head firmly. "No, I'm sorry, Ginny, but absolutely not."
"But you should!" Ginny pressed her point. "It's been so long since you've dated anyone."
"My last boyfriend was a disaster, Ginny. After that, I have no interest in wasting my time."
"But, Hermione, surely you know that not every man is going to hurt you that way," Luna said, voicing her opinion. "I think you should go tomorrow night. Neville and Hannah have it set up at the Leaky Cauldron. You might just find what you need."
A huff escaped her lips. "Must you always be so cryptic, Luna? I don't know how Ron can stand it."
Luna smiled dreamily. "He finds it to be quite adorable." She took a bite of her ice cream. "But I digress, Hermione, I think you should go tomorrow night. It's time you moved on with your life."
"Yes, Hermione, you better get a move on," Ginny said. "You aren't getting any younger."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "I'm only twenty-nine! I'm not that old. I have plenty of time to settle down."
Ginny placed her hand to her ear and leaned over. "What was that dearie? All I hear is the tick-tock of your biological clock."
Ginny and Luna burst out in laughter.
"Not everyone wants to have twenty children like you and Harry," Hermione said, pointing her spoon at her redheaded friend.
"Please?" Ginny begged. "Please, just once."
Hermione huffed. She truly had no desire to go through an awkward night of dating.
"Hermione, you know Ginny will bug you until you agree," Luna said. "It'd be easier for everyone if you just agreed."
She knew Luna was right. What was one night in comparison to Ginny's incessant nagging? "Fine, I'll go tomorrow night, but only on one condition — no more nagging me to date, agreed?"
"Yes, agreed. This is perfect!" Ginny squealed, clapping her hands together. "Oh, I'll pop into the Leaky later to reserve you a seat."
Hermione groaned. It was just one night, what harm could that do?
"Should I help you pick out an outfit?" Ginny inquired.
"No, Ginny," Hermione responded. "It's in the dark; no one will see my clothes anyway."
"But-"
"No, I'll just wear a dress," Hermione said. "Just be happy that I'm going, Ginny."
"Oh, I am," Ginny said. "You need it."
Hermione only rolled her eyes.
Friday evening found Hermione getting ready for her night of speed dating. It had taken her some time to dig through her closet to the find the perfect outfit. Eventually, she settled on a light grey strapless dress. It was cut rather short, revealing her shapely legs.
After doing her hair and applying some lipstick, Hermione deemed herself ready. She stored her wand in a clutch purse along with some money. After slipping on some black heels, she turned on the spot and Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron. As she stepped through the doorway, she was greeted by Neville.
"Hermione, hello!" He gave her a hug. "Ginny finally convinced you, eh?"
Hermione nodded. "I gave in. I figured since Hannah organized the whole thing it wouldn't be that bad."
"It's just speed dating. You have fifteen minutes with each contestant. You can reveal as much or as little as you want. A spell is cast so your voice will be disguised and a notice-me-not charm is cast to ensure your privacy. There is also a charm on the room so no harm will come to anyone inside."
Hermione arched her brow, thoroughly impressed. "You two really thought of everything."
Neville turned red. "Well, most of it was Hannah's idea. She's quite brilliant, you know."
Hermione nodded. "Well, I'm ready when you are."
Neville nodded. "Right this way." It was completely dark in the room so Neville had to guide her to a seat.
"I have a question," she asked before he could walk away. "What happens if you want to spend more than fifteen minutes with someone?"
"Then you better get their contact information," Neville said, laughing. "Have fun, Hermione."
Hermione took a seat and waited. She grew more and more uncomfortable as the seconds ticked by. She was sure it would start any second, but the silence in the room was a bit unnerving.
Oh, what was she thinking? This was going to be a disaster. Why did she let Ginny talk her into this?
Neville's voice rang out. "Well, everyone, it's time to begin. You all know the rules, so no breaking them, got it? A buzzer will go off when it's time to change. We hope you all have a good time."
Hermione held her breath as someone took a seat across from her. She braced herself for whatever was coming.
"Yo."
She closed her eyes, sighing deeply. Oh Merlin.
"Sup?"
"Hello," she said, trying to be polite. "How are you?"
"Not too bad, girl. What's popping with you?"
Her eyes widened. "Um, nothing."
"Cool, cool," the voice responded. "So, tell me 'bout yo'self."
This was going to be a very long fifteen minutes.
The next person wasn't as bad. He was very polite — too polite in Hermione's opinion. He called her ma'am every five seconds, which didn't make her feel very young or sexy. In a way he sort of reminded her of Percy, so prim and proper, but he was dry. Hermione found herself wanting to yawn after a few minutes of talking.
The buzzer went off. Rubbing her temples, Hermione shook her head. This was going to be a disaster. She could already feel the migraine coming on.
"Hello," the third voice said.
"Hello," she responded somewhat tiredly.
He chuckled. "Not having much luck, huh?"
"No," Hermione admitted. "I don't know why I let my friend talk me into this."
"Ah. My friend did that as well. Apparently she was tired of me being a 'miserable old sod' as she put it."
Hermione laughed. This one wasn't too bad so far.
"So, tell me about yourself," he prompted.
Hermione licked her lips. "Well, I'm an author. I like to write a lot."
"Anything I may have read?" he asked.
"Nice try. If I answer that, you may be able to figure out who I am."
"Clever girl," he responded. "Well, I run a company, the family business you could say. My father isn't around anymore, just my mother and me, but we manage."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Hermione frowned.
"Don't be," mystery man said with a laugh. "He was a bastard, and if you knew who he was, you'd be happy he was gone too."
"How old are you?" she asked.
"Twenty-nine," he responded. "Too young to run a multi-billion galleon business."
"Well, it obviously works for you," Hermione responded. She may have gone to school with this person. But who could it be?
"What color are your eyes?" he abruptly asked. "I know that's a weird question, but I'm just curious. I wish I could see them. You can always tell so much about a person through their eyes."
"Eyes are the windows to the soul," she said softly. "My eyes are brown."
"I bet they're beautiful. My eyes are grey."
"That's rather unconventional," Hermione commented.
He laughed. "I like to think I'm rather unique."
"What's your favorite food?" Hermione inquired.
"Spaghetti and meatballs, hands down. You?"
She thought about for a second. "Broccoli and cheddar soup. My Mum makes it from scratch and it's delicious."
"Have you traveled before?" he asked.
"Just to Australia," Hermione answered. "My parents lived there for some time. You?"
"I vacation a lot. I love to ski in Switzerland."
"Really?" Hermione asked surprised. "A wizard that goes skiing?"
"It's fun!" he protested.
Hermione smiled. She was definitely starting to enjoy herself. Her mystery man was fun and she wanted to know more about him.
"What are you looking for in a man?" he asked.
She was startled, not expecting that sort of question to come up. "Um, well, I think I'd like to have someone who is strong willed, intelligent, and well read. I'd like someone I can talk to and with whom I can enjoy an intelligent conversation. Someone who isn't afraid to defend me in public while treating me like a queen in bed." She couldn't believe she just said that last bit.
"Treat you like a queen in bed? You want someone to lavish you, to please you in every way possible?" Despite the voice disguising charm, Hermione could decipher the husky undertones. She trembled slightly.
"Yes," she whispered, feeling more turned on in that moment than she had ever been in her life.
A throaty chuckle filled the air. "You like that? You like when someone talks to dirty to you?"
She squirmed in her chair. "Yes," she whispered. She didn't, not until now. She wanted to hear what he would say. She wanted him to whisper dirty things in her ear as he pleased her. She trembled.
"You want to touch yourself while I watch? You want to come in my mouth, letting me taste you? You want me to lick your slit until you come so hard you can barely breathe?"
How had their conversation turned so dirty so quickly?
Hermione groaned with desire. "Yes, yes, yes, yes." She wished she could take him right now.
The buzzer rang out and reality crashed around them.
"Sorry, love, time's up. I've got to go."
Hermione bolted up out of her chair, reaching across the table and grabbing his hand. "Wait, I need to see you again!"
"Meet me tomorrow at the café down the street at noon. I'll be wearing a grey suit." He disappeared.
She sat back in her chair, disappointed that the time had gone by so quickly. Her body was flushed from their encounter. He had left her wanting more without even trying. She knew without a doubt that she'd go to meet him tomorrow.
The rest of the night dragged on. Hermione spent her time replaying the conversation with her mystery man in her head.
She just couldn't wait until noon tomorrow.
The next morning, Hermione Floo called Ginny.
"Thank you, thank you!" Hermione beamed. "I think I met a good one last night!"
"Really? Oh, Hermione, I'm so happy for you!" Ginny replied. "See, I told you so! I knew you going last night would be good."
"We're meeting for lunch in a little bit," Hermione explained. "I'm going to find out who he is."
"Promise me you'll give him a chance, no matter who it is," Ginny begged. "You deserve to be happy, Hermione."
"I will, Ginny. I promise I'll keep an open mind."
"Good, now go get ready!" Ginny said her good-byes and closed the connection.
Hermione got dressed for her lunch date. She chose a light grey pencil skirt and a floral blouse. Slipping on some black kitten heels and pulling her hair up into a messy bun, she deemed herself ready.
To save time she Apparated to Diagon Alley, quickly weaving her way through the lunch crowd she arrived just in time at the Rosa café. It was exactly noon, and she hoped her man would be there.
And there he was, wearing his grey suit as promised.
He was a blond and built. As she pushed open the door, he glanced towards her. His eyes widened.
She froze.
It was Draco Malfoy.
Her mystery man was Draco Malfoy.
Oh, sweet Merlin, what should she do?
Ginny's words echoed in Hermione's mind. She should go talk to him. Slowly, she walked over to him.
"Granger?" he asked, his mouth opening and closing. In that moment, he looked like a fish.
Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. "I see you wore your grey suit as promised."
"It was you?" he asked, shifting in his chair.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, it was me."
An awkward silence descended between them. Hermione wasn't sure if she should stay or if she should go.
"Er, well, I'll just leave," she said, biting her lip. "Sorry to have wasted your time."
"Wait!" he said, standing upright. "Why don't you have lunch with me?"
Hermione hesitated.
"I had fun last night, Hermione," Draco said, honesty in his voice. "I really would like to get to know you better. You've obviously changed a lot since Hogwarts."
"So have you," Hermione responded, still standing. She was still unsure.
Holding out the chair for her, "Please, Hermione, have lunch with me."
"All right," she agreed, sitting down.
Years later, Hermione would be glad she did.
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