Chapter Twenty One

A few days later Hermione was at the beach, laying on her stomach, reading a book as Harry lay next to her. His eyes closed, his lips turned up in a half smile as he dreamt. Hermione smiled, turning the page of her book when a long shadow fell over it. A figure dropped down beside her.

It was Draco. All he wore were his trunks and his hair was dripping wet. His eyelashes held droplets of water. He blinked as Hermione stared into his eyes.

‘What?’ Draco asked, as another drop of water fell of his eyelash and disappeared amongst the sand, ‘why are you staring at me for? Creep.’

Hermione chuckled and shook her head, and returned to reading as Draco turned on his back, closing his eyes. Hermione's eyes darted to his six pack, checking him out. His chiselled abs would soon be all hers and she couldn’t wait.

‘You can stare at me all you want,’ Draco said, opening one eye as he smirked at her.

‘I wasn't staring,’ Hermione said, defensively.

She had a sudden sense of déjà vu. On the train they had this conversation, before they realised they were in love with each other. Hermione and Draco both chuckled at the memory.

‘So...’ Draco started, taking her hand, ‘tonight, I'm taking you out. There's a restaurant down the street. Very romantic and all that other stuff fiancés are supposed to be.’

Hermione grinned at him, knowing he’d take her out since she would love it. He wasn’t a huge fan of romance though, he did it mostly for her.

‘So be ready at 8, okay?’

Hermione pressed her lips to his slightly as Draco smiled.

‘Okay,’ Hermione whispered.

Draco closed his eyes, leaning back, a contented smile on his face. Hermione quickly checked Harry's watch. It was nearly six pm and everyone was lounging on the beach, enjoying the sun. Some people had started a game of volleyball as others watched.

Hermione got up but was pulled back down as a hand grabbed her arm.

‘Where are you going?’ Draco asked, opening his eyes.

‘Going to get ready. It's six pm!’ Hermione said.

‘You could wear sweats to the date and you'd still look beautiful.’ Draco said.

‘So romantic, Draco. But I have to get ready! Bye!’ Hermione said, chuckling.

Hermione walked down the beach and inside the hotel, trailing sand behind her. Ginny was sitting in the restaurant with Ron.

‘Ginny!’ Hermione squealed as she neared them.

Ginny raised an eyebrow, laughing.

‘Drake asked me out on a date and I have to get ready by 8! Come on!’ Hermione said, grabbing her hand.

 ‘Yeah I'll just sit here...’ Ron shouted as they walked away from him.

‘Sorry, Ron!’ Hermione shouted back.

They climbed the stairs and entered the room they were sharing. Ginny immediately opened Hermione’s suitcase, searching for summer dresses. She held up a purple, up to the knees dress.

‘This one?’ Ginny asked, holding the dress to her own body and admiring it in the mirror.

‘Sure! I'll need a shower first.’ Hermione took her bathrobe, underwear and a towel into the bathroom with her.

She switched the shower on, waiting for the hot water. She splashed her face with water and took her clothes off, stepping into the shower. She let the water run down her head and body. Hermione shampooed and conditioned her hair. After the shower she stepped out and quickly dried herself, humming a tune. She put her underwear on and put the pink, fluffy bathrobe over herself. She walked out of the bathroom to see Ginny rooting through a box, full of her jewellery. Hermione looked towards the clock and saw that it was half past 6.

Hermione shook her hair out and took her hair drier out that her mother had gifted her for some birthday or Christmas, taking her time to dry her hair. It took her half an hour to get it fully dry. She slipped on the purple dress, it was backless and a little tight, but it looked good.

‘Sit down.’ Ginny ordered.

Hermione chuckled and obligingly sat on the chair, letting Ginny get to work on her hair. Hermione picked up a book and started reading, trusting Ginny to make her hair look beautiful. A while later, Ginny grinned and announced that she was done.

‘Ginny, you're great!!’ Hermione said, feeling her hair.

Her hair had been curled, some of them were small and cute and the hair at the back had large, elegant curls in them. She had sorted them so it hung off one shoulder and just passed her chest. Her hair was shiny and voluminous, just the effect Hermione had wanted.

‘Thank you!’ Hermione squealed hugging her.

‘Do you want me to do your make up?’ Ginny asked, holding up a mascara wand.

‘No, I'll do it. Thank you so much!’

‘Okay, well, I need to see Harry. Bye and good luck!’

Ginny waved once and walked out. Hermione sat down and took the mascara, layering her eyelashes with it. She wore eyeliner and a bit of blusher. She hesitated but wore light purple eye shadow. She also found some of Ginny’s heels in her suitcase and borrowed them.

‘Knock knock.’ A voice said, ‘Is the princess ready?’

‘Wait, Draco!’ Hermione chuckled.

She grabbed her bag and put a mascara wand in it and also her eyeliner. She breathed in and out before opening the door. She saw Draco had a button up shirt and trousers on and was holding red roses.

‘Hey, gorgeous,’ Draco whispered, looking her up and down, ‘you look beautiful.’

He handed her the roses which she gladly took, putting them inside her room. Draco leaned against the door frame, watching her.

‘How about we skip the date and just stay here?’ Draco joked, looking at Hermione.

‘Do you always say that to girls on the first date?’ Hermione asked.

‘Do you always agree to marry a man before the first date?’ Draco shot back.

Hermione narrowed her eyes, her lips tugging up at the sides.

‘Touché,’ She said, taking his hand, ‘Let's go.’

They walked hand in hand downstairs. The Weasley’s, Harry, Narcissa and Mrs Granger were in the restaurant. They looked up as Hermione and Draco approached them. Silence. Harry and Ron wolf whistled, making Hermione turn a bright red. Mrs Granger smiled, taking a camera out of her purse.

‘Picture!’

Draco put his arm around Hermione's shoulders and she put her arm around his waist. They both smiled and were nearly blinded by the flash. A few people looked over to them saying 'Aw!'. Harry, Ron and Ginny decided to pose for the picture too.

After the picture taking session, Draco and Hermione made their way out of the hotel and down the street, linking their hands. The sun was about to set, but people were still at the beach, lighting up a bonfire.

‘Nervous?’ Draco asked, squeezing her hand, ‘First impressions count, remember that.’

‘Not at all.’ Hermione said chuckling, ‘You're right, first impressions do count. You better act like a gentleman.’