Hermione should have been terrified, a blind date. She never went on a blind date before. She was Hermione Granger, Golden Girl, Brightest Witch of her Age. People would come on their knees begging to spend time with her. But they were all so... bland? boring? fangirls and fanboys? blind people who saw her as perfect. She was not perfect.
Since Neville started dating Pansy a few months ago, the Slytherin had become a friend of hers as well. And she absolutely loved her. If Pansy and Neville did not make such a great couple, she would try to date the other woman herself. Long gone was the girl who had sold her to Skeeter. Now she was an independent woman who owned a fashion store in Diagon Alley.
So, the second-best thing she had, after her silly idea of dating Pansy Parkinson, was allowing the Slytherin to find her a date.
"Just one dinner, Granger. If you hate him, you don't have to speak with him again." Pansy said as she helped Hermione with her outfit and makeup.
"Can't you tell me his name?" Hermione pleaded.
"No! Now stop squirming or your eyeliner will not be on point!" The Slytherin said, her wand almost touching Hermione's face.
"I hate going and not knowing who I'm meeting."
"Well, that's exactly why it's called a blind date, Granger. Don't play stupid or naive with me. You're an intelligent woman." Pansy clarified and Hermione sighed. "Aren't you a Gryffindor? Are you chickening out? Because of a date? In a public restaurant?" And Hermione did not need to open her eyes to see the other girl smirk.
She let Pansy play with her make-up and hair for a few more minutes until the Slytherin spoke again. "Are you sure you don't want to change into a dress?"
"No! I'm quite pleased with my jumpsuit." she said, "The colour matches so perfectly with my new light blue robes."
"As you say. Don't come knocking on my door after because the dress had been a better option." Pansy added, flicking her hair out of her face. "Don't knock on my door at all, I plan on having fun with my boyfriend." she winked, disappearing through the flames.
15 minutes later Hermione was walking through Diagon Alley until she found the Sailing Gate. The Sailing Gate was a new restaurant that had just opened a few weeks ago and Hermione had not had a chance to visit so she was excited. All the food critics said the restaurant was out of this world. Magical.
Giving Pansy's name to the hostess, the young woman led her to the table where a young man was already sitting. Not any young man. Hermione quickly recognized the platinum blond hair. "Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
"Hello, Granger. How are you this evening?" Hermione was about to answer when he raised to his feet and moved closer to her. He brought her hand to his lips, the gesture stopping Hermione from answering "I had feared you would not come... I would not hold it against you... But I am so glad you came!"
Hermione felt blush rushing to her cheeks. "So, should I..." She was not even sure what she meant by that. She was not scared that it was Malfoy. They had met on a couple of occasions. With Pansy and Neville together, they had started to mingle their Gryffindor and Slytherin Groups. The conversations had been civil, entertaining, challenging. She enjoyed them.
"I'll take it from here, Sophie. Thank you!" Malfoy told the hostess, who moved back to her little desk by the door. "I know this was not expected... but I hope you're staying. Blaise food is incredible, it will be a shame for you to leave without eating at least."
"Blaise Zabini is the chef?"
"The head chef and the owner of the Sailing Gate," Draco said, taking a step forward and helping her out of her outer robes, folding the fabric softly and placing it on the extra chair, on top of his. Then he pulled her chair back, waiting for her to sit.
Hermione bit her lower lip. She could not leave when he was being such a gentleman. And she was really looking forward to having her meal there. "Thank you." The Gryffindor said softly.
"My pleasure, Granger. That jumpsuit looks beautiful in you if you allow me the candour." He whispered.
