Infinity [D.M x H.G]

09. In which there's popcorn and coffee

Draco blinked. Perhaps he had misheard. After all why would Hermione ask him, of all the people in the world, to stay?

She repeated the question, tugging on his arm and goosebumps appeared on his skin when she let go. He turned around, eyebrows furrowed. "You're sure you'd like me to stay?" he confirmed, taking a few steps forward when she nodded again.

"Thank you for today." she said in a small voice, frowning when Draco rolled his eyes.

"For the love of Merlin woman! Will you stop thanking me, I only came to help because I didn't want that asshole to be murdered and you going to Azkaban." he told her, grinning when she too smiled. Oh how he loved that smile; he could swear it was better than having firewhiskey.

"So why'd you need me to stay? Are you going to curse me or something?" he questioned.

"I'm not as bad as you think of me Malfoy." she laughed, leading the way into the living room.

"So you're admitting to being a little bad then?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Sirius once told Harry that there's both good and dark inside us, what matters is which one we choose."

"Well its in the Black genes to be introspective. My mother too, she's bloody brilliant at consolations and all." he told her.

"A trait she clearly did not pass on to you." Hermione smirked

Draco scowled, settling on her couch, "Have you asked me to stay to insult me Granger? Because if so, then I'm offended. I thought we were friends!"

"We are friends!" Hermione exclaimed, "want some coffee?"

Draco nodded, picking up the remote on the coffee table, examining it curiously.
"What's this?" he asked

"That is a remote, its used for the television." she called from the kitchen counter.

"And that's where the muggles watch films right?"

Hermione nodded, walking over and handing him the coffee and plopping down beside him.

"We should watch one." he blurted out.

"You want to watch a muggle movie?"

"Why else would I say I would." he muttered dryly.

Hermione pressed a hand to his forehead and then to her own. "What are you doing?"

"I was checking if you have a fever, you're being awfully nice. You are Draco Malfoy aren't you?"

"Very funny Granger, I applaud your sense of humour. Can we have some cornypop too?"

"Some what?"

"You know those salty little things muggles have when they're on movie dates? In a cup or something." he tried explaining.

"You mean popcorn?!" she asked, biting her lip to refrain from laughing.

"Yes that thing!" he said excitedly.

Hermione smiled, watching him become all excited over something as simple as popcorn, it had never even fazed her that he wouldn't know what popcorn was.

"Why are you smiling?" he asked suddenly.

Hermione got up ruffling his hair as she went to the kitchen, "Nothing much. You look nice when you're happy."

Draco made it a point to smile a lot more from now onwards.

A few minutes later, Hermione returned holding a bowl of popcorn which she placed on the coffee table. "Which film do you wanna watch?" she asked.

"I really don't know Granger, what about your favourite?"

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"Why do you like this film again?" asked Draco, referring to a shirtless bloke on the screen. He did not particularly like the way Granger was avidly staring at this man.

"Ryan Gosling, obviously!" she said, not once taking her eyes off the screen.

"You know Granger, that may just be the most typically girlish thing you've ever said to me."

"Well I enjoy looking at good looking men, as do all women. We're not particularly open about it that's all."

"So you must enjoy spending time with me?" he asked hopefully.

Hermione laughed, "Merlin you really are a narcissist," she mumbled, "besides why ever would I enjoy time spent with the great bouncing ferret."

Draco gaped at her, he couldn't tell if she was mocking him or being serious.

"When are you going to let that ferret thing go?"

"Never! It was the highlight of fourth year."

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Draco checked his watch as the film came to an end, it was just over midnight. He jerked slightly, feeling a weight drop onto his shoulder only to see that it was Granger. Her eyes were closed, hair all over her face and arms wrapped around herself. She had fallen asleep during the movie and was now leaning heavily on his shoulder.

Gently, Draco pushed her aside and stood up, contemplating what he should do. He didn't want to leave her on the couch but was afraid to move her to her room lest she wake up. He picked up the things on the coffee table and placed the in the kitchen first and then headed down the passage to look for a blanket when he heard a whimper. Looking back he saw that she was curled into a tight ball, face scrunched in something close to agony.

The next thing he knew, he had her in his arms and was moving gingerly through the passage, careful not to hurt her as she flailed her arms about, clearly in pain. He placed her on her bed tenderly, taking off her shoes and strewing them across the floor and then drawing up the duvet. He switched off the light with a flick of his wand and was about to see himself out when her cry made him stop in his tracks.

"Make it stop! Please no I don't know. Stop please." she was crying in her sleep, arms thrashing about wildly. And Draco did not know why, but he couldn't leave her like that.

A/N: I'm really enjoying leaving y'all on cliffhangers ngl. This chapter was as promised, basically useless to the plot but full of banter and mush. I have a plan for the overall story but its taking a while to shape, hence these extra mushy fillers. Also, I really need someone to help me come up with better chapter names :/

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed it. Vote and comment if you liked the chapter, constructive criticism is always welcome :)

Thank you for reading, stay safe,

lots of love,

writinganewtale :)