Dramione- Back at Hogwarts (Hermione's 7th Year)

Chapter 28- At Diagon Alley

The next day, Draco woke up with a hangover- his head hurts, so does his heart. He was so hurt with Hermione's actions last night and realized that his feelings for her was real, but she can't and would not want somebody like him.

She really loves that stupid weasel, he thought. I will just pretend that I was so drunk that I can't remember going to her room last night, he thought again, not wanting her to know that he wants her badly to be his- he could just hide his crazy feelings and pretend he was just flirting like he does with other girls, he is Draco Malfoy after all.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

After Narcissa, Draco, and Hermione finished eating breakfast at the garden patio, Narcissa and Hermione exchanged their goodbyes.

"Thank you again for letting me stay here, Narcissa," Hermione told her gratefully.

"You are welcome, dear. I hope you will visit again soon," Narcissa replied, hugging her.

"Goodbye for now, I hope to see you again," she replied, hugging back.

Draco just watched them lazily, waiting for them to finish so he and Granger may go to Diagon Alley to buy his stuff. His head is still throbbing even after drinking a hangover potion.

"Take care of Draco at school, please?" Narcissa requested to Hermione. "Don't let him misbehave himself," she added, looking at Draco.

"I will try, Narcissa," Hermione replied, stealing a glance at Draco. She could see that he still have a hangover by the look in his grey eyes.

"I'm not a child, mother," he drawled.

"Then act like an adult, dear, and start preparing your things for school. Are you going to apparate or use the Floo to Diagon Alley?" She asked him.

"I'm in no state to floo or disapparate, mother," he replied.

Seeing that he has a hangover, Narcissa suggested that Hermione just take him alongside her when she disapparates. Hermione agreed, not wanting him to splinch himself when he apparates alone, nor lose him in Diagon Alley if they flooed.

Hermione extended her arm for Draco to take after exchanging farewells again with Narcissa. Draco took it, feeling the electricity between them. He just pretended to be bored and irritated. Then Hermione turned on the spot with him and they were gone.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

They apparated near Gringotts Wizard's Bank. Draco became dizzier than he had been before they left the manor due to his hangover. Hermione saw that he was not feeling that well so she moved closer to him to steady him.

Draco felt her small hands on his back and it sent delightful shivers on his body, which he tried suppressing, not wanting her to know her effect on him. "I can manage, Granger," he drawled. "Thank you," he added.

"Are you sure? We can sit first at Fortescue's if you want?" She asked, concerned. She was still holding him and it feels nice to be close to him again.

"Alright, I guess," he replied, his heart leaping at her concern.

They walked to the ice cream parlor, Draco still leaning on her, and sat on one of the inner booths. Hermione ordered coffee for Draco to help with his hangover, while she asked for a strawberry sundae.

"Don't you think it's too early for ice cream?" Draco asked her grinning, once their orders arrived.

"Nope," she replied, licking her spoon. "Drink your coffee while it's still hot," she told him.

"Yes, mother," he replied cheekily. He sipped his coffee slowly, stealing glances at his companion. "Are we on a date?" He asked teasingly, he just couldn't help himself, he likes seeing her blush.

She blushed slightly, not saying anything but focusing on her ice cream.

"I want us to be friends, Hermione," he told her seriously, if he can be close to her as her friend then maybe she'll like him back.

She looked at him and smiled, "That would be nice, Draco," she said, feeling happy that he seems to like her. She just have to be careful with her feelings for him.

Draco offered his hand for her to shake, she took it and they both smiled at each other genuinely.

After their snack, they proceeded to the shops to buy Draco's supplies. People were oddly looking at them, seeing one of the Golden Trio with a Death Eater. Surprisingly, there were no reporters present so they spent their time quietly.

Lastly, they went to Madame Malkins' for Draco's new school robes. Hermione waited for him while he was being fitted. She was definitely enjoying her day with him, he was being a gentleman (unlike Ron). It was nice knowing this side of him, she thought.

It was nearly lunch time when they had finished.

"Let's have lunch first before you leave me," Draco requested.

"Sure," she replied. "Where do you want to eat?" She asked.

"You choose," Draco replied while shrinking his packages and putting them inside his jacket pockets.

"Are you sure?" She asked. He nodded, so she said, "Let's go to a muggle pizza parlor then."

"Alright, but I don't have muggle money. Let's go to Gringotts first so I can exchange some of my galleons," he replied, taking her hand and leading her to the bank.

"I have muggle money, don't worry," she replied, following his quick step.

"No, I'm paying," he told her, wanting to tell her that it's their date after all.

After they left the bank, Hermione apparated them to an alley near her favorite pizza parlor.