To a Better End

Chapter 20

January 4th 1943

Hermione gifted Malfoy with a scarf she knitted, and he thanked her by asking if he looked like a house elf. Regardless of his irritation with her, he still gave her a smile as he wrapped it around his neck. Malfoy's gift was as practical as ever. A magically charmed leather wand holster to wear under her coat and another one to put on her thigh. It was smart. She had two wands now, and it would come in handy to be able to wear them both at the same time.

The rest of the break was slow and simple. She would sit in the library with Tom, going over texts and scrolls for a defence project. Each day he would sit closer, until they were right next to each other, legs brushing under the table. She would enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with Malfoy in the morning or in the evening while they wrote to Theo and would occasionally discuss the next steps.

While most of New Year's Eve was spent alone, Hermione couldn't allow Tom to celebrate his birthday alone. She clarified immediately that it was by no means a date. It was simply two people enjoying time together on a day that may or may not have been used as a popular date day.

"Sure," he replied, unconvinced.

Despite telling herself she would never kiss him, when the clock struck midnight, she couldn't help but peck him on the cheek. It was tradition, after all. Hermione couldn't bring herself to tell Malfoy that she was actually planning on having a second date with him. Perhaps even a third. Dear gods, I am fucked up.

Everyone who left for the holidays returned on Sunday. Hermione found comfort in not being alone again in the dorm. It was back to their normal routines. Malfoy resumed his leaning against the wall outside the common room entrance for her. After their comfortably silent walk to the Great Hall, they resumed their usual seats. Like clockwork, Malfoy poured her coffee, and Tom later approached to escort her to class, a slice of crunchy toast in his hand.

"Happy New Year, Tom."

Biting a corner of the slice, he smiled hopefully at her. "It will be."

I really hope so.

*****

February 17th 1943

Despite receiving a full bouquet one morning at her bedside, Hermione insisted that Valentine's Day was the most cliché holiday and refused to allow their second date to fall on it. Tom merely chuckled at Hermione's insistence and suggested a different day.

He told her to wait in the common room until he was done with his prefect rounds. Hermione wasn't necessarily a fan of a weeknight date, but she couldn't deny she was excited regardless.

"So what will you be wearing, Hermione?" Druella was pulling her hair up before getting into bed.

"Oh. I was just going to wear this." Hermione was still in her school uniform. Walburga scoffed from behind her book while Druella sucked in a gasp of horror, practically throwing herself off her bed in protest.

"No, you are not!"

"Dru, it's not a big deal, really."

"Hermione, I wasn't able to dress you for your first date with the man. Let me do it now, please!" With hasty movements, Druella was rummaging through her trunk and pulled out a smart-casual ensemble, ushering Hermione to dress quickly.

Donned in a dark green fitted sweater and a black skirt that landed a few inches below her knees. She couldn't deny that Dru did know how to dress people.

When she entered the common room, Tom clocked her with a start, rising off his chair nervously. "Thought you were going to stand me up," he said shyly, scratching his neck.