Only You (Hiatus)

Seven

Kelly's was bustling with people, Hermione found herself squeezing between groups to make it to the bar. Surprisingly they were all here to listen to Draco play.
"What can I getcha hun?" A young woman, about her age, asked from behind the bar.
"Oh um, what would you recommend for someone who is about to have a very awkward conversation?" Hermione half joked.
"Personally I'd go for one of our cocktails, my personal favourite being Kiss o'the Sea, a specialty here in Kelly's" the woman replied with a smile "It's strong though so if you want something lighter I'd go for a Joker"
Hermione smiled and nodded "I'll take a kiss o'the sea"
The woman nodded and started getting several different measurements of alcohol.
Hermione was fascinated by what she was doing so she didn't notice anyone around her
"Hey Nikki can ya get me a water when you're finished there?"
His voice snapped her back to why she was getting this drink, looking to her left she saw Draco at the end of the bar, he hadnt seen her yet and she couldn't help notice how relaxed he was, Nikki handed him a large glass of water and he smiled. It was so enchanting yet completely off putting all at once. As Nikki turned back to the cocktail for Hermione, Draco spotted her. His smile fell and he sighed rolling his eyes and nodding to the back corner, a clear signal for her to meet him over there.
"here ya go, it'll be €5" Nikki said setting down a large glass of a blue liquid with purple and green swirling within it. Hermione paid, took a rather large drink, blinking in surprise at how delicious and smooth it was before following Draco to the back corner, thankfully people let her pass easily when they saw the drink she was carrying.

"Looks like you're not leaving then?" Draco stated when she reached the corner and unimpressed look in his eyes.
"No I'm not leaving. So it seems we have to figure out a way for this to work. I haven't told anyone anything about you Malfoy" she told him factually. "Síofra is determined to make us friends at the very least. She quizzed me the second you left a-"
"What did you tell her?" Draco interrupted an almost desperate note in his tone though he tried to conceal it behind his glass of water.
"I just said we didn't get along, then she figured out I am the girl who rivaled you in grades so I let her think that was the reason we are so at odds with each other."
Draco nodded "Good that should work"
"No she just said school is over so there's no more competition"
Draco ran an impatient hand through his hair and scoffed "School is never over for a bookworm like you"
Hermione was surprised there was no venom in that comment, it was almost playful which made her smile a tiny bit, but she hid it behind her drink as she said "So you say Ferret"
Draco actually chuckled, it was short but it was there, if he hadnt caught himself it may have been a proper laugh.
"Whatever, look I have to get to work and it seems we have to at least play nice if we wanna both live in this town Granger" he stated turning to look at her looking like he was struggling with the words before offering his hand and stating "truce?"
Hermione blinked in surprise at first she wanted to deny him but he was right, they needed to play nice to live in this town, slowly Hermione nodded as she hesitantly shook his hand "Truce."
Draco nodded and left to start the first song of his set without looking back.

Síofra appeared when Draco was on his third song. "Hermione! Sorry I am late my husband surprised me with a lovely dinner with my favourite wine and we got talking. I just totally lost track of time"
"Síofra its fine honestly" Hermione said with a warm smile "sounds like a lovely evening so what are you doing here?"
Síofra chuckled "I am listening to a friend play while hanging out with a new friend thats what."
Hermione chuckled and nodded before ordering two drinks from Nikki, who turned out to be a really good mixologist. Hermione didnt doubt that Nikki would have no problem whipping up a few potions, even as a muggle.

The rest of the night Síofra and Hermione grew closer and Draco even joined for a drink during his break, though it was less voluntary and more insisted upon by Síofra.
He talked more to Síofra and avoided Hermione as best he could, though with Síofra's insistence Hermione found herself revealing that she paints and promising to show a few pieces in the shop. While she learnt that Draco wrote his songs down by the beach, something the blonde seemed a little irritated about her knowing but Síofra brushed off his denial.

A little after midnight Hermione made her way back to the hotel, it was quiet but peaceful. She felt content, a feeling she thought would take a long time to find again. Funnily enough Malfoy being at the bar didn't ruin anything, he was civil, they both were, which was something she thought may be difficult but was surprisingly easy. She'd dare say it was easier than when she first hung out with Harry and Ron. She had been comfortable with Harry but Ron rubbed her the wrong way in the early days. Maybe she should have paid more attention to that feeling afterall.
Shrugging she let herself into the hotel with the key they give guests and headed to her room. Locking up and ensuring to put up a silencing charm so she didn't keep anyone awake, the only time she still used her magic.