Anyone But Me

Chapter Eighty-Seven

It was like the backdrop from a romantic film...

"I was told that I needed to step up my game." Draco joked from somewhere behind her. "Do you like it?"

His pristine shrine to Slytherin House had been adorned with hundreds of lit candles. They were everywhere... Scattered in small clusters along the perimeter of his refuge, leaving most of the room to be shrouded in dancing shadows. A strategic move that was made to bring the viewers' eye to the stunning focal point that was laid out for her.

The bulk were gathered on and around the never-used fireplace. Casting a soft golden glow onto the carefully curated pile of blankets and pillows that replaced the normal sitting area. Her radio was moved, tucked to the side of the cozy layers of bedding. All of her unaired anxieties surrounding their last visit, the resulting mishaps, or Dumbledore's continued absence in the seven days since, disappeared as she realized the traditional summons she had gotten earlier was anything but.

"I can appreciate the effort you have taken," Hermione smiled and finally tore herself away from the picturesque set to look over her shoulder. "But, I am going to wager that the better question is... Why would you feel the need?"

"The ambiance." He chuckled at the lackluster witticism and slipped his hand into hers.

"For?"

"Our evening."

She sighed her annoyance at his deliberate evasiveness, but went with when he pulled her to the closest of the two stacks of cushions, "Draco, I didn't know... I haven't prepared..."

"Then you will be relieved to be informed that I have." He went to the other side of the blanket and lounged back against the second stack. The one that was in arm's reach of her radio. "So your only concerns are joining me and answering the five, relatively simple, questions I have whittled my extensive list down to."

"Do I also get possession of the veto hammer?"

"Temporary possession, yes." He smirked up at her, entertained by her hesitation. "I don't think you will use it though. You have spoken freely about all the topics I plan to ask for clarification on."

"If that is true why didn't you just ask?"

"I already told you, pet. For the ambiance."

Again, Hermione gave an annoyed sigh in response to his excessive ambiguity. She was suspicious without having a valid reason to pinpoint after his reassurances.

"If you are nervous, you could always come and sit here with me." He suggested and gestured to the abundance of open space next to him.

"Haha..." She rolled her eyes and proceeded to sit cross-legged in the spot that had been specifically formed to cradle her body. Rather than relax, she leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees. "Do tell, what made you pick this first choice?"

"I can understand the sentiment." Draco's justification was succinct. The same could be said for his quick proficient movements as he started the song and a haunting instrumental introduction filled the room.

The best ones are bad for me.

In love with agony.

I guess it's my fate that I'm a catastrophe.

Inside your galaxy, I fight this gravity.

Me and you are such a beautiful tragedy.

I want and need your constant evil.