Purely Mudblood (Dramione FanFic)

No Problem At All

After several sideways glances to make sure no classmates were in the restaurant, Hermione and Draco sat down at a small table for two in the back. The Three Broomsticks was undoubtedly the best place to get a butterbeer in all of Hogsmeade, a small village right by Hogwarts. After the battle, the restaurant had been mostly spared from any damage, but they had redone the entire restaurant in celebration of the defeat of the Dark Lord.

A pretty, young witch with fair hair and light eyes came to wait on them. "What can I get you two?"

"Ladies first," Draco said politely, turning to Hermione. 

"A butterbeer for me, please." 

"Same for me."

"Very well." The waitress smiled and left to fulfill the order. Draco wasn't exactly sure what to say. Hermione was kind of distracting him. Her eyes were deep brown, and her soft hair had been tied back in two long, neat plaits, wrapped on the ends in purple ribbons with a sewn in pattern of golden ancient runes said to bring good luck and a happy love life. Luna had done it-- who else owned a rune inscribed ribbon? --and also given her a matching sweater and hat. The sweater was a royal color with gold lace entwined in the neckline, tying in a small bow on the right side. The hat was just solid purple and was pulled down over the large portion of her forehead. The snow was falling heavily outside, the way it normally did in winter, and tiny snowflakes had landed on Hermione's eyelashes. Her teeth were slightly bucked, the way they had been ever since they were kids, but when she smiled at him, they couldn't have been any more perfect. 

Malfoy-- Draco, Hermione corrected herself-- was dressed in a plain black coat and black trousers. The shirt underneath was green, the color of the Slytherin house itself, and was tucked and buttoned appropriately. His hair had been gelled back in its normal fashion, but however, Draco had spent about twenty minutes combing it down and perfecting it. His teeth, unlike Hermione's, were perfectly straight. They were dazzling white and glinted mischieviously when he opened his mouth. His eyes were blue and sparkling with trouble. With looks like that, it's no wonder why he grew up to be such a troublemaker. 

"So, um, you look nice," Draco started feebly. 

"Thanks," Hermione replied, equally as awkward. "You as well."

"Look." Draco sighed, then began, "I'm sorry for the way I've treated you, in past years and I know I've been a Death Eater and I know I've done terrible, terrible things, but I just want you to know that I'm completely beyond that and really, really sorry and I just want to put the whole thing behind us." Draco exhaled deeply. He'd said the entire sentence in one breath. He looked up to Hermione, eagerly awaiting an answer. For a moment, she looked confused. She stared at him, trying to decipher the mess of syllables he'd just spewed out. Hermione slowly pulled the pieces together and realized what he was saying. Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to say something. Her mouth hung agape for several moments, and then she decided not to speak and closed it. She paused for a second, and finally said, "I... I forgive you."

Draco could hardly contain his emotions. A smile broke across his face. Hermione reached out to grab his hand, and Draco held hers as well. When the butterbeer came, they downed their mugs and had a casual, happy conversation, but never let go of each other.

When Hermione and Draco sauntered out of the Three Broomsticks, they were still hand-in-hand. 

"Um," Hermione started awkwardly. She didn't want to leave Draco's side. "I actually promised Harry and Ron I'd go to the Shrieking Shack with them, but if you want me to stay--"

"It's no problem," Draco said, and he truly meant it. He was practically walking on air at this moment, and if she had other plans he was fine to let her keep it. 

Draco bent his head slightly, pressind his lips to Hermione's freckled nose. He could feel her face perk up a bit as she smiled. He pulled away and saw that she was blushing ferociously. Draco felt his face begin to redden as well, but before she ran off, Draco assured her, "No problem at all."