True Love's Rose (Book 1)

Chapter 19: The Mingling of Blood

"Now..  You know what you need to do now right?"  Miranda asked before they were ready to go on set.  Draco gave the woman a small glare.  "Of course I remember."  He didn't like the idea at all.  Maybe a few months ago he might have agreed to such shenanigans.  But for some reason he didn't know why, he was starting to care for Hermione.  And she certainly seems to have gone through enough.  Miranda gave him a small grin.  "Good..  Excellent."  Draco took a deep breath as he saw Miranda give the cameraman a cue to start filming.

It had been a couple weeks since he had first interacted with Hermione.  And they had managed to sneak in a few chats since then.  And he was surprised to realize that he actually enjoyed her company.  Draco nervously stepped into the lobby from the hallways.  Hermione glanced up as she heard footsteps.  Looking shocked to see who it was.  She didn't know that Draco had decided to choose to be on the show again.  "I thought you said you weren't going to go through with it."  She muttered quietly so the cameras couldn't hear.  "I'm..  I'm not..."  Draco replied.  Hermione bit her lip.  Her and Draco hadn't gotten to spend a whole lot of times together.  But the few times they did, she was actually having fun, and starting to consider she could claim Draco as a possible friend.  Or maybe even start caring for him?  But now she wasn't sure.  He left the show before it began because he saw it was her who was the contestant.  Then after she just happened to  see Ron and Lavender in the restaurant, she ran into him?  And now he's choosing to be on the show?  When they were coming to a close?  She wasn't sure that she could really trust him.

Hermione gave him a small nod.  "Shall we then"  She motioned for Draco to follow her out so they could head for dinner.  Draco followed behind suddenly feeling a bit awkward and nervous.  "So, where are we heading to this evening?"  He asked to avoid the awkward conversation.  Though he was pretty sure she was tired of hearing that question.  "I thought we could check out the Can Sole restaurant."  Draco glanced at Hermione and gave a small nod.  "Look..  Hermione..  I know that i said I wasn't following through with whatever her plan was.."  He said quietly.  He knew he shouldn't be saying such things on screen.  "And I'm not.  I..  I did agree with her yes, because it was the only way she was going to allow me onto the show as a surprise last minute contestant.  But the real reason I wanted to join..  Was to be able to get to spend some more time with you."  He finally admitted.

Hermione glanced at him as she listened to him speak.  "I do want to speak with you.  But not with everyone watching."  Draco nodded glancing out the window as the driver continued to make his way towards the restaurant.  Once they arrived, Draco got out and went around the car to help Hermione.  He made a small glance around the scene.  "This place..  Barcelona..  Looks amazing.  I wish i had some more time alone to tour the city."  Hermione grinned a little, following him inside the restaurant.  "It would have been fun to get some more touring in. Ginny and I came two days ahead of time so we can do some exploring."  Draco nodded.  "Since I was going to be gone for a couple months, and they weren't expecting me back home any time soon, I took the advantage to stay these past couple weeks and tour some of the city and nearby places.  But I do miss my son.."  Hermione nodded.  "I am sure he misses you as well.  Have you gotten to speak with him much lately?  Or is he back..  You know.."  Draco shook his head.  "No.. He is back in Portland with the nanny."  Hermione looked a bit surprised.  "I actually call him every few days."  He smiled.

Draco pulled out the chair for Hermione once the host had brought them over to their table.  Hermione had just barely looked through her menu when she noticed two familiar figures walking through the door, and bit her lip.  "Oh no.."  She muttered.  Draco looked confused for a moment.  "What.."  But before he could finish his question, he spotted Ron and Lavender.  Turning just in time to see Lavender point to a table next to them.  "I don't think that is a good idea."  Ron muttered.  Though he knew it was all supposed to be apart of the act.  Lavender though of course seemed to be all for Miranda's plan to get Hermione riled up.  She grabbed Ron's left arm with both her hands and rested her head on his shoulder.  "Oh please Won Won!"  She said in a her usual excited high pitched voice.  "I'm sure it couldn't hurt any.."  She smirked seeing Hermione's glare. 

"Hermione.."  Draco said as he had turned his attention back to her.  But she hadn't heard Draco speaking the first time.  "Hermione!"  He called out a little louder, making her jump back to the present thoughts.  "I'm sorry..  I was lost in thought."  She muttered. 

"This place looks amazing!"  Lavender giggled.  "It's been awhile since we've actually been on a date date.."  Hermione fidgeted a little.  She wasn't going to be able to last sitting an hour through dinner and listen to Lavender and Ron.  Ron couldn't say anything for a moment.  All he could do was sit.  "Yes.  It has been a while."  He said clearing his throat.

"Did you decide on what you'd like to order?"  Draco asked to hopefully try and drown out the conversation between Lavender and Ron.  Hermione tilted her head slightly glancing at the menu.  She hadn't been very focused since the two of them had walked in.  "Well..  Um..."  Hermione was cut off at once again Lavender's voice.  "Oh my gosh Won Won!  I know the prices on this are reaaaaalllly spendy, but can we order this?  It sounds so good!"  Hermione turned her head enough glaring at Lavender. 

Lavender smirked seeing the look from Hermione.  Miranda wanted her to get Hermione riled up.  As she was the most down to earth boring contestants they had.  There was no drama between her and the bachelors whatsover.  The closest drama they had was with Michael and Dean.  And Hermione had already eliminated Michael.  Ron was hesitant to go through with the plan.  But Lavender jumped at the chance to get Hermione jealous.  As she knew just how to push her buttons.

Hermione was ready to answer Draco's question again when she heard Lavender continue to ramble on.  Suddenly, Hermione had enough and stood up quickly.  Forgetting that she was being filmed.  Surprising even Draco.  "Oh my gosh!  Can you like just shut up already!"  Hermione glared.  Lavender smirked a bit turning her attention towards Hermione.  "What's the matter Hermione..  Are you jealous that you aren't having as much fun as Won Won and I?"  Hermione clenched her fists a little and stepped closer to Lavender.  Just as she was ready to open her mouth to speak, Hermione felt Draco grab her arm.  "I think that it is best that we leave.."  He said as calmly as he could, surprising Hermione.  Since when did Draco become the peacemaker?  She thought.

"Yes..  That way, Ron and I can actually enjoy our meal and eat in peace."  Lavender finished off.  Hermione stood dumbfounded a moment.  Me?  Me ruin your date!  Hermione surprisingly had enough adrenaline at the moment so she could loosen Draco's grip on her arm and took another step towards Lavender.  "Who do you think you are?  Me?  Ruining your date?  You two are the ones who came waltzing in here.."  Hermione took a few deep breaths before raising her hand back enough so she could extend it forward and connected her fist with Lavender's nose.  Hermione was surprised herself along with the other three members of their small group.  The last time she was that mad, she had punched Draco back in their third year.  As Lavender stumbled back a few feet, Ron went to reach for her so she wouldn't fall and stared at Hermione shocked.  "Hermione!"  Hermione could only glare at Ron.  "Filthy mudblood.."  Lavender muttered. 

At those last words, Hermione had to get out.  The scar on her arm suddenly began to burn at the memories that suddenly came flooding to her.  "Her..  Hermione.."  Draco tried calling after her as he watched her take off quickly out of the restaurant.  Draco could hear Ron and Lavender speaking.  He himself was rather angry with Ron.  Angry at him for choosing to put Hermione not only through a break up and end up with Lavender, whom even he knew Hermione despised.  But then decided to follow through with the show's plan to make her feel even worse.  "I most certainly am going to get her back for that one!"  Lavender hissed.  As Draco heard Ron's voice to try and calm Lavender down, Draco quickly turned and sent a punch towards Ron as well.  Ron, not seeing the hit coming, stumbled back and felt his back slam a bit into the wall.  "Bloody hell!"  He glared at Draco.  But Draco was already out of the door and rushing after Hermione.

"Hermione.. Hey!"  Draco said grabbing her arm after he finally managed to catch up to her.  Hermione tried to loosen his grip on her once again.  "Please leave me alone Draco."  She whispered.    Draco kept his grip held on Hermione and slowly turned her around to see some tears coming down her face.  Hermione stared at Draco a moment before letting it register in her mind.  "Oh gosh.."  She finally manages to loosen Draco's grip and steps back.  "I don't know why I didn't see it before!  This is why you're here!  This is what she wanted to have happen!..  You knew that they were going to be at this restaurant!" 

Draco shook his head.  "What?  No.  Hermione. "  Hermione held up her hand to stop him.  "But you knew Draco.  You knew..  They knew ahead of time what restaurant I'd be choosing.  But the other contestants don't.  And she told you, and yet you didn't tell me.  So I could be warned!"  Draco let out a small sigh.  He was ready to speak again when Hermione took off...