Mudblood & Me | Completed

Chapter 25 - I don't really chill out

Hermione's POV

Draco and I wandered down the high street, glancing in shop windows, not really looking at anything in particular. "Wait," I said. Draco turned to me, eyebrows quirked. "You got me a gift to commemorate our first date. But what about you? I should buy you something." Draco shook his head right away.

"No, no, you can't. I was just doing it as a nice gesture, you don't have to return it." He said, his hand squeezing mine.

"But see, I feel like I should. This necklace was for me to remember our first date. There should be a way for you to remember this evening as well. What would you wear? Some cuff links, maybe?" I said, with a laugh. He shot me a small scowl.

"I like to dress well, there's no problem with that." He said, scowling at me.

"Well, you can wear something other than a shirt and blazer every now and then. What do you wear when you relax, when you chill out?" I asked, with a smile. He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I don't really chill out. I'm always doing something or another, this is the first night in a while I haven't been at Hogwarts or Malfoy Manor, it's nice to get away. But even this isn't chilled, it's a date." He responded.

"Well, look at me," I said. "I don't look exactly formal, do I?" I gestured at my jeans, cardigan and dirty Converse. "Maybe I should buy you some Converse, then we can match and be the perfect couple." Draco choked, as he tried to hold in a laugh. 

"I'm okay, thank you. I don't really need anything, at least I don't think so." He said, thoughtfully. I looked up and down the street, no-one was looking this way.

"Does that watch mean anything to you?" I asked, as I started to pull my wand out my pocket. He looked down at it.

"Not really, I've had it for a while." He murmured, thinking. He was till looking at the watch which gave me the perfect opportunity to strike, I pointed my wand at it.

"Reducto!" I whispered, it turned to ashes and fell off his wrist. "Sorry, but I think you need a new watch." He looked a bit stunned.

"Okay then, I could have just taken it off." He said, looking up at me, his face still surprised.

"Well now, you definitely need a new watch." I looked around. "How useful, there's a watchmakers just down that side street." I slipped my wand back into my pocket, and took his hand in mine again. I led him down the road, stopping just outside the front. The wooden sign was a bit old and worn, it also looked like it was rotting in the corner. But it still clearly said 'Watchmaker'. I pushed open the door, Draco following behind. As the door opened, it set of some chimes hung by the door. A wrinkly, white haired man appeared from behind a set of cabinets. His back was hunched slightly and his glasses looked like they were about to fall off his nose, but he had a kind face. He smiled when he saw them, showing that he was missing a couple teeth. 

"Can I help you two?" The old man said in a quite high-pitched voice. "Are you looking for a watch?"

"Yes please." I said. "Draco, needs a new watch."

"Hmm, Draco. What an interesting name. Well, you look like an interesting chap, I'll see if I can get a watch to match. Any specific style you like?" The man asked.

"Um, no, not really." Draco said, unsure.

"Alright, I'll see what I can find." The man shuffled away into the back of the shop. I heard drawers being opened and closed, boxes being moved. Then suddenly he reappeared with two watches. "Do either of these catch your eye?" He asked moving towards Draco. I glanced over, one had a leather strap and a white clock face with many little clocks as well and the other had a black leather strap with a black clock face and again the many little clocks. They seemed very similar to me but maybe they were different to the old man. 

"That black one is nice." Draco said. I shook my head, of course he would go for the black watch. "How much is it?" He asked, glancing at me.

"It doesn't matter," I said, before the old man could respond. "I'll buy it. If that is the one that you like."

"No, let's at least find out how much it costs." Draco responded. 

"No, be quiet Draco. Does it come with a box?" I asked, turning to the old man. He nodded and shuffled off again, he came back holding a black box. I followed him to the till and pulled out my purse. I paid using one of my debit cards. "Okay thank you. Goodbye." I said, the old man nodded. As Draco pulled open the door and I followed him out. 

"How much was it Hermione?" Draco asked, turning to me.

"That doesn't matter." I said. "It's a present, now put it on, see if it fits." I opened the box and handed him the watch, I put the box in my shoulder bag. He fastened it round his wrist.

"It is a very good watch." He said. "Thank you, you didn't have to."

"Well I did, because I destroyed your other one." I said. He chuckled, glancing over at me. "There's another way you could thank me." I said, with a smile. He lent down and placed a quick kiss on my lips. 

"Well, where are we going now then?" He said, looking around us at the high street in the dimming light. 

"I don't mind," I said. "We could go to the park, go back to Grimmauld Place, go somewhere else." Draco looked thoughtful for a moment. 

"Well all the others are still at Grimmauld Place and I'm enjoying this alone time with you." He said with a smirk. I glanced up at him.

"Well what do you want to do then?" I asked, confused.

"I'm thinking. I don't know whether anyone is at Malfoy Manor, but that's too risky. Death Eaters could turn up at any time and heaven only knows what they would do to you." He said. "Let's go to the park, because we can still be alone together." I nodded. "But first." He lent down again, wrapping his arms around my back and this time we shared a much longer kiss. "My first thank you kiss was a bit short, I feel that's more adequate." He said, with a smirk as he saw how breathless I was.