I Am Serpent

Chapter 49

"Draco!", Hermione called for the third time. "Are you ready? Theo is waiting!"

"No he's not", Draco deadpanned, walking out of the bathroom. "He's always fifteen minutes late when we go out for dinner anyway."

She huffed and wound her white scarf around her neck.

"You look beautiful", he complimented, kissing her cheek.

"Shouldn't you have asked if it was okay for me to come?", she asked, watching him put his new black cloak on.

"Why wouldn't it be?", he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist. "He adores you, just like I do. Only as a brother though."

She laughed when he gave her a stern look at that and with a grin, he apparated them to Theo's front door.

"It's open!", Theo yelled when they knocked.

Draco shrugged and opened the door, gallantly letting her go first. Walking in, she looked up at the beautiful high ceilings and admired the beautiful painting of a starry night on the left wall.

"Is it okay if we go out?", Theo asked, turning the corner fiddling with his cuff without looking up.

"Fine", Draco answered. "I hope you've made reservations for three though."

"Princess!", Theo said surprised. "I didn't know you were coming?"

"I told Draco to let you know", she answered, poking the offender in his bicep.

"I thought you'd like the surprise", he justified.

"Anyway", she frowned, "I can go if I don't fit in your plans for tonight..."

"I made reservations in this lovely Muggle restaurant in Dover actually", he answered, "But I'm sure that, if we wait at the bar for a bit, they could squeeze us in."

"Splendid", Draco answered for her, "When does the portkey leave?"

"Whenever I activate it", he grinned, draping his arms around their shoulders. "Ready?"

Before they could answer, he activated the portkey and with a tug they were whisked away.

"Can you go in and ask for a table?", Theo asked her. "I need to talk to Draco for a minute."

He looked a little nervous, which made her wonder what he needed to talk about. Did he have someone new in his life? He'd surely deserve some happiness. She just hoped that it wasn't bad news though.

"Sure", she smiled, "Take as long as you need. I'll be waiting at the bar."

She squeezed Draco's hand reassuringly and pushed him to follow Theo to one of the benches near the entrance.

The barman informed her that they didn't have a free table for three at the moment, but a small party of four just ordered dessert. She smiled at him and told him she would wait at the bar. She ordered a glass of wine and pulled out her phone. At least she could go over her notes for the divorce again now.

After ten minutes or so, the dark haired man sitting at the end of the bar approached her.

"Excusez-moi mademoiselle", he said with a gruff thick accent, "I couldn't help but notice that you look a bit lonely."

"I'm waiting for my friends", she answered curtly, trying to get rid of him.

"Ah, mais you have been here by yourself for so long", he said, watching her finish her drink.

"They'll be here any minute", she pointed at her phone.

"Mais oui, bien sur", he said unbelievingly. "My date didn't show. I called a cab, but I still have this wine left. Would you share a drink with me?"