Pastel Skies

Chapter 4

Thankfully there was no one else here at this hour; surely, the rest of Hogwarts' staff were hungrily awaiting dinner in the Great Hall. So, their little incident went unnoticed.

She collected her things from where she had left them at a colleague's place, dropped it onto her chair and turning to Draco, said "Where to from here?". She was still a little lightheaded but tried to act as if nothing had happened at all... Composure, Hermione! she reminded herself.

"I've got an apartment at the Edinburgh Grand." Draco said, a bit out of it himself still.

"You've got an apartment in Edinburgh? And you want me to go there with you?", she said shocked.

"What? No! I mean yes, but NO!" he laughed, recovering. "They're serviced apartments, like a luxury hotel of sorts. There's a few that are special Wizarding ones, registered with the Floo Network and all."

"Oh. Okay. Still... " she hesitated.

"We need to get into the city, don't we? We'll floo there and walk to the restaurant. It's not too far. Nice night. Come on." He paused. "After dinner you can floo back to your own place," he winked trying to convince her of his sincerity. "Which is where, by the way?!"

"My flat? On the other side of the castle, near Gryffindor Tower. Obviously!", rolling her eyes. She was starting to feel better. Lighter.

"Obviously!" He laughed and stepped over to the fireplace. "Come on." Holding out his hand to her.

--X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X--

Hermione climbed out of a large fireplace onto a smooth, well kept, oriental rug in muted tones. She stood in the middle of a lusciously furnished and tastefully decorated living room. Understated elegance at its best. Two sofas facing each other, both with throw pillows in the same colours as the rug. A low coffee table held a few large candles, never lit, towards one side, while two fresh green apples lay on a sliver tray on the other.

A large Monet adorned the wall above the one couch, while the other's back was towards a row of floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city. There was a huge mirror above the fireplace, they'd just exited, with the mantelpiece holding a bouquet of fresh flowers and decorated with a matching set of candles as the coffee table. A glittering chandelier hung at perfect height in the middle of the room.

The living room was illuminated by two identical small table lamps behind the sofa by the wall, bathing the room into a dim golden light.

"Wow!" Hermione said. "Nice place you picked."

"Hm." Was his only answer.

He went into the bedroom, dropped his briefcase on the bed and pulled out his wand. With a swift move he freshened up and following his example Hermione did the same.

"Shall we then? It's just up the road. Ever been to a 'Yo! Sushi?'"

"Er, no. I haven't. Is it any good?"

"Would I take you to a bad place?"

"Well... given your past behaviour..."

"Ha. You're funny!" he commented, not smiling, but clearly amused. "I've worked very hard on myself." He assured her.

"I'm sure you have," she agreed.

"Is Sushi okay, though, for you? Or would you prefer a burger? There's the 'Boozy Cow'. Burgers and Cocktails." he grinned.

"Oooh, choices, choices... I do love my meat bloody as hell!" she exclaimed.

"How very Slytherin of you... ", Draco joked.