Snow Storm - D.M , H.G

18. Valentines Day

Draco realized only after the fact that he had entered into a relationship with Hermione precisely ten days before the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day. Hermione and Ginny had somehow talked him and Harry into agreeing to a double date, reasoning that they had enough time alone together. Draco was relieved, though, because he didn't think he'd ever taken a girl on a proper date, and he didn't want to screw it up, especially not on the love holiday itself. The four of them had plans for dinner at a fancy new restaurant that opened in Diagon Alley a few months before. It was booked months in advance, but Harry had made a reservation pretty early, and it hadn't been difficult to change that reservation from two to four. There were perks to being Harry Potter.

The girls were happy to have an excuse to get all dolled up and go out on the town. Hermione was already more than ten weeks pregnant, and Ginny five months and showing more and more each day, but it was easy enough to hide with heavy winter clothes and her school robes. The four met at the restaurant and were escorted to their table in the back of the restaurant, the "best seat in the house" (which was shrouded with a sound barrier, allowing the party of four to be seen but not heard), the owner claimed upon greeting the couples with a fine bottle of champagne. She of course had no knowledge that the two young women could not partake.

Draco seated himself across from Potter at the small square table, with Hermione on his left and Ginny on his right. There was a small vase with three red roses, and a couple candles floating around it. The strange looks the unlikely quad received were different than those Draco was used to experiencing at school. They were out in public now, and these people didn't know that he and Hermione were a couple. They were about to learn.

"Just the water for us this evening, love," Draco said, grinning charmingly up at the owner. Surprised, she lowered the offered bottle, glad she hadn't already popped it. "Right, of course, sir," she seemed to hesitate at the end, unprepared for this particular dinner guest. He could have guessed he'd be received in such a way. She handed them their menus, told them the specials, and then left. "Merlin," Draco said to the three of them when she was gone. "You'd think I'd just threatened her whole family, the way she looked at me." He picked up his water goblet and took a long drink.

Hermione was excited to be having a public dinner with her two best friends, and her boyfriend. It was still strange to think of him as, and even call him her boyfriend. Even during her brief time with Ron, she'd never called him her boyfriend because it had been over so quickly. When they had talked Draco into a double date, Hermione had been pleasantly surprised, and was happy to have a chance to get out of school and dress up for a change.

When the time came, she had put on a dress, happy that she wasn't showing yet. She still had to bundle up against the cold, of course, but it was a nice change from her school clothes and her usual attire.

When they arrived at the restaurant she took in the atmosphere, enjoying the romantic aura. When they got to their table, and the owner of the restaurant had clearly been put off by Draco's presence, Hermione put a hand on his leg under the table. "People will get used to you being the good guy, just give it time." She told him. Surely, hanging out with their group will highlight the fact that he hadn't simply been pardoned, he was actually innocent.

Harry took a drink of his water as well, "Who cares, anyways? As long as they don't spit in your food, they can stare all they want. We shouldn't let that ruin the night." He suggested. Of course, he was renowned, he was welcome, they took special care to arrange for his guests to join them. They just hadn't known that one of those guests would be a Malfoy.

Ginny had put on a pretty red dress, which was past her knees in the front and longer in the back. Her bump showed a little bit, but she didn't mind it, and she'd be sitting the whole evening anyway, so she didn't expect anyone would notice. She was Harry Potter's girlfriend. If she couldn't stand a little extra attention, she didn't belong in a relationship with the most famous living wizard in the world.