The Given Choices

**** Chapter Seven*****

"Okay, the coast is clear, Hermione. Now, tell me why I needed to be primped up? Just to go to Hogsmeade!" Ginny questioned as she walked along side her best friend as they walked toward the end of the village.

About ten minutes before leaving the dorm, Hermione came in and took a wand to Ginny's outfit. It was a nice cool autumn day, so Ginny had picked out a pair of her worn down blue jeans that were comfortable and a navy sweater that her mom had given her last Christmas. Well, that was what she was wearing when 'little miss-wand-waving-Golden-Girl' showed up.

After all the other girls in her dorm left, Hermione started to adjust her outfit and hair. Ginny's jeans were a lot tighter because Hermione said it was to show off her tiny waist but the bootlegged style was to make her look taller. The brunette even shrunk the sweater a little to cling to her torso and then made it have a v-neck to show a little cleavage.

Okay, what happened to the REAL Hermione Granger? Ginny had no idea. The bookworm that she knew and loved was suddenly as fashion savvy as Lavender, not that she was complaining. The redhead received a lot more looks from male passers by, yet, Hermione had never worried about someone else's look, let alone her own.

Today, Hermione even looked like she was dressed to impress. The plum corduroy pants were tight against her to show off the nice curves she had. The black top was simple bottom-down rayon blouse. Well, it would've been just simple if the buttons had started above her bosom. Ginny almost stared as Hermione pulled her to the corner of the road because her best friend was showing a good bit of cleavage. Anyone taller than her probably could straight down her blouse.

With a hard push, Hermione pulled open the door to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop and the redhead followed as the bell above the door chimed. The shop had several bookcases with every book a person could imagine about quills and where they came from. Along the three glasses that held variety of quills, inkbottles, quill carry cases, and special parchment papers. At the back of the store from a door behind one of the glass, an elderly man with thick white hair and large framed glasses with a small, thin nose stood. His high voice squeaked as he saw the girl, "Ah, Miss Granger. It is a pleasure to have you stop by today. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I am just going to look at some of your quill cases. I received a very special quill and I am looking for something special to hold it in. I'll let you know when I am ready," Hermione commented as she peered down into a case with about fifty quill cases of different styles and made of a variety of materials. Ginny approached the glass and bent down to inspect the ones in the right-hand corner.

Then bell chimed as the door opened again and then closed quietly. The owner came out and walked around the edge of the counter as he approached the newest customer. "Back so soon, Mr. Malfoy. This is a pleasure I ca-"

"Thank you. I'll just look around and call if I find anything I am interested in," the voice of Draco Malfoy interrupted the man from somewhere behind them. Hermione began to nibble on her lip as Ginny froze at her friend's right side upon hearing the silky tone.

The owner walked back through the door as the blond Slytherin approached the brunette's left side. Draco leaned on the glass she was looking at. The way he was positioned showed off his firm arse in those slim khaki pants but the gray sweater made his Quidditch muscles very noticeable and drool-worthy. He spoke again, "Aren't these two quills the loveliest you've ever seen, Blaise?"

Ginny's heart-skipped a beat as the raven-haired Slytherin approached her other side and smiled, as he looked her up and down. Blaise Zabini wore a button-down black oxford shirt and a dark-blue pair of jeans that looked as if they were tailored just for his sexy body. "The best looking quills in Hogwarts or Hogsmeade."

"What a surprise running into you two!" Hermione stated as she tossed the blonde a sly smile and Ginny's mouth dropped open as she realized that this was all planned, including her outfit. The redhead turned to glance at the dark haired beauty to her right as he innocently glanced over the cases in front of him; however, her best friend's voice got her attention. "I was admiring these quill cases for a lovely quill I received for my birthday. What do you think, Malfoy? The red case with the gold clasp or the black one with a silver clasp?"

The blond bore his silver eyes into her chocolate brown ones as his face changed from questioning to surprise to amuse. He glanced down at the two she was referring to and pointed to the one on the left. "I think the black one with the silver is nice."

"You've never seen the qu-,"Ginny tried to state but Hermione foot stepped on hers. The redhead looked from her best friend to the Slytherin and then it dawned on her, "Oh, really. Well, never mind me."

Blaise moved from Ginny's side to Draco's as the blonde began to speak. "Here let me bu-," but was hit on the shoulder by Blaise, who gave him a look that said 'shut-up.'

The raven-haired Slytherin then patted his best mate on the shoulder and spoke loudly, "I'm in the mood for a butterbeer. What do you say, Draco?"

"Yes," Draco turned to Hermione, "that sounds like a good idea. Later, Granger. Weasley." He said with a smile.

After the bell chimed to mark their departure, Hermione held her hand up to stop Ginny from speaking, "Sir, I am ready to buy one of these cases."

Ginny stepped to the front of the store and peered through the window to watch the two handsome Slytherins head towards The Three Broomsticks. To her amazement, on their way there they passed several sets of cute girls but Blaise and Draco didn't pay attention to them. Hermione approached her as she closed the curtain of the window.

Once out of the shop, Ginny dragged her to the alley, which was on the side of the building. Hermione leaned against the wall as Ginny tapped her toe impatiently. When her best friend didn't say anything, Ginny threw her arms in the air as she asked, "Okay, what do you think you're doing?"

"I bought a quill case. I got a good deal on it."

"That quill was from Malfoy then?"

Her friend shrugged her shoulders as she tucked her hair behind her ears. "Yes, I figured that out when I saw the quill in there and when the owner made that comment about him being in recently."

"And he's the reason you altered my clothes?" Ginny questioned as her hands went to plant themselves on her hips.

"No," Hermione replied, "Blaise was the reason I altered your clothes and I could tell he liked what he saw."

A small smile crept on the redhead's lips but let out a sigh when she realized the girl was trying to distract her. "Look, you know I agree with you about Malfoy changing, to some degree. But what about Harry?"

The brunette moved her eyes to the street and back to her friend. "I am one of his best friends and his girlfriend. Neither has changed. I just want to give Draco the benefit of a doubt and I'm trying to befriend him. He knows that this is not a double date or anything. This is just a chance for us to become friends." Hermione stated.

"A chance for anything else?"

Hermione held Ginny's eyes as she spoke, "Not while I am dating Harry. I would never betray him like that. No matter who the guy is and for no reason."

Ginny, once again, began as she exhaled slowly, "Okay, I believe you," and linked elbows and headed out of the alley. "I am craving a butterbeer with a side of sexy Slytherin arse. Just because you're taken doesn't mean I can't flirt with the Quiet Slytherin."

"So, true!" Hermione laughed as she passed the stores toward The Three Broomsticks.

Just as they were reaching the Post Office a man exited the store and ended up right in front of them. Ginny gasped as she halted in her steps. Hermione saw the man with long, light blonde hair pulled back with a black ribbon. The robes were very expensive and his silver cane became visible as he turned around at the sound of Ginny's gasp.

There stood the recently released Lucius Malfoy just as Hermione remembered him from the bookstore before her second year. He seemed a little thinner but a sexy aristocratic nevertheless; and wore the Malfoy smirk. The redhead made no move to speak but pulled Hermione far around and past him. Yet, Mr. Malfoy stayed where he was but greeted the girls, "Well, if it is not my two favorite Gryffindors. It's a lovely day. Isn't?"

Both girls stopped in their footsteps and turned to look at the man, who had hurt them at various times. Because of him, Ginny was introduced to the young Tom Riddle and still suffered nightmares of the Chamber of Secrets. Hermione had been petrified because Tom used Ginny's body to free the Chamber's basilisk. In addition, both of them were there in the Department of Mysteries and that night had sent him to Azkaban.

Hermione almost jumped when she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders but was immediately calmed by the voice of Draco Malfoy. "Yes, father. It is a wonderful day. We were just about to have a butterbeer ourselves." He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Breath, Hermione. Trust me."

To her left, she noticed Blaise was standing behind her best friend with a protective hand on her hip. Ginny squeezed Hermione's hand as a sign of strength and held her chin high.

"Very good. You boys are looking well. Keep up the good work, Draco. I must be off. Good day, Draco, Blaise, Miss Weasley, and I cannot forget the lovely Miss Granger," the elder Malfoy stated as he left with a twirl of his robes and disapparated.

At the same time, Hermione and Ginny released the breath they were holding but stood where they were for the moment and enjoyed the feeling of the protectors against their backs. The fingers of her left hand became intertwined with Draco's as he purred into her other ear, "He wasn't going to hurt you, Hermione."

Blaise spoke next as he let go of Ginny's body and continued to hold her hand as he led the way the restaurant. "I think a drink is even more called for."

Hermione released the blond Slytherin's hand as she glanced around to make sure no one had noticed. Draco walked next to her, "How did you know to come - help us?" she asked.

"Well, we stood outside the door and waited for you both. When you two beauties came into view, I wanted to meet up with you. Of course, it was a big surprise to see Father. But," Draco said as he opened the door for her. "Let's save our next conversation about my father for another day. I think Weasley was able to get the back booth."

Hermione walked through the crowded tables to the back booth. It was not easily seen for it had a stack of empty crates on one side, a wall behind and one of the other side. Once she sat at the table for six, she noticed that Draco was no longer behind her. She stood up again and saw that he and Blaise were talking to Anthony Goldstein while they ordered the butterbeers. Ginny took a middle seat between two empty chairs and Hermione opted for the same of the other side.

The Slytherins came to their table after a minute with a glass mug in each hand. Blaise sat on the empty seat to Ginny's right and Draco sat next to Hermione across from his friend. They placed the spare drinks in front of the girls as they started conversing about everything from school to Muggle literature.

Just as Blaise was asking about Hamlet, he was interrupted as a sound of a throat being cleared from behind his right shoulder was heard. Harry and Ron with their arms crossed over their chests in a disapproving manner with Remus Lupin in between them. Harry had Occlumency lessons with him that morning, which was why her boyfriend was not able to come with her. Ron had wanted to see if he was able to help out at all.

The raven-haired Slytherin quickly got to his feet and stated, "Well girls. Since your company has arrived, we will just be going. Nice to see you again, Prof- Mr. Lupin, sir."

"Of course, Zabini isn't?" Remus asked as he shook the young man's hand and watched Malfoy rise to his feet from beside Hermione.

Draco pushed in his chair and spoke as he placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder, "Thank you for the wonderful conversation."

Suddenly, a blur of events occurred at once. Harry's right fist met Draco's mouth, "Don't you lay a hand on my girlfriend, you bastard," he yelled. Ron had tried to hold him back however, was unsuccessful. Hermione and Ginny jumped to their feet and shouted, "No, Harry!" Lupin held back Blaise from making the situation any worse. And the whole establishment went to a dead silence from the sign of a possible fight.

Draco moved back to glare at Harry and then stepped right up to him, toe-to-toe. With the back of his pale hand, a small amount of blood was removed from his mouth. Hermione saw that the Slytherin was trying to calm his anger down. "You're going to regret doing that. That I promise you, because this is not over," Draco's voice was dangerously low as he warned his old nemesis.

Both Slytherins left, a flurry of whispers started as Hermione chest heaved up and down with her own anger. Harry stared at her with just as much anger that caused his fist to clench up and then relax. She picked up her bag from the quill store and stood in between him and Ginny, who stood behind her best friend for support. "You shouldn't have done that," Hermione said through clenched teeth.

"He had no ri-"

She interrupted her boyfriend, "Don't you pull this possessive shit with me, Harry James Potter," she yelled. "I am more than capable of taking care of it myself. It wasn't as if he kissed me or anything. You overacted!" Hermione then walked away from him. "Do you still need to speak with me?" she asked as she passed Remus.

"Yes, Hermione. I'll come get you right before dinner," Lupin replied as he stopped Harry from saying anything and making matters twice as bad.

With that said, she glared at her pissed off boyfriend as she dared him with her eyes to say one word to her. Wisely, Harry took a seat at the table next to Ron as he watched the girls leave The Three Broomsticks.

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