Taboo

Hermione made her way down to the lake, her stomach churning uncomfortably (though she wasn't sure if it was from her nervousness or because she hadn't eaten lunch). She had no idea why she was doing this. It was Malfoy for heaven's sake. She spotted him sitting alone under a shady tree.

"You came," he said, standing up and brushing grass off his robes.

"Thank you for the flowers and the chocolate," she said stiffly. He smiled. She remembered Mad-Eye Moody's warning of "Constant vigilance!" and checked to see if Crabbe and Goyle were around.

"They're in detention," said Malfoy, as if reading her mind. "Walk with me, won't you? There's a more private spot over there." He reached down for a bundle near his feet that she hadn't noticed.

"What's in there?" she said, pointing at it, extremely apprehensive. Was he going to get her alone, murder her, chop her up, and throw her body into the lake? Okay, so maybe she'd read too many Muggle murder mysteries...

"You'll see," said Malfoy, leading the way through some tall grass. Eventually they came to a very large, shady oak tree. Malfoy summoned blankets for them to sit on. "Surprise!" he said, unwrapping the bundle.

"Is this for me?" she said, gaping at him. The bundle contained a tea set made of delicate porcelain and a fancy silver tray of assorted pastries, not a murder weapon, like she had imagined.

"Well, for us," he said, blushing with pride. He really looked quite different with some color in his normally pale cheeks--actually handsome, in a way. Malfoy, handsome? Okay, Hermione, you've got to stop thinking that, she said to herself. This might be a trap, or some sort of clever ruse to get you to do his homework. "But these--" said Malfoy, waving his wand so that a vase full of sunflowers appeared, "--these are definitely for you."

"Those are my favorite flowers," she said, giving him a curious look. "How did you know?"

"I didn't," he said, now pouring tea for the two of them. "Go on, try one of these jam pastries. They're the best." He offered her the tray.

"Thanks," she said, reluctantly taking one. "Why are you doing this? Where's Pansy? How come you're not having tea with her?" She lifted the tea cup to eye level. Maybe it had Veritaserum in it? Or worse, it could be poisoned. She sniffed it.

"I haven't poisoned it," said Malfoy, taking a sip of his own tea to prove his point. He frowned. "Why don't you trust me?"

"Hmm, I don't know," she said sarcastically, setting down her cup so forcefully that it rattled on the saucer. "Maybe it's because you've never been nice, or even civil, to me, Harry, or Ron."

"But I've told you that it doesn't have to be like that anymore," said Malfoy, repeating his philosophy. "People change. I've changed."

"I don't believe it. And you didn't answer my questions." She took a small bite of the pastry to satisfy her empty stomach. She had to admit, it was actually quite good.

He gave a frustrated sigh. "I don't know how to explain myself, so I suppose I might as well answer your questions. I'm not with Pansy because she's gone to Hogsmeade with some friends, and I said I didn't want to go. Which is true, because I'd rather be here with you." He looked at her before continuing; her face remained stony and impassive. "Because I like you a lot better than her."

Hermione stiffened. "Then why do you two act like you're a couple?"

"I assumed you would've already figured that out. But I guess you're not as smart as I thought you were," he drawled. Seeing the angry look on her face, he quickly apologized. "Sorry, I didn't mean that. The only reason I'm still with her is because it's a lot easier than breaking up with her. She's already so irritating that I can't imagine what she'd be like if I dumped her. I don't really want to imagine it, mind you, and I definitely don't want to find out." He laughed dryly.

"I see," said Hermione, unable to repress a small smile.

"And your other question," said Malfoy, before she could remind him. "I haven't forgotten it. I suppose it's because I don't know you at all, and I think it's a pity." He gazed up at the cloudless sky. "And I guess you don't know me either. I'm not really tough and mean all the time, though that's the only way you've seen me act. That's no the real me. This is, and I wanted you to see it. Thought it might make you think of me as an actual person, not just some school bully."

"I-I guess that makes sense," she said, surprised by his speech. "But you know, I have always thought of you as a person. Just a really evil one." They both laughed. Strangely, it felt just like laughing with Harry and Ron. "I'd just like to ask one more thing..."

"Go ahead."

"Um, that night in the trophy room, you mentioned V-Voldemort." Malfoy winced at the sound of the name, but made no move to stop her. "Is it really true that he's going to...kill you?" She said this so quietly that it was nearly inaudible.

"Yes," he said, clenching his jaw. He didn't want to talk about it--it made him feel depressed. "We should probably go back now. Quidditch tryouts are nearly over." She nodded and helped him tidy up.

"Well, um, thank you for the tea," she said, blushing as they stood there awkwardly.

"It was my pleasure," said Malfoy sincerely. Their eyes locked, and Hermione thought he was going to kiss her again. But he didn't. Instead, he turned his back on her and began to walk back to the castle.

When they approached the castle's front steps, he motioned for her to stop.

"So what about meeting me for tea again next week? Under the tree? You can come a bit later if you want."

"Erm, okay," she said, looking over her shoulder at the Quidditch pitch. They seemed to have finished tryouts. "About two o'clock? Sorry, I have to go. I'm supposed to be in the library."

"Great. See you then." She barely heard his reply, as she was already sprinting up the steps. He watched, smiling blissfully as he slowly entered the castle.