The Strawberry Chocolate Code

Chapter 2

Draco left Hermione in the kitchen and went back to the front of the shop where the man and his daughter were enjoying their ice cream at one of the tables. He closed his eyes and sighed. Why was Hermione being so nice to him? He knows that most of her hostile actions towards him were a result of him angering her in one way or another, but he thought that she would hold some kind of grudge against him. Maybe she had moved on and let it go. He doubted it. Women never let things go.

Draco had changed after the war ended. He had started doubting everything his parents ever taught him. Why should he hate someone just because they're not a Pureblood? Were they really that different from him? The more he thought about it, the more he realized that everyone is the same. Just because someone is Muggle born doesn't mean that they don't deserve to go to Hogwarts and shouldn't be given a wand. Hermione Granger was a perfect example.

He kept quiet for years, not wanting to upset his parents. He knew how Lucius Malfoy was when someone went against his beliefs. He didn't mean for it to slip off his tongue a few nights ago at dinner; it just happened. Lucius was reading the paper, commenting occasionally when he didn't like something he read. He mumbled something about filthy Mudbloods and Draco cracked.

"What's so bad about Muggle borns?" He asked, setting down his fork. Lucius calmly shut the newspaper, set it down beside him, and peered at Draco with an expression he couldn't quiet figure out. Narcissa glanced worriedly between the two. "I mean they aren't that different from us and are just as equally as smart. What's so bad about them?" He watched as Lucius clenched his jaw, his hands forming fists.

Draco shook his head to rid himself of the memory. His father had yelled so harshly at him that when he stormed to his room sometime later, he found the house elves cowering in the corner at the end of the hall. That was how he ended up here. He'd ran away and found easy work so he could make some Muggle money and start off his new life.

A group of teenagers entered the parlour sometime after the man and his daughter left. Draco and took their orders before going to the kitchen to make them, finding Hermione just finishing up.

"Good you're done. Listen, I've got five ice cream cones to make but only two hands so I need you to deliver them for me." He walked past her and opened up the freezer, grabbing a cone on the way. Hermione narrowed her eyes but took the ice cream from Draco when he finished making them. She left him alone to make the last three cones while she took the first two out to the waiting customers. He watched her go through the door, furrowing his eyebrows.

He had seen that face before. Hermione always made it when she was trying to figure something out. 'She's trying to figure you out' he thought. 'She doesn't understand why you haven't been acting like your old self.'

He carried the rest of the ice cream cones out to where the teenagers were sitting and then joined Hermione behind the counter.

"I'm not planning something if that's what you're thinking." He said not looking at her. Her head snapped in his direction.

"Excuse me?" She questioned.

"That's what you're thinking right?" Draco turned to meet her gaze. "Come on, Granger. I've known you for what, seven years? I know when you're trying to figure something out. I'm just telling you now so you won't strain yourself trying to find a reason why I'm suddenly being nice to you." Hermione opened her mouth, closed it, and then repeated the action again.

"Why are you being nice to me?"

"Because I don't see a reason to be mean to you anymore."

Another costumer entered the store, cutting of Hermione and Draco's conversation. Hermione took the woman's order, Draco made it and handed it to her along with some napkins, and the two ended up in the same spot they were a couple minutes ago. After a moment of silence, Hermione opened her mouth to speak but Draco cut her off.

"I know you have questions and I'll answer them just...not right now. We're at work."

"But no one's even here!"

"I said not right now." He snapped.

"Okay." Hermione said after a moment. "Not right now." They both were silent for a moment before Hermione spoke again. "So when do you wanna-?"

"I don't care. Maybe we can go get dinner after work or something. Assuming that we get off at the same time." Did he really just suggest going out to dinner with Hermione after work? What was wrong with him? Draco had wanted to keep their relationship strictly business, but that can't happen if they spend time together outside of work.

"Yeah okay. I get off at four." She told him.

"Me too."

"I know exactly where we can go." She said after a pause.

"Where?"

"It's a surprise. You'll see."

"Fine." Draco huffed after he realized he wasn't getting an answer. "I'll be in the kitchen when you need me." And with that Draco left Hermione to stand at the counter alone.

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Hey guys! So I realize that this chapter is even shorter than the first one. I apologize for that but I wanted to write their dinner together in Hermione's POV. Thanks for reading!

-J