Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Coffee with Draco
Hermione Granger was taking her time walking through Diagon Alley when she walked headlong into someone.
"Ouch!" she yelped as she hit the ground
"Merlin! I'm so sorry." Said a voice Hermione would have recognised anywhere. Looking up she saw Draco Malfoy. He stuck his hand out for her to take.
"Thanks." She said as he pulled her off the ground, she let go of his hand and started dusting herself off.
"I really am sorry, it was my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going." He shuffled his feet, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"It's fine, Draco. How are you anyway?" her attempt for politeness paid off when Draco relaxed and smiled.
"I'm alright. How are you?"
"Good."
"Good," mumbled Draco "I should probably go."
"Draco!" Hermione called as he turned to go, "Would you like to sit down for a coffee or something? If you have time, that is."
Hermione could only wonder how lonely Draco might be, considering his past and dad's reputation, which worked against him. The chances of him having many friends were very slim. Even when he went back to Hogwarts after the final battle, like she had, Hermione noticed he didn't socialise much.
"I have time." He replied
They walked in a comfortable silence to the Leaky Cauldron. Many would say Hermione was nuts, having coffee with Draco. They believed her was still the evil, slimy git from school but Hermione knew different. He'd changed dramatically over the last year and a half since the final battle. He was no longer arrogant and didn't sneer at people and go on about his pure blood status anymore, if anything, compared to how he used to be, he'd become practically invisible.
"Two coffees please." Hermione said to Tom, the bar man. After paying for their coffees and thanking Tom, Hermione went to join Draco at the table he'd chosen at the back of the pub. He wanted to avoid as many people as possible, it irritated him that people still stared at him and it was worse today because of the company he was keeping.
"So, how have you really been?" Hermione asked; it was as if she didn't even notice everyone staring. But she was probably so used to it by now that she'd learnt to ignore it, Draco thought.
"I've been really good actually. Life is quiet, but good." He replied after taking a sip of coffee.
"I'm glad. I think we all deserved a quiet life, if not boring, after the last ten years or so."
"Yeah, that's true." Chuckled Draco "Speaking of life; what's going on in yours?"
"Umm," Hermione took a sip of her coffee, lots had happened in her life but none of it was adventurous as life at Hogwarts had been. "Ron and I are engaged. Then again you probably know that."
"Oh, yes." Draco laughed "The Prophet did a huge segment on it for ten weeks. I bet even Muggles know about it. Congrats, by the way."
"Thanks." Hermione giggled "Yep that was quiet embarrassing, not to mention annoying."
"What?" he asked with a comical look on his face. "I thought you were used to all the attention?"
"I am, doesn't mean I like it." Replied Hermione wisely
"Touché. So, you're working in the law department I hear." Draco put down his now empty mug and leant back in his chair.
"Yeah. International Magical Office of Law." She answered promptly
"What you working on?"
"Blood status. Trying to eradicate the mania." Hermione said, not meeting Draco's eyes. She knew he'd changed but wasn't sure how he would feel about her trying to eradicate the Blood Status mania.
"That's good." He said softly
"You really think so?" Hermione asked just as softly, meeting his eyes
"Yeah, I do." Draco replied sincerely
"So, what's going on with you?" Hermione asked. She was glad Draco agreed with her but didn't want to get into a whole conversation about it now, she was looking for light, happy chatting, not business.
"I moved out of the Manor and got a flat in London" he said
"That's great, right?" Hermione asked as she put her empty mug down.
Draco openly laughed "Yes, it is. But it's temporary."
"How come?"
"Well, come September I'll be attending London School of Healing, so I'll be staying on campus." Draco smiled a huge smile; this was clearly something he was ecstatic about.
"Oh my word! That's fantastic, congratulations!" Hermione gushed
"Yeah, thanks." He blushed "I almost didn't get in. Not because my grades were bad, but because of my history."
"Ah, yes. I can see how that could be a problem."
"I had to get loads of references just to prove I didn't show 'Signs of murder tendencies.' That was difficult in itself, getting the references I mean. Slughorn took a lot of convincing, both on McGonagall and my part. I think in the end McGonagall threatened him into giving me a plausible reference."
It was Hermione's turn to laugh, "I can only imagine."
They sat in silence for a few moments before Draco voiced something that had been worrying him. He didn't know why he'd told Hermione, he just felt like he could trust her to say the right thing.
"Ironic, don't you think? After once trying to kill several people, I now want to heal people." He said with a sad smile
"People change, Draco." Hermione replied calmly "We were at war. You and your family were under a lot of stress and pressure. I can only imagine what it was like having Voldemort reside in your family home. You have changed; you're not the Draco everyone knew from before the final battle. You're a better person!"
"You...You really think so?" Draco asked hesitantly
"I do," Hermione insisted with a small nod of her head "So, have you always wanted to be a healer?"
Draco grinned; relieved that she didn't think it was a bad career choice for him, "Yes! Dad and Mum think it's great."
"Does their happiness have anything to do with their generous donations to St Mungos and not just you becoming a Healer? Hermione asked shrewdly
"Probably, yeah." Draco sighed
"Well, all the same, I'm very happy for you."
"Thank you." Draco looked at his watch just then, it was nearly time for dinner and he had promised to join his folks. "I'm sorry, mum and dad are expecting me soon, so I have to go."
"That's ok, I should go too," replied Hermione, also looking at her watch "Ron and I are hosting family dinner at our place, lots of mouths to full."
"It was nice seeing you and chatting." Said Draco as the stood up to leave.
"Yes, I'll see you again sometime." Replied Hermione
"For sure. Bye Hermione." Said Draco with a small smile
"Bye Draco." Answered Hermione with her own small smile.
With that they both left in opposite directions, walking towards their very different lives.
A/N: Strange career choice for Draco? Maybe, but I've always seen him as a Healer after Hogwarts. I don't actually have anything else to say...Hope you liked it.