Disclaimer: I own none of the characters or places
No More Enemies
Diagon Alley glittered, the street was awash with bright lights and shimmering decorations, all the trappings of the Holiday season were there to bewitch the festive shoppers. The Christmas season was always an exciting time of year in the Wizarding world but Diagonal Alley really went to town and despite the fact that the season usually got off to a bone chilling start the atmosphere was truly beautiful. Hermione Granger was walking down the crowded streets when a shop suddenly caught her eye.
"What a fantastic treat, a new book shop to discover" Hermione thought excitedly, her heart always leapt when she was confronted with the possibilities of new knowledge to be absorbed. "I hope they have some great new books here, I'll have to hurry though, it's getting a little late and the cold is becoming unbearable." said Hermione, her teeth beginning to chatter.
Draco Malfoy always enjoyed the winter holidays but despite his usual air of calm, he was beginning to get flustered as he was a bit behind this year with the decorations and his gifts. "Where the hell is Blaise? He should have been here ages ago" Draco grumbled to himself.
Draco carried on walking round the brilliant new store when a dazzling flash of light caught his attention. He crossed the book store to where the light had originated and as his eyes searched the area he knocked into something with a solid 'thump', as he turned to see what he had bumped into he noticed a shining head of soft brown hair and he realized that this must have been the 'something' he had knocked over.
A pair of beautiful chocolate brown eyes looked up from the floor and his mouth fell open as they sparkled when they finally met his own cold, grey ones.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to smash into you like that, but something hypnotizing grabbed my attention, which just so happens to be you!" said Draco. He held his hand out to lift her up off of the ground, whilst giving her one of his dazzling smiles.
"It's been a while hasn't it Granger". Draco spoke softly, a strange emotion, stirring within him.
He could not help but think how grown up she had become in the time since they last saw one another at the battle of hogwarts.
"Draco, what a surprise," Hermione said, her face flushed, "how have you been?"
"I've been doing alright I guess," he said humbly, "I own my own company now" Draco replied, still staring at her with the same soft expression. Hermione could not help herself from starring back, as much as she wanted to look away she felt as though they had a strange connection, as if he was looking into her very soul.
She stood there wondering if she should take off or not, her breathing shallow and her cheeks flushed. This was definitely not the Draco Malfoy she was used to seeing.
"Draco that's fantastic," Hermione said breathlessly, "really, well done with that". Hermione finally managed to break eye contact and quickly grabbed the two books she had been eyeing earlier and proceeded to the check out.
"I'll see you around Draco," Hermione sqeaked, " must get going, verrry busy," she lied to him. Then she turned away and ran from the shop before Draco could get a word in edge ways.
2 Hours later...
Hermione stepped in from the dark and frosty street, taking her snow flecked coat off she became aware of a distant beating. As she walked down the hallway, the noise became louder and as she opened the door to the lounge her eyes were met with flashing lights, blaring music and a cacophony of voices all talking at once. She spotted Ginny through the crowd and squeezed her way through, towards her. "Ginny what is going on here" said Hermione, shouting over the din.
"Oh Hermione it's your birthday, of course I'm going to throw you a party to celebrate it, I'd be mad not to" said Ginny while laughing at someone's silly dance at the other end of the room.
"Oh well what's done is done I suppose" Hermione said with exasperation, starting to shake slightly, an overwhelming dizziness washing over her. Ginny noticed the strange look in Hermione's eyes, and looked concerned, Hermione heard a voice she thought she recognized as the room began to spin"You must be freezing" the caring voice proclaimed, "wow your burning up!". Hermione turned to find herself staring straight into the soul-penetrating silver eyes of Draco Malfoy, who currently had quite a firm grip on her right arm. The room blinked in and out of focus as she saw Draco's concerned expression before everything went dark!