Chapter 1: Reunited

A lone owl bearing a school crest flew towards a castle, sitting hidden in the forest. It tapped impatiently with it's beak on the bedroom windows and finally found the room where the recipient of the letter tied to its leg lay sleeping. Groggily the young man sat up and dragged himself to the window, easily waking from having been in a fitful sleep anyway. Slowly Draco unraveled the scroll and allowed his eyes to fly across the sheet. It was an invite to a Hogwarts five-year school reunion.

Ever since his last year at Hogwarts, Draco had been a rather melancholy person. The love of his life was gone forever and he felt it to be entirely his fault but at this he brightened. His entire body filled with elation quicker than he could have cast a spell to do so. Having a school reunion meant it was quite possible to see his beloved Hermione Granger once again. That entire day nothing could possibly bring him down, for once he even went out. All he could think about was that he was going to see Hermione next week.

Hermione Granger woke up to having her muggle alarm-clock scream in her ear and she shot out of bed, speedily grabbing proper clothing to wear to work and after she was completely ready, sat and relaxed for the few minutes of peace she would get before having to Apparate to the Ministry office. Her hands reached automatically for a shoebox sitting next to her bed. She kept it at her home always. Using the last few minutes of her time she opened it to hold it close to her heart, as if it were a most beloved child. To anyone else the box would be worthless but still recognizable for what it was by its contents.

Within it you would find letters, three to be exact and a sheet of Pros and Cons. You would also find a scarlet dress, beautiful and carefully folded with magic so that it fit in the box but when pulled out fit the person it was meant to. Amongst other small tokens, they made up small mementos. Mementos of a forgotten love.

Sighing, she pushed the box under her bed and stood up again. Tiredly she pushed the sleeping body in the bed. "Come on Seamus, wake up." He muttered groggily back and began to pull himself out of the bed. "Morning honey," she murmured back out of habit. He kissed her gently and made his way to the bathroom. Hermione stepped out the door and took one last look at the bed, not seeing it or even the box underneath but seeing who she wished was there with her instead before sighing for the last time and rushing out into the hallway.

Hermione rushed into the elevator. Everything in her life was a hurry now. Hurry to finish working, hurry to get home, hurry to cook dinner, hurry to get talking with Seamus over with, hurry to get to sleep, hurry to wake up, hurry to go to work. Nothing seemed fun anymore just…there like Hermione simply existed with the same routine every single day. What a horrible way to live, she would think on the few spare moments she had to think.

Late that night Hermione was tidying up the dishes with Seamus when he mentioned they had both received a letter from Dumbledore. "Really?" she asked already intrigued.

Seamus seemed enthusiastic about it too. "Yeah, apparently we're having a five-year reunion so everybody is invited to attend in the year."

She instantly felt her spirits lift at this and asked, "When is it? I can't wait to see—" Hermione stopped short, ashamed of herself. She wasn't ashamed for still loving Draco but instead for dating Seamus just because she knew he was in love with her and she had nothing better to do. No, that wasn't even it. She was dating him because he had what she needed, or at least just enough of it: money.

The following week passed rather quickly for those preparing for the party but with Hermione it was something to look forward to in her non-life, just as it was for Draco.

Long since had Hermione given up desperately searching the room for Draco. She rolled her eyes as Seamus chatted on with his old friends. "I need a drink," she muttered to Seamus, spinning out from his arm.

He smiled at her. "Sure, babe." He had a puppy dog smile plastered on his face born from his adoration of her, that smile that sent guilt streaking through her spine. Now she truly needed a drink so she smiled weakly at him and slipped away.

Hermione poured herself a cup and sipped it carefully, staying close to the table. Her eyes scanned the room as she tried hopelessly to find Draco. When she was convinced he was not there she noticed a person leaning lazily against the wall. He wore a tux like all the other men, though the term was used loosely considering he was the only one acting older than twenty, but his was a very deep emerald and his beautiful hair fell softly framing his eyes. Carefully she surveyed him but she needed no assurance about who he was. "Draco," she whispered to herself.

As if by magic he looked up at the mention of his name. His piercing blue eyes locked on her brown ones and he pulled himself off the wall. As quickly as he could, he made his way across the room to her, weaving through the people merrily chatting. Deeply in shock, Hermione's grip loosened on her drink and it fell, shattering at her feet. At that moment Draco reached the other side of the table, neither having taken their eyes off one another but Seamus came up beside them and slipped his arm around Hermione's waist. "Hi," he kissed her on the cheek, "you alright?" She nodded dumbly and he looked up at Draco, "Hey," he muttered and walked off, still holding Hermione and never having liked Draco.

Hermione stole a look behind her to see Draco watching her, unmoving, his eyes no longer hopeful and determined but watery (although no tears fell) and empty. Despite his strong nature he may as well have been heaped on the floor because, looking through his eyes, it was painfully clear that Draco was just destroyed.

Seamus insisted on staying in the Dorms in the castle as had been allowed for everyone to spend time with their roommates once again but Hermione spoke to him as they were leaving the party, on their way to go to their separated rooms. "Seamus, I have to talk to you."

He turned with his puppy dog eyes on her, "Yes darling?"

She felt the guilt trickle down her spine again and looked slowly up to his face. "Seamus, I can't do this anymore."

He looked at her questioningly, not getting it. "It's over," she said again. Still he did not understand. "Seamus, I can't see you anymore. I'm in love with Draco Malfoy."