Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter series nor it's containing characters. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. I only own the plot, and any other characters you do not recognize.
SUMMARY: When she told him she loved him, he disappeared. When he realized that he felt the same way, she disappeared. Years later he coincidentally saw her, he plucked out the courage to say 'hi' to her, not expecting her reply of; "Who are you?" A story of how Draco's struggles to get back the memories of the one he loves, but would he really want her to remember the pain that he cause her? And exactly how much does she not remember?
Who Am I Again?
Aoi Megami
The One That Got Away
The summer night air was cool, the stars hang proudly in the vast dark sky, and the moon shone with all its pride and glory, while below the Nightly Lair,radiated music and lights around the quiet street.
Every Friday night, inside this very club, where there usually sat seven young men in their usual spot in that same corner of the room. Two of these said young men, finally came into the night club, the first two of their usual seven. They were always the first ones to arrive.
"They're not here yet," the gruff voice of Vincent Crabbe exclaimed.
"Of course they're not here yet," Gregory Goyle retorted. "If they're here, then they would be in our usual spot already, and since we can't see them there, it's obvious that they're not here right?" he rolled his eyes at his friend. Vincent and Gregory stood at six and a half feet tall, both with bulk and thick figures. They walked towards their usual table, the people around them automatically clearing the way from the two gigantic men.
They sat on their seats, and ordered their usual drinks from their usual waitress, as they patiently waited for their friends to arrive.
"Oh!" Vincent exclaimed. "Adrian's here," he pointed towards the entrance of the club.
A man entered the vicinity, quickly attracting attention from some of the people inside. They gasped and stared at this man. Adrian Pucey is a very famous Quidditch player—obviously seen by his athletic built—and Witch Weekly's Eight Most Eligible Bachelor. He was lean as he stood tall and proud, and he was quite attractive with his tanned complexion—due to all the Quidditch training—honey colored eyes and his ruffled light honey-brown hair. He looked around and saw his two friends at their usual seats and made his way towards them.
"Hello boys," he greeted his old friends with a nod and took his seat. He waved to the waitress and ordered his usual drink. She sauntered off happily and returned quickly with his drink, thus earning a gracious smile from the young athlete.
"Where's Miles?" Vincent asked. "I thought he was with you?" he pointed out. As if on cue, Miles Bletchly entered the club, looking smug and important. Miles was a very famous entrepreneur, and also Witch Weekly's Tenth Most Eligible Bachelor. He was of average height, with dirty blonde hair and sea green eyes. He spotted his friends from across the room and made his way towards them.
A man with a dark complexion, black military-cut hair and deep dark eyes entered in after him. Blaise Zabini, is a gifted healer. He was named not onlyWitch Weekly's Fifth Most Eligible Bachelor, but he was also named as one of the best and most recommended healers in the Wizarding World. He followed after Miles Bletchly as they both joined their awaiting friends.
They greeted each other and ordered their usual drinks from their usual waitress. They started a conversation and soon they were laughing and relaxing.
"My, my," Miles started. "Look who Salazar Slytherin brought in," he pointed towards the entrance. Theodore Nott, stood tall and proud while basking in the limelight that was given to him when he finally entered, everyone—mainly the ladies of the room—stared at him with awe and want. He smirked as he made his way towards his group of friends. The people around him, automatically made way, making him smirk in arrogance. He was, after all, Witch Weekly's Third Most Eligible Bachelor. He was, after all, a very famous model. He raked his fingers across his soft velvety raven hair, his blue eyes gleaming with pride as he finally reached his appointed place.
"Hey," he greeted his friends and finally sat down. "And I thought I was the last to arrive," he said pointedly at the empty seat next to him. "Where is our Prince?" he asked the men around him. They shrugged and downed their drinks.
"Over there," Blaise answered. All heads whipped towards the entrance of the lively club. There stood the Slytherin Prince himself, with all his pride and glory. He stood nearly six-feet tall, his body built well enough to be a model or an athlete, with the Malfoy signature platinum blonde hair, his steely mercurial silver eyes roaming the vicinity in a scrutinizing way. His long legs took stride as he made his way—as if in slow motion—towards his friends. Literally, everyone in the room had stopped what they were doing to stare at the man before them. Draco Malfoy was, after all, Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelor, he had claimed that title two years in a row now. The female want him, while the male stared in jealousy and yearned to be him. With his plastered smirk in place, he greeted his friends, when he finally took his seat, it's as if the pause button on the place had finally been put into play, and everyone was on with their business.
"Where have you been?" Theo asked him.
"Had to work late," Draco answered with the smirk still in place.
"Work," Miles scoffed. "You don't know the meaning of the word."
"You're right, I don't," Draco shrugged, and finally ordered his drink. In fact, Draco manages Malfoy Enterprises; it's currently the number one company in the Wizarding World, even beating out Mile's Bletchly's company.
"Anyways," Theo started. "Do you guys notice anything different today?" he asked the men around him.
"Like what?" Gregory asked in confusion, while beside him Vincent looked around as if trying to figure out and important puzzle.
"Tonight is Singles night," he said with a wicked grin on his face. Blaise groaned.
"What's with you?" Adrian asked him.
"I have to skip this year," Blaise mumbled.
"Why's that?" Draco asked.
"Yeah," Miles agreed. "Singles night in this club is when they usually tally up the Most Eligible Bachelors for Witch Weekly."
"Exactly," Blaise sighed. "If Pansy sees that I'm on it this year, she'll kill me," he answered with a red tint on his dark skin. Draco laughed, Theo snickered, and Miles guffawed. Vincent and Gregory looked at him with awe, while Adrian had his mouth agape and was staring at him as if he had sprouted another head.
"You're whipped!" Adrian pointed at him accusingly.
"Hey," Blaise retorted. "We can't be bachelors forever," he argued. "We have to produce heirs at one point, or our families will murder us," he pointed out.
"I'm not hearing this," Theo covered his ears in denial. "Think about all the beautiful ladies who'll be missing out on me," he stated. Draco rolled his eyes at him.
"So what's the verdict tonight?" Draco steered them on a different topic.
"What about that one," Miles pointed to a very leggy blonde sitting by the bar while talking to one of her friends.
"Wait," Adrian waved his hands around them. "Why are we even picking out girls for you," he asked Draco. "You have Astoria," he said with a smirk.
"Just a lay Adrian," Draco smirked. "It's nothing serious," he stated.
"Does she know that?" Adrian asked back.
"Who cares?" Draco shrugged. "She will soon enough," he said, making Theo laugh.
"What's the point anyway?" Theo asked. "You're too picky," he told him.
"Yeah," Miles added. "It's either, she's too blonde."
"Or too leggy," Vincent added.
"Or too pale," Gregory added this time.
"Or too skinny," Blaise smirked.
"You're just too picky mate," Theo finalized with a slap on his back.
"Like that last one you dated," Miles said, opening up Draco's last relationship. "What was her name?" he asked around.
"Shelly," Adrian answered. "Draco said she's too athletic," he snickered. "Of course she's athletic, she's a Quidditch player for Merlin's sake," he shook his head.
"Or what about the girl before that?" Blaise smiled evilly, earning a warning glare from Draco, but was quickly ignored. "Amanda," he said in remembrance.
"Wasn't she the too smart one?" Theo smirked.
Vincent laughed hard. "Wasn't she the healer?"
"Yeah," Gregory nodded. "What about Patricia, the girl he dated before her," he added.
"Oh," Miles exclaimed. "The environmentalist," he said. "The too sweet for her own good," he said, making everyone at their table laugh, Draco shivered at the unwanted memory of the girl.
"Mate," Theo patted him in the back. "Accept it, you're just too picky, ever since," he stopped and looked at his friend. "Is this about her?" he asked in realization, as Draco narrowed his eyes at him dangerously.
"Who?" Miles leaned in.
"The one that got away," Blaise answered, catching up to what Theo was talking about.
"Who?" Miles asked again.
"You know," Adrian said, finally getting it. "Hermione Granger," he said.
As soon as her name left Adrian's mouth, Draco found himself staring at nowhere in particular. He closed his eyes, trying to remember. The perfect one, with her chocolate brown eyes, her soft brown hair, falling in wave-like curls just above her waist, with her porcelain skin, her slender figure filled perfectly in just the right places, she was beautiful. She was the perfect goddess, ready to rival Aphrodite herself. His friends even had the eye on her. He opened his eyes and found himself four years ago with her…
He saw her a month after they graduated at Hogwarts, in the Muggle world no less! To say that she was shocked when she saw him there was an understatement. Actually, ever since the war ended before the start of their seventh year, Draco had started venturing out into the Muggle world with his curious friends. And to say that Hermione Granger looked stunning after a month away from school was an understatement, as she had obviously taken his breath away.
He stood there, idiotically gaping at her, with a very obvious blush on his pale cheeks. He was so taken aback by her beauty that he was at a loss for words. She had always been beautiful to him, ever since that slap she gave him during their third year. He found her angry side the most beautiful at that time. But now, she had developed even more, if that was any possible, but hey, here was the proof before him. She was absolutely breath taking.
"Malfoy?" she asked again, as she waved her hand in front of his face, making him snap out of his thoughts. "Are you all right?" she asked, when she noticed him returning to wherever he went. "Are you lost?" she asked with an amused look on her face.
"Lost?" he asked.
"You're in the Muggle world," she whispered. He looked around. They were in a coffee shop, one that he usually visits whenever he found himself in the Muggle world.
"I'm aware," he told her.
"You are?" she asked in disbelief. "Why?" she couldn't help but ask.
"I'll have you know Granger," he said with a smirk. "That I've been venturing around here since school had ended."
"You have?" she asked, still in disbelief.
"How is that so hard to believe?" he asked her.
"You're Draco Malfoy," she pointed out.
"And your point?" he asked her. She scoffed and shook her head, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at the watch wrapped around her tiny wrist.
"Oh gosh," she exclaimed. "I have to go," she said dismissively and started to head towards the exit of the coffee shop.
"Granger wait," he took hold of her arm to stop her. He couldn't stop that jolt that he felt, tingling on his fingers straight down to the tips of his toes. Think! He had to stop her somehow from leaving.
"What is it?" she asked him, staring at the hand that grabbed her.
"You," he started, but was entirely unsure of what to say. "You," he started searching inside his head of ways to just talk to her.
"I?" she asked in amusement.
"You," he sighed. "Might need water," he took the water bottle he was holding and handed it out to her. She took it cautiously, with narrowed eyes.
"Okay," she said. "Why?" she asked.
"You might need it for later," he answered.
"Okay," she said again. "Why?" she asked again.
"Because you'll be running in my mind all day," he answered again.
She looked at him incredulously, her eyes wide in disbelief and her mouth open in a un-lady-like manner. Then she laughed.
Draco smiled to himself, as he remembered her laugh, her beautiful angelic laugh, making him sigh in want.
"Is that supposed to be a pick up line?" she laughed amusedly.
"Why?" he asked. "Do you have anything better?" he asked her.
"Hmm," she thought. "How about," she started. "Are you partly made of alcohol?" she asked.
"No, why?" he asked in amusement.
"Because you intoxicate me," she answered, making them both laugh.
And that's when it all started. Soon, they were meeting in that same coffee place unconsciously. When he finally got the courage to ask her out on a real date, everything just fell into place. Everything was perfect. She was perfect.
Draco sighed. The laughter of his past relationships being talked at their table was lost to him. All he could think about was her. She was his everything.
Her loud cheers echoed soundly below them. He and his friends were suspended high in the air, on board their broomsticks. It was a weekly sport for them; they usually go against coworkers of former Slytherins for a game of Quidditch. They always win, today though, was a different story, as they were five against seven. Vincent and Gregory were busy at the moment and just couldn't make it to this game. Rather than backing out, these group of Slytherins decided to go against them even without their two bulky Beaters.
To say that the game is going bad is an understatement. The score was, after all, 20 for the Slytherins and 180 for their opposing team. Blaise was trying hard to dodge the Bludgers the Beaters were beating towards him, Adrian scored twice, Miles flew around, not really knowing who to go against since the opposing team has more players, and Theo had decided that his face is more important than the game. Draco was flying high above, looking below for that slight glint or sparkle, while keeping a close eye on the other seeker on the other side of the field.
The game ended finally, with Draco catching the Snitch, ending the game 170 to 180. Hermione's scream of cheers echoed more as the team finally reached the steady ground. The opposing team was met with cheers from lovers, friends and families, while the Slytherins touched down, and was greeted by a lonesome Hermione.
Theo was touching his face, thanking Merlin that he wasn't harmed in any way. Blaise grunted in disappointment, Miles was still confused, and Adrian was as disappointed as Blaise.
Hermione encircled her arms around Draco and soundly kissed him. He was as disappointed as everybody else with their ten point loss.
"It's okay you guys," Hermione cheered. "It's only ten points," she said, but still didn't get any reaction. "At least you're all still better looking than they are," she said loudly, so that everyone was able to hear what she said, even the opposing team. She smiled brightly when she saw the usual confident smirks and the evil glint in their eyes as they posed confidently at the other team. She laughed loudly when the other team turned away from them, shaking their heads in dismissal.
Draco smiled at the memory. How he missed her so. Right now, he would do anything to be able to relieve the days he had with her, and hopefully more.
"Wake up sleepy head," she giggled. He opened his eyes to the beautiful angelic face of his girlfriend. He smiled up at her, remembering the night they had. She was absolutely breath-taking; he could still feel her soft skin and her warmth surrounding him. He slowly sat up into a sitting position next to her. He grinned when he noticed what she was wearing; she looked unquestionably sexy on his white oxford shirt.
They had been together for more than a year now, and he couldn't be any happier. They looked at each other with such lust and passion. He was about to lean forward to suck on those luscious lips of hers until she breathed out…
"I love you," she said, staring lovingly into his mercurial eyes.
He froze, and then he Apparated from her flat with lightning speed.
He groaned inwardly at the memory, and at that present night, Draco Malfoy was named Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelor, for the third consecutive year.
He woke up with a pounding headache. Hangover. He got up from his lying position, he looked around and he realized he was back in his own home; Malfoy Manor. He forced himself to climb out of bed and he headed straight to the bathroom to wash up.
He didn't really have a good night. Dreams of Hermione's sweet mouth, her soft skin, her angelic features, were burned into his mind. He had nightmares of seeing her, but she wanted nothing to do with him. He couldn't blame his dream Hermione either way. He had been a total arse after all.
While he was in the process of brushing his teeth, he heard a knock on the door.
"Hey Draco are you decent?" Theo's voice asked from the other side of the door. "I'm coming in," he stated and then heard the door open and shut. Draco rinsed his mouth and got out of the bathroom.
"What do you want?" Draco asked as he grabbed a towel and headed back into the bathroom to take a shower.
"Just hurry up," Theo smiled secretly.
"Why exactly?" Draco stopped walking and turned to look at his friend.
"You and Blaise promised to come with me to the Muggle world today," he stated with a pout.
"Today?" Draco asked. "I did?" he asked again.
"Yes, now hurry up," Theo pushed him into the bathroom. Once the door was shut behind him, he shrugged and took his morning shower.
"Why are we here again?" Blaise asked. They were in a Muggle coffee shop, one that was on the other side of town from the one that they usually go to. They were sitting in a secluded corner of the store. Theo was to his right, while Draco was seated to his left.
"Because," Theo breathed out. "I'm meeting this really cute Muggle girl here," he said with a predatory smile.
"You're impossible," Blaise sighed. He turned to their other companion who had so far had not uttered a word since they left this morning from Malfoy Manor. "Draco, are you all right?" he asked in concern.
"Huh," Draco snaps out of his thoughts and looked at Blaise. "What was that?" he asked him.
"What's wrong with you?" Blaise asked.
"Yeah," Theo agreed. "You've been out of it lately."
"Sorry," Draco mumbled. "Just," he said, but couldn't finish his sentence when a bell rang, signaling that somebody had entered the store. All eyes looked to the entrance, hoping to see the Muggle girl that Theo was talking about.
All three men gasped and unconsciously lowered their heads.
"That's," Theo breathed out, while pointing a shaky finger at the person who now stood in line to get her coffee.
"I can't believe it," Blaise whispered.
"Is that who I think it is?" Theo asked, and received a nod from Blaise.
"That's impossible," Blaise said.
"I thought she disappeared," Theo whispered back.
"What is she doing here?" Blaise asked.
"I can't believe she's here," Theo shook his head.
"Draco," Blaise turned to the silent male beside them.
Draco was peering at her, his head lowered, his eyes wide and his mouth wide open. She was here. She just walked in, and back to his life. She hasn't changed one bit. She was still breath-taking. She was still beautiful. She still had that soft wavy hair that fell graciously just above her waist. She still had her sparkling chocolate brown eyes. She still had her porcelain complexion. It was Hermione Granger.
"You should go say 'Hi'," Theo suggested.
"What?" Blaise and Draco said in unison, their head snapping to face him.
"After what he did to her?" Blaise asked his friend. "She'll murder him," he stated, Draco gulped.
"We should go," Draco said, his voice shaking slightly.
"But," Theo started. "She's right there!" he argued.
"I know that," Draco hissed back. "I," he started. "I just can't face her right now," he said.
"Oh, this is ridiculous," Theo said and stood from their slumped position.
"Theo, no!" Draco whispered aggressively, as he and Blaise straightened up from their position.
"Hey Hermione!" Theo greeted loudly. Blaise and Draco looked to the brunette and she whipped her head towards them in acknowledgment.
Brown eyes met Draco's mercurial eyes, and he froze. He waited agonizingly, as seconds tick by and she just stared at him, mouth slightly agape. He gathered up all the courage his body could will and walked up to her stunned, yet confused face.
"Hi," he breathed out, his hand suspended in the air in a waving position.
He smiled at her angelic face, and watched—as if in slow motion—when she opened her mouth to speak, but what she said wasn't the words that he was expecting to come out from her succulent mouth. Somehow, for some unknown reason, he felt his life come crashing down, when she uttered the words, "Who are you?"