Black Rain

By Pinkiriffic

Summary: Four years ago, Draco broke Hermione's heart. Now he's back, only to witness it happen, all over again…

Pairing: Hermione/Draco

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and the enormously large and profitable franchise/s linked to it, the ever so wonderfully talented and imaginative JK Rowling does. I am not making any profit out of this fanfic, so please, don't sue me :sweatdrops:

A/N: I seem to have a penchance for 'B' titled fics… hm… xD. This fic is AU. No magic here, folks. As a side note, if your looking for a laugh, please take a look at my one-shot A Peaceful Morning :D shameless plugging

Chapter One: Just the thought of you

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When Hermione had heard that Draco returned, she was rattled to say the least.

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'Narcissa told me yesterday, darling, that Draco made an appearance at their mansion!' Her mother, Susan, spoke excitedly through the phone. 'What a surprise that must have been, for him to return after whole years!'

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He's…back? Hermione unconsciously tensed, gripping the phone tigher.

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'We have to keep this quiet for now, obviously; otherwise there would be a huge uproar! Imagine, the missing son of Lucius, the past CEO of the most successful company that Britain has re-appeared! Isn't that great news?'

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'I'm a little shocked, to be honest, ma.' She steadied herself, as she felt her voice waver. 'But it will be good for Narcissa.' The lavishly dressed widow had insisted Hermione call her by her first name. 'After all, we're almost like family,' she had said with a light laugh.

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'Certainly, I haven't heard her so cheerful in a long time! We plan to get together in about a week's time; it would be wonderful to see her and Draco once again. I do wonder what happened to the boy though…' Susan trailed off.

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'I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.' Hermione smiled reassuringly, even though her mother couldn't possibly read her expression through the phone.

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The conversation moved onto lighter topics from there. Having thoroughly discussed the recent weather and the extravagant gifts Harry had given to Susan for her birthday, Hermione hung up and slumped in defeat onto her couch.

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Shit, I can't believe he's actually back.

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Hermione stared incredulously at her blank wall. He wasn't supposed to affect her like this, dammit! After just hearing his name, she almost panicked. When he had left, without a word, all those years ago, what was she supposed to think? She was filled with dread, and a sadistic anticipation at meeting him again.

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Hermione pressed a cold hand to her temple in an effort to stop the barrage of memories threatening to overflow. 'I didn't spend months trying to move on for one little mention of him to break me. I spent my waking moments hiding behind a mask so I could forget. I tried so hard not to let the guilt and the hurt engulf me.'

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'I shut out the world so that I could live without you.' A single, unwanted tear trailed down her face.

The Grangers were your average, middle class British family. How they ever attained the staunch support of the debonair Narcissa Malfoy, was incomprehensible to the public. The general population had worshipped the ground the prodigal walked upon. That is, until the incident.

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Four years ago, Lucius Malfoy died. Many rumors were circled, most citing that he had been murdered as a result of revenge. Lucius, at the top of the business chain, had many powerful friends but no one is complete without powerful enemies. That rumor alone had been enough to almost cripple Malfoy Inc., but Narcissa stepped up to take the helm. She led with an entrepreneurial strength that was surprising for many, as she had long been pegged as the pretty, but brainless trophy wife.

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The company soared under Narcissa's watchful eye, but there were some things even an impressive businesswoman couldn't anticipate.

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Two months after Lucius passed away, her only son disappeared. The commotion and hubbub that ensued even rivaled that of her husband's death. Reporters were stationed outside Malfoy Manor 24 hours, months into the incident.

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'Mrs. Malfoy, could you please give a comment on your son's mysterious disappearance so soon after Lucius Malfoy was-'

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'Mrs. Malfoy, this is channel seven news, in regards to Draco Malf-'

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'We would like to interview you, Mrs. Malfoy, concerning the whereabouts of-'

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'Mrs. Malfoy Prime Business Magazine is interested your comments about the sudden disappearance of your son-'

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'MRS. MALFOY! COMMENT PLEASE!'

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Narcissa handled the entire affair stoically, but once out of the media spotlight, she broke down. Hermione had, on many occasions, visited her mother only to find Narcissa also there. The former was usually in a sorry state, though how she still managed to look classy while crying her eyes out was an art unknown to Hermione.

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Despite the large media interest, not much more information was leaked, other than the fact that he had disappeared. Perhaps, many mused, this was because there wasn't much to leak in the first place.

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Maybe, it was because no one did know.

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Hermione snorted. If only they knew what she knew… had to go through what she went through… Her lips thinned defiantly. 'Though, that's a fate I don't want to dump on anyone else,'

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How easily everyone else was fooled. She trained herself to not appear vulnerable, she trained herself to appear indestructible. Because acknowledging human feelings was painful. Too painful.

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Because of you, I don't know how to love anymore.

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She wanted nothing more than to just ignore him, to never be in his presence again… because that could be all it would take to break the walls she depended far too much on these days.

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All Hermione had to do was imagine his perfect face, the way he smiled at her, the way his eyes seemed to light up when they had one many of their entertaining moments, and she would be transported back to a time when she was still carefree, still reckless, and still so innocent. At 21, Hermione felt far too wary and cagey for her age.

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Hermione ran her hands through her unruly hair in frustration. Thoughts like that would get her nowhere. It was time she had a shower and met up with a few friends.

'I heard he's back,' Lavender looked solemnly at Hermione, trying to gauge her reaction. She knew that Hermione was devastated after Draco disappeared, though she seemed to have recovered quickly. They were at a cozy café which had been raved about by Ron for its heavenly bakery delicacies.

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Hermione frowned slightly, sipping her coffee, 'How do you know? I thought it was meant to be kept quiet until a suitable cover story was thought up of… I mean, even I only found out this morning'

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'I heard from Pansy, you know how the system works, nothing gets past her,' she chuckled wryly. 'Speaking of which, she should be here any time soon.'

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'Fashionably late as always, I take it?'

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'Yeeep.'

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'Who's fashionable? Oh, I knew you would be talking about me,' Pansy's voice fluttered in. She gave her two ex-classmates a flamboyant flick of her hair. Hermione rolled her eyes good naturedly at this.

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A tall, brunette waiter led Pansy to their table. 'I take it that this is your table, madam? What may I offer you? May I suggest our famous roasted vegetable torta, or perhaps a coffee or tea of your choice?'

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Pansy took a seat in between Lavender and Hermione, and pursed her lips as she debated on what to get. 'I think that I would like the green tea.'

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'Certainly,' He gave a small bow before heading back to the kitchens.

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'Green tea?' Hermione raised her eyebrows.

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'I heard that it's the best thing to drink during a hot summer day.' Pansy winked. 'It's healthy too, not unlike some of the other stuff they have to offer…' She eyed Lavender's chocolate smoothie deliberately.

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'What!' Lavender gasped indignantly, eyes widening. 'I'm allowed to indulge occasionally!'

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Pansy and Hermione shared a look, and they both cracked a smile. Hermione was secretly glad that Pansy's arrival had deterred Lavender from further questioning. The last thing she needed was for more probing. At least I've gotten pretty good at pretending…

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However, her relief was short-lived, because she realized that Lavender only knew about all this in the first place because of Pansy. Hermione heaved a small sigh. She was incredibly fond of her friends, truly, but sometimes they probe around in places where no one should ever attempt to go.

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Lavender had somehow steered the conversation back to, in Hermione's case, dangerous grounds. Hermione silently cursed her lack of concentration.

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'Herm, when are you going to visit them?' Pansy enquired.

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'Who said anything about visiting them?'

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Lavender spoke up. 'Come on, Narcissa wouldn't pass up this opportunity, like all the other opportunities she's had to have you over.'

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'Hn.' Was the non-committal response from Hermione.

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'So? You looking forward to seeing him again?'

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'Girl, if he looks anything like he did 4 years ago, he's going to be damn sexy!'

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'Lavender! Anyway, I don't think things will be as simple as that… cause… you don't disappear for years for no reason at all.' Hermione mused.

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'True. I have my suspicions, but I think that the sudden downfall of Macnair's had something to do with it…' Pansy replied. Over the years, both Hermione and Lavender had learned to trust Pansy's uncannily sharp instincts.

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Lavender finished off the rest of her smoothie. 'We will be dying to know what happened, so make sure you tell us everything, ok?'

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'Sure, we're heading over in a week's time.' Hermione felt bad for lying straight through her teeth, she had no intention of sharing everything that will happen, because she knew nothing good could come out of it. But there was no way she was letting another soul know what she knew.

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It's still painful now…

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This feeling of utter betrayal.

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End Chapter One

Next up: Hermione and her mother's visit to the manor! Hermione comes face to face with Draco for the first time in 4 years! What could he have done, and what is the secret that she knows that is tearing her apart?
Endnote: Um, I'm sorry for all the mystery? xD All will be explained in due course. I introduced Hermione's mother as Susan cause she doesn't officially have a name, and she seems like a Susan to me, so yeah. It's my first time attempting angst, so I'm a little worried as to how this will turn out .;;

No Pansy bashing in this fic :D (has another person planned for that role, it's a mystery for now)

Once again, please let me know what you think of it. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them (unless it gives away the whole plot... yes… there's actually a plot to this xD)

Leave me a review to read, and make this authoress happy so that she updates faster ;)