DISCLAIMER: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and Co. The only thing I own here is the plot.
AN: I'm terribly sorry for the typos and grammatical errors since I don't have a beta reader as of the moment. I just browsed through it before posting so I haven't really checked it thoroughly. Pls. bare with me on this. Thank you. )
Hermione Granger.
The name just tells it all. The ever growing research development center insists this name has got to be there, mentioned, thought about or even said out loud. Nobody dares to forget the name. You'll see her crossing the streets in no less than jeans, shirt, shades, scarf, coffee and bag that carried her books. Wondering what makes her different? One, its probably because she is best friends with the famous Harry Potter. The boy-who-lived-because-he-wouldn't-just-die. Now just what does this girl have that she's just the most talked about person?
Draco Malfoy.
He's one of the famous business icons in the industry and is one of the most notable to boot. He has decided to push his name to the top by currently participating in charities by giving out his earnings to different charities especially to abused children. He strolls around the area with his trusty pal Blaise Zabini in shorts, shirt, shades and cap still wow-ing the people by the way he carries himself. He's still the same arrogant bastard that he is although a little bit less than what he was in school. His current attraction is Hermione Granger.
"You know Draco, buddy, its really ironic for you to set your eyes on Granger. I mean, come on! What's with her?" Blaise was moving his hands for emphasis.
"I don't know what's with her. She's not the typical girl I'd go for." Draco was looking at the window shops.
"Exactly. That's why I'm actually wondering why you've dined with her. In your favorite restaurant no less!"
"Blaise, I just.. its difficult to explain why. There's just this something."
"I thought we had a solid trust bond forming?!"
Blaise Zabini.
The ever trusty friend of Draco Malfoy. The years had done his appearance good since his pictures were everywhere. Well known Quidditch player and a former auror is what his demeanor says. The famous player is always seen with the business tycoon Malfoy. Looking all together and a walking sin, cameras were always following in the shadows. Though unlike Malfoy, he was already tied down to a certain young Weaslette.
Hermione Granger was sitting down at her favorite chair inside the coffee shop, with a book in her hands. A few people would see that she was deeply immersed in her book but an astute observer would see how absent minded she currently was. Her eyes were just passing by the words, her brows not creased, like they used to when she tries to analyze what she was reading. It wasn't that she was bored with the book, her mind was just elsewhere.
"Hey there Hermione," Ginny sat down in front of her trying to get her attention.
"Hey Gin." Her eyes still boring into the book not looking up.
"I've heard about you."
"Really now?" Hermione knew this day would come.
"I've seen pictures of you and Malfoy at a rest—"
"I know Gin, you don't really have to repeat what I've experienced." Hermione was exasperated. She couldn't bear hearing the whole story again. It was as if her head was thinking the exact opposite.
FLASHBACK
The restaurant was cozy, and it had a great ambiance. It helped Hermione sooth her nerves. She was wearing her work clothes to the restaurant since she just finished off her work a few hours ago.
"Good evening, Mademoiselle. A table for..?" the waiter looked at Hermione and for a moment was stunned that it was Hermione Granger, the famous researcher and part of the golden trio.
"Uhm, yeah, just for me.." Hermione was looking around trying to calm her nerves. She was led to a table at the corner.
"A beautiful spot for you Mademoiselle, take a seat please." The waiter smiled at her and had her seated before she left her with the menu and order.
She looked at the restaurant thinking how her table is a 'beautiful spot'. Sure she can see everybody in the restaurant but that was it. Then, she turned to look outside and saw this wonderful landscaped garden.
"Beautiful.."
"I see you like the table." Draco Malfoy stood in front of her looking as handsome as ever.
"Oh, I didn't realize you were there.." Hermione was once again shocked to see him civil with her. For the past few months he has been quite, nice, with her to say the least.
"May I?"
"Oh, yeah sure.." Hermione was still wondering what's up with this new Malfoy in front of her. He would act as if cared about her. It was very different from the Malfoy she knew in school.
"You seem to be quite mesmerized with the place I see." Malfoy has been at the restaurant a thousand times and could see that she also loved it here. He knew the maitre'd and he was always seated at the table where Hermione was currently at. When he arrived, she had just finished ordering and saw that she was trying to take in the environment.
"Good evening Monsieur Malfoy, unfortunately your table is already occupied, would you like to seat at the balcony?" the maitre'd was the one who served Hermione.
"No, no, is the lady at my usual table waiting for someone?" Malfoy was making up a plan in his head.
"Oh, Mademoiselle Granger? No monsieur. She requested a table just for her. We didn't get a notice that you'd be arriving and she seemed to need some cheering up. We're sorry we had to give your table." The maitre'd was trying to explain himself given that the table Hermione was sitting on was usually reserved for Malfoy.
"No it's quite alright actually. Just exactly what I needed." He strolled to his table where Hermione was and saw that she seemed to be mesmerized with the garden.
"Thank you for letting me dine with you tonight, Granger." Malfoy wasn't used to calling her Hermione. He'll call her that once they got close enough.
"Oh, you plan on staying? I'm sorry but I just wanted some time alone.. and having been from troublesome work for today, I just.."
"You seem at loss for words Granger. Don't worry, if you don't want my company just say." Damn, Malfoy was out of luck.
"I'm sorry, I'm just bad at these, anyway, if you want to stay fine go ahead. But I won't be as receptive as you are used to other girls with you." Hermione knew of Malfoy's wide conquests with girls. He'd bring them out on a date and end up in bed by midnight.
"Funny Granger. I don't really need you to reply to all of my questions. After all, I'm interrupting your dinner."
"Fine. Suit yourself." She doesn't understand what Malfoy's playing at. He's been a show off before and she just can't stand this Malfoy in front of her.
"Why are you here?" Hermione suddenly felt like asking and if she were the Hermione before, her hand would've flew to her mouth saying sorry and that she should've kept her mouth shut. But that was the old Hermione. This one just can't do that, she really wanted to know.
"Is it bad to keep you company that you question my intentions?" Draco was trying hard to keep his cool. Hermione was still doubtful of his intentions.
"No, but you being Malfoy, I don't know what you're up to."
"So you're saying I might blast your head in a flick of my wand and get away with it?" Draco's eyes hardened at this, trying to look into Hermione's eyes with meaning.
'His eyes? Its like it changed from blue to gray.. Maybe he really does want to keep me company.
"Damn Granger. What is it.." He started to whisper in low voices.
"..about me.. that you just can't seem to accept?"
Hermione stared into his eyes trying to see if he was tricking her. Being a former auror and a student of mad eye moody, constant vigilance was a must.
"I.. I don't know..Maybe your eyes should do the talking for you.. Please stop looking at me." Hermione looked outside the garden to remove the feeling of being sucked into his soul.
"You look beautiful."
At this, Hermione looked back at Draco blushing. She didn't expect that comment. Well, imagine that, the Draco Malfoy just complemented a muggle born. Not just any muggle born, but Hermione Granger, the muggle born part of the Golden Trio. Beautiful? In her work clothes? He was probably deranged!
He made an effort to hold and press his lips at the back of her hand as if telling it to the whole restaurant as well. Eyes were actually watching them and unfortunately for Hermione, cameras were also there madly clicking away.
End of Flashback
"Earth to Hermione, are you still with us?"
"..Yeah.." Ginny started waving her hand near Hermione's head.
"Ok, you've got to tell what's up with this. I mean, you haven't mentioned anything about Malfoy being attracted to you! Seriously Hermione, are you forgetting that I'm your best friend? Apart from the boys I mean. But you get my point."
"I know Gin, its just I've been thinking about Malfoy's actions towards me."
"And what about it?"
"I guess I really was just blind to see that his actions were leaning towards something more than friendship. I never paid attention to it since I thought he was probably trying to repent for his past sins."
Hermione's head was spinning. She thought of the times that Malfoy actually had taken her seriously and started a civil conversation with her.
"Enough of this Gin, lets talk about you. How are the kids?"
"Hermione, you know you have to tell me sometime."
"I know. That's what I'm afraid of. Just the thought of it gives me headache."
Hermione's mind was already far away thinking about a certain blond Slytherin.
"So let me get this straight. You just happen to be at the restaurant the same time she was there?"
"Yes Blaise. How many times do you have to ask that? For days might I add?"
Draco Malfoy was in his office browsing through some papers.
"Unbelievable."
"And that reaction is quite old. You've said the same thing since the damn tabloids published that picture!"
His mind was supposed to be on the damn papers, not on Blaise rambling on about the pictures. He has to think of the company first before putting Granger on his top list.
His mind did a reel back, 'putting Granger on my top list? I really am unbelievable.'
"Look Blaise, I know its unorthodox of me to wine and dine with the infamous brains of the Golden Trio but let me tell you this. I HAVE FUCKING PAPERS TO FINISH!"
At that, Malfoy was now standing at his desk, both palms slammed down on the table and his blond hair covering his silver orbs flaming down on his friend who was sitting comfortably in another chair still looking unperplexed.
"What else is a secretary for? Now listen here mate, I was thi-" Blaise leaned forward to make a point.
"Secretary?! You expect my bloody secretary to finish these papers when she can't even handle my calls?! Merlin forbid I've received every call Mother has made when I clearly told the secretary to tell her I'm fucking busy!"
"Ok, seriously mate, you need to see Granger. You're so tense. Where's the cool, collected, non-responsive bastard of the Malfoy company?"
"Hell Blaise, I don't know what's going on with me. Its like I have to think about the papers and no matter how much I tune you out when you mention Granger its like my mind tunes the papers out!"
"First things first. You like her. Obviously."
At this comment, Draco snorted and sat down on his chair his face in his hands.
"Next, you have to see her and then confess your undying love for her in about 5 minutes before she blows up and tells you to get the hell out of her research lab."
"Undying love? Bloody shit, what is wrong with you?"
"The question my dear friend, what is wrong with you?"
Blaise gestured both of his hands at him to make his point clear. Draco was silent for a while. Trying to analyze his situation.
Sure she was in his mind but it bothers him so much when she was on his mind twenty four seven right?
"Blaise."
"Yes cupcake?" Blaise answered looking at him in an adoring way.
"What the – cupcake?! You're the one who needs help Blaise. I'll send in security if you don't get out of this office, and this building for that matter. You're irritating the hell out of me."
"Sure thing cupcake, I'll be home when you need me." Blaise winked at him and took his leave on the aforementioned building.
Draco smirked at Blaise's antics. He always knew how to calm him down. 'Maybe that's why he's my friend. God forbids if I remained friends with Crabbe and Goyle.'
He turned on his chair to look at the window scene. The city seemed to be buzzing as it was nearing lunchbreak. He never really liked to handle the Malfoy business. It was a nasty thing to deal with especially using your connections to get everything approved the way you want it to be. He was actually considering on stepping down and leaving the company to someone else. Just then, his phone rang and the voice of his secretary droned out in his now quiet office.
"Sir, your mother is on line 1. She insists you pick up the phone regarding the matter about Leo."
'That's it! I'll leave the company to Leo!'
He picked up the phone immediately, "Yes Mother, I was meaning to call you about our dear Leo."
AN: Like it? Hate it? Pls. review. ) Thank you for reading!