A/N: I have redone this chapter once again. I took the opportunity to clean up my shotty writing, and stir the old creative juices. Rewriting this chapter got me excited for the one's to come. Keep checking back, I should have the rest of the chapters edited and posted by tomorrow, as well as a new chapter or two. But it's important you read this chapter because I made some changes to it. Thanks.
"Hermione?"
Hermione Granger heard the chime of an all too familiar voice. It was rather high pitched, and cheerful, and could belong to the one and only Ginny Weasley. A few seconds later, Ginny skipped around the corner, her soft red curls bouncing as she fell into the bar stool. Ginny had grown up a lot in the past three years. Her milky skin now reminded me of delicate porcelain, softening her piercing green eyes.
"Why here you are!" She wore the same playful grin, one that seemed to always tickle the wrinkles in her cheeks.
"Ginny, what are you doin' here?" Hermione set down her lunch dishes and hugged the energetic college freshmen. Seeing Ginny, reminded Hermione of her college days, it had been the best four years of her life. She had graduated, top of her class, from Cambridge, with the love of her life, Harry Potter by her side.
After college, the two had bought a flat together, and were quite comfortable. Harry was a first draft pick for England's National Quidditch team. Hermione had decided to take a year or two off from school to travel the world with Harry and the team.
"Well, school just isn't the same without you, so I figured I'd take the day off to see my two favorite people." Ginny shrugged, lifting herself up onto the counter and grabbing a freshly picked apple. "Where is Harry?" Ginny noticed that the polished flat was rather empty.
"Out. Practicing with your brother, I think. Don't really know." Hermione rolled her eyes, it often got tiring, being by herself constantly, but she was learning to deal with it.
"Ugh... what losers. Well lets go do something." Ginny hopped back down and looked eagerly at the door.
"Ginny," Hermione laughed carelessly and shook her head, "You have classes, which are important. And besides I have a long list of chores I have to get done. Harry and I are flying to the U.S. for another tournament." Hermione smiled, it was a familiar smile, one that Ginny could see right through, but never confronted her friend about.
"You sound like my mum, 'Mione! Maybe I don't want to go to school. Maybe I just want to be me and have fun! Is that too much to ask?" Ginny batted her green eyes at Hermione, hoping for some form of sympathy.
"Your mum's a smart lady." Hermione just winked and pushed her friend towards the door. "Go. Freshmen year is a breeze. Just get it over with." Hermione laughed as Ginny stuck out her tongue and then playfully slammed the door. Hesitating, Hermione stuck her tongue out at the closed door, then went back to unloading the dishwasher.
Hermione sang along with the song on her radio as she pulled into the local grocery store parking lot. Putting the top up on her convertible, she climbed out and pushed the lock button on her small remote. Tossing her purse over her shoulder, she strutted through the sliding doors and lazily grabbed a cart.
Twenty minutes later, Hermione had made her way to the produce aisle. She was trying to find just the right tomato, when she bumped into a bulky figure behind her.
"Oh I'm sorry..." Hermione tossed a loose strand of chestnut hair out of her face to see the last person she'd wanted to; Draco Malfoy.
"Pardon me, I'm sorry about that." It was a half-hearted apology, accompanied with a half-hearted smile. He walked off without another word.
Doesn't he recognize me? After all those years of torment, doesn't he realize it's me? Granted, si've changed, but…I'm not all that different.
Hermione couldn't shake the sense of disappointment.
Was that who I think it was?
Draco looked over his shoulder, confused and flustered. Her eyes gave her away, but other than that she was someone completely new. Her Pale skin, was now richly tanned, she had filled out her figure, and her once dull and frizzy curls, were now soft waves that shined under the fluorescent lighting. It couldn't possibly be Hermione, she wasn't at all the nerdy git she used to be; she was beautiful, in every aspect. Taking one last glance over his shoulder he pushed his cart forward.
"That was weird." Hermione said under her breath. She turned slightly, and watched Draco walk away. He certainly had changed. He wasn't the same awkward, lanky kid she hated back at Hogwarts. He had grown to well over six foot, had broad shoulders, and bulging arms that strained against his shirt. His blonde hair, wasn't that ugly bowl cut. He'd let it grow out, and softened it's color. It was pulled back into a neat bun, cradled at the nape of his neck. The biggest difference was in his once cold, lifeless blue eyes. They were soft and inviting, now, far more pleasing to look at. She at him again as he disappeared down the next aisle, "Oh well." She shrugged and trudged on in the opposite direction.
"Where are these damned canned yams? Who buys canned yams? Who buys yams, period?" Draco was growing frustrated, he'd been looking for a particular brand of yams for a good five minutes. He was doing his mother's weekly shopping for him, and loathing every minute of it. And since running into Hemrione, his mind had been turning to other thoughts, further distracting him. For some reason he was intrigued by her new, grown up looks.
"Bottom shelf, next to the dried garlic." A soft voice startled him from behind. He jumped slightly and saw Hermione.
Recovering quickly, he rolled his eyes and looked to the bottom shelf. Don't be right. For once, please, just don't be right… Damn it, he cursed to himself... there they were. "You're always right, aren't you. Is it just like some unwritten rule?" He looked to her with a patronizing scowl. Grabbing the yams his mother wanted, he threw them into the cart and pushed on.
"Good to see you to Draco. Me? Oh, I've been fine thanks for asking. And yourself?" Hermione said loudly, her facial expressions clearly portraying her annoyance with him, "Your mom taught you some great etiquette. You haven't changed one bit. You're still a self absorbed, pompous ass." Hermione grabbed onto her cart and pushed past him, nudging him slightly. It was almost as if the two had been drawn to the same aisle, and Hermione kicked herself for continuing down the aisle, especially after seeing him.
"Yeah, well, your still a goody two shoes know it all. So it looks like we're even." He caught up to her quickly. He took notice of what was in her cart. Seeing all the double's he got curious, "Eating for two?"
"Yes, in case memory has failed you, which wouldn't be much of a change… Harry and I are a thing." Hermione tried to shake the urge to look at him.
"Wow… I lost that bet. That's still going on?" Draco stopped for a second to ponder the thought.
"Does it surprise you?" Hermione chose to ignore the first part of his statement. Instead she looked up at him then rolled her eyes, annoyed. "Don't answer that, I don't care."
"Then why'd you ask?" Draco smiled cockily, like always.
"Ughh, habit of wanting to make conversation. Now do you mind? I'm trying to grocery shop." She gave him a menacing look. He shrugged, they had reached the end of the aisle, and he took a right, leaving her behind, as if nothing had ever happened.
But for Hermione, something had. He'd gotten her blood boiling, he'd gotten her fired up, and a part of her enjoyed it.
"What the hell is wrong with you 'Mione?" She asked herself, under her breath.
Hermione threw the last of her groceries, hotly, into her trunk. She was still unnerved by her encounter with Draco.
"He's such an ass!" Hermione heard herself say. What do you care Hermione? It was a chance meeting, that was probably the last you'll ever see of that jerk anyway. Slamming the trunk, she came around to the drivers side and opened her door.
"Watch it, clutz. You almost hit the side of my truck." Draco was standing there, bread tucked under one arm and milk firmly in his hand.
What are the odds? Hermione clenched her jaw, struggling to hold on to her composure. Unable to fight the urge, she looked him dead in the eye, and pushed her door further open. The sound of metal scrapping metal was invigorating to her, and she silently celebrated Draco's shocked expression.
Lowering herself into the car, she saw a small scratch on the door. Satisfied, she slammed the driver door shut, stuck the key in the ignition, pulled out, and waved good-bye to a still stunned Draco.
"What the hell was she... who does she think she... if I ever see... gah!" Draco punched the steering wheel with the side of his hand our of anger, while glancing through the side mirror again, at the scratch on his door. The red paint was chipped, it was as small scratch, but a scratch none the less. Draco had spent a lot on his truck and it was his pride and joy. And now look at it.
Pulling into the drive of his house, Draco found himself growing angrier.
who in there right mind would purposely hit someone's car like that. How childish could you be?
He grabbed the bread and milk and headed up the drive to the front door. It was a quant one story home, with only two bedrooms and a master bath. It wasn't much but it was more than enough for Draco. In one room there was a four poster mahogany bed, matching dresser, and large flat screen television. In the other he had his own personal gym.
Draco had been determined to lose that gauky little boy look he'd grown up with, and after a year of new eating habits and intense workouts, he had done just that. He had almost doubled his weight mass, grown to well over 6 feet tall, and had spent many weeks vacationing on the beaches of Australia, working on his tan. He'd grown out his hair, and added subtle highlights, softening the stark white locks. Most wouldn't recognize him, if only he didn't have such memorable blue eyes.
Life was pretty lonely for Draco, girls drifted in and out of his bed all the time, but none were willing, or the type, to stay. For the most part, that was fine with him. But there were moments in his life that he wanted something more, he wanted the companionship for longer than the night. Sometimes when he sat at his kitchen table, eating one of many lonely meals, he wished there was someone sitting across from him, someone he could talk to and laugh with, but there never was.
"Harry... can you come help me with the groceries?" Hermione yelled from the front door, struggling with the four bags in her hands. As she expected there was no answer, just the faint sound of running water. "Bloody hell, he chooses now to take a shower." Hermione rolled her eyes with an exasperated look. She quickly carried the bags into the kitchen and set them down. Kicking off her shoes she shivered as her bare feet padded across the wood floors. She walked through the master bedroom and to the bathroom door. Knocking once she waited for an answer, when she didn't get one, she opened the door and walked in.
"'Mione, that you?" Harry poked his head from behind the shower curtain and gave her a winning smile. His smile was enough to make her heart melt, or at least it used to. Lately it seemed more tiring than enticing.
"Harry i really need your help with the groceries, and what would you like for dinner? Oh and have you packed yet?" Hermione leaned herself up against the vanity. Harry briskly disappeared behind the curtain again, and Hermione could see his outline as he shampooed his hair.
"I'll come and help when I get out of the shower, I just got in… feels good to just stand under the hot water, ya know?" His voice was clearly audible over the pounding of the shower.
No I don't know… I can't remember the last time I took a hot shower. You always use up the last of it.
"And, actually, Ron and I grabbed a sandwich from Jerry's Pub, so I'm not that hungry." Hermione rolled her eyes, suppressing her frustration.
"Harry tonight was supposed to be our night. You promised. I went to the market and everything." Hermione's lower lip jutted out, and Harry's head poked out from behind the curtain, "Why are you smiling at me?" Hermione asked bewildered.
"I just love to watch you pout." He ducked back into the shower as Hermione hurled a brush at him.
"Looks like I'll be eating alone, again." Hermione mumbled as she closed the bathroom door behind her. As she walked back into the kitchen she thought of Draco and his yams.
Hermione couldn't sleep. She didn't know what was keeping her up but curse it; whatever it was. It wasn't like she was lonely, Harry was snoring lightly right beside her, she could feel the heat from his naked body wrapped in their comforter. He had fallen asleep to some pointless television show, turning down Hermione's attempts all together. He didn't seem interested anymore, and sometimes Hermione wondered why she stuck around. But every once in a while they would have one night of indescribable passion, and Hermione would be content. It wasn't much of a way to live, but it beat going home to an empty house. She guessed there were worse things she could do.
The music pulsated through Draco's head, he could feel the annoying techno base in his temples. He looked around the pathetic excuse of a night club, and wondered why on earth he was there. The girls were trashy, the music irritating, the only plus was the well stocked bar.
Draco ordered another round of beer, and sat back, taking in the unsightly place. Strobe lights flickered around the room, bouncing off of the black painted walls. Girls danced around him in tight shirts and mini skirts, none seemed too appealing this evening. He barely took notice of the raven haired girl walking his way. She sat right beside him, and ordered herself a shot of Tequila, he couldn't help but scoff.
"Names Philena." Her attempt at being seductive fell short, and he actually pitied her. Playing along, he raised his eyebrows as if turned on.
"Greek, very interesting." He set down his beer and looked her straight in the eyes. She was just a girl, maybe fifteen. "What're you doin in a place like this? Shouldn't you be at home... studying?" He shifted in his seat, taking the tequila from her, and signaling for the bartender. The girl began to pout, and he offered her a wry chuckle.
"I'm old enough to drink that, if that's what you're wondering." She had a fiery spirit, if only she was legal, the thought left his mind as quickly as it had entered. "No ring I see. So obviously I know whats on your mind." Again, her attempts were useless, and he just laughed.
"I got into a fight with my girlfriend, i'm just drowning my sorrows." It was a lousy lie, but then it wasn't her place to know the truth.
"Let me help." Her soft breath brushed against Draco's ear, and he felt her small hand slowly creep up his leg, and for a second, it turned him on. For one fleeting moment he was lost in her pale grey eyes. A split second later, he saw someone else entirely. It was a brunette, a spit fire with a love for reading, loneliness plaguing her playful brown eyes.
"Nah, I prefer morning after hang overs." He downed the last of his beer, grabbing his coat, he stood. Philena just hung her head in defeat. "Lemme take you home, you shouldn't be here." The girl just shook her head, and maneuvered her way back to the dance floor. He had opted for another night alone, but this time it wasn't as much of a bother, he had his thoughts to occupy him