Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter. I wish owned Draco Malfoy though, but alas, JK owns him too. This applies to all future chapters of the story.
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
A/N: This is my first ever fanfiction. I'd like to thank Little Miss Eighty-Sixed for betaing for me and chmi-kat for being my alpha. Rated M for later chapters. I have through Chapter 6 written and I am hoping to update weekly. Not entirely sure how long this will be but stick around. I promise not to abandon it! I'm very inspired by music and certain chapters are inspired by specific songs. For chapter one the song that inspired me is Sam Hunt's Take Your Time. If interested go have a listen! I hope you enjoy. Comments are appreciated!
"Do you come here often?"
Startled, Hermione spun to stare at Draco Malfoy, who had sat on the worn bar stool next to her and gestured for Hannah Abbott, the barkeep, to bring him a drink. She composed herself and then his words set in and she snorted out a laugh.
Draco quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Pick up lines don't work on me, Malfoy," Hermione said as she took a sip of her Rum and Coke.
"I wasn't aware I used a pick up line? It was a legitimate question, Granger."
"Well, in the muggle world it's a rather overused pick up line. Hearing it come from your lips and being directed at me gave me a chuckle. Especially since everyone in here knows by now that I prefer to drink alone."
"Ah, so you do come here often, then?"
Hermione flushed and took a sip of her rum and coke. She set her glass down and fidgeted with the napkin, tearing off a chunk and balling it up between her thumb and index finger, rolling it around nervously. Finally she looked up at him.
"Not sure what the interest in me is all of a sudden, Malfoy" Hermione retorted, trying to deflect the question.
Thankfully at that moment Hannah sidled up to the pair of them, her gaze lingering on Draco before quickly glancing back to Hermione. "Everything all right here, Mione?"
"Yes, Hannah. Draco here just doesn't seem to know the unspoken rule that I come here alone and I plan to leave alone. Poor dear, he'll catch on eventually. At any rate, I'll take another rum if you please."
Hannah nodded and turned her attention on Draco.
"Just a pumpkin juice for me please. Plain pumpkin juice."
"Coming right up," Hannah replied as she turned her back on them and set to preparing their drinks.
"I took you for a firewhisky man, Draco Malfoy. Wonders never cease."
"Oh I can be," he replied, rubbing his suddenly sweaty palms against his thighs. "But a few years ago I drank myself into a pretty deep hole. I finally pulled myself out of it and I don't plan on picking up the shovel to dig myself right back in. So I stay sober. Easier than falling off the wagon and fighting my way back on."
Hermione grew silent. Malfoy had just shared a secret about himself with her. She felt she owed him something now. Some piece of her. It felt uncomfortable, being on the receiving end of a secret, let alone one of Malfoy's most personal ones.
Hannah returned with their drinks a moment later. At the sight of her glass of rum Hermione shook her head. "I changed my mind, Hannah. I'll just stick with this instead," Hermione said as she withdrew a red metal can from her purse.
Hannah nodded and went to busy herself with a crowd that just walked in.
Draco looked at her curiously.
"What's that?" he asked, gesturing toward the can in her hand.
"This? Oh, it's a muggle soft drink. Coca Cola." She pulled the tab and Draco's eyes widened as the drink hissed at her. She took a sip and then held the can out to him.
"Want to try some?"
Hesitantly, he took the can from her and took a sip. He shoved the can back into her hands and instantly sneezed. "What in Merlin's creation is that?! Did you just slip me a Weasley product without my knowing? I don't have carrots growing out of my nose or anything do I?"
Hermione burst into laughter. "No, no, it's muggle! I promise. No magic in the drink. It's the carbonation that makes the bubbles. That's what made you sneeze. I guess it's a bit unpleasant if you're not familiar with it." Hermione handed him a napkin to wipe his face and set the can on the bar. "I tend to carry a can in my purse with a cooling charm cast on it to keep it chilled. I mix it into my rum. Since you're sober though it's only respectful for me to abstain from drinking when in your presence."
Draco regained his composure and dipped his head in thanks. "I appreciate the thought, Granger. Now, why don't you tell me exactly why you find yourself coming to drink at the pub often enough to require you to keep a muggle soft drink magically chilled in that fantastic beaded bag of yours?"
She narrowed her eyes at him. "I really don't think that's any of your business, Malfoy."
"Yes, but I shared a tidbit about me. I've never really told anyone about my drinking problem before, so you're in my confidence now. I feel you kind of owe me." He leaned back in his seat and took a swig of him pumpkin juice. "Not to mention I just find it curious. You have a husband at home, everyone knows that, but here we are at a wizarding pub that you all but admit you are a regular at and no one is batting an eye or questioning why you sit here night after night instead of being home with the red-headed Weasel."
Maybe it was the alcohol, or perhaps it was the fact that someone finally outright asked. All Hermione knew is that something inside of her broke down and she found herself actually answering Draco. "Ron and I don't get on much anymore. It's a marriage of convenience. We have Rose and we stay together to be a united front for her but the love that was once there has long since expired."
Draco was stunned. It didn't sound like Granger to be one to roll over and just give into to living life in a loveless marriage. Nor did she seem to be one to believe in the "staying together for the sake of the kids" act that many parents fall into. "You're a very intriguing witch, Granger." he murmured as he downed the remaining pumpkin juice. He stood, signaling Hannah to bring him the check. "Well, I should be going. Take care of yourself Granger." He paid for his pumpkin juice and also covered Hermione's drink as well. Then he pulled on his cloak and just like that he was gone.
Left with just her half empty can of cola Hermione was left to mull over the events that just happened. She had been civil with Malfoy for some time, ever since Harry and Theodore Nott began working together in the Auror department and started socializing outside of work. Before long Ginny and Daphne Greengrass- Theo's wife- were getting together and inviting Hermione to come along. Closed social circles suddenly opened and Hermione found herself in the presence of not only Theodore and Daphne Nott but also Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and Draco Malfoy. Ron usually bowed out of the blended get togethers, choosing instead to spend time with Harry one on one in the evenings or to see him and Ginny at their Sunday morning breakfasts at the Burrow.
Hermione found that she enjoyed the company of the Slytherins and looked forward to the invitations as they came in. It's not as though it was simply a group of Gryffindors and Slytherins, either. Luna Lovegood frequently popped in and it appeared to Hermione that something might be sparking between her and Blaise. Hannah Abbott would pop in when she wasn't working at the bar and with her came Neville Longbottom. He found himself working with Justin Finch Fletchley- a Hufflepuff that she remembered from Hogwarts but never knew very well. She had a wonderful social life but it didn't shake off the loneliness that she felt down in her bones.
She shook herself out of her thoughts and caught Hannah's attention so she could pay her tab.
"Oh no, Mione. Malfoy covered your drinks for the night," Hannah said, pushing Hermione's money back into her palm. "He left quite a large tip, too. Wonder what brought him to this little hole in the wall place. I've never noticed him in here before. He sure enjoyed your company though, Hermione." Hannah waggled her eyebrows and smirked.
"It was just a conversation, Hannah, don't be silly. He didn't need to pay for my drinks. I don't like feeling as though I owe him something."
"You know, Hermione, you don't need to be stuck where you are. No one would fault you for wanting happiness."
"Whatever do you mean, Hannah? I'm perfectly content with my life." Hermione sniffed and turned to leave. "No offense Hannah but I didn't ask for your opinion. Kindly keep it to yourself next time."
Hermione left the pub before she had a chance to feel guilty for snapping at her friend. Truth be told she was more angry with herself than Hannah. She worked so hard to put on the mask of contentment and it was jarring to hear someone so bluntly tell her that they saw through it. Pushing the evenings events from her mind Hermione spent the remaining walk to the apparition point considering what she would make for dinner when she arrived home. Maybe there would be a letter from Rose. Yes, best to focus on getting back to routine.