Standing in the Rain Chapter 1, a harry potter fanfic

Standing in the Rain

Part 1

Alright, so, unfortunately, I don't own these characters. Sucks, doesn't it? Then I'd be making wonderful millions... goes into daydream about swimming in hundred dollar bills Anyhow, the plot is mine... sorta.

This is a "song-fic" as some writers call them. It was inspired by the song Standing in the Rain by Billy Talent. It is an amazing, and terribly sad, song. Remember, this is a LOOSE base.

Anyway, I was planning on writing the whole story before I published it, but, I've kind of been... shall we say, stuck, on it for a while. I haven't been able to write on ANY of my stories for quite a while now... I don't know why, but I've just got no creative juices flowing right now... but a few people, quite persistent they were, couldn't wait for me to write the whole thing, so I'm giving you all a bit of a teaser now! Hah! Heehee I'm evil :-)

Her head was pounding. She'd had the same headache for three days now. Slowly, she walked down the endless street, her short red skirt tight against her legs. She swayed her hips and pushed her breasts out, trying to look attractive.

The first time she'd run out of money, unable to get her fix, she'd started selling her body. In the beginning, it had been hard- she couldn't get used to ten new men every night, never having her own pleasure in the mix, and maybe making eight fifty a night if she was lucky. But now it was an everyday thing. She knew the perfect corners, where and how to attract the big spenders, and exactly what got the best results.

Crossing the street, she strolled to a coffee shop, where she often found men without women of their own, willing to pour out the cash for one pleasurable night. So she stood outside the glass doors and waited.

OOOOOOOO

As the yellow light turned red, and the Porsche convertible came to a slow stop, he stared at the woman standing in front of the coffee shop. She looked so familiar. Her curly long brown hair and brown eyes... the curves... yes, she looked so familiar. He couldn't stop looking at her, this woman who he could swear he knew, but didn't know how.

Her sumptuous body was calling to him, and he couldn't stop looking over her entire body. It was driving him mad, seeing this woman he knew he must know, but not remembering who she was.

OOOOOOOO

The same black Porsche had waited through two sets of lights, and she could see the silhouette of a man looking through the window, but due to the tinted windows, she couldn't see his face. Smiling, she walked over to the car, swaying her hips seductively. He rolled the window down when he noticed she was coming his way, and leaned closer to the passenger side.

When she got to the car, she looked down and rested her arms over the side, and licked her lips. When she saw the handsome face, however, she gasped and nearly fainted. The gleaming blonde hair was still sleeked back, but framed the face perfectly. The silver grey eyes caught the reflecting light, and the pink lips looked so soft, just like she remembered them.

OOOOOOOO

Her curly brown hair fell in cascades around her shoulders, her beautiful shoulders, and her pink lips looked so soft and luscious, just like he remembered. Her eyes had black liner around them, making them pop out, and he knew who she was.

"What are you doing in America?" He knew she recognised him, and he knew they didn't have to act as if they didn't.

OOOOOOOO

"Draco? What...what...what are you doing in America?" Suddenly, her heart beat sped up. She hadn't seen him in ten years. Other than the fact that his hair had slightly thinned, he was the same gorgeous man she remembered. He had bulked up considerably over the years, and she could see the toned muscles on his arms, and his abs were visible under his skin tight shirt. Absolutely gorgeous.

"I live here... Hermione, what are you doing? Are you... are you a prostitute?" His eyes were filled with concern for his lost love, and he desperately wanted to ask her into his car. But he didn't know if she was the same person he remembered from Hogwarts, from five years after Hogwarts, and the last few times they had shared each other's company.

"Draco... um...well, yes, actually, but... Draco, I don't see how this is any of your business." With that, she turned on her heel and stormed back down the street, in the same direction she had come from, not caring where she was going.

OOOOOOOO

Seeing Draco Malfoy again was like a slap in the face. Ever since she had lost the baby, all she had been able to think about was getting away from London, Draco, Harry and Ron, everything she knew that would remind her of her happy life. She had apparated to New York, bringing with her all the money she could shrink into her jeans pockets, and left her old world behind. She'd bought a flat, and thrown her wand into a river. The fifty thousand she had only lasted her a few months and as soon as she got in with the wrong crowd, her marijuana addiction took over. At first, it had just been small little spurts, getting high here and there. Something to take the pain away. Make her forget. But soon, it got old, and she moved on to bigger things. Now, she was a heroine addict. She'd had a scare of AIDS a few years ago, from using the dirty needles she shared with her drug buddies.

For a while, she thought she really had left it all behind her. She was not happy with the life she led, and she desperately wanted off the drugs, but she had tried and failed so many times. So it was the life of a common prostitute and drug addict that she led now.

And how dare he show his face now? How dare he come back into her life after all these years? All sorts of questions riddled her mind, like 'Is he married?', 'Does he have any kids? Other than our dead one...', 'Where is he living?', "What made him come to New York?', but the one that was really driving her mad, truly, was 'Does he still love me?'.

OOOOOOOO

Draco pulled a U-Turn and sped off after Hermione's disappearing frame, determined to talk to her, listen to her, tell her his story, hear hers, and most of all, hear if she still loved him with the burning passion he had for her.

He pulled the black Porsche up beside her and leaned over; trying to look at her from the passenger side window, see her still beautiful face.

OOOOOOOO

"Hermione... Hermione, please, talk to me? Hermione, I haven't seen you in years, Hermione. Please, Hermione, come to lunch with me. I'll buy you the best lunch you've ever had." His grey eyes were filled with sorrow, compassion, and something else that she hadn't seen in ten years. It was love. Not lust, but love. Real love. At first, she couldn't recognise it as anything but a man trying to satisfy his needs, but after a few seconds of staring at the handsome face, her will faltered and she nodded slowly.

He opened the door for her and she gingerly put her heeled foot on the expensive floor mat. Then she slowly brought the rest of her nearly naked body into his car, slipping into the smooth leather seat and sighing in simple pleasure. It had been so long since she'd sat in a nice car, other than cabs and wrecked up junkies, that she completely lost herself in it. She forgot to shut the door, stupidly, and suddenly felt his warm arm brush hers. She jumped, and realising he was only shutting the door, she smiled bashfully, hoping he hadn't noticed. The slightest touch was setting her on edge. She knew right now, that even though her mind didn't want it, couldn't bare the sight of him, her heart, and her body, wanted him. Her heart wanted him for the kind words, the soothing touches, the intelligent conversations, the bright mind, the incredible sense of humour... and her body wanted him for the soothing touches too, and the sweet caresses, the searching kisses, the amazing body, and the orgasms he would flood her with every night.

OOOOOOOO

He would give her all the time she needed. He was in no rush, and he had all the time in the world. He had left Pansy after the war, and after Hermione left, he had never had a real relationship since. He'd been torn. Sure, he'd had a few one night stands, but that was it.

He took in her entire body, the short tight skirt, the incredibly low cut shirt, the high heels, the fishnet stockings. He sneered that any man would have her body, and couldn't quite bring himself to look past what she had become. He couldn't believe she was selling herself on the street! Why would she do such a thing?! Didn't she know she was better than that? But he would let her explain herself. He would give her all the sympathy he could. He still loved her, and he wanted to help her.

Draco slowly drove the car to his favourite restaurant, contemplating in his mind all the questions he would ask her, and wanting to jump on her at the same time. He breathed deep, supposedly calming breaths, and tried to keep his eyes on the road in front of him, not on her exposed cleavage.

"You know, you can enjoy the sight all you want. I wouldn't dress this way if that wasn't what I was going for." Her eyes were focused out the passenger side window, and he didn't know how she had guessed. But then again, she was a witch after all, and witches can surprise you. But it wasn't really a surprise. He knew she would feel his gaze, deep in the back of his mind. He still knew all her little quirks.

OOOOOOOO

She felt his eyes on her, watching her, exploring her body, noticing every little change, memorizing her all over again. The corners of her eyes crinkled slightly, and then started to tear again. No! She had left him behind all those years ago, and as soon as she gave him the answers he didn't want to hear and he left her alone, she would go back to her own life. What little life she had.

As the car pulled into a parking lot and slowly stopped in a spot, she prepared herself for the emotional wreck she knew she would become now. She knew she couldn't have any alcohol, because that would just set her off into a frenzy and she wouldn't be able to shut up.

Sighing heavily, Hermione undid her seatbelt and opened the heavy door, careful not to hit the blue SUV on her other side. Her body carried itself out, and her hips swayed on their own as she walked to the front of the car. When Draco walked toward her and put his arm out for her to take, she stared at him as if he were crazy. Why would he offer her his arm? When he offered it again, she hesitantly took it, hating the fact that she loved the feel of his skin on her again. A shiver went down Hermione's spine, and she felt Draco shift his position somewhat, lowering his arm. She knew he'd felt her move.

He led her to the heavy wooden doors, and she suddenly felt terribly self-conscious about her wardrobe. She would stick out like a sore thumb in this place. But, almost like he had read her mind, a black jacket suddenly appeared in his open hand, and he held it up to her, smiling sweetly.

"Ah, I've completely lost my knack for wandless magic, you know?" She took it and covered her torso in the soft fabric, finding that it fit perfectly. "Thank you," she said softly, still trying not to make eye contact.

Draco opened the door and let her walk in first, and she could feel his warm presence all around her. She suddenly had the urge to turn around and kiss him, but she shut her eyes tight and made her hands into little fists. This was the man she had left her world because of. This was the man whose child she had let die inside herself, and whose engagement ring she had thrown in the river along with her wand. This was the man who had captured her heart after twelve years of mutual hatred. The man who had been so imprisoned by his father's will that he had been exercised from the wizarding community, only to be brought back in simply because Hermione had the incredible influence that she did. This was her love, her life, her everything. The reason she had still had hope in herself. And here he was, standing behind her, making her want his soft touch, and her heart cry silently to itself.

OOOOOOOO

When the waiter brought the pair to a table in the corner, Draco caught several men making eyes at Hermione's fine body. He quickly cast an illusionment charm, making it seem as if the two were the most ordinary couple, and nobody would be able to hear their conversation.

He pulled the chair out for Hermione, and when she sat, gently pushed it back in for her. He took his deep breaths again, trying to keep his mind on anything but his pure, unwavering love for Hermione Granger. He tried keeping a straight face, but he knew it was hardly worth trying.

He folded his hands on the tabletop, his eyes trained on hers, his breathing steady. His heart was racing. He'd found her. After ten years, he had found her. His love. His lost love. The woman who had brought him home, who had shown him real love, who he had been engaged to marry. And what had become of her? A prostitute. She was a common prostitute, standing on street corners to work her business, with not a shame in the world, standing there proudly.

How wrong he was.

OOOOOOOO

"Well." Hermione's voice was dry, and she struggled to make it free of any emotion.

"Well... what?" he asked, unsure why she was speaking as if they were complete strangers. Even though really, they were.

"Well, what is it you want to talk about? What do you want to know? Why have you brought me here, where I don't fit in at all, and, why... Draco..." Hermione's eyes were brimming with tears, and her throat felt dry, and filled with glue, at the same time. "Draco... how did you find me? And...And... And why? Why did you talk to me? Why didn't you just... drive on, like all the others do?" The sight of him, and the sound of his smooth voice, was bringing back years of memories.

"Why would I do a thing like that? Why would I drive away, when I've just seen my fiancée, ten years after she ran away without any inclination of why? Why would I do that, Hermione?" Hermione could see the strain in his handsome face, pulling on her heartstrings. His eyes were the same mesmerizing sparkling grey, crying out for her love, and when he reached for her hands on the table, she quickly pulled them into her lap. The look on his face was like one you would have had you been pinched. Shock at first, and then pain.

Hermione sighed, and a soft strand of hair fell in front of her face. She stared at it, marvelling at the colour, the perfect little curl it formed, the slight shine the light gave it. She kept her eyes trained on it, anything to keep her gaze away from Draco Malfoy's face. Suddenly the piece was gone, and the light spark of his finger brushing her cheek woke her from her trance. She hadn't even noticed him leaning forward, to push the hair behind her ear, and she jumped, startled by his light touch yet again. She watched his retreating hand, glaring at it, daring him to come near her again.

"Because, Draco, that's what I wanted you to do. See me for what I am and leave me be. I would think you would hate me for leaving, but here you are, wanting to buy me lunch in an expensive restaurant, driving me around in your expensive car, giving me an expensive jacket, and... And acting as if nothing had ever happened. Well, not exactly nothing, but... but, as if you have no reason to hate me. And you... you have reason to hate me, so why do you not?" Her eyes were filling with tears again. She knew she would start crying any second now, and she couldn't let him see. She could show no weakness. She had to leave him. She had to forget him. If that were possible.

OOOOOOOO

Hermione was right. He should hate her. But he didn't. He couldn't bring himself to hate her, not now, not ever. He wanted to give her a chance. A chance to explain her reasoning for leaving, for ruining their relationship, their home together, everything that they knew together.

"Hermione, I could never hate you. No, I couldn't hate you. Hermione, I do see you for what you have become, and... As much as I may not understand, I don't care." Not true. He definitely did care. But he was right about one thing- he didn't, and never would, understand. "Hermione, you are the woman that stole my heart. For years, you tempted it, drawing it to you, holding it close to your own, and one night... one night, you just ripped it out and ran away with it. My life has never been the same. You were my love, my real true love." He wanted so badly to touch her, to stroke the top of her hand, run his thumb across her cheek, hold her in a tight embrace to his chest, let all the world know that he still loved her. But he knew she wouldn't allow. She would just pull away again.

When he saw the tears forming in her eyes, however, he wanted to cry himself. He hated seeing her in this pain. Knowing he had caused it, he fought a battle deep inside, of whether to leave her alone as she wished, or to fight for her.

OOOOOOOO

Knowing any second she would be sobbing in her seat, and he would feel bound to wipe her face, Hermione decided it was time to leave Draco, and hopefully for good this time. She would pray to never see his handsome face again, and never have to tell him the truth of why she had left, and how she had been living for the last ten years. She would pray to never feel the temptation of his body calling to her, to never hear another one of his fabulous stories, and to never let him see her on her corner again. As much as it was her business and she was semi comfortable doing it, she felt the strangest pang of guilt in her chest that he knew how she was making her money.

Rubbing her cold hands on her bare thighs, Hermione tried to think of the best and politest way to tell Draco that she appreciated his concern, but she didn't want his help, his companionship, or anything else to do with him.

"Draco... I'm sorry, but this isn't right. This feels completely wrong to me, seeing you now. I left you and our love all those years ago for a good reason, and..." she stood up, ran her fingers through her soft hair, and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but I've got to go. I don't want to see you again, and if you see me on the street, or in a cafe, or... or anywhere else, please, just ignore me. It is for the best that we have nothing to do with each other anymore." Her whole body was shaking, and her cries were echoing in the high ceilinged room. With that, she turned on her heel and walked to the door, hoping not to see him again.

OOOOOOOO

Draco mistook Hermione's sharp breathing and bloodshot eyes solely for the sadness that was threatening to overtake her. How could he understand the other half of her problems right now? He was still part of the wizarding world. He could simply take a sip of calming drought if need be. He didn't need the drugs to make him feel better. Draco couldn't ever understand the thoughts running through her mind. He couldn't understand an addiction, especially a muggle addiction.

As he watched her walk away from him, his jaw dropped and one single tear rolled down his face and landed on his shirt. Draco hadn't cried in years. And now here he was, crying, in a restaurant, not caring if the entire world saw him. The woman he loved was walking away from him, again, and he was just letting her. After several minutes, the shock wore off and the overwhelming emotions he had pent up flooded out of him. He cradled his head in his hands on the table, crying violently, his shallow sobs shaking his whole body, making him almost unable to breathe at all.

"No... No, this can't be happening. Not again..." he whispered to himself.