Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction based on the world created by J.K. Rowling.
Author's note: okay, so this is my first time writing a fanfic and hello, thank you for reading!
It was just another day. At least that was what Draco kept telling himself as he dragged his suitcase upstairs. He should've gotten used to moving, but he still disliked it. He struggled as he managed to find the key to his new apartment and he walked in, leaving the suitcase next to the door.
It's been ten years since the war ended. Ten years since everything went down and ten years since he'd been running. His name had been cleared, but he saw the way people looked at him. He couldn't stand it. He couldn't return to Hogwarts, knowing the memories were too alive there.
So Draco packed his things and left the Mansion.
He didn't think he'd miss it so much. Draco had been restless in the last ten years, trying to find some peace. He put himself through hell but he knew he deserved that. He lived among Muggles and he lived among Wizards: he preferred the Muggles. They didn't know his face. That didn't matter once he'd been moving around for long enough that even Wizards started to forget his face.
Draco didn't think he'd enjoy being forgotten that much.
He spent his day unpacking. It wasn't like he had a lot of things – he'd gotten too used to moving around to treasure anything. His new place was small and freshly painted, so he opened the windows. He lived in an old apartment building now. He picked the place because he liked the view. The city lights were bright outside by the time he was done with everything. He was hungry so he decided to go out and grab a bite. He put on a coat and walked outside.
The winter was approaching and it was getting cold. Draco headed down the street and entered the first coffee place he stumbled upon. He closed the door behind him and turned around when someone bumped into him.
Draco frowned and looked up – and froze because it wasn't possible.
"I'm so sorry, I was rushing out and I didn't even look and I should've…" The man was talking quickly, eager to apologize. Draco noticed a blush on his cheeks. He never got to find out what the man should've done because his eyes met Draco's and he went quiet, confirming Draco's suspicion.
"Malfoy," Potter's voice came out different and Draco wished he'd never left the apartment.
"What are you doing here?" Draco demanded, the confusion well hidden under the coldness of his voice.
"I—" Potter's confusion was obvious. "Getting a sandwich?"
Potter shook his head in defeat and Draco couldn't help but notice that his curls were still dark and messy. His glasses were round and very similar to the ones he wore back then. Potter seemed almost familiar and Draco inhaled sharply.
"You should go," Draco pointed out, refusing to look the man in his eyes again. Refusing to let the memories take over, refusing to stand there and wonder what happened to Potter. It's been a while since The Prophet published an article about him. The last one was about Potter's disappearance. Draco always assumed he ran away with the Weasley girl.
"You said you were rushing out. Go, Potter," Draco moved out of his way when he explained his previous words. He couldn't help but notice how Potter's expression changed when Draco told him to go. It felt almost like kicking a puppy.
"Oh," Potter thought about it, then moved to go. He was right next to Draco when he changed his mind. "I… I live here. Nearby. Are you…" Potter obviously ran out of words.
It was odd. Draco didn't remember Potter being so confused at Hogwarts. It was almost like he was doing his best to find the words. But he couldn't deny the fact that Potter was all grown up now. He stood almost as tall as Draco.
"I have to go," Draco spoke up. He wasn't going to participate. He wasn't going to catch up with Potter, find out what the man had been up to. He would've never moved here if he knew Potter was around. So he glanced at the man one last time before he brushed past him, refusing to say anything else.
What was there to say anyway?