A/N. I was recently inspired to write this fic when I watched Taylor Swift music video for Mine and found that her love interest in the video really reminded me of Tom Felton for some reason (perhaps it's the blond Britishness!) I've got big plans for this fic; it's bound to be a long taxing journey of at least 50 chapters – but a great learning curve! Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Five-thirty on a warm July evening, found Hermione Granger making her way down the bustling, busy streets of Diagon Alley. Her pale blue work robes billowed behind her as she threaded her way briskly through the late-shoppers. Her heels clicked softly on the cobbled street and a heavy bag was slung over her shoulder. The young woman had just left work at the Ministry and was headed to her favourite cafe for a well-earned coffee.

Pushing open the glass door and stepping into the warm, fragrant cafe, Hermione heaved a sigh of relief and visibly relaxed. The combined smells of roasting coffee, baking bread and hot butterbeer all mingled into one delightful aroma. Hermione wound her way deftly through the cafe, stopping at last at a little table that looked out onto the darkening streets of Diagon Alley.

It had been four years since the Battle of Hogwarts. Four years since Harry had defeated Voldemort and restored the wizarding world to peace. So much had happened in those four years and they had passed in such a blur, that Hermione could barely believe that here she was, at the respectable age of twenty two with a book of her own account of the War published and gracing the shelves of Flourish and Blotts. Harry was one of the head aurors of the Ministry and happily engaged to Ginny. Ron and George's business at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was booming. Ron and herself had broken up a year subsequent to the Battle. Their relationship, as happy as they had been during the initial months of it, began to test their true friendship and threatened the break the trio. They had therefore decided to call it off before anything happened that they might regret.

Hermione, single and free, was currently working in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures where she had introduced S.P.E.W. and was currently expanding it. One year previously, Hermione had completed and published her book Horcruxes to Hogwarts: A Journey; an account of her year on the run with Harry and Ron. It was now, to her delight, a worldwide bestseller and had been met with great critical acclaim. She was now considered widely as, not only the Brightest Witch of her Age, but also as one of the best "historical" writers of the century.

Ginny was now playing Quidditch for the Holyhead Harpies while sporting a glittering engagement ring. Her and Harry's wedding was planned for the following May. Hermione couldn't have been happier for the two of them.

Bill and Fleur were expecting their first child any day now. Mrs Weasley was frantically preparing everything for when the baby arrived.

George was, as of two weeks previously, happily engaged to Alicia Spinnit. Ron had gotten back together with Lavender a year ago and the two had recently moved in together, in a flat in central London.

Luna was currently dating one Rolf Scamander. Neville was studying to become a Herbology Professor and living with Susan Bones.

Everyone seemed to be happily loved up – everyone, it seemed, but for Hermione. She wasn't exactly the miserable single girl, but she wasn't particularly happy either. Although her career was turning out wonderfully and her friends were as happy as they had ever been. Although she had a comfortable life, living at the Burrow with Harry, Ginny and Mr and Mrs Weasley, she secretly wished there was that someone special to come home to every evening after work. Someone other than Harry and Ginny who, although she loved them dearly, often made her feel like a third wheel. Someone who would ply her with chocolates on Valentine's Day; someone who would be there for all her tears and laughs, good times and bad times. What she really wanted was someone to share her life with. Someone to share herself with.

But Hermione, being the consistent and productive woman she was, would never let those thoughts overwhelm her more than once a month. And when they did there was almost always some heap of work to distract her.

And so life had been for the last three years, quiet and hardworking. Concentrated and unwavering. But now that she had reached her goal – published her book and expanded S.P.E.W. – what was out there still to do?

Hermione was brought back to earth with a start as someone called her name. It was the cafe manager, who, by now, knew her very well – she was his most frequent customer after all. This little cafe was her late afternoon haunt. She would come here almost every day after work for a cappuccino and slice of cake. Occasionally, when Harry and Ginny were out and there was no one at home but Mr and Mrs Weasley and the ghoul in the attic and she was feeling a little lonely, she would stay for dinner.

'I'll send someone over in a mo',' the manager called cheerfully, and Hermione replied with a grin and a wave.

Oh dear, Hermione thought. I've forgotten his name again. She was sure she had his business card somewhere in her purse. Bending over under the table, she began to rummage through her bag in search of said purse.

Most would have thought that the bushy-haired, bookish Hermione from her past school years was gone. Indeed it seemed so judging from all appearances. She had matured into a beautiful young woman. Her hair had now relaxed into gentle ringlets now that her teenage hormones had dissipated. Her body was slim, with the perfect proportion of hips to breasts, and her once bossy demeanour had lessened somewhat.

One thing, however, remained unchanged – and that was her love of books. You would have thought that, given the amount of strain her shoulders and back took during her teenage years from carting a dozen books around Hogwarts each day may have lessened her desire to do more damage to them – but no. Every day, to and from the Ministry, she crammed as many books into her well-worn bag as it could handle and set off for work. It did not seem to occur to her that she could have just set up a bookshelf for herself in the office. Perhaps she was too attached to her books to be parted with them for longer than a weekend.

It was understandable then, why she was still rummaging through her packed bag when footsteps approached her table and the unmistakable voice of Draco Malfoy said, 'Would you like anything to drink?'

Hermione, forgetting she was still half under the table, shot upright and whacked her head on the underside of the little wooden table. Her eyes watering in pain, Hermione re-emerged from beneath to table to look up into the very shocked face of her former nemesis, whose astonished expression only doubled as he recognised her.

'Granger?' he gasped, gaping at her.

'Malfoy.' Hermione returned the greeting, massaging her throbbing head.

'What are you doing here?'

Hermione frowned up at him through watering eyes, taking in his sleek appearance, coupled with his black and white uniform. 'I might ask you the same thing,' she remarked, meeting his wide grey eyes.

Malfoy looked a little uncomfortable. 'I work here,' he said, avoiding her eyes.

Hermione's jaw dropped. 'You're joking!' Because there was no possible way in the correct working of this world that Draco Malfoy would stoop as low as waiting on tables in a little cafe in Diagon Alley.

A slight sigh escaped him. 'No, Granger, as I am sure you can see by my attire I am not joking. Now, would you like anything to drink?'

Hermione sat back in her chair, staring up at him. After a couple of moments she had made up her mind. 'A cappuccino – and get yourself one, too. I want to talk to you.'

Malfoy looked startled. 'Actually Granger, my shift isn't over yet –'

'Oh honestly, Malfoy, I'm buying you a coffee, since when do you turn that down?' Hermione snapped. Without another word, Malfoy walked away, leaving a very confused Hermione in his wake.

What on earth was Draco Malfoy doing here; waiting tables in a quiet London cafe? Considering the fact that his family was loaded with wealth, she seriously doubted it was for want of money.

To add to the shock, she had seen neither hide nor hair of him for four years, since he had left Hogwarts after the battle. No one, at least to her knowledge, had had any sort of communication with the Malfoy's in a long time. As far as she knew, they had turned in towards themselves and currently remained on a low profile, hiding in the Manor. Yet here Draco was, healthy and well, in the middle of London.

Looking up at the sound of approaching footfalls, she saw Malfoy returning with two steaming cups wobbling dangerously on a tray. He placed them carefully on the table and then, after a moment of hesitation, sat down opposite her.

Hermione spooned sugar into her coffee and then sat back in her chair, stirring it pensively and looking curiously at Malfoy.

'So what's going on?' she asked, taking a sip of the hot drink and surveying him suspiciously over the rim of her cup.

Malfoy, who was spooning copious amounts of sugar into his espresso, frowned. 'What do you mean?'

Hermione rolled her eyes. 'I mean, what are you doing here, Malfoy? Working in a cafe? Come on now, don't pretend like it's not true, we all know you're family is loaded with money. Why are you working here? What's happened?'

For some reason a pale blush rose the Malfoy's cheeks. He fiddled with the handle of his cup for a few moments before saying, in a soft voice, 'They turned me out – my parents.'

Hermione choked on her coffee. Of all the things she had suspected the Slytherin to say, this most certainly was not one of them. Malfoy watched her with a strange mixture of irritation and amusement as she struggled to get her breath back.

'What?' she gasped, when she had finally recovered. 'Why?'

Malfoy shrugged and took another sip of his coffee before answering. 'I didn't agree with their principles. They were unjust and cruel and when I voiced that to them – well, let's just say they didn't appreciate it.' His mouth twisted into a humourless smile and he swirled the dregs in his cup.

'And they just turned you out?' Hermione said disbelievingly. Despite their flaws, Hermione had always believed that, judging from Narcissa's antics in the Forbidden Forest, when she had lied to Voldemort about Harry being alive, that the Malfoy's had redeemed their sins and returned to a life in the vague attempt at normalcy. It had never occurred to her that the family would have even considered turning Draco out.

Draco ran a hand through his white-blond hair, ruffling it up rather attractively, and sighed. 'Well, my mother didn't agree – but you should know how my father is, no one refuses to comply with him. I don't regret it though,' he added, in answer to Hermione's light frown. 'It's a relief, to be honest, getting out of there. I want a normal life. Not one that is oppressed by my past. So here I am,' he finished, looking around the cosy room. 'Broke... and waiting tables in Diagon Alley to pay for my tuition.' He stood up and began clearing their cups away.

'Tuition?' Hermione was staring at him again.

Draco looked down into her wide, curious eyes. 'Yeah, I'm studying Potions at the Centre for Advanced Magical Erudition.'

Hermione suddenly felt a rush of admiration for the pale, blond, young man standing before her. He appeared to be attempting to redeem his ways and he was studying for one of the highest magical qualifications a wizard could attain.

Perhaps some of this showed in her eyes, because Draco looked her strangely before turning and bearing his tray back to the kitchens.

Before he could leave, however, Hermione stood, placing a galleon on the table for the coffee and said, 'Malfoy – it's good to see you.'

Malfoy stared back at her for a few seconds before nodding stiffly and walking away. Hermione watched him go for moment, marvelling at his change, before stooping, grabbing her bag from beneath the table and heading for the doors.

A/N. I hope you all enjoyed that! Please, please do review – it's wonderfully inspiring! – Skye x