Disclaimer: I own nothing aside from my laptop and my love for Dramione. :)
Some things were never meant to be. It was a fact of life that most people didn't want to see. It was often ignored, placed on the back of our minds, so that we could see tomorrow as we want it. I knew of this truth, and like the others, I also tried to ignore it.
After the end of the war, the life of my family had never been the same again. We were spared from spending our days in Azkaban but my parents were sentenced to spend 5 years on house arrest, not to mention the compulsory donations that my family had to make every now and then.
As for me, I was tasked to work for the Ministry for three years. After that, I could again do whatever I want with my life. However, these were insignificant conditions if you were to ask me. There were more pressing matters now in my mind.
Given the role that we, the Malfoys, played in the war, I can say that the Ministry was being too soft on us. I'm not complaining, though. I'm thankful, even, to Potter and to his lot, for testifying for us. I never thought that The-Boy-Who-Lived had a heart enough for former pureblood idealists like my family. Even the Weasel surprised me. And of course, there was she.
She.
The bushy-haired know-it-all that had been on my mind ever since I started to notice that there was something special about her. I can't really place the exact time, date or year that I started to see Hermione Granger as someone more than just the bookworm and the obvious brains behind the Golden Trio. Heck. With all the pureblood prejudice that had been drilled into my system, I never considered her as my equal. Well, that was before. Now, I feel that the tables had been turned.
I'm used to attention from all sorts of people. Before the downfall of the Dark Lord, my family was looked upon with regard higher than that of the Minister of Magic himself. Now, all I would get was some form of scowl or another from my co-workers. Sometimes a flirtatious smile from women (and men) who could look past my current condition in return for my good looks and my still considerable account in Gringgots. All of these were unimportant because all I wanted now was for her to see me.
I was not the type to pine for someone. I was Draco Malfoy: the Sex God, the Slytherin Prince. I was aware of my features and how it affected the opposite sex. I had utilized it to the best of my abilities when I was still in Hogwarts. And even though not the brightest, I can boast that I was second to her in intelligence. Her. Again. It has becoming a habit of mine to think of random things and yet find myself thinking of her. Always leading to her. I wonder if all men were like this.
I had accepted the truth. I was developing something for Granger. I know. It was not my character to just accept things like this. But what can I do? I'd tried getting her out of my system. I'd dated but I ended up looking for qualities that she possessed. No one could match-up to her. I didn't know if she noticed her fine qualities or if she was given enough compliments for being who she was.
I'd tried immersing myself in work but whatever I do, I keep on coming back to her. Always back to her. Always. It was as if my mind, my entire being, my world was existing because of her.
Every day, I catch myself looking for her. A simple glimpse of her face could complete my day. The memory of her perfume was enough to fill my dreams and waking hours. A simple brush of skin to skin was sufficient to help me through demanding nights.
No matter how much I long for her, I knew even from the onset that what I want was impossible. The way I treated her and her friends in Hogwarts could outweigh every possible agreeable exchange between us. No matter how hard I try to show her that I've changed, I know that I could never take back all the hurtful slurs that I've foolishly spouted when I was younger. Even though my current intent was devoid of malice, I know I will never be deserving of her attention. I'd come to the conclusion that I could only look from afar, hoping and wishing that she'll see me.
A/N: This is my first fanfic. I was never the type to really write. I can say that I'm more of a reader and an appreciator of fanfics but you know, things change and I would like to try my hand in writing.