It's Granger, Not Malfoy!

Chapter 1:

A young girl was perusing through the adults section at the Flourish and Blotts.

"This is the adults section," said a man's voice.

"I'm aware of that," replied the girl, not even bothering to look at the person who had just spoken to her.

The man spoke again. "I hope you do know there are some books here little kids shouldn't read."

The girl looked up, adding another book to her staggering stack of books in her arms. "I'm not a little kid," she said. "And I can read whatever I want. Even this really creepy looking book."

She held up a paperback that had a violent image of a vampire sinking its fangs into a human.

She looked at the man. He had platinum blond hair, and had startling silver eyes.

"Alright," he replied. "My name's Draco Malfoy."

The girl raised an eyebrow. "I've heard of you before," she said.

Draco blinked. He hadn't been in London for about the last decade - how would a little girl like her know him? "Really? From where?"

"In the Daily Prophet."

Draco stiffened at the newspaper name. "Oh." He stood quietly still for a moment then said, "What's your name?" he asked.

The girl's shiny grey eyes looked up to him suspiciously. "My mother said not to give my name to strangers," she said.

Draco chuckled. "You seem to have a very good mother."

She shrugged. "I guess. But… since you asked nicely, I'll tell you my name. I'm Cassiopeia."

"Cassiopeia?" Draco asked.

She shifted the pile of books on her arm to the other arm. "I was named after a constellation. I think Draco's one too. Isn't it funny, we're both named after constellations?"

He shrugged. "It was a family tradition." He couldn't believe he was talking about his family to anyone, much less a tiny girl with hazel hair and grey eyes.

"Mum just liked Astronomy that much," Cassiopeia said.

Draco fingered a book on the top shelf. (Cassiopeia was envious of his height - she couldn't reach the top shelf, and using a stool or asking for help just felt degrading.) "What's she like?"

"Hmm?" Cassiopeia was reading the back of a book. "Who?"

"Your mother."

Cassiopeia made a face. "Don't know why you ask, but she's okay. She's not around most of the time. I don't think she likes me much."

Draco's hands were shoved in his pockets. He looked down, seemingly studying the carpeted floor intently.

"I think I'm going to get this, but I'm afraid it might be a stupid family story; it doesn't say in the description. Have you read this?" Cassiopeia held up a book.

The blond looked up. "It's a good read, but it is a story about a family."

"Forget it, then." Cassiopeia placed it back on the shelf. "So… are you looking for something in particular?"

"A person," he said.

Cassiopeia tilted her head. "Well, I don't think you'll be finding him here," she said in slightly playful voice.

When Draco didn't answer, Cassiopeia looked down. "Sorry. I don't tell jokes well. It wasn't even a joke anyway."

"It wasn't you," Draco said quickly. "But it's not a 'him', it's a 'her'."

"Her?" Cassiopeia echoed. "Who?"

Draco looked down, then looked up. Then he casually looked down the aisle.

"Who?" Cassioepia asked again.

"Hermione Granger," he said. "I'm looking for Hermione Granger."

Cassiopeia froze.

"Do you know who she is?" asked Draco.

Silver eyes met silver eyes.

"Yes," said Cassiopeia hesitantly. "Who doesn't?"

"Fair answer," he said. His voice sounded hoarser than it was before. He ran a hand through his hair.

"Have you met her before?"

Cassiopeia sighed. "Yes."

"What was it like when you did?" he asked.

"Nice." Cassiopeia glanced at the door. "I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy, but - "

"Draco," he interrupted. "Call me Draco. Or Malfoy, if it makes you squeamish if you call me my first name."

Merlin knew what he felt when someone called him Mr. Malfoy -

"I have to go, Malfoy." Cassiopeia said. "Maybe I'll talk to you later."

Draco studied her. "Sure. 'Till next we meet," he said.

Cassiopeia walked up to the cashier. She dumped her books onto the counter and lady behind it ringed up the total. Cassiopeia fumbled with her money pouch, pulled out the correct amount, paid the cashier, then turned toward Draco.

"I never did tell you my last name," she said, hoping she wouldn't come to regret saying this.

Draco looked at her.

She took a deep breath.

"My name's Cassiopeia Granger."

She practically ran out the door.

So? What did you think? Though I guess everybody pretty much saw that coming…

EDIT: Polished this first chapter! Hope it's better!