Chapter One: Welcome to Paris
It was the summer after the Great War, as it was now called. The Wizarding world was rebuilding itself, much like those who fought in the war. I was looking forward to the summer as a period of relaxation before going to Hogwarts in the fall to complete my seventh year.
I found my parents in Australia shortly after the war ended, I restored their memory and helped them move back to England and re-establish their practice. They decided that we should take a two month vacation in France as a way to reconnect with each other and clear my head.
"Hermione dear, we are here." My mother gently woke me up as the taxi pulled up in front of the hotel.
It was a beautiful summer day in Paris and I could feel the warm sun on my shoulders as I stepped out of the car. We walked into the hotel lobby, "Welcome to Paris." The lady at the reception desk greeted us. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger you are on the fourth floor in room 405 and Miss. Granger you are also on the fourth floor in room 406." She said as she handed us our room keys.
I walked into my room for the next two months and felt a sense of clam rush over me. The room was all white except for the light blue bed sheets, drapes, and the black television set resting on top of the coral dresser.
The white walls were like a blank canvas letting me know that I was somewhere new, a place where I could try and move on from the events from the last few months. I was determined this summer to put the past behind me. I opened the doors that led to the balcony. From my room I could see the Eiffel Tower in all its glory.
"Mademoiselle Granger." A voice called from behind me. I turned around to be see the bellman with all my luggage trying to open my door, I rushed to help him.
"Just set them over there please", I said indicating to a spot in front of the dresser. He set them down; I tipped him, thanked him and saw him out. After shutting the door behind him I went to sort out my luggage. We were going out for dinner tonight so I picked out an outfit and hung it on the bathroom door. I sat down on the bed and decided to write to Ginny to tell her I had made it. She would make sure to tell the boys.
OOOOOOOOO
"It looks like we are here darling" my mother said as the car slowed down in front of the hotel.
It was summer again and after the year of hell my mother and I had been through we decided it was time for a break before I started my seventh year in the fall. Mother insisted I return to Hogwarts despite my protests; but whatever makes her happy.
It was just Mother and I in Paris, as my father was still in Azkaban, much to our relief. We were finally free of the man, if you could even call him that, and Mother was in the process of removing us from the part of the family who like my Father were in Azkaban or hated us for being traitors.
"Madam Malfoy, Monsieur Malfoy, welcome to Paris," the attendant said as he opened our door.
We strolled into the hotel and were immediately escorted to the elevator which landed on the fifth floor of the Hotel where our suite was.
"Where would you like your bags Madam?" the bellman asked
"Mine my go in my room and Draco's can go in his. Please send up a maid to put everything away as we will be here for the next two months. Now I would like a plate of fruit sent up, Draco darling anything from the kitchen?" My mother asked breaking my thoughts.
"No thank you." I answered as I surveyed my room, it looked comfortable enough, certainly an upgrade from Malfoy Manor which served the Dark Lord's purposes for the past few years. I sighed; I hoped that I could experience some level of peace during the next two months.
"Draco dear, we will be leaving for dinner at five sharp, I will be resting my eyes before so please mind the time and be ready to go."
"Yes Mother." I said as I opened the doors in my room that led out to the balcony. I stepped out and surveyed the surroundings; ah that monument Mother is so fond of. It is a pyramid structure of steel, hardly anything magical, the rest of the city however looked like a whole new world. A world without darkness and fighting and death, a world I was trying to get used to.
I looked down and saw that there was a woman on the balcony below and to the left of mine. She seemed to be admiring the steel tower, dressed in a casual sundress, with particularly unruly hair that looked distinctly familiar to me. A memory from the past, a girl that I was raised to hate even though I knew nothing about her. She managed to either tie or beat me in almost every class, and that hair, Merlin did she ever brush it. I shook my head, it couldn't be her, and she was probably off doing some ridiculous thing with Potter and that Weasley. All of a sudden she turned and walked into her room, I leaned to try and get a glimpse of her face but I didn't see. I don't need woman trouble anyway; this was about making sure my Mother was well. I sighed and turned back into my room, I suppose I should send word to Blaise that I arrived; he was unusually secretive these days, when I confronted him he said it was a girl but he couldn't say anymore because her family and friends wouldn't approve. I dropped it, he would tell me when he was ready and when he came to visit in a few weeks I'm sure after a few drinks he will be ready to share all the details.
OOOOOOOOO
I managed to get my hair straight after about an hour. I slipped on my strapless, knee-length gold coloured cocktail dress that Mum had bought me and paired it with gold heels.
"Hermione?" called mum as she opened my door.
"In the washroom" I said as I finished putting on my mascara.
"Oh honey, you look beautiful!" She exclaimed, "I think your father and I are underdressed now that I've looked at you."
"Mum don't be silly you look beautiful, and I may be a little too overdressed. We are going to that very fancy place right?"
"Yes dear, so you are dressed perfectly. Are you ready to go? The car is waiting downstairs."
"Yes just let me grab my purse, I will meet you both down there." I said as I took a final look in the mirror. My hair had grown, now reaching past my shoulders and Ginny gave me an intense make-up application tutorial after deeming me positively dreadful at it. I took a selfie with my phone and sent it to her for approval. Ginny apparently was into muggle cell phones now and wanted me to get one so we could text and stuff. I went to get my black clutch purse and I heard my phone ping. I looked down and saw that I had a message from Gin.
'You look amazing! Please make-out with someone hot tonight at your fancy Paris restaurant, I've always fantasized about making out in a coat closet in a really fancy place looking hot.'
I typed back: 'Thank you for the compliment but I will not heed your advice. I have never had that fantasy and the likeliness of me making-out with someone tonight is slim. Mostly due to the fact that I am with my PARENTS.'
I made my way out the door and to the elevator, once inside I pressed the button and heard another ping.
'You are supposed to have fun. Please at least talk to someone hot.'
I sighed, "I will do my best. Have fun with your mystery man tonight, I expect a name soon.'
'Soon, I promise.'
I smiled and put my phone away as I stepped out of the elevator. I found my parents waiting outside and we all got into the car and went to the restaurant.
OOOOOOO
"Draco dear, are you ready? It is almost five." Mother called to me from the other side of the bathroom door.
"I still have ten minutes Mother." I called straightening my tie. Blaise has written back earlier instructing me on what to wear, as if I was unable to dress myself. He wanted to make sure I hooked up with a girl tonight...he must of forgot that I share a suite with my Mother. Apparently he was meeting his...whatever she is called tonight, I guess they have some sort of special plans.
"I will be downstairs Draco, please hurry."
I sighed; I wish I had brought Blaise with me so I would have someone to talk to, other than my mother and her high society friends that would be at our table this evening. I exited the bathroom, grabbed my jacket and headed for the elevator. I reached the car and my mother with two minutes to spare.
"You look so handsome dear." Mother said as she kissed my cheek.
"Thank you Mother, you look beautiful, is that a new dress?" I asked knowing it would make her happy.
"Why yes, thank you Draco, I bought it for tonight."
OOOOOOO
"I believe this is our table." Dad said as he pulled out the chair for Mum and then did the same for me. The restaurant we went to is called La Jardin. It is more like a ballroom with tables and a section for dancing. Each table seats eight people, apparently the French like to socialize. Through the glass doors on the other side of the dancing section there is a path that leads to a garden out back.
I asked a couple sitting with us to take a picture of my Dad, Mum and I with my phone, which I will later send to Ginny.
"Hermione dear, your Dad and I are going to dance a bit before dinner, will you be alright?" Mum asked.
"Yes Mum, of course, please go and enjoy yourselves." I insisted as they stood up and walked to the dance floor. I glanced around the room, there were a lot of older people there, and no one I saw was my age. There were still some empty seats though, so hopefully I would be able to find someone my age to converse with. Oh look a bar, well this seems like a perfect time for a glass of wine. I stood up and walked over to the bar. "A glass of Chardonnay please." I asked and put some Euros in the tip jar off to the right. I glanced back to see my parents laughing and dancing, and I couldn't help but smile and feel sad at the same time. They had this whole other life in Australia, where they could start again and had no daughter. Were they happy there? Did I do the right thing by bringing them back? Right thing for me or them?
"Here you go Mademoiselle"
"Merci" I thanked him and took my glass of wine back to the table where another couple and their child, who looked about 14, had sat.
"Hello, I'm Hermione; my parents are off dancing right now." I introduced myself as I sat down.
"We are the Morgan's, I am Charles and this is my wife Carol and our son Carl."
"Pleasure to meet you." I smiled.
OOOO
"Malfoy, the name is Malfoy." Mother told the greeter who was in charge of handing out everyone's tickets.
"Mother, let me take your coat to coat check." I offered, helping her out of her massive fur coat.
"Thank you dear, Yes Narcissa and Draco Malfoy." She turned back to the man who managed to locate our tickets.
"Here you go Madam; Lisa will show you to your table."
After dropping our coats off at the coat check, Mother and I followed Lisa to our table.
"Menu Sir." Lisa spoke as she handed me tonight's menu while batting her eyelashes, "Is there anything you would like to drink?"
"I will have what my Mother is having, thank you." I said not returning the flirtation.
"Certainly, please let me know if there is anything else you would like, it would be my pleasure." She purred and then left.
"What a bold little chit." Mother hissed as soon as she was out of earshot.
"Nothing to worry about Mother, I prefer brunettes" I teased.
"Well I do not want to see any of her kind in our suite, understand."
"Her kind? Mother I thought you respected muggles now. Are we not trying to become more accepting?"
"Oh of course dear, I did not mean muggles, I meant little whores like her, I know about your reputation at Hogwarts dear. I do not mind you sauntering off to some girl's bed, but I do not want that sort as a guest at breakfast."
"Ah, now I understand. And whore, mother, really that may be a bit harsh. I do have standards."
"Yes, because Miss. Parkinson is the epitome of high standards." Mother droned out sarcastically while looking over the menu.
I was shocked that such a thing came out of her mouth, I figured she was all for the engagement to Pansy. I guess that is yet another thing to thank my Father for. Thankfully though it was disbanded after Mother and I left the Death Eater Club.
"Oh hello, I am Narcissa and this is my son Draco. Draco dear please say hello to our dinner companions." Mother said pointing out the couples that had joined our table of eight.
I nodded a hello and proceeded to glance around the room, it was a rather large dining room with a section off to the right for dancing. Behind the dancing couples were glass doors that apparently led out to the garden the restaurant was famously named after, or at least that is what the man greeting us said. I noticed a bar off to the left and excused myself. I know I had ordered a drink for the table but I was in dire need of a scotch and I knew my Mother did not think that was an acceptable dinner drink.
"Scotch on the rocks" I ordered. I turned around to survey the people, hoping that no one from Hogwarts was there. My eyes landed on this one woman who seemed to be sitting alone and watching this couple on the dance floor. She must be their daughter, I concluded. I could not quite see her face; however I can see that she is wearing a gold dress.
"Monsieur." The barman said as he placed my drink on the bar.
"Thanks." I said and sat down on a stool. I took a sip, still trying to get a look at the girl's face. Just in that moment she glanced towards the bar. Merlin, it can't be. Of all the people that could be here tonight and the universe picked her. I need to get a better look, I decided as I turned away and finished my drink. I looked back and saw that she too was staring at me, if it was her, did she recognize me? I got off the stool and started back to my table, making sure to look at her. Her eyes followed me; it was her, no doubt in my mind. Her hair was straight and that dress was something she never wore at Hogwarts but I know that face, and those eyes. Flashbacks to that night at Malfoy Manor, she was lying on the ground, mudblood etched into her arm. I knew it was her all along yet I denied it. Why? Doesn't matter now. So much for the peaceful summer I had planned. She was the girl from the balcony; I knew that hair looked familiar. Finally I reached my table and sat down.
"Draco, is everything alright? You look pale." Mother whispered, leaning towards me.
"Yes, I am fine." I answered taking a sip of the wine, Lisa put in front of my place setting. I looked over to her table, and she was gone. Could it possibly have been a figment of my imagination? No. I knew with absolute certainty that I saw her. I wasn't the only one in Paris this summer, no; I was here with Hermione Granger.