A/N: hey guys! why YES this IS sorta based on Emma Watson's beautiful pixie cut. this is the first time I've tried writing Dramione, and I hope you enjoy it. I think this will be broken into two, maybe three chapters. This is rated for later chapters with mature content. None of the characters are mine. Please enjoy and review!
Her mane that had once framed her face was gone. The locks that would twist and curl with every emotion Hermione had lay in the trash, blocks away. Hermione felt along her temple, touching the feathery softness of her newly cropped hair. Tears pricked her eyes briefly as contemplated the magnitude of what she had done. Her hair had been a defining feature since she was young. The wild, bushy nest of hair she'd sported through her elementary years had made her identifiable nearly anywhere. As she grew older, the mass became easier to control until she had found herself with waist long locks of copper.
Hermione had never thought herself to be too concerned with how she looked, but her hair was a source of pride. The curls had become part of her identity, a part of her confidence and comfort. Although many things had changed in her life since the Second Wizarding War, her hair had remained its beautiful self. Now, she was naked.
Hermione stepped outside the hair parlor into the bright street where her dearest friend, Ginny, waited. The redhead stared down at her muggle cell phone, swiping left and right with no notice to Hermione's approach.
"Ginny? What do you think?" Hermione's voice was thankfully calm, concealing her nervousness. Ginny looked up, and her jaw dropped. "HERMIONE!" The redhead gripped her arm tightly, eyes raking over Hermione's new cut.
"I thought you were going in for a trim! You didn't tell me you were going to cut it all off. What… I mean, when did you decide to do this?" Ginny tried to hide her shock at the sight of her best friend's practically shaven head. The younger witch searched Hermione's face as she shrugged, not trusting her voice fully. "I just thought… it was time for a change."
Things hadn't been easy for Hermione lately. After years of trying, her relationship with Ron had finally deteriorated into a sham of its former self. Even now, they could barely maintain a civil conversation between them. Bitterly, Hermione wondered if they could have salvaged their love life had she not found Ronald in bed with another with two months prior. Perhaps it had been for the best, in some twisted way, as it added the last straw to the camel's back. They didn't have to pretend to love each other anymore, or even tolerate the other's presence. Now, for the first time since her school years Hermione was alone.
She had been able to maintain a friendship with Harry, however, who was fully supportive of Hermione. When the news broke of Ron's affair, Harry came to her side without a second thought. Even though Harry had been privy to most of their concerns about each other, he truly hadn't thought Ron capable of such a spiteful act. With Harry's continued friendship, Hermione was also connected to Ginny, who had become a dear friend years before. The younger witch did not hold Hermione accountable for her older brother's actions.
A grin broke across Ginny's face. She pulled Hermione's hand and led her up the street.
"I think you look amazing. Your cheek bones could kill someone you know? Come on, let's go show everyone."
Few things truly surprised Draco Malfoy anymore. Years of training to become an Auror had honed his senses to a fine steel. He no longer flinched when a wand waved wildly in his direction, or ducked when a particularly malicious spell came his way. No, nothing surprised him anymore. Or so, he thought. He found himself mildly bewildered that morning when a young boy stormed into his office with a stack of documents about some-creature-or-another, making demands.
"MALFOY. Where do you get off puling the funding for my research? Not only does this not have anything to DO with your department, but you have no reason whatsoever to meddle in my affairs! Now months of research will be put on hold while I remove the hold you've placed!" the boy seemed to be addressing him, Draco noted. His voice was higher than Draco had anticipated, and there was something familiar about the accusing tone. While Draco tried to place the familiarity, the boy continued to rave at him.
"I've HAD it with you interrupting my work because you find yourself bored. Get yourself a hobby, won't you, and leave my work alone!" Palms planted on Draco's desk, the boy huffed a breath and glared at the blond man behind the desk. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"
Draco had remained silent throughout the tirade, waiting to puzzle out exactly what this familiar stranger was doing. Dismissing the feeling, he set both feet on the desk Cocking one eyebrow up, Draco smirked. "Who do you think you are, you git? You think you can just barge into my office, try to stir something up? Get out before I call security."
With that, Draco leaned back in his chair in a picture of nonchalance. He watched carefully as the boy turned an attractive color of crimson and began winding himself up for another bout of anger. His eyes trailed down, noting the feminine figure on the boy. He stared at the small hands on his desk, half tempted to nudge them off with his foot.
"I'm not playing here, Malfoy. Either you can fix what you've done, or I'll – I'll" the boy faltered.
"Or you'll what? Just who are you, exactly? This is Granger's department, and I don't think she'd be happy knowing her assistant went out to fight her battles." Draco sneered at the boy, his voice mocking. "Next time she thinks there's a problem, you can tell her to talk to me herself. In the meantime, how about you fuck off?"
A look of confusion crossed the boy's face, their brows scrunching together. He shook his head while taking a small step backward. "Malfoy what are you talking about?"
At that moment, Draco met the eyes of his strident assailant. Fine, long lashes framed green flecked caramel orbs. Despite being narrowed in suspicion and annoyance, they held a trusting quality to them. Overall, they were uncomfortably familiar.
That was when Draco received the second surprise that morning. Abruptly sitting upright in his chair, Draco leaned forward, eyes wide, mouth agape.
"Bloody hell. Granger?"