Try Not To Think About Yesterday

Chapter One

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Harry Potter. This is simply my take on what could've been!

I started getting the idea for this story after listening to Little Texas' song "What Might Have Been" and "Can't Let Go" by Mariah Carey. Great songs, both worth a listen. It's been 5 years since the end of the last Wizarding war. Hermione completed her last year at Hogwarts. Once graduated, she took an opportunity to start a new life and career in New Orleans, Louisiana. She thought she had left her old life behind, but sometimes life likes to throw a few curveballs!

Present Day-New Orleans

"Would you stop fidgeting?" Hermione asked in an exasperated manner as she attempted to pin a hem on a dress.

"I can't help it. This dress is so heavy and I'm sweating like I've just run a marathon. Are you almost done? I'm ready to head hit the bars. I need a drink," the young woman named Elena Thibault replied.

"After dealing with your whining, I need a drink too. Give me a few more minutes and you'll be able to take this off," Hermione mumbled because she had pins her mouth.

Elena started laughing. "Oh man, you sound just like the teacher in those old Charlie Brown cartoons! Ba-ba wa-wa."

Hermione gave her a withering look and showed Elena her middle finger, but she started to laugh too. "What am I going to do with you? Ah, last one. You can take the dress off now."

"Finally!"

Hermione and Elena worked together at House of Laurent, which was a house of fashion located in the wizarding section of the French Quarter. The young women were the same age and like Hermione, Elena was a muggleborn witch. She had attended Marie Laveau's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry situated in an undisclosed location in the swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin. Elena and Hermione had been working together for the past five years and along with being coworkers, they also formed a great friendship outside of the workplace.

5 Years Ago-London

When Hermione finished her last year at Hogwarts, she decided that she wanted to start creating original clothing designs, and had thought about opening her own shop. Unbeknownst to most people, except her closest friends, Hermione was an excellent seamstress. She loved sewing clothes and had even made her own dress for the Yuletide Ball in her 4th year at Hogwarts. Her friends had complimented her on the dress and wanted to know where she had purchased it. They were shocked when she told them she had made it. From that point on, Hermione always helped out her close friends with outfits.

After thinking it over and figuring out the start-up costs for her own business, she found that this plan would not be feasible. She had some money saved up but nothing near to what she would need to fund a new business. She had tried to get a position in Madam Malkin's shop, but she was informed that they were not hiring. One day Hermione was looking at the job section of the Daily Prophet. This was when she spotted the ad posted by House of Laurent, who was seeking a designer. After reading the ad, she sighed and put it aside. What was she thinking? As if an established designer like Therese Laurent would give her the time of day and even if she was accepted for the position, it would mean relocating to the States, in New Orleans, Louisiana. After giving it some thought, Hermione figured what the hell; she had nothing to lose. She gathered her favorite sketches from her portfolio, and sent them along with her resume to the address given in the ad.

When a whole month had gone by without a response, Hermione figured that the position had been filled. She resigned herself to finding a job in muggle London. She had been offered a few positions in different departments of the Ministry of Magic, but this didn't appeal to her. At the moment, she was still rebuilding her relationship with her parents. Hermione still felt terrible about casting the Obliviate charm on them before the war, but it was the only way to keep them safe. Once their memories were restored, Hermione had plenty of explaining to do, but her parents realized she did it for their own good and safety.

There were also another reason she wanted to stay in the muggle world. Something unexpected had occurred in her last year at Hogwarts; Hermione felt that it was best to put it behind her and return to the muggle world for some time. Her best friends, Harry Potter, along with Ginny and Ronald Weasley, were puzzled as to why the "Brightest Witch of her Age" wanted to leave the wizarding world. In their opinion, Hermione was destined for great things. Harry shared this consensus, but he knew Hermione well; there was something more than her wanting to spend time with her parents. She had changed; Hermione wasn't the same girl he and his friends had grown up with. Unlike Hermione, he and Ron hadn't returned for their last year at Hogwarts. They had been accepted into the Auror program. He knew that she and Ginny had always been close, and asked his girlfriend if Hermione had confided anything while they were in school. Ginny told him no and gave him quite a tongue lashing, letting him know that even if Hermione had confided anything to her, she'd never betray her friend's confidence! There was also the fact that Hermione and Ron had tried dating after the Wizarding War, but it didn't work out. They came to a mutual decision that they were better off as friends. Harry had briefly pondered that perhaps Hermione was still upset about that, but even he had to admit there had never been any romantic chemistry between his friends. Maybe one day Hermione would tell him what was going on with her. For now, Harry decided it was best to let her be.

As Hermione waited to hear back from the various businesses she had placed applications with, she helped her parents at their dentistry office. One day she had gone back home for lunch. She was preparing a sandwich in the kitchen when an unfamiliar brown owl pecked at the window over the sink. Hermione let it in and took the message. She gave the owl a few treats as she turned the message over to see who it was from. Her stomach gave a lurch when she saw that it was from House of Laurent. Holding her breath, she opened her message. As she read its contents, she let out the breath she was holding, and a huge smile lit up her face. She had nabbed an interview with Therese Laurent! Hermione wrote a reply stating that she would be there and sent it back with the owl.

When she told her parents about the interview, they were a bit apprehensive because it would mean that Hermione would have to move thousands of kilometers away if she was hired. She assured them that it was only an interview and that there was nothing set in stone. Hermione secured a portkey for New Orleans and headed there two days later.

Earlier, Hermione had spoken to Ms. Laurent's assistant, who gave her directions to House of Laurent. When she arrived at the narrow staircase leading to the second level of a seemingly abandoned building, she smiled. No ordinary muggle would ever realize that there was a wizarding business located there. As she started to ascend the stairs, Hermione felt as if her heart was about to beat out of her chest. She was usually calm, but the possibility of being hired as a designer working under Therese Laurent's expertise was beyond her wildest dreams. When she arrived at the door, she paused for a moment, and then opened it. Once she was inside, she was amazed at how modern and sleek the interior was as compared to the decrepit building in which the office was located. She introduced herself to Ms. Laurent's assistant, Elena. Hermione was a little shocked at her appearance, but she managed to hide her reaction. Elena was tall and willowy, with a shock of purplish-red hair that came down to the middle of her back. Her bright green eyes were coated in black kohl eyeliner and her lips were a bright purple, almost matching her hair. Along with this, her eyebrows, nose, and lips were pierced. The really crazy thing about it was that she was wearing one of House of Laurent's most desired dresses from the latest collection. The dress, a turquoise silk faux-wrap, fit Elena to perfection and somehow managed to complement her Goth look. With that, Hermione was quick to notice that the young woman had a genuine smile and for some reason, this comforted her. She directed Hermione to have a seat and said that she would let Ms. Laurent know that Hermione was there. She watched Elena walk down a hall and then return after a few minutes. Hermione was offered something to drink, but she politely declined. She glanced around and saw that there was the latest copy of the fashion magazine, Stylishly Witchy. As she was about to thumb through it, her name was called. Putting the magazine aside, she stood up too quickly. This caused the portfolio with the rest of her sketches to fall open, spilling everything to the floor.

Hermione could feel her face reddening. She was so flustered that she couldn't remember a simple spell that would have organized her sketches. As she stooped down to pick them up, the sketches came together in a neat pile and organized themselves into her portfolio. When she looked up, Elena grinned and winked. Hermione gave her a grateful smile and thanked her as she went in for her interview with Ms. Laurent.

From that point on, everything began to fall into place. Therese loved Hermione's sketches and she was offered the position on the spot. Hermione returned home to London in a daze; she was astounded that she was offered such a coveted job. She was apprehensive when she told her parents about it, but they reassured her that they had thought things over and felt that this was a good opportunity for her.

"Hermione, your father and I feel that it will be good for you be working in an environment far from here. We didn't want to pry, but we couldn't help noticing that you've been somewhat withdrawn since you finished school," Mrs. Granger said hesitantly.

"I-I guess because it's finally hit me that I'm actually done with school and ready to hit the real world. I'm fine, really," Hermione replied, wanting to set her parents' minds at ease. A pool of dread formed in her stomach. Her parents knew her so well; she tried hard to hide the inner turmoil she faced every waking moment since she left Hogwarts and they were astute enough to sense something was a little off in their daughter's life.

Hermione noticed a look pass between her parents before they both turned to her with smiles. She was relieved that they accepted her explanation and didn't try to pry. One day she would be able to talk about it, but for now it was best to try and forget. It was just too painful to discuss. Hermione thought about the corny and overused muggle saying "Time heals all wounds." As she began making preparations to leave for New Orleans, she hoped that cliché was true. Maybe there would come a day where she could look back, and not break into tears whenever she thought about her last year at Hogwarts.

The next few days went by in a blur as she prepared to leave for New Orleans. On her last night in London, she met her friends at Harry's home at Grimmauld Place for a small bon voyage gathering. Hermione was touched to see that along with her parents, Ginny and Ron's parents, Molly and Arthur Weasley were also there to wish her well. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley loved Hermione like she was their own. They had hoped that things would've worked out with her and Ron, but it just wasn't meant to be. Hermione was in good spirits that evening and it didn't seem to faze her seeing Ron with his on-off again girlfriend, Lavender Brown.

As the evening came to a close, Hermione was gazing out of a window in the living room. She was going to miss home, but it was exciting to be starting a new career in a new place. Hermione smiled when she saw Harry's reflection in the window. She turned to her friend.

"Thanks again for this Harry. It was great getting to see everyone before I leave for New Orleans."

"Anytime my friend, anytime," Harry replied. He stared out of the window with her and didn't speak for a few moments. Taking a deep breath, he began to speak again. "Hey Hermione, maybe I'm totally off base asking you this, but is everything okay? I just feel like there's something bothering you."

Hermione didn't respond right away and Harry was afraid he had crossed the line. He was relieved when she turned to him with a rueful smile. "We've been friends for a long time Harry and you know me well. I think this move to New Orleans is going to be the best thing for me at the moment."

"Did something happen at Hogwarts?" he asked. "You haven't been the same since school ended Hermione. Where's the spitfire I've always known, the girl who isn't afraid of anything? It's as if that part of you is gone."

"Harry, someday I'll tell you about it, but be a friend and let it go, please? I know you're concerned about me, but I'm okay, really," Hermione told him sadly.

"I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to pry. I hope I didn't upset you. I really am a git, interrogating you on your last night," Harry replied apologetically.

"It's okay Harry, you're just being a friend. I best get going, I have to leave early in the morning. Give me a hug," Hermione said as she opened her arms.

Harry embraced her tightly and kissed her cheek. "If you need anything, it doesn't matter what, you know I'm there for you."

"I know Harry, same here. I appreciate it," Hermione said softly and wiped a few tears away. For a moment, she considered confiding in Harry, but decided against it. It was best to try and forget about it.

She told everyone goodbye and they all wished her well. Hermione went home with her parents. The next day came quickly. She took a portkey to New Orleans and arrived in the early morning hours in the wizarding section of the French Quarter. Once there, she was met by Elena, who showed her to her new apartment. Hermione was happy to see that Elena lived next door.

After she settled in, Elena showed her around the wizarding section which was similar to Diagon Alley, yet was unique in that this area held the same charm and mystique as the rest of New Orleans. To wizards and witches, it was known as La Place a' Passe-Partout which translated into the place where one can pass or go at will. It was a quick tour; Hermione couldn't wait to explore the area more when she had more time.

As days and months went by, Hermione would find that she had made the right decision coming to New Orleans. She loved her work and while Therese could be a bit much at times, it worked out well. This was such an amazing experience and words couldn't describe the feeling she had to actually see her designs on the runway models.

In this time, Hermione got to know Elena. She was a bit reserved during her first few weeks at House of Laurent, but it wasn't long before Elena broke her out of her shell. She discovered that appearances were deceiving. Upon first meeting Elena, one would think that she was a ditz and a screwball, but this was all wrong. She was Therese's assistant for a reason. Being the daughter of muggle accountants, Elena was a whiz at crunching numbers in her head and her organizational skills were brilliant. When Therese was preparing a new fall or spring collection, she couldn't be bothered with the business side of House of Laurent. This was where Elena came in. She kept everything in order for Therese and made sure that everything was run smoothly.

The three women worked well together and Hermione felt that she belonged there. She and Elena became fast friends, hanging out on weekends and going out for drinks after work. Therese joined them sometimes, but she had a husband and two children, so most of her time was spent with her family.

Hermione settled into a new life in New Orleans. She went back a home a few times a year, but for the most part stayed in New Orleans. She felt safe here and never imagined her past would come back to haunt her.

Present Day-New Orleans

Hermione helped Elena remove the dress, and carefully placed it on a dress form. It was a wedding dress that was going to be used in a fashion benefit auction in a few weeks. Therese and Hermione wanted to make sure that it was perfect so that it would garner a high price, to which the proceeds would go to a fund for displaced children in the wizarding world.

Elena pointed to a large clock on the wall over the door of the room they were working in. The clock read 4:50 p.m.

"I am so ready to get out of here. Only 10 minutes until 5 and it's Friday! I can taste the Crown and Coke," she said happily.

"Well I promised Therese that I would get this done by the end of the day. Let's see, just a few finishing touches, voila!"

Elena stepped back and examined Hermione's handiwork. "I must say this is probably one of the best you've ever created. It almost makes me want to get married," Elena said and then began to chuckle.

"I can't wait to see the day you get married, Miss I Juggle Three Guys at One Time," Hermione joked. Elena was a notorious flirt and Hermione wondered if she would ever settle on one man.

Elena only grinned and walked over to a small radio set in a corner. She turned up the volume and grabbed a piece of discarded tulle, wearing it on her head like a veil. Getting caught up in Elena's infectious joie de vivre (joy of life), Hermione found another piece of tulle and made a makeshift veil too. "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke was playing. They were singing along with the lyrics and doing ridiculous dance moves, so they never noticed when Therese came to the door, followed by a young couple.

When they heard Therese clear her throat, Elena and Hermione gave her sheepish looks and quickly stopped their antics. Hermione did a quick wandless spell and lowered the volume on the radio. They hurriedly got rid of their "veils" and walked over to where Therese was standing at the door, giving them a disapproving look. Hermione looked over at Elena and mouthed, "Did you know clients were going to be here?" Elena gave a small shake of her head and mouthed back, "No!" There were plenty of occasions where potential clients dropped by without an appointment, but it wasn't often anyone stopped by this late on a Friday afternoon.

Hermione smoothed back her hair, which was styled in a chin-length asymmetrical bob. When she had first arrived in New Orleans, she was still wearing her hair long. She was always pulling it back into a ponytail or a braid because of the humidity in New Orleans. It was way too hot to wear it down. Elena, who changed her hairstyle and color almost as often as she changed clothes, convinced Hermione to make an appointment with her sister, Tracy, who was a stylist. It wasn't long before Hermione began to experiment with different lengths and styles. She had just had her hair cut in the bob the week before and received many compliments on it. It was very becoming, with a few subtle highlights. Elena, on the other hand, was sporting a similar haircut, but her hair was now blonde with blue tips.

She and Elena pasted smiles on their faces and went over to greet Therese and the couple. When Therese moved aside and Hermione immediately recognized the couple, the smile froze on her face. It was if she was in another dimension as Therese introduced Astoria Greengrass and Draco Malfoy to her and Elena. She went through the motions of shaking their hands and managing to respond with the usual polite answers to questions of how she was and it such a surprise to see that she was working here, etc. Astoria was doing most of the talking while Draco stood back and looked at Hermione.

Therese explained that Astoria and Draco had just arrived in New Orleans and Astoria couldn't wait to make an appointment to come to House of Laurent. She and Draco had set a date for their wedding and she wanted Therese and her team (Hermione) to design her dress. Therese usually frowned on clients who showed up without appointments, but she had heard about this wedding a few months before. It was going to be the premier social event in the wizarding world, so designing Astoria's dress was going to be huge for House of Laurent.

When Astoria saw the dress Hermione had been working on, she gasped and walked over to it. Therese followed her and explained about the dress being auctioned off for a charity benefit. Astoria fingered the delicate silk fabric and commented on the detail of the beaded appliques. While she and Therese talked, Draco hung back with his hands in his pockets. He looked over at Hermione.

"So, this is where you work. I had no idea. How are you?" he asked as he looked at her.

"I'm doing well thanks. I think I better go over there, it looks like your fiancée has questions about that dress. Congratulations by the way," Hermione said quickly and walked over to where Astoria and Therese were standing.

"Thanks," Draco replied softly and watched as she walked away.

Elena surveyed this scene with her critical eye, wondering what the hell had just happened. Hermione had turned as white as a sheet when she looked on Draco Malfoy. She couldn't wait for the couple to leave so she could find out why Hermione was so shaken up. She watched as Hermione regained her composure as she answered Astoria's questions about the dress. Elena also noticed that Draco Malfoy couldn't keep his eyes off of Hermione. In the five years Elena had known Hermione, she never saw her friend get nervous or worked up about anything, even crucial deadlines for shows. It was strange to see Hermione react the way she just did.

Hermione was relieved when Astoria and Draco finally left. She watched as Therese walked out with them. As soon as she turned around, Elena was looking at her. Hermione tried to avoid her by cleaning up her area. Elena was having none of it. She walked over to Hermione.

"What the hell was that all about?" she asked as she gave Hermione an incredulous look.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as she went over to pick over the discarded tulle, trying to make an effort to distract Elena's very direct question.

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. You turned as white as a ghost when you saw that dude. Did something happen between you, because let me tell you, he never took his eyes off of you the whole time he was here. I think he forgot about his fiancée," Elena replied.

Hermione sighed. "I thought that by coming here I'd never see him again. Of all the rotten luck, of course his fiancée would want House of Laurent to design her dress."

It all began to make sense to Elena. In the five years Hermione had been here, she had gone on a few dates, but she never dated the same guy more than twice. It seemed whenever the young man wanted to pursue a relationship, Hermione shied away. Elena had tried more than once to ask her who had broken her heart, but Hermione would only give her a small smile and tell her she didn't want to talk about it. Seeing how her friend had reacted to Draco Malfoy, Elena decided that it was time for Hermione tell her what happened.

"When we leave here, we're going to Constantine's. You and I are going to get a table, have a few drinks and dinner. I want to know what went on between you and Draco Malfoy," Elena stated firmly, eyebrows raised and her arms folded over her chest. Hermione knew this pose and that she was screwed. Elena meant business.

"I guess you aren't going to let go of this, are you?" Hermione asked half-heartedly because she knew the answer. Elena slowly shook her head. She grabbed her handbag and Hermione's. She handed Hermione's bag to her, as they turned off the lights and left the building.

Draco couldn't believe it! Hermione was here; she was in New Orleans. Once they had left Hogwarts, it was if she had fallen off the face of the earth. When he realized it was her, he felt as if someone had punched him in the gut, yet he also felt strangely exhilarated. Hermione was even more beautiful than he remembered. She had slimmed down since he saw her last, but she still had the soft curves he knew so well. As he had taken in her new sleek hairstyle, Draco had to restrain from touching her hair. He closed his eyes when he recalled running his hands through her once thick mass of curls. It broke his heart when he realized how shaken she was when she saw him. He was glad that Astoria didn't notice, but his fiancée was so self-centered. Her only focus was finding the perfect wedding dress. Draco had tuned out her nonstop chatter since they left House of Laurent, so he was shaken out of his thoughts when Astoria grabbed his wrist.

"Are you listening to me? I was asking if you were surprised to see Hermione Granger working there. I sure was, I thought she was working some dreary job in the Ministry. I never imagined she was so talented. She was in your year at Hogwarts, did you know her?" Astoria asked.

"She's Harry Potter's best friend, how could anyone not know her. Did you decide on a dress? I really need to get back to London," Draco asked in a nonchalant manner. He mentally crossed her fingers, hoping that Astoria had decided against having her wedding gown designed by House of Laurent. She had dragged him to other design studios in London, so maybe she would choose one of those.

"Okay, we can get back to London, Mr. Grouchy. Yes, I've decided on a dress. I want Hermione Granger to design it. Her work is incredible," Astoria gushed.

"Fine, glad that's out of the way," Draco replied dismissively. He activated a portkey, transporting him and Astoria back to London. When they arrived in Diagon Alley, they parted ways. Astoria went back to her family's home in Wiltshire. She couldn't wait to tell her mother and sister Daphne about Hermione designing her dress. Draco went back to his London apartment to prepare for a presentation he had scheduled for Monday. When he completed his final year at Hogwarts, Draco had taken over his family's business, Malfoy Enterprises. The business was almost ruined after the wizarding war, but Draco worked hard and restored it to its former glory.

Changing out of the navy Armani business suit he had worn to New Orleans, Draco pulled on a pair of worn green sweatpants and a black T-shirt. He went to the small office located off the side of his kitchen and sat down to work on his presentation. As he started to outline his ideas, his mind soon began to drift back to Hermione. He couldn't help wondering if seeing her again was coincidence or fate.

As Elena and Hermione made their way to Constantine's, a muggle restaurant and bar, she thought about Draco. She had to admit that he was even more gorgeous than when they were at Hogwarts. His trademark platinum hair was now cropped short, just slightly longer than a military haircut. The designer suit he was wearing accented his broad shoulders and narrow hips. Hermione noticed that he had filled out since she'd seen him last and Merlin help her, he looked more irresistible than ever. Just when she thought she was putting everything that happened behind her, Draco Malfoy shows up with his fiancée. Of all the designers, why did Astoria have to come to House of Laurent?

When they arrived at Constantine's, they were greeted by the hostess, Emma, who knew them well. She brought them to their usual table, which was located near the rear of the restaurant and close to the bar. As soon as they were seated, a waitress appeared and took their drink order. Elena told her to keep the Bud Lights coming and to tell Pete, the bartender, to start a tab.

Once their drinks were in front of them and dinner was ordered, although Hermione wasn't sure if she was going to able to eat or not, Elena sat back.

"I'm ready when you are."

Hermione sighed and began to speak. "Well, it all started when I decided to complete my final year at Hogwarts."

Love, like, hate, dislike it, let me know. This story has been floating around in my head for about the last month or so. It seems to be taking a life of its own. Enjoy!