Sometimes, life doesn't go the way we want it to.

No, sorry.

Life never goes the way we want it to.

At first, everything looks good and according to plan. But once you feel reassured that everything is fine, once you lay your guard down, everything suddenly collapses with a huge explosion.

And usually, the first to experience the outcome of this explosion is you.

"Your bourbon."

The barman's voice snapped her from her thoughts and the brunette shot her head off her palms, on which it had been resting on for the last five minutes. "Oh, thank you" she mumbled and took the glass in her hands.

I look pathetic, she thought and sighed before taking a sip of her drink, which burnt her throat. It wasn't firewhiskey, but it was just what she needed that moment. Bourbon. It used to be her father's favorite drink. Whenever he drank anyways, because 'alcohol is bad for your teeth'. At that thought, she drank some more and let herself listen to the loud rock music of the muggle bar she was in.

She looked around her with an emotionless expression on her face, something she had achieved after years of trying to act cool, when, in reality, she was a mess. The bar wasn't exactly crowded, but a significant amount of people were sitting around, having fun or drinking their sorrows away. Unfortunately, she belonged in the second category.

It was strange, yet satisfyingly pleasing, for her not to get recognised immediately in a public place, such as a bar. But for the muggles, she was just another brown haired girl in her early twenties, that was drinking bourbon to fight off the sadness caused by some unfortunate event, like a break up.

When, in reality, she was Hermione Granger, "war hero" and "the brightest witch of her age", even though, at the moment, she didn't feel like living up to those fancy titles.

It was so hilarious. She had always been the kind of person that organized her life to the fullest, that had every little thing under control.

And now, it was all a mess.

Everything was slipping out of her hands and then came back to crush her down, like a tidal wave.

Everything was collapsing. Her work, her life, her marriage...

Oh Ron...

With those thoughts in her head, she placed the empty glass on the counter and looked at the barman who caught her gaze and gave her a look of understatement, while wiping dry a beer glass. "Rough night?", he asked her with a deep northern accent.

"I guess. Get me another one, please." Hermione dropped her face on her hands again.

She felt someone sitting next to her at the counter. "Make them two", she heard them ordering and instantly froze at the spot.

She knew that voice.

How couldn't she? Let's say that there was one voice, that you heard every single morning for two years, and before that, you also heard them speaking around you for six years. Wouldn't you recognize that voice, even if it was among thousands of others?

Yes, you bloody would.

Hermione knew she had to say something; she had to raise her head, smile, and pretend that everything was okay, like she always did. It would be immature, after all, to pretend that she hadn't realised who it was. Because they both knew, Hermione would know he was there, even if he hadn't spoken. It was his presence, his scent, his aura - name it whatever you want. There was something on him that made her spot him in a crowd with her eyes closed.

Come on, Hermione! Move your body. You're a strong, mature woman!, she screamed in her head. But her body refused to obey her, and she decided to continue play dead.

"So, are you going to keep ignoring me or will you greet me like an adult?"

Hermione blushed in embarrassment and groaned silently. Smug git. With slow movements, she sat up and gave him a small, but slightly sarcastic smile. "Good to see you, Malfoy."

OKAY SO this story has been in my mind for like a year now and even though I have filled most of my notebooks with post-its that have parts of the story on them, I have written a little in contrast to what I should have **cough**lazy**cough** but I really love it and I hope you do too! :D The chapters will be longer than this one, so if you like longer chapters, than don't be disappointed! Til next time! (also leave a review it makes me so happy whenever I hear people's thoughts)

-Elfriede