Second chapter here :-)
Disclaimer: If I own Harry Potter, nobody would've died, everyone would've lived happily ever after, and there'd be a witch named after myself cramped in the story somewhere. The writing would've been horrendous! So you should thank God, JKR owns Harry Potter.
She was sitting at the coffee house, waiting for someone after receiving an unexpected text. She sipped her coffee and frequently checked her watch. Late as usual that boy, she said to herself. She knew it was the other way around, she came way too early. But she was really excited to see him again.
She sat at the table nearest to the window so that she could see him when he's arrived. But it was from behind her, the familiar and long awaited voice that greeted her, "Waiting for someone love?"
She got up startled, saw her best friend and went to give him a hug, "Bloody hell-" (and this surprised him a bit since Hermione never use any words of the sort) "if it isn't the famous Mr. Harry James Potter gracing us with his presence."
"You flatter me too much, Mione," he chuckled as she let go of the hug. Hermione gestured for him to take the seat in front of her, and he sat down. For a while they just stared at each other, both with stupid smiles on their faces and then they laughed. "Good Godric, I've missed you Hermione."
"And of course I've missed you too. So what brings you back so soon Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Oh you know," he shrugged and Hermione sensed something off in his tone. "My case was done, figured a trip home wouldn't hurt."
Again Hermione noticed that he wasn't telling the truth, 10 years of knowing someone as close as they were could make you an expert at stuff like that, but he just got back from Russia and she wanted to keep things as light as possible. "I still don't understand why you had to travel so far to Russia."
"Well the dark wizard was British wasn't he?"
"Yes, but he chose to escape to Russia, let it be their business," said Hermione, making them both laugh.
After the usual conversation of how everyone they know were doing, Harry finally touched the subject she knew they were bound to talk about. "So I heard from—um—Ginny that-" (Hermione found it a bit odd that Harry had difficulty saying Ginny's name) "—you and Ron broke it off?" (Hermione lifted her right hand, and it took Harry a while to realize she wasn't wearing her engagement ring.) "Fuck. You okay?"
"Actually, I myself am surprised to say I'm completely fine. It happened months ago. The decision was mutual. Long distance just didn't work for us. We set off on good terms. And yeah, I guess we were just better as friends anyway," she smiled, her words were mostly true but of course it was still sad. Harry was still looking at her thoughtfully, like he expected her to break all of a sudden. She chuckled, "Oh stop looking at me like that."
"Why didn't you just talk to me?"
Hermione smiled playfully, "Don't be silly. I wouldn't want to burden you when you're in the middle of an important Auror duty."
"That's just stupid," he said. When Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, he smiled back, "Russia could handle that dark wizard by themselves for an hour while I talk to my best friend." They laughed again. "And how is Ron doing then?"
Hermione sighed, "I think he took it harder than I did. And then when he realized he was the one taking things harder, it made it even harder on him. But I expect he's already back on his feet over there in Australia, trying to figure out the fugitive's next move." Since the air around them was tense already, she finally decided to find out what's bugging him. "So where's Ginny? Why isn't she here with us? Didn't she come home with you?"
"N-nah she decided to stay in Russia."
Hermione noticed something wrong with the subject 'Ginny', "Harry, are things alright with you and Ginny?"
Harry seemed to hesitate before telling her, he straightened up in his seat. "We had quite a terrible row two weeks ago, and honestly, we might not make it," he lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers.
She almost choked her breath, "A-a divorce?"
"I don't really know. For now, we're just spending some time apart. She's the one who insisted."
"Oh goodness Harry, is that why you're back home?"
Harry nodded, "But I'll probably leave soon. Heard there's a new case I could help with in Turkey—,"
"Stay in London," said Hermione eagerly, cutting him off. Harry raised an eyebrow at her suggestion, "Really Harry, it was horrible – terribly horribly horrid – when you were away. I missed you too much. Just stay here in London."
He chuckled, "Right and what am I supposed to do in London all by myself?"
"You won't be on your own, I'm here. And you could do what you supposedly came here for," answered Hermione. "Have some time off. Figure out what you want."
He seemed to consider it for quite a while but he finally nodded and agreed.
…
"G'morning Granger," he greeted her with a grin on his face. "You're late today."
"Morning Draco," she answered with a funny look on her face. "I'm not late."
"No, I'm pretty sure you're late. You were supposed to arrive 20 minutes ago – like always."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and giggled, "You are such a creepy stalker." ("Only to those potentially harmful to my existence," he added quickly) "If you must know," she continued. "I woke up a bit late today. Harry came back and—,"
"Harry? Oh you mean Potter," he snorted, expressing his disgust at his name.
"Yes, that Harry," said Hermione.
"What's he doing in town?" asked Draco with an unpleasant tone.
"He's come back to visit and… take some time off."
"Great. Oh well whatever I suppose, 's not like I'll bump into the goddamn bloke anyway," Draco rolled his eyes and immediately laughed (bitterly) at the irony of what he just said because Harry appeared right next to Hermione holding out a cup of coffee.
He looked a bit surprised to see Draco there, "What in Merlin's name are you—," (Draco didn't like how weird it felt when he realized Hermione might've never mentioned him to Potter. Stupid Potter.) "Oh right, I forgot Hermione said you two work together now." (and then an unrecognized flush of relief flowed through his body) "See, that's why I chose to be an auror, Mione. Scumbags like him would never be able to be one."
"Harry," warned Hermione.
Draco rolled his eyes, though he tightened his grip on the wand in his pocket, "As much as I miss our usual banter while you were away, Potter. I should be the one asking, what the hell are you doing here?"
"Am I not allowed to be here?"
"Just answer the fucking question."
Harry inhaled a deep breath and answered, "I'm here to see Hermione obviously."
"Right, so you've seen her. Could you get the fuck out now?" Draco spat with disgust.
"Draco!"
Harry's eyes bulged in surprise, "Draco? Don't you mean Malfoy, 'Mione?"
"Let the woman call me anyway she wants Potter! Who are you? Her father?" Obviously Draco was not ashamed to admit that he and Hermione were friends now, and how he hoped Hermione felt the same way.
Hermione, admittedly, was a bit (and pleasantly) surprised to see that Draco wasn't trying to hide their friendship in front of people they know. She rolled her eyes at Harry and placed her hand on her hip, "Really Harry, you could try to be the bigger person here. Draco's a friend now."
("Well Hermione's friend that is, not yours Potter," the blonde added quickly.)
"And Draco," Hermione continued. Now turning to face him. "Harry's my best friend, he can visit me anytime he wants, alright?"
Draco tensed up, he had of course expected Hermione to say something like that, but he did not expect to feel like shit and think right who the fuck did I think I was? when she said that Harry was her best friend. Of course 4 months of getting coffee together all the time didn't make him the most important person in her whole social life (not that he wanted to be anyway).
Harry shook his head to show that he's had enough, "I need to use the loo. Seeing this prat makes me want to vomit." And then he left the room.
Hermione shifted on her legs to clean her desk and not look at Draco who was eyeing her intensely. "Don't you think that it's not fair for me to have to see Potter's hideous face any time he feels like visiting? I already have to go through the day disgusted at the amount of paperwork they've given me, and if you add Potter to that list. I might actually get sick." Draco knew how stupid he sounded like but he was just so angry.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, "Don't be such a melodramatic pussy Draco."
"All I'm asking for is a compromise. I'm fine with him being around two days a week, but more than that I won't be civil," he threatened, though he didn't mean to – he was past his dark days.
Hermione took it as a challenge, "No Malfoy," (Draco understood the implications this went with) "Harry's my best friend. This office and, or, the ministry does not belong to the Malfoy name. Therefore, Harry should be allowed to visit whenever he felt like it."
Draco growled, "Fine, then best he stay the fuck out of my sight. And maybe you should too," he added quietly and he walked away.
"What's gotten his knickers in a twist?" her co-worker who just arrived asked.
Hermione kept on staring at Draco who was walking quickly to his desk. She shrugged and sighed, "Beats me."