A/N: Not my Characters

Chapter Two:

Memories Lost

Hermione stared into Draco's steely grey eyes. …He was so close to her, she smiled, "You came." He looked down at her, he could still see the three freckles on the bridge of her nose, and said "You invited me." Hermione laughed, "I did, because I wanted to thank you." Draco took a step back and looked away, "For what?" he whispered. Hermione looked at him in surprise, "For allowing me this, to see this day, to live for this moment…why won't you just stop being stubborn and let me thank you?" Draco sighed, "But I should be thanking you." It was Hermione's turn to look surprised, "For what—I wasn't the one who saved someone that night." Draco looked up at her, "But you did. …The moment I pointed my wand at you… I knew that I didn't want to live my father's life, I wanted to change my ways. I think I always wanted to, it just took something as horrifying as that night to convince me that I had never wanted to be like my father." Hermione smiled sadly, "You welcome then." Draco took a step closer to her, "I just don't think I'm ready for you to thank me just yet…I feel like you did more for me that night than me for you."

Hermione looked up at Draco, "Well, take your time, because I want to say it to you, but I don't want to rush you or anything like that." Draco nodded his head, "Thanks." He turned and began to walk away. Hermione called quickly after him, "Won't you at least dance with me?" Draco turned around surprise showing on his face, and then gained his composure, smiling mischievously " I knew you couldn't resist Granger…Of course."

Hermione smiled, grabbing his hand and leading him into the ballroom. They both tried to ignore the interested eyes of the guests as they made their way to the middle of the dance floor. The music had slowed down to a waltz. Draco's dancing skills were no secret to the watchful eyes of the guests around them. He wrapped one hand around Hermione's slim waist and grabbed her other hand in is. With that he began to lead her around the ballroom in a smooth waltz. Hermione was a pretty good dancer but with Draco she felt like a professional. Her guests began to stop dancing to watch her waltz with Draco. They flowed so smoothly from one end of the dance floor to another. Hermione could feel the closeness of Draco's body to hers. She looked into his eyes and smiled as he spun her around. When the music ended they turned to hear the cheering of the other dancers and they both smiled at the sudden fame. Next Hermione heard a tango come on as all the other guest began to start dancing again. Hermione couldn't resist, "Draco, I know I only asked you for one dance, but will you tango with me?" Hermione wondered how good of a dancer he was. Draco smiled at her, "Are you sure you just don't want an excuse to touch me?" Hermione laughed out loud from his boldness and shook her head, she was happy he was loosening up, "That's exactly why Draco" Draco suddenly pulled her close to him and began to move to the beat of the music. Their bodies were much closer than they had been in the waltz. Hermione almost shivered from how good of a dancer he was. He was perfect. Their bodies molded so well together.

She knew how to tango and decided to test him. She began to move faster, still to the beat of the music. She turned into him as he grabbed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and wrapped her leg around his waist while arching her back toward the floor. Again, they had an audience. She laughed as the music began to end and she took her leg from around his waist as he took his hands from her lower back. Hermione looked at him seriously, "Thanks Draco." Draco looked back at her with the same intensity, "You welcome." They both knew that the thank you was for more than the dance. Hermione watched as Draco turned around and walked out of the ballroom. She couldn't help but feel proud when he denied three girls a dance as he walked out the door.

She sighed as she turned around to a huddle of men asking her to dance with them. Hermione almost rolled her eyes, like they could follow that act she thought to herself. She made an excuse about going to the bathroom and dashed toward the MC. Hermione really couldn't stand it longer, "Mr. Sarvasi" she called to the old man in charge of the banquet, "do you mind if we speed this up—I have to go to work tomorrow." Mr. Sarvasi laughed, knowing why she wanted to leave so early, "Why Ms. Granger tomorrow is Saturday!" Hermione knew she was trapped, she groaned, "Well I am very tired from the week of work I just had so if you would please…" Sarvasi, shook his head and grabbed the microphone, "Would all the guests come to the stage so that we may honor Ms. Granger?" Hermione almost whooped from relief, "Thank you so much! And no worries, the party can go on without me, I'll just leave quietly." Sarvasi looked down at her and winked before grabbing her hand and pulling her on stage.

Hermione almost groaned when she realized they would expect her to say something, she didn't even know half of these people! Though a lot of them claimed they were on the same floor…Hermione pushed the thought out of her head as Sarvasi announced, "And now! What we have all been waiting for! Ms. Hermione Granger! Hermione refused to audibly groan as she stepped in front of the podium, "Well, hello, my name is Hermione Granger and I just wanted to thank all of you for coming and enjoying yourselves. I also wanted to thank St. Mungo's for honoring me with something that I will truly treasure the rest of my life." Hermione concluded, looking at audience who didn't seem to know if they should clap or wait for her to make a real speech. Hermione leaned back down towards the microphone, "that's all." The guest applauded her as she walked of the stage and started to sneak towards the door. She was practically at the door when a firm hand grabbed her and turned her around, "And where are you sneaking off to?"

Hermione turned around quickly, cursing herself for not just apparating, "Ron?" Ron laughed, "I must look different, Merlin 'Mione I'm only 3 years older!" Hermione looked away, "Yeah…about that, I am so sorry that I didn't keep in touch—" Ron shushed her, " 'Mione I missed you." He leaned down and grabbed her into a bone crushing hug. Hermione was sure a rib was cracking by now, she sputtered "Yes Ron, I missed you as well, why don't you sneak out with me and we can catch up?" Ron smiled sadly, " 'Mione I can't just leave." Hermione was confused, "Well, why not?" then it hit her, "Ronald you have a girlfriend?"

Ron hesitated, "Well actually…she's my wife" Hermione felt the words like a slap in the face. Had she really missed this much? Hermione nodded, "Ron, I am so sorry I didn't go to the wedding, when did you get married?" Ron smiled, "A year ago, in Paris. It was great, I invited you but I was only let down a little bit when you didn't come." Then it really hit her, she remembered the invite, it was white with pretty cursive. She also remembered that the she slept all day on the Sunday it was on. But what she hated the most was how, when she realized she just shrugged her shoulders and threw the invite in the trash, "Oh, Merlin Ron I am so sorry." She tried to remember the bride's name, it was the least she could do, "Well…er how is Lavender then?"

Ron smiled, "She's very pregnant" Hermione gasped, she had missed that too?! She was this close to hitting herself in the head with her purse, "Wow Ron! How many months is she?" Ron looked back over his shoulder towards the dance floor, "About six months, but tell her she looks like she's only four months into it." Hermione followed his loving gaze to find herself staring at a very pregnant Lavender waving madly at her. Lavender made—or more waddled, her way over to them, "Hermione it is so great to see you! How are you?" Hermione responded, noticing the way Ron looked down at Lavender when she was speaking, he loved her, "Oh I'm fine, but I really must go…I have a very early appointment tomorrow." Lavender's face fell for a bit and then she regained her smile, "Of course, you have to be very busy…I hope to see you soon…Hermione, don't be a stranger okay? Ronny needs you." Hermione nodded in promise as she walked into the cold night air.

As soon as she made her way outside she let go a sob that she had been holding back ever since Ron told her he was married. As she made her way to the park across the street she tried to hold back the tears. She needed sit down. When she finally made it to a bench. She began to sob loudly. She had missed so much in the last three years. Her friends had gotten married; their lives had all changed while hers stayed the same. She felt like the last three years of her life were a black emptiness. She was all alone, with no friends and it was completely her fault. She held her sides as three years of having and wanting nothing came out. All she wanted to do was move on and because of it she had not only missed out on a chunk of her own life but of all her closest friend's. She almost screamed out loud at the thought of all the memories she missed. She put her head down on the bench as she agonized over all the beautiful moments she missed. How many Weasley dinners had she missed? How many yearly Christmas quidditch games? How many times could she of been surrounded by family in friends instead of being alone and eating ramen on every holiday? She didn't want to move, the pain she had tried her best to hide form everyone was revealing itself. And what killed her most was that in the back of her mind she knew that this day would come, the day when she would reintroduce herself to society and have to face the agonizing fact that it had moved on without her. She closed her eyes as she felt the hardness of the bench below her and the cold night air that her gown couldn't protect her from. She fell asleep, her last conscious thought being that she was never going to miss a Weasley dinner again.

Draco opened his eyes the next morning. He didn't have the dream last night. He thought he should celebrate by going for a quick run before Hermione met him for coffee. He put on some clothes and made his way towards the door. He decided to take the run he usually took three years ago. It was through the park and back. He hadn't gone for run in three years and his normal route felt unfamiliar to him as he felt the wind blowing through his hair as he turned the corner and made his way towards the park. He couldn't believe he had stopped this, the rhythm, the wind in the hair—it felt amazing. He was going to have to keep this up. He began to run a bit faster through the middle of the park looking at the early birds reading the newspaper and eating breakfast. He smiled at how the same people he saw three years ago were here today, they all recognized him and smiled at him. As if welcoming him back to his own life.

He continued to enjoy the scenery as he made his way to some of the last benches. He slowed down though when he saw a huddle of people around one bench. His eyebrow disappeared behind his hair in interest, it was 7:00 in the morning. He reached the crowd and peered over an elderly woman shoulder. The woman turned to him, "She's been mumbling Lucius Malfoy's name for the last ten minutes."

When he saw who it was he pushed through the crowd towards the girl. She was in the same beautiful emerald gown she was wearing last night. She looked like an angel. He leaned down toward her getting down on one knee, "Hermione?" he whispered as he nudged her with his hand. She moved a bit and began mumbling but still, was not awake. Draco cleared his voice, "Hermione" he said it a little louder and pushed her a little harder. She groaned as she opened her eyes and screamed the most horrifying scream he had ever heard. He knew exactly why she was screaming too. He quickly grabbed her and apparated to his apartment away from the startled eyes of the group of people who had huddled around her.

A/N: Hey! Review! I really wanted to portray how devastated Hermione is about missing out on three years, I would love to know if I got that across ... (me, crossing fingers)