Chapter 2

"Hello?"

"Lucinda Teresanto speaking."

"It's Hermione. I was calling about your proposal."

"Oh, great! I hope you've given it some thought."

Hermione bit her lips while contemplating what to say next. "I have. But I was thinking, don't you think it would be better to discuss all of this in person? I have a lot of questions and-"

Lucinda cut her off. "I understand. Would you like to discuss this over lunch? We could go to that new Chinese place on Deccan Street. It's near that donut shop."

Hermione nodded, and upon remembering that Lucinda couldn't see her, asked if 12:30 was alright. Lucinda gave her consent and hung up the phone. Hermione glanced at the clock and sighed wearily. It was only 10:34. She had nearly an hour and a half before she needed to get going.

She picked up a copy of her all-time favorite book, Pride & Prejudice, and settled down on the couch while she kept a careful eye on the time.

At 11:46, Hermione put her book down and walked to her bedroom to get ready. Once she was dressed, she grabbed her purse, phone, and keys, and set out towards Deccan Street. As she drove, she thought about how nice it was that she was a part of both the Wizarding world and the Muggle world. She'd spent the first 11 years of her life in the latter, and the rest of it in the former, but she'd never forgotten where she came from.

Lucinda was a Squib, but she knew both the Wizarding world and the Muggle world pretty well. Although her parents and three siblings were all magical, she never resented them for it. While her siblings were going to Hogwarts, she went to a large Muggle school near her home. Growing up in the Muggle world during the day and returning to the Wizarding world at night had truly given her the best of both worlds.

Hermione turned into the plaza and parked near the restaurant. She got out of her car and leant against it, checking her watch. It was 12:19, meaning that she was a bit early for lunch. She didn't see Lucinda's car anywhere, so she decided to go wait for her on the bench outside the little restaurant.

The Brightest Witch of Her Age locked her car behind her and made her way to the front of the establishment. She sat down, pulling her phone out to text Lucinda that she was there already. As she typed, she heard yelling from inside the restaurant. She looked up to see a man with long, unkempt blond hair dressed in clothing much too large on him get pushed through the door with a painful-looking shove.

"And stay out! I don't want to see your face in here again!" yelled an Asian man, his fury showing on his face. He didn't notice Hermione as he stomped back into the restaurant after pushing the man once again.

The man in the baggy clothing fell to the floor as the door slammed shut and Hermione's helpful instincts kicked in. As she went over to him, she kept her right hand on her wand, ready to whip it out at the first sign of danger. She held out her left hand to the man in a silent offering of help. The man, whose face Hermione hadn't seen yet, grasped her hand and got up. She noticed how bony his hands were as she helped him to his feet.

"Thank you." said the man in a quiet voice, releasing Hermione's hand. He moved to brush his hair out of his eyes and glanced up at Hermione.

"No thanks needed. Are you alri-" Hermione stopped talking as she laid eyes on the familiar (although not pleasant) face.

"Granger?" asked the man, his voice cracking slightly. He kept his eyes on Hermione's face as she took in his appearance.

She noticed everything, from his broken down sneakers to his thin, peaked face. He looked like someone had drained him of all muscle. He was all skin and bone. Hermione looked at him with surprise clouding her face. "Malfoy?" she asked in a small voice.

He gave her a small smirk and asked "Miss me?"

She glared at him, her normally calm brown eyes turning to hot, churning lava. Any ounce of sympathy she had developed for him disappeared as she caught a glimpse of his smirk. "Hardly."

His cool expression faltered as she stared him down, pure hatred on her face. In fact, to Hermione, he looked a bit embarrassed, perhaps even regretful as his smirk turned into a frown.

Hermione gave him a final pointed glare and returned to the bench, subconsciously wiping her hand on her jeans as she sat down. She could feel Draco's eyes following her as she pulled out her phone once more to tell Lucinda that she was waiting for her. She didn't want to eat there anymore, but then again, she didn't really care, as long as she was away from Draco. As she continued typing, she was surprised to receive a message from Lucinda.

Hello, Hermione. I'm terribly sorry, but something has come up. I won't be able to make it to lunch today. Perhaps we can reschedule?

Hermione sighed, putting her head in her hands. Every possible thing that could go wrong, had. First, there was the letter from Lucinda that had her emotions in conflicting turmoil. Then, she just had to see someone she despised, after helping him up! And then Lucinda said she wouldn't be able to make it to lunch.

Although Hermione disliked Draco with a burning passion, she had no interest in eating at the Chinese place any longer. There was no reason to treat anyone like that. She adjusted herself, and got up to leave as a dark figure stepped in front of her.

She looked up and locked eyes with Draco, who was fiddling with the hem of his baggy sweatshirt, almost nervously.

"What?" she asked harshly, standing up. The height difference of five inches had Draco looking down at Hermione and Hermione looking up at him.

"I just wanted to say something. Something I should've said a long time ago."