Author's Note: To be honest...I found that this chapter was somewhat...choppy. Tell me what you guys think!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. :)
Unexpected Meeting
Draco strolled smoothly on the cobblestone street of Diagon Alley. He had always found Diagon Alley quite comforting, for he could accurately say it was nearly the complete opposite of Malfoy Manor, with its welcoming feel, and its small town appeal. He had first come to do some last minute shopping for Hogwarts. Once he had successfully acquired all his needed school supplies, he ambled around the village shops searching for anything even remotely interesting.
It was not long before he spotted a head of ginger red hair that he would, without a doubt, recognize anywhere. He noticed that the Weasel was accompanied by none other than the Chosen One and the Gryffindor Princess. 'Ahh…finally something to do.' he thought 'This could be fun' A wayward smirk made its way onto Draco's pale complexion.
He shoved his way past the crowds of witches and wizards shuffling their way through the narrow lanes. As he made his way over to the Golden trio, he noticed that The Weasel was gazing at Granger with an admiring, lovesick look plastered all over his freckled face. Draco scoffed in disgust, and he noticed that Hermione was completely oblivious to the infatuated glances that Weasley was throwing her way. He smiled inwardly, he knew exactly what he was going to say. He approached the small group of friends and he spoke in a loud arrogant voice to get their attention.
"Hey! You! Weasley! I see you fancy Granger, eh? Oh, drop that look on your face! You made it quite obvious. But wouldn't you think that it's rather unfair for her? Even the bossy know-it-all would deserve better than you! Where will you put her when you two lovebirds get married? There sure enough won't be enough space for her in your sad-excuse-for a home!"
Draco watched, amused, as all three heads whipped around in his direction. He took note of the expression on each person's face. The anger and the hint of annoyance in Harry's eyes were nothing compared to the look on Ron's face. Pure embarrassment was written clearly all over his visage, and his cheeks turned deep red. So red, in fact, that it challenged even the color of his hair. He stuttered and tried to devise a clever comeback, but Malfoy's words had shocked him too deeply, that all the words that came from his lips were incoherent and jumbled. Draco admitted to himself that it was quite entertaining to watch.
He took his attention away from Weasley to focus his attention on Granger, and he noticed that her cheeks were also flushed, not from embarrassment, but rather from anger. Draco noticed that once she mulled over what he had said, her expression changed to one of confusion and puzzlement. It was quite compelling to Draco that someone as intelligent as Granger couldn't notice something that was dangling right in front of her eyes. It was a while before anyone spoke, but soon enough none other than Hermione Granger broke the silence.
"Guys let's go, we don't need trouble from him." She spoke in a controlled voice, as if she was trying hard to keep her anger unnoticed.
"I don't know why I bother with people like yourselves." He spoke in a bored tone "I find it quite obvious that all three of you lack the brains to come up with a decent comeback." Draco smiled to himself, he knew that his statement would get on Hermione's nerves. He could see Hermione silently fuming, her anger getting worse by the second, and just as he had predicted, soon after his remark, she spoke.
"Malfoy, have you stooped so low that you have to pick on us 'lesser beings' to boost your self esteem? Because it looks like to me, or I suppose it could be a trick of the light, that your ego doesn't need anymore inflating! But I suppose that's why you want to join Voldemort? So he can praise you with adoration, after you complete the terribly inhumane tasks he has in store for all the future Death Eaters? "
Her sharp remeark infuriated Draco, so he retorted back with just as much, if not more animosity than Hermione.
"Oh, it's not me that needs a boost in self esteem, Granger. Constantly raising your hand in class doesn't disguise your facade. You're just a self-conscious girl that hides her own uncertainty about herself behind thick books, and bushy hair. I can see right through you." Even though Malfoy's words had hurt her, she refused to let it show.
"See right through me? Psh…Malfoy, I'm not the one who spends hours in front of the mirror admiring myself!"
"Well, it looks like you could have used the time in front of the mirror! Except it would take more than a couple hours to set you right!" As Draco said this, he didn't fail to notice that Hermione had most definitely changed in appearance over the years. Granger's bushy hair had tamed and soft brunette curls now tumbled down to her mid-back. Her features had softened over time, but she still bared much resemblance to her younger self.
"Set me right? Oh, I can think of a few things you could use to set yourself right! I know that I'm not the only one speaking when I say you could use a new attitude!" It amused Draco to see Hermione so wound up, so he continued to annoy her.
"A new attitude, Granger? Please, like we all haven't heard that one before."
"Oh, it's quite likely that you've heard it before."
"Granger, your immaturity is quite frustrating." Draco smirked as he said this.
"What? My immaturity? That's just sad, Malfoy. You're calling me immature, when you blindly obey your father, not knowing what grief he causes the wizarding world? Doting on him hand and foot, you'd follow him off a cliff if he ordered you to! You've still yet to master thinking for yourself, and that, Malfoy, is why I feel sympathy for you."
Hermione turned sharply on her heel, and briskly walked away from him, dragging Ron and Harry with her. The two boys walked away laughing at how she had made a fool of Malfoy.
"I never knew you had it in you, Hermione!" Ron commented. "That was brilliant!"
What Hermione said had made Draco wonder. The thing that bothered him most was that what she said was entirely untrue. He did think for himself, and he honestly could care less about what Lucius wanted. He knew Lucuis was nothing more than a cowering servant to the Dark Lord. Yes, he knew that, but how did others view him? Did they only see him as a death eater's son? Did they all just assume that he was also a death eater, just because Lucius was one? There was not much he could do to help that, and he most definitely wasn't going to change himself just so the people's scrutiny would modify. Let them think what they want, he knew what side he was on, and he knew that he was capable of thinking on his own.
Draco continued to stride along the streets, thinking silently to himself. His stone-set eyes were directed towards the floor, and he paid no mind to where he was going. Quite suddenly he collided into a middle-aged woman carrying a tall stack of books, and he hastily glanced up and apologized. As Draco observed the woman standing in front of him, he noticed that she must have been a muggle. She was clothed in a simple sundress adorned with sewn lilac flowers, and she wore a look of befuddlement upon her face.
"Can I help you?" Draco was brought up in a very prestigious and well known family, so common courtesy was only in his nature.
"Oh, um…yes actually…I suppose I'm lost." Even though the woman was obviously confused, her tone of voice still carried a strong sense of confidence, and Draco respected that.
"I'd be happy to help. Are you looking for anyone in particular?"
"Yes, do you know anyone by the name of Hermione Granger? I can't seem to find her anywhere."
"Oh…I…yes actually, I…conversed with her just a few moments ago. She's your daughter, am I correct?" Draco was surprised that he didn't make the connection earlier. He already knew Hermione's parents were muggles, and her mother's appearance was quite similar to that of her daughter.
"Yes, she is…Hermione's my daughter. Do you know where she could be?"
Without thinking Draco replied.
"Well, I can't be sure, but if I know your daughter at all, she'll probably be in the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts. Would you like me to lead you there?" Draco wasn't looking forward to seeing Hermione again, but he couldn't just leave Mrs. Granger in the middle of the street.
"Oh..yes please, I'd appreciate that. Oh, and I'm sorry, but I never caught your name…" Jane Granger gave Draco a small smile in thanks.
"My name's Draco. This way ma'm." He led Mrs. Granger through the winding roads, and through the mobs of people until they finally reached Flourish and Blotts. He spotted Hermione through the glass window of the store. He noticed that she sat alone, and was unaccompanied.
"Follow me then, Mrs. Granger." They reached Hermione in little time, but her nose was buried in an immensely thick book, and she failed to notice them. Her mother spoke first.
"Hermione!" Her mother rushed over to her and wrapped Hermione into a bone-crushing hug. "Don't you run off like that again! I turn my back for 2 seconds…"
"Wha…Mom? I told you I was going off with Harry and Ron! They're in the Quidditch shop across the..."As Hermione mumbled this, she noticed Malfoy standing uninterestedly behind her mom. "Malfoy?"
"Granger." He acknowledged her presence only by giving her a slight nod. He was tempted to say much more, but with Mrs. Granger beside him, he didn't dare insult Hermione. Jane Granger noticed the awkwardness between the two, so she tried to make things feel more at ease.
"Oh, so you know each other then? Are you friends?"
Hermione glanced at her mom nervously. "Well, yes we know each other, but I would say we're more like….acquaintances." she finished lamely.
"Oh I see." replied Jane Granger in a somewhat disappointed voice.
Draco was starting to feel uncomfortable, so he made an excuse so he could leave. "Well, I've got to get back home, and get ready for tomorrow. Goodbye Mrs. Granger." Draco felt relieved to escape the presence of the Grangers. He smirked to himself, for he was able to hold back all the insults and comebacks that he so desperately wanted to throw in Hermione's way. He had a stronger self-restraint than he had thought. Draco floo'd back to the manor so soon that he missed the conversation that Jane and Hermione Granger had after he left.
Jane and Hermione Granger watched as Draco walked out of the door, and as soon as he was out of earshot she began questioning her daughter.
"Hermione….are you sure you're not friends with that boy..or..perhaps.. more...? He seemed like a nice enough gentleman."
Hermione's face transitioned into a look of disgust before answering. "Mom! I…just…eww…I'm sorry…but no. And I'm glad that we're nothing more than acquaintances."
"Oh really, honey? Why did you seem so skittish around him then, hmm?"
"Oh, please Mom! That was because I was struggling to keep my wand in my pocket, and not use it to hex him into oblivion!"
"Hermione! Don't talk like that! He was kind enough to lead me back to you wasn't he?" Jane Granger was getting quite annoyed at her daughter.
"I'm sorry, Mom. But Draco Malfoy and I have been like….mortal enemies since first year!"
"Alright….If you say so, dear…"
Hermione could tell that her mom wasn't going to just let this subject go. She gave a big exasperated sigh, and once again immersed herself into the paperback book resting in her lap.
Author's Note: Just to clear things up...Draco and Hermione both still hate each other LOL but not for long...
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