Encounters and Confrontations

Part One, Chapter Four

The wind blew hard as if it were trying to pry Hermione's cloak off. It hadn't started to rain yet but the storm was moving in fast. Hermione had just finished lunch and was on her way to Jenkins's Magic Book shop, which was located in between a flower and a butcher shop on corner of West Marley and 13th Street. Only those who knew where it was could find it; to muggles, the entrance looked like a narrow entrance to the apartments above the shops. Inside, though, was a four level book heaven with the largest variety from all over the world. It was, no doubt, Hermione's favorite book shop in the UK and the fact that it was one of London's best kept secrets kept Hermione coming back as often as she found an excuse to.

Hermione stepped inside taking refuge from the wind. Saying hello to the shop keeper Hermione took of her cloak and headed straight for the herbology section. She knew the store like the back of her and occasionally she found herself helping Mr. Jenkins, the shop keeper, find something for a customer faster than he could. In all the sections the books were arranged by the published date, starting from the bottom and ending with the latest published books at the top shelf. Naturally, Hermione walked over to the back corner and knelt down to get a better look at the older books.

Monday afternoons were always dead and besides Mr. Jenkins and an older woman on the second floor, Hermione was the only one in the store. Just the way she liked it. She didn't know what it was about books that she loved so much. Maybe it was the smell of the ink on parchment or the touch of the leather binding. Or maybe it was that no matter where she was or what she had been doing prior, Hermione was always able to lose herself in the worlds created by concepts and images that an author recorded. Already as she flipped through the pages of a leather bound book she felt reality slip away. She felt the tension and anxiety of the day slowly fade to the back of her brain, being replaced by stems, leaves and seeds..

Suddenly a loud thud brought her out of the trance. Hermione felt the presence of another individual further down to her left. Refusing to left the interruption disturb her thoughts, she kept her eyes on the books and continued searching.

Another thud. This time followed by an impatient huff. Hermione looked up from the current book she had pulled from the shelf and saw a man hunched over a book he had grabbed from the shelf. His platinum hair gave him away. For someone she hadn't seen in years, Hermione found it unusual that she had now seen Draco Malfoy twice today.

After the war there were many trials of the captured death eaters, the Malfoy family being one of many. She still wasn't sure how Draco was able to avoid prison but wasn't surprised to see his parents sent to Askaban. There had been a lot of publicity about his family then, but ever since, Draco had kept an extremely low profile. She couldn't blame him though. Having your life being exposed by the media made one feel cheated out of privacy. She didn't know how Ron or Harry dealt with it day in and day out. Well Ron mainly. Harry tried his hardest to keep his life private while Ron on the other hand almost embraced the photographers.

Hermione watched Malfoy shut another book forcefully and reached for a new victim. I wonder what he wants in the M.B.R.L.S. section. (Or for you muggles, the Magical Beasts of Rather Large Size section.) This morning Malfoy and Harry had acted like colleagues. Draco must have become an auror, too. It was weird to think of Harry and Malfoy anything other than teenage rivals. It seemed just like yesterday they were practically at each other's throats. I guess people do change.

Thud. Another book he did not like. Hermione looked at him trying to see his face. From what she could see his brow was set and his jaw was clenched. He didn't look angry or frustrated, like Hermione would have guessed, judging by his behavior. He simply looked concentrated. His blond hair hung loose, free from product, over his forehead as he occasionally ran his hand through it to brush it out of his face.

Thud. Now it was just getting annoying.

"You know, no matter how hard you shut the book, it won't scare the next one into being what you're looking for."

The voice came out of nowhere to Draco. His head snapped up to see who had spoken, only to find Hermione Granger on the opposite side of the isle. No wonder he didn't notice her before. She was squatting.

"What are you looking for?" She asked as if she were about to help him find whatever it was he was looking for. Like he needed the help. Malfoy looked at her not sure how to react. Of all people.

Looking back down at his newest victim he mumbled, "Just something that will put me to sleep the fastest."

Judging by the types of books he had chosen and the determination written all over his face, Hermione didn't believe a word he just said. "Well then you might want to try the endangered creatures section."

This time when Malfoy looked at Hermione his brow was furrowed. He looked mad, like he was trying to figure her out but was having no success. Hermione felt she had entered an unofficial staring competition. She stood her ground, well technically knelt her ground, and eventually Draco looked back at his book and nodded. She knew this nod was to indicate that he heard her, but she decided to take it as recognition of his defeat.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment she decided the book she held was the one she was going to get. She stood and began walking over to the check out desk. From the desk though she still had a view of Malfoy and she watched him move down the aisle towards the endangered section.

"That will be one galleon and six sickles, Ms. Granger." Said Mr. Jenkins the book keeper.

"What? Oh. Right, sorry." Hermione dug through her purse embarrassed Mr. Jenkins had caught her staring at Malfoy. "Here you are." She said handing him two galleons. Mr. Jenkins was an old man and moved slowly. While he looked for change and a bag for her purchase Hermione couldn't help but glance back at Malfoy. He hadn't slammed a book shut yet. God, she loved being right. Suddenly, though he did something she did not expect. Out of nowhere, Malfoy tore a page out of the book. Just like that. Like he didn't care at all about the process of binding a book or that one day someone will be reading it and will never know what that page would say.

Hermione was about to call him out on it when Mr. Jenkins spoke up. "Your change, Ms. Granger." Hermione looked at him and then back at Malfoy opening her mouth to speak. But before she could speak Mr. Jenkins interfered again. "Ms. Granger." Hermione looked at him again. This time he was smiling sweetly shaking his head. "You have a good day Mr. Malfoy." He called out to the man behind her. Hermione looked at Mr. Jenkins like he was crazy but her look was dismissed.

She turned around to see Malfoy nod at the store keeper as he headed for the front door. Noticing the look Hermione was giving him he paused as he opened the door to give a special smirk, just for her. Who does he think he is? She knew he was doing this on purpose and the fact that it actually annoyed her infuriated her even more. Grabbing her book Hermione hurried after him.

"Have a good day, Ms. Granger." She heard Mr. Jenkins call out.

She was so distracted she barely had enough time to call out a "You too!" before she opened the door. Looking down the street she saw blond hair bobbing past other pedestrians on the cross walk. She darted after him pulling her cloak on against the wind. She had the full intention of calling him out for what he had done. Just because he was rich and an auror didn't mean he could just take what he wanted when he wanted. What a prick! He had absolutely no concern for others.

As Hermione got closer it occurred to her. What was she doing? Who did she think she was? Going up to a man she hadn't seen in years only to chastise him like they were in third year again. She was an adult now. She shouldn't have to correct others behavior, no matter how poor their manners were. And Mr. Jenkins seemed to be OK with the fact Malfoy had just vandalized one of his books. Maybe they had some sort of agreement worked out or something. Ha! Look at her. Making excuses for a Malfoy.

Hermione no longer knew why she was following him anymore. Just as she was about to leave though Malfoy turned on his heal.

"Before you say anything Granger, don't."

Hermione, shocked he knew she was behind him, stopped just in time not to run into Malfoy.

"You don't know what you're talking about." He continued.

Hermione didn't want to be caught following him for nothing. Scolding him was out of the question as he was obviously not going to hear it, though she doubted ]he would have listened in the first place.

Panicking she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I know it was you."

"Granger, I know you saw me in the book store."

"What? No. Not just then."

Malfoy knew what she was referring to. He stiffened. This was no place to discuss such matters. She should know better.

When Malfoy didn't reply Hermione continued. "Harry told me you were the one who found me first... well after Greyback." She waited for him the respond but he just starred at her. "You were the one who saved me, not Harry."

"I didn't do it for you."

Wow. Not exactly what she was going for. "Well, whether you meant to or not, the fact still remains valid. And for that I am in debt to you."

"You don't owe me anything, Granger."

"Saving some one's life is a big thing to do for someone, Malfoy." As she spoke Malfoy looked around as if he were checking for eaves droppers. Noticing this, Hermione lowered her voice. "If you ever need anything, I... I'd be glad to help." The wind began to pick up again and Hermione hugged her cloak tighter to her.

The Malfoy shook his head, "Granger, nothing I did was to help you. You don't owe me anything."

Hermione sighed in frustration. Why was he arguing with her? "Well whatever you think, my offer still stands. And it's wrong to steal." She added. "Even if it is just a bloody piece of paper."

Malfoy relaxed a little at this. "Alright, Granger." He said sarcastically. "I'll remember that the next time I go shopping." He turned to continue his walk down the street.

Hermione felt herself getting angrier by the second as she watched him leave. God, she hated arrogant jerks who felt like they owned everything. All she was doing was trying to say thank you. He couldn't even handle that. What a prick. I'm glad he didn't want my favor. I wouldn't have given it to him now anyways.

Rain started pouring from the sky just as Malfoy disappeared into the city. Hermione pulled her hood up, gave the back of Malfoy's head one last glare down and stormed off in the opposite direction. Walking past the book store her anger took its quickly turned into demeaning curiosity. What's so important about that one page anyways?Hermione stepped back inside the store and headed straight for the book Malfoy had ravaged.

"You're sure she said seven?"

"Well technically I said seven and she agreed."

"Harry!"

Harry couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Ginny she'll be here."

"It's already 7:15 and Hermione is never late. When was the last time Hermione was late for something? Never. See? She's not coming." Ginny stood over the stove jabbing a pan full of oil and vegetables. "We'll probably just get a letter tomorrow saying how sorry she was for being caught up in work. Which is ridiculous cause what could possibly be keeping her at Mungo's on a Friday night?" The red head ranted. She glance back at the clock and sighed.

Harry walked up behind his fiancé wrapping his arms around her waist. "She'll be here. I promise."

Ginny relaxed in his hold. "But why does she have to be late tonight? Why tonight?"

"There is plenty of reasons why. She could have been caught up at work, tripped over Crookshanks coming down the stairs, heard a house elf crying for help..."

Ginny giggled and turned to face Harry. "That wasn't funny. If she heard that she'd have jinxed you on the spot."

"Well then she better hurry up." He whispered closing the space between their lips. Ginny smiled and closed her eyes.

'Knock, knock.'

"Hermione!" Ginny called out before she could make it into the kiss. Jumping out of Harry's arms Ginny rushed to the door leaving him hanging. Harry shook his head and took over the job of sautéing the vegetables.

"Hermione, I'm so glad you made it!" Ginny said opening the door.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, Ginny." Hermione said stepping in shaking off the rain as Ginny helped her take off her cloak. "Some nut case came in with nine stings from a billywig. Can you imagine? It took us nearly three hours to get him to stop levitating."

"No, no! You're fine. I was just finishing up the vegetables. Your just in time really."

"Oh good. Oh and here is the wine you asked for."

"Wonderful. Harry's secretary gave me a recipe for this Rosemary Chicken and said this would just go perfectly." Ginny took the wine bottle from Hermione and paused. Hermione looked up at her friend waiting for her to continue. Just then Ginny through her arms over Hermione, wine bottle and all.

Hermione was surprise by the spontaneous hug but held on to Ginny in return.

"I'm so glad to see you." Ginny whispered.

Hermione smiled into Ginny's shoulder. "I'm glad to see you, too."

"Is Hermione here?" They heard Harry call from the kitchen.

"Yes. We're coming!" Ginny called out. The girls let go of one another and walked arm and arm into the kitchen.

"Hello Harry."

"Hey Hermione. Good to see you."

"And you. So what are we having tonight?" Hermione asked as Ginny went over to grab three wine glasses.

"Roasted lemon Rosemary chicken, sautéed vegetables, potatoes au gratin, and for dessert a chocolate pear tart."

"Ginny it smells fabulous."

"Thank you. Eddie gave the tart to us as an award for being customer of the month. I swear I'm in there every week." Ginny laughed.

"Eddie?"

"Ginny's new lover." Harry said.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Eddie is one of the bakers at this muggle pastry shop a couple of blocks over. He's just as sweet as can be. The other day he gave us a recipe for a rum cake that I'm just dying to try."

"Excuse me. Gave you." Harry corrected. "A recipe he gave you the other day."

"Harry's just jealous he can't talk food." Ginny said pouring the wine.

"I'm sautéing the onions well enough aren't I?" Harry protested.

"Yes well talking and doing are to completely different things."

"Well I still say that baker has a crush on you."

"I'm sure he's friendly with all his customers."

Hermione laughed at the couple. "You two are a pair."

Ginny smiled and handed out the wine glasses. "Here. Let's toast."

"What should we toast to?" Hermione asked.

"To family." Harry said looking at Hermione as if to say 'you are our family'.

"To family." The girls repeated. The trio clinked their glasses and sipped in unity.

"Now. To dinner." Harry said turning around looking at the stove. He sat down his wine and rubbed his hands together. "What do I do?" He asked earning him a laugh from the girls.

"Here you and Hermione set the table and I'll meet you in there with the food."

"Alright. Sounds good."

Harry grabbed the plates and Hermione followed him into the dining room with the silverware. Taking advantage of time without Ginny's presence, Hermione decided to ask Harry about something that had been on her mind for the past couple of days.

"Hey Harry."

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

He figured she would use this time to ask more about Greyback. "Ask away." He said.

"How long have you been working with Malfoy?"

Squinting, he paused and looked up at the ceiling. "Oh, about two years now? I think."

"Why have you never mentioned it before?"

"Well, the cases we do work together on are typically either highly classified or really boring."

"How could anything an auror do be boring?"

Harry laughed. "Paper work. Lots and lots of paper work."

"But you don't work together all the time?" The sentence was a question but Hermione stated it as fact.

"No, most of the stuff we have work on is reports, different presentations to the Board of Directors, collecting full profiles on some of the cases. I've only ever been in the field with him once, and from what I saw he's become pretty accomplished with a wand. I certainly wouldn't want to face him unprepared. But of course I'm always prepared so he wouldn't stand a chance." He smiled cheekily.

Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head at Harry's sarcasm. Men and their egos. "Were you working on something together the day of the wedding?" The last part of the sentence sounded forced and it didn't go unnoticed by Harry.

Harry looked at Hermione. He didn't want to lie to her but that case was not something he had authority to speak about. "No. That was something else. I don't know much about that case." He added before she could ask.

"Are you working on anything now? Together I mean."

Harry wondered why she was so curious about Malfoy all of a sudden. "Why do you ask?"

Before Hermione could reply, dinner was ready.

"You two better be hungry!" Ginny called out from the kitchen. "I think I added too much growthweed."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other in confusion. "Growthweed?" They said in unison.

Ginny pushed the door open with her bum as she walked very slowly backwards. As she turned around she revealed a plate with three chicken breasts the size of basketballs with the side dishes floating behind her. Harry nearly buckled over in laughter.

"Ginny, why would you put growthweed on the chicken?" Hermione asked, trying not to laugh.

"That what the recipe said!" Ginny said, defended herself as she placed the food on the table.

"Well at least they look edible." He managed between giggles.

"I swear if you tell my mother about this one, you'll sleep on the couch that night." Ginny threatened.

Ginny loved cooking. Ever since she moved out of the Burrow she had tried the art as much as she could hoping that she would be as good, but secretly better, that Mrs. Weasley. Unfortunately she hadn't quite figured out the right balance of magical verses non-magical ingredients. It seemed like whenever Ginny tried extra hard though, something always got burnt, broken, or forgotten. Her family constantly gave her a hard time about it but nothing aggravated Ginny more than cooking advice from her mother. It nearly drove her up the wall when ever Mrs. Weasely showed off in front of Ginny. As if she needed to. As if she had to prove she was better and always would be better at cooking.

Harry tried controlling his laughter. "Your secret is safe with me."

At this point Hermione couldn't contain her giggles either. "I'm sure they taste wonderful."

The friends spent the majority of the night laughing, teasing, reminiscing and enjoying each other's company. Hermione hadn't laughed in so long she'd forgotten what it had felt like. She felt overjoyed to be here. Why had she been avoiding them for so long when she was always so happy with them? It wasn't till the awkward pause happened when Ron's name accidentally came up. At this Harry was first to break the silence.

"Well I'll let you talk while I get the kitchen cleaned."

Ginny was grateful for such a thoughtful man. She was dying to talk to her friend alone. Hermione on the other hand was fidgeting for she knew what was coming.

"You know we were real worried about you there for a while. When you weren't responding to my letters." Ginny said quietly. It wasn't a scornful tone or a accusing one. It was a sisterly concern Ginny was expressing for Hermione.

Hermione looked down at her hands. "I know I'm sorry." Taking a deep breath she continued, "I should have responded or come over earlier."

"It's OK that you wanted to be alone. I understand that and I would never disrespect your wishes. But please, just let me know you're alive next time. Ron being my brother has nothing to do with us. I considered you a sister before the wedding and I still do. Whatever it is you want to talk about it is completely confidential. It always has been." Ginny smiled softly.

Hermione felt unbelievably guilty. She had avoided Ginny on purpose and now she regretted ever feeling that way. Ginny was right. They were practically sisters. They didn't need marriage to confirm that. Hermione knew she could talk to Ginny about anything and not have to worry about multiple ears listening. Hell, Ginny was the only person she could talk to about Ron and know that she understood what she was saying.

"I feel awful about this Ginny. I'm sorry. I'll never ever aviod you like that again." Hermione was close to tears. She loved Ginny and never in a million years thought she would take that friendship for granted. The fact that she did crushed her under all the pain she felt already.

Ginny pulled her friend into a tight hug. She hated to see Hermione like this. She wanted to get past all this so that she could go back to being happy-know-it-all-Hermione.

They pulled away from each other and Hermione reached up to wipe away her tears. Laughing away the silence she apologized for crying. "I'm such a mess."

"There is absolutely nothing to apologize for." Ginny assured.

Hermione sniffed. "Thank you."

Ginny smiled and offered Hermione the tissues she had summoned over. "You OK? I mean when you're by yourself and you don't have put on the act anymore."

"I don't put on an act." Ginny gave her a look and Hermione knew she owed it to Ginny to be completely honest. Hermione sighed. "I'm alright. I try to keep busy most of the time. Anything to not think about it."

"You've been working on that house, haven't you?" Ginny said trying to lighten the mood.

"Yes. Ginny, once it's finished you'll have to come see it. I'll have you and Harry over for dinner this time." Hermione was already thinking about everything she would have to do to prepare for the get together.

"Finished?"

"It's a muggle house so I've had to make some slight changes. I'm trying to get the floo network set up, but that takes forever and a day to get notarized, of course. And I bought a book of domestic spells I've been brushing up on."

Ginny laughed. "And you're back at Mungo's working doubles, I'm sure. You are staying busy."

Hermione smiled politely in return but looked back at her hands thinking about the house. Ginny saw Hermione's face fall and wondered if she was thinking about work. What could be so depressing about work. Hermione loved work.

"You know, the house was a wedding present." Hermione finally said. Ginny froze. "My parents bought it a couple of months ago intending to give it to us after the honeymoon."

"Oh Hermione." Ginny said sympathetically.

"It's weird. I mean it's getting less weird. But for a while it was impossible to... to... I couldn't do anything and not wonder how it would be if he was there. If he would like the color scheme or hate the couch cover I bought."

Ginny listened patiently. It was obvious that what Hermione was revealing had been eating up inside.

"I can't stop thinking about him. Even when I distract myself he's still there in the back of my head. I keep thinking I see him places. I can't help it and I hate it! I hate him for making me feel this way. I hate that when I do stop distracting myself my heart hurts. It's like a physical pain. Its as if the muscles in my chest tighten like they're trying to suffocate my heart." Hermione sniffed. "I know I shouldn't love him anymore, but I can't help not to want him back." Hermione was choking back tears. She had never revealed this to anyone. Not even her own mother. "I can't help but to still want to be married."

"No, no, no!" Ginny hushed as she summoned a box of tissues with her wand. "It is perfectly fine to still love him. No one can just stop loving someone cold turkey, Hermione. It doesn't work like that. Just like it takes time to build a relationship, it takes time to fall out of one." Ginny held Hermione while she cried. "One day, your heart will be able to let go."

"But I don't want to let it go." Hermione squeaked. "If I do that that means I'll be wrong about everything. I thought he was the one. I thought I had found true love, as cheesy as it sounds."

"Hermione, true love isn't something that comes with proofs or guidelines. It doesn't follow any pattern and it certainly doesn't listen to logic. Just because you fell in love with Ron doesn't mean you won't fall in love again. And it doesn't mean you were wrong. He was the one. And for a long time he remained that way. You can't deny that. But people change. Feelings change. I promise everything will turn out for the best." She reached up to brush Hermione's hair out of her face.

Hermione sniffled. "I knew something was wrong the first time we postponed the wedding. I... I suppose I was just so ready to be married, I guess I just dismissed it as pre- wedding jitters or something. I don't know. I should have seen this coming." Hermione sat back up and wiped away more tears. "I should have done something."

Afraid Hermione would start beating herself up Ginny spokes up. "There's no use in living in the past now. All you can do is move forward."

"How?" Her voice was quiet. Innocent. Desperate. She knew the answer before asking, but to hear it out loud made it seem accomplishable.

"By taking everything day by day. By living with the present moment and not consuming your thoughts on how it could have been or would have been. By focusing on how it is, how you must deal with it now." Behind tear stained eyes Hermione looked at Ginny in admiration. "A wise witch told me that once." Ginny smiled. "And now it seems her own advice could be used in such times as these."

"Thank you." Hermione whispered. Ginny smiled and handed her another tissue. When Hermione finished she looked back up at Ginny. "I love you." She said.

Ginny's smile grew. "And I love you. Any time you want to talk or throw darts at a picture of Ron's face, just let me know. I always be here for you."

Hermione could not help to smile at that. "Thank you. For everything."

"Anytime."

Ginny watched as Hermione cleaned herself up a bit wiping the tears and snot away, trying not to let Ginny see her red face.

"On a brighter note, there is an un-carved pear tart behind that door that is just calling our name."

"That actually sounds really good right about now."

"Great. I'll be right back." She said before dashing into the kitchen for dessert.

The girls stayed up for another two hours talking about this and that, enjoying each others company. When I was finally time for Hermione to leave she found herself dreading to go home. She had missed this. Staying up late talking about whatever came to mind. Hermione missed the old days. When things seemed simpler.

Standing outside her front door, Hermione inhaled the night air feeling slightly lighter than she did when she arrived hours earlier. It was amazing how just talking about Ron slightly made her heart ache less. Hermione was felt a whole lot better and incredibly grateful for having someone like Ginny to talk to.

Unlocking the door Hermione stepped into a dark empty house. Now if only didn't have to come home alone.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far! Special thanks to Veiland. You're awesome.

OK so now is the part where most authors like to remind the readers to reveiw and although I would love to hear what you think about the story, I have an alternative for you. I keep a journal for copying down random qoutes and I was thinking about somehow incorporating a couple of my favorites into the story. Somehow. Anyways, I thought why not add some of the readers' favorite quotes? I mean I wouldn't be writing this story unless you're were reading it. So add your quote in the review thing, if you like. Or if you think this is a tottaly dumb idea... stop reading the story. I don't like you either. Or just ignor it. It's whatever.

Alright. K bye.