Hey people! Guess what? This story is about to go (sort of) linear. FINALLY hahaha. This means that we will be reverting back to the present timeline presented in the very first chapter. This one might be a bit…sad as far as the love story goes but I can assure you'll it'll be up and running soon enough.

PS There will still be "flashbacks" but they will be within present-day chapters.

Read and review, please! :)

October 14. 2001

Draco stood numbly in front of three steps that led to a menacing green door, on which, in gold faded ink, were written three digits: 428. Three simple digits that had cost him months to track down. Three digits that represented a locale that was home to a girl he had once intended to marry and live the rest of his life contentedly with; but, just like the meek numbers that had faded from gold to their current dull mustard hue, the possibility of that lifestyle had long ebbed away, its byproduct the wreck of a man that was now Draco Malfoy.

The rain clouds were unleashing the worst of their inclement showers, unconsciously mirroring the tumultuous emotions Draco felt deep within himself. Grasping his black umbrella tightly, enough to make his knuckles stretch white over his already pale skin, he took the first step up towards the door. His heart felt as if it had done a backflip at the prospect of Hermione opening the door. He strode gracefully up the last two steps and, as his expectations for their encounter lined up in front of him, something almost resembling a smile began to appear on his lips . He had found her.

In an ideal world, Hermione would open the door and burst into tears of joy at the sight of him. She would accept his "I'm sorry"s and reciprocate his "I love you"s. But this was not an ideal world and after knocking three times on the green door, it swung open, revealing a gangly figure with bright red hair and a fierce scowl. Ronald Weasley.

Ronald Weasley was standing in her house. In her house, protectively blocking the doorway. HE, Ronald Weasley, is protecting HER from ME?

Jealously and anger frothed hot and acidic within Draco as he stared at the reason for their break-up. The filthy Weasel's nose seems to have healed quite nicely. Draco thought to himself, having punched Ron in the face only a month before. Ron had come to their flat, trying to convince Hermione to leave Draco, upsetting her to the point of tears and Draco had simply…reacted. His reaction, something that had horrified Hermione beyond belief, and Ron's speech, something Draco had considered quite pathetic, had somehow managed to convince her to leave, ultimately driving Draco to arrive at this very doorstep a month later, going against everything in his nature to try to win her back.

The ginger was the first to speak, "Malfoy," he voiced in a terse tone.

"Where is she?" Draco asked, his grey eyes stone-like as they stared at Ron's freckled face with disgust.

"You have no right to--"

"Where is she?" Draco repeated, his tone telling of the fact that he was getting dangerously close to blowing his top.

"I'm-- I'm not telling."

"Oh that's real mature Weasley," Draco responded, half expecting Ronald to stick his tongue out at him.

Ron simply shrugged and began to shut the door.

Draco's hand shot out and blocked the door from closing.

"Let go." Ron spat.

Draco's eyes met Ron for a moment. It was evident that Ron wasn't going to give in. Draco sighed, a pained expression beginning to make its way onto his face. He was broken.

Ron raised his eyebrows in shock at the sight of Draco's face. Their expression grew perplexed as a spark of hope grew in Draco's eyes.

"Hermione," Draco called out in a voice laden with emotion. "Hermione, I love you. And I'm positive a part of you loves me."

Ron rolled his eyes and began pushing Draco out of the doorway. Draco glared at Ron's hand on his chest, restraining himself from smacking it away. He simply raised his voice, "If you do…love me." his tone changed when it hit the word 'love', "Meet me at the corner café in half an hour. Please. I need to talk to you."

"Bugger off." Ron said flatly and gave Draco a final shove, slamming the door in Draco's face.

Had Draco not been trying to win back Hermione, something that would not be helped by his murdering her best mate, Draco would have gladly shown Ronald exactly how he felt about Ron cozying up at Hermione's flat, but seeing as he was, he simply clenched his fist and made his way towards the café, praying that she would show up.

___

Bah, Sorry if Draco seems OOC at the end there. I tried to make it seem like he's really just reached his point of utmost desperation...