Hermione paced her living room nervously. Malfoy would be here in an hour. She bit her lip. Why was he coming over? What could he possibly have to say to her? They weren't friends. Perhaps he was still worried that she would do herself harm. The thought caused her to blush. She didn't want to be Malfoy's pathetic charity case.
The more she thought about it, the more agitated she got. Why had he suddenly barged into her life after years of bitter hatred? She was certain there was underlying motive behind his actions. And what was Blaise doing? Was it possible that they were both just toying with her? That had to be it. Neither one had ever expressed the slightest bit of positive interest in her until recently, and she was sure she hadn't changed all that much. She was still a mudblood, after all. She traced her scars lightly with one finger.
She paced back and forth like a caged lioness, occasionally glancing at the clock on the mantle. Half an hour to go. She groaned. Why had she agreed to have Malfoy over? Stupid, she berated herself. So stupid. Was it too late to cancel? Would he be furious? She bit her lip, hesitant, but before she could make a decision her fire flashed green and Harry stumbled out amidst a cloud of soot.
Hermione looked at him in shock. His black hair looked messier than usual and his glasses were askew. His robes were hastily thrown on and hanging off of his shoulder. He also appeared to be missing a shoe.
"Hermione," he panted, his emerald eyes frantic. "It's time!"
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione said, panicked. "Time for what?" She had visions of Death Eaters swarming London, casting spells at muggles. Echoes of the war floated back to her, and she felt her heart nearly stop. She couldn't do it again. She couldn't fight, couldn't face death and watch the people she loved get hurt. Not again...
"Ginny!" Harry shouted hoarsely, reclaiming her attention. "Hermione! Ginny! Now! It's time!"
Realization dawned like clouds parting before the sun. "The baby?"
Harry nodded frantically his glasses nearly falling off. "Going to St. Mungo's now! Baby! Ginny! Hurry!"
He disappeared back into the fire, leaving soot on her living room floor. All other thoughts forgotten, Hermione pulled on a coat and grabbed a handful of Floo powder.
"St. Mungo's!"
…
Draco Malfoy took a deep breath. He had spent ages preparing to meet Granger at her flat, much to his friends' amusement. His hair was carefully styled to look messy and he was in muggle clothes, a dark blue polo shirt and creased jeans. He had sprayed just a bit of his spicy cologne and had Tibby pick him up some flowers.
"She's just Granger," he told himself firmly. "There's really no reason to be nervous. It's not as though she's anybody important. She's nothing, just a muggleborn."
Nodding firmly to himself, he knocked on her door.
Nobody answered. Frowning, he glanced at his watch. 8:00 on the dot. He knocked again.
Nothing.
He tried turning the knob. It was locked.
"Bloody hell," he growled, his fists clenching on the flowers. All the time and effort he put into this and the stupid girl couldn't even be bothered to be home? Was she really that inconsiderate?
Draco rapped on the door so hard he bruised his knuckles. "Granger! Open up!"
Nothing.
"Fuck!" He threw the flowers as far away from him as he could. "Bloody hell!" He kicked the door violently, fuming. "Open up now, Granger! I'm not kidding!"
There was no answer.
Ice formed in the pit of his stomach as he realized Hermione Granger had stood him up. Never in his life had Draco Malfoy been stood up. Never. It was an honor to spend time with him. He was a Malfoy, one of the oldest, purest, and wealthiest wizarding families. He was worth his weight in gold. He could have any girl he wanted, and yet this stupid muggleborn thought she could just stand him up? Ridiculous!
'Perhaps she's just out running some errands,' he thought, his pulse pounding. He took a deep breath to regain control of his emotions before sitting down on her stoop. Maybe she just popped out for some tea or something. That had to be it. There was no way she would stand Draco Malfoy up.
He checked his watch again. 8:26. He frowned. Surely she wouldn't be long. He leaned back and closed his eyes, but just as he did there was a crack of thunder and it begun to rain.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" he shouted hoarsely at the weeping sky. "This is just brilliant!"
Hours passed as Draco Malfoy sat in front of Hermione Granger's front door, the rain pouring down upon him. A few feet away, a beautiful bouquet of exotic flowers slowly wilted.