Hello everyone! I know the last chapter was not what anyone expected but trust me, it's gonna get good. This chapter I will focus on what happened between Hermione and Draco. Just to clarify! So sit back and enjoy! Also, I have probably written this chapter four or five times because I want to get it just right! Let me know what you all think!
The rest of the night was full of dinner with the Potters once they arrived home. Harry sat with Hermione to discuss her going back to the ministry after a few weeks. They discussed the possibility of taking an Auror apprenticeship but she turned that down quickly. One of the last things she wanted to do was become an Auror. Eventually they had it narrowed down to the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.
"I will send in a resume by the end of the week and hope I hear something back. I might try working at Flourish and Blotts if this falls through." Sighing as she sat back on the couch.
"I promise I will start looking for a place once I get my first pay. I know you guys have your own lives and that I am impending on them." He shook his head throwing some papers at her.
"For the Brightest Witch of Her Age, you are so thick sometimes. Ginny and I love having you here. More than anything we want you here until you feel comfortable." His smile reached his eyes as they watched her reaction. Looking over at him, she was reminded of the small boy from Hogwarts. The boy she had to keep alive every year and the thought made her laugh to herself.
"What is so funny?" He demanded as Ginny rounded the corner into the living room carrying some tea for the three of them.
"I was just thinking of how many times I have had to keep you and Ron alive through the years. Looks like it's your turn now." She laughed and he gave her a smile. Ginny sat next to Harry, holding his large hand and intertwining their fingers.
"Trust us Mione, we intend to help in any way that we can." Sending her a cup of tea with a flick of the wand in her hand.
"Thanks Gin but I am tired. I think I will call it a night. Besides, Malfoy wants to have lunch in the morning." Sighing, she watched the pair look at each other then back at her. Catching the look they shared between them she questioned it.
"Do you need one of us to come with you? Malfoy would never hurt you, but he will demand answers that you might not be ready for just quite yet."
"I know. I owe him at least what happened after I left. Truthfully, I cannot remember why I left. I just know it is really hurtful." Looking down at the cup in her hands, watching the milk in the tea swirl around.
"Did you really Obliviate yourself?" Ginny asked. Hermine's shoulders heaved slightly. Sitting up and looking the redhead in the eyes thinking her words over and over in her mind before finally speaking.
"I do not think I 'Obliviated' as much as I altered my memories. I truthfully cannot remember. All I know is I woke up in that flat in America with a note next to me on my floor. I had written before. It had my name, birthday, and some other general information which I remembered most of thankfully. Big letters on the bottom that said, 'DO NOT SPEAK TO DRACO MALFOY'. That was it. I think I altered some other memories of the accident. Being tortured in Malfoy Manor, the Yule Ball is bits and pieces, same with the Horcrux hunt. I have gotten back some more pieces over the years, but nothing is complete."
They both nod their heads, thinking between them before Ginny moved from his side and sat next to Hermione.
"Do you want me to tell you why you left? I do not know all of it. Just what you sent to me before you left. I can give you the letter if you choose?"
While Ginny's offer was nice, Hermione wanted to hold off until hearing Draco's side.
"Maybe tomorrow Gin. I am turning in for the night." Smiling and setting the cup of tea down, she gave Ginny a hug, the same for Harry, and went upstairs.
Collapsing onto her bed, Crookshanks curling up next to her and purring in content. Slowly the witch drifted into a deep sleep, eyes like pale smoke looking back at her as she slept.
In the morning, she woke to Crookshanks swatting her face and meowing angrily, demanding his wet food.
"Okay I hear you." Groaning and dragging herself out of bed. Once she made it to the kitchen and gave the ever demanding cat his food, she sat enjoying a cup of coffee and reading the Daily Prophet.
Malfoy In Love!
By Rita Skeeter
Attention Wizarding World: Draco Malfoy is in love again! After the disappearance and death of his ex-lover Hermione Granger, Malfoy has finally found love again!
Mr. Malfoy was seen yesterday making reservations for lunch and browsing the market for a new place! Has he finally moved on? Who is his new lover?
The theories that are floating around is that Mr. Malfoy has fallen in love with a Pureblood from the Middle East. Mr. Malfoy was seen with this woman a few weeks before Ms. Granger's disappearance. Has Mr. Malfoy been canoodling with this mystery woman while with Ms. Granger? Is this affair the reason why Ms. Granger left? Stay tuned, because this witch is not finished!
Merlin, she found this woman repulsive. The picture on the front was one of Draco walking into a restaurant then walking out with a sly grin on his face.
Hermione was glad if he truly did find someone else, but deep in her stomach was the feelings of jealousy. Why should she be jealous? They were never committed, at least she thought. The article suggested that they were simply sleeping together, though trusting Rita Skeeter's word was not wise. Another question to ask him.
Glancing at the time, noticing there was only thirty minutes before she had to go. Darting to her room, slipping on a green Muggle shirt and some denim pants. Taming her mass of hair and casting a glamour, just as she heard to whoosh of apparition downstairs.
Going back down, Draco was standing in the living room looking at the paper she left on the coffee table. From the stairs, she could only see the back of his head, facial expression hidden completely.
The creak of the step gave her away, he spun around slowly confusion written across his face, before realization happened.
"Glamour." Again with him and the not questions.
"Yeah. I use this when I go out so no one recognizes me. Not quite ready to face the world. Besides, I am apparently dead." Pointing to the article on the table, he puffed out a laugh.
"Shows you what that bint knows. Are you ready? I have reservations for lunch."
"I suppose." Sighing as she pocketed her wand, before realizing they would have to Apparate, and hold his arm in the process.
Damn it all the hell.
Placing one hand on his shoulder in an attempt to touch him as little as possible, his hand slid around her waist and landed on her hip pulling her close to his side. Before she could even argue, he spun them on his heel and they were gone.
This time landing was much smoother for her. No nausea, no stumbling. Finally felt like a proper witch again. Realizing he still had hold of her, moving away from his grasp as they walk from the apparticion point.
Walking to the restaurant, she noticed it from the article and realized that he had reserved this for them.
"Uhm, Malfoy, isn't this a little public to discuss something private?"
He led them both into the restaurant, his hand resting on the curve of her back and a smirk plastered on his lips.
"Well Granger, I figured the best way to get you to talk would be in public. I did it once I will do it again." Chiding her slightly as the hostess led them to their reserved table. Draco pulled her chair out for her, then sat across from her. He ordered drinks for the both of them, the hostess handing them menus to look over.
Hermione wasn't even one-third of the way through the menu before he interrupted.
"What was America like? See anything interesting?" Fiddling with the silverware on the table, balancing the fork between his two hands. White blonde hair falling into his steel eyes as he kept them focused on the utensil. His hair was longer than the memories she had of him. Less slicked back, longer on top and shorter on the sides, his part falling to the right leaving some hair to fall down.
"Uhm, rent is atrocious in America. So is the Wizarding government, I couldn't tell you how many times I was visited by an American Auror to discuss misuse of magic." Laughing a bit as drinks were placed in front of both of them. Hermione had a steaming cup of coffee and a glass of water, Draco having chosen tea.
The pair of them placed their orders before returning to questioning each other. Draco's eyes never seemed to leave her face, his eyes trying to look past the glamour.
Before she could hold it back any longer, the question she had been dying to ask came tumbling out of her mouth.
"Why did I leave?" He looked up from his drink, confusion flitted across his steel eyes.
"You don't remember?" Shaking her head as he sat back scoffing a bit.
"Honestly Granger, did you mess up the spell that badly? I thought you were good at this."
"Excuse you Malfoy, but I succeeded at the spell. I didn;t clarify very well yesterday, but I never 'Obliviated' myself. I just altered certain memories, some of them on accident. I do not remember the night very much, pretty sure I was sloshed. I only remember being with you for a few months." She hadn't meant for the words to sound sorrowful, but they did. Right now she was more interested in the cup of coffee before her than to look at him.
"A few months? That is all you remember?" His tone was strained and hard, speaking through a clenched jaw.
"I'm sorry if you expected more Malfoy. I was obviously upset enough with you that I altered the memories I had with you. I get little snippets every now and then, but it is never a bad time. Only the good ones."
He was silent for far too long and she feared he would leave. It felt like centuries before she lifted her head to look at him. His eyes showed an internal battle with himself, and slowly Draco looked up at her.
"We were together for two years Hermione." She watched him swallow harshly. Her words had hurt him, even though that was not the intention.
"T-Two years? Wow...I guess I really did forget a lot." Attempting it to come across as a joke, but the look on his face made her stop.
"Congratulations Granger. Managed to forget the best two years of my life as if it was nothing to you." Hissing at her, his face set in a familiar Malfoy sneer. She felt bile in her stomach and heard her heart beating loudly in her ears. Having no idea what to say, she looked down at her hands waiting.
"I am not entirely sure why you left either. You had come home from a long work day, you had been growing distant. Accused me of cheating as I had been seen with other women in public. I tried to reason with you but nothing worked. This was maybe a month after Weasel landed himself in the hospital. I told you I was going to leave to cool down and I would come back and explain. That was it. I came back and you were gone. The flat was ransacked almost, I thought you were attacked until I saw a note saying you left and not to bother looking for you. Of course I didn't listen. I never stopped looking for you so I could explain myself. Never got the chance." Chuckling darkly as their food arrived. Hermione couldn't stop the feeling of guilt settling in her stomach, but also the feeling of doubt.
"I didn't tell you that if you left to 'never come back'?" Shaking his head as he started eating.\
"You told me that whenever we had dinner at the Weasels house. We made up that same day." She didn't remember this either and it was frustrating. Picking at the salad he ordered for her she frowned.
"Why were you seen with other women?" She asked and he just laughed again.
"Doesn't matter now, but I never cheated on you. Ever. You were and still are the only witch for me. You drive me mad all the time. You piss me off beyond belief, you bring down the walls I worked so hard to build with just one touch. Hell, you made me friends with Potter and Weaselette."
His words made her flush red and continue eating her lunch. The rest of their meal passed without much talking happening. Once they both made to leave, she tried to pay but he refused and escorted her back to the Apparition point.
"Come with me to the Manor. Mother is out of town and we still need to talk." Every fiber of Hermione screamed at her to not go. That this was a bad idea, but she needed answers, and she was going to get them.
"Okay. Not like I have anything going on today." He smirked and wrapped his hand around her waist again, spun on his heel and they were gone for the second time today.
Malfoy Manor was not quite what Hermione remembered, then again, she only had memories from when the three of them had been caught by Snatchers and sent here. Upon entering the gates she felt her glamour fall, she figured something to do with the wards around the manor. The mansion was still looming over them, the dark grey striking against the clear skies. Tall hedges lined the walkway up to the front doors, and the walk even seemed farther than she remembered. Once they reached the doors they swung open with a flick of Draco's wands. Upon walking into the foyer, this looked much different than her flashes of her time here. The walls that used to mirror the outside of this mansion, were now a warmer off white color. Marble flooring stretched out to a set of staircases, either staircase curving to one side over the other separating each wing of the house. Though they weren't going upstairs, instead Draco's hand pushed lightly on the curve of her back again, leading them into a room off of the foyer. A fireplace roared in the room, a set of chairs facing it with a table in between and a chaise lounge against a corner. A few shelves were placed about the room, holding pictures, some knick knacks, and a couple books. The walls were very light blue, the floors were white with grey streaking through them. The room was oddly comforting to her and she had no idea why.
Sitting in the chair as Draco walked over to one of the cabinets opening it to reveal a liquor stash. Pouring himself a glass of Firewhisky and pouring her a glass of wine. Turning back he held out the glass for her and she gave him an incredulous look.
"Isn't it a little early to be drinking?" He chuckled as she took the glass sitting back in her seat.
"Well considering we are going to be talking about some troubling topics, I figured we both deserve a drink." Raising his glass to hers, she let a smile slip before gently tapping her glass against his, both of them taking a drink. The wine was sweet and smooth on her tongue. Finding she really liked it she didn't mind drinking it. He was staring at her while she drank, as if he was waiting for something. She gave him a look again and he shrugged, continuing to drink his own drink.
"So, what do you want to ask about?" Looking at him and waiting for him to respond. She could hear him swallowing the drink setting the glass on the table between them.
"How have you been recovering your memories?"
"Meditation. Routine. I read a few books on it and they recommend a day to day routine and meditation. It helped for the most part but often if I recovered a memory correctly, I would blow up the dummy I made." He gave her another confused look but he held back a smile as he drank his glass.
"A dummy?" He sniggered, her cheeks heating up as she finished her first glass.
"Yes Malfoy. I needed something to practice on or I would go rusty." Speaking haughtily. SUmmoning the bottle of wine to her, pouring herself another glass and sending it back.
"Well well Granger, look at you." Smiling darkly as his eyes raked over his face. From where she was sitting, it looked as if his eyes darkened. The atmosphere shifted in the room as he stood up walking to the fireplace still holding his glass.
"Do you have any recollection about this room?" He asked softly, so much so that she almost didn't hear what he said.
"Uh, should I?" Spinning on his heel, a dark gleam in his eyes. Setting the glass on the mantle, Hermione took another hurried sip from her glass, watching as he walked smoothly to her. The click of his shoes against the marble echoed in the room. Standing in front of her as his eyes looked away and scanned the room, remembering something fondly.
"Mother invited you, Potter and Weasel to a gala. Shortly after she was released from Azkaban, as a 'Thank you' I suppose. You and Weasel had an argument or something. Not entirely sure as I couldn't care less about what falls out of his mouth. Regardless," He paused and moved his steel eyes back to her, " You came in here for some peace and quiet. I happened to be in here grabbing some of my Firewhiskey to share with Theo and Blaise. I ended up getting sloshed with you, and well you couldn't keep your hands off of me." He teased her as her cheeks flushed a bright red.\
"I did no such thing!" She tried to argue but the truth was that she had no idea if that really happened. He could be messing with her.
"Oh no Granger. It happened. I snuck you back upstairs to my room and you spent the night." Smirking as she finished off her drink and refilled it once more.
By this time Draco had moved so he was kneeling in front of her. His hands resting on the armrests of the chair, hair hanging down slightly and she had the urge to brush it away from his eyes, those storm clouds she dreamed about almost every night.
Hermione hadn't noticed how close their faces had got until his breath was fanning her cheeks. He smelled of the strong Firewhiskey and she imagined how awful her breath must smell. One of his hands moved up, slowly dragging the tips of his long and slender fingers against her exposed skin, up her arm, neck, then resting on her cheek. His eyes flickered back and forth, between her lips and reading the expression she wore, before he leaned in and planted his lips on hers. His hand moved to her hair and she was kissing him back. It was breathtaking. Fireworks erupted in her belly, her skin hummed with electricity. Melting her slowly as her hands moved to his face pulling him impossibly closer. Spreading her legs open so he could fit better.
Suddenly, he pulled back panting heavily. His eyes dark and his lips slightly more pink and swollen.
They said nothing to each other, just watching one another. His hand moved down to hers, bringing it to his lips and kissing the inside of her wrist.
"I missed you Granger." keeping his head down as he kept placing small kisses on the inside of her wrist.
"I promise I will help you however I can. You have to promise me something." Looking back she went to speak but he beat her to it.
"Don't leave. Not again. I don't think I can take it." Begging her as he kissed up her arm then back down. Her heart fluttered, and a soft smile slipped on her face.
"I promise." Whispering softly, as if the word would break one of them. He looked up at her, his eyes having softened back to their smoke grey, and he gave her a small kiss on her lips.
