Chapter One: Déjà vu
Written by Elluxion
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Mwahahaha, disclaimer time. K, now, as much as I dearly wish it wasn't so, this whole ficcy technically belongs to Ms J. K. Rowling - that is, the characters. The plot, however unoriginal and boring it is, belongs to me. No touching. That understood? Good. :D Also, this chapter is thus dedicated to Henrietta (*smiles sweetly* Sorry Rie, just had to say that) for being a great friend and one of the first people to review - and of course, to pick on whatever mistakes I've made. Seriously, Rie, thanks! If you're wondering why the title of this fanfic is Carcrashes, I want to tell you that no, there isn't a car crash in this fic. The whole idea of this fic was inspired by Standfast's beautiful song, Carcrashes. (Then again, I don't need much inspiration to write a Draco/Hermione fic. ^^;) Hugs and cookies, Title: Carcrashes: Déjà vu Written by: Elluxion Date: 25th November Genre: Romance, angst, action, adventure Shippings: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger *grins* Can't get enough of them Summary: Maybe changing is hard - but it's possible - right? (I have very very short summaries *nod*) Notes: Harry and Ron fans might be disappointed, because there won't be much of them. ^^; Onwards! Onegai, review! The shop was tiny. But it was well-lit with candles of various colours and shapes; candles that burned nothing it came into contact with save the wick. Packages, colourful wrappings, robes, and various knick-knacks were stacked treacherously from floor to ceiling. Carrie's Corner was famous in Diagon Alley. A woman, dressed in sensibly durable working dark-green robes with hardly any fancy frills, stood behind the counter, scanning the shop critically with warm blue eyes. She had snow-white hair that was neatly tucked into a bun, and a tiny, frail body. Petite fingers were wrapped around a worn-looking wand that danced across the air, installing items into their respective places. A bell tinkled, and the door opened and shut quietly. Mrs Carrie glanced up and a welcoming smile spread across her face as she realized who it was - only one person had such unnatural grace and pride. Curly brown hair fell across her face, intense dark eyes locked on Mrs Carrie with a glimmer of fun, chin held high, robes whispering around a slender body's lithe movements. Hermione Granger shook the hair from her eyes to reveal a smile illuminated in candlelight. "Good evening, Mrs Carrie." "Hello, dearie. What might bring you here tonight?" Mrs Carrie set down her wand and peered at Hermione over her glasses. "You see - " the Hogwarts Transfiguration Professor paused, hesitant. "Hopefully you won't find me too indulgent, but I'm looking for new dress robes to wear for Hogwarts' Christmas Ball." "Not at all!" Mrs Carrie laughed lightly. "I have the pefect thing for you, Hermione." She rummaged around behind the counter as Hermione took off her coat and folded it carefully over one arm. "There!" Mrs Carrie held up dress robes fit for a queen. Made of silk, the navy-blue material had a belt and a star etched carefully onto the hip. Long, flowing sleeves and a flaring hem at the bottom enhanced the effect. It shimmered in the candlelight as a slight breeze caught it. "Mrs Carrie!" gasped Hermione. "That's beautiful! But you know my financial situation, I certainly can't afford that!" "Oh yes you can," Mrs Carrie promised with a child's glee. "I made it specially for you." Hermione was speechless as Mrs Carrie bustled out from behind the counter, robes clutched over her chest, and gently seized her elbow. Dumping the robes in Hermione's arms, Mrs Carrie propelled her to the back of the shop where a changing room beckoned enticingly. "Try it on!" The twenty-six-year-old gaped at the silky material in her arms, held so carefully that she seemed afraid that it would shatter in her arms. "Go on, Hermione!" Hermione just shook her head as she stepped out of the plain purple robes she was swathed in and slid the dress robes over her head. It fit her perfectly. She tightened the belt around her waist, did up the buttons, and simply stared at her reflection. A sheen of azure light pulsed purposefully from her robes, noticeable only to the alert eye. Mrs Carrie must have magicked this, Hermione thought, still somewhat in a daze at the expensive material. She drew the curtains back and smoothed the dress robes down. When she saw Mrs Carrie entertaining another customer, Hermione snapped her mouth shut and waited patiently, leaning against the wall, still amazed at the blue halo that threw a mixture of light and shadow over her face. ~*~ The bell sang out again, and Mrs Carrie waited as the door swung open again. It revealed a lanky man, with a curious mop of closely-cropped silverish-golden hair. Grey eyes, cold and expressionless, yet somehow attractive, trained right on her after they flicked around the shop. His lips were set in a line, bitter, and somewhat unhappy. "May I help you?" Mrs Carrie asked. He nodded, icily but politely. "I'm attending a party, and I happen to be looking for new dress robes." "Certainly, sir," Mrs Carrie said cautiously. "Take your time and look around the shop." It was then Draco Malfoy caught sight of the young woman leaning against the wall, watching him intently with a mixture of curiously and wariness. He took in the long hair, the brown eyes, the head held proudly - and a wave of déjà vu swept over him. She looked familiar, as if he'd seen her somewhere before. Dismissing the queer notion, Draco turned his attention to a stack of men's dress robes. "I might recommend something, sir," spoke up a voice that triggered another wave of familiarity. Draco looked up, fingers tightening around the wand concealed within his robes. You could never be too safe. The young lady was rather pretty, really. In fact, if he allowed emotions to seep through his mental dam, she was beautiful, dressed in silk blue robes like that. "What would that be?" he asked, with a bow of his head to indicate acknowledgement. She raised a hand and gestured with uncanny grace to another row of dress robes Draco had missed out in his hasty once-over of the shop. I don't give a damn about this, he chided himself. They're only dress robes. And yet he gave her another nod for appearance's sake and moved towards the row. "Mrs Carrie likes to tuck away her nicer dress robes," she joked, laughing aloud. Draco didn't follow in her laughter, and usually the silence would have shut anyone up straightaway. But she continued chuckling, completely at ease. Draco narrowed his eyes at the laughter and the ease. Dammit, who is she? The name, the face, the voice - they were elusive, but they were on the tip of his tongue. Impatience coursed through him as he sought to remember. I'm not about to lower myself to ask what her name is. Shrugging it off, and yet still troubled at the back of his mind, Draco attended to the robes hanging in front of him, letting go of his wand. Who cared, anyway? It was probably someone from his childhood. The grim line that his lips were pressed into tightened as he sifted bitterly through the difference of his past, his present ... and his inevitable future. ~*~ He looked like a man of many worries, Hermione noted instantly as he exchanged a few words with Mrs Carrie. She felt the annoying sense of déjà vu engulf her again as she watched him look swiftly over a stack of men's dress robes. With that silver-gold hair and steely eyes, he should have been easy to remember, but so far, the recollection was evading her. "I might recommend something, sir." The words were out of her mouth before she could cram them back in. The grey eyes fixed on hers, and he inclined his head. "What would that be?" he asked. Hermione waved at a row of dress robes situated in a corner of the shop. The selection was wider there, and she had given them a passing glance when she had headed into the dressing room to change, and she had noted that they were well-designed. Feeling suddenly self-conscious, she looked on as he moved towards the row. She stabbed at another attempt to be friendly. Tacking on a laugh, she breezily remarked, "Mrs Carrie likes to tuck away her nicer dress robes." He didn't follow in her laughter, but Hermione did so, allowing hers to trail off lightly. She saw him stare at her, with a flicker of something that might be classified as interest flaring up and dying down just as quickly in his eyes. Trying to forget about the familiarity she found rooted in her, Hermione stood up straight, and made for Mrs Carrie, who was staring at her in delight. "It fits you, Hermione!" "Thank you very much for this, Mrs Carrie," Hermione said, running her fingers over the delicate material. "How much will it be?" She reached inside her purple robes and withdrew a purse. "Silly goose," Mrs Carrie laughed. "It's my Christmas gift to you." "Ohhh," breathed Hermione in surprise. "Thank you!" Impulsively, she reached over and gave Mrs Carrie a tight hug. "You're welcome, dearie. Now go change back to your other robes. I'll wrap this up for you." Within moments, Hermione had back on her plain teaching robes, and she had a package tucked under her arm. "Good-bye, Mrs Carrie! And thank you!" "Good-night, dearie." ~*~ "I'll take this, madam." Draco handed the dark grey dress robes to Mrs Carrie. Noting the seriousness of the robes, Mrs Carrie asked, "Are you attending a business party, sir?" "Not exactly." Mrs Carrie didn't pursue the matter further. Each to his own taste. If this young man prefers a more sombre appearance, who am I to suggest something else? "Thank you," she said to him as she tapped the robes with her wand. Wrapping tissue crackled as it covered the dress robes. "Good evening," Draco returned, picking up the package. "If I might ask - " Mrs Carrie paused as his eyes locked on hers. Those eyes were unnerving. "Which party are you attending?" Draco paused almost thoughtfully before answering. "Hogwarts' Christmas Ball." There ... Chapter One done. :-) Short, I know, but don't worry - following chapters will be longer. This is just an introductory thing. Not much in the plot development, but this is more of a romance fic than a dark-side-fight-against-light-side one. ^^; Hopefully you liked it, and do review! I'd appreciate constructive critiscm, but flames will be used to line my owl's cage to wrap up droppings. Hugs and cookies, |