Chapter 16 - Coincidences

Hermione pulled her cloak tighter. She must be crazy to be out in this chilly weather. Who cares anyway? No one. Within a year, she had lost her father, her fiancé, her best friends, her family, Draco... It goes to show how strong their friendship is.

"Whatever you do, don't come back," Draco whispered hoarsely.

Whatever did he mean? Why shouldn't she go back? If she did, what will hap- ?

"Miss? Looking for Christmas presents?" an old beggar interrupted, jolting her out of her thoughts.

Hermione eyed him warily. "Uh, yeah," she lied awkwardly.

The beggar grinned (Close your mouth, Hermione thought, disgusted.). He took out a gleaming bright object for Hermione to see.

Hermione took it from his hand, no questions asked, and examined it. It was gorgeous... splendid... It was simply beyond words. Nothing could describe its perfection.

What Hermione was holding in her hand was a silver ring with sparkly green gems. In fact, it was the most magnificent done ring Hermione had ever seen. Not that she has seen many but still. The ring reminded Hermione of Draco, which brings up... certain memories. Hermione looked up and was somewhat unsurprised to find the old man gone. Perhaps the beggar is trying to tell her something. Perhaps this is fate.

Hermione sighed. Everything is just so depressing, Hermione thought. I need a Butterbeer.

She went into the main bustle of The Three Broomsticks and ordered a Butterbeer. Her eyes lighted up as she spotted a familiar redhead, looking at her partner intently. With fuzzy warnings in her mind, which she ignored, she moved over quickly.

"Hi, Ginny, Harry," she acknowledged brightly, smiling at them.

Ginny's warm eyes turned cold and she purposely moved her seat further away from Hermione. Harry would not even look at her.

Hermione's heart dropped in disappointment. "Look, I can explain- "

"Can you?" Harry spoke, his eyes not moving from the spot at the corner of The Three Broomsticks.

Hermione opened her mouth but no words came out. What do I tell them? she thought. She started to grow desperate. "I was kidnapped by- "

"Lucius Malfoy?" Ginny cut in frostily. "Are you going to say that they did not allow you to get out of the Manor?"

Hermione blinked at them in surprise. "Well, yes," she exclaimed. "How did you know?"

"I don't believe you," Ginny snapped. "So how come you were allowed to attend Ron's funeral?"

"Gin," Harry mumbled. "Give her a chance to explain."

Hermione sent him a grateful look but Harry was still not looking at her. I hope they believe me, Hermione thought. This is my only chance.

Matthew Allen gaped at Pulcheria. "You got to be kidding me!" he spat. Blanda smirked and stood her ground beside her father.

Pulcheria gulped inwardly. "I-I really have a daughter, Matthew," she managed. "And she's staying with us."

"You lied to me?" Matthew yelled. "How can I trust you? I don't suppose your husband was killed in a car crash."

Pulcheria closed her eyes and willed God to give her strength. "He killed himself."

Matthew let out a chuckle that was empty of humor. "I do not plan on letting your daughter stay in my house!"

Pulcheria glowered at him. "Neither do I plan on letting her stay! She appeared all of a sudden!" Pulcheria shot back. "But she's my daughter, my flesh and blood! I can't let her sleep in the streets!"

Matthew grabbed her hands and tightened his grip on them. "Yes you can, Pulcheria. And if you don't, you are going to join her." He stormed out in a huff, with Blanda trailing after him.

Pulcheria fell back onto the couch in defeat. "I'm sorry, Hermione," she whispered, tears running down her cheeks.

Hermione brushed away her tears as she watched Harry and Ginny stalk out of The Three Broomsticks, without a glance back.

"I was speaking the truth," Hermione whispered. "Why didn't you believe me? Why don't you trust me?"

She stood up and fresh tears formed in her eyes, blurring her sense of sight. "Sorry," she muttered after crashing into someone accidentally. Hermione took a minute to pause and recollect herself before leaving. Her heart felt as if it was not beating at all, as if it was gone, torn into bits.

She turned the corner and jumped back. Hermione stared and closed her eyes tightly before opening them again. "Oh my- "

Draco loomed before the pathetic mudblood, Meredith, who was sobbing so loudly he was sure the entire country could hear her. "Shut up," he hissed and she kept quiet almost immediately. Her loud cries were reduced to soft muffles.

He rolled his eyes, which used to be full of passion and compassion. Yet now, they were stripped off of that. Instead, they held an unfaltering, cold and steely gaze. Somehow, it made him feel powerful that countless people were now frightened of him.

Draco narrowed his eyes at Meredith, concentrating all his energy on the spell. His wand loosely held by his hand, he started to yell out the Forbidden Curse. "Cruc- "

"Accio!" a voice cried out shrilly from behind. He whipped around and took a step back in surprise. Hermione Granger.

His wand was now in Hermione's open palm and she was now eyeing him in disbelief and, he was displeased to note, disgust. Neither of them took any notice of Meredith, who used the chance to escape and swore never to come back to visit her cousin.

They spotted the rings on each other and gasped. Well, almost, in Draco's case.

Draco was wearing a red and gold ring while Hermione was wearing a green and silver one. They were wearing rings of each other's house colour.

Where did he get that? Hermione thought, flabbergasted.

Where did she get that? Draco thought, surprised.

"Granger, what are you doing here?" Draco asked finally and advanced on her. His eyes were without feeling. Hermione grimaced.

"Draco, what's wrong?" She fired him a question in return of his. Her eyes now looked pleading.

Draco was now standing in front of Hermione. "My wand, Granger," he spoke dangerously.

Hermione tried to look subtle when she took a deep but shaky breath. "Don't speak to me like that, Malfoy," she snapped. Praying, she would not be in danger afterwards, she took his wand and broke it into two.

"Damn! That was my grandfather's wand, stupid!" Draco cursed. He shoved Hermione till she was against the wall. "You won't be able to pay me back."

"I don't want to anyway," she answered defiantly. "I don't car- "

Draco's mouth covered Hermione's. I'm seeing stars! thought Hermione giddily. The fierceness of the kiss made Hermione weak in the knees. I feel like I'm being drained out of my energy, she reflected.

To her disappointment, Draco pulled away suddenly. "I can't do this," he whispered.

Hermione's hand reached out to touch Draco's shoulder. But all she could grab was air.

Because Draco had fled.