That Friday, she and Alice were visiting the Ministry. They had hoped to speak with an Auror to get some information about life after school.
"Where do you suppose they've all gone?" Alice asked, when the girls found the office deserted.
"Lunch?" Cordelia said feebly.
Suddenly from behind a cubicle emerged a man with tousle black hair. He bumped right into Cordelia, who fell flat on her behind.
"Oh, excuse me, miss," said the man, grabbing her hand and looking into her eyes.
Emerald eyes stared into her own. It was Harry Potter, the infamous Auror and defeater of the Dark Lord.
"It's all right, Mr.… Mr. Potter," Cordelia whispered, blushing.
Harry, too, was blushing, but he was also smiling.
"Yes, that's me. But, miss, I haven't caught your name."
"Oh, it's Cordelia, Cordelia Granger."
"What? Your Hermione's long lost sister? I'm so pleased to meet you!"
In her head, all Cordelia was thinking was 'Oh, shut up and kiss me!"
"Look, we should be going…"
"Wait, could I see you again? In Hogsmeade?"
Cordelia was taken aback.
"Of course, next Saturday!"
Alice was pinching Cordelia, but she was head over heels and in bliss. They left the building without any information.
"You imbecile! We are going to fail our classes!" Alice cried, but Cordelia was just waiting for Saturday and heard not a word.
As soon as the romance had begun, Harry and Cordelia had found they were too perfect for reality. With the same features and interest, they were the perfect couple. Yet, whenever Cordelia was alone, she felt a nagging feeling in her heart that she longed for more. Fairytale romances had never been her favorite and this seemed to be what her relationship was.
"One butterbeer, please," Cordelia said, sighing as she sat alone in a booth at the Hog's Head.
The pub was a risky place, but no one would see her here and she could be alone.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Cordelia."
To her annoyance, Malfoy slid into the booth beside her, looking scruffier than usual. A bottle of fire whiskey lay in his hand. He was either drunk or extremely tipsy.
"Look, I don't want any trouble, Lucious…"
"You have the prettiest eyes, Granger, and your wasting your life with that ass of a man Potter. I know what you want."
Malfoy, even in his state, seemed to have made a point. Yet, Cordelia wouldn't allow him to break her heart from Harry.
Somehow, though, a lusty sensation crept up her spine. She realized how attractive Malfoy had grown over the years and her longing increased. Why was she finding this ignorant, obviously dark man attractive?
"Let's get out of here, Grang," Malfoy exclaimed, grabbing her arm.
They raced down the streets, screaming into the growing night as passers by jeered. For one of the first times in her life, Cordelia felt alive, holding Malfoy's hand and screaming anything in her mind.
Malfoy led her to a ramshackle building behind the outskirts of the village. It was dusty and full of spider webs, but Cordelia felt safe beside Malfoy. They found a large room, full of covered furniture. Uncovering a bed, Malfoy fell exhaustedly upon it.
"Come here," he whispered, unlacing his robes.
Cordelia followed suit and nakedly embraced Malfoy. His toned body was surprisingly cool. He kissed her hard and long, passionately caressing her. Nothing was held back when she returned his kisses. Guilt flickered into her mind for a moment but it all melted away.
Hours later, Cordelia slipped away from Malfoy's sleeping form and into the open twilight. Stars glistened between the trees as she took a walk about the woods. A small breeze blew. All was silent, and then there was blackness.