Past Memories From A Phone Call Part Three

"Hello?"

"Draco?"

"Hermione! I didn't think you would ever call me."

"I had to have at least one day to get over our squabble yesterday."

"I see. I almost called you yesterday but Weasel—"

"Ginny!"

"—Ginny said that she would have you call me back."

"And I did call you, didn't I?"

"Yes, it was just later than I wished."

"Why does it matter if it was a day later than you wanted? The world doesn't revolve around Draco Malfoy."

"I wanted to reschedule our lunch date for today, that's why it matters."

"It would NOT be a date, Draco!"

"Okay, fine, our "get together." Anyway, about rescheduling…"

"I think that might be a good idea...If we're going to start talking again then we clearly have some issues to work out. There was a lot we left unresolved when we left Hogwarts."

"Well, our relationship did end rather abruptly."

"Let's not get into that right now."

"And why not?"

"Because you're smirking! And I don't really want to be mad again today; I'm really tired from work yesterday. Besides, I want to wait till we're face-to-face to argue so I'm close enough to slap you."

"My, you're in a pleasant mood today, Hermione. Then you must really want to see me, like Ginny said."

"Did she say that to you?"

"Don't hurt her. I think I needed to know it, and she thought to too; that's the reason she told me."

"I'll spare her just this once then. Hey Ginny! Draco says I shouldn't hurt you!... Draco, Ginny says thank you. But just in case, she ducked behind the sofa."

"Tell her she's welcome. So how come you aren't at work today?"

"All I can tell you is that we're looking for…erm, a new office. We had a little explosion yesterday."

"What! Are you all right?"

"Of course I'm all right! I'm not at St. Mungo's, am I? We're trained to be prepared for things like that, Draco. All I got was a little burn. Why the sudden concern, anyway?"

"I don't want to be going to lunch with an ugly girl."

"Ha-ha. Anyway, about lunch: since work will be sporadic over the next few days, I don't know when I'm going to be able to get off."

"Why don't I come to you?"

"Thanks for the offer, but there are two reasons you couldn't do that. One, you wouldn't be allowed in my office, and two, I have no idea where that office is going to be."

"Oh, alright. You'll just have to tell me when you know, then."

"I don't know if you'll still be here by then."

"I told you I was done with traveling!"

"But why? You haven't seen the entire world yet."

"Wow, that wasn't sarcastic at all, Hermione."

"Stop avoiding my question!"

"I…I guess I'm just…"

"What, lonely?"

"I suppose you could say that."

"And the pictures of yourself in the Prophet aren't enough to keep you company?"

"Wow, Hermione, you're getting really good at being sardonic. I think I've taught you well."

"No, it was a serious question."

"What?"

"I thought you were enough company for yourself. Or the girls you're undoubtedly with should keep you company."

"Hermione, what is wrong with you?"

"Nothing, I'm just asking you a question."

"Nothing my ass. Why are you so pissed off?"

"I'm just wondering the real reason you want to see me. Surely there's no way you can be lonely."

"Dammit, Hermione, why are we going over this again? I told you already: I miss you, I want to see you, and I'm staying because I want a relationship with someone. Why do you keep reading between the nonexistent lines?"

"There's always a catch with you Draco."

"Ginny says that you still have a picture of the two of us on your nightstand."

"There must be something you're not telling me."

"Is it the one Blaise took of the two of us in Hogsmeade?"

"I want to know the reason you came back to England."

"The one where you jumped on my back and we stumbled around like idiots down the street?"

"There must be some catch. There always is."

"And we bumped into the bloody people that were standing around to watch us look like gits."

"Answer my question!"

"Why don't you answer mine? I already answered yours. Whether you believe me or not is your problem."

"You're really telling me the truth?"

"Why would I lie?"

"Why do you ever lie?"

"Oh touché, touché. But now it's your turn to answer my question."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Hermione, stop whining. I answered your question, now it's your turn."

"Fine. Yes, it's that picture."

"And I have another question."

"Oh dear."

"Was Chris better than I was?"

"WHAT? Who told you about Chris?...GINNY!"

"Hermione, calm down. First you were whining and now you're growling?"

"I'm going to KILL her! GINERVA MOLLY WEASLEY! Get your—"

"She told me quite a few things, actually, but only because she thought I should know them. Everything she told me concerns me, Hermione, she didn't go blabbing about your life. Now tell me about your ex-fiancée."

"Why are you so interested?"

"I want to know if he was better than I was."

"In what way, exactly? And why are you so worried, Draco?"

"I was just wondering if I was the best that you ever had."

"Ha! What makes you think that you and Chris were the only two people I've ever been with?"

"Oh come on, Hermione."

"Come on, what? Do you honestly think I have to be in love with someone to shag them?"

"Yes."

"Well, you're wrong. I've had plenty of guys."

"You're lying "

"As I've said before, you still know me way too well."

"So was he better than me?"

"In bed? Well, to boost your ego, no, he wasn't better than you in bed."

"I told you that you would never find anyone better than me."

"But in the sensitivity department, he was much better than you."

"Ah-ha, but I've changed, Hermione."

"I'm sure you have…"

"And to prove to you that I've changed, we should reschedule our, erm, get together."

"Well you're sly, aren't you? Yes, we can reschedule, even though I've already told you that, Draco. So I'll just have to call you when work settles down, alright?"

"All right."

"What is it? You sound disappointed."

"Well it's just that by the time you get a new office and you can take time off, I might not be around."

"Argh! You are so frustrating!"

"I'm just being difficult."

"I know! I've got to go, Draco. I'll call you later."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Good-bye, Hermione, I'll talk to you later."

"Good-bye."