When Two Worlds Fall in Love

Chapter 1 – Meeting Once Again

Hermione was working in the shop with her best friend, Felicity Spencer. The day was finally over, but it wasn't that she didn't like her job, it was just that she was aching to go home and play with her new-born cousin. However, the ending of the day fantasy finished, when yet another customer walked into the shop. It was Draco Malfoy.

Hermione stopped, gaping at this person. Draco Malfoy? She recognised his hair, his eyes, the way he walked, his strut, his smirk and most of all, the presence he gave when he walked into anywhere. She hadn't seen him since Hogwarts, which was three years ago, a long time.

In fact, she hadn't seen many people from there. The war was at long last over, and Ron had died. She hadn't really felt any sadness; she was just numb about it. It wasn't like she had loved him, so only the numbness of a friendship broken in her heart had stabbed at her. It still was numb, and it would always have that numb part for Ron. However, Harry had survived and Voldemort was finally defeated.

Unfortunately that did not mean evil was over. There still were his faithful deatheaters roaming the street. The ministry of magic was an inefficient as ever, unable to catch even a third of them. Everyday was a threat, which was why Hermione wanted to live life to the fullest, as every day was a chance of her dying. The fact that her blood wasn't pure only added to the threat.

Draco hadn't yet seen Hermione, he was too busy immersed in the contents of the shop. There were robes of all kind, from expensive designer brands to not as expensive brands. As always, Draco skipped the not as expensive robes, and went straight to the pricey end, looking over each robe.

In Draco's mind, he knew all about the deatheaters. He wasn't one, and he wasn't planning on being one. It wasn't because he was a Malfoy and he thought that Malfoys shouldn't work for another person higher, it wasn't because he hated evil, it was because he couldn't be bothered. Lucius didn't particularly care, as he was intending to become the new 'dark lord' and thought Draco could be a threat to him, so there was absolutely no pressure there.

Draco actually wasn't particularly racist anymore. He definitely still thought that purebloods should have more right then halfbloods or mudbloods, but he didn't sneer at them, or look down his nose at them anymore. There really wasn't a reason why, but from a perspective, from someone who was observing him, they could have thought that Draco Malfoy had finally "grown up".

Draco had chosen two garments, and was walking up to the counter, still not registering Hermione's face, as his head was looking at his pocket as he fumbled for his wallet. Hermione decided to act professional and put on her best welcoming voice.

"Hello, I hope you like this shop and will come back next time. Is this all?" she asked in forced politeness, unknown to the fact that Draco had grown up.

Draco looked up in surprise. "Hermione!" he exclaimed.

"Yes? Hello Malfoy." She said civilly, her voice still filled with an amount of coolness.

"Please call me Draco," he said hurriedly, "I'm over the crap of, you know…"

"No I don't," she said politely, "But could you please pass me your choices?"

"Sure," he said, passing them over. As he watched Hermione zap them, he forced conversation. "I'm sorry about Weasley."

"Yeah," she muttered, "Thanks."

"I know you were sort of…together." He said uncomfortably, nervously darting his eyes.

"No," laughed Hermione, her laughter tinkling through the shop, "We definitely were not together, just close friends."

"Oh," he said, his face flushing in embarrassment. "Still, my condolences."

"Thank you." She said quietly, her face hiding behind a lock of hair. It was the first time Draco actually got to see Hermione's face. She still resembled herself, back in the Hogwarts years, her hair as bushy as ever, but she had somehow managed to chuck it into a ponytail, with random wisps of hair in her face. Her brown eyebrows had finally been waxed, and her deep brown eyes stood out, beautiful as ever.

Draco had always thought Hermione was reasonable, he just didn't take notice. He was too busy in his duties as Head Boy and getting rid of stalkers. Plus, there was the whole deal with his father. Lucius was very versatile, one day saying that Draco needed to sneer at mudbloods, and the next day cursing because there were no smart, talented purebloods out there that would have been suitable for Draco.

Draco decided he actually wanted to get to know Hermione better. "Do you want to have something to drink sometime? Perhaps at Madame Puddifoots?"

Hermione look up in surprise, almost dropping Draco's robes. Draco Malfoy wanted to drink something with her! "Are you sure I won't get any germs on you?" she asked, half joking, half being serious.

At once, Draco's eyes clouded over. "Yes I'm sure. Look, I'm sorry about those times, I'd just like you to know that I don't care about that anymore."

"About what?" Hermione asked, looking him straight in the eye.

"About you know…blood."

"Oh," she said amusedly, "Neither do I."

"Huh?"

Hermione laughed, clearly finding the conversation amusing. "How does tomorrow night sound?"

"It sounds great." Draco's lips curled up slightly. Hermione had never seen Draco fully smile, only sneer, smirk and what he was doing now. Half smile.

As he walked back out of the shop, with his purchases in his hands, Felicity's eyes travelled his silhouette until he had finally disappeared.

"Who was that?"

Felicity had only just moved to England a few months ago from Australia. She had needed a place to stay, and Hermione had generously offered. They were now flatmates, and best friends.

Hermione made a slight noise. "A guy from Hogwarts."

"Lucky you." She whistled, "There are really hot guys in Australia, but that's one in a million."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "He's only human. Plus, he was the biggest ass at school. He'd tease me every day."

"Why? What about?" Flick asked, her eyes now fastened on Hermione.

"Blood."

Felicity laughed, "Really? What an idiot."

"But he's changed now." Hermione said thoughtfully, "I don't know what's made me say that, but I have this feeling…"

"Aaah, the sixth sense." Winked Felicity, "Come on, we better close up. And I can't wait to meet your adorable cousin!"

"Me neither." Hermione agreed, and the two girls packed up, and left the shop.

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At Malfoy Manor, Draco had just entered the house. Going straight up to his room, he plonked his belongings on his bed. He sighed, laying his head back, just about to close his eyes – when all of a sudden; an owl flew through his bedroom window.

Groaning at the interruption, he went up to get the letter, but recognised the owl immediately. Giving it an affectionate pat and smiling, he read the letter.

Draco,

Long time no talk! Why don't we have dinner tonight? I'll pay. Normal place, normal time. I've got something important to discuss with you. We really need to catch up. Hope something interesting has happened in your life, and you haven't followed your father's foolish footsteps.

Lots of love,

Pansy

Draco read the letter, and immediately found his quill to reply.

Pansy,

I agree, we should meet up more often. I'm sorry, but I have little time. No, nothing totally interesting has happened in my life, but I met a girl from Hogwarts this afternoon, you'd never guess who. I haven't followed in father's footsteps, I like to have my own life, not follow someone like a lost krup. What's the important news?

I'll see you at the normal time,

Draco.

Draco smiled to himself, as he remembered Pansy. It had been a couple of months since he had last heard from her. Frowning a little, as he remembered her writing about needing to discuss something important, he wondered what it could be possibly. However, he brushed it aside.

Many people thought of Pansy as an annoying parasite, who clutched onto Draco, wanting him to love her. But that wasn't the case, they had been childhood friends, along with Blaise, since they could walk. She was just like an warm little sister. One of the few things he had never had.

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At last, seven o'clock had arrived. Draco threw on his travelling coat, and apparated to the destined spot. Seeing Pansy there, he instantly grinned.

"Hey," he said coming over to kiss her on the cheek.

"Hey Dray," she said, watching him wince as she called him the nickname. It so happened to be that he hated it too, which was all the more reason, to her, to use it. "Who's the person you met?"

"Granger." Draco said, before leading her into the restaurant, and grabbing their normal place.

"Really? The mudblood?" Pansy exclaimed, "I mean – the … well …"

"Yes," Draco laughed, "The same Hermione Granger, but you know we don't like that word anymore." He reproved.

"Sorry," Pansy said, "I guess old habits die hard."

"You wanted to talk to me about something important?" Draco prodded, before winking at the flirty waitress.

Pansy rolled her eyes, "Yes I did, but do you mind? You could at least stop flirting with that slut."

Draco coughed, "Look who's talking."

"Hey, that's not true." Pansy insisted, "And you know it."

Draco arched an eyebrow. "You were saying…"

"Yes," Pansy said hurriedly, "Well, father's been going on for ages about marriage, and well, I can't possibly think of anyone that I could, you know, be with."

Draco arched his eyebrow again. "I see…"

"No you don't." she exclaimed exasperatedly, "He's getting paranoid and calling me only. I'm only 21 and he's calling me old."

Draco laughed in amusement, watching her getting riled up. "Calm down Parkinson."

"Yeah yeah," she muttered, "But I was thinking, why don't we get married?"

Draco choked on his drink and spat it out again. "What!"

I only thought of this story in a flash and just had to write it. Hope you all like it. If in later chapters, you feel I'm rushing through certain romances, that may be because the story isn't about getting the couples together exactly…

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