Welcome back! I appreciate that you took the time to bother reading this drawl of mine! Please let me know if you have any suggestions or criticism! I've done my best to make Hermione and Draco as character-esque as possible with my own twists on things. I genuinely believe that Draco felt extreme remorse for what Voldemort and the Death Eaters did as well as whatever Draco did himself. He never chose this life in my opinion and I wish that he had worked undercover like Snape had. Anyway, I don't own Harry Potter although if I did, things might have ended differently *cough* DRAMIONE *cough*. I've got a cold lol. Please enjoy! I also don't own the picture
Hermione had received Malfoy's response within a decent amount of time so she could properly prepare herself for the coming day. She ended up calming down and reasoning with herself about why Malfoy wasn't who he used to be as well as why it was okay that they were working together. She knew she would have to tell Harry and Ginny who would eventually tell Ron. The thought of that made her cringe before she remembered that what he said and thought did not dictate her life anymore. Hermione sighed as she put down the book she was glancing through without actually reading a word. Crookshanks was curled up next to her legs that were tucked to the side of her on the couch. Hermione smiled and pet her loyal kneazle mix.
"I'm not crazy right Crookshanks? If Mr. Weasley says he trusts him, I should too. I shouldn't be so prejudice." Hermione reasoned again but outloud to the giant orange furball. Crookshanks yawned before blinking at Hermione that she took it as a sign that she was right, per usual. She read again before finally tiring for the night.
Meanwhile, Draco was anticipating the next day, wondering why he was even worried about it. At least it was someone he knew and not some fresh graduate that would judge him without having reserves and the ability to at least apologize. He sighed and that seemed to cause his pure bred, silver kneazle annoyance as she glared at him from the cat tower she was curled on top of.
((This is Kekala r/HPHogwartsMystery/comments/a2dbv4/real_life_kneazle/ this photo is located on reddit))
"Sorry Kekala. I just don't know how I should act if I should even try and make nice." Draco admitted. Kekala raised her head and gave him a disapproving look.
"Fine. I know. I shouldn't be rude since I deserved it. I'll try. She just gets under my skin." Draco muttered before getting up and putting the book he was attempting to read on Muggle history away in his expansive bookshelf that took up an entire wall in his living room. Draco glanced at the time and retired to his room, Kekala following him.
~Next Day~
Hermione wore a sand-colored sweater that was a bit too big with some grey jeans and black tennis shoes, waiting in the same coffee shop she was the previous day. Draco had arrived a couple minutes later, wearing a black leather jacket over a blue t-shirt and some dark khaki pants.
"Want anything?" Draco asked her as he approached, hands in his jacket pockets. Hermione blinked, a bit surprised he had even offered but decided to accept the strange kindness.
"Sure. Just a Lavender tea." Hermione said as she met Draco's steely eyes.
"Alright." Draco nodded curtly before ordering her tea and a vanilla latte, extra sweet which caused Hermione to grin a bit.
"I like sweets. Something I seemed to have picked up from being in the Muggle world so long." Draco admitted as he waited with Hermione, standing next to her.
"Muggle sweets are more addictive in my opinion." Hermione agreed.
"I found that licorice from the Muggle world is a million times more appealing then the bitter licorice wands we used to eat off the trolley." Draco commented, seeming to have quite a passion for sweets.
"Licorice is okay but I think my favorite sweet is macaroons. Have you tried them? They're more popular in France." Hermione asked. Draco raised a curious eyebrow.
"I don't believe so. My mother may have though. She loves muggle sweets. I get it from her. Actually, she really likes muggle food in general." Draco admitted. Hermione was about to ask more questions but decided against it since a sad expression crossed Malfoy's face and their drinks were ready. So Hermione grabbed her tea and Draco grabbed his latte and they walked out, Draco leading the way.
"So what are we doing today?" Hermione asked.
"We're going to visit Bristol. There have been reports of a strange object that causes muggles to get severely ill after keeping it in their pockets. Some sort of gemstone I believe." Draco explained as they walked towards the wizarding part of London.
"So we're going to find it and take it?" Hermione questioned, glancing at the blonde.
"Yes. And heal the muggles affected that are still alive." Draco nodded.
They walked into Wizarding London and made their ways to the floos, both finishing their drinks before going to Bristol. After having arrived, Draco lead Hermione to the believed location of the artifact. It ended up being a long trail of rumors though, so Draco and Hermione ended up walking all across Bristol with no resolution.
It was past 5 pm when Draco decided to stop for the day.
"I think that's probably as much as we can do for today." Draco said as he stopped and looked at Hermione. They had just come out of yet another 'Holistic' store as the Muggles called them with no luck in info or their search for the cursed artifact.
"What? We could keep going. She said that the Holistic store downtown near the museum may have more info." Hermione argued, surprised that Draco was proposing to quit on their search. Although, things were different for other departments, the Aurors didn't stop unless they absolutely had to or until their case was closed.
"We'll continue tomorrow. That shops already closed by now since most stores like that don't stay open past 5." Draco said, shaking his head. Hermione nodded as she realized that Draco was right. Again. She wasn't liking the new trend very much but made no comment.
"So….now what then?" Hermione asked.
"We find somewhere to eat and stay." Draco shrugged as he began to walk again, heading back towards where he saw a nice looking hotel.
"Stay? Why not just take the floo back?" Hermione asked, a bit surprised that Draco Malfoy seemed keen on the idea of staying in a muggle town.
"Floos are convenient but too much transportation like that isn't really good for your body. Plus, it's just easier to stay nearby in case something happens." Draco pointed out, shrugging.
"You can go back if you'd like." Draco added, glancing at Hermione.
"That makes sense. I don't mind staying I just was a bit surprised you were." Hermione admitted, blushing a bit at her prejudice. How ironic that their roles seemed to have switched! A silence fell over the two but it was Draco's turn to break it.
"I want to apologize." Draco said quietly but sincerely. Hermione glanced at him again, noticing the remorse, regret, pain, and general dislike that she guessed was for himself rather than her.
"For?" Hermione couldn't help but counter. She could never just take a standard apology without needing to know why the person believed they need to apologize. Don't get her wrong, she fully believed that an apology was in order from Draco but she needed to know for what part?
"Everything. My behavior during school, my family, not stopping my aunt, just everything. I could list but I believe you understand all of the reasons I should be apologizing." Draco replied without an outburst of anger. Hermione hummed in understanding.
"Well I'll work on forgiving you. I've gotten over most of it. Plus, the worst weren't your fault. You aided us in the end more than most. I'm sorry for being so hypocritical and prejudice. I've been… away for a while." Hermione apologized herself.
"I'm not surprised nor do I blame you." Draco shrugged but she could tell that he appreciated the apology.