A/N: Hey All, sorry it's taken so long but I think I finally have this story back on track. Only a couple more chapters now! Churned this one out really quickly and didn't give it time to rest so let me know if there are any mistakes!
And as always, I own nothing!
The taxi pulled up outside of Jeanette's building after a few minutes. The ride had been quiet, Draco had found himself catching Jeanette's eyes and smiling at her before looking away, only to repeat the process again. His hand felt electrified where it touched hers, on the seat. For a moment he even forgot about who he might be with, staring into her eyes, watching her watch him, it felt like just the two of them and who they were or might be didn't matter anymore.
But of course it mattered.
Draco paid the driver as Her- Jeanette was climbing out. He got out and she took his hand. His hand was much larger than hers and it dwarfed her hand as he wound his fingers in with hers. She glanced back and smiled at him again as she led him into her building and up to her apartment.
"It's not much, but I think it's cosy" she told him with a brief smile before turning the key and pushing open the door. The entryway was small but it opened into a large living room with a dining area and a small kitchen.
"It's lovely" Draco told her as she peeled off her heels and hung her coat on a peg. She smiled up at him. His stomach did a funny little flip and he thought again about how he shouldn't be here. He was done with the lists, it wasn't really his right to make the decision himself- but just as he'd made up his mind, she took his hand and led him to the couch. He sat down, on the small leather sofa and Jeanette curled up on the other end with her feet tucked underneath her. She looked so at ease and comfortable in her own place, and the flattering dress she was wearing coupled with this ease and happiness did things to him that he hadn't felt in a long time. He'd give her an hour, Draco decided, and then he would leave her alone. If this really was Hermione, she was happy here, happier not remembering what happened. Sure, many of her friend seemed happy now but he still saw the looks, the glazed eyes, he knew about Harry's nightmares, just as Ginny knew of his own. She was better here, without the memories.
"Tell me more about yourself Draco," she said, leaning in and tilting her head slightly, giving him a delicious view of her long neck and her the tops of her breasts, he took a breath and glanced back up to her eyes. "What makes a handsome business man ask out the quirky barista?"
He laughed and her eyes seemed to twinkle. "Well, I actually didn't intend to ask you out- I truly meant it when I thought you looked familiar."
Jeanette snorted, "Well it's not the first time I've heard a similar line so you can't blame a girl for thinking that. What changed your mind then?"
"Well, I suppose I was curious about this person who seemed so familiar yet so very different." Draco replied, and then, leaning in ever so slightly he stage whispered, "Plus, you're very attractive when you're singing along to the radio,"
He was rewarded with one of her adorable blushes as she chuckled and looked down at her lap for a moment. When she looked back up at him from under her lashes, she was flushed and breathing quicker. Draco watched as she searched his eyes and then her tongue darted out to lick her suddenly too dry lips. His eyes tracked the movement and finally, she leaned up.
The kiss was gentle but with a steady burn. Her hands wound up around his shoulders to play with the hair at the base of his head and she tugged ever so slightly making him shudder as his hands found her hips. She lifted herself on her knees and shuffled closer. She had to take her hands from his neck for what felt like a long time while she hiked her dress up just enough to spread her legs easier. As her hands found his shoulders again, her legs straddled his lap and they both let out a groan as she settled there for a minute. They rested their foreheads together, breathing heavily and Draco searched her eyes.
"I thought this was a night cap only" Draco whispered leaning down to kiss along her neck.
She tilted her head groaning and her toes curled as she responded, "A girl can change her mind, can't she?"
"Definitely" Draco mumbled against her neck as she ran her fingers through his hair.
Jeanette pulled his lips back up to hers and they began kissing with fervour. She gasped, as he took her bottom lip between his teeth and tugged slightly before moving back in.
Suddenly, Jeanette was in the air for a moment as Draco stood up, and flipped her over, spreading himself along her body atop the small sofa. They continued kissing for a few more minutes before they heard a knock at the door. They both pulled apart with a groan.
"Maybe if we don't say anything they'll go away?" she whispered, leaning up to try and catch his lips again. But then there was another sharp knock.
"Jeanette, are you there?" came a woman's voice through the door, "It's Stacie, your cat managed to escape your apartment again and I have him. Please, be home."
Draco got off of Jeanette as she sat up and straightened her dress. "Coming!" she shouted to the door, then quieter, "I'm so sorry about this, this cat has to have magic powers, I have no idea how he escapes this apartment!"
Draco smiled after her as she went to answer the door. Now that she was out of the room he began thinking again. It was probably for the better that they had stopped when they had. He should leave now, and let this poor girl get back on track. He didn't want to screw up any more lives than he already had as a child and he certainly didn't want to get punched in the face again, Hermione or not.
He was straightening his jacket when she came back in holding the ugliest orange ball of fur he had ever seen.
"Sorry about that again but this crazy cat always escapes, don't you Crookshanks?" She smiled down at the cat and that's when it hit him- this wasn't the only time he'd seen that awful excuse for a cat and it wasn't the first time he'd heard a cat called by that name.
He nearly leapt from the couch and Jeanette startled back a step. "Where'd you get that cat?" he demanded, pointing at the ugly thing.
She looked confused and slightly insulted. "I didn't take him or anything, if that's what you're implying. An acquaintance from the coffee shop left him for me, she knew I liked cats and she told me he was special, what she failed to mention is that the darn thing seems to be able to pick locks." She half joked, still taken aback by his question. "Why?"
Ignoring her question, Draco powered on, "But who gave you him? What was their name? Did you name the cat or was that already his name?" He took a step towards her and she took another step back.
"Draco, what's this about?"
"Answer the question," he demanded, and then a little gentler, "please. It's important."
She looked him in the eyes a moment longer, still stroking the cat. Finally she spoke, "I'll answer if you leave after."
Draco looked in her eyes, startled for a moment thinking about how crazy he must seem, but he had to know. He nodded slowly, "Fine, agreed."
"I don't remember the girl's name, only that she told me she was sad she'd have to put her cat up for adoption- that she couldn't take care of him anymore. She had already named the cat, told me he was a special cat and that he liked trouble. She dropped him off at the end of my shift and that was the end of it. I never saw her again." Jeanette held the cat closer and smiled down at him slightly before looking back up at him. "I don't know what this is about but perhaps it's best that you leave now. If you're feeling better tomorrow, give me a call."
Draco had so many more questions now but he knew that he had worn out his welcome. "Of course." He replied, moving towards the door. "I had a lovely time, I'll- uh, I'll ring you tomorrow then."
She closed the door.
They stood on either side of it, both slightly confused at what had transpired over the last few minutes, but there was one thing Draco knew for sure now, that Jeanette was Hermione. He just wasn't sure what he was going to do with the information.
