Draco walked alongside Hermione, both deep in the awkwardness surrounding them. They were walking across the street to get to a bar nearby. He wanted them to talk about something light, at least say something to each other so things won't be so bad and uncomfortable.
He finally let go and said "Listen about just now, I just wanted to say I'm sorry again. But I got what I wanted, Cassie was staring at us. So thanks.. Hermione."
Hermione smiled a little and replied "Good to know that."
And with that the silence was back.
Draco was almost regretting his decision to ask Hermione out for a drink when she ordered a very strong drink the moment she entered the bar. He couldn't contain his surprise as he ordered his usual Firewhiskey. "Wanna talk Granger?" He decided they might as well talk since they were drinking. He liked it better when Hermione was less sober and less conscious of herself.
After her second drink Hermione found herself opening up to Draco as he listened to her rant about what happened with James, why she went to the club in the first place. She caught the look Draco gave her when she talked about how she dressed up for tonight and didn't miss his compliment when he said she did look good tonight. The conversion soon grew to something more personal as she shared about all the pent up pressure she's been having since the War and how people have unrealistic expectations of her. It felt good to let it all out to an outsider, Ginny of course had known about all this but there was just something different about telling all of this to someone who didn't really know her.
As she talked Draco stared at her face, observing all the little expressions that flashes past her face as she tries to bring across how she felt about certain things. She looked different, different from how he had remembered her. It was like tonight was the first time he had really seen her. Her long lashes, big brown eyes which looked like melted chocolate. Her soft ivory skin.. Stop Draco stop. Cassie's the goal remember?
"… And I just couldn't take all of that you know? I'm just one person. Did you ever felt that way before?"
It just so happened Draco Malfoy is someone who can multi-task very well. As he was staring at her his ears were still listening to every word she was saying. And he understood where she was coming from.
He let out a sigh and replied with things that he's been through and how everyone expects him to be the perfect reformed Death Eater, he had to always be on his toes. No more bad things happening or else he's the first in line to Azkaban. The pressure was tough too. He was only 22.
After a few more hours of sharing Hermione realized the time and jumped out of her seat in shock. "It's three in the morning! I have to get back. Ginny!"
Draco almost let out a laugh when he saw her jump. "Okay let's go, I'll settle the bill.. " Hermione was about to argue no such thing she had her own money when he reminded her of the favor and he was returning it. Once outside the bar they turned to face one another when Hermione stumbled into his arms when she felt herself becoming dizzy. "Are you ok Granger? Listen I'll just apparate with you, I feel better knowing you're home. You don't look well."
There was that rush again. In his arms. Again.
She tried to stand up straight and was about to say she could get back fine when she felt the dizziness getting stronger. Without a choice she held onto Draco's arm as she apparated the both of them home.
"Gods, that just made it worse." Hermione grumbled when she arrived at her doorstep. The apparation had made her head spin even more. She blinked a few times before she faced Draco again. "Thanks for coming back with me. I'm home now. Goodnight." She was about to open her door when Draco held on to her arm and turned her to face him.
"Thanks for tonight too. Listen, I know this is going to sound weird and all but do you think we can be friends? I felt very comfortable sharing things with you seeing how you could relate to certain things and you know I don't open up easily. I really surprised that it felt so easy with you. So what do you think? Can we be friends?"
"Can we be what? I lost you at friends." Hermione was trying not to faint now seeing how her body was physically worn out and her mind too from the shocker that he just threw at her.
Draco laughed and repeated himself again. "Geez Granger is this really so hard to accept. I'm asking you if we can be friends? I think we can really click it off."
Yup I've fainted and this is an alternate dimensions or some sort. Yup definitely another world.
When she couldn't say anything but just stare at him Draco laughed again and pulled her in for a hug.
"I'll just take that a yes then Granger. Goodnight I hope we can meet up soon!"
And with that he kissed her on the cheek and left with a "Pop!"
Hermione leaned against her door frame and she felt her hand wandered up to her cheek.
"Oh no.. This is just the beginning."
The following month was spent in a blur, Hermione was unsure if she was still in the correct dimension as Draco (see it's Draco now) and her did managed to become friends. Who would have thought? Close friends even. It was easy to spot similarities between the both of them, and he was really comfortable to be around. She would share with him stories at St Mungo's and he would brag about his accomplishments at Malfoy Corporation. They were both enjoying each other's company.. althought Draco's rants about how he's failing to get Cassiopeia did make Hermione slightly annoyed but nevertheless they were becoming closer and closer each day.
When she told Ginny what happened on the night of the clubbing, the redhead couldn't contain her laughter and jabbed her in the arm when she half spoke between laughters "You let him do what? Oh my God Hermione I should have been there to see it happen. Oh my lord" And the laughter continued much to Hermione's annoyance. She dreaded telling Harry and Ron about Draco as they were both overseas on their assignments, they won't be as accepting as Ginny that's for sure which was why she dreaded the day when she had to tell them about the new addition to her social circle.
Hermione was stirring her tea absent-mindedly in her office as she stared out of her window when a voice behind her made her jump.
"Skiving off at work Granger?"
She turned and saw a smirking Draco Malfoy, usually that would have been the start of an argument but based on their relationship now she thought a "Yea, I needed a break from work." would suffice.
"Okay I'll tell you what since I'm here let's go out for lunch! I know a nice cafe nearby. The coffee is just awesome, melts in your throat. Come on Granger. Move move." He started clapping his hand like that could make Hermione move faster. She laughed and went to hang up her coat and grabbed her purse as well as a scarf. The October wind was getting chilly.
He walked beside her as they made their way to the cafe. He noticed that she wasn't dressed to the weather and was hugging her arms tightly to combat the chills. Instinctively he moved closer to her side and wrapped his coat around her. "Wouldn't want you fainting before we get to lunch Granger, haha." Hermione was touched to say the least and she made herself comfortable underneath his warm big cloak, absorbing his scent along the way. She did love his scent, masculine but soft, with a tinge of muskiness. She smiled back at him and muttered a thanks. He smirked and grabbed her hand, motioning her to walk faster in case he turned out the one to be fainting during lunch.
Did he mean anything when he does things like this? Little acts of concern. Harry and Ron were never like this to me. Maybe Ron but that was different we dated for awhile back. Is this normal for friends?
Normal... Things are definitely not normal when you put Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy together. And before she could start analysing things they've reached the cafe.
They were halfway through lunch when Hermione's wand started buzzing. She held onto it and spoke a charm which revealed a red smoke.
"Oh no! I have to go Draco. Emergency at work, I'll call you later! Bye!" She wiped the food off her lips and grabbed her purse. She was halfway out of the cafe when Draco grabbed her wrist from behind and gave her a hug. "Everything's going to be fine Hermione, now go save the world!" He smiled at her when he released her. Hermione couldn't help but smile back, albeit a little confused by the gesture. Waving goodbye, she rushed out of the cafe and apparated back to the hospital.
"No Michael, open your eyes. Open them dammit! Don't you quit on me now. Michael! Michael! Michael!" Every spell and charm that she was using weren't working. Her whole team was crowding around the frail, pale body. All trying to inspire another breath into him. After a grueling 33minutes, a comforting hand appeared on Hermione's shoulder. "You did your best Dr Granger, he was too far gone anyway. There was nothing more you could do."
Hermione looked at Micheal Conner's face as she tried to fight back a tear. They've become close ever since she become his assigned doctor. Conner was diagnosed with a disease that was equivalent to the Muggle cancer. And for the past 6 months she was his source of motivation, the daily checkups, chats did alot to boost his morale. But unfortunately it wasn't enough to combat the disease. His condition had taken a downturn for the past month and specialists had predicted there was only a month or two left before..
"I'm fine, thank you Sarah. Michael Abraham Conner passed away on the 22nd October at 4.15pm. Please make sure the necessary paperwork is done. I'll go inform his family."
She left the emergency room and headed back to her office. She was about to walk in when she saw Draco sitting outside her office. Upon seeing his concerned face, it took every control she had to not breakdown immediately, instead she hastened her steps and motioned him to follow through.
She hang up her coat and walked to the window, burying her face into her hands she let out her first cry. Then the second, then the third. Draco had moved to her back while she cried. He didn't know what to say, all he knew was it was bad and she looked like she lost someone. So he did what he could, he hugged her from the back and spoke in a soft whisper. "It's okay Hermione, cry it all out. I'm here just cry it all out."
"I'm not fit to be a healer Draco. I can't even save my friend. What kind of wackjob am I?" She said between sobs. Her body was still shaking as she thought about Michael again. "He's gone Draco, and it's all my fault. I couldn't save him. Me. The know-it-all Hermione Granger. Me."
He turned her around and looked at her, his heart winced alittle when he saw the pain in her eyes. Using his thumbs to wipe away her tears, he held her face gently and said "This is life Granger. People come and go. Sometimes you save them sometimes you don't. When its time to go, they will go no matter what happens. It's his time.. Would you rather he stay and suffer for the next few years while you guys try and prolong his inevitable death?"
Hermione was silent. She didn't know how to respond to that. Instead she held her breath at how close they were to each other, she could feel his warm breath on her skin. Draco seemed to realise that too but he held on to her face. His heart pounding and as if walking on thin ice, he moved closer and closer till his nose was touching hers. He looked at her for the last time before he closed his, and as if it was the right thing to do he kissed her.
AN: Jeng jeng jeng! Something's happening between the both of them. But remember Cassiopeia's still somewhere in the picture.