A/N: So... sorry bout the delay. I was sorta at a dead end with this story. Which is weird because I have it all planned out, but I just couldn't get it moving. Hopefully this will get the ball rolling. :) PS, I'm looking for a beta reader. So if anybody is interested, just email me, .

30th July 2006

Hermione Granger

I didn't know what I was doing there. I stood, rooted to the ground, watching him clean shot glasses. I debated whether to enter the shop or not. He looked up suddenly and smiled.

"You again," he chuckled.

I entered the shop and thought of what to say. "I'm sorry, I don't even know your name."

"Gerard."

"Yes, Gerard. My name is…" I paused. He raised an eyebrow.

"You can't remember your own name?"

"Haley. My name is Haley," I said firmly.

"Right, try this drink, I created it," he slid a cup towards me. I took a step forward and sat on a bar stool. Gulping down the drink was easy. It tasted a bit like strawberry. Sweet.

"Nice. What's it called?"

"Mend My Broken Heart," he grinned.

And I don't know what made me, but I launched into a conversation with him. Two more drinks and I was feeling much better. I glanced at the clock and almost fell out of the chair. I spent close to two hours there.

"Listen, I think I better leave now… it's getting late," I grabbed my coat and just as I was putting it on, I blurted out, without being able to stop my words, "Hey, do you wanna go out on a date with me?"

There was an awkward silence and suddenly, it felt like a million degrees in there. He winked at me and grabbed a glass. He poured champagne in it until it was halfway through the cup.

"Is the cup half-empty or half-full?" he asked. "If you can give me the right answer, I'll go out with you."

I grimaced and before I could control my actions, I strode towards him, grabbed the cup and drank it all.

"It's empty," I replied.

He looked stunned for a moment. And then he blinked and began to laugh. He laughed for what felt like an hour before he finally said, "Okay, I'll grab my coat and we can go get something to eat. My shift's over."

Oh.my.god.

I felt so free. Totally free. And I couldn't remember the last time I felt so free. I had almost forgotten what dating was like. It was almost as if I finally unleashed myself from the "Malfoy grip". Gerard moved closer to me and I realised that I was staring at him.

"You're a different one, you know," he said.

"Different from what?"

"Most of the other women."

I chuckled and replied, "Different in more than one way."

Just then, a waiter appeared with our drinks. Mine was champagne and his was a drink that I wouldn't even try to pronounce.

"Isn't it weird?" I blurted out. "I mean, you're a bartender, and you're drinking something someone else made."

"Maybe, but I like to think of it as 'checking out the competition'. Anyway, aren't you hungry? You haven't touched much of your food."

I looked down and noticed that I had barely touched my chicken salad. I shook my head and said, "I'm just not very hungry."

"Are you nervous?"

"Sorta. First dates always make me nervous."

"Why? Haven't you been on dates? What about that guy?"

"There wasn't much of a relationship to begin with."

"Come on, lets take you somewhere else," he said as he grabbed my arm and led my out the door.

Soon, we were running as fast as we can into the night, breathing in fresh air into our lungs… I had never tasted so much freedom before. We giggled like childish sixteen year olds and we tumbled to the ground. Throwing my head back, I gave a laughed out loud.

"Ahhhhhhh!!"

"Refreshing, isn't it?" he grinned.

"Yes, yes it is," I smiled in agreement. I leaned towards his ear and whispered, "What a wonderful first date."

I stumbled back into my apartment giggling, waving goodbye to Gerard and thanking him for a great evening. Closing the door, I leaned against it with a smile. As quickly as it came, my smile dropped when I saw a familiar face sitting in a corner of my living room.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"Just visiting," he shrugged. "Who's that guy?"

"Why do you care?!" I said angrily. I took off my coat, threw my purse on the couch and walked towards the coffee machine, grabbing a mug with me. I glanced at him from behind the counter and sighed.

"So this is how it's going to be? You stalking me 24/7 and asking me who I'm dating?" I raised my voice. "Last time I checked, I recall telling you that I want to have nothing to do with you!"

"I'm just protecting you!" he defended.

"From what?!" my voice was low and deadly. "The only thing I need protection from is you. You're always there, messing with me and sticking your nose into places it shouldn't be in!"

He didn't reply. He just stood up and stared at me. I filled my mug with coffee and took a sip. Finally, I declared, "I'm moving on."

"Sure you are."

"And I want you to leave."

"I will."

"Now," I said without looking at him.

As he took a step towards the door, all the sudden the whole apartment was engulfed in fire. It was like a dragon unleashed. The flames licked everything it touched and turned it to ashes. The fire danced merrily around and I stood there, almost mesmerised by its astounding power. Fire burns everything.

"Hermione! What are you doing? Let's go!" Draco shouted.

I was rooted to the ground, unable to move, watching as the fire burned away my personal belongings. It was somewhat a frightening sight, but I wasn't afraid. In fact, I'm not even sure what I was feeling. Relieved – maybe?

"Aguamenti!" Draco shouted and jets of water shot out of his wand. The moment the water touched the fire, instead of extinguishing it, the fire grew bigger. Fear shone brightly through his eyes as he spoke in a voice so low I almost couldn't hear, "That is no normal fire."