authorsnote: so am I a terrible person or am I a terrible person? I am so sorry for the lack of updates for this story and any others any of you may follow. I have been crazy busy. uni was been piling it on as has dance, as has everything basically. I can only apologise a billion times and promise to update soon! I wanted to get this done before this weekend as I'm super busy over the next three days (valentines 3). still I will be updating all other multifics over the course of next week! and will probably post another chapter for this story next week as well as this is so short.

again sorry a billion times, and as always enjoy :)

song recommendations: clarity: zed, dark horse: katy perry/juicy j.

I drown in you again

-x-

For a moment he hung at the door going over his excuse. Would it be good enough? Shaking his head at himself and then nodding, (and then realising he looked like a loony), he took another deep breath his hand still on the door.

'Come on Malfoy' He chided himself, normally women were easy prey for him. Find, woo, sleep with, never see again. It was an easy, delicate system that worked every-time. However, Granger was different.

Very different.

He quickly ruffled a hand through his hair, ran his tongue over his teeth and checked his reflection before walking through the door. God damn this was his shot; he wouldn't screw it up, he couldn't screw it up, not again.

He had left England a sad, sorry boy. He had developed a bond with Granger during his time in prison and it had hurt to leave that behind. It really had. Her face when he had walked without looking back had often invaded his dreams.

Still he had to move. He needed to get away from the judgement, the pain and the humiliation. He moved to the US, it was a place in which he was known but not to the point that people knew everything. He built his empire from the ground up, dominated and made a good name for himself.

He had reinvented himself in America, it had been his fresh start. He had missed Granger, had thought of her from time to time. He had never dreamed he would see her again, especially not in his knew home country.

And not alone.

He mulled over that as he walked into the store, keeping his back to the brunette. He pretended to be interested in a section of owls and shooed away the eager assistant who had recognised him on site. He put a finger to his lips and the assistant nodded and moved away.

Why was she alone? He would have presumed she would have shacked up with Weasley by now. He was glad to see she wasn't but was also curious. Did she have someone else? Or maybe Weasley would come through the door at any moment.

Shaking his head he glanced at her back, and made a snap decision. He could see her handing over cash and knew it was now or never.

Hermione loved the little section of the magical part of the US. It was every bit as fascinating as Diagon Alley and she had already resolved to come back later in the week to get a better look at everything.

She smiled as she walked to the counter and requested a specific type of cat food. She also glanced around at the different exotic animals; some were simply beautiful but the brunette would never give up her Crookshanks.

She heard the door shut behind her but didn't glance back, her eyes were locked onto a cat toy in front of her that she pointed to as the Manager came back into view.

'Is that everything Miss?' The Manager spoke and she nodded pulling out her purse for the food and toy. She smiled at him and then heard a cough behind her, her eyebrow raising at the sound.

She saw the Manager jump at the site of whoever was behind her and Hermione was puzzled. Still she didn't want to be nosy so she kept her gaze to the front.

Her eyes continued to rake over the back wall, she estimated she'd be spending a lot of cash on treats for Crookshanks in here.

Out of her peripheral vision she saw the Manager looking nervous and again quelled the desire to look back. If she had she would have seen Draco Malfoy, giving her an exasperated look, his hands shaking at his sides.

He took a step forward and cleared his throat. He saw the Manager jump and smiled to himself. His employees loved him, he made sure to give them good benefits and great pay, still they all wanted to please him and an unexpected drop in was not pleasant for any Manager.

His eyes darted to Hermione who was still staring forward, perhaps she didn't want to be rude?

He had three options here; say hello, run for it or pretend he hadn't noticed her and accidently bump into her.

Draco was leaning toward the latter.

With a nod to himself he took a step forward to stand next to her, bumping her shoulder slightly but making no indication as to knowing who she was.

'Speaks, can I get the monthly reports please?' He nodded as the Manager dashed off. He wrapped his knuckles on the counter and stepped forward.

'Excuse me Miss' He spoke smoothly, and turned to look at her.

Hermione was ready to pay when she saw the Manager divert her attention to whoever it was behind her. Still, the brunette was not known for being rude and decided to stay quiet.

However, as she heard the voice next her she raised her eyebrow; she recognised that voice. It had a twang of American that made her unable to place it but she was sure she had heard it before.

She didn't glance to the side, she really didn't want to seem nosy, clearly whoever was next to her owned this place, no need to get on bad terms.

The Manager left and Hermione shook her head, where was that voice from? Where?

She ignored her instinct and glanced up at exactly the wrong time. Her eyes clashed with his and a gasp left her lips, his words melting into her shocked intake of air.

'Oh my god' She spoke her eyes raking over him.

It was him.

He looked fantastic. She took a second to take it all in. Expensive suit, designer watch, ruffled darker hair, wonderful body; as handsome as ever. She gasped again as he looked down at her. His eyes were the same; deep chips of blue ice.

'Malfoy' She blurted out his name and he smiled at her, his eyes boaring into hers.

'Granger'

so what did you think? short? yes. filler? yes. necessary plot development? sort of. I'm so sorry guys but I wanted to update with something before this weekend, and another update will be up next week (kick my butt in my inbox if I don't!). thank you for sticking with this!

as always please review/sub/fav/follow la dee da dee da.

see you soon xoxo