October 2010
Hermione tried really hard.
The first time she bumped into Draco after realising that he was her unknown benefactor she was in the Ministry cafeteria having lunch with Harry. Reaching into the fridge to take out an iced tea she bumped into his arm as he reached for a sandwich. Mumbling her apology, she bit her bottom lip, half in expectation of a verbal tirade from him and half in an attempt to stop anything more than the apology from spilling out.
As she made her way over to the table where he was sat, Harry frowned at the expression that gave away her cogitation.
"Everything alright, 'Mione?" he asked, watching as she came out of her reverie.
"Yeah…" she replied, somewhat distractedly.
"What was that just now with Malfoy?" Harry asked before taking a bite of his chicken sandwich.
"Oh, nothing. Absolutely nothing, in fact..." Her frown deepened.
Harry swallowed, smiling at his friend. "You're not making much sense, 'Mione."
And then as quickly as the subject had come up, it was changed.
The second time she bumped into Draco, she was in Diagon Alley having just come out of Flourish and Blotts. It had been a week since their brush in the cafeteria and she was rather distracted as she left the shop, her new book in her hands.
"Hello again, Granger," Draco smiled as he held the door open.
"Oh, sorry. Thank you," she rushed as she ducked under his arm.
Spinning round, she smiled up at him, flushing slightly.
"Everything okay?" he asked, somewhat puzzled by the look on her face.
"Um, yes," she replied, reaching up to brush a loose curl behind her ear as she hesitated, his casual manner jarring her.
For a moment neither said a word although both was sure the other had something on their mind.
"Well, enjoy your new book," Draco smiled before bidding her a good day as he slipped inside the shop, leaving Hermione staring at the now closed door.
The third time she bumped into Draco, she was just leaving the Ministry, armed with four files of children who she would need to visit. Her head was all over the place as she tried to sort through her thoughts. Turning the corner to the floo hall, she almost collided with Draco, who jumped back slightly to avoid spilling his coffee down his suit, Hermione dropping her files in the process.
"Oh Merlin, I am sorry!" Hermione cried, flushing with embarrassment as she reached down to pick up the scattered pieces of parchment, pushing them back in hurriedly.
"It's okay, Granger, I wasn't exactly looking where I was going either," he told her as he crouched to help her.
Hermione's eyes snapped up to meet his.
"You look like you expect me to bite your head off?" Draco chuckled as he handed her the file he had been putting back together.
"Um. No?" she replied, the questioning lilt at the end almost directed at herself.
"Relax. You don't need to behave like a hippogriff caught in the carriage lamps," he told her as they stood. Hermione couldn't help the little giggle that caused Draco to frown.
"Muggles say 'like a deer caught in the headlights;' I didn't know there was a magical equivalent," she explained.
"Something Hermione Granger doesn't know, quick, let's alert 'The Prophet'!" Draco joked, no malice to his mockery. "I have some pull there, we could probably hold the front page for such an earth shattering revelation," he smirked as Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I hope I put that file back together correctly, it looked important," he stated, nodding to the file he had just handed her.
"Yes, thank you. It's children who the Ministry thinks are candidates," she paused, dragging her teeth across her bottom lip. "For my home."
"Ah yes, I had heard about that," he replied. "Is it going well?"
Hermione nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
"Instead of keep bumping into each other by accident, maybe we should bump into each other with intention?" Draco suggested, casually changing the subject.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, furrowing her brow in confusion.
"We could agree a time and a place to bump into each other. Say, Thursday. For coffee," he elaborated.
Hermione nodded once more, trusting herself even less.
Draco smiled as he stepped away, turning as he left. "I'll owl you details," he called, lifting his coffee cup to salute her.
"Draco, wait," Hermione called as he turned away, causing him to spin on his heel.
"Yes?"
"Um...do you know where to send the owl?" she asked, losing her nerve.
Draco smiled. "Mercury is a clever bird, I'm sure he will find you."
Reaching out her hand tentatively, Hermione's fingers curled around the brass knocker giving it three firm knocks. Tucking her hands back into her soft suede coat she shifted nervously on the porch as the door slowly opened to reveal an elderly looking house elf eying her curiously.
"Um, hello. Is..Is Mister Malfoy home?" Hermione asked, attempting to summon up her courage.
"Master Malfoy is being home, yes. But Master Malfoy is not liking guests who do not send owls first," the elf informed her curtly.
"I do apologise," Hermione began, pausing as she tried to decide if coming her had been a good idea after all. "I should probably go home and send an owl…"
As Hermione turned to leave, the door opened wider.
"Granger?" Draco called, quietly dismissing the elderly elf. "I thought we were meeting at The Leaky?" he asked her confused.
"Um, yes. That was the arrangement we made…" she dug her hands down deeper into her pockets as she looked up at him.
"Couldn't wait to see me eh?" he joked, flashing her a smirk. "Don't you want to come in?" he asked, opening the door wider.
"I'm not sure," she answered, furrowing her brow.
Draco eyed her quizzically. "Okay, well how about I leave the door open and you can decide if you want to join me in the drawing room?" he offered before disappearing into the house.
Hermione stared after him trying to decide what to do and how to take his suggestion. As she stared in through the open doorway she saw the elderly elf eying her suspiciously from the shadow cast in the atrium.
"I is never understanding these witches," he muttered before pulling a rag from his shirt and trotting over to a vase.
"I'm not sure I understand me either sometimes," Hermione muttered having caught his words.
After a while, Draco appeared in the atrium once more. "While I have no objection to heating the grounds, I am a little concerned for your health, stood out there in the chill," he informed her casually, as he stuffed his hands in his pockets, grinning out a her.
Hermione frowned. "I'm not sure why I came," she confessed.
Draco stepped forward, leaning casually against the door frame. "Well, I'm afraid I can't exactly help you there, Granger," he chuckled. "Unless you really could not wait…" he checked his wristwatch. "Another 50 minutes to see me."
Pushing himself away from the door Draco called out to her. "I'm going to pour a cup of tea, can I get you one?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione replied.
"Well how about I pour one while you decide, although I must say unless this is a muggle thing I am not aware of, I am not sure that this is the social convention."
Hermione's frown deepened as she crossed the threshold. The elderly elf threw her a look of disdain as he shut the heavy oak front door.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as she followed the sound of his voice.
"Ah, you came in. Well, that certainly does make it easier to hold a conversation," he smiled. "I know I don't do things the 'high society' way but I must say I have never had tea with a lady standing on my porch." He gestured for her to sit down.
"Why are you so nice?" she blurted out suddenly, causing Draco to still his hand as he poured the tea.
"Because I deeply regret my past transgressions," he murmured quietly, his sincerity resonating with her. "Especially with regard to yourself."
Hermione wasn't sure if silence could possibly have a sound of it's own; the notion seemed absurd. But as his words hung in the air, the silence between them buzzed in her ears until it snapped.
"I know," she admitted, holding his curious gaze.
"Given that you were once titled "Brightest witch of our age," I am sure there is an abundance of things that you know, however, indulge me a little here and enlighten me as to what specifically it is that you know," he requested giving her an amused look.
"I know that it's you who sends me ten thousand galleons annually. I know that you are M."
Neither spoke for several tense minutes as the colour drained from Draco's face, his jaw setting tightly.
"The donations are anonymous for a reason, Granger," he told her, his voice so cold it caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. A flicker of something across his face made her instantly think of his father, the image causing her to shudder.
"I know but…"
Draco cut her off standing up. "You do not know anything, however, I must say that this is typical of you…"
Hermione rose to her feet, anger flashing in her eyes. "What, may I ask, is that supposed to mean?"
"That this is typical of your goody two shoes know it all personality. I bet you couldn't leave it alone. I bet you've been pestering and researching and doing all you can to find out who it was, rather than just accept the kindness of a stranger," he spat, angrily.
Hermione flushed as the truth of his words hit home.
"You don't understand…" she yelled.
"Too right I don't understand: I don't understand how someone who has worked so tirelessly as a force for good, who has been so vocal about ending Ministry corruption could abuse her position…"
"I did not abuse my position…"
"Then how did you find out?"
"From you!" she cried.
Draco took a step back, his face contorting into stunned confusion. "What on earth are you blathering on about?"
Hermione reached into her pocket, slamming the parchment down on the coffee table, glaring at Draco as he snatched it up.
"You signed documents right in front of me in Theo's office. Your penmanship gave you away."
Draco glared at the note he had written for a moment before thrusting it back towards Hermione. "Irrespective of how you established it was me, what right do you have coming here and informing me so casually that you know?"
"Why my cause?" Hermione shot back, her eyes flashing with untempered anger.
"How I choose to spend my money is no concern of yours, Granger," Draco returned, his voice dangerously low as he stepped towards her. "You failed to answer my question. What right do you think you have?"
Hermione looked up at him, inwardly chastising herself. This was not how she wanted this conversation to turn out. "I wanted you to know what is happening with the money," she replied, her voice quiet.
Draco scoffed turning from her and striding over to the antique bureau at the far end of the room. Returning he slammed the newspaper on the coffee table. "Unless it has escaped your notice, Granger, I can actually read."
Hermione shook her head. "No, you don't understand. I wanted you to see the good."
Draco stared back at her, something flickering across his ice blue eyes.
The silence between them dragged out for a few moments before a loud buzzing sound made them both jump, the sound registering with Hermione a second later that it was her mobile ringing in her pocket. Pulling the device out Hermione checked the caller display on the screen. "Susan," she murmured as she accepted the call. "Hello...no?...oh Merlin! I'll be right there…" Finishing the call she hung up, her eyes snapping up at Draco's.
"These children are often broken and damaged, taken from sometimes the most horrendous of situations. They are hurting and vulnerable. I just wanted you to be able to see the difference to these children's lives that is achieved because of you. I'm sorry. For everything," she rushed out, her eyes imploring as Draco stared back at her, his eyes fixed on hers as she disapparated leaving him stunned in her wake.