Hermione's POV
(London)
Hermione spun around when she heard someone clear their throat. Standing before her, was Draco Malfoy. Taking him in, she realised that he had changed a lot since Hogwarts. His hair was long and messy and he had filed out quite nicely. With a white shirt rolled up to his elbows and neat black pants he looked rather handsome. STOP Hermione. She thought to herself. She did not need to think of Draco Malfoy like that.
"I must have the wrong place. I'm sorry, I'll just go." She stumbled over the words, mentally cursing herself for not being more confident. The trademark smirk graced his features as she began to turn around.
"No Granger, if that parcel is books, then you have the right place." He smirked at her. Hermione turned back around confused, why would Malfoy be at an Orphanage? Shouldn't he be out with one of his floozy's?
"Well everything is here, just as ordered. I'll just go." She said, placing the parcel down on the sofa.
"Well, if it isn't Hermione Granger! Welcome to Saint Hectors!" Narcissa burst into the room and enveloped her into a hug. Smiling, Hermione returned the hug and eyed Malfoy, who, over his mothers shoulder looked appalled.
"Come and watch the children play quidditch with me my dear!" Narcissa exclaimed, leading Hermione by the hand out to the back yard.
"Uh, Narcissa I don't really have the time, I have to get back to my shop. I've got some kids in detention. Really, detention on the holidays, its astounding." she said hastily. Narcissa smiled and let go of her hand.
"Not to worry my dear. Another time, I'll come round with a couple of the kids that like to read. Buy them some books." Narcissa said happily. Hermione nodded and walked back to the fireplace, her hair swinging wildly about her head.
"Sure, come around soon." She said grabbing a handful of floo powder.
Stepping into the fireplace, she shouted, "Hogsmead!"
Arriving back in Hogsmead, Hermione ran back to Better books. Bursting through the door, she went straight to her office, ignoring the stares. Throwing herself into the armchair Hermione closed her eyes and contemplated what had just happened. She had just seen Draco Malfoy, death eater and arrogant pureblood, at an orphanage. What in Merlins name was he doing there. Narcissa had said that he didn't go near the place! Hermione opened the drawer next to the desk and pulled out the bundle of letters from Narcissa. Narcissa had wrote to her, wanting to have someone to talk to, and they had been in correspondence ever since. Hermione thought she was a lovely lady who had put her trust in the wrong man. Narcissa told her all about the orphanage, but had said she ran it and Draco had nothing to do with the place. Obviously that is no longer the case otherwise he wouldn't have been there.
A knock interrupted her thinking.
"Aunt Mione? Is everything ok?" Teddy asked through the door. Hermione sighed.
"Yes Teddy. I will be out to take you all back to the castle in a minute, make sure everything is packed up please." She said. Listening to the disappearing footsteps she put her head in her hands. What a shock. It must have been his handwriting. No wonder it was familiar though. Like Narcissa's writing, it was spiky and elegant but in green instead of black. Shaking her head she couldn't believe how overwhelmed she was by seeing him there. Standing, Hermione went and collected the kids from the main room.
"All ready to go?" she asked. They nodded, quiet for a change. Flipping the sign to closed again, Hermione walked the kids back to the castle. As soon as they reached the main doors, Hermione was left alone as they ran ahead to the great hall for dinner. Chuckling, Hermione remembered the days when she would do the same with Harry and Ron. Walking up to the 3rd floor, Hermione knocked twice on Ron's office. The door didn't open, but Hermione could see the light shining. She waited a minute and finally the door opened to show Ron, flustered and breathing heavy. Hermione frowned.
"Everything okay?" she asked worriedly. Ron nodded and closed the door behind him.
"Let's go for a walk down by the lake." He said with a smile. Hermione looked closely at him, something was wrong, she could sense it. Taking in his dishevelled appearance, Hermione noticed something red on the bottom of his shirt. Pulling it up for closer inspection, Hermione saw it was lipstick.
"Ron, what's this?" she asked quietly. Ron pulled away from her and fidgeted.
"It's nothing Mione, just a bit of ink." He said. Sighing, Hermione accepted his story and led him down the corridor. Once outside, Ron seemed to relax and Hermione had to hurry to keep up with his long legs. After walking for a while with no talking, Hermione decided it was probably best she go.
"Ron – I" she was cut off with a kiss. Breaking away, Hermione took a deep breath.
"I'm going home. Ginny and Harry are coming around tonight for tea. You can come down too if you'd like." She said looking down at their feet. She heard Ron groan quietly.
"I don't think I can make it Hermione, I have papers to go through for the quidditch teams." He said hastily.
"That's okay Ron don't worry about it." Hermione said still looking at their feet. Reaching down Ron hooked a finger under her chin and pulled her up for a kiss. It was quick and wet and Hermione felt nothing but sadness. What was wrong with her? Breaking away again, she left him, walking back to Hogsmead alone.