Author's Note: Our readers have my sincerest apologies for the tardiness of this update. Being ill and trying to write do not mesh well together. Hopefully, this makes up for it?
We do not own Harry Potter.
Draco couldn't sleep that night. Memories, the few he had, flooded his mind on a near constant basis. Grappling with this revelation, Draco tore through his belongings. Long ago, when he was still just a small boy, his mother had given him a card with all the various colors emblazoned on it. Her whimsical nature was only one of many reasons Draco adored his mother above any other.
She had always held out hope that he would be blessed by the powers that be, to find the other half of his whole. He had believed it was her innocent and gentle nature getting lost in flights of fancy, but after seeing Granger? He could practically hear his mother's happy squeal and swore to himself that he would thank her someday for her neverending faith.
Draco found the color card, tucked between the pages of an old potions book and his relief was palpable. Finally, finally, he had something to compare his new knowledge and observations too.
He found himself checking his card several times, a glint of some color shining in his mind's eye and he'd reach for it once more - needing to put a name to the vibrancy in his mind. Like her hair. How could so many colors blend as one, and form something so incredibly beautiful? Draco felt wrecked, missing the magic Hermione's presence brought.
Laying in bed, Draco found that her lips were an enticing shade of pale pink. Her expressive eyes? At first glance, they look brown. But if you pay attention, as Draco had, you'll see golden flecks around the iris, and the brown was warm, a color he couldn't put a name to, but gorgeous regardless. Hermione's skin had been flawless porcelain, with a bright swath of rosy pink along her cheeks, especially when looking at him. Gods, she was genuinely resplendent, and Draco knew he had to see her again.
His dreams were full of Hermione. Draco had years of memories, and his mind took the time to remind him of his every mistake with the witch. By the time he pulled into the station, parking his motorcycle, Draco felt like a jumbled mess. How would he go about approaching Hermione? He had to try; they would both lose their magic otherwise. After heaving a heavy sigh, he made his way into the fire station, a certain sadness settling slowly in his chest.
Nodding to his mates, Draco made his way to his equipment locker and quickly changed for his shift. The blonde donned his dark uniform—a pair of heavy duty work trousers and a dark cotton t-shirt for work around the station, steel-toed boots on his feet. Perhaps a bit of hard work would clear his mind of those breathtaking images of Granger, or at the very least distract him from them? He looked around, and his fellow firefighters were bustling about, getting ready to pull the engine out of the bay to clean it off. "'Ey, probie. We were getting ready to clean the rig. Devon's making breakfast now," Angus Porter greeted him.
Draco had begun working with the local fire brigade not long after arriving in the village. Most days were relatively quiet, spent chatting with the other firefighters and riding through town. On occasion, there was a genuine emergency to respond to, and Draco lived for those days. It brought back an adrenaline rush that he hadn't felt since he'd played Quidditch.
He joined Angus and the others, scrubbing and shining the rig until it sparkled in the light. Try as he might, Draco couldn't keep up with their conversations. His mind felt addled by the vibrancy he had witnessed the day before, and he couldn't shake it. If his co-workers noticed his quiet demeanor as they all tucked into breakfast, they were kind enough not to mention it and for that Draco was grateful.
"We need to get the last of the supplies today," Angus said around a mouthful of eggs. There were nods and murmurs of assent as everyone filled their bellies. Draco barely had an appetite and made his way to the rig early, eager for distraction. He decided against driving today, unwilling to endanger the lives of those in his brigade or innocent pedestrians because he couldn't focus. Instead, Angus climbed into the driver's seat, cocking a brow at Draco on the passenger side.
"Rough night," Draco grumbled and waved his mate's attention away.
The scenery was as inviting and enchanting as ever, and Draco found himself staring out at the water more often than not until they found themselves in the middle of Main Street. Draco found himself contemplating all the things they needed for the open house, and was overjoyed that his mind seemed to be returning to normal.
His fragile peace was shattered mere minutes later when he scanned his surroundings and there, just turning the corner - vibrancy that outshone the sun.
Draco's breath left his lungs in a sudden expulsion, and he couldn't look away from the sight before him. Granger, looking like a blasted Goddess, was walking with an older couple. His hands itched for his color card, but he couldn't pull it out in front of Angus anyway. She wore a sweet little sundress, and it looked to be white with flowers of some kind embroidered on it and a charming green cardigan.
"Look any harder, and you'll break your neck, mate."
Draco briefly glared at Angus before turning to keep his eye on the trio. "Shut it, Angus," he muttered while biting his bottom lip. "In fact, let me out."
Angus chuckled, shaking his head but parked the rig quickly. "Go get her, Malfoy. This bird the reason you've been so off today?"
Draco merely rolled his eyes and offered a smirk before slamming the door in his friend's eager-looking face. With a little quick thinking and Slytherin cunning, Draco found a spot to duck into to wait for Granger and what appeared to be her parents to pass. As soon as they did, he followed, managing to keep a little distance between himself and the trio of Grangers in front of him.
"Mum..." Hermione groaned, tugging on the ends of her hair. Draco smiled at her aggrieved tone, used to being the cause of it. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the way the sun danced along her honeyed highlights; her long, silken curls hung like a dark waterfall down to the small of her back. Draco's eyes drifted further down her body, sighing at her delicious bum and shapely legs.
"Hermione Jean, I worry!" he heard Granger's mum reprimand. "All you do is work. Ever since you and that Roland broke up -" Draco's brow furrowed, who the hell was Roland?
"Ronald, mother. Ronald," Hermione's sigh was heavy and tired. Draco found himself grimacing, realizing they were talking about the redheaded weasel.
"Right," her mum nodded. "Him. Ever since you two broke up, you've buried yourself in work. I don't understand why you can't stay longer. Look around, love. Don't you want to soak up the sun? Walk along the beach? Meet a handsome stranger?"
Draco had to fight to smother a chuckle, glad that he wasn't the only one to have to deal with meddling parents. He watched, entranced, as Granger rested her head against her father's shoulder. "Daddy, make her stop. I don't have the strength for this today."
Her tone was playful and beseeching, and Draco felt a pang of sympathy for the older man, he'd be hard-pressed to say no to Granger if she ever asked him for something in the same way. He couldn't see Granger's face but could imagine those doe eyes of hers widening and her full bottom lip pouting just a bit, yep, he wouldn't stand a chance.
"Jean," Mr. Granger voice rumbled, a deep baritone. "Leave her be. We've only got her until Sunday, don't send her running for the hills just yet, okay?"
"Fine," Mrs. Granger grumbled. "But when she ends up and over-worked spinster, don't look at me."
"Mum! Stop! I just haven't found...him...yet." Hermione's response was forceful at first but turned wistful. Draco understood the feeling. "My relationship with Ronald was a joke; I'll be the first to admit it. And I refuse to settle for anything less than incredible. I want magic, and fire, and passion. Do you understand? I don't want to rush into something just because I might be lonely. I want someone to sweep me off my feet."
Jean Granger wrapped an arm around her daughter's shoulders and pressed a kiss to her temple, "And no-one deserves it more than you, my darling girl. Have faith. I'll keep my opinions to myself, for now, I promise."
Draco slowed his pace, thinking over all he had overheard. He watched as Granger, and her parent's ducked into his favorite diner, and though his heart longed to follow and continue his clandestine observing, he knew he needed to make his way back to the rig. Draco's stomach twisted, he'd prefer to chop off his right arm than turn away from the glorious sight of Granger in full color, but his responsibilities were marginally more critical at the moment.
His mind wandered as he retraced his steps. Draco felt a jolt of something when he recalled Granger's words on finding love. He'd said things of a similar vein to his parents before. Understanding that they were looking for the same kind of emotional and spiritual connection caused Draco's heart to beat furiously beneath his ribcage. One thing was abundantly clear to him: Hermione Granger was perfect for him.
Merely two days ago Draco would have laughed at the thought. And not a polite chuckle either. He would have been choking on a mocking laugh, ready to ridicule whoever dared make such an observation. Now, however, Draco felt prepared to conquer the world to secure the petite brunette's heart.
Finding no one at the rig, he leaned against the passenger door. Draco knew they were most likely at the grocer but found the silence, only disturbed by the rare passing car and the distant sound of waves crashing on the shore, exceedingly peaceful and couldn't be arsed to move. Drifting back to the conversation he'd eavesdropped upon, he contemplated his next move. Draco still held hope that Granger would show up to the open house, but the fact that she'd only be in Winthrop's Wharf through the weekend worried him.
Rubbing his chest to soothe the sudden ache that appeared the moment he thought of Granger leaving, Draco bit the inside of his cheek and began to plot. He could always use the lack of her presence to his advantage, couldn't he? Maybe a visit to her parents once she was gone, to welcome them to the neighborhood, of course, would win him some points in their favor? He could do that.
Spotting Angus and a few others struggling with bags of food and supplies, Draco pushed away from the firetruck to offer his assistance. At least he had a plan. Not much of one, he could admit, but a plan none-the-less. The only thing he could be sure of was that he would do anything to win Hermione Granger's affection.
While seeing her through the spectrum of color was enough to shake him to his core and ensure a growing attraction, hearing her speaking about love in such a passionate and hopeful way cemented it. Draco found himself wanting to sweep her off her feet and fulfill all her dreams. He felt a bit like a pansy, but it couldn't be helped.
She'd walked into his life and turned it all upside down, leaving him to sift through the rubble of what was and what could be.
Please review!