Hermione and Ron didn't live very far from Diagon Alley, only a half hour Knight Bus trip at the most. Hermione loved that they lived so close, it made life a little more bearable in the hole that had become her life. But today, it felt like there was sunshine peeping through to her. She saw beauty outside that she had not seen in a long time, a muggle toddler laughing in its pram for no reason, birds flying in the sky and the colours all around her. It was almost overwhelming. Hermione hadn't realised how dark her life had become.
Along the way to Diagon Alley, Ron and Hermione talked, not about their sex lives or to criticise each other for once, but about Ron's life outside of Hermione. Hermione found out that Ron and Luna had been meeting for about a fortnight now, he just hadn't yet had the balls to tell her. And Luna had met a muggle she was dating, some famous muggle called William Moseley, but things were rocky for the pair, hence spending time with her old friend again. Hermione asked for more details, but she was asking Ron Weasley, so typically, he knew nothing more, not realising he should know more.
When arriving at the Leaky Cauldron nerves seemed to almost overcome Ron, he blushed as red as his hair and started shaking in his seat. Hermione just rolled her eyes and dragged him off the bus by his ear, temporarily distracting him so he forgot his nerves, ignoring his objections of, "Hermione! Gerrof!"
Hermione dragged him all the way into the dingy pub, where she looked for Luna. Once she'd located her at the bar Hermione dragged Ron over and plonked him over, Luna looked on with a dreamy smile on her face, highly amused by their entrance.
"You kids have fun!" Hermione sang as she made her way out, laughing to herself at Ron's beet red face when he realised he was sitting next to Luna.
After tapping the wall and making her way through the archway into Diagon Alley, Hermione made her way straight to Flourish and Blotts. Along the way she heard whispers follow her, whispers of;
"That's Hermione Granger!"
"Not THE Hermione Granger?"
Hermione smiled a little to herself, since the war ended she had made a bit of a name for herself, it was known that she had helped the famous Harry Potter in defeating Voldemort.
Then she heard a whisper that she didn't want following her.
"Isn't she married to Ron Weasley, mummy?" Hermione turned towards the whisperer, a young blonde girl who was standing in front of the Apothecary next to an older woman, clutching a new cauldron filled with school books. Hermione walked up to the pair, smiling so not to scare them off.
"Hey there, what's your name?" the girls' light blue eyes widened before she stammered out a reply.
"M-my n-name is Roxanne. B-b-b-but everyone calls me Roxie for short." She blushed deeply, but Hermione smiled.
"Well, you already know who I am. I'm Hermione Granger. And you were wrong, I'm not married to Ronald Weasley. We did go out, for only for a while, we're just really good friends now." The girls eyes widened, and she nodded furiously. Hermione smiled and looked into the girls' cauldron.
"Oh, you're a Hogwarts student?" The girl nodded twice, smiling shyly.
"What house are you in?" at this question the girl frowned. Hermione tilted her head curiously, wondering why Roxie was frowning, most Hogwarts students couldn't wait to boast about which house they were in, or their families.
"It's only my first year. I don't know yet. Mum was in Ravenclaw, and Dad was a Hufflepuff … But my big brother is in Gryffindor, so I don't know what house I'll be in! And I don't want to be the only in my family to be put into Slytherin!" Roxie was almost in tears. Hermione knelt down so that she could look Roxie in the eye and placed one hand on Roxie's small shoulder with Roxie's mother looking on curiously, clearly wanting to soothe her daughter but wanting to hear what Hermione was about to say.
"Hey, Roxie, let me tell you something. My parents are muggles, so I walked into Hogwarts with no clue what to expect! I was almost as scared as you are now. But that hat can see who you really are, and it'll give you a choice. When I was sorted, it nearly put me into Ravenclaw, but I told it I wanted more than anything to be in Gryffindor, and it granted my wish! The hat even gave Mr Harry Potter an option." At this Roxie's eyes widened and her mother sucked in a quick breath of surprise through her teeth. Hermione lowered her voice, adding a little mystery to the story.
"The hat originally wanted to put Harry in Slytherin, but Harry didn't want that! So he, like me, begged the hat to put him somewhere else. So the hat put him in Gryffindor!" Roxie gasped.
"You're joking!" the young girl exclaimed. Hermione shook her head before continuing with her story.
"So, the hat will always give you a choice before making its decision final. And if you don't know which house you want, the hat will know where to put you. You have nothing to worry about." At that Hermione stood up, Roxie was smiling widely now.
"Thankyou, Hermione Granger! Come on mum, let's go get my wand!" Roxie was beaming as she walked off towards Ollivanders. Roxie's mum hung back just long enough to ask one question to Hermione.
"Was all that true?" Hermione nodded.
"All of it." Roxie's mum nodded, smiling.
"Thank you for making her feel better!" and off she ran after her daughter.
Hermione grinned widely to herself, it had been a long time since she'd made someone happy. But Roxie reminded her of someone from school. Roxie reminded her of a certain Draco Malfoy. Of course, Draco Malfoy was a slimy git, and wasn't as keen for information as Roxie was. Hermione decided that Roxie reminded her of Malfoy because of the hair, Roxie's had been as platinum blonde as Malfoys. Happy with this conclusion, Hermione turned and walked into Flourish and Blotts with a spring in her step.
Hours later, Hermione finally emerged from Flourish and Blotts with her arms filled with new books piled so high it was a miracle she could walk in a straight line. But, after talking to Roxie, Hermione had been in such good spirits that she'd bought herself more books than she'd intended to buy. About ten more books than she'd intended, to be exact.
Good thing I had so much practise at Hogwarts, carrying all those textbooks around! This is a breeze compared to that. But I do wish I'd thought to bring my book bag! Hermione thought to herself, her back aching at the memory of all the textbooks she used to carry.
It was past lunch time, and Hermione was starving, so she made her way down the middle of the busy street towards the Leaky Cauldron, thinking maybe she'd catch up with Ron and Luna and get something to eat, when she collided into someone.
And made her brand new books go everywhere!
"Oh no, my books! I'm so sorry about that." Hermione bent down to begin picking up her books again, not looking up at who she'd bumped into until they spoke softly.
"Let me help you. Still into your books I see, Granger?" Hermione's head snapped up so fast that she was surprised it didn't break. Sure enough, there he was, mere inches from her, carefully picking up her books and placing them tenderly on the pile in her hands.
Draco Malfoy.
Speak of the devil …
Hermione could only gape. No one had seen hide nor hair of the boy for years, his picture had been in the Prophet for months, his mother had been frantic. No one knew anything, except that he'd run off from home without telling anyone or taking any money.
Malfoy placed another three books on Hermione's pile before realising she wasn't moving. He raised a perfect eyebrow at her.
"Granger, photos last longer you know." He sneered quietly. Hermione snapped out of her gaze.
"Sorry, Malfoy." She snapped. "But I thought you were a missing person! You've been in the Prophet for months now!"
"Don't worry, Granger, I've been reunited with my dear mother, she knows I'm alive and healthy. I haven't graced you with the honour of finding me first."
Hermione looked at Malfoy carefully, comparing him with the Malfoy in her memories. His skin such a translucent pale anymore, he had more colour, and his skin wasn't stretched tight on his skull anymore, it appeared to be rather soft and healthy looking. His eyes and body were the biggest, most obvious difference sin Hermione's eyes. Last time she had seen Malfoy close up his eyes had been a flat, dead grey, the eyes of someone who had lost all hope in life; but now they were alive, seeming to laugh and bounce with mischief. Whilst his body … Hermione didn't want to admit it, but Malfoy had a really good body! Draco Malfoy was no longer skeleton looking, but rather he had filled out his body nicely with well-toned muscles, and he stood up straight, proudly, confidence oozing from his every pore. There was something else, but Hermione just couldn't place it …
"See something you like, Granger?" Malfoy smirked as he placed the last of Hermione's books on her pile and they stood up together. Hermione moved slightly so that she was side on to Malfoy and could see him around her books.
"Not at all. Just wondering what you want from me, Malfoy." She replied coldly, watching his face for any give away expressions. But Malfoy just shrugged and kept his face carefully blank.
"Just helping out a damsel in distress." Hermione blinked at Malfoy.
A …. What?! Her mind screamed at him.
"What did you call me?" Hermione whispered, frowning slightly. Malfoy titled his head.
"A damsel in distress. Would you like some help carrying those?" Hermione's jaw dropped outright.
"You're joking, Malfoy!" Malfoy shook his head.
"No, actually, I'm not at all. I really, simply just want to help you out, Granger." Finally his blank expression gave way to one of pleading and hope, tugging at Hermione's trusting heart.
Right now those beautiful puppy dog eyes would win a "sad eyes" contest against an actual puppy! Hermione shook her head, wondering where that thought had sprung from.
"OK, Malfoy. I'm heading to the Leaky Cauldron, take what you can." Malfoy's eyes lit up in surprise and glee, and gave Hermione a small, tentative smile as he took half of the books.
Side by side the two walked towards the Leaky Cauldron, each lost in their own thoughts. Hermione was trying to puzzle out what the young Malfoy could possibly gain from this.
She came up with nothing. Unless he had been brainwashed or cloned, and she'd been lucky enough to meet the nice Draco Malfoy. She seriously doubted it though.
Suddenly Malfoy stopped. They were standing outside Florean Fortescue's Ice – cream Parlour. Hermione knew that after the War Florean hadn't been found, yet someone had gotten the business up and running again, but they didn't have the heart to change the name, in memory of Florean.
"Want to get an ice cream? My treat." Malfoy asked Hermione, hope lighting his eyes again.
God, those eyes are adorable! Hermione mentally slapped herself. You can't think like that, it's Draco Malfoy for Merlin's sake!
"Sure. OK, Malfoy." Malfoy surprised Hermione by giving her a full smile. Not a sneer or a smirk or a half smile, but a full blown smile. It changed and lit up his features and met his eyes beautifully. Hermione was momentarily stunned just as effectively as if he'd hit her with a stunning spell.
"How about you wait outside with your books and I'll go get the ice – creams? What do you want, Granger?" Draco had gently placed Hermione's books on one of the outside tables while talking to her. When she didn't reply Malfoy turned and snapped his fingers in front of her eyes, which did the trick, Hermione frowned slightly and blinked her eyes a few times.
"Um, sure. I'll just have a plain chocolate, please." Hermione finally mumbled. Malfoy eyed her, an expression Hermione couldn't place on his face.
"Sit down, please. Then I'll go in." he asked her. Hermione complied, and, true to his word, Malfoy made sure Hermione was sitting comfortably before making his way inside.
Hermione thought about the new Malfoy she'd just met, trying to figure out what the difference was that she couldn't put her finger on. She replayed everything that had happened between them since she bumped into Malfoy, trying to pinpoint it.
"Here you are Granger, your plain chocolate ice - cream!" Draco handed Hermione her ice – cream before gracefully sitting in the chair opposite her. Hermione mumbled her thanks and automatically started licking her ice – cream, looking at Malfoy but still deep in her thoughts. Malfoy sat eating his ice – cream, people watching with confidence and peace simply radiating off him.
That was it! Hermione gasped loudly, getting Malfoy's attention.
"What is it?" he asked eyeing her ice – cream, worried he'd gotten the wrong flavour. Malfoy then glanced up at Hermione and watched as her eyes glazed over and she mumbled to herself, frowning.
"Granger?" Hermione snapped out of her reverie.
"Malfoy. You're … happy." Malfoy raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Thank you for my mood update, Granger. Why the glazed eyes and blank face just before?" Hermione looked at Malfoy in a new light.
"Malfoy … What happened to you? You're not the boy I remember from school." Malfoy finished his ice – cream and took a deep breath. He knew this had been a bad idea, allowing Hermione Granger, the smartest witch of their generation to interact with him. She was bound to notice his change.
You went looking for her, idiot. A small voice in the back of his mind growled at him. You knew she'd be one of the few in the Wizarding world you could trust.
"Granger, I will tell you, but I ask that you don't interrupt until I've finished. You can ask questions then. Deal?" Hermione nodded with her eyes wide as saucers. She was nervous and excited all at once, the way she always felt whenever she was about to learn something new.
Draco took a deep breath and began his story.
"After the war had finished, father had found me a suitable wife who was worthy of his precious Malfoy bloodline. I'll admit she was very beautiful, in a pureblood way, and rather intelligent. Two years after the war ended, I had proposed to her and we were to be wed the next year. Of course, we had a very extravagant wedding. Nothing but the best of everything, even our honey moon lasted a good 8 months!" Malfoy's demeanour changed from positive to gloomy, his eyes darkening and sadness creeping into them.
"We returned home, I was a very happy husband, with a wife 6 months pregnant. We were on our way to being best friends, my wife and I, we had some very good conversations." Hermione was biting her lip in suspense, dying to ask questions. She had the impulse to raise her hand the way she would've at school, which almost made her laugh. She didn't think now was a good time to laugh though. Malfoy took a very deep, steadying breath before continuing, but his voice had dropped to a whisper.
"Nothing went wrong for nine months. Nothing. Then, she went into labour. Everything seemed to go wrong all at once. Even now, I'm not sure exactly what happened, but my wife died giving birth. Over exhaustion and she refused any magical medical help, I'd heard one of the Witches who'd attended to her say to someone. My son died that day too. I got to hold him once, before he died in my arms. No one knew what was wrong with him, he just … didn't live." Malfoy had tears in his eyes, which he wiped away and cleared his throat. Hermione found her wide eyes were also full of tears. Tears of pain and sympathy for the man in front of her.
"After that, I was so crazed with pain from my losses, I just ran. I don't know how I ended up there, but I ended up in a muggle mansion with a rich muggle girl. She took me in, took care of me. She made me rich and famous in the muggle world, I took up the alter – ego of Tom Felton, muggle actor." At this Malfoy made a dramatic sweep of his arm and took a little bow for a giggling Hermione before continuing, a small smile now playing on his lips.
"I rather liked the muggles I got to know, and their world of the rich and famous. But I also met many of the not so lucky muggles. I began helping them, donating much of my money to charities and to the homeless. It took a long time for me to stop, understand their position and feel bad for them. Before I knew it, I began to care for muggles and … I really loved what I did. But, I began to miss my Wizarding life. I carefully planned out how I would disappear from the muggle world. I sold everything I owned in the muggle world and had all my muggle money transferred to my own bank in Gringotts. Then I staged my own death. I committed suicide. Disappearing from the muggle world forever and returning home like the prodigal son. " Malfoy took a deep breath and waiting, gazing at Hermione expectantly.
Hermione had to figure out how to make a joke of this and lighten his mood. She refused to admit it fully, but she was dying to see him smile again, to see his eyes light up.
"Well, I guess my relationship problems are nothing compared to yours!" Malfoy raised his eyebrows again, and Hermione was relieved to see a little spark returning to his eyes.
"Is that so, Miss Granger? Please, do tell me your story. Start from when you published your world famous book." Hermione blushed and bit her lip shyly.
"Well, after the war, I asked Harry if he was planning on telling the world how Voldemort had been defeated. He'd had no intentions at all, so I asked his permission to write it all out. I wrote about everything, right from when Voldemort tried to kill baby Harry, up to when Harry defeated him. I think Harry was sick of me and my questions by the time I'd finished!" Hermione laughed at the memory when she told Harry she had finished and sent the book off to be published. Harry had laughed and hugged her, twirling her in the air. Malfoy watched Hermione closely, feeling a pang of loneliness.
"But, after the war, Ron Weasley finally asked me out. We did date for a solid two years, we even moved into a nice house together. The house was my little present to myself for selling over 1,000 books in less than three days. But, after that, Ron and I realised that things weren't quite right between us. We didn't crave each other's company, sexual or otherwise. We could barely stand each other! One day, Ron pointed out that we'd never used protection and-" Hermione cut off at this point, blushing furiously. She hadn't meant to say that to Malfoy! But Malfoy smiled half a smile.
"It's all part of the story to help me understand. Please, Granger, continue on." Hermione bit her lip again and continued.
"Well, Ron pointed out that we had never used protection, and I should've been pregnant ten times over by that point, so I took myself to St. Mungo's.
They couldn't find anything wrong with me. I'm completely fertile. Until one mediwitch noticed something the others had missed. What it was, I have no idea. The area doesn't hold much interest for me. But, I'm completely fertile, but only to someone who has the correct sperm." Again, Hermione blushed furiously, but continued on, avoiding Malfoy's eyes.
"The sperm must be strong. Much, much stronger than what is considered average. And, obviously, Ron's wasn't. That was the reason of our first fight … With make-up sex following almost immediately afterwards. Soon after that we made an arrangement, we became fuck buddies until one of us had the guts to tell the rest of the Weasley's we were no longer a couple, or find someone else we were interested in romantically." Hermione sighed sadly and closed her eyes. Malfoy's eyebrows met in a sympathetic frown, he didn't want to see her in pain like this. He itched to reach his hand out and hold hers to comfort her, but refrained, not wanting to scare her off.
"We stayed in that arrangement of ours until just this morning. Today Ron is meeting up with Luna Lovegood, and I'm enjoying my first day of feeling free. It's been year since I've felt like my own person." Hermione raised her head again, this time looking at the sky, and she jumped.
"Merlin! It's almost dark!" Malfoy looked up too, to find that she was right. The sun was setting, the sky was full of pink clouds.
Where did the time go? Malfoy demanded from himself, coming up with no answer.
Hermione jumped up, hurriedly gathering her books in her arms, only to have them topple and crash to the floor again. Malfoy calmly and gracefully arose from his seat and helped Hermione stack them neatly in her arms.
"Thank you, Malfoy." Hermione mumbled. Malfoy smiled a half smile.
"So, I since we haven't finished our chat yet, I take it you have a thousand questions for me?" Hermione blushed and nodded shyly, looking at the ground and not meeting his eyes. But Malfoy wasn't having that. Gently he put one long finger under Hermione's chin, leaned close to her, and raised her face so he could look directly into her large brown eyes.
"How about you owl me later then, with some of those questions? I cannot promise a meeting again, I have overcome my personal prejudices of muggles and the muggle born, but my family has not. I have no wishes to be kicked out of home so soon after returning." Hermione nodded, understanding in her eyes.
"I'll owl you tomorrow afternoon." She promised. Malfoy smiled and finally removed his finger from under Hermione's chin and stepped out of her way.
"I await your owl then, Miss Granger." Hermione only nodded and bustled away, trying and failing to not think about close Draco Malfoy's lips had been to her own.