Even in her academic career at Hogwarts, Hermione Granger had never been one to be late. She had even used a time turner to be present for all her classes during third year, for Merlin's sake. But today was a blemish on her nearly spotless record, and of course, she had to be late to a lunch meeting with the one and only despicable being that was Draco Malfoy.
Hermione hadn't realized how fast the time had passed until she looked at the antique clock that was situated on the right hand corner of her report-covered desk. Her nose had been so far shoved into an Auror report about a stolen case of dittany from St. Mungo's, that she had completely lost track of time. She quickly packed her things in her briefcase, and headed out of office to the elevators.
Her first morning work at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had been more than good. It had been excellent, in fact. After Henrietta had left her to her own devices, Hermione had dived head first into the Auror reports that had been left for her. After about an hour of solitary work, her two office mates had come into her office to introduce themselves. Both were nice, palatable individuals who Hermione could certainly find herself working excently alongside.
Amelia had been the first of the two to introduce herself. She was a petite redhead, who had graduated from Beauxbatons the year below Fleur. While she didn't know either of the Delacour sisters personally, she was aware of Fleur's bravery in the Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione found herself enjoying Amelia's outgoing personality, and had definitely agreed to a coffee outing with the young witch once she had settled herself in the office and her work.
Matthew was more on the quiet side, and reminded Hermione a bit of a younger Neville Longbottom. He had been a Hufflepuff in the same year as Cedric Diggory, and Hermione could vaguely remember seeing him around the castle years before. Overall, Matthew was a nice and productive young man, and Hermione could see no issues working with him in the future. Other than her office mates introductions, Hermione had spent the majority of the morning working on reports. She liked the pacing of the office, and could see that it was going to be a good fit.
'
Though now, as she was rushing through the atrium of the Ministry, she kind of wished that her work hadn't been so fulfilling. Otherwise, she wouldn't be making a mad dash towards the elevator, which thankfully a nice older wizard graciously held for her. She tapped her foot impatiently as the elevator descended to the ground floor of the Ministry for Magic, and when the elevator finally reached its destination, Hermione shot out of it like a snitch.
Making her way through the somewhat empty Ministry lobby, Hermione reached the apparition point outside with only a few seconds to spare on her gold toned watch. Removing her vine wood wand from the depths of her robes, she quickly apparated to the corner street that led to Hestian's Cafe. Approaching the foliage covered building, Hermione took the time to take a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for this event.
She had chosen Hestian's Cafe for her meeting with Malfoy for a few reasons. The first being that it was one of the most secluded dining locations in relation to Diagon Alley. That way no one would be any the wiser if they saw Hermione Granger having a meal with the one and only Draco Malfoy. She was trying to avoid a public uproar at all costs. The second reason was that this cafe, and the bookstore next to it, were somewhat of a refuge for her. Somewhere that she felt safe. After the war, Hermione had needed a place to escape, and Hestian's Cafe and Tattered Tales had been the perfect place to escape. It was a place where the young witch could disappear for a while, and no one would be any the wiser.
Knowing that Malfoy was probably waiting impatiently for her inside the cafe, Hermione took one last look at herself. Adjusting the collar of her somewhat rumpled robes, she straightened her posture, and placed her small hand on the familiar curved brass handle of the restaurant's door. Once she entered the establishment, the familiar scent of mulled cider and bread filled her senses, giving her almost a sense of comfort. Looking around, Hermione finally spotted the youngest Malfoy.
He was perched in a booth in the back of the restaurant, a glass of water placed in front of him. Malfoy was glancing around, a placid look on his statuesque face. Whether it was a look of impassiveness, boredom, or disgust, Hermione did not know. Though, when he spotted Hermione, his silver eyes lit up with an emotion that the young witch could not fully describe. She made her way over to the table that Malfoy had selected, and less than gracefully plopped herself down in the opposing seat. Placing her bag on the floor, she finally looked up at her lunch partner, and crossed her hands.
"Didn't anyone ever teach you that it's rude to be late, Granger?" Malfoy gave her a sideways look, beginning their conversation with a snub. Hermione tried not to roll her eyes, and decided to answer civilly instead.
"I apologize for my tardiness, Malfoy. I got caught up in my work, and lost track of time." Hermione couldn't believe she was actually apologizing to Draco Malfoy, yet here she was.
"Oh yes, I was informed that you joined the ranks at the Ministry. Now the whole crew is there. Potty, Weaselbee, and Granger, together again." Malfoy snarked, and Hermione gave him yet another glare. If he was just going to be difficult, there was nothing stopping the young witch from walking out the door then and there. Which is exactly what Hermione dictated in her response.
"Either we have this conversation like adults, without your immature digs at my friends, or we end this now. I would be more than happy to leave you to your own devices in this situation, Malfoy. So pick your battles wisely." At the words of her threat, Malfoy seemed to sit up a bit straighter, and the antagonizing grin that had previously occupied his face quickly disappeared.
"Alright, Granger. Let's get this started, then." Draco cleared his throat, before crossing his pale, slender hands in front of himself in a business like manner. Hermione nodded, before pulling a folio out of her bag, along with a Muggle ballpoint pen. While the young witch did enjoy the use of a quill, she had an affinity for Muggle writing instruments. They seemed to make life somewhat easier.
Malfoy gave her a puzzled look as she clicked the pen to extract the nib, and Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at his confusion as she scribbled down the date. Looking back up at her table companion, she motioned for him to begin the conversation that they had both come here to have. The youngest Malfoy nodded, cleared his throat, and began the spiel of words that he had mentally rehearsed all morning.
"Well, Granger, you have been informed of the circumstances that I am facing. I wanted to speak to you about your feelings about the situation, seeing as you were not really given a chance to discuss it on Saturday." Draco paused, and Hermione nodded her head.
"I would like clarity on some things, if you could provide it, that is." Hermione responded, and Malfoy bobbed his head. He knew that the young witch probably had a myriad of inquisitions.
Hermione's brain brewed with wonderments, but there was one question in her mind that she wanted to ask the most. So she asked for the answer to it first.
"Why did you charm the tapestry to keep from showing my name? Why did you hide it, I mean?" Hermione clarified. Draco took a few moments to collect his thoughts before he answered, wanting to be truthful in his answer.
"When I saw your name woven into the tapestry that morning, I felt a crushing weight fall onto my shoulders. The end of the war had just occurred less than a month before, and the entirety of the wizarding world was still recovering. You were as well. If there was something that I learned during the reign of Voldermort, it was that having a choice is a luxury. I didn't want to burden you with such information. My life wasn't, and still isn't, your responsibility."
Hermione took a few moments to absorb the words that Malfoy had just spoken. They were an honest admission; she could tell by the look on his face. Though, there was a phrase that triggered her in his statement. Having a choice is a luxury. Malfoy had never had a choice, just like Harry. Narcissa Malfoy's letter had expressed this exact sentiment.
"Though that's not entirely true, is it?" Hermione countered, knowing in fact that the Malfoy heir's life did lay in her hands. Draco gave her a solemn look, his gray eyes somewhat clouded with remorse. An emotion that was unfamiliar to Hermione when it came to Draco Malfoy.
"Trust me, Granger. If I could unpick the threads of that bloody tapestry, I would. My life shouldn't be your responsibility. We are definitely not the ideal pair, are we?" Malfoy sniffed at the thought, and Hermione gave him an accusing glance.
"This isn't a blood purity thing again, is it, Malfoy?"
Draco's wandering gaze snapped to the young witch, and shook his head vehemently.
"We've been over this, Granger. My prejudices faded once I saw how absolutely fucking ridiculous they were in the first place." Draco defended himself. And for the first time, Hermione actually believed him.
"Alright. I was just checking. I wouldn't want to be courting a blood purist, now would I?" Hermione casually countered, and Draco gave her a surprised glance. It took him a few moments to find the words, but they finally spilled out of his mouth in a garbled mess.
"You're actually willing to do this? To help me?" Malfoy questioned the young witch, a look of renewed and unexpected hope filling his steel colored eyes. Hermione nodded gently.
In truth, it had taken Hermione a while to make a decision about what she was going to do in regards to the whole situation. While she did despise the Malfoy family in some ways, especially Lucius and his twisted ways, she couldn't help but feel some sense of pity for Draco. He had been a child fighting in an adult's war, just like everyone else. Malfoy had faced impossible choices that no person should be forced to make, and she had a feeling of compassion about him that couldn't escape her mind. Not to be too cordial about the entire thing, but Hermione had always enjoyed a good problem to solve. And as much as she wasn't a fan of admitting such a truth, Draco was quite a fit young man, so at least he wouldn't be too unpleasant to look at. Hopefully the same could eventually be said about his personality.
"I know that it's going to be difficult, especially regarding our past indifferences. Though I believe that everyone deserves a second chance to redeem themselves. That includes you, Draco Malfoy. So don't waste this chance." Hermione was quick to remind him that even though she was willing to give the situation a chance, he still had to be on his best behavior.
"I appreciate this, Granger. More than you could ever know." Malfoy's eyes held a look of relief as he thanked the young witch, and nodded in understanding at her ultimatum. The young heir knew that the bright young witch sitting in front of him was likely his only chance of survival.
"I'm not going to make this easy for you, just so you're aware. I expect complete and utter discipline, respect, and faithfulness if we are to begin any sort of relationship. Be that platonic or romantic." Hermione once again laid down the law of her expectations of the blonde aristocrat. Draco gave her a somewhat stony glare when she mentioned the requirement of faithfulness, but Hermione kept her head held high in absolution.
"Adultery is a sin punishable by death in this case, Granger. I don't think that unfaithfulness will be an issue." Malfoy deadpanned, and Hermione gave him a crossed look. He wasn't incorrect, which was the scariest part.
"Maybe we should begin lunch now?" Hermione quickly changed the subject, and Draco nodded, motioning over the server that had seated him earlier. A young witch, dressed in a delicate apron trimmed in lace, quickly came.
"What can I get for you, sir? And hello Hermione! I didn't see you come in." The young woman greeted them, quickly recognizing a familiar face.
"Hello Nicolette. I was running a bit late, unfortunately. Thank you for seating my companion ahead of time, though." Hermione greeted the witch, who nodded enthusiastically before turning back to Draco expectantly.
"I will have a large black coffee, and whatever Miss Granger orders as her entree." Draco said courteously. Hermione gave him a strange glance, but then relayed her order to the expectant staff.
"I'll take my usual. Thank you, Nicolette." Hermione responded, and the waitress quickly confirmed the order.
"One large black coffee, a peach iced tea, and two pot pies coming right up." Nicolette recounted, and Hermione nodded, sending the bubbly redhead back on her merry way to the kitchens.
"Pot pie?" Malfoy questioned Hermione, who nodded earnestly. A look of what seemed to be a cross between hidden displeasure and annoyance graced the pale wizard's face briefly, but Draco hid it somewhat well.
"It's not as disgusting as you might think, Malfoy. Just because it isn't something Narcissa Malfoy wouldn't serve at her table doesn't mean that it's repulsive." Hermione chastised her dining companion, but she could see Malfoy physically tense at the mention of his mother. She immediately wanted to apologize, but knew that asking him about his sudden change in demeanor would be more helpful.
"I didn't mean to speak about your mother that way...I owe her a bit of thanks, actually. Her letter was one of the factors that helped me make the decision to give this whole situation a chance." Hermione apologized, and Malfoy's icy gaze met her own. He was watching her intensely, and Hermione couldn't decipher what his steady gaze meant. It took a few moments for him to speak, but Malfoy finally responded.
"My mother means everything to me, despite what many may think. She had dedicated her entire life to raising and protecting me since the day I was born. All she had ever wanted for me was the ability to live my life without restraint." The more that Malfoy spoke of his mother, the more warmth filled his usually cold features. There was no denying the fact that mother and son loved one another irrevocably.
"She spoke of choices in her letter, just like you did earlier. Which is why I am making the decisions to explore what these circumstances have to offer. I know that it may be difficult, but I am willing to try if you are." Hermione concluded, and without a thought of what she was actually doing, extended her small hand in a semblance of deal making. Draco pondered the deal for a moment, but in the end, extended his own hand.
The coldness of his alabaster hand encased her own, shaking it gently. In that moment, Hermione could feel a shift in energy that surrounded them in the small cafe. It was like a small fizzle of electricity where their hands touched. Hoping that Malfoy wouldn't notice the change in her demeanor at the strange feeling, she decided to switch the conversation into more neutral territory, and removed her hand from his quickly.
"So what is your favorite color?" Hermione asked quickly, and Draco gave her a strange look. The question was elementary, but at least it was the beginning of something.
Malfoy thought for a moment, and decided to answer the question with his own flare. In the style of the Slytherin man he was, his answer was more than predictable.
"Emerald green."