"Back again?" Hermione asks as the dim light over her table shadows. She looks behind her at him standing there with a confused look on his face and added, "didn't you know I'm a Seer?"
"Yeah, right. The entire school knew of your dislike of divination. That day third year all anyone could talk about was know it all Granger storming out of class." Draco smirked as he sat down opposite her.
"I bet you were just happy that's the only thing they had to talk about that day." Hermione smirked back, "I should thank you for that actually. I was so irritated at you I just couldn't stand to sit and listen to that old bats dribble."
"I'm glad that you had fun that day then."
"If it makes you feel better I left class and went to soak my hand?" At the incredulous look he gave her she laughed, "well I tried. So how was your week?"
And they were off again. They had fallen into a pattern: cheeky greeting, simple pleasantries then the talk would turn serious. Draco would end up talking about Astoria. It became almost like therapy for him. Last week he told of the beginning of their courtship and how she told him of the blood curse that would eventually claim her life. This week he told of their simple wedding. Like every week at 10:30 Hermione excused herself. As she was leaving Draco asked, "Seriously though, how did you know I was behind you?"
"That's been bugging you hasn't it?" He nods, "your cologne, it's rather distinctive. "
Hermione and Ron had decided that they both needed to go out and do something on their own once a week. She had her Tuesday nights at the pub and he went out on Friday's. They could always be reached in case of an emergency but other than that didn't question each other. Hermione had found Paddy's after about a month in and decided that was her spot on her first visit. She always brought a book even though the whole reason for going out was to interact with someone other than family and co-workers. She honestly felt no desire to meet anyone new but she did enjoy getting out and being alone. For a long time after the war she was always surrounded by people, never getting a moment alone.
The day Malfoy walked into Paddy's Hermione had been thinking that maybe she was ready to make a new friend. And then in walked Draco Malfoy. He confused her, especially in the beginning. Of course everyone grieves differently but it was obvious that he hadn't even begun to grieve. Slowly as the weeks passed and he opened up she could almost see him beginning to heal. It took her back to her own days of grief. She hadn't processed her grief well at all. It's only been the last year or so that she has even felt human.
The next morning while getting ready for work Ron asked if everything was ok. "Everything's fine, why do you ask?" She replies as she packs Bryony's lunch.
"You just seem more relaxed, especially Wednesday morning's, anything you need to tell me?" He asks wiggling his eyebrows as he grabs an apple and his briefcase off the kitchen counter.
"I have been talking to someone. Almost could say I made a new friend." She smiles to herself, she never dreamed the day would come when she could consider Draco Malfoy a friend. "Actually it's an old acquaintance, last person I would have thought to meet in a muggle bar."
"I'm glad, it's good to see you smiling." Ron says as he kisses her cheek and runs to the floo.