Hermione drank the last sip of her coffee and put the cup down. She loved her cousin, but she wished she could go home and finish her work before Harry and Ron take her out for the usual birthday dinner. Leah was telling her the story of her coworkers getting together on a business trip for the hundredth time, so Hermione switched off for a bit, but now it seemed like there was a new subject
'…I wanted to buy you a book for your birthday, but I couldn't find anything, so I thought you should pick something yourself. And there is a bonus! The bookstore manager is horrible, but his assistant, oh my god, he is gorgeous, you need to meet him!' – Leah grinned at her
Hermione looked at her with wide eyes. She did not want her cousin to play match maker with someone that she couldn't even reveal her magic to – it was difficult enough hiding it from the extended family. And anyway, she was not interested in dating. She was busy with the ministry work, and none of her occasional dates led to anything more than a fling.
'You know I'm not really looking for anything…' – she groaned
'Yes, yes, when it happens, it happens, you always say that… just please, go to the bookstore with me, pick a book, and have a look around – I bet you'll change your mind when you see him!'
Hermione reluctantly agreed, and now they were standing between the shelves packed with books up to the ceiling, in a bookstore which turned out to be across the street from the café. This explained why Leah insisted on meeting in a different part of the city. Hermione sighed dreading the next ten minutes, but he prospect of being gifted a book was not one that Hermione could resist, and she had her eye on a particular story about the Irish uprisings. She was looking for the history section, when her cousin pulled her elbow and gestured to follow her to the next aisle.
'he's there' – she whispered
Hermione saw a desk with the register at the end of the room, and a staff door, which was just closing behind a blonde man in a dark shirt. Next to it, another staff member was putting books on the 'Sales' shelf.
'Excuse me' – Leah dragged her by the arm – 'I was wondering if you could help us…'
The man turned around with a smile, a pile of books still in his hand, and froze when he saw them. Hermione was stunned, and felt her eyes widen, then did her best to put on a neutral expression. This couldn't be… a quick look at his name badge, coupled with the surprise in the man's face, confirmed it.
'Hi, Theo' – Leah continued as if she was best friends with him already – 'my cousin here, Hermione, it's her birthday, you see, and I wanted to gift her a book, could you please advise her?'
Theo Nott quickly recovered and regained his professional composure.
'Sure, what are you looking for?'
Hermione had no intention of engaging with him and giving Leah a chance to try any of her wing-woman tricks. She regretted letting herself be dragged into it.
'That one' – she pointed at a shelf closest to her. Leah's and Theo's gaze followed her finger. Hermione reached for the first book she saw, and handed it to Leah, who gave it to Theo. He walked over to the register and scanned the book.
'The summer of a thousand suns, excellent choice' – he said, in a professional tone. Leah fumbled in her purse for the money, and tried to start another conversation to resume her mission, but then the door behind Theo opened, and Hermione was once again surprised to hear a familiar voice. It was not a pleasant surprise.
'Nott, where did you put the delivery confir…' – he paused when he saw Hermione, then had a quick look at Leah, who he probably took for a random customer. Leah found the right notes, and handed them to Theo, still chatting, and trying to get Hermione to engage, but she did not hear a word that was said.
She was looking at Draco Malfoy, now older, but with the same slick hair, dark, impenetrable eyes, and black shirt which she was sure made him stand out to his muggle customers. The only difference was the silver cane in his right hand, probably the same one that belonged to his father. She wasn't sure if that was also a style choice, or a necessity. The only time she saw him after the battle was at his trial, but then he was sitting far from where she was, and she couldn't bear looking at him for too long.
He blinked, breaking the eye contact, and Hermione felt silly for her reaction, realizing her cheeks were turning red.
'I'll get it myself' he said quietly, and withdrew back, leaning on his cane. He seemed to have a slight limp, which answered at least one of the thousand questions she had racing through her mind.
'Hermione' – Leah was trying to put the book in her hand
'Thank you' – Hermione said absentmindedly, and turned to leave. Leah had to ran after her to keep up. Only when they walked two streets away, did Hermione feel that she could breathe again.
'Oh my god, do not tell me that you liked that manager, he is such an ass' – Leah exclaimed when they finally stopped
'How do you know' – Hermione questioned
'Oh no, you Do like him! Well, why didn't you say anything then? You know what, maybe this can work out, I'll take the cute one and we can go on double dates, we should go back there…'
'No! I told you, I'm not interested.' – Hermione interrupted her – 'He just… reminded me of someone…'
'And that's why he was so stunned when he saw you? Wait, do you know each other?' – Leah wouldn't let it go, and Hermione gave up. She took a big breath in and slowly breathed out, to calm her nerves. Leah didn't know about her being a witch – they lost touch as children and only recently reconnected, and Hermione didn't know where to begin, although she had an increasingly hard time explaining why random strangers in funny clothes greeted her on the street sometimes.
'I knew him at school. Both of them. We hated each other, we have almost killed each other on a few occasions, to be honest. So it's just not a pleasant memory. I don't wanna talk about it though. I really need to go now, my friends are waiting. Please, just don't try to find me any more boyfriends… I'll see you later.' – she ignored Leah's disappointed look, and rushed towards the underground entrance, hoping to apparate as soon as she enters the crowd at the bottom of the stairs.
As soon as she got home, she started feeling guilty for abandoning Leah, who, apart from her obsession over finding a partner for both of them, had been a good friend. The only one that Hermione didn't have to discuss the war with or reminisce over those who had lost their lives in the final battle. She resolved to make it up to her cousin the next week. She saw the dress that she picked out for the dinner, spread on her bed, and went to pick it up, which made her realise that she was still holding the book Leah gave her. She already had a copy of it, but didn't think she could ever go back and return it. She put the book on her nightstand with a sigh and spotted the time on the clock, which made her realise that she only had half an hour before she had to be at the restaurant.