Draco and Hermione reunited (because their friends think they're cupid)

Time had passed after the war, and everyone's paths were divided. Hermione took the one that would take her furthest from her past. She wanted a fresh start. A year after her decision, she notices that she is not the only one who had Sofia as her destiny.

2934 words.

June, 2004

The torturous cold is not something Sofia normally abounds in, but tonight it was firmly present. If she had followed her instinct she might now be in the comfort of her home, her new home, reading some tome from her library or just sipping tea while she polished her research notes but she couldn't do that to her friends.

Idelia and Viktor had welcomed her into their little family, had given her a close home and she couldn't turn down their invitation to have dinner, to share a moment together. Besides, it would be fun to spend time with them since this week they had only seen each other for five minutes on Monday when she went out to buy some coffee at the corner shop. For the first time since she moved to Bulgaria they hadn't seen each other all week. They missed her, they had told her, and she missed them. Like one misses the midday sun in stormy weeks.

Viktor had long since become one of her best friends. When she contacted him explaining practically nothing about her situation he had no problem finding her a warm place where she could live. On the other hand Idelia was an amazing woman, kind and sweet, with a wonderful heart who welcomed her as a sister from the first meeting. Now, she was one of the main reasons, along with Viktor, why she would never return to England.

It had been over a year since she had arrived and they were the only people Hermione enjoyed being with. Her fellow researchers, Dimitri and Youssuf, were very reserved and although she was grateful for that she would have liked to have built up a camaraderie although she had time for that. Now she stood there, five houses away from home, outside her friends' door, with a bottle of wine in one hand and an apple pie of her own making in the other.

She couldn't help but laugh when she saw the bell on the door set five centimetres above the floor. Every time she visited her friends she arrived with her hands too busy, in some cases injured, to knock on the door on a regular basis, so her friends decided to take pity on her. With the tip of her foot she gently tapped the bell twice.

The doorknob made a soft sound and then slowly opened. Idelia's face peered out, adorned with a smile. She looked radiant as ever. Shades of brown fervently highlighted her Harry-like green eyes, her straight hair framed her face like a curtain of gold. The warm blonde of her hair reminded her of the sun and her smile conveyed the same warmth as the star.

"My sweet, beautiful Mimí!" She exclaimed excitedly in much less rough English than she had when they first met. She reached over and stripped the things she held in her hands to practically throw them at Viktor so she could clasp her friend in a tight, warm bear hug. "We've missed you so much" she whispered close to his ear.

She pulled away and cradled her face in a motherly way. Hermione felt her chest fill with warmth and she smiled back. "I missed you too, a lot. I've been preparing the new batches of potions for the first medicinal fusion proposal and it's been consuming my life. I've hardly left the house, the last time I was out was Monday. Even Madame Ekatherina freaked out and knocked on my door. That lovely woman brought me so much food I feel I could survive for weeks," she burst out laughing. Viktor walked over to them and smiled.

"'Hopefully you won't have to isolate yourself for weeks, Hermione." Years, arguably more than seven years, was how long it took for Viktor to pronounce her name correctly. Or at least the closest version. "Now go inside, if the door is still open the heating spell will lose its effectiveness."

Both women heeded him and entered the house laughing knowing that indeed the spell would not lose effectiveness under any circumstances. The living room was much like his own, only with fewer plants and books. She accepted the glass of white wine her friends were waiting for her with and brought the rim of the glass to her mouth. The elixir slipped between her lips and ran through every nook and cranny of her mouth. It was exquisite. She had never tasted such a sweet wine before, the pure grape must feel like touching heaven with her hands.

She glanced around the room and stopped at the head table set for not three but four diners. Hermione approached Idelia who was making her way towards the kitchen. "Who else is coming to dinner? I hope it's not another one of your double date ideas," she pointed her index finger at the woman in front of her and they both laughed.

"It's just an old friend of Vik's. He moved away a few days ago and he's very lonely. We thought it would be a good idea to expand our group to him." She smiled sweetly and innocently.

Someone knocked on the door and both women returned to the living room. Hermione didn't pay any more attention, she focused on her friends' small library looking for the book she would borrow. Viktor's deep laughter flooded the room and made her turn around.

There, much taller than he remembered and also much more relaxed than the last time she'd seen him, was Draco Malfoy. Wearing black trousers, a white shirt and a tan woven waistcoat, and black pointy-toed shoes. She wanted to laugh, as did her friends at the ridiculousness of the situation. She herself was wearing a the isle of cann cann is, and a cann is, and a cann is, and a cann is, and a cann is, and a cann is, and a cann is, and a cann is. They even seemed to have agreed on the shoes.

"Mimi, this is Draco, a friend of Viktor's." Idelia was clearly unaware of the past between them, Viktor smiled and hid behind his girlfriend, who was at least ten centimetres shorter than him, oblivious to her boyfriend's childish attitude. "Draco, this is Mimi or rather Hermione. She's also a friend of Viktor's but she's been more of a friend of mine for a while now."

"I'm going to pour some more wine," was all Viktor said before slinking off to the kitchen leaving Idelia bewildered.

Draco crossed the room and walked stiffly towards Hermione. When he was within three feet of her he held out his hand with a half smile "Granger, it's a surprise and a pleasure to see you again."

"Malfoy, I think I can say the same" she accepted his greeting and with a grimace that was intended to be a smile accepted his hand in greeting.

"Oh, you two know each other already? But of course, how silly of me! You're English, you clearly know my brilliant Mimi!" She gave herself a little smack on the forehead.

"We were actually schoolmates. Just different houses." Draco replied letting go, after seconds, of Hermione's hand.

"He went to Slytherin and I went to Gryffindor. We weren't what you'd call friends."

The hostess's eyes widened at the realization and the flood of memories of conversations she had with Hermione when they first met. "Oh god, you're that Draco Malfoy!" Idelia pointed accusingly at the man and Hermione could almost assure she saw him stiffen, she just laughed. "You hurt Mimi as children." Hermione sensed that Idelia might be an alternate version of Molly Weasley.

"Actually" Hermione stood in front of Draco and made her friend stop pointing her finger "I hit him hard once."

"Yes and for what it's worth you don't want to poison my food" Draco held up his hands in a peace sign "I already apologised to her about several things quite some time ago."

Idelia rearranged a lock of her hair that had been tousled in the midst of her outburst and sighed. Hermione giggled as she heard her mutter a "I'm going to kill Viktor" before she left to go to the kitchen.

"She's very protective of you, isn't she Granger? We've met before and she wasn't like that with me" Draco asked almost whispering, afraid Idelia would hear him. Hermione laughed and turned to look at him having to raise her gaze to meet his eyes before answering.

"'She sees me as a sister, I suppose that's what it is,'" she placed the wine glass on the small table in the living room and took a seat on the two-piece sofa. "How have you been?"

They both knew what that question pointed to. They had last seen each other almost three and a half years ago when Lucius' sentence had been changed. Draco had been released months ago from Azkaban thanks to the testimonies of Harry, Ron and Hermione herself. The same had happened with his mother but with Lucius Malfoy it was difficult. And just as Draco's eyes indicated, the sentence had come.

Draco sat beside her but still kept some distance. She had helped him, not only him, but his entire family, even considering all the damage they had caused her. Even though they had smoothed the rough edges and apologised, they were not friends. They were barely acquaintances who had faced each other in a minefield where they only had to survive. Survive for something they did not yet know.

"Pretty good even though it's a daily work. There are times when my body weighs too much and I know that the burden is really just in my mind."

Hermione was about to say something, she wanted to remind him of what she said to him that time at the trial but her friends came back. Idelia had slightly redder lips than when she opened the door and Viktor had a bit of lipstick on his chin. Hermione laughed loudly and Draco turned to the house owners. He bit his lower lip holding back a laugh.

"What's so funny, Mimi." she folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at Draco who quickly regained his composure. "We were just coming to tell you that dinner is already served."

"Sorry, it's just that Draco told me a joke before you arrived," she stood up carefully and fixed her dress, removing the practically non-existent wrinkles. "Let's go to dinner," she smiled at them and walked past them both without giving them a second glance. Idelia walked after her.

Draco mimicked her and when he passed Viktor he patted him on the shoulder and said almost whispering, "Red lipstick doesn't look very good on you. And by the way, it goes on your lips, not your chin."

The dinner was delicious. Through it Draco realised that Hermione didn't eat meat as steak never appeared on her plate, instead there was another variety of salads. Idelia chatted with Hermione and Viktor with Draco. Then the chatter drenched them all equally. They talked about school and, although it wasn't exactly a topic that brought back fond memories, they also talked about the Triwizard Tournament.

"I was Viktor's number one fan during the competition," Draco said as he held a napkin to his lips. Hermione took a sip of wine and shook her head with laughter.

"In fact, Draco would actually paint my name on his forehead, just to take the piss out of the whole school who supported Harry or Cedric."

"At the ball I was jealous." They all choked on their drinks and he just laughed as he watched Hermione's cheeks turn pinker and pinker.

"Oh, right at the Yule Ball Vik asked Mimi!" Idelia exclaimed sweetly as she took Viktor's hand and looked at her friend tenderly. "Did you want to go to the ball with Mimi? Is that why you spent all your time bothering her?"

"Of course not, Idelia!" her friend chided her before a particular glint crossed her gaze as she watched Draco blush furiously. "It's pretty obvious that Draco wanted to go to the ball with Viktor! He was envious of me."

Draco laughed nervously but said nothing more. Dinner continued between anecdotes of school and work. Hermione found it fascinating that Draco was now in charge of an apothecary a few streets away from her house. The green apple tart Hermione prepared stole sighs. Draco even asked Idelia for a slice to take home.

The evening came to an end and like any good gentleman, Draco offered to walk Hermione home with the excuse that he didn't live much further away. The night was no longer so frosty, the breeze felt like a gentle caress rather than a cruel slap.

"It was nice to see you, Draco."

"Same here, Granger."

"No, I'm not Granger anymore. I'm Hermione." she smiled at him and he couldn't help but mimic her.

"It's alright, Hermione. It was really nice to see you."

They both fell silent. The moon bathed them in its neat light and the breeze caressed their hair. Hermione noticed that Draco no longer had just a straight cascade but there were little stray curls in there, it made her smile unconsciously. As if the image of perfection was no longer his calling card. He no longer needed it.

"I live here," she said. The house had a small garden full of jasmine. The fence was painted green and the front door was a worn burgundy. He put one hand in his pocket and carefully held the package of food in the other.

"I'm about three houses down the street. I think we're practically neighbours."

"Good to know." Hermione reached into her black coat pocket and pulled out her keys.

"Today when you asked me how I've been," he paused a little and inhaled deeply, "I'm going to be honest with you because that's part of what I want to build in my life, honesty. I've been a lot worse than I expected. England is not a place for me, after the last time we saw each other..." he paused as if debating between saying it or not saying it. "I decided I didn't want to be in places that would taint me. I sought shelter in France but after a year everything became difficult. I had to leave. I returned to Malfoy Manor but the walls loomed over me and wouldn't let me breathe. Your image became my recurring nightmare and the reason I needed to take action fast. Viktor told me about the lack of apothecaries in Sofia and here I am," he looked into her eyes for just a moment before turning his face to avoid her and began to walk slowly down the street. "I just wanted you to know that you were one of the reasons. Have a good night Gra...Hermione."

She almost ran to catch up with him, his long legs allowing him a swiftness she did not possess. When she was close enough she took his arm gently and forced him to look at her. "Draco, do you remember what I told you that afternoon at the trial?" he sighed "You didn't have much of a chance to be a good boy but I know you are and will be a great man. You took the reins of your life and now it's only up to you. You have time for everything. That...

"That's the chance life gave me."

"Don't waste it."

"I won't." He affirmed softly and almost a smile graced his face. "I'd like you to come to the apothecary. You know I majored in potions and I can help you with some of the medicinal fusion stuff."

"I would love to."

"Good night, Hermione."

"Good night, Draco."

Hermione turned back towards her door and without turning around entered. She didn't know that Draco waited for her to be inside so he could move the few feet away from her house. As he entered the boxes of his belongings greeted him, on the main table were the letters that his mother had sent him every day since his arrival. They were all sealed, he didn't want to read them, he couldn't do it. At least not now. He carelessly took off his shoes and walked around the room. He left the food in the fridge and made his way to his room where he dropped into bed and allowed sleep to drag him into the depths.

For the first time in years he had no nightmares about the war or Hermione as the memory that tortured him daily was, today at least, hidden behind the smile and warmth of a witch who emphasised the need for second chances.

"Do you think this could ever work out? He's the boy who made her life hell at school. How could it work, Viktor?" Idelia crawled into bed next to her boyfriend.

"He's not a boy anymore, love. He's a good man, changed. It might not work out the way we want it to but I think they can be great friends."

"Mimi is going to kill you."

"Mimi loves me too much for that."

"I'm going to kill you."

"You love me too much to do that" he turned and wrapped his arms around Idelia's waist pulling her body to him.

"If he harms her, I'll kill you both. Then he can at least dance with you in the afterlife," with a wave of his wand he turned off the small lamp that lit the room.

This will be a short series of events that took place in Sofia (with some eventual departure from Bulgaria). There will be several Ocs who I hope will be as fond of it as I was. I will try to upload each "thing" at least once a week. Let's start with the reunion.

I invite you to leave your vote and comment, I will try to upload the "things" at least once a week. Let's start with the reunion.

Everything will be dated and placed for a better organization. Clearly it will be a Dramione so if the couple is not to your liking you can just let it go.