A Ghost of a Memory
The bustling energy of Diagon Alley never failed to enchant Hermione, even after all these years. It was the day before the Hogwarts term started, and she was here for one final errand—a new book for her eldestt child, Rose. She inherited her love for books and knowledge. As she navigated through the familiar shops and stalls, memories of her Hogwarts days flickered like faint sparks, reminding her of friendships, adventures, and… him.
She closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself. Lucian Malfoy. Even after so long, his memory lingered in the quiet corners of her heart, shadowed but never entirely forgotten. They had shared a love confined to stolen glances and whispered words in the midnight silence of an ancient castle—a love she had mourned, cherished, and finally buried deep within.
With a small, wistful smile, she stepped into Flourish and Blotts. The bell above the door tinkled as she entered, and she immediately felt the warm, familiar scent of parchment and ink fill her senses.
As she browsed the shelves, reaching for a title she thought her daughter would enjoy, she heard a voice nearby.
“Excuse me, miss—are you looking for anything in particular?”
The voice was deep, smooth, and painfully familiar. Startled, Hermione turned around, the book in her hand falling to the floor with a soft thud. She found herself face-to-face with a man who looked almost exactly like him—tall, sharp-featured, with hair that was a shade lighter than she remembered but unmistakably close to Lucian's. Even his eyes… those piercing grey eyes held the same glimmer.
He smiled politely, bending down to retrieve the book for her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Hermione felt her heart hammering in her chest, a surreal mix of hope, shock, and confusion twisting her thoughts into a tangle. “No, it’s… it’s alright,” she managed, taking the book from his hands.
They stood in an uncomfortable silence, Hermione struggling to compose herself, while he seemed mildly curious, his brow lifting slightly as he noticed her lingering stare. “Are you alright?” he asked gently, his tone warm but formal.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she replied, forcing herself to look away. But a moment later, she found herself sneaking another glance, something in her aching to know more about him.
As she finally mustered the courage to speak, he offered her a courteous nod. “My name’s Nathaniel—Professor Nathaniel Rowe. New to Hogwarts this year, actually. Divination and Magical Theory.”
Hermione’s heart clenched, and she felt a strange, almost painful spark of déjà vu. There was something in his calm manner, his attentive gaze. “Hermione Granger,” she replied softly, “I teach here too, Potions now.” She couldn’t help but smile wryly at how unexpected this conversation felt.
Nathaniel’s expression lit up with genuine warmth. “The famous Professor Granger—well, it’s an honor. I’ve heard about you.”
The same gentle charm. The quiet but unassuming confidence. She could hardly believe her eyes. The resemblance was uncanny, yet she knew the truth deep down—Lucian was gone. She had made peace with it, but standing here now, her heart reopened, bleeding with memories of what they had shared, what they could never have.
They spent the next few minutes chatting, exchanging pleasantries, and discussing Hogwarts and their classes. It felt natural, easy, and for a fleeting moment, she almost let herself imagine that this was Lucian—a Lucian who had returned, who had finally found a way back to her.
“I… I knew someone once,” she said suddenly, her words catching in her throat. “Someone who looked just like you.”
Nathaniel looked at her with gentle curiosity. “A friend?”
Hermione hesitated, her gaze drifting to the ground. “Yes,” she said softly, the weight of memories pressing down on her. “A friend. Someone… very dear to me.”
There was a flash of something in his eyes, sympathy perhaps, though he didn't pry. “It sounds like he meant a great deal to you.”
She nodded, feeling her heart twist painfully. “He did,” she whispered, more to herself than to him. “He changed my life in ways I can’t fully explain.”
They lingered in silence for a moment, the air thick with unsaid words and old emotions. Nathaniel offered her a small smile, the same kind, gentle smile Lucian had so often given her. “Sometimes, the people we love never truly leave us,” he murmured, and though he didn’t know, the words struck her deeply.
“Yes,” she replied, her voice a quiet, trembling whisper. “I suppose they don’t.”
As they parted ways, Hermione’s heart felt heavy but somehow, at peace. She knew Lucian was gone, and that he would forever be a part of her past. But as she looked back one last time at Nathaniel, she felt a sense of closure, a bittersweet acceptance that while she could never bring Lucian back, his memory would forever live on in her heart.
With a final, gentle smile, Hermione walked out of the bookstore, the warmth of the sun touching her face. She knew that her life had changed irrevocably because of Lucian, and though they would never be together, their love had left an indelible mark on her soul.
And, for the first time in years, she felt ready to carry that memory forward—not as a burden, but as a quiet, cherished part of herself.