We Meet Again
Two days later Ginny popped into Hermione's office to say that Luna was back home after a rather long search for some mysterious animal Hermione was certain didn't exist. She suggested they go to the Leaky Cauldron that night for a girls night to reconnect. Luna had been gone for six months this time and Hermione had missed her dear (and loony) friend. While Hermione realized this would be her first time, other than work, out in public since the divorce she knew it was time. Far past time, really. She agreed that she'd meet them both at the leaky around 8pm.
Ginny beamed at her. "Great! Now I'm going to go find Harry for a guick shag. See you at 8" She called, nearly skipping down the hall. She smiled at Ginny's retreating red hair. She loved her friends so deeply and was so happy for them. Despite the fact that she was feeling a bit lonely. She sighed and went back to work, trying to decide what to wear that night.
Hermione left work on time for once and flooed strait home to get ready. She wanted to make sure she was looking beyond good. The Wizarding world needed to know that she was perfectly okay and she knew, if spotted, there would be a photo of her in the paper tomorrow. She opted to leave her hair in the same loose bun she had it in all day. She liked the wispy look she had with some strands falling out. She left her makeup simple but pulled out her favorite purple dress. It was rather form fitting on the top with a v neck but was flowy at the bottom. The type of dress you can’t help but twirl in. She threw on her black pumps and a black blazer and made her way down the block to the Leaky Cauldron.
A few drinks in and they had filled Luna in on what had been happening which left Hermione doing most of the talking. Luna filled them in on her travels and some escapades with handsome men along the way. Luna giggled at Hermione's reaction to having met someone in Bulgaria and calling him her Bulgarian Bon Bon.
"Well.. Now I'm the only one not to have shagged a foreign wizard" Ginny said with a huff, crossing her arms to pout.
Hermione gasped. "Ginny, you know full well I did not shag Victor! I was 14!"
Ginny laughed a bit too loud and said "I would have!"
Just then, Hermione, who had her back to the door, felt a woosh of cold air hitting her back telling her someone had just arrived. While this had happened multiple times all night this was the first time that goosebumps rose up all over her skin. Ginny on the other side of the table grunted and said lowly "Now there's another man I'd shag.."
"Ginny! You are a married woman." Hermione laughed "If Harry heard you.." her voice trailed off as she turned to see Draco Malfoy walking into the pub, Blaise in tow. He had been taking off his jacket and when he looked up he met her eye. He seemed surprised for a moment and then he smiled warmly at her as he headed to the bar. Blaise looked shocked, then – for some reason – delighted as he followed Draco.
"well.." Hermione said as she turned back around furrowing her brows. "That was .. “ her voice trailed off. Her goosebumps were still making her skin feel tingly. She wondered inwardly if either of the two men had read the article that morning. Or any of the other ones recently. All night the other patrons had been doing double takes and giving her furtive looks. Surely they can't all be that surprised I'm out and about. Are they scared i’ll have a breakdown here in the bar? She wondered but shook the thought from her mind. She just didn't care.
Hermione sipped her Rosé as Ginny still stared openly at Draco. "Ginny, would you stop! Harry would be a bit jealous if he saw you ogling that man just now" Ginny snorted and turned her attention back to the other two women. "As if, he told me himself that he thinks Draco is a catch and that he hopes he finds someone soon. Said he seems lonely." Hermione looked in his direction to find him staring at her. She felt herself blush slightly but smiled at him as Ginny mumbled "and handsome" into her glass.
Luna giggled and Hermione blushed further. "Ginny!" Hermione squealed again. Ginny shrugged and went back to her drink.
Hermione could hardly deny that Draco had grown into a fine man. Even as a child, despite their mutual hatred, she knew he was good looking. They had formed a friendship after the war but had no real reason to stay close after school was over. She felt a pang of quilt realizing she did somewhat abandon her new friends after graduation. They did, however, see each other at events here and there. She hadn't seen him in person for about 2 years though and sneaking a glance at him she could appreciate his black v neck tee-shirt. His shoulders seemed more broad, less hair gel of course. He had a bit of 5 'o clock shadow that made him look rugged and distinctly shaggable.. He caught her staring again and she blushed and turned away, hoping he didn't know what she was thinking. She turned back to Ginny who had an all too knowing look on her face, along with a smirk. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"What?" Ginny said "You're single after all! Go for it" she said and nodded her head in his direction. At that exact moment, a waiter dropped down a single shot glass of Firewisky in front of Hermione. There was a napkin under it which she realized had a note written on it.
H,
Thought you might need it. You look great, Congratulations on losing 200 pounds of idiot.
Forever yours,
- D.M
She giggled rather louder than she would have liked, obviously an effect of the third glass of wine, and covered her mouth. After gasping lightly at his salutation, oh the butterflies she felt fluttering inside of her, she handed the note to Ginny still flushed. She thought critically for a moment knowing the Minister of Magic wouldn't do well to be seen doing shots but laughed again and downed in one gulp just as Ginny burst out laughing having finished the note. This is what they get for electing the youngest Minister in history. I'm still allowed a life Hermione told herself. She really wasn't doing anything bad. Fudge had had his own room set up at the Three Broomsticks for years!
She turned to Draco and beamed at him. He smiled back and nodded his head for her to join him. She smiled shyly and looked to Ginny and Luna who simultaneously said "go!" she laughed, grabbed what was left of her wine, and walked over to Draco at the bar. He watched her make her way to him, both smiling and he pulled out the bar stool next to him and bowed. He could hardly contain his surprise at how willingly (and seemingly happily) she had joined him.
"Minister"
She laughed and sat. She set down her glass and turned to him.
"Hi" she said sighing.
"Hi" he said back.
"How are you?" She asked quietly.
"I'm well.. Better now" he said with his signature smirk.
She blushed and took a sip. "Thank you for the note Draco. It was funny but to be fair, Ron only weighs about 170. Don't give me more weight loss credit then I'm due" she said smirking. “I hate cardio.”
His heart stopped. She wore that smirk so damn well. "My pleasure. You look much better without all those extra pounds"
She sighed. "Do I? I'm not quite sure what to do now that .." her voice trailed off. Clearly done with the joke that her ex-husband was nothing but a abscess of fat. He studied her. She didn't look sad, just lost.
"I'm sorry Hermione. I didn't mean to make light of it. I just wanted to give you a laugh."
She took another sip and thought for a moment. "I'm okay. We both are. Its for the best but still.. You know. A lot has changed now. I thought I had a partner for life and now I feel.." Her voice trailed off for what felt like the millionth time in 3 months. She sighed again and looked at him. She forced a smile. "I'm okay. There is just a lot that I don't talk about.”
He nodded slowly. "I can understand. I’ll listen if you ever.. Want to talk about it. Anyway, I haven't seen you since the New Years Gala a few years back. You look good." Ugh, Draco, how many times will you tell her that??
She blushed furiously and took another sip noticing she was nearly finished with her glass already. Wondering if it was wise to go for another. "Thank you. If I'm honest I was trying to look decent in case someone sent a photo to the prophet." She laughed "my first official outing as a single woman" she held up her glass mockingly toasting herself and downed it.
"Well, If you're on the front page tomorrow everyone will know you're no lovesick kitten." He said toasting along with her and downing his own glass of Firewhisky.
She blushed. He had begun calling her kitten as they got closer their last year at Hogwarts. She loved the endearment. It made her feel special and warm. 10 years was too long to not have been called that she suddenly realized.
"I absolutely am not lovesick" She rolled her eyes. "That Skeeter, I would have thought she learned her lesson after our 4th year.” she huffed out, “If I had the time.. the things I'd do to that woman.." she grumbled.
He snorted. "Well you are the Minster, Hermione. You could probably have her fired."
She laughed. "You’re not wrong, I just have better things to do than deal with it head on so I've just been avoiding the media. all together" She shrugged. "doesn't stop her though. Her or the 'anonymous sources' who claim to know me so well."
Draco looked at her. "I read that article on Monday." He scowled and she smiled at his protective attitude towards her. "It's bad enough they do editorials about how you're too young to lead and other disrespectful garbage but now they make you look like some girly teenager. Honestly." He motioned for the bar keep to give them two more glasses of Firewhisky.
"Are you trying to get me drunk Mr. Malfoy?" she laughed.
He turned back to her and gave his best smoldering smirk. "Yes"
She laughed. "I'll have a few more but I certainly can't be seen stumbling out of the pub later"
He leaned closer and spoke softly. "Don't worry. I wont let you fall in the gutter." she let out a soft gasp as the goosebumps returned but the moment was shattered when Ginny appeared behind them.
"We're heading out, See you tomorrow morning?" Draco turned and took a drink and Ginny shot Hermione a wide eyed look.
"Okay Gin, See you tomorrow." Hermione said back quickly, nodding. She clearly heard Ginny laughing as they walked away and just before Ginny left the pub she let out an extremely loud and suggestive "OW OW" Hermione choked.
She cleared her throat awkwardly while Draco just laughed next to her. "So where is Blaise? Didn't I see him come in with you?"
Draco waved his hand dismissively. "Ohh, I'm sure he's off somewhere trying to get in some poor girl's knickers. If he's not already taken someone upstairs" he said.
She smiled fondly. "He needs a steady lady in his life."
Draco snorted. "He's not the only one."
Hermione tilted her head in surprise. "You're not seeing anyone? I could have sworn I saw in the prophet that you were dating some model." She blushed realizing her admission.
"Now now, I never believe what the blasted prophet says about you, do I?" She nodded in acknowledgement. "but no, actually that was Blaise's girlfriend at the time." He looked at her, then, waiting a beat before he said. "No I'm not seeing anyone."
She looked down to hide her smile. She wasn't even sure why that made her happy. "How's work been for you? It must be stressful to have a whole company on your shoulders. But I hear nothing but good things about Malfoy Inc."
He shrugged. "Business is going very well actually. We're making record profits even with having cut off parts of the company that were.. Left from my father. We just purchased a winery as a side project which is doing much better than anticipated. Blaise is a great right hand man to have. Without him I think the job would take more of a toll. I'm sure having the whole wizarding community on your shoulders is a great deal more stressful" he said, raising an eyebrow.
She shrugged and waved her hand dismissively. He laughed. They fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes as they both reflected on how easily they talked with one another. She was about to open her mouth again when a loud thunk and giggling came from the stairs that lead up to the rooms upstairs. Hermione and Draco turned to see Ron stumbling down and subsequently heading towards the exit with a young blond girl wearing a short skirt that was clearly askew. Ron didn't notice them, being too caught up in the girl on his arm. Hermione felt a pain in her chest. Not jealously just shock that he was clearly beyond moved on even after claiming to be so upset and lonely. And to be so blatant about it. She sighed heavily.
Draco turned to see Hermione frozen, staring straight ahead at where the weasel and his floosy had been. He put his hand on her knee. "Hermione..?" he said trying to coax her attention away from the stairs. She looked at him, clearly still shocked. "Are you okay?" he asked as she turned her stool back to the bar and downed her drink. She hadn't removed his hand. "Kitten, talk to me."
His pet name snapped her out of her dazed state. Her throat and eyes burned and she feared she'd start crying. She wasn't sure why. She wasn't jealous or mad that he had moved on. She just felt.. Disrespected and hurt. For all the years of friendship they've shared this is how she'd find out.. This is how things are now.. She knew he probably wouldn't have meant her to find out this way or at all. But she did. She couldn't un-see it. She took a deep breath and put her hand over Draco's. She forced a small smile but felt it waver as her eyebrows knitted. "I'm okay."
Draco's heart swelled at her touch. "You've said that three times tonight. It’s okay if you’re not." He pointed out.
She sighed sadly and gave him a slightly more real smile. "You're far more beautiful than her.." he leaned closer to murmur so only she could hear. His breath hit her neck and with a shiver she realized how close he was. She smiled shyly knowing that must be the Firewhisky talking.
"Thank you Draco. You're too sweet.”
"Nah, I'm the right amount of sweet.. and saucy" he said with a wink. That got her laughing and he smiled, relieved.
"I”m sorry, I didn't mean to turn our catch-up melancholy that was just.. A bit of a shock. We both discussed moving on just last week when everything was finalized, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon for him.. or so .. in front of me. It's just.. Weird. A bit .. gross to be honest." She asked for another glass of firewhisky and Draco's eyebrows shot up. He knew he felt quite tipsy so after her wine and the whisky she must be feeling it by now.
"Well at least he didn't see you with me. That would have been.. "
"Bad" she finished. He laughed and removed his hand from her knee upon realizing it was still there. He ran his fingers through his hair and asked for another glass. Once he had it he raised his glass to her and toasted. "Long live the Minister" she laughed "and to new beginnings" they drank.
She downed her whole glass again and he raised his eyebrows. "Careful, Granger. Don't want people to see the Minister getting inordinately drunk on a Thursday do you?" She sighed and blinked as the alcohol hit her in full force and Draco took a few more sips. She swayed a bit and blinked more as her vision came back into focus. His face was all she could focus on. She smiled at him. He smiled back. Biting her lip she had an incredibly strong urge to kiss him. She went one glass too far it would seem.
If she doesn't stop biting that lip I'm going to kiss her.
She shook her head as if to clear it and swayed more. He turned her stool so they were facing each other. He grabbed both her knees and looked into her face. He could tell her eyes were barely focusing.
She stared at his hands, so strong. I wonder what he can do with those she thought.
After hesitating for a moment he leaned closer, their foreheads practically touching, and made eye contact with her. "Granger.." he said his voice dripping with concern. She met his eyes and gave him a slightly drunk smile. His heart could hardly bear this .. intimacy. And how did this happen so quickly, he wondered.
"Hi" she whispered.
He sighed and laughed. "Hi, kitten," She blushed. He tilted his head to the side. "let's get you home" he said. She nodded happily. He finished the rest of his drink, and stood up in front of her. He grabbed her elbow gently but firmly and helped her down. She hopped off the stool gracefully as her skirt fluttered around her. He had to admit she looked so good. "Weasley is a fool" he muttered. She nodded in agreement and he laughed putting his arm around her shoulders to steady her. He took a moment to appreciate the fact that he was walking a slightly drunk Minister of Magic home, arm around her shoulder possessively. Before making their way down the street he glanced up and down it to ensure they wouldn't be spotted by anyone. He knew she wouldn't be ashamed to be seen with him per say but the last thing she needed was the prophet dragging her name through the mud because of him. She'd done so much for him in the past and he didn't want her to be caused any more pain.
A few steps down the sidewalk and she melted into his grip. She felt safe with him and warm from the whiskey. "You still live around the corner here, right?" he asked. She didn't wonder or care how he knew, she just nodded. He pulled her in tighter and made his way to her doorstep. They walked in comfortable silence reaching her garden gate in no time. He opened the gate for her and watched as she reached for her keys and fumbled, getting the key in the lock. He took it from her gently and unlocked the door. He led her inside, placing his hand at her lower back. She seemed to have gotten her sea legs. Or drunk legs as it were he thought.
"Nice place you got here Granger" he said.
"Thanks, probably not as nice as yours though I'm sure."
He shrugged but nodded in agreement. While this was barely more than a flat and his was a mansion he could see the appeal to her home. It was cozy, comfortable, really not too much different than his outside of size. Dark wood furniture adorned a dark hardwood floor covered in plenty of ancient looking rugs. He smiled as she flopped down onto the sofa face frist with one leg hanging over the side. Very un-minister like, Hermione. He laughed to himself remembering a time back at school where she had plopped onto the couch in their common room very much the same way after a trip to hogsmeade. He ran his hand gently down her spine then knelled next to the couch to be at eye level. "Hermione, are you okay?" he asked gently. She smiled and nodded. She sat up taking a deep breath. She knew she'd feel like a dung bomb tomorrow but she didn't care just now. Draco Malfoy was in front of her and she wanted to enjoy that. She bit her lip again feeling that urge to kiss him. He smiled warmly at her and reached his hand up. His thumb grazed her bottom lip pulling it out of her teeth. He ran his thumb along her lip and held her chin for a moment. Gazing into her eyes as if he was trying to read her soul. She'd let him if he could.
Merlin, he wanted to kiss her. He'd always wanted to kiss her. He'd never not want to kiss her. Here was his prime opportunity but he couldn't. Not after the surprise with the weasel and considering how drunk she was. He just gazed at her for another moment and stood up.
"Thank you Draco" She said quietly and he nodded.
"Anytime kitten" and with that he was gone. He left out the front door, whispering a Colloportus at the door as he left. He'd be damned if anything happened to her after he left. She seemed okay, just a bit dazed but he vowed to check in on her in a few days. Or maybe tomorrow he thought. His heart never felt so.. fluttery. He sighed, resigned to never tell Blaise he was right, wherever he was...
Hermione stumbled to bed, the feeling of his hands on her back still soothing her. He had been so kind, so gentle. She wondered what that meant. Was she just a friend to him. Someone to catch up with every few years? How had they fallen into such .. warmness so quickly after seeing each other again? Did she want to be more? Was she ready for that? Did he want her or was he just being nice? Her heart gave her the answer just before she drifted off to sleep dreaming of mewling kittens, strong hands and the scent of leather.