The Truth Hurts

Ayden was terrified. It was the day that Hermione was coming. Once again, he found himself in the bathroom. "Okay...you can do this," he told himself. There was a knock on the door.

"Boss?" Maria asked. "There's some chick out here and she says you have something on hold for her."

He heard footsteps fade away and turned to the mirror. "It's now or never," he said and left the room

~*~

Ayden saw her browsing the shelves and he walked over. He bit his lip, as he got closer to her. 'Wow...she's just as I last saw her...minus the fact that she' not pissed off," he thought. 'It has been over two years," an inner voice told him. Ayden shook it off and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hermione Granger?"

Her body stiffened and she turned around. "Hi...oh my..." She was staring at him.

Ayden smiled as best as he could. "What? Is there something on my face...or am I that good-looking?" he asked, smirking.

Hermione put a hand on her forehead. "Wow...I just had a strong sense of déjà-vu."

Ayden mentally slapped himself and gave a nervous laugh. "Well...I'm sure we've never met. I just moved here last year."

Hermione nodded. "It's just that...your eyes...," she paused. "Your eyes remind me of someone I lost...an old friend." Her head dropped and, Ayden realized, she was wiping away newly formed tears. She sniffed. "Sorry...But, yes...I'm Hermione Granger," she said, offering him her hand.

Ayden shook it. "I'm Ayden L'clair...we spoke on the phone.

Hermione's face lit up. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot why I came!"

Ayden draped an arm around her shoulders. "If you come with me, I'll go get your book."

Hermione felt at-ease with this man. She let him guide her over to the counter.

Ayden slipped into the back room and grabbed the book. As he was walking back towards her, he heard her ask something.

"Would you like to go get a cup of coffee?"

His head snapped up. "What?" Thoughts were racing through his mind.

Hermione took a deep breath. "Well...normally I'm not this forward, but you seem like a nice guy and -"

Ayden cut her off. "Yes."

Hermione blinked. "What?"

Ayden smiled. "I would love to." He looked at his watch. "I'll have Maria close up early and then we can go." As he went to find the girl, many thoughts raced through his mind. 'Don't mess this up. Get to know her again and then tell her the truth.' After talking to Maria, he returned to Hermione. "All set," he said, smiling.

Hermione flashed him a smile he hadn't seen in years. "Great." She grabbed her book.

Ayden put his arm around her waist, surprising her and him, and they left the store.

In the street, they passed some dwarfs who could pick up vibes. "Think she knows that's Draco Malfoy?" one dwarf asked.

Another dwarf shrugged his shoulders. "Not our business," he said and watched the happy couple walk down the street.