- Rating:
- PG-13
- House:
- Schnoogle
- Characters:
- Draco Malfoy Hermione Granger
- Genres:
- Romance Drama
- Era:
- Multiple Eras
- Spoilers:
- Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire
- Stats:
-
Published: 09/23/2002Updated: 09/23/2002Words: 4,992Chapters: 1Hits: 991
The Way They Were
Phoebe Alexandrine
- Story Summary:
- Opposites attract, but do they stay together for long? Will they change for each other? Sometimes, love is just not enough, and people have to learn to let go of the one they love, even though they can’t let go of the love in their hearts… This is the untold story of Draco and Hermione.
Chapter 01
- Posted:
- 09/23/2002
- Hits:
- 991
- Author's Note:
- I used the plot of the great and classic romance movie, The Way We Were, starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford. I think it fits D/Hr perfectly. You don’t have to watch the film to enjoy this fic. But if you have the time and a copy of the film, I suggest you watch it because it’s a beautiful movie. I suggest, too, that you listen to Barbra Streisand’s song of the same title (The Way They Were), to set you in the mood for reading this fic. :)
The Way They Were
The Untold Story of Draco and Hermione
Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you...
And the way you look tonight.
--The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra
Chapter I
And They Meet Again
2003
"Audrey, have you seen the papers we're supposed to send to the Council?" Hermione Granger asked in a half-panicked, half-irritated voice as she walked into her colleague's office. Normally, Hermione was a patient and collected person, but the papers she was looking for at the moment were of crucial importance. So important were they that she could not afford to lose them even for just a second.
Audrey Harton looked up from her desk and said with a smile, "Hermione, I owled them for you already to the International Wizarding Council, remember."
"Oh geez, yeah, I remember," Hermione said with a light slap on her own forehead. Suddenly she felt her tensed insides relax little by little. She had been so worked up over those papers. If she had lost them, she knew she would go ballistic--to hell with patience and self-control. Those papers were a product of a couple of months' worth of hard work.
"Hermione," Audrey said. "You're working yourself too hard. Why don't you rest for a while? It's going to work out fine. With the way you've written the petition, the Council would consider--if not outright approve--your suggestion."
Hermione heaved a sigh of relief and slumped on the couch near the door. "Yeah, I've been working too hard. But I can't stop now, can't I? Squibs need special schools for themselves. It's about time the IWC set aside a percentage of the education budget to Squibs' schooling," she said. "God, I hope they would at least consider the petition."
"Well, you got yourself over a thousand signatures to back you up," Audrey reminded her.
Hermione laughed. "That's partly thanks to Ron and Harry. Their fans would do anything for them. Ron and Harry are Quidditch heroes, after all. They made the Chudley Cannons the dream team for the first time," she said with pride in her voice. She was proud of her best friends, even though she really never enjoyed Quidditch.
"Their fan girls may be pretty scary sometimes, but they do come in handy, right?" Audrey asked with a laugh. She paused for a moment, as if considering something, then asked, "Hey, do you want tea? I'll pour you a cup."
"That would be great. Thanks," Hermione said gratefully. "Can I lie on your couch? It's so soft."
"Sure. Make yourself at home. It's about time you rest," Audrey said as she stood up from her seat to walk toward the table on the other side of the room. The table was what Audrey called her "refreshments table." There were snacks and drinks of all sorts laid out on it.
"Yeah, I think I do," Hermione murmured, more to herself than to Audrey. She closed her eyes and tried to relax and forget her busy work schedule. But even though she was lying on her back in the soft couch, her thoughts were filled with things to do. As the head of a special research team for the Department of Experimental Magic, she already had her hands full as it was. But she had decided to become more than just that. She also opted to be an advocate for wizarding rights. After the Great War, Hermione vowed to herself that she would do anything in her power to prevent such a war to happen again. She held on to her belief that if people had equal rights and lived in peaceful coexistence, terrible wars could be avoided. She wasn't naïve, of course. She knew that the world could never be in perfect harmony, but she knew that it didn't have to be in constant chaos.
"Hey, tea for your thoughts," Audrey's voice cut through Hermione's internal musings. Her eyes flew open and she saw Audrey, a cup in each hand, looking down at her. Hermione sat up and reached for a cup.
"Wow, that was fast. Thanks. Smells good," she said. She took a sip and hot delicious liquid flowed in her mouth. "Hmmmm...this is heavenly, Audrey," she commented.
Audrey shrugged and sat beside Hermione. "That's a special brew. I have put in some soothing herbs there," Audrey said. "So boss, is this an official teatime break?"
"I guess so," Hermione answered. She took another sip of the wonderful tea. Almost immediately, she felt more relaxed. She never realized how tense she had been until now.
"Hey, people, ready for a dinner out?" a chirpy voice called out.
Hermione turned to look and saw Joyce Deverell, a member of Hermione's research team and also a close friend, standing at the doorway.
"Hey, hello Joyce. Dinner out? Um, no thanks, I have leftover food in my flat," Hermione said, thinking of her roast beef left in her enchanted fridge. She placed the cup on the little table beside the couch.
Joyce entered the room and joined both Hermione and Audrey on the couch. "Don't say no to a free dinner, especially not when that dinner is at Emporio Moderno," Joyce said, her eyes lighting up in excitement. "I know you can both afford it, but think about it. It's free! You'll all be eating a heavenly delicious meal and still saving Galleons at the same time."
Audrey
sat up straighter upon hearing that bit of information. She rested her own cup
as well on the table and turned to face Joyce. "Really?Free? At Emporio Moderno, that
newly opened restaurant-and-bar-in-one in
Joyce
held up her hands in mock surrender. "Woah, hold it.
Too many questions," she said with a laugh. "Well, let's take it slow. I'm
going to treat you people to dinner, and at
Emporio Moderno, no
less. Eat all you can, mind you. Yes, at that coolest and hippest spot in all
of
"That place has the most outrageously expensive prices, as I've heard," Hermione commented. Ginny had told her all about Emporio Moderno. Ginny said that that the Muggle-owned place was surprisingly a hit among the young adult generations of the wizardingworld. Harry had taken Ginny there on a date when the restaurant opened a month ago. Hermione could not help but smile fondly to herself as she remembered just how happy two of her closest friends were with each other.
"Yeah, so I've heard too," Audrey agreed.
Joyce grinned and said by way of an explanation, "Today is a very special occasion. It's worth it."
Hermione focused her attention back to Joyce and waited for her to elaborate, but the other woman just sat there with a goofy smile on her face. Joyce looked like she was about to burst in excitement. Hermione was very intrigued. She nudged Joyce beside her. "C'mon, Joyce. I know you want to tell us why. Don't make me use the Veritaserumon you."
"Yeah, Joyce. Spill," Audrey chimed in. She leaned over and poked Joyce on the arm. "Tell us why you're willing to spend many precious Galleons on us."
"Oh, okay. I can't hold it in anyway," Joyce said. She paused for effect, and she blurted out in ecstasy, "Francis asked me to marry him! He proposed! I said yes! We're engaged! We're getting married!!!"
Hermione and Audrey looked at Joyce blankly. When the news sank in their minds the next moment, both women went into transports of delight.
"Joyce, I'm so happy for you!" Hermione exclaimed as she hugged her newly-engaged friend.
"He finally popped the question!!! He finally popped the question!!!" Audrey sang happily. She stood up and danced around the room.
"I know! We've been together for three years. I thought he'd never ask. I was thinking of asking him myself, but he beat me to it!" Joyce exclaimed.
"How, when, and where did Francis ask you?" Hermione asked excitedly. "Give us details, woman!"
"Yeah, details!" Audrey exclaimed as she plopped herself back on the couch.
Joyce giggled like a schoolgirl. "Well, I really didn't expect it to happen when it happened. We were just doing our usual routine. Francis stopped by here to visit me as he always does on Fridays--he only has a half day work schedule in The Daily Prophet office every Friday, you see--then we Apparated to The Three Broomsticks for a quick snack during our teatime break. You know,the usual. It was after we got out of The Three Broomsticks when things got weird. We finished our butterbeers and we went out. Then he said he forgot something inside, so he asked me to wait while he went back in. So I was standing there when suddenly a tiny snowy white owl flew in circles above my head and dropped a white rose from its beak to my feet. I picked the rose up, and when I stood up straight again, I saw about a hundred of the snowy owls flying overhead--"
"A hundred white owls? Really? Wow!" Audrey interjected suddenly. Her eyes were huge with excitement and awe.
"Yes, a hundred or so white owls, no exaggerating! Um, okay, now where was I?" Joyce paused for a moment to pick up from where she left off.
"You're telling us about the hundred white owls flying overhead," Hermione supplied quickly. She wanted to hear the rest of the story.
"Oh, so, there were tiny white owls flying from everywhere, and dropping white roses from their beaks to where I was standing. Passersby were giving me strange looks. As for me, I had no idea what was going on. Well, at the back of my head, I knew that it had something to do with Francis, but at that moment, I was just too surprised and confused to be able to think straight. The white roses just kept coming and coming from above, when suddenly the rose-rain stopped. I looked up the sky and I saw two white doves flying to where I was, and before I had time to think, one landed on my shoulder while the other hovered in front of me.
"Then I noticed that the dove on my shoulder has a piece of parchment in its beak. I pulled the parchment out, and when I unrolled it, I saw 'Will you marry me?' written in fancy silver script. At the same moment, Francis walked out of the Three Broomsticks and knelt in front of me. He was holding out a small open box and I saw that the most beautiful diamond ring was in it. He asked me to marry him and make him the happiest man alive. Oh, I've wanted to hear that for so long, and so of course, I said yes! I pulled him up to his feet and kissed him, and when we pulled apart, he slipped the ring on my finger. It was only then that we noticed the people cheering and whistling all around us. Oh, it was...it was very lovely. I am so, so, happy!" Joyce finished.
Hermione rarely gushed the way Parvati and Lavender usually did back during their Hogwarts years, but now, she couldn't help herself when she went, "Awww!"
"That's the sweetest thing I've heard," Audrey whispered. She looked suspiciously misty-eyed.
Hermione stared at Joyce and she saw that her friend practically glowed with joy. Hermione felt a pang of sadness which she tried to quell. She shouldn't be sad when her friend was so happy, but she couldn't help but wish to feel the same happiness for herself. Hermione had never truly fallen in love, even at the age of twenty-three. She couldn't help but feel wistful for her own true love.
Hermione, despite all her practicality and logic, was a romantic at heart. She longed for the evasive one true love of a lifetime--the kind of love poets write about, musicians sing about, artists draw about...the kind of love that everyone wanted deep down in their hearts.
She was not asking for much. She never expected a knight to sweep her off her feet. She just wanted the simple things in life--a man who would be a friend, companion, and lover in one. She longed for something that was simple yet true.
But Hermione had not found it yet. She often wondered if maybe she was asking for too much...
She brought her attention back to her Joyce. This was her friend's moment. Hermione was not going to let anything to get in the way of being completely happy for Joyce.
"Hey, you're crying, Joyce," Hermione commented.
"I can't help it. Tears of joy," Joyce said. She giggled. "You think I'm crazy, laughing and crying at the same time."
Audrey smiled fondly. "It's alright," she said.
"I'm really happy for you." Hermione squeezed Joyce's hand affectionately.
"Thanks," Joyce said with a smile through her tears.
"Can I see your ring?" Audrey asked.
"Sure." Joyce held out her right hand, and both Audrey and Hermione looked at the ring. It was beautiful. The diamond was huge and clear--definitely a high-carat stone--and little sapphires encircled the diamond.
"Wow, it is beautiful," Audrey said.
"Stunning. Definitely" Hermione commented.
Joyce sighed happily. Then she stood up and pulled both Hermione and Audrey to their feet. "C'mon, both of you. No overtime today, okay? I'm taking the whole research team to dinner."
"I'm not saying no to free dinner to celebrate such a great occasion, but isn't this supposed to be your time to celebrate with Francis?" Audrey said.
"Oh, Francis is visiting his parents tonight. He wants to share the good news with his family," Joyce said. "Francis and I are celebrating by ourselves tomorrow the whole day...and night." She had a naughty smile on her face.
"I bet. "Audrey said with wicked grin. So Jamal's coming with us? Are we Apparating?" There was a hint of blush on her cheeks. Hermione knew that Audrey had a major crush on Jamal Akim, another research team member, for the longest time.
"Yes, he is, and we're riding in a Ford Expedition I borrowed from the Ministry. Emporio Moderno is a bit far from here, so Apparating is not an option. I don't want you people to tire yourselves out." Joyce said. "Besides, not all of you know where it is."
"Good idea. Emporio Moderno is a Mugglerestaurant. It's better if we go there the Muggleway," Hermione said.
"Oh Jamal's going with us!" Audrey added a moment later with a girlish giggle. She paused for a moment, "Wait, it's a Muggle restaurant and we're wearing robes! We can't go in there looking like this." She looked down at her black office robes.
"Audrey, being a witch has its fringe benefits. Just transfigure your clothes to something suitable for a Muggle place. Nothing too fancy, but not too causal either. You can ask Hermione for help," said Joyce. She looked at Hermione. "Is it all right, Herm? You're amazing with Transfiguration, and you're also familiar with Muggleclothing."
Hermione felt pleased with the compliment. "Thanks. And sure, no problem," she said with a nod. "I'm not very good with fashion stuff, though. You people got to help me out in that aspect, or else we won't end up with stylish clothes."
"Well, as long as Jamal's coming with us, I wouldn't mind even if I had to wear a burlap sack!" Audrey said cheerfully as she grabbed her coat, which was draped over an arm of the couch.
*~*~*
Two hours and a speeding ticket later, they were finally at Emporio Moderno. Joyce, a pureblood witch with an almost unhealthy fascination with Muggle lifestyle, enthusiastically insisted on traveling Muggle way all the way. She was so excited about driving that no one had the heart to point out how inconvenient it was. And how dangerous, too, considering Joyce's reckless driving.
The whole research team came along--Joyce of course, Hermione, Audrey, Jamal, Mike Rutley, Vito Mancini, IssaVillegas, Terry Boot, Lei Ong, and Greg Pembroke. Having worked together for a couple of years, they made a tight-knit group, but the times when they go out all together for fun were rare. Most of the time, they were all busy, or their schedules just won't jibe. But as this was a Friday, and the team's latest major project was going smoothly, there was no reason to be busy with work. And no one really wanted to pass up the opportunity for a treat.
They all got out of the fancy Ford Expedition Joyce borrowed, and a valet took the vehicle for parking. Hermione looked at the entrance to Emporio Moderno in awe. She had never been there before, but just based on the looks of entrance, she knew that it was decidedly a swanky place oozing with money, style, and attitude. The place's theme was definitely modern and urban in terms of Mugglelifestyle. Pale lights, silver steel, and mirrors seemed to be the dominant theme of the place.
Although Hermione was a rich and successful young woman, she had never considered herself as stylish and all that. She was a practical person, and she never had time and just had a little interest in indulging herself with the fancy things in life. She preferred spending quality time with her friends in a quiet coffeehouse or in the comforts of her or a friend's home. Thus, she really had not much experience in the social scene, both in the Muggleand wizarding world.
Hermione smoothed down the front of her little black silk dress, which, just a couple of hours ago, had been her office robes. When she transfigured her robes to Muggle clothes, she opted for a basic and safe choice. She remembered reading in some Muggle magazine that a woman could never go wrong with a little black dress. She hoped the magazine was right as she saw the very stylishly dressed young adult Muggles(or magical people pretending to be Muggles, as one would not know the difference by simply looking) also entering the place with them.
The inside was more spectacular as the outside. There was a long, sleek, black table made of steel just a couple of steps away from the glass doors. Softly-blended lights of blue, pink, and white lit the area. Java lamps of all colors were placed in strategic locations as decorations, and the effect was amazing. And from what Hermione could see, beside the table a short mirror-walled corridor that led inside the dining room and dance area.
"It's dinner-and-dancing night every Friday. I didn't know that. But it's great, and cool too," Joyce commented as she read the small electronic sign placed on the table after paying for the entrance fees.
"Hey, I feel like dancing," Jamal said. Audrey's face lit up.
"So, let's dance!" Audrey said. She grabbed Jamal's hand without batting an eyelash. "Hey, we'll just look fro you later! See you!" And with that, both of them--an excited Audrey and a surprised Jamal--walked down mirror-walled corridor.
"Well, we're given the table number twelve!" Joyce called out after them.
"That girl works fast. You got to hand it to her," Issacommented good-naturedly.
"If only Jamal would figure it out," Greg said with a laugh.
"Hey, if you want to look around the place, go ahead. Just remember to go back to table number twelve," Joyce said.
"That would be fine by me. I just saw a girl who seems to suit my taste," Vito said as his eyes followed a sexy and gorgeous redhead wearing a hanging green tube and black square pants. "Excuse me, I have work to do," he said, and followed the girl.
"We're going to the ladies' room, and then we'll check this whole great place out. You girls wanna go with us?" Lei said.
"No thanks, go ahead," Joyce said as she frantically arranged the Muggle bills in her wallet.
"Yeah, go ahead. Thanks anyway. I think I'll just be going for a drink. It says it's an open bar tonight," Hermione answered, pointing to another sign.
Issa shrugged. "Okay, see you later." She and Lei walked away from them and walked towards where the ladies' room was.
"I feel like having a drink, too. Let's go to the bar," Mike said to Hermione.
"Yeah, let's go," Hermione said. "Wanna go with us?" she asked Joyce, Greg, and Terry.
Terry shook his head. "I'll just go look for the table with Joyce."
"Me too," Greg said. "I'll just stay with Joyce and Terry."
"Oh, okay. See you people later," Hermione said. She and Mike went inside.
*~*~*
Inside, Emporio Moderno had an entrancing and enchanting quality brought about by its soft lights. The perfect blend of the blue, white, and pink lights had a mysterious and surreal effect. It was almost like being in a dream. A wizard or witch couldn't have done much better to beautify the place.
The ceiling was very high, and colored lamps hung from it. The tables were round and had bases of steel and topped with clear glass. The floor and the walls were made of black marble, which played a big part in providing sophistication to the place. Everything was sleek and streamlined inside, and the contrast of the soft lights against the black walls was spectacular. A fast jazz music belted out from the speakers which were mounted at the top of every corner of the place.
"Do you know where the bar is?" Mike asked as he scanned the area. The place was rather crowded.
"I have no idea. This place is so huge," Hermione answered. "Wait, I think it's over there. There seems to be a lot of people there." She pointed to the far left side of the room.
Mike squinted a little. "Yeah, I think it is. Come, let's go."
They made their way to the bar. "Excuse me, coming through, coming through," Mike said as he and Hermione wove their way across the throng of people.
As they went nearer their destination, Hermione confirmed that it was indeed the bar. Many people were mingling around it. Finally, Hermione and Mike were within the bar's immediate proximity.
Hermione craned her neck to search for empty seats near by the counter. "Ugh, no empty ones," she said. "Well, it figures. A great place like this would surely be a favorite place-to-be of many people, regardless of the prices. Let's just wait. Maybe someone would stand up and leave pretty soon."
"I think I'll go get both of our drinks while you wait for empty seats. What would you have?" Mike asked.
"Just a glass of margarita, thanks," she said.
"Sure, I'll be off." Mike walked up to the counter but there was something he must have forgotten because he turned around and walked back to Hermione.
"They have no margarita?" Hermione asked when Mike was within earshot.
"I haven't gotten around to asking the bartender yet. I just saw something that annoys the hell out of me," he said. "Look. If that man's just going to sleep because he's drunk or just tired or whatever, he should just leave the bar and go home, don't you think? So a person who wants to have a drink can get his seat. His date doesn't look too happy, anyway." Mike pointed to the right side of the bar.
Hermione followed the direction he was pointing to with her gaze, and when she saw who Mike was pointing to, her heart began to speed up its beat.
She could not believe it. After five years, she saw him again. He was seating on a stool. He was wearing Muggle clothes--black trousers, black leather shoes, and a grey shirt with a few buttons undone, which gave him an enticing look of refinement and ruggedness. His forehead was propped against one of his fists, so she couldn't see his face completely. But she knew his profile--his fine chiseled features, his pale luminous skin, and his tousled, silvery hair. Under the effects of the lights, he looked ethereal, almost something out of a dream.
Hermione had not thought of him for quite a long time. She was not the type of person who dwelled on it-might-have-beens and what-could-bes. She knew that he was not the man for her. They were two completely different people, and she was not his type. He was not her type, too. Why she had ever liked him (and maybe still liked him) was something she could never understand about herself. It was not right. And besides, he had a date with a drop-dead gorgeous blonde who looked as sophisticated and stylish as he was. Blonde and blond. They looked perfect together. She imagined them married sometime in the future, with a dozen of beautiful blond children.
But the heart rarely listened to the rationalizations of the mind. So she felt smiling like an idiot in spite of herself. She felt a rush of excitement go through her. All because of him...
"That's Draco Malfoy," Hermione said in what she hoped was a nonchalant voice.
"You know that man?" Mike asked.
"Yes, from school," Hermione replied.
"Do you happen to know the woman he's with?" Mike asked again. From the tone of his voice, she knew he fancied the woman.
"Unfortunately for you, I don't," Hermione replied. But suddenly, she was seized with the need to get the woman away from Draco. She knew that the tall, dark, and handsome Mike could be enough to distract the blonde's attention from Draco.
"Come, let's go there. I want to chat with an old friend. Maybe you can get to know the blonde, too" Hermione said. It was not exactly a lie. She wanted to talk to Draco, and that was the truth. As for him being her friend, well, that was not really clear. They were not really friends, but they were not really enemies anymore. She didn't know what they were, really.
She and Mike approached the fair-haired couple.
"That's Draco Malfoy, isn't it?" Hermione asked in her friendliest voice to the woman.
The woman, despite of her gorgeously haughty features, smiled warmly. "Ah, yes, he is." She looked at Draco, and shook her head slightly. "He's already sleepy, and yet he still insisted on drinking vodka. Look at him now. Sleeping like a log. How he manages that in here is beyond me." She looked at Hermione. "Where do you know him from?"
"Years ago from school," Hermione answered. She was not sure whether the woman was a witch or not, so she avoided naming names. "I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Michael--or Mike--Rutley." Hermione held out her hand to the woman, and gave Mike nudge at the side. He was so smitten that he didn't seem to notice that Hermione was initiating the introductions. When she nudged him, he seemed to jolt back to life and held out his hand.
The woman shook their hands warmly. "I'm Althea Morgan. So you're Hermione Granger. I've heard a lot about you. And Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter, and the things you did during the Great War of '97," She dropped her voice so only Hermione could hear what she said, "We're of the same kind, you know. It seems that this place has lots of our kind as patrons."
"I am, too, of your kind," Mike piped in. He was obviously listening to every word the woman was saying. "Would you like to dance with me, Miss Morgan?" he blurted out a second later.
Althea smiled, and said to Mike, "Call me Althea." She looked at Hermione. "You don't mind if I dance with him? Maybe you can wake Draco up and talk to him. "
"Oh I don't mind!" Hermione said. "Mike's just a friend," she added for good measure.
Mike nodded eagerly.
Althea stood up from her stool and said, "Take my seat, if you please." She smiled up at Mike, who offered her his hand. Althea took it and they walked to the dance floor at the front of the room.
When Althea and Mike left, Hermione slowly walked up to the empty stool. She sat quietly, not taking her eyes off Draco.
For the first time in five years, she saw his face again up close and personal. He looked older. Gone was the half-manly, half-boyish looks of his teenage years. He now looked every inch like a man. And he looked nothing short of beautiful.
A surge of affection grew in Hermione's heart. She wanted to wake him up, but she was afraid of how he would react. Would he make jokes about her? Would he even care that she was there? Or would he...would he smile and be happy to see her?
Sometimes, Hermione would think that there was something that went on between them when they were in their last year at Hogwarts. At other times, she would think that it was purely one-sided on her part, and that she was just reading too much into what Draco had said and done.
No, she was not sure how he would react upon seeing her. She wasn't sure how she would react to him when he woke up, either.
But there was one thing she was sure of at the moment. She was sure that she liked seeing him like this, looking so peaceful and vulnerable in sleep.
She brought a hand to his face, and slowly, ever so slowly, she pushed the locks of his blond hair from his forehead.
The moment her hand touched his silky hair, the memories of yesteryears flew back in a strong and overwhelming rush to Hermione...
To be continued