Don't worry. I don't own anything. It is the world of JK Rowling. We are just living in it ;) And none of the art except the cover page belongs to me. HAPPY READING!
They were talking and walking all the way and suddenly they were here. Was it some different type of apparition? But she did not feel anything. What is this? They were in front of a farm which was located directly behind the manor. It was an orphanage, no doubt with children, with ages ranging from 2-16, spilling out of the gaudy building out to the lush green fields. She doubted that the inside of the building would look like the one on the outside, but why?
If she had learned something about Malfoy the first time she met him and even today, that he was no tone to back from showing off. Then why here? Thinking the answers to the numerous questions flooding in her brain she didn't notice his hand on her back as he led her to the entrance.
Magic!! It was truly the most beautiful thing in this world.
As she expected, the shack inside was bewitched to look like a vast community center with three floors. The focal point of the area was the grand chandelier hanging from the roof and to her surprise, the walls were painted a light lilac instead of green. She felt ashamed holding the silly house distinctions to date but it was an easy way to identify people and their characteristics but not enough to judge them. Anyways, back to the building. It was beautiful, to be honest, and she meant the thought of The Draco Malfoy letting her see this side of him.
He was in deep discussion with whom she assumed to be the headteacher there and suddenly a child came near her. He was barely eight years old, she assumed. He signaled for her to come closer and she did so by bending down. He whispered in her ear "You are very pretty, Miss. Are you here to come to take me?"
Not being used to such compliments from strangers, Hermione blushed a little and coughed to cover up her embarrassment when she saw Malfoy strutting towards her way. She stood back up and looked at the child, "No, darling. I am not here to take you and thank you for calling me pretty." She brushed off imaginary dirt from her skirt and smoothened out the frills to occupy herself. Malfoy came near her and gestured her to hold on to his arm.
She looked at him questioning his intent when he took her hand in his and placed it on top of his arm and led her to the backyard through an antique door. There she met with an altogether different vibe. This place could compete with the best gardens she visited with her parents in the United Kingdom, except not with the one at the Malfoy Manor. It had the most generic but also the most exotic flowers on the walls, on the garden floor, and even hanging from flower pots floating above them. They looked almost enchanted but the fragrance told otherwise.
She heard a pop from her right side and a figure started to materialize. She took in the form of Professor Mc Gonnagal with a bewildered expression on her face which Draco thought was worthy to capture in a photograph. He tapped her chin lightly as the professor smiled widely and was walking towards them.
He thought it was the first time in these years he saw the lady give an expression somewhere near to a smile and Granger being the reason for that was a big deal. "Mr. Malfoy, nice to see you again. I hope everything is as acceptable?"
He bowed and nodded in response as both of them turned towards the witch who was practically beaming. "Nice seeing you here, Ms. Granger, or should I address you as Mrs. Weasley?"
Hermione could practically smell Draco smirking, but she ignored him and answered, "Hello, Professor. I am not Mrs. Weasley and I don't plan to be."
"Oh! I am sorry. I just assumed after all that happened you", she apologized and Hermione interrupted, "I know Professor, that you did not mean to say it that way. It's perfectly alright and anyways I am habitual of hearing it. I am really happy to see you, Professor McGonagall." She said with sincerity n her voice but Draco found some odd satisfaction at the Weasley comment knowing very well that the stupid Weasel did not deserve her.
When he was lost in his thought he saw her giving him an 'explain it look to him and caught up with the ongoings. "Professor is here to have the annual inspection at the center and also to give11-year-older old children their Hogwarts letters."
***********************************************************************************************
And their discussion continued for another half an hour when the professor took her to leave and left them in each other's company once again. There was a silence which was interrupted by the voices of children playing for some minutes but it was not awkward. It was as if they both were drained in their thoughts when Hermione decided to break the comfortable silence by asking him more about why and how he opened the center which had an obvious answer, he was rich and that too filthy and he wanted to resurrect the Malfoy name not that it had a simple course to do so.
She got to know many things about him and most of them she already knew from the innumerous magazine articles and news reports on him and his family. Though she surely got some insight into his life and she was safe to announce that he was truly working towards restoring his family name and she felt that he was, in reality, searching for himself. Besides the investments and their business, he was working day and night and she was shocked to find numerous similarities between him and Harry. On top of that, he had many similarities with herself.
Well, she thought, they were only human and that to survivors. One had a hero complex, one was a know it all and the other an annoying prat but when it comes down to it, they all deserved love and happiness. She resolved to help him find a girl that would enhance the goodness in the man in front of him while diminishing his innumerable faults and let him be himself.
It was difficult but there was still hope in the cocktail party she had organized for tomorrow. Shit! She had to buy a dress for the same. And thinking this she took her to leave from Malfoy to her savior, Ginerva Weasley. He led her to the floor and hesitated before remarking the thought that had been lingering in his mind for too long.
"You look good, Gran..." he coughed clearing his throat "I mean you look good, Hermione. And thank you for listening to me today. You were the first one to ask me how I was doing, after all, that happened and I appreciate it even if it was for the other reason."
Hermione could not answer. Instead, she took in the face of Draco Malfoy who stood in front of her in all his Glory and the sun was shining at his back creating a halo around his head and illuminating his tousled but tidy, pale hair and face. He wore a light blue shirt with black trousers. His aging lines made him look more mature from his Hogwarts years and she accepted he looked better than her even on her best day.
She was wearing a baby pink frock with blue flowers that ended at her knees with a belt at her waist. She had gotten two compliments that were uncounted for and she considered naming the frock as her best. Suddenly she was shaken out of her thoughts when she saw fingers snapping in front of her face. She squinted and took a step back noticing the cocky smirk sitting elegantly on his lips as if it belonged there.
"I know Granger that Weasley is not a ladies' man but I never thought you would be so shocked with such a subtle compliment. Are you done reciting it in your brain like a damn formula? Clearly, you haven't gotten many of those from him."
Aaaand he's back. His mocking stance turned into one of delight and she was sure it was because of her expression. Being already embarrassed that she was staring at him and that he thought she was repeating his words in her mind, she had no retort. "Shut up, Malfoy" she barked and went into the flames without looking back at his annoying self.
A/N – really sorry for the delay in updating. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Not much of it is happening but I am sure we are coming to it.
As usual, any comments, constructive criticism, or reviews are more than welcome!
Don't forget to comment and vote if you like the story. Stay safe.
P.s. – this is my longest chapter yet ;)) {almost 1500 words}
~ gK
YOU ARE READING
~Accidentally on Purpose!~
Fanfiction"I have a proposition for you to consider. Why don't we leave this love plan aside and think for once?" Sometimes you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time. Fate isn't one to care about plans. Hermione Granger, a s...
