Searching- a Dramione fanfic

Chapter 2- An Eye On the Enemy

An Eye on the Enemy

This was the fifth day I'd walked by the cafe. Each day he had been sitting there, in the same spot looking out the window. Every day I'd walk strait by, making sure he hadn't seen me. But today I really wished he wasn't there. I was starting to crave some coffee.

If he was, perhaps I could sneak past and quickly grab a coffee from the counter and sit outside, or in the back with my face in a book again. I had come close to doing this yesterday. But I was too afraid he'd see me, and even more afraid he'd think I came for him.

I looked at the cafe's window from across the street. It was glowing yellow and warm as usual. But today it was different. Malfoy wasn't there. To my surprise, I felt a little disappointed that he'd given up. It had kind of made me feel good to see him there and think that perhaps he was waiting for me. God, Hermione! I thought. Get over it! You hate him, remember? Yes. I hated Malfoy. And he hated me. But ever since the day we bumped into each other, I couldn't help but think that maybe he didn't hate me anymore. That maybe he had really changed and was no longer the loathsome cockroach I remembered him being. Either way, I couldn't shake the horrible memories I had because of him. The nights I spent crying in the commonroom was because of him. My lack of positive self image, was because of him. The only reason I dreaded going back to Hogwarts was because of him.

I quickly crossed the street, eager for some coffee. Opening the door with a jingle, I scanned the strangers in the room making sure none of them where Malfoy. He wasn't among them. My shoulders sank. Was I really feeling disappointed? Absolutely not! It was Malfoy for heavens sake!

I walked to the wood counter and ordered my usual, a caramel cappuccino with whipped cream. I grabbed the mug and hurried to sit down in an empty chair in the back of the cafe. Sitting down I took a sip of my coffee. It burnt my tong but it was still delicious. I reached into my canvas bag and pulled out my book. This was one of my absolute favorite things to do, read and drink coffee. I opened to the bookmarked page, took another sip, and began reading.

Since learning that Malfoy worked at the Ministry five days ago, I had been coming into work early, leaving late, and trying to stay in my office as much as I could to avoid running into him. I thanked my lucky stars at the end of each day that he hadn't decided to stop by my department and have a chat.

Yesterday I met Ginny for brunch in a cute little diner in Diagon Ally. I had to tell someone about my encounter with Malfoy and Ginny was the only one I could trust.

"So you know that little muggle cafe I like in London?" I asked her.

"Yea, what about it?" She took a bite of her toasted egg sandwich. I took a deep breath. Could I even tell her?

"Well, I ran into someone from school there the other day" I said looking at her carefully. She didn't seem to be paying much attention. She took a swig of orange juice and another bite of her sandwich.

"At a muggle cafe?" She asked. "Who was it? Did they recognize you?" She glanced at me for a moment and then kept eating.

"Yes" I said still looking carefully at her "We had a chat"

She smirked at me. "Ooo" She cooed. "Was it a boy?!" I had her attention now but I wasn't sure if I wanted it anymore. Her smile was contagious, I couldn't help but smirk too and look down at my food I started playing with. She gasped. "It was wasn't it! Go one then! Spill it! Who was it!"

I looked at her, wide smile stretching across her face. "You remember Draco Malfoy?" I asked quietly.

"Oo!" She squealed. "Was it one of his gorgeous mates? That Blaise was smoldering!"