Chapter Text
1
Her
Draco
21 November 2003
He felt her before he saw her. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and that familiar, but long dormant, pull of magic caressed him. He could feel it sinking into his veins and spreading through his bloodstream. Sucking in a breath, Draco lifted his head over his ministry cubicle, then darted back down to the werewolf case he’d been decoding for the past few days. Yes, there she was. The magic was never wrong. Her.
His heartbeat picked up as the magic surged through his body. Had she seen him? He hadn’t thought he would see her so soon after transferring. Fucking. Theo. He said she was out of the country doing Golden Trio press. He wasn’t prepared for this. He hadn’t prepared for this. He needed more time. Should he say hello? He stood, smoothing his robes. He could feel a blush starting high on his cheekbones. Flustered, he abruptly sat back down and ran his fingers over his face and then through his pale hair. No. Absolutely-the-fuck-not was he saying hello. He groaned and tapped his fingers on his desk anxiously. He needed another look at her. Maybe it hadn’t been her? It had been so long since he’d seen her. He could be wrong. The magic could be wrong.
Sighing, he stretched his long legs out beneath his desk and interlocked his fingers behind his head. Gently closing his eyes, he focused on his breathing to calm his racing heart and the magic thrumming through his body. He inhaled and exhaled slowly. The magic started to dissipate —Thank God.
Schooling his face into the pureblooded mask he’d learn to wear since birth, Draco opened his eyes and sat up. With the magic less vibrant, he could think more clearly. Rolling his shoulders back, he leisurely turned in his chair. Pretending to look through his files behind his desk, he could see her pacing back and forth speaking animatedly to… was that…Oliver Wood?
He shifted his eyes back to her and his eyes softened. She looked the same but… not the same? She was no longer the girl he had gone to school with so many years ago that was certain - but there were some similarities. The last time he had seen her, she was so pale, her body thin from lack of food and nutrients while being on the run. Her eyes had been gaunt and hollowed with the nightmares she'd been forced to endure and see. Looking at her now, he could see a strong woman refined by war, but also more filled out and healthy.
She was wearing midnight blue robes, and her curly waves were in a loose braid piled high upon her head held in place by her wand. Her chest was rising and falling at a rapid rate while she paced. He noted how some tendrils would escape and fall to frame her face. Her eyes were bright and focused. She always had that focus in her eyes- it was something Draco had greatly admired when hope had seemed lost all those years ago.
She was a vision.
His eyes slid to Wood who was leaning on the door jam, arms folded across his chest, with a slight smile directed at her, nodding along, while she ranted. Draco recognized that look—he was interested in her.
Draco decided he didn't like that.
“Anyway… Thank you for listening,” she finished. Her eyes flitted to his face and then— Merlin, did she just look at his lips?—Was she interested too?
Wood stepped closer, smiling, “Of course, Hermione. I always have time for you.” Bending down to her, he murmured something close to her ear that made her blush and tuck a curl behind her ear, shyly. Clearing her throat and giving Wood a soft smile, Hermione side stepped out from under him. “Th-That would be lovely. Well, erm, thanks again. I better be getting back. I… need to complete these documents before the Ministry Gala tonight. I’ll see you this evening. Thank you for the help, Oliver—Mr. Wood,” she recovered quickly. Her eyes widening to meet his—and to Draco’s horror—her blush deepened across her nose and cheeks.
No. He did not like this at all.
Was Granger interested in him?
Wood watched her leave, his face filled with want. Once she rounded the corner, he turned back to his office door only to pause when he saw Draco staring. Draco gave a curt nod and dropped his eyes. Feeling Oliver’s gaze still on him, he lazily flicked through the files in front of him. Only when he heard his office door click shut, did Draco relax.
But then, Draco’s magic roared.