~Accidentally on Purpose!~

~19~ ~JAMAIS VU~

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!

The bizarre notion here was that Draco genuinely liked Natasha and not just in a platonic way. She was everything a man could ask for and more. He was sure he did not deserve her but it was a chance for him to improve his life with some love, as Granger had said.

Granger. He never thought he would meet her after the war. But fate had different plans. She had the largest part in showing him the beauty of the world and led him to the desire for life, again. He did not want to survive but to live.

Today, he was going on a date with Natasha. After yesterday's lunch with her, he could not stop thinking about her. He hated to see an unsolicited opportunity pass by, so he took the step further and asked her to a date. He was ready!

Firstly, they went to a brunch at a little cottage in an open carriage just out of the town. yes, it was old-fashioned but it was regal. It was pleasant weather and a soft breeze coming through the windows and doors made it even better. They ordered white wine to go with steak and had a conversation throughout the meal. Natasha made it evident to him that when she expected to be at the palace, she expected something more stuffy. That she was grateful for a meeting like this as a wonderful respite from the halls of manors.

They continued to walk along the line of oak and pine trees and stopped when they reached the bank of a small pond.

"I have to admit when Hermione approached me I was more than a little skeptical about meeting you. Also, the idea that somebody can guide another to true love, it, I don't know seems..."

"...preposterous, yeah I felt the same." Draco smiled when he completed her sentence, as he thought about the past.

"I was busy traveling and I had plans to move onto my next destination, but she seemed persistent."

"That's Hermione, for you. Once she sets on her sight on something or someone, she doesn't let go." He replied with a fond smile but his eyes told a different story and Natasha was not the one to miss it.

"Yes, she convinced me and I'm glad I kept an open mind because I've been more than pleasantly surprised." Natasha look into his eyes and told the truth.

He replied after a brief pause, "Yes, as am I."

Natasha could not hold the piercing gaze he gave her after his reply so she adjusted her posture before continuing. "For the life of me, I don't know how we haven't met before. Our families are connected and I even came to Hogwarts during the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

"Maybe then it's better if we did not meet. I am sure you would have not liked the dork I was then. And I have a very clear tendency to keep people at an arm's length."

This made both of them laugh lightly and neither of them stopped giggling.

"It's hard to know if somebody just likes you or if they're being nice with you because they want something," she said with a deep sigh.

"Exactly, I could not agree more. I mean it's impossible not to become cynical."

"Well not impossible but it is a challenge and it took me a while to believe that everyone's not as bad as we believe them to be."

"I aspire to be that way, one day." He pressed his lips into a thin line and turned his face towards the pool of glistening water.

"Not to boast, but I think I have mastered the practice of trusting my instincts implicitly and it hasn't let me astray since." She cocked her head suggestively and Draco gave a lopsided smile to her in return.

(Time skip of 1-2 hours)

They were back to the castle and Natasha was leaving for her home.

"I can't remember the last time I had such a relaxing time, thank you, Ms. Petrova." He bowed down and extended his arm to hold her fingers and brushed her lips against her knuckles when she held his hand.

She blushed the slightest and replied, "as did I, Mr. Malfoy. You made it feel very effortless."

"Thank you for the wonderful description, Ms......"

"It's Natasha, Mr. Malfoy," she interrupted him with a coy smile to which he replied, "Then it is Draco for you," he paused " Natasha"

"I hope that it can continue if you would like to." She stated and Draco got the hint that she was planning to go out with him again and this made him truly giddy inside.

"Sure, Natasha. Have a wonderful ride back home." He nodded his head and opened the car door for her. She climbed into the seat and waved him the last goodbye.

***

"Hermione, I forgot to tell you but Mrs. Malfoy would like to see you in her study." Susan made an apologetic expression by scrunching her face and narrowing her eyes.

"Great, everything just piles up," she sighed and moved out of the room to the required destination.

Hermione was never nervous, and the only person to make her feel that way, ever, was Narcissa Malfoy. She felt as if she could read her like an open book.

"I can do it!"

Damn, I can't do this anymore, she thought but continued.

"I agree, Mrs. Malfoy that Saturday night was not as expected but we have plenty of promising options that we are exploring." She explained to her while wringing her hands, a clear sign of nervousness, Narcissa noted.

"No need to get defensive, Hermione. I just wanted to see your progress in the matters as you know the Jubilee Celebration is mere days away now." Narcissi enquired with a slight tone of interrogation but no expressions at all.

"Yes, I am staking my reputation and my business on this ordeal of a winning outcome. I assure you, Mrs. Malfoy, I will not disappoint you."

"That's the spirit, Ms. Granger." Narcissa stood up from her desk and walked up to her.

"Remember Ms. Granger, I want true love for him more than anything else. And while I am no position to question your methods, I feel it comes from the heart rather than from an algorithmic analysis of data."

Hermione was stunned and the twinkle in Narcissa's eyes when she said that line so close to her, reminded her of Dumbledore. The way she spoke, it seemed like she was implying something but maybe Hermione was psychoanalyzing.

"Ms. Granger, back to earth, dear." She snapped out of it and saw that Narcissa stood in front of her clicking her finger in front of her face while she was zoning out in broad daylight.

"Oh, I am sorry Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione was blushing furiously due to embarrassment and she rushed out of the room muttering an almost inaudible 'have a nice day.

A/N ~ Don't forget to comment and vote if you like the story. Stay safe. Love Yourself!

~ gK