Kissing Frogs

Second Encounter

Hermione Granger took off her three inch heels as she entered her childhood home. Well that date had been awkward at best though Peter had been rather kind. They just hadn't known what to say having not seen each other in years. It was like two strangers having dinner together with their parents not being physically there, but having their presence hovering over the table.

Sitting down on the couch, Hermione made to rub her slightly sore ankle. As she did so, a flashing image of a blonde haired male passed. Hermione made a face as she couldn't believe of all people Malfoy had just crossed her mind. She hadn't even thought about the person once in years. But he was a healer... Laying back and elevating her ankle slightly, she couldn't help but think at the strange turn of events.

She also wondered if Harry or Ron even, knew that their former childhood enemy was now a healer. It really was a strange turn of events. Draco Malfoy was a healer and here she was stuck in limbo. Not that she would ever have to work, she was practically set for life having created and patented the potion that could reverse the Obliviate spell and let its victim regain memory.

She had worked for three years nonstop on it after having found her parents in Australia, almost having no life and no social function outside of her potions lab. Whatever relationship she and Ron had tried to make hadn't worked out. Ron wasn't the patient kind of person and in the end, during her three year recluse from practically the world, they'd parted deciding that being friends was best. And now Ron was engaged to a woman who had taken Ginny's spot as the HolyHead Harpies star chaser.

How strange their world had become... she had no job and no aspirations for her future, Gregory Goyle was engaged to a muggle, and Draco Malfoy was a Healer of all things. Those thoughts still fluttering, Hermione began to doze off right there on the couch.

!

Draco heavily sighed before rolling his neck to get the kinks out. Today was a slow day at St. Liberi's, the small children's ward that was a small branch of St. Mungos.

It was easier for him to treat children than it was adults as children didn't know his name and history. They were trusting and doeful; just wanting to get back to being normal and continue on with their daily routines. Adults didn't trust him and would always demand a new doctor so his mentor, a kind matron who'd ignored all prejudice and allowed him to train under her anyway, suggested his transfer to Liberi.

It had hurt, a lot at first. It was like one rejection after another but as he began to work with the children, he couldn't help but come to love his job, it was all he had imagined when he wanted to become a Healer. He didn't dread a patient calling him murderer or Death Eater anymore. He was just a doctor here at St. Liberi's, nothing more, nothing less.

Hearing a tap tap against the window, he craned his head. His eyes briefly narrowed at the dusty grey owl, never having seen it before but opened the window anyway.

It was an invitation to a restaurant by Goyle to make a special announcement. Draco had to grin as he already knew what the special announcement was but it'd be nice to see the bunch of them again.

!

"Mum, really!" Hermione groaned as her mother informed her that Peter apparently had a great time on the date and wanted to ask her out again tonight before she went home.

"Oh honey, this is just so exciting." Her mother clapped her hands. "I can help you get ready for your date!"

Hermione literally shuddered at the thought.

"You know, I missed all that. Your first date..."

Hermione's doelike eyes widened before her face fell a little. Her parents never truly reprimanded her on obliviating them, they understood her reasoning no matter how much they detested so.