"We have to stop doing this Draco, it's not healthy.
It has been almost 8 years since the battle of Hogwarts, and Draco Malfoy would like nothing more than to disappear... but he has a sick mother to care for, an estate to manage, and an appointment...
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May 4th. Eight years and two days since the battle of Hogwarts, and 30 minutes before Draco Malfoy was meant to see Hermione Granger yet again. He sat staring at the hearth of his flat in London, except this time he was already a little drunk.
It's true, he hadn't lived in Malfoy Manor for years. His frequent flashbacks and night terrors were enough to deal with without the constant reminder and triggers from the place he resided.
He liked it here... humble, compared to his upbringing, but safe, separate... and most importantly, his.
Even so, he'd had a lot of that this week. Waking up screaming, that is. The general feel of hopelessness his mind created could put a Dementor's power to shame. Maybe the melancholy he felt daily would eventually transfigure him into one. At least then he'd possibly have a purpose in life.
The anniversary, seeing her last week, having to do it again... it was too much for Draco. So naturally, he'd drunk himself silly every night this week, and had spent much of this day hung over before starting again. Draco couldn't remember the last time he had spoke to another soul, except one of his elves. And Granger, technically.
He almost felt bad for Risly, who had resorted to following him around with crackers, and other easily digestible things, begging him to eat. He would feel bad, that is, if he wasn't so busy feeling sorry for himself. Fortunately, Draco thought, she was used to his moods.
It was all he could do to keep it together the last time, but this time, it wasn't yet confirmed that he would be able to be in Hermione Granger's presence without a fit of his own.
Risly apparated in with a crack, no longer a blithering mess at the prospect of seeing Granger. Instead, she looked almost excited as she rocked on her toes.
"Well you've certainly had a change in mood," Draco said, flatly.
"Risly likes Hermione Granger," Risly said.
"Well that makes one of us."
"Master said Hermione Granger was a good witch," Risly retorted.
Draco grimaced, standing up with a huff as the flames before him turned green before addressing the elf with, "Things aren't always so simple."
~*~
Hermione stepped from the fireplace, looking a little harried herself.
She performed her cleaning charm on her clothes again, but missed a spot of soot on her brow.
At least, Draco thought she did, his vision was beginning to blur a little.
Even so, he noticed that her hair was much more disheveled today, falling out of what he assumed had been a tight bun at the beginning of the day. The curls that had escaped their bindings framed her face haphazardly, rather than being slicked back like they had been the last time he saw her.
