Only You (Hiatus)

Five

"Can I help you dear?" An older woman asked gently from behind a counter Hermione hadn't even noticed by the door.
Hermione smiled warmly and walked over "Actually I have just moved to town, I'll be renting a small place near here and was just looking around. Getting to know the town."
"Oh that's exciting" the woman smiled "I'm Síofra, I own this little slice of heaven" she chuckled gesturing to the shop. She looked at Hermione noticing how the woman admired everything around her
"It's incredible Síofra." She smiled offering her hand "I'm Hermione"
Síofra shook her hand as her head tilted slightly "Hermione, you wouldn't be interested in helping out in the shop would you?"
Hermione blinked in surprise "really?" She looked around the shop again beaming with delight "I mean I never thought of working in a store like this but, it's truly incredible"
Síofra laughed softly "Well that's not a no. You can think about it, I don't need an answer straight away. I just thought, new in town you may be in need of a job and I could use the help" she smirked adding in a lower voice "but dont tell my husband I said that."'
Hermione laughed and nodded "I don't really have anything lined up, I was going to start looking after I got settled." She smiled looking around again "it makes sense plus it feels like a good idea." She chuckled adding "if that makes sense"
Síofra smiled warmly "It does. I wouldnt have said anything but I suddenly got the feeling that you'd be good for this place" she laughed adding "and maybe even good for me. My husband says I work too hard. How about we meet for a coffee on Monday and we can go through the finer details such as pay and stuff. That way you can think about if its the kinda thing you want and I can put together a proper job offer and not a spur of the moment one"
Hermione chuckled softly and nodded "That sounds like a great idea. Thank you Síofra. I look forward to it."
"Great. Shall we say Monday, 9:30 in Malone's?"
Hermione smiled and nodded "I'll be there" she pointed to the bookshelves "In the meantime I think I'm gonna see what gems you have"
Síofra chuckled and nodded.
Hermione smiled moving into the shelves and looking through row after row of incredible books before finding a book on the legends of Ireland. Picking it up she went to the counter and smiled at Síofra "I'll take this please"
Síofra smiled and moved to the till, inputting the book and a small discount "€18 please Hermione"
Hermione looked up surprised before realising and smiling "thank you, you didn't have to do that" she said handing over the money.
"Oh its nothing, we don't get many new people around here and it feels good to give kind gestures" Síofra said with a smile "you're the second person to move here in the last decade, most of the people in town were born and raised here It's nice to get a fresh perspective."
Hermione smiled and nodded as she hugged the book to her chest "well, thank you, again" she waved and left chuckling softly.

Walking along the street back towards the hotel Hermione spotted Malone's across the street from the little bakery and smiled. Day one and she already had a job lined up. The people here were so friendly and welcoming, it made the whole fear of change easier to handle.

When Hermione returned to the hotel she could hear live music playing in the bar. It sounded good, simply a man and his guitar, so instead of heading straight to her room Hermione detoured into the bar.
"Can I get a glass of rosé please?" She ordered as she took a seat at the bar.
The man playing was sat on a tiny stage in the corner, his blonde hair reminded her of Malfoy making her chuckle a little. Could you imagine Draco Malfoy playing music in a muggle bar she found the thought alone amusing as she paid for her drink and turned to watch the musician play. He has a really nice voice. Wait... Thats an english accent... Could it be? No no way Hermione there is no way. This is a muggle bar in a muggle hotel besides this guy isnt pale. No its just a coincidence. Shaking her head she sipped her wine and listened as he started the next song. This one was slower, softer, and Hermione found herself listening to every word, relating and feeling the familiar bittersweetness of looking for that fresh start. She sat at the bar looking into her glass of wine just listening, the song enveloping her in the comforting sound of his voice. As the emotion of the song grew, Hermione couldn't help but look over at the young man across the room. His eyes were closed. He had completely lost himself in the music and Hermione found herself looking properly at this familiar stranger, his well toned body, the way his fingers played across the guitar strings. He was completely free.
The song ended and suddenly silver met gold as their eyes met, the flash of recognition and dread proving beyond all doubt that this was Draco Malfoy. If he hadnt recognised her she would have convinced herself it was just a look alike but he did recognise her which just raised more questions.
Regardless of why he was here, Hermione knew she couldnt just pretend she didnt know it was him, so she waited. She ordered a second rosé and listened to him play. Surprisingly Hermione found she actually liked listening to him sing. He had a lovely voice and he played the guitar quite well.
Roughly three songs later Hermione heard the sound of a guitar case being snapped shut and her eyes lifted to see the blonde walking to the bar.
"Nice set tonight man" the bartender said as he passed a bulmers to the blonde.
"Thanks Nathan" Draco replied with a tone Hermione had never heard from him before, as he sat next to her with the bottle in his hand. His tone grew colder more calculated as he said "Come to drag me off to London?"
"Nope"
She noticed him glancing around the room "No back up?" He sounded surprised but suspicious.
"No need" she replied calmly as she took a drink of her wine.
She could feel the suspicious cold silver glare of Malfoy next to her as she sat there saying nothing.
"Rumor is you killed yourself or are hiding in your manor" Hermione stated as she looked into her half full glass "never thought I'd see you here"
"Yeah well I'm sure you'll let them all know I continue to disappoint them" he said coldly before taking a drink of his cider "I'm alive and I burnt that damn place to the ground"
Hermione blinked in shock but before she could say anything Draco continued "If you're not dragging me back then why the fuck are you here? You never go anywhere alone, Weaselbee doesnt let you."
As much as she tried not too Hermione couldn't help but tense at the mention of Ron, downing the last of her wine she used all her Gryffindor courage "I'm alone now" she said before standing and walking away saying "I guess I'll see you around, Malfoy"