Forget Me Not

Chapter Two: Hello...Again?

Chapter Two: Hello Again

One Year Ago

"I'm sorry old man, maybe you've sucked a little too hard on those lemon drops, because what you're saying is insane. You want me to do what and with whom?!" He realized his voice was getting increasingly louder. It had been a whole two years since the war had subsided and he was glad he defected when he did, he really was, he gladly had served those two years on house arrest with his mother and now he came to Hogwarts for the rest of his sentence, if you old even call it that. Though, he didn't like being presented with what Dumbledore was asking. It truly felt like punishment. Sure, he understood that he needed to seek retribution, he fully knew that he agreed to serve as a Professor at Hogwarts for five years after his house arrest in a way of serving out his probation. He gladly accepted it, he actually wanted to become a Professor, specifically a potions master, but what the elder man was asking was that him and Granger, team up to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"My boy, it's a perfect position for yourself and Miss Granger." He said it with the same twinkle in his eye that always seemed to be there. Draco didn't find the news very pleasant as he grumbled at the old wizard, still loathing the idea.

"While she has much knowledge and hands on experience from defeating Riddle, she has less in the area of actual dark magic, which is where you will compliment each other excellently."

"Headmaster, with all due respect, Granger and I will kill each other within the first five minutes of working together, and not because I see her as my enemy, but because she hates me and I know exactly how to piss her off."

The wizard just let out breathy chuckle, which Draco didn't appreciate at all, he was being completely serious!

"I believe you and Miss Granger will get on just fine, you both have come a long way and I expect your class to be one of the best thus far."

"But Sir-" The headmaster held up his hand, motioning for silence.

"Now, you and Miss Granger will have a full week before the term starts to set up a lesson plan and get reacquainted. Also, the elves have prepared your chambers so please feel free to adjoin there until dinner which will be in the Great Hall at precisely seven."

He was being dismissed, and effectively so. No matter his objections he had to do what Dumbledore said even if he knew it was going to end badly. He went to leave the Headmaster's office and just as he reached the door to leave, the old man spoke.

"Oh, and Draco my boy, you never do know when one shall make an unexpected friend, keep an open mind, but above all, an open heart." He curtly nodded as he exited. It was just like the wizard to spout off some sappy wisdom.

Draco figured he sounded like he still held onto old grudges, but in truth; he didn't. The war made him grow up, quickly. The final straw to finally set the blood issue to rest for him though was when the same women he would be working with, was sprawled put on his cold marble floor, bleeding from being brutally tortured.

After he got past being a massive dick about who was better; purebloods or muggle-borns, he actually could say he admired Granger, but that didn't mean that the same could be said for her or that she had gotten over the past as he had. The blonde wizard had been a right prat to her their whole school days together, and even if he now secretly admired the witch, it didn't mean he would stop getting under her skin, or that she hated him any less.

As he was walking to his chambers, an unexpected thought had crossed his mind, her last name was still Granger; that meant her and the red headed git didn't get married, or they hadn't yet. For some reason he was interested in knowing whether or not the golden two were together. Why he wondered, he wasn't quite sure.

His thoughts were abruptly halted when he slammed into someone, which he quickly observed had brown and very curly hair, which smelled absolutely divine, like lavender and vanilla. He didn't have to guess very hard to figure out he had just ran into none other than Hermione Granger, she still had yet to notice him since she was busy gathering her book off the floor and straightening her disheveled robes.

"I'm so sorry, I was reading the new professor handbook instead of paying attention."

"Typical Granger, always having her nose in a book." He quipped, meaning for it to come off as more of a light retort instead of what it sounded like. Teasing. Bollocks. He really did want to try and get along with her.

The wizard saw her visibly freeze, and slowly move her large brown eyes up to meet his, he had to admit she had turned into a very beautiful women.

"Draco." He held his breath waiting for the anger to come and the part where she told him to sod off, but instead she slightly smiled. "It's nice to see you again."

Was he dreaming? Or did Hermione Granger, one part of the Golden trio just say it was nice to see him? Maybe Looney Lovegood had a point about the Wrackspurt's flying into people's ears, because that was the only possible explanation for hearing what he just heard. He knew he should make his mouth move and maybe actually have words follow, but it was proving to be a challenge. So he just slightly nodded as she tucked a curl behind her ear.

"Well, it looks we'll be neighbors as well as colleagues." She gestured to what he assumed was her chambers, which conveniently were right across from his own. He had a sneaking suspicion that the old coot of a wizard did that on purpose.

"Looks to be so, maybe I could accompany you to dinner then?" Yup, he just said that out loud. Which confirmed that there must be blasted creatures in his brain making him say such things. He tried not to notice the shock that passed over her features, he was readying himself for her rejection.

"Sure, that would be fine." And the hits just keep on coming. He wouldn't lie though, he was presently surprised that she said yes.

"I'll meet you out here at 6:30 then." He politely nodded and made way to his room.

Once inside he let out the biggest sigh of relief; well it could've gone worse he thought. Since he already felt excited to see her again, which the wizard would think on why that was on a later date. For now he was thinking maybe this term wouldn't be so bad after all.