I Fell Into Your Arms

Chapter 10: Coffee With the Boss

After Harry returned to Ginny, Hermione told the couple she had to do her rounds but would return soon.

As she walked down the halls, she bumped into another old classmate. "Daphane?"

The witch turned to her. "Hermione! Its so great to see you! How are you?"

"Im good, do you work here? Sorry that was stupid. Whats new with you?" Hermione laughed.

"Nothing much, but we should get a butterbeer sometime." Daphane smiled.

"I'd like that." Hermione answered walking away. She and Daphane Greengrass had developed a secret friendship after she had punched Malfoy in third Year.

For some reason she began to wonder about Malfoy, where he went. Rumors in the Prophet said he moved to America after Astoria and Narcissa died. Hermione had a sneaking suspicion he was still in the area.

Hermione was so preoccupied, she had bumped into Dr. Swann.

"Oh Hermione! My apologies." Draco sputtered.

"No need, it was my fault anyway. Im just doing my rounds." Hermione blushed.

"Why dont we go get that coffee now? You look like you really need it." Draco grinned lacing his fingers around Hermiones body.

She shivered at his touch. "Um...ok then." Hermione had allowed Dr. Swann to lead her out of the hospital and down the street.

Even though Draco was the picture of calm, his mind was buzzing. He had a crush on the beautiful petite brunette since he was 13. Back when Hermione punched him in the nose.

However as Dr. Swann, Draco felt as if he could finally have a shot with the beautiful woman next to him.

"Tell me about your life before applying to St. Mungos." Draco said the moment they sat down.

"It was a tiny, quiet life. I was a lonely housewife. Look, I'd rather not talk about it." Hermione answered. "Tell me about yourself."

"What would you like sir?" The waitress asked

Draco was a loss for words. "Umm.. black coffee."

The waitress turned to Hermione, "low-fat Carmel latte."

The waitress nodded and left them alone.

"You don't venture out into the uh Muggle World often, do you Dr. Swann?" Hermione asked peering at him.

"That's one way of putting it. I'm needed too much at the hospital." Draco answered.

"Do you have any kids?" Hermione wanted to know who this man is.

"A son, he's only 5." Draco smiled.

"I see." Hermione didn't show it, but she was a bit disappointed. If Dr. Swann has a son, he's already married. Oddly Hermione felt attracted to him, but had no idea why.

"So, did you go to Hogwarts?" Hermione questioned after the two got their drinks.

Draco already had his answer ready. "No, I was home-schooled. You see, I'm a Muggle-born, and Mum didn't want to send me away. She wanted me close, so a tutor came by every day, each day I was taught a different subject."

"Oh, I see. That's a little sad, missing out on the majestic castle of Hogwarts." Hermione sighed wishing she had met this man sooner.

"I'm not sad about it. Tell me, whats your favorite subject?" Draco wanted to know the Gryffindor better.

"Transfiguration."

This caused Draco's eyes to shoot up. "Really? I did a bit of reading up on you. I thought your favorite subject would be the the one with all the complicated numbers. Ugh! The name slipped my mind."

"Huh? Oh you mean Arithmancy? It is a fascinating subject, but not my favorite. What's yours?" Hermione asked.

Draco smiled, "I like Herbology. Gardening has always been my past-time. But now, magical gardens make it all the more interesting."

"I can understand. Some plants are key ingredients to healing potions." Hermione replied sipping her drink. "If you were sorted into a House, which would you pick?"

"House?" Draco asked at once. "I remember my tutor telling me about that once. There's I think the Brave, Witty, loyal, and Ummm..I believe resourceful?"

"Yes! Where would you fit in?" Hermione asked eagerly.

Draco took a second to think. Slytherins out of the question. That would alert the smart witch to his true identity. Hmmm...bravery not him, loyalty no way. Leaving only one house. "I'd belong with the book smart people."

Hermione watched Dr. Swann carefully. "What do you think of the resourceful House?"

"I heard rumors from my tutor that the reputation has been tarnished by so many Dark wizards." Draco replied as the waitress reappeared.

"I always saw the Slytherins as the bullies. There was this one ignorant arse who would constantly call me the 'M' word." Hermione scowled as she drank her coffee. "Ugh, that's foul."

"Coffee is coffee." Draco winked. He knew Hermione was talking about him being the bullying arse. "Tell me more about this person who bullied you."

"Look, I never should have brought him up. Ugh, I belong to the house of the brave, and here I am admitting how weak I am." Hermione groaned.

"Being vulnerable is not weak. Tell me about yourself, you disappeared after the Chosen One defeated Voldemort." Draco said causing Hermiones jaw to drop. "What?"

"Most people dont say his name." Hermione laughed

"Im not like most people." Draco smiled

"I can tell."

"So? Most witches I encounter want to go on about themselves. Why wont you?" Draco asked.

Hermione didnt answer, but looked down as if ashamed.

Draco frowned. Growing up the bushy haired know-it-all would never shut up. Now she barely wanted to talk. "Im sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

Hermione only wanted to forget the past, not always being reminded of it. "Look, I just am in a bad place right now. I'm sorry. Talking about me, isnt that much fun."

Draco narrowed his blue eyes. He had to talk with Sirius. Besides Daphane and Blaise, Sirius is the only other person who knows Dracos alter ego.

"Im sorry to have pushed you." Draco said after a pause.

Hermione lifted her head to meet Dracos blue eyes. "No your fine, Im being oversensitive."

The two fell into an uncomfortable silence. Hermione wanted no more than to spill her guts to this nice man, but she didnt want all her secrets to be in the paper. Although Rita is in Askaban now, there are still other vile reporters that will bend the truth about her life.

Draco was so interested to find out what happened to the bright Gryffindor, but he would need to get the story from someone else.

The two finished their coffee and returned to the hospital. After Hermiones shift, she returned to her cottage while Draco went to Sirius' house.