Pastel Skies

Chapter 3

Somehow time had slowed to a crawl.

09:30.

10:48.

11:25.

12:07.

Hermione kept checking her watch. At last it was ten to two. She stepped into the teachers' lounge bathroom, checked her hair and applied a dap of gloss to her lips. She didn't want to overdo it. Like she was trying too hard. She couldn't grasp what was getting into her. She avoided Cho's mischievous gaze.

At two o'clock sharp the fireplace made its typical roar, announcing a visitor via the Floo Network.

Draco appeared, as expected, in an impeccably pressed suit. The suit a dark charcoal grey, black shirt, no tie. It enhanced his light complexion, just as she had remembered. Draco had aged well, indeed. His hair had become a bit darker, more of a honey blond now, still thick but cut much shorter. Frown lines and distinct nasolabial lines gave him a mature look.

Hermione's breath caught and her heart skipped a beat. He was here.

A modern brief case in hand, he looked around and upon seeing Hermione, his eyes lit up and smiled a dashing and welcoming smile. Merlin, those eyes... His eyes, as blue as corn flowers, friendly and warm. No traces left of the disturbed, arrogant and entitled boy, she used to know.

"Hermione! Good to see you!", he called as he climbed out of the fireplace, now walking towards her and extending a hand in greeting.

"Draco. It's been a long time," she smiled, took his warm hand and shook it, being shockingly aware of her own hands freezing. It seemed all the blood had drained from her limbs to warm her body, which was at complete odds with feeling herself blush a deep shade of crimson and cursing herself for it. Get a grip, Granger! "Remember, Cho Chang?", she stammered, letting go of his hand and gesturing towards her gorgeous Asian friend.

"Cho! Of course. Hi! How are you?", he asked, shaking her hand as well.

"Why, thank you, Draco. I trust the same is true for you?", she chirped.

"Lovely!", he answered brightly.

"I've set up in the conference room over here, Draco. Follow me?" Hermione turned hastily and catching an unevenness in the old rug (which she'd never ever done before!!), stumbled over her own feet but caught herself in time. She straightened quickly, smoothing her skirt and trying desperately to cover up this most unfortunate mishap. Ugh...!!

"Careful, Granger. Don't want to have to carry you up to the hospital wing just yet. It may give the wrong impression!", Draco joked.

"Ha!" was all Hermione could come up with.

"Can I get you some tea? Coffee?", she offered when they had settled into the smallest of the conference rooms, which was usually reserved for parent-teacher talks. It had a nice view of the grounds though and Hermione felt good about being able to present Hogwarts in a way Draco had surely never seen it.

"I'd love some tea if you don't mind. Light on the cream, though, please", he said.

An elf appeared with a tray and placed perfectly brewed cups of tea in front of them both. There was shortbread, too and some fresh fruit.

"Thank you", they said in unison and laughed awkwardly.

"Nice room. Is this your office?", asked Draco.

"No, just the parent-teacher conference room. My office is on top of this room. I thought this would suit our needs though", she apologized. Why did she now feel the need to apologize? She grew more frustrated with herself by the minute...