like music on a roller-piano... - dramione

Chapter 1

In Bruce Dawes poem ‘Suburban Lovers’ he writes about how the lovers are like ‘music on a roller-piano’, it’s our new favourite poem because it describes us so perfectly. For some reason fate took over and set the path, we had no choice or say in it. When I entered Tea’s Leaves mid November there was someone behind me, also waiting to order. As usual I ordered my Cappuccino, then I stepped to the side allowing him to order. The young girls face turned uneasy when she saw him, “Cappuccino please” he said not looking up.

“I’ll be with you in a second,” she said before turning to me with my change.

“Excuse me, there are no more tables left after you,” she paused uncertainly, “but if you would allow him to join you?”

I could feel him tense and turn to leave beside me but I was not cold hearted, everyone needs their morning caffeine hit especially with the crowds. “Of course he can,” I said freely.

The cashier then turned back to serve him with a thankful smile in my direction, after handing him his change she passed the number 50. We both reached to grab it at the same time and when our hands collided I felt a spark, jumping back I awkwardly smiled and looked at him for the first time. “Oh, hi Malfoy, erm do you want to take it?” I said cringing inwardly, this was why the cashier had looked so nervous.

“Okay Granger,” he replied, his eyes were dark grey and intense that morning and I was reminded of a perfect storm.

We headed to the last free table, it was small with only two seats, which to me meant ‘no space between us!?’. As we waited I felt the awkward silence slowly suffocating any hope of a conversation, he was basically looking everywhere except me so I reached into my bag and took out a poetry book a collection of Sylvia Plath’s. I opened to my favourite page and started reading, quickly forgetting about how out of place I felt in my familiar setting. “That poems my favourite,” Draco said softly, shocking me.

“Oh, really?” I said finding it hard to cover my shock.

“Yes Hermione, I read muggle literature,” he said, his mouth twisting into a small smile.

Huh, I thought ‘Hermione’ that’s different to Granger (or mudblood). “It’s not that different to any magical literature-“.

“I know,” he finished with raised eyebrows.

“Well you are a pureblood,” I said, ‘and a Malfoy’ I thought.

“Yes I am, however I think you will find I am more… understanding. I think it’s beautiful how muggles make their writing so magical without ever realising magic exists” he stated carefully.

“It’s my favourite to,” I said softly, almost to myself.

The silence appeared again but thankfully he spoke up. “I haven’t seen you since our repeat of seventh year, what do you do?” he asked.

“I’m working at the ministry in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures,” I answered quickly.

“I recall that now, you were very successful with your Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare campaign,” he said smiling genuinely.

“Thank you, by July we expect all house elves to in the United Kingdom be receiving some form of payment and annual breaks.”

“Yes, my mother was talking about it,” he must have noticed my face freeze because he continued, “she was actually saying it was about time.”

Again I was shocked by what he said, Malfoy’s were amongst to group I considered against it. “Uh, that’s great,” I said softly.

“Hermione you are shocked, you must remember even us purebloods,” he gave a small smile, “are not completely stupid, you made impressive points for your case.”

I blushed, feeling increasingly more comfortable around him but still stupid for not being ready for his response. Our Cappuccinos arrived and we both put two sugars in them, “Funny,” I said, “I didn’t think you would add two for some reason.”

He looked up and focused on me with a nervous smile playing on his lips, “maybe we all need something sweet.”

My cheeks turned an even more impressive shade of red as I stirred my drink, looking away from him. “I cannot help but see our similarities,” he started, “we both read poetry and have the same favourite, we both drink a Cappuccino with two sugars, and we both…”

“Both what?” I asked curiously.

“We are both interested in social justice.”

My eyebrows rose to my hairline, “I had no idea.”

He simply took a sip of his drink with his eyes still focussed on me. “I can also see our differences,” I said slowly, “I work at the ministry, you in business, I am muggleborn while you are a pureblood, and…”

“And what?” he asked smirking.

“I don’t know. I barely know you,” I admitted.

“I can fix that,” he spoke softly, “we could meet here again tomorrow?”

Again I was surprised, but this time I starred with disbelieving eyes, “what?” I asked slowly.

“It couldn’t hurt Hermione, it would still only be a drink before work,” he said as if it was easy.

As I considered the invitation his eyes stayed on me and I couldn’t help but see a sense of want within them. “Okay Malfoy, same time?” I asked more confidently.

“Sure, and you can call me Draco,” he answered and I saw even more hope in his eyes when he mentioned his name.

He then picked up his cup again and this time looked away while he took a sip. A small smile crept onto my face, “Okay Draco.”