Relinquished

Chapter Three – Before the Fall

He was seeing her for the first time.

After she’d vanished from his view, he’d run to the last place he’d seen her, but she had been long gone. He was totally confused. It had definitely been her. Even if he hadn’t recognised her, not many people would pull a wand out of their basket. He started to walk, not really paying much attention to where he was going. What was she playing at? Why deny who she was, and then give herself away? He never had understood Granger. Always acting so superior, but seemingly humble at the same time.

When he finally stopped to try and gather his bearings, he noticed he was at that same fruit stand in the market where he’d bought the apple earlier. He purchased two more and headed up the hill to the villa.

“Mother?” he called out when he arrived back. She called out to him from upstairs, so he made his way up to see her.

“Draco, darling,” she greeted him, “Did you have a nice walk?”

“Yes, I bumped into a school mate on the beach,” he said holding one of the apples for her.

“Really, how wonderful. Anyone I know?” she asked accepting his gift and taking a bite.

“Hermione Granger,” he said crossing to the window and sampling his own fruit.

“The Mud…muggle born girl,” Narcissa stopped her faux pas and cast a guilty look at her boy.

“Yes. She acted quite strange though, like she didn’t want to be found,” Draco said looking out towards the water. Where was she now? he thought.

“A lot of people want to hide from their pasts, dearest. Don’t forget why we are here,” she said fanning herself.

“I guess. She would’ve seen a lot more action in the war than I did. Probably had to watch a lot of people die.” he said suddenly feeling guilty. Oh, he was such an ass. He’d trampled all over her peaceful retreat and even when she’d tried to politely dismiss him, he’d practically forced her into using magic to get him to leave her alone.

He flopped onto a chair groaning.

“There, there, my love. I’m sure it will be easy to remedy what ever mistake you’ve made.” she said smiling knowingly. Her son was a man, but his withdrawal from the world had made him a bit socially awkward. He ran a hand through his hair.

There was a knock from downstairs and both Malfoys turned towards the sound. They could here the downstairs staff moving as one of them answered the door. Draco stood and made his way towards the noise. He stood on the top landing and looked down on their guest.

“I understand, but I’m sure if you tell Mr Malfoy that Miss Hermione Granger is here to see him, he’ll be more than happy to meet with me.” the woman in the entrance said to the girl who’d answered her page.

“Indeed.” he said, descending the stairs. She looked up and watched his progress.

“Though I must say I’m surprised to see you, seeing as you don’t know me and all.” he continued, gesturing her inside and dismissing the maid.

“Look, Malfoy…” she began, her cheek turning pink with embarrassment.

“Now, now, it’s bad manners to talk over your host, so let me begin by apologising for my rudely interrupting your solitude, and then behaving like a petulant child when you tried to give me the flick.” he said. She stared at him for a moment.

“What happened to you?” she said bluntly. He laughed.

“Sit, please and I’ll answer any question you have?” he said motioning her towards a generous love seat. She lowered herself gracefully and fixed her hazel eyes on him intently.

“How can I help you, Miss Granger?” he asked her once he was settled into the armchair opposite her.

“Do you have any owls with you? I need to send a letter to England.”

“Not quite what I was expecting, but yes I’m sure my mother bought one of the birds,” he replied, holding out his hand. She stared at it for a moment before fishing the envelope out of her basket and handing it to him. He read who it was addressed to and rolled his eyes.

“I should have known.” he said.

“I’m sorry to burden you with this, Malfoy, but you are the only person I know on this island that could get it to them. They don’t know where I am.” she said, looking down at her feet.

“Well, such a pretty young thing,” Narcissa Malfoy said as she entered the drawing room. Hermione and Draco both rose, “No, no sit, please,” she continued.

“Mother, I’d like to introduce Miss Hermione Granger. We were at school together.” Draco said. Narcissa crossed to the younger woman and took the outstretched hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Malfoy.” Hermione said.

“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you. I haven’t seen my Draco with such a spring in his step for a very long time.” the blonde witch said as she sat on the love seat.

“Draco, dearest, please arrange for some refreshments.” she said to her son. He nodded and headed towards the kitchen.

“Now, tell me Miss Granger, what brings you to this little island?” Narcissa turned her attention back to the brunette, taking the young woman’s hand and easing her down onto the seat beside her.

“Trying to get away from it all, the same as you, I imagine,” Hermione said shifting herself so she was sitting comfortably.

“Hmm...Very true.” Hermione glanced longingly towards the door. She’d never in a million years have guessed this morning when she woke up that she would be in the den of the snake himself, about to have a tete`-a-tete` with his mother. It seemed like some very bizarre dream. She discreetly pinched herself again, just to check. Narcissa Malfoy was watching the young woman beside her with interest. She could see faint scars on the back of her shoulders, slightly paler than the rest of her tanned skin. There were also small lines around her eyes, almost making her seem older than she was. This was a strong witch, who had seen much in her short life so far. She watched as Hermione looked up, relief written across her face as Draco returned. Narcissa turned her head slightly to look at her son. Yes, she decided, scheming, This witch would be a good match for my boy.

“Refreshments are on the way, ladies.” he said as he took his seat opposite them. Hermione glanced from son to mother and back again. They were both studying her intently and she felt very exposed all of a sudden.

The young girl that had answered the door walked in slowly, carrying a tray with a large jug filled with lemonade and three glasses. She set it down on the table in between Hermione and Draco and poured the pale yellow liquid into the glasses. Hermione took the glass, grateful for something to take her mind of the awkwardness of her current situation. The lemonade was cool and soothing in the heat of the late afternoon.

Draco was still watching her, and she found his scrutiny intimidating. She felt her cheeks flush again, and turned her attention back to Mrs Malfoy.

“When did you arrive here on Lefkada?” she asked, wishing her voice hadn’t squeaked quite so much. She cleared her throat.

“Oh, we arrived just this morning. You?” Narcissa replied taking her glass and sipping it.

“In a few weeks, I’ll have been here for five months,” Hermione replied. Narcissa hummed in understanding and nodded. Hermione looked desperately at Malfoy, hoping that he would say something. He was still gazing at her intently, lost in his thoughts.

He didn’t quite understand why, but he was finding just watching Granger was calming him. He was noticing things about her that he’d never thought about before. Her hair really was a mass of unruly curls. Several strands had escaped from the pony tail she’d tried to tame them in. Her skin was a lot browner than it had been when they were at school, but that was hardly surprising if she had spend the better part of the year sitting on the beach drawing. The white dress she was wearing had thin straps and one of them had slipped down so it rested right on the joint of her shoulder. She was curvier than she had been as a teen as well. Her breasts were full and pushed slightly against the fabric of her dress. His appreciative gaze drifted down to her waist where her hips flared, over her lap and took in her legs, brown and shapely and currently crossed at the ankle. Suddenly he felt himself begin to respond, so he shifted, hoping that his desire wouldn’t be evident. He was too late. Hermione had seen the twitch in the fabric of his pants and when he looked back at her face, her eyes were wide and her puzzlement at his reaction was evident. She shifted uncomfortably and he realised that he had just checked her out, not too subtly, right in front of his mother. He looked at Mrs Malfoy and she had a slight smile on her face, keeping her cool exterior as usual, but her eyes were full of mischief.

Hermione stood suddenly, her face aflame.

“I really should go.” she said, moving towards the exit. Draco stood quickly and reached out to grab her arm to stop her.

“Look Granger…” he began, but she jerked away from him rather violently.

“It’s quite late and I should be heading home,” she said quickly, interrupting him, “Thank you for taking care of my letter, Malfoy. Good afternoon, Mrs Malfoy,” she said with a nod towards to older woman.

Then she was gone. Draco stood for a moment watching the empty doorway.

“She’s not going to come back, dearest,” his mother said, “If you want to say more, you should probably go after her.”

He looked at her for a moment, then nodded and followed in the trail of his guest.