Chapter Text
The new flat was heavenly! Spacious, great price, great views, amazing security, and the landlord was a witch so she didn't have to hide her magic too much. It was perfect for Hermione. Even better, it was a few minute walk to a giant bookstore and café that she had visited multiple times already. Harry had insisted she take the offer, saying this would help inspire her with her writing and give her a chance to relax. She seriously needed it after her complicated on again, off again with Ron. The last few days she had been moving in with Harry's help and after promising to pay him back with dinner, she gave him one last hug as he had to head back for Auror business. Apparently she was more tired than she thought because as soon as she collapsed into her recliner, she fell asleep without even taking her shoes off.
Hours later, she woke up to some music playing nearby. It wasn't too loud but it definitely was not expected. Groaning, she winced as she sat up and checked her watch. Just after 3 am! She had finished unpacking around 4 pm. Was she really that tired? Sighing softly, she finally took off her shoes trying to listen to the song. It was muffled, which was impressive given how used she was to paper thin walls between apartments. Whoever the neighbor was, they definitely had an eclectic taste. Looking around, she went to grab something to eat before working on a book she was writing.
Days later, Hermione had gotten into a pattern. She woke up in the morning, ate breakfast, and worked on her book or an article for the Daily Prophet whenever they had managed to convince her they were worth her time and effort. Around lunch she would go to the coffee shop and pick up some coffee and something to eat before browsing the books for an hour or so which usually got her to buy something before she came back to her flat to finish working on writing. Usually the afternoon is when her neighbor woke up though she never saw them, she could just tell from the music playing. They had to be a witch or wizard since she recognized some songs from the wizarding world being played. But the most odd thing was, the music played pretty much nonstop for most of the night until late at night, sometimes even 6 am! Whoever the person was, they were definitely not a morning person. Finally, she figured it was time to introduce herself. After all, if she didn't soon, Harry would yell at her for being a shut in and not being social. She had grown used to keeping to herself since after the war, wanting to focus on writing stories and reports than worry about meeting people. But, it was only fair. Luckily, she had an excuse this time. The coffee shop had given her and extra scone, a blueberry one to be exact and it wasn't really her favorite. She dropped off her books before going to her neighbor's door. She could hear what she swore was Avril Lavigne playing. Honestly, what music did they not know about? Making sure the wind hadn't messed up her hair too much, she knocked on the door holding her coffee.
Nothing could prepare her for who opened the door. Because less than a minute after knocking, none other than Draco Malfoy opened the door. She stood stunned and he seemed stunned as well. He was even taller than before if that was possible with his same platinum blond hair. But that's where the similarities ended. He no longer slicked back his hair, having opted for a more relaxed cut that had shaved sides and back and some extra on top that fell into his face a bit. He was also not wearing robes but instead was wearing a dark grey sweater, black jeans, and for some odd reason, taco socks. Those were what made her burst out into laughter as she took him in. This was definitely Draco, but not the Draco she knew. Apparently her laugh had snapped him out of his thoughts as well as he jumped, rubbing the back of his neck.
Draco couldn't believe this. He knew he had a new neighbor. Hell he should have put it together given he had been seeing Harry a lot lately. And he knew Harry was close to Hermione. But to actually see her here and laughing, well it was still a shock. Her curly hair was tied back as well as she could and she was wearing a tank top with a black jacket over it. Underneath she had a pair of jeans and sneakers. Simple, but still beautiful. Realizing he was still staring and she was still laughing, he raised an eyebrow. "Is my appearance comical to you, Miss Granger?"
Miss Granger huh? Now that was weird, maybe even more comical than his taco socks, but not by much. Doing her best to recovered, she smiled. "Miss Granger, hmm? Well yes, it is slightly. Nice socks! Bloody hell, wait so you're my neighbor that's been playing music at 3 am?"
"Music? Oh bloody hell! It was loud wasn't it?" He actually looked genuinely concerned as he glanced back over at whatever was playing the music.
"Oh no! It's fine, it doesn't bother me. I only notice it once in a while. Most of the time I'm fast asleep. Oh! Right, I came here because I wanted to introduce myself and I had an extra scone from the coffee shop across the way. I thought it would be a way to say hi and introduce myself to my new neighbor, you apparently." What she didn't expect was for Draco to immediately light up as if she gave him money. He nodded and even moved aside, motioning for her to come in. And as he did, she saw giant bookcases and comfy chairs as well as a huge kitchen. If this was a trap, she would fall hook, line, and sinker. So she walked in, even more stunned. The entrance led into his living room like hers, though he clearly had more time to settle in. Large bookcases lined the walls with various subjects, some even muggle subjects. He even had technology such as a giant tv mounted to his wall and smart speakers. Some would have thought he was the muggle born and not her with how much tech there was. Even so, there were hints of magic everywhere, such as a Swiffer moving around on it's own and sweeping the floors or the fact that the dishes were doing themselves. Stunned, she turned to Draco as he shut the door. "I.. wow I didn't expect anything like this."
Draco smirked. "I'm guessing you were inspecting posters depicting your gruesome death or Harry's?" When she looked ashamed, he laughed softly. "I wouldn't blame you. I know I wasn't the great in the past. Hell, let's be brutally racist. I was an arse and a bully and a racist. I'm not going to deny that and maybe this is a blessing in disguise. I've always wanted to properly apologize but I also didn't want to force myself into your space. Potter's talked about y-"
"Sorry, Potter? You talk to Harry?" Now this was getting weird. Sure there was always some rivalry that could easily turn into friendship if something changed but to think that Harry was friendly with Draco, yeah that was a bit odd. Especially since he hadn't said a damn word!
"Yes." He smiled and motioned to a bench nearby. "If you want you can take off your shoes and we can sit down. Oh may I have that scone please." He held out his hand focusing on the bag in her hand.
Nodding, Hermione handed him the bag and sat down. "Oh! Right, thank you and I hope you like it. I usually love their scones but the blueberry one is too sugary for me." She took off her shoes, her own socks being boring compared to his taco ones. The were just black with some grey on the toes and heels. She definitely needed to up her sock game of the Draco Malfoy was wearing funny ones. She grabbed her coffee and followed him. "If I had known it was you, I probably could have stopped to get you some tea or something as well."
"No need, I was about to brew my own." He went into the large kitchen which had state of the art appliances and various takeout menus in a letter stand nearby. He went to the counter and grabbed a small plate, placing the scone on top. "If you want we can sit at the island or in the living room." As she made her decision, he went to what she hadn't noticed before. The man had a bloody mini coffee house in his flat! In the corner of the kitchen was a large table that held one of the most expensive Nescafe models. But that wasn't all, she was starting to realize his flat had a certain theme that she could only describe as royal goth. The colors were mostly dark with some colorful accents to break up the monotonous tones. He had at least ten throw pillows on his black couch as well as some blankets over the top, perfect for reading or watching the tv with something to drink. His coffee table was a glass and coffin shaped and he had various decorations that kept with the theme. It continued on in the kitchen with skulls and even pumpkins on his kitchen towels. The floors so far were a dark cherry hardwood that tied everything together. As for his coffee area, it was decorated with various wall decor, all with playful sayings about coffee or referencing movies. She stared, stunned as she recognized a Hocus Pocus sign that said, "Oh look, another glorious morning, makes me sick!" right above the nescafe machine. As he worked on making himself some coffee she cleared her throat. "No offense, who are you and what did you do to Draco."
Smirking, he turned to her. "I know this must come as a shock but I'm not some weird shape shifter that killed him and took over. I guess these past five or so years, I've matured and tried to learn about the world around me, and not just the wizarding world. Technically, through my sentence I have to live in the muggle world so it's only fair I get used to my surroundings." Once the coffee was done, he noticed she was eyeing one of his large recliners. "Let's sit there. And yes, it is as comfortable as it looks." Noticing her smile, he led her into the living room and set his drink, which was an iced hazelnut latte mixed with two pumps of sugar free caramel syrup and a drizzle of white chocolate on top, on a coaster that had a picture of a skull on it. He set down the plate as well and set out a coaster for her drink as well. Once they were settled, he sat on the couch nearby smiling. "So, I'm sure you have a thousand questions. And I know I do as well. So, ask away."
Oh god she was in heaven. The chair was everything! She might have to find a way to steal this from him. Her thoughts interrupted, she turned to Draco, still stunned this was actually Draco. She repositioned herself in the chair and after taking a sip of her drink, she started. Oh she had a lot of questions for him. So he might as well get comfortable!