13. Chapter 13

Hello lovelies! How's it going? Sorry this is late, I was very very busy. Thanks to all you beautiful readers, reviewers, followers and favouriters. You rock. Thanks to my lovely and fantastic beta. Just amazing.

Last chapter I hit 54 favourites, 142 followers, and 97 reviews. That is insane! It's all thanks to you guys. Keep it up. I love you guys so much. *internet hugs*

Anyway enough rambling. To the chapter!

Disclaimer: I still don't own HP. Tear.

"Are you sure that's Hermione Granger?"

"Yeah, Blaise, I'm sure," Draco said, not really paying attention. His lips were still tingling. Hermione had tasted like strawberries.

Blaise looked at him incredulously. He began stuttering. "But, but, but why would Hermione Granger kiss you? You guys hate each other."

"Well," Draco replied shrugging. "She can't remember that now."

"But how are you sure that this isn't an imposter?"

Draco sighed. Of course Blaise couldn't simply take his word for it. "It can't be polyjuice potion because I've spent hours with her without drinking or eating."

"Don't you guys get coffee every day?" Blaise asked. "That constitutes eating and drinking."

"Yes, but some days she doesn't get anything, big lunch or whatever," Draco concluded. He knew it wasn't polyjuice. It couldn't be. His gut told him that much. But his gut feeling obviously wasn't enough for Blaise. He sighed once more.

"I'm sure that it's Hermione, because of one small detail."

"Which is?" Blaise asked incredulously.

"There's a small scar on her neck," Draco stated confidently. Blaise looked confused. Draco sighed a third time. Silly Blaise, not knowing all the details of the girl he'd just spent many years trying to find.

"That is the scar Bellatrix left when the trio got captured and taken to Malfoy Manor, when psycho bitch had Hermione at knife point. The only people who know about that scar are either her best friends, me, dead or in Azkaban. Anyone else wouldn't have known to add that detail. It's her Blaise. I swear."

Blaise closed his eyes. Draco knew this tactic well. The auror was taking several calming breaths before proceeding. Otherwise, Draco knew from experience, Blaise would explode once more.

The Slytherin opened his eyes again, and seemed to have gained knowledge.

"We have to get back to your hotel, as soon as humanly and magically possible. We need a plan."

Blaise took initiative and lunged forward. Before Draco had time to react, Blaise had him by the arm, and the two were apparating away

They landed in Draco's hotel room. Blaise landed with the grace he'd always possessed. Draco, however, landed rather clumsily, and tripped over a box. Blaise chortled.

"While, that's what happens when you side-apparated me without warning," Draco huffed as he got back to his feet. Bloody wanker.

"Anyway," Blaise said, as he let out a final chuckle. "We have a more important manner to discuss than simply your clumsiness. Draco, I need to ask, do you know the date today?"

Draco scratched his head. Mid to late October, but he couldn't put a number to it. "Roughly, but not quite exactly."

"It's the nineteenth."

Draco's jaw dropped, no, it couldn't be. He counted in his head several times, and came to the same conclusion. Damn it, Draco! He swore. How could he have more stupid?

He thought he had more time. He thought he had endless days to figure out how to handle the Hermione situation, how to get her back, how to find her memories, and all that jazz. Time was the one luxury he was so used to he'd forgotten what it was like to be begging for more. The only other time in the past he'd been out of time, had been in sixth year, as he tried to murder the headmaster. He'd been terrified then, and now, he felt that familiar anxiety creep up his neck.

The hourglass was almost out of sand. Hermione's funeral was tomorrow. No matter how much he wished, he couldn't turn back the hands of time. All the time-turners had been destroyed nine years ago, and the ministry had outlawed them since. No time travel for him. Draco now had to face the inevitable truth, no matter what he wanted to ignore it. He needed to get his little bookworm back to London.

He couldn't hide her from their world. Draco knew that there were other people who needed her, far more than he ever would. Faces flashed through his mind, one after another, disappearing as quickly as they came. He saw Weaslette, Potter, and finally, with a flash of anger, the Weasel. They needed her. She belonged with them, in a way she would never belong with him. He sighed, giving in. This was for the best, he thought weakly, not truly believing, but accepting none the less.

"Then I guess we have to get her back," Draco said softly, ignoring the effect those words had on his heart.

Blaise looked him over curiously. Draco closed of his face, along with his emotions, immediately, but it was too late. Blaise simply could read him too well.

"What has really been going on with you and Hermione?" the Slytherin demanded.

Draco avoided his best friend's eyes. "Well, we've been hanging out every day for the last few weeks," He said. "We've become pretty good friends."

"But she kissed you," Blaise interrupted, stating the obvious

"I wasn't expecting that," Draco said, avoiding Blaise's eyes like the plague.

Blaise gave him a look, but let the subject drop. Thank wizard god on high. Draco didn't want to talk about his relationship with Hermione. He barely understood it himself. "Anyway," Blaise continued, "we have to get her back to England by tomorrow."

Draco sighed. It was the inevitable. He knew that, but he was nowhere near ready for it. The friendship he had formed with Hermione over the past few weeks was the strongest relationship he had ever had, including Blaise, and his mother. He had never really had a friend like Hermione. She didn't judge him, she didn't mock him. She cared how he felt. Hermione gave him all the things he had wanted but had to ashamed to ask for. She was the friend he had always wanted but was terrified to make. Now, if they got her memories back, she would most likely go back to hating his furry ferret face. Was he ready for that?

He thought back to one day during his Hogwarts years. He had seen the Weasel, Hermione, and Potter all sitting together, laughing and smiling. Her face had been alit with happiness. Draco sighed. Hermione deserved those friends, and that life. He couldn't hold onto her, while in the process, tearing her away from her real life. He had to be selfless. He had to be strong. He had to be like Hermione.

He turned to Blaise. "How?"

Blaise nodded; apparently satisfied that Draco wasn't making a fuss. Blaise quickly laid out the plan, but Draco was only half listening. His mind had started to linger on the kiss he had shared with the Gryffindor Princess. The kiss, it felt strange to just think about it. It was wrong, he and Hermione weren't supposed to kiss; it was against everything he had ever learned and experienced. Then why had it felt so right? It felt natural, like he was born to be with Hermione. He could still see her bright shining eyes, her lovely luscious lips….

"Draco!" Blaise exclaimed.

"Sorry, what?" Draco asked, his eyes flickering as he began to pay attention again.

"You understand the plan?" Blaise asked.

Draco thought back. He had been paying attention, sort of. He went over what he remembered, and understood what he needed to do.

"Yep," Draco nodded.

"Alright," Blaise nodded. "Remember, you've got to do it tomorrow morning, time change and all."

Draco nodded, knowing what he would have to do. His heart felt like it was being iced over. He took a seat and put his face in his hands.

Blaise looked at him, sympathy evident on his face. He patted Draco on the shoulder and said "I know you two are friends now, but she belongs back in England, with her real friends. And who knows, maybe you guys will be friends again…"

"Thanks Blaise," Draco interrupted, standing up. "I'll do it. See you tomorrow."

Blaise looked at him, somewhat pitifully, and nodded. "Bye Drake," he muttered before apparating away.

Draco put his mind on freeze and quickly did the things he had to for the plan. Once he was done that task, he quickly packed his suitcase. He looked around at the hotel room that had become his home over the past few weeks. He wouldn't be returning to this place after tomorrow. His heart felt heavy. He'd miss this place. He'd miss this place a lot.

He needed to be strong. The next part of the plan needed to be completed. Draco sighed, dread spreading from his heart through his veins to every part of his body. He needed to do this.

He pulled out Katie's phone, and punched in the numbers. He had memorized them. 456-8384. Hermione picked up after only one ring. And so it begins, he thought, his heart breaking.

"Hello," she chirped through the phone. She was so sweet, so innocent, so happy. Not for very long.

"Hey, Hermione!" he responded, his heart melting. He wanted to hang up, stop talking to her. He was begging to avoid what he knew he had to do next. He couldn't return her to the magical world. He wanted to stay here with her, in the muggle world, just to keep her friendship. He wanted to keep their friendship with every bone in his body.

But he couldn't. He had to be selfless.

"Hey Draco, what's up?" she asked, her voice joyful.

"Bad news, Hermione," he started, but trailed off. Man up, his brain screamed at him. He took a deep breath and continued. "I got called back to London."

He heard silence at the other end of the phone. "What?!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Yeah, that's why Blaise was here," he continued with the lie.

"Well, when are you leaving?" panic was obvious in her voice.

"Tomorrow," he said.

"Tomorrow?" she squeaked.

"Yes," Draco responded, trying to keep his voice friendly and jovial.

"No! You can't!" Hermione screeched. Draco's heart skipped a few beats.

"I have to, Hermione," Draco responded, trying to stay cool and collected. "But I don't want to go without saying goodbye, so do you want to meet me for breakfast tomorrow?" Hermione didn't say anything for a moment.

"Alright," she sighed sadly. "Eight at our Tim Hortons?"

"Perfect," Draco responded. He liked the way she said their Tim Hortons. "Bye, Hermione."

"Bye, Draco," she said quietly. He heard the tone, meaning she had hung up. He brought the phone down from his ear. He closed his eye, and took a deep breath, clenching his fists. He was exhaling when he heard a snap. He opened his palm. Fuck.

He had managed to break Katie's phone. Shit, he thought. He looked down at his clock. Katie and Justin probably weren't at the office, but he might as well check. He should give her phone back, or the pieces of it.

Also, he wanted to say goodbye.

He quickly apparated to the office, where he found Katie and Justin. It was strange how late they were there. They were not working however. They were laughing at something on Katie's desk. Justin was leaning over Katie's desk chair, looking over her shoulder. Katie was laughing her head off, looking back at Justin every few seconds. The two of them looked very cozy.

Draco felt uncomfortable. He felt as though he was intruding on something. He couldn't place what it was, but it felt like something he shouldn't be looking upon. It felt personal. What could it be? He looked away. Oh well. He'd dwell on it later.

He walked towards them. They looked up as he approached the desk

"Hey Draco," Katie waved cheerily, if not a little confused.

"Hey guys." Draco himself could even tell he sounded down.

"What's up?" Katie asked, sounding concerned. "And why are you here so late? It's like, nine."

"I could ask the same to you," he gestured at the two of them. Katie blushed faintly. Odd. She shrugged it off.

Who really cared? Draco was just beating around the bush. He needed to tell them the truth. "I'm heading back to London." Justin and Katie's eyebrows' shot up.

"Why?" Justin asked.

"One of my auror friends found out about Hermione, and I've got to bring her back."

Katie nodded, understanding, though she looked upset. "Well, yeah, you should. Isn't tomorrow her funeral?"

"Which is why I need to leave tomorrow," Draco concluded. "Oh yeah, Katie!"

"What?" she asked.

"Ummm…..I may have broken your phone…" he said, handing her the broken pieces. Katie raised her eyebrows, and chuckled.

"You need to learn how to control your emotions, my friend," she chortled.

"Maybe a bit…." Draco muttered. "So anyway guys, I won't see you tomorrow, so bye. And thanks for everything."

Katie gave him a look, and proceeded to laugh. "You aren't getting away from us that easily. Come here." She stood up and walked around the desk, approaching him. She pulled him into a hug, which he reciprocated easily. When she pulled back, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Now, you don't go forgetting about us now. Or this great country for that matter. Promise to visit."

Draco chuckled. "Forget you guys? How is that even possible?"

Katie nodded approvingly. "Good answer."

"As for Canada," Draco continued. "No way am I forgetting this country. I, for one, will be saying eh, and sorry, way more than should be allowed. I will keep up with the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team. I will laugh at those who find the weather cold. And I will be on Tim Hortons withdrawal the second I step foot in London. There is no doubt these last few weeks have definitely made a Canuck out of me."

Katie gave a watery chuckle. She was crying a bit.

"I'll miss you Draco. And, thank you."

She looked him in the eye as she thanked him. Draco didn't know what she was thanking him for, but it seemed like a big deal to her.

Turning to Justin, he held out his hand. Justin wasn't having it, and instead, pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.

"I'll miss you, mate," the Canadian said. Draco smiled. He'd miss these two as well. Draco pulled away and walked to the door. Turning back, he caught one last look at Malfoy Industries Canada.

The walls were painted, the desks were ready, the fridge was working and the carpets were cleaned. The business cards were made, the ink bottles capped, and the quills straight. The office was perfect and ready for business. Draco looked beyond the office area. The blinds were opened, which gave him a final view of the lake. The lights of Toronto were reflected on it, glittering in the moonlight. He smiled sadly. He would definitely miss this place.

He looked back at Justin and Katie. Katie was now in Justin's arms, her head resting on his chest. She was smiling, even though a few tears were still in her eyes. Justin was smiling as well, holding her close. Draco smiled. He understood now, and knew it was time to leave. This place would get on without him.

"Goodbye," he whispered, with an air of finality. Katie caught his eye, and sent a wink his way. Draco chuckled.

"Bloody Canadians," he muttered, and disaparated away.

He landed in his hotel room, and fell quickly onto his bed. He didn't fall asleep for a long time though. He stared up at the ceiling, thinking.

He had realized something, as he saw Justin holding Katie in his arms. He realized something as he saw how happy they were together. Draco realized that he wasn't really needed. He wasn't really needed anywhere, or by anyone, not in the way that Potter needed Granger, or the way Katie now needed Justin. Not in the way he had come to need Hermione. No one needed him like that. Canada would get by without him, and he was sure that England hadn't missed him much.

He felt an overbearing sadness as the full weight of that realization hit him. It was depressing, knowing no one needed you. If he were to disappear, some people would mourn him, Blaise and his mother namely, but they'd move on. They'd live. They would forget. When Hermione disappeared, there had been no possibility of forget, not for anyone. Potter hadn't forgotten a day since, that much was clear. Potter hadn't been able to live a day without her either. Draco had seen him pretty often over the last seven years. He looked happy, but behind the eyes, there was a crushing sadness, so crushing Draco could barely look the boy who lived in the eye for more than ten seconds.

Draco rolled over and sighed. He needed to forget about this realization. He had things to do. He closed his eyes, and breathed. He was dreading the morning, when the comfortable life he had set up here drastically changed. He wasn't ready for that. He wasn't prepared.

But the truth was, sometimes, life didn't care.

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