~Accidentally on Purpose!~

~23~ ~PIED PIPER~

"Susan, have you seen Hermione?" he inquired.

"Oh! I'm sure she's somewhere around here." She panicked and was sure that he could read it on her face but she still tried to mask her actual expressions.

"I see." He pursed his lips and looked at the ground oblivious to the raging war of emotions on Susan's face.

"Do you know exactly where I might find her?" he looked exactly at her with his intimidating poise and demanded.

She almost gave in to his aggressive persuasion but was barely saved by Kingsley asking everyone to take their seats for the ceremony.

She let out her breath and looked around her to make sure no one was noticing her and took off for the balcony with her phone clutched in her hand.

On the very opposite side of London, Hermione stood against a bench on the railway station waiting for the train to Surrey.

No, she was not going to meet the Dursleys.

After coming back to Britain from Australia, her parents had rented out a villa in Surrey and she only wanted to go meet them at this point.

The frustration, confusion, exasperation, and the thwarting vexation of her circumstances had consumed her to the fullest. She was never the one to run from her problems, but she sought to make an exception this time. She was not the perfect lady everyone deemed her to be and she was allowed to make mistakes and reckless decisions.

And the only person who had said that it was okay to be imperfect, was the person she'd left behind to propose to a perfect girl. What bugged her, even more, was that she could not wear the beautiful dress. Again, him. Nowadays, everything seemed to be reminding her of Malfoy, and that was not exactly acceptable behavior.

After listening to the announcement at the station, she jerked and came back to earth out of her thought world.

She read a message on her phone that accompanied almost 15 calls from Susan that said, 'where are you, Draco is looking for you! What should I do?'. She ignored the message and let out a sad sigh.

Proceeding to check the ticket and her luggage she sat down on the recently cleared seat when someone cleared their throat beside the tree that stood at her back. She turned around to look at the person and was shocked with her mouth agape.

"Mrs. Malfoy", she recovered from her bewildered state and addressed the lady Malfoy, "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at the ball!" her voice held a stunned and inquisitory tone.

Narcissa noted Hermione's glistened eyes, furrowed eyebrows, and lanky posture and replied coolly in a tone of herself that clearly said not to mess with her, "As should you, Ms. Granger. I don't think I need to remind you that you were one of the key fighters of the war, we're celebrating the end of."

"I.., yes. I am sorry. I can't." she felt word slipping off her tongue into oblivion while looking into those same eyes but with a bit of bluish hue.

"You seem to have developed for a fondness for my son, am I correct, Hermione?"

The use of her first name did not go unnoticed her even though the other part of the sentence was probably more disturbing. Had she known all this time? Oh my god, this was embarrassing as hell, she thought.

Hermione closed her eyes for a second and replied, "yes, I am sorry Mrs. Malfoy. I know about our deal and all that professionalism crap, but I can't help it. I assure you that was not intentional." Before going too far with her defensiveness she controlled herself and counted to 3, just like Harry had taught her.

"Very well then, I am confused. I thought we had clarified agreement on what I wanted and what you were to find." Narcissa started placing her arms at her back and striking an aristocratic pose that could intimidate even Zeus.

She paused for a second and then replied slightly nodding her head, side to side, "We did and I fulfilled my obligation"

"Then why do you think I came down here on the night of the ball, that's so important that not only me but to the whole wizarding community?"

"I don't know. That's what I can't comprehend at this moment." She said while stifling a giggle in her throat to not disrespect her.

Narcissa took on a loving and motherly composure by putting an arm across her shoulders and urging her to walk forward. She was just a few centimeters taller than Hermione; she noticed and thanked her parents silently for good genes.

"Because my dear," She remarked and paused for a dramatic impact, "you promised me to help find Draco his happily ever after, true love and not just a wife. And I believed you."

Crap, she knew about what horrendous ideas her brain was cooking and now she was caught. She visibly winced before asking the next question but Narcissa beat her to it.

"And before you ask me of how I knew, I believe you should be more careful of any spectators when you are having a quiet moment in the Manor. You never know who is watching."

A/N ~ Don't forget to comment and vote if you like the story. Stay safe. Love Yourself!

Only the last chapter of Accidentally on Purpose is left!!

~ gK