The club was full of people. Youngsters mostly.
Draco narrowed his eyes.
He definitely knew this place.
He had been here. Not recently, but he had been to this place.
The red and blue disco light, the thick smoke... everything irritated the present Draco Malfoy.
He was happy that he was in the pensive. Perhaps he would not survive this place even for a minute if he was to visit here in person at the present day. Everything seemed so suffocating and filthy to him.
He followed Hermione as the memory steered through the crowd and lead them to a dark corner.
As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, Draco saw himself.
A younger man, full of self loath and anger.
Instantly he remembered the place vividly.
The Devil's Lair.
One notorious club for the muggles.
He accompanied Amanda, his the then crush for some two weeks or so.
Draco was hit by a sudden wave of nostalgia.
Amada Brown....
The girl with purple eyes, hands healer's hands and a mother's heart. The only girl he dated seriously... ever....
And then, he gloriously messed up.
The day on the club was a disaster.
He drank too much and was knocked out for three days. Merlin knows what he did to pass her off that day.
Amanda was warming up to him at that point but after that club incidence, she simply vanished into thin airs.... he searched... and searched... and searched... but she just disappeared.
Draco searched the crowd for the small and fiesty brunette... May be one last look.
Though he could persue her for such a small time , he definitely developed some kind of softness for her. She was smart, kind, funny, intelligent and oh yeah... GOD DAMN BEAUTIFUL.
Draco sighed, all good things are like mirage, you can never have them.
But the girl was no where in the scene.
Suddenly Draco realized, the man in the memory was stretching out for Hermione and ... wow!!!! Were they kissing?
Draco realized something.
Something shocking...
This was Hermione Granger's Memory and in his younger self was drinking with her and having a good time.
Wasn't it supposed to be Amanda?
Right at that moment he saw the girls' left hand stretching out and caressing his cheeks.... he narrowed his eyes... that bracelet !!! Isn't that the one he got Amanda?
And like he thought, his younger self reached out to play with the charms on the bracelet as he said, " Shall we?"
And then he clearly heard the voice of Amanda, "Your place or mine?"
Draco sighed.
There was never any Amanda.
It was her.
Always.
Hermione Granger.
He felt the familiar tug in his belly and he backed out from the pensive. That's all she would show. Not that he needed to know more. His first question was already answered. Missy was conceived naturally... no needles...
Granger was staring at him with arched brows.
Draco suddenly felt very uncomfortable under her gaze. She was scalding his soul.
"Why did you do that? And who was this Amanda? I mean charms or Polyjuice?"
Hermione laughted out loud.
A hollow and creepy laughter.
" Seems you like her a lot... huh??? But sad to disappoint you, whatever it was, you are not going to see her ever again...."
The nonchalant yet powerful shrug of her shoulder made Draco shudder. So casual yet so dominating.
How could she be that simple and straight girl from the 3rd year? How could she be that soul soothing beauty from the Yule Ball? This woman just looks like her. This can't be her... can't be....
Draco composed himself mentally. Something was not adding up. How could that girl change to this woman?
He cleared his throat and said calmly, " The why part is still awaited".
" Dont expect me to answer for things you already know Malfoy " , she snapped.
" Dont tell me, you were researching on the genetic match even back then.."
" You doubt?"
" Yes, I do"
Right then a mild knock on the door interrupted the duo.
" Master, Miss... Missy is again gone into a fit. Tempa here is bringing Madam's summon. Hurry with Tempa now please. Please..."
Without wasting a second both rushed behind Tempa.
It was then Draco realized, she was almost gliding over the floor.
Why wasn't her feet touching the grounds properly?