Hideaway

He appeared behind the building where nobody could see him and walked around the side to the front door. Having been there several times, the workers usually recognised him. He forced a smile at the doorman and walked inside, heading straight for the bar. There was one other person there, but they were at the other end, in their own world. He understood completely.

"Good afternoon, Jack," Draco greeted the bartender when he sat on the stool directly in front of him. Jack was only a few years older than Draco and had a youthful face.

"Afternoon, Draco," the man smiled while wiping a glass with a rag. "The usual?" Jack enjoyed Draco's company. He loved how courteous he was and the way he spoke.

Draco nodded. "You always know what I need, don't you?"

The bartender turned around and found the whiskey amongst the other alcoholic drinks. Turning back, he scooped some ice and put it in a glass, then placed it on the counter, pouring the whiskey into it.

"There you are," he said, gently sliding the glass to Draco.

Draco took a sip. "Ahh..." he let out, relishing the taste. "Just what I needed." He took a swig and Jack leaned on the bar, watching him.

"It's been a while. It's odd not seeing you around here," the man said, taking a rag off his shoulder and starting to wipe the counter with it. "Have you been doing okay?"

Draco sighed. Jack was a Muggle so he could only tell him so much.

"Yeah, just work, you know?"

"Are you still a police officer?" Jack asked. "That would be incredibly stressful."

"Yes, I am," Draco lied. However, in a way, he was a cop. Just in the Wizarding World and a top one at that.

"We finally caught up to someone today, and they've been thrown in jail, awaiting their trial." He took another sip of his whiskey.

An idea came to him. "You know, I think I may book a night here. I need a night away." That sounded perfect to him because then he wouldn't have to go home and be reminded of Hermione.

Jack picked up his rag again and absentmindedly wiped the bar a second time. "Yeah, why don't you? Wait." He paused his cleaning. "What about that wife of yours? Won't she want to join you?"

Draco laughed. "Astoria? No, we aren't married anymore." The bartender opened his mouth again but was cut off. Draco was tired of people apologising and pitying him. "Don't worry about it. It's for the best." He finished his drink, then stood up. "Thanks, Jack. It was wonderful talking to you again. I'll make sure to come by again, soon."

The man waved and smiled sheepishly. He picked up Draco's empty glass and took it over to the sink.

Draco walked over to the front desk. Flowers surrounded it, and behind the desk were portraits of the previous hotel owners. A young woman in the hotel's uniform was standing at the desk, talking on the phone. When she saw him, she paused mid sentence.

"Could you hold a second?" She told the caller. "I have a guest to help." Draco had never seen this particular woman before, and it was clear she liked what she saw.

"Hello," he greeted with a smile before she could say anything, "do you have any rooms available for tonight?"

The woman appeared flustered by his smile. "Ye-yes, I believe so, hun," she told him and turned to the computer in front of her.

"Hun? She just called me hun? I'm older than her!"

She turned back to him, a smile on her face. "We have two rooms available. Would you like the-"

"Just the biggest one would be great." He pulled out his credit card and handed it to her.

"Okay, hun, it's on the top floor, first room on your left," she said. Draco took his card back and was also given the key card for the room. He wouldn't need to use it, unless Muggles were watching. "Enjoy your stay."

He made his way to the elevators which were located on the far back wall on his right. Something caught his eye halfway there: A head of curly, brown hair sitting in the middle of the room. He stared at it for a moment, closed his eyes, sure he was imagining it, and opened them again. It was still there.

"It doesn't matter," he thought. "Even if it is somehow Hermione, which would be strange since I've never seen her here before, things are done. We work together and that's it. No friendship. That was a foolish idea in the first place."

He continued on his way and as he pressed the elevator "up" button, he heard a familiar voice. One he didn't want to hear, and he definitely didn't want to turn around. There was no point! He still did, however.

"Draco!" It called. "Draco Malfoy!"

In silence, no expression on his face, he watched Hermione run over. His heart started to throb again, and he hated that. Why would that happen around Granger? A ding came from the elevator behind him, and he almost turned around, tempted to just get on and leave her there. Just as she had done to him.

"Um, excuse me!" A rude voice said from behind him. Apparently, there were people coming down in the elevator and he was in their way.

"I'm so sorry!" He apologised, scooting to his right, away from the elevator doors. He looked back at Hermione who had followed him.