AU: So… This is my first fanfiction ever so please; I would love some criticism here. Please do review! I am begging you to do so… :D Please?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter Series or characters in anyway. They are all J.K. Rowling's. Please get that. I do not want to be sued. Or tracked by the FBI or something.

Chapter 1

The Beginning

Draco POV

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Expelliarmus!"

Those were the words that ended the war. Cheers erupted from all sides at Voldemort's death. Lord Voldemort was a Dark Wizard that ruled for decades. All of England—no, the entire world feared him. Then. But, now that he was there on the floor, lying, dead and gone, no one could be stupid enough to feel the same. I didn't bother to join in with the cheers—People would just think I was crazy.

I made my way through the eccentric crowd. I had no business here. I had no business anywhere. My parents are dead. My friends are dead. My relatives are all dead. Well, maybe not. I still have Aunt Andromeda, but I never really knew her. All I have left is my riches. I don't really care about that. They mean nothing to me. Maybe I should just kill myself or something. I was pulled back to Earth when I felt warmth on my shoulder. I turned around to see who this bloody person was, hand on wand just in case this person thought I was an escaping Death Eater like my bloody parents—that I hadn't turned traitor and became a spy for Dumbledore's stupid Order last year, ever since the command to kill him came out of Voldemort's mouth. When I recognized the person who stopped me, I realized that my caution was unnecessary, for she knew what I had been for the past two years.

"Granger?" I muttered in surprise. I was surprised because she looked so beautiful at that moment. Her bushy brown hair was as bushy as ever but it only added to her beauty. She was glowing, as all the happiness in the world was bubbling inside her. Her skin wasn't the deathly pale that was when she was being tortured by my dear Aunt Bellatrix. It was a beautiful pale—translucent, I guess and it clashed beautifully with her clothes. The only hint of color was a healthy red on her cheeks. Her hazel brown eyes held warmth that I have never seen before. Her smile—oh, her smile was the best of all! Her lips were delicately curved up into a dazzling smile. She was astounding—so astounding that all the other faces seemed like vague blurs running past me.

"Draco! Thank Merlin I found you! Thanks, by the way, for that stunner you sent towards Dolohov! It helped me so much!" Hermione fussed. "What are you doing down here? Why aren't you celebrating along with the others?"

I just stared at her in shock for a second. A second; it took me that long to recover. Malfoys don't just gape at people.

"Er… You're Welcome?" that was more of a question. "Why do you care?" I suddenly blurted out. I instantly regretted it. Her hazel brown eyes filled with tears, though they didn't spill. Even though she was a muggleborn, I didn't want to hurt her. "Aren't you supposed to hate me?" I added slowly.

Now, it was her turn to stare at me in shock, though I didn't know why she did so.

"I-I don't hate you. And I—I just wanted t-to, you know—to start over again as, you know—as friends." She said. Tears were starting to spill now, accompanied by sobs.

"Shh. No— Shh. Don't cry now! It's alright! I accept, alright? I accept! We're going to be friends already! Just stop crying!" I said desperately. Though it was clearly unlike me, I put my arms gently around her and pulled her into a comforting hug. She said no words as she struggled to control herself. Her tears and sobs subsided after a short time, after which left obvious wetness on Draco's clothed chest. Then she finally spoke.

"So… we're friends now, then?" she asked with a small voice.

I nodded once and said, "Yes, I suppose so."

She pulled away from my embrace but held on to my arms.

"Good." she exclaimed. "Sorry about that breakdown. I was just really… overwhelmed with emotion." She grinned widely at me, showing a perfect set of teeth.

"It's alright. I understand." I murmured. She still looked so beautiful, even with the tear tracks evident on her face.

She smiled and said "Now, come on! The first thing we do as friends is to go and look for our other friends and make sure they're all right!"

I didn't process her word at the exact moment that they reached me; I was still marveling at her beauty and our new friendship. I let her lead me into Hogwarts and only when we reached the doors leading to the Great Hall did I realize what she said.

"Wait, Granger—wha--?" I started.

"Hermione." she interrupted me.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Call me Hermione." she said while rolling her eyes.

"Oh, alright, then. Er—Hermione, I—uh, what d—what d'you mean our other friends?" I continued.

"Our friends! Ron and Ginny and Harry and Neville—well, you get the point." She beamed at me.

"But— come on, Hermione! They won't forgive me—especially that little boyfriend of yours!" I finished quietly.

"What boyfriend? What do y—what, Ron?" she said, amused. I just nodded at her.

"Ron is not my boyfriend. He's dating Lavender. Oh, you know, Lavender Brown? Don't tell me you didn't notice? They snogged each other a while ago as soon as Voldemort dropped dead! They were practically all around each other!" Her tinkling laughter was musical. "Besides, Harry and Ginny have forgiven you already and I'm sure the others are ready to do so too!" she added.

"Are you kidding me? Potter and Weaselette, forgive me? After everything? I don't even believe I'm having a decent conversation with you!" I said. She must have seen the pain and confusion in my eyes, even though I fought to keep a stern and hard expression, for she tightened her hold on my arms and shook me.

"Harry and Ginny have forgiven you! I'm serious! They know you want a shot at this, Draco—peace! They're—we're giving it to you. Aren't you supposed to be happy? Join me, Draco." She told me. Her voice was my heaven. Perhaps 'heaven' is too high a word. Indulgence, maybe? I would do anything to hear her voice. Hmm. I suppose that was why I always insulted her—to hear her voice. Now that I think of it, I always was left in bliss after I would talk to her—argument or not.

I must have zoned out or stared out into space for she suddenly poked me and said "Draco? DRaco! Are you still there?" followed by her wonderful laughter.

I meant to argue some more, but all that came out of my mouth was a dreamy "I—yeah, come on then." She laughed once again.

She laced her arm with mine and led the way to find our 'friends' while she chattered on about how brave the house elves were during the final battle. And I, Draco Malfoy, the only Malfoy left of this generation, just stared at her. In admiration.

AU: So, there it is. Chapter 1! Please review! I think it's crappy. I hate myself.