Disclaimer: I own nothing relating to any of JK Rowling's wonderful characters. I wish I did.

Hermione stood staring out over the lake, her robes blowing in the cold wind. She could occasionally see a ripple in the water and guessed that the giant squid was doing his laps. She thought about joining him. It would be so easy to just walk into the lake and let it take her. Then she looked down at her belly, it was still flat but it wouldn't be for long. It would be quite selfish of her if she didn't let this baby have a chance at life. This baby was his baby after all. This baby would be great. It had to be. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Dumbledore's great white tomb. It wasn't alone any longer. There was another tomb now. She wasn't close enough to see the writing but she knew what it said.

Harry James Potter

The Boy who Lived

Husband, Friend, Hero

It should have said father too but there wasn't a chance. Her pregnancy wasn't common knowledge yet and lets face it, this baby wouldn't have a father. Not the way it should have. Harry would have been a great father. He was a great man. He saved the world! Hermione loved him with all her being and now that she was left without him, she didn't know if she could go on. He had been her best friend for more years than she could count. Without him by her side, she didn't know who she was. She wasn't part of the "Golden Trio" anymore. She knew she needed to go back to her friends and family in the Great Hall but she wasn't ready. She just wanted to be alone, just for a little bit before she had to face reality again. What she didn't know was that she wasn't alone. She was being watched.

Draco Malfoy was currently hiding behind a tree. He had been there for hours, watching the funeral of his childhood enemy. He wasn't sure why he had come. Harry and Draco had eventually come to some sort of understanding but they were never friends. They were co-workers passing each other in the halls of the ministry. Occasionally they were sent on auror assignments together but they never hung out after work, never shared a drink and talked about their lives. No, Draco and Harry were not friends but despite everything, Draco respected the man. Draco had also watched Harry die. They were on a mission together, rounding up a rogue group of wizards that were working on a spell to once again raise up a dark wizard. It was nasty magic and Draco was hit with some dark spells while they were fighting. Harry had done what he always did, ran right out to the front of the pack and charged in with wand at the ready. He wasn't ready this time though and in a flash of green, he was gone. Draco saw it happen but couldn't do anything to stop it. He had to focus on the fight going on around him.

He didn't want to go join the mourners in the castle. He knew that he wouldn't be turned away but he didn't want to face Ron, who had also been there to watch his friend die. They had never been able to get along and he didn't want to cause stress to any of Harry's family and friends. He was about to go home when he saw her. The woman who once caused him much humiliation with her dead on slap was now fragile and broken standing by the lake. He had watched her for a while now, feeling that looking after her was one thing he could do for the man who had once saved his life.

Hermione stood there for what felt like hours. Her legs were numb, her face was cold and that great black lake looked so inviting. It would be so easy for her to join Harry, just a few steps and she could let go. She slowly began to move forward a few steps at a time, feeling the cold of the water hit her feet, then her ankles, her knees, her waist. This was it, her time to make a choice. End it all or live without Harry. She hesitated, knowing this baby deserved a chance but not knowing if she could give it.

Draco watched her slowly walk into the water. At first he couldn't tell what she was doing but then he knew. He broke out into a run, not wanting to yell and frighten her or alert others. He saw her stop and he froze. He silently prayed that she was going to back up and not do what he was afraid she was going to try to do. Finally he spoke.

"It's a little cold for a swim isn't it?"

Hermione jumped at the voice, looked back and scowled. Leave it to Malfoy to ruin her plans. Down deep she was relieved. She knew that even Draco wouldn't let her die. She would live to see another day and in those few seconds, she knew that she would live for this baby. Draco had saved two lives with one sentence.

"For your information, I thought I saw something in the water and wanted to retrieve it" Hermione replied, hoping he bought her story. "What are you doing out here Malfoy? You should be in with the guests."

"I could say the same for you Potter. It's too cold for you to be out here in the water, come on and I'll dry you off. I am sure all the Weasels are waiting for you."

"Stop calling them that. You should really get over those old prejudices Draco. Harry said that you'd changed." Hermione started coming back to shore when her shoe caught. Before she knew it she was face down in the mud. This was not a good day. She buried her husband, almost killed herself, and ended up face down on the shores of the lake. It was then that she started to laugh.

"Well, the mudblood got a little muddy huh? Sorry, I couldn't resist saying that," laughed Draco. He was just glad that she was laughing and not crying. He helped her up and quickly cast a cleansing charm, followed by a drying charm. "So, why exactly are you avoiding your friends and family?" he asked as they walked away from the shore.

"I just needed some time to myself. I couldn't face them, the guilt in Ron's face, the tears, and the questions. Do you realize people have already started to ask me when I am planning to go back to work and whether or not I was going to sell the house? My husband's been dead less than a week and I'm supposed to make decisions?"

"Just tell them all to sod off and that you'll handle things in your own time. When my mother died, family members pushed me to clean out the house, sell off her antiques and all I wanted to do was escape. I can't pretend to understand what you are going through but I know the feeling of being overwhelmed. You could just go home you know, get comfortable and read a good book. You do still read right Hermione?"

" Yes Draco, I still read. I would love to head home but I need to thank everyone for coming. I think I'm fine now. Thank you for helping me out of the mud." She paused and looked back, "You know I never thought I'd be thanking you for anything?"

"Time does change things doesn't it." Draco replied. "Well, I'm going to head home. You sure you are ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for coming. Harry would have liked to know you were here. He grew to respect you at work you know. Goodbye Draco." Hermione then headed for the castle, amazed that she actually had a civilized conversation with Draco Malfoy of all people. She looked back over her shoulder at the door to the castle and saw Draco watching her. She gave a wave, he gave one back and she disappeared inside.

Author's Note: Chapter 2 is finished but needs to be edited again. I hope to have that up tomorrow night. Please read and review. I'd love to hear what you think.