I started this as a quick one-shot but, I don't know, I just kept adding to it, falling in love with the dynamics. So let's just see where this goes. Please review and let me know what you do/do not like, any ideas you have or want to see in the following chapters.
Disclaimer:I don't own the Harry Potter franchise, obviously.
Warning: If you dislike Dramione fanfic then turn back now, cause that is all that lays ahead :)
Draco froze when he saw the frizzy haired figure hunched over the table in the back of the library. He'd been focused on finding himself in a dark corner, intent on shielding himself from the prying looks of his current classmates. Many of them still hated him for his participation in the events leading up to the Battle of Hogwarts. Few cared that he'd been cleared of wrongdoing after evidence was presented to show he had switched sides before Voldemort's death. Testimony from Harry Potter had helped clear him, but that wasn't enough for many witches and wizards to forgive him. He'd made the decision to go back to Hogwarts to finish out the last year of his schooling, it was required for him to become a Healer, which had become his single mission in life. He figured it was time to give back to the world he had once sought to help take down.
These were the thoughts that occupied him when he stumbled upon Hermione that day. She was one of the only other students from their year who had elected to come back to school. Potter and Weasley were well on their ways to illustrious Ministry jobs, and Draco was certain Hermione would have had an offer, but had never asked why she had come back to Hogwarts. Actually, he hadn't bothered to speak to her at all.
"Do you need something, Malfoy?" Hermione sighed. Draco jerked at the sound of her voice. She hadn't even looked up from her book.
"Um- sorry, I was just trying to find a seat." Draco stammered. Hermione had turned to look at him, one eyebrow cocked, her gaze flickering to a few empty tables around them. Draco rushed to explain why he had been after this particular table; "It's just, the other tables are in the line of sight of other students. And well- they just…" He let the silence finish the rest of his sentence. Surely he didn't need to explain to the brightest witch at Hogwarts that everyone hated him still.
Hermione nodded her head for a moment. Of course she realized everyone hated Malfoy. His father was in Azkaban, having been a huge supporter of Voldemort. And if rumors were to be believed, his mother had been so distraught over Lucius' imprisonment that she refused to leave her rooms and had not been seen in months. She saw how heads turned when he walked by, saw the glares he received. Felt, rather than saw, the pure hatred some people exuded when he was around.
But she did feel sorry for him, and she could understand why he would want to hide back here. Hell, that's why she was at this table. People couldn't help but stare at her. And while it wasn't in an angry, menacing way, as it was when directed at Draco, it was still annoying. When they stared at her, she knew they only saw 'The Girl Who Is Friends With Harry Potter' and she was so much more than that.
Draco was relieved when she nodded to the seat beside her. He set his books beside hers, and settled into the chair. He had planned on doing a paper for Potions that was due in a few days, but decided that he would work on a letter to his mother. He had heard the rumors about her, that she was overcome with depression when his father was sent to Azkaban, people said that she had taken to her rooms and has yet to emerge, months after the trial. And they were right. Draco hadn't seen his mum since July, and it was December now. But he had sent her letters, week after week. Even if she hadn't written back.
'Mother, Hope this letter finds you well. You've been taking care of yourself right? Eating when you should and everything? I hope so. I probably won't be home for Christmas, I'm sure you're not feeling up to any celebrations so I assumed you wouldn't mind. Write me back. Your son, Draco"
He wished he had more to say to her, but he didn't have the right words. He didn't share her pain in Lucius' absence. He felt almost warm, being out of the shadow his father had cast. He felt like he could finally grow and prosper, be someone besides "Lucius' son, a Malfoy, a Death Eater" and he wanted nothing more than that.
Hermione glanced at Draco, she had read the letter he was writing, not meaning to intrude on his privacy. She had noticed the way his hand shook a little when he wrote and curiosity had gotten the best of her. She wanted to help him, thought maybe he should add that he loved his mum, but she knew they weren't friends. And he would probably not take kindly to her being so nosey.
"Its odd isn't it?" she said instead, continuing when she saw she had his attention. "Being one of the few who came back?" it was really all they had in common, but still she wasn't sure why she decided to strike up a conversation. It had been her intention to sit in silence, bordering on ignoring him.
Draco sighed. It wasn't the annoyed sigh she had expected but rather a tired one. In fact he sounded exhausted. "Yeah, why did you come back Granger? Surely Potter could have secured you a pretty little job offer wherever you wanted it?" He had meant for it to come out a little harsh, since that was the way they had always been. But he was surprised to find that he sounded civil, although not openly friendly.
Hermione stiffened at the mention of Harry. She was unsure of how to answer, after all, did Malfoy really even care. She almost didn't realize she had begun answering him, and wondered why they were being so civil. "He did. Get me a job I mean, but I'm not taking a job just because i'm friends with Harry, I want to earn a job. I want to get a job because people really believe I'm brilliant, not because my best friend saved the world."
Draco was caught off guard by her openness, as was she, and by her apparent disdain at Potter's new found glory. He cocked his head to the side as he studied her. She had grown up in the last year, as they all had. It suited her he decided, looking more mature, wiser. "So your plan is to graduate and then what? Take the job?"
"I'm not exactly sure yet. There's always university if I want. And a job at the Ministry or something. Travelling maybe." Hermione had thought a lot about the future, but she was so unsure of what to do. She wasn't going to ride Harry's coattails, she had her own success to fall back on.
"University? Where would you go? And what would you study?" Draco found himself intensely interested in her now. University was for Muggles. While many of the more affluent ones kept spots open for witches and wizards, it was still uncommon for them to go. It was even less common for purebloods to go; there were strict traditions to follow, and most purebloods were guaranteed places at family businesses or in other pureblood businesses.
"The University of Cambridge for sure. They're one of the best universities in the world, and one of the oldest. I've also read that they have a strong wizarding community. I want to get into their Political and International Relations study program. It'd really help me when I join the Ministry, you can't become Minister of Magic without having good political skills." Hermione blushed when she realized she had said that out loud. Even Harry and Ron had no idea that she dreamt of one day being the Minister of Magic. From the corner of her eye she noticed Draco nod, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Naturally, political experience is a must. And the international relations studies would help you with dealing with the other wizarding communities around the world. I've heard the MACUSA is particularly hard to deal with." Draco hadn't noticed Hermione's blush, he felt that it was obvious she would shoot for the Minister position. She was the brightest witch of their time after all.
Hermione listened, stunned, as Draco expanded on how the studies could help her be Minister. He thought she could do it? She had never let the thought be more than a silly daydream, but having someone believe in her could cement the goal in her mind. "You- you think I could actually be Minister?" she interrupted him in the middle of an explanation about which Department would also help her rise to the top.
"Well, yeah. Surely Potter and Weasley have said so, too?"
"Um, I never really told them that I was thinking about it. I haven't actually told anyone. Until now…" She was blushing again. Why had she told Draco? How odd, she thought.
"You're the brightest witch of our year, you had a positive role in the War, you have good people skills. You're made for the position. Besides that, anyone thats ever met you would see that you'd handle the role perfectly. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to head to the owlery." Normally he would have sounded sarcastic, or rude when he was talking to her. But he had been completely honest, and it hadn't felt that weird.
"Hey Malfoy. You should tell your mum you love her." Hermione added just before Draco turned the corner. She saw his face harden a little, then he gave a stiff nod and walked away. She wasn't there when he added to the letter: "P.S. I love you, Mum". She didn't have to see it though, she knew he would.
