She stood by the entrance to their library. Anxiety and hesitation chased each other in her being. She couldn't bring herself to step in. He was in there. She knew it. At this time of the night he could almost always be found there. She knew because by now she had memorized his routine, as he had hers, she was sure. He would read in the library for almost an hour each night without fail.

They had newly been married under the notorious Marriage Law but despite numerous problems, and reservations from both sides, they'd managed to forge a somewhat genuine relationship of mutual respect and affection. Long in depth conversations about themselves and their lives and dreams mixed with heart felt apologies from Draco had helped them to this position they were in now. She was in no doubt that if they continued like this, they would soon very well be in love with each other. She didn't know about him but she knew she already was in love with him.

This night, though, she had to muster up the courage to go in and face him. For she wished to talk to him and settle this fight and his anger once and for all. Because Hermione had managed to screw up, unknowingly at first, the one thing in her life which she had come to truly cherish. Her realtionship with her husband.

How do you face someone you know you've wronged in the worst possible manner? Hermione wondered. How do you find the words within you which you can use to utter the apology the next person deserves? How do you lift veils of nervousness, unsurity and insecurity to let them know you are fully aware of your mistake?

She couldn't step in. She couldn't do it. May be another day would present a better opportunity, her cowardice argued. May be courage would be easier found at another time.

Her steps halted, her mind numb, she stood at the threshold almost stupid with fear.

'I have to do this!' echoed a voice inside her.

She ignored it. She'd never been good at apologies anyway.

Sighing, head bowed in surrender and a bit of self-chastisement, she was about to turn away and leave him to his reading when his voice caught her attention, and rendered her escape impossible.

'What are you doing there? Did you need something?'

He said in his cold voice, which she knew by now, he used when he was emotionally closed off and did not want anyone to read him easily. He had apparently noticed her lingering at the door to the library.

Startled, she mumbled, 'I wanted to apologize.'

'Pardon?'

'I...uhm. I wished to talk to you. Do you think you could spare a few minutes for me?' She asked.

Draco watched her with a stoic expression for what seemed like minutes. She fidgeted and did not look at him directly. She supposed that he had guessed the purpose of her visit.

Betraying no emotion, he said, 'Fine.'

Jerking her head up in surprise, she saw him stand up, walk towards his desk, place his book on it, and turn to face her, leaning against the desk.

A few moments passed.

'Well? I don't have all night!' He said in a clipped tone.

She could tell he was still angry.

Walking in fully, she covered the span of the library and sat on the sofa facing him.

Now that the opportunity was finally here, she couldn't for the life of her, decide where to start or what to say. Her tongue felt tied or glued up to the roof of her mouth. At length, though, she began.

'I wanted to talk to you because I wished to apologize. I cannot find the words to let you know that I have realized my erroneous ways. I..'

'Save it,' he interrupted her harshly. 'I don't want to hear this. I thought I could but..'

He straightened up and made to leave.

Hermione frantically stood up, blocking his path and pleaded, 'No, Draco, please. Don't leave. Hear me out.'

She began once more in a faltering tone, though gathering strength as she ploughed on.

'Look I know you're angry with me and I know why. I've let my career take control of my life, and I've let people important to me down. I've hurt them with my disregard for them.'

She looked up at him at this. His expression was blank and he was looking at a spot somewhere above her head, his stare unblinking and almost empty.

'You're the most important person in my life now,' she continued, emotion almost breaking her voice, 'and I've managed to ruin my relationship with you just because I couldn't decide when to stop prioritizing my job over everything else. I know I've ignored you for days, missed our plans, and came home late quite regularly among other things. I lost track what is important.'

She was tearing up now, trying in vain to hold her tears back. Raising a hand to wipe them away, she looked down to avoid his unforgiving stare. Her sight was blurry and her breathing was becoming increasingly difficult. Despite it she ploughed on once again, a little stung at her husband's lack of response.

'I'm sorry, I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I know I've hurt you. Please give me another chance. I...' she hiccoughed and stopped, feeling as if her efforts were being wasted.

She waited a few minutes, still looking down, unable to face him. Heavy with guilt and the feeling of failure of her apology, she turned to leave and go back to their bedroom. She had barely turned when she felt his hand on her wrist stopping her. He turned her back around. Daring to look up at her husband, she saw his eyes had softened a little, letting her know that her words had not been in vain. Question in her eyes, she kept looking at him.

A few moments passed as they did nothing but stare into each other's eyes, his grip on her wrist, gentle but firm.

He spoke then, cupping her face softly with his other hand.

'I don't have the fortune of having numerous close connections with people in my life, like you do. I value the ones I do have above all else. And to be ignored and put on the wayside by the one I consider the closest to me...'

He stopped here, letting the implication hang.

'I know, ' Hermione spoke up, 'I realize that, Draco. I do. And that's why I am so sorry. I regret my inattention. Please forgive me. You won't have reason to feel this way again in the future, I promise!'

Hope filled eyes of his wife looked up at Draco. And he couldn't help but forgive the woman in front of him. He loved her afterall.

He grabbed hold of her chin, prompting it up gently, and bending forwards slightly he brushed his lips against hers. She, of course, responded enthusiastically, wrapping her arms around his neck and pushing herself up against him.

He smiled against her lips.