The autumn wind tousled his blonde hair as he held onto the cold railing at King's Cross. The station was busy as always with muggles bustling about trying to catch their trains and get to work on time. He wasn't sure of how long he stood there for; letting time pass as he felt the cool breeze blow against his stricken face.

He tried to make the soothing wind cleanse him of the horrid thoughts that plagued his mind but no matter how hard he tried, it would constantly drift towards the haunting memories. The grip on the silver bar tightened and he shut his eyes in agony. A wave of guilt consumed him as he thought about the war and how took its toll on everyone, some worse than others. Many lost their friends, their family.

Family. He couldn't stop the constriction in his chest as he thought about his mother and father. Although they were pardoned for their crimes and were Azkaban-free, thanks to the Golden Trio's testimonies, he couldn't help but wonder what would happen to them over the long and hard years. The Malfoy name was tainted for good and nothing would be able to erase the bad that came with it.

He took a step backward suddenly and clenched his fists. No. Wizarding London was not where he needed to be right now. He needed to get away - from all the guilt and pain that seemed to swallow him up everywhere he went.

He needed to disappear.

Hermione sighed as she clapped her book shut. She placed it down onto the wooden stool beside her and got up from the plush couch that she was currently sitting on. She was distracted, to say the least, and nothing she did would stop the constant nagging in her head. Hermione looked around at the empty house that once held so many memories. After the war, she traced her steps back to her parents' house - well, what was left of it anyway. It had definite signs of break ins by death eaters, as did the other houses on the street. Hermione had fixed it up a bit to live in temporarily since buying a new flat with her budget was near impossible and she couldn't have herself intruding on the Weasley family at the Burrow.

Speaking of the Weasley family, the relationship between herself and the youngest male of the family was short-lived. Sure, it felt like the right thing to do at the time but with everything that was going on they decided to break it off. It wasn't the right time.

Hermione went to make herself a cup of tea as she thought back to one particular memory plaguing her thoughts.

The silence was comforting as Hermione sat outside the Great Hall. It was finally over. He was dead. They were all safe. She inhaled deeply and smelt the rubble and debris all around her, enjoying the light breeze that brushed against her face. For the first time in a while, she felt free.

A few minutes later, she heard the shuffling of feet and felt the presence of someone sitting next to her. Turning her head, she was mildly shocked to see Draco Malfoy beside her, staring ahead like she was doing a few minutes ago.

"Malfoy," she said as some sort of greeting.

"Granger," he said in return.

They both fell into a somewhat comforting silence; well as silent as it could be with the distant chattering coming from inside the Hall. Hermione suspected that he had not come here to fight or argue. She had seen the slight fall of his face after Voldemort proclaimed Harry's "death" and he looked as tired and as tormented as the rest of Hogwarts. School rivalry also seemed so silly now that they'd faced something so distressing. She knew the strain he had to bare —the strain they all had to bare - and all she wanted was some peace.

"I don't know what you're thinking about doing now that this war is over," she started hesitantly, "but I'm hoping you at least want to make amends."

"How would you know what I want?" Draco replied after a few seconds of silence.

Hermione didn't know how to respond. "When Voldemort announced that Harry was dead… I saw the look on your face, Draco." When she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, his face remained stoic though she noticed the slight twitch in his eyebrow and clenching of his jaw. She continued, knowing that she was treading on dangerous waters.

"I don't know what you've had to endure nor what you had to face every day but I can only imagine what it must have been like."

Malfoy opened his mouth to retort but Hermione continued, "All I'm saying is that if you ever need help with… getting back on track, I'm always here."

She decided to let him enjoy the peace for a while longer before standing up and heading back into the Hall to help clean up the mess and fix broken bones.

It had only been a week or two since it happened and there was still no word from the Malfoy heir. Sinking back into the couch with her fingers wrapped around the round cup of tea, she took a sip out of the hot mug gingerly.

A light tapping caused Hermione to break out of her trance and realise that someone was rapping on the door. She placed her steaming mug down carefully on a coaster before walking over to the mahogany door and twisting the fragile doorknob. The door was pulled open with a small creak, giving Hermione a clear view of who was at her doorstep.

"Hello Granger."

A/N: Hey guys, I am back with another story which I can hopefully complete. I'm still contemplating on whether or not to see this story to the end but anyway, reviews and constructive criticism is appreciated!