Summary- It's been four years since Voldemort was defeated, three since Hermione Granger graduated top of her class at Hogwarts. She is now a Healer at St. Mungo's working on the fourth floor. Random deaths start to occur once more and Hermione is scared that Voldemort's followers are acting out. One night while at home, an unexpected guest arrives at Hermione's flat. Broken and defeated, Draco Malfoy can barely remember anything. Is it simply because he doesn't want to remember or did someone make him forget? Will she be able to heal his wounds and on the way will he be able to fix hers? Can his memories be the key to finding out what the Death Eaters are up to?

"Before you, I could only see as deep as the skin. Before you, I never thought I could let anyone in. Before you, I was waiting for my life to begin."

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER!
Credit for this wonderful book goes to JK Rowling :)

{ obliviate }

The Only One
Chapter One

May 2, 2002

Four years. Today was the four year anniversary of Voldemort's defeat. Four years of peace in the Wizarding world. Four years to build up new scars. Four years of nightmares. Today didn't feel like a day of celebration to Hermione Granger. She closed her eyes tightly, willing the flashes of color to vanish. Please, not today. She didn't want to think about that battle. She didn't want to think of the faces of the friends she had lost. She didn't want to think about the heart wrenching pain when she had thought Hagrid was carrying a lifeless Harry Potter. She took a few deep breaths and willed the images away, forcing them into the dark recesses of her mind and locking them away. Today was a holiday and she would enjoy the celebrations. Her chocolate eyes opened and she stared at her reflection. Her hair was no longer wild and busy, but tamed into tight ringlets that fell to the middle of her back and she was wearing a white cotton strapless dress that hugged her torso and flared out at her waist, ending just above her knees with white ballet flats. Finding her reflection satisfactory, she left her room to head to the kitchen.

"Ginny! Are you almost ready?" she called as she passed the door to the guest room.

"I'll be out in a minute!" Ginny said.

Hermione huffed slightly, "Well hurry up or we're going to be late!"

She heard the door to the guest room open and then Ginny bounded into the kitchen. Her fiery red hair was pulled up into a high pony tail, a few wisps curling around her delicate face. Her dress was a pale green that brought out her eyes and was the same style as Hermione's and she was wearing black ballet flats. Ginny was giving Hermione a nervous look and Hermione laughed lightly.

"You look beautiful, Gin!" Hermione gushed, wrapping the younger girl in a hug, "Harry won't be able to keep his eyes off of you."

Ginny beamed brightly, "That was the whole point!"

Mentioning Harry made Hermione think of Ron and she bit her lip nervously, "You don't think he'll be there, do you?"

"I donno, 'Moine," Ginny said honestly, "If he is and tries to talk to you, I'll hex him."

"Thanks Ginny," Hermione sent her best friend a shaky smile.

"Now let's go!" Ginny perked up instantly, "It's time to celebrate!"

Hermione laughed at Ginny's enthusiasm as she was pulled into the living room. Hermione grabbed a fist full of floo powder and threw it into the flames of her fireplace. She stepped into the warm green glow and shouted, "The Burrow!" before she was pulled into the flames and swirling past fireplaces. It wasn't long before her feet hit the ground and she stumbled slightly out of the fireplace and into the Burrow. Before she had even managed to get her bearings, she was pulled into a fierce hug and the scent of sawdust and ginger engulfed her senses and she squealed, hugging Harry tightly. He pulled away from her and studied her closely.

"Looking good, Hermione!" Harry laughed.

Hermione swatted his arm playfully, "Wait until you see your girlfriend."

The fireplace flashed green and Ginny stood there, much more composed than Hermione was. She saw Harry and squealed in delight, throwing herself into his arms. Hermione didn't wait to hear their exchange and left them alone so they could bask in each other's affection. Harry had been on a mission for the last two weeks with some other Aurors, tracking down more of the remaining Death Eaters. Ginny had been staying with Hermione, not wanting to be alone while Harry was gone. Hermione wandered into the kitchen and found George sitting alone at the table, a glass of firewhiskey in his hands. He lifted the drink to his lips and downed the rest of the burning liquid, slamming the glass back onto the table. Hermione watched him, her eyes sad. She always thought that George handled this day the worst and she made her way over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her cheek on the top of his head. She heard him sigh and felt him entwine his fingers with hers. George was like an older brother to her, and she hated to see him upset.

"I miss him too," Hermione whispered softly.

"It's just not fair," George whispered brokenly, "I want Fred back. It's not the same without him."

He clutched Hermione like she was his lifeline as he broke down, his sobs wrenching her heart. George was usually good at keeping himself together, except for the anniversary of Fred's death. Even though today was a day for celebration because the second war ended, it was also a day of mourning. So many people had died on this day four years ago and Hermione could never blame George for never joining in on the celebration. After a few minutes, his sobs died down and Hermione moved to sit next to him, wiping the stray tears that still fell from his eyes.

"It's never going to be the same, George," Hermione said, "And we're all still hurting, we just have to make the best of it."

George sighed, "I know, thanks Hermione."

"Anytime," Hermione kissed his cheek and stood, "Try to come to the celebration tonight. Katie will be there, she always is."

Hermione walked into the living room to find the rest of the Weasleys and Harry sitting around and talking. Mrs. Weasley stood to pull her into a hug and gushed about how thin she was. Hermione could only laugh as she sat down on the couch next to Harry. She did miss the Weasley family dearly, but it was hard for her to be around them because of everything that had happened with Ronald. Stupid, cheating git. This was a tradition, though. They would gather at the Burrow to have their own private celebration before going off to join the festivities in Diagon Alley. The rest of the Weasley clan had already left and Hermione was about to leave with Harry and Ginny but then Ginny looked to the entrance of the living room and glared. Hermione's brow furrowed and she turned her head to see none other than Ron Weasley staring at her. Hermione's breath caught in her throat and her eyes widened. Oh why did he have to come?

"Hermione," Ron said, his voice shaking slightly.

Ginny was on her feet in a flash, her wand pointed threateningly at Ron's face, "Do not speak to her or you will regret it."

Ron gulped slightly and looked to Harry for help, who turned away to comfort Hermione. He looked stricken and turned his tortured gaze away from Hermione, his eyes pleading with Ginny. She didn't budge. Her brother had done enough to hurt Hermione and she wouldn't stand by and watch him trample over her heart all over again. Defeated, Ron lowered his head and shuffled away from the room. Hermione didn't know where he was going and she honestly didn't care, as long as it was away from her. She rubbed furiously at her eyes, hating herself for letting a few tears escape in his presence.

"Don't let it ruin your night, Hermione," Harry said softly, "He's a right git for treating you that way and doing what he did to you. Let's just go out to Diagon Alley and have fun, alright?"

Hermione sniffled and nodded her head, "Okay, Harry. Let's go."

She wasn't going to let Ron ruin her night. With Harry and Ginny in tow, Hermione apparated to the Leaky Cauldron and landed in the alleyway outside. She tapped the bricks in the correct order and the archway opened up, revealing the lighted street of Diagon Alley. Music was playing and the street was filled with witches and wizards, dancing and drinking. Hermione had never seen anything quite like the celebrations of Voldemort's defeat. It seemed as though the entire London wizarding community showed up at Diagon Alley each year to celebrate and remember their fallen friends and family. Ginny laughed and pulled Harry into the teeming mass of people. Harry quickly grabbed Hermione's hand and the three of them ventured into the celebration. A little girl came up and tugged on Hermione's dress. Curious, Hermione peered down at the little girl who stared up at her with wide, pale blue eyes.

"S'cuse me, Miss," she said, "Are you Hermione Granger?"

Hermione smiled at her and kneeled down to speak with her, "I am and what's your name?"

"I'm Jessie Wood!" she beamed, "My daddy tells me stories about how you helped Harry Potter defeat the bad guy. Did you really help him, Miss Granger?"

"I did help him," Hermione smiled.

"Jessie!"

Hermione looked up to see Oliver Wood walking towards them, a stern look on his face, "Jessie, how many times do I have to tell you not to wonder off?"

"But I saw Miss Granger, daddy!" she pouted, "She says you're telling the truth all along!"

Hermione stood and smiled at Oliver, "Hullo, Oliver. It's been awhile."

Oliver's eyes widened when he took in Hermione's face and he laughed, "Hermione! It's good to see you!"

"It's good to see you too!" Hermione said, "I didn't know you had a daughter!"

"Yep! She's my pride and joy!" Oliver patted her head affectionately, "Looks just like her mum, she does."

Hermione didn't need to ask, she could see the pain in Oliver's eyes and knew he had lost his wife during the war. She hugged him and gave him her condolences before telling them that she had to go find Harry. With a smile, she waved to the pair and disappeared into the crowd. The next few hours passed by in a blur of music, dancing and meeting up with old friends. It was always like this at these things, but she found that she rather enjoyed it. Near the end of the celebration, Harry got up onto the stage with Ginny after being introduced by Kingsley Shacklebot, the Minister of Magic. Usually Harry would give a speech, but Hermione knew that he had something else in mind this year. Harry pointed his wand at his throat and muttered a spell to enhance his voice. He grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her to stand next to him on the stage.

"Today is a day of celebration because four years ago today, Voldemort was defeated. Today is also a day for remembrance for all the lives that were lost. They were all family and friends and they are missed each and every day. This war claimed more lives than it should have, but I want today to be a happy day. I want to be able to look back on this day and not be sad about the lives that were lost. I will always remember them, but I want to associate this day with something happy as well," Harry turned to Ginny and sunk down on one knee, pulling out a box and opening it to show her, "So, Ginny Weasley, will you do me the absolute honor of becoming my wife?"

Ginny's eyes welled with tears and she squealed, throwing herself at Harry and raining kisses all over his face. Hermione screamed in delight along with the rest of the crowd as Harry slipped the ring onto Ginny's finger. Today was definitely a good day. After Harry and Ginny left the stage, she pushed her way past people and ran up to Ginny, hugging her tightly as they screamed together. Harry grimaced slightly but couldn't hold it for long, seeing as how Ginny was so happy. Hermione stepped back and grabbed Ginny's hand, studying the ring. It was beautiful; a heart shaped emerald was set in white gold with diamond studs surrounding it. The ring was perfect for Ginny and Hermione silently congratulated Harry on picking out such a perfect ring.

"Congratulations you guys!" Hermione beamed, "I knew this was going to happen eventually!"

"I bet you knew all along that it was going to happen tonight!" Ginny said, "Why couldn't you tell your best friend?"

"And ruin the surprise?" Hermione laughed, "No way!"

Ginny pouted slightly and Hermione hugged her and Harry once more, bidding them goodnight and that she would see them tomorrow. The festivities had worn her out and she was ready to go home and get some sleep. The three friends parted ways and Hermione left Diagon Alley, disapperating into her flat once she was in the alleyway outside the brick wall. She poured water into the tea kettle and set it on the stove before she went upstairs to change into a pair of pajama bottoms and a tank top. Once she was back in the kitchen, she took the kettle off of the stove and poured the steaming water into her favorite mug and adding the tea leaves. She let them sit as she walked into her living room and settled down on the couch, picking up the book she had left on the table. She wanted to wind down and relax for a little bit before she actually went to bed. She had only been reading for a few moments before someone started pounding on her door. She jumped slightly, spilling her tea and she cursed.

"Be right there!" Hermione called.

Who could be at her door at this hour? She looked at her clock; it was almost one in the morning. She cleaned the spilled tea quickly and hurried to her door, opening it swiftly and then almost closed it again. What the hell? A man leaned against the wall, his face cut and bruised. He was holding his left side with his right hand and Hermione could see the blood that was on his shirt. Blood was also trickling from a wound in his left arm and dripping from his fingers. His once white blonde hair was matted and dirty and his steely grey eyes were terrified and pleading. It couldn't be him, could it? There was no way.

"Please, Hermione. I need your help."

Hermione stiffened at the sound of his voice. There was no mistaking it; she would know that voice anywhere, even with the slight tremor.

Draco Malfoy was at her door.

{ obliviate }

Author's Note
So… what do you think? I actually really like where I see this story heading and I would love it if you would leave me a review! I absolutely love critiques and I'd love to hear what you think of the first chapter. The more reviews I get the faster I will update! :)