Dear avid readers, I have begun a new topic, rewriting 'Save Me'. As you will see just from the first chapter I have changed certain set ups and conversations between characters. I do this not only because I believe my previous writing was juvenile and crap but also because I picked up on too many mistakes to allow my previous story to be continued in the same manner. Please tell me what you think, compare if you like, but mainly enjoy. DT xxx
England August 7th 2000
Time, they say is a healer of all wounds, yet in the depths of ones mind can time really heal wounds left open and weeping? The dark crept in every night, sometimes less severe than others but, in the end it always returned. Deathly quiet and vicious as a constricting serpent. The first anniversary of the war ending had arrived quicker than anyone could believe, teenagers, now already exhausted adults blinked confusedly at the unrelenting tick of time. Lives changed forever, people gone before truly living and relationships formed through much needed support. Yet the next year did not slow either and before the wizarding world could begin breathing again, they were stood row upon row mourning the fallen once more in the grounds of the new Hogwarts. And still time refused to sooth gaping holes in hearts, tired eyes with tired minds, tense muscles desperate to run and hide nor the self-flagellating people had taken up through sheer guilt at not being able to save or protect during the war. The once 'mighty' magical community of Britain now balked at the memory of itself, what was once was now no more.
Hermione, bolt up in bed, hand on racing heart, forced herself to catch her breath. Strands of damp hair clung to her temples as she scanned the room fearfully. Nothing, no one, as usual. The glow of lights traversed across the ceiling just above her curtains as the low grumble of a motor passed the building. Her heart beat slowed, as she picked out familiar sounds around her, Ron's obligatory snoring, the faint tick of her wrist watch, ancient grinding and popping as the house settled around her, and gently, oh so gently the soft pad pad pad of footsteps coming from the attic. Harry. Shakily she pushed the matted curls away from her face, scrunching them up into a bun as she held a deep breath in. Her pulse throbbed in her ears, with as much control as she could muster, she released the breath, paused, and pulled back the thin quilt covering her. Slipping a discarded pair of Molly's knitted socks on Hermione, wand sticking out of the elastic waistband of her blue and white striped cotton pyjama bottoms, left her room and wandered down the corridor to a set of stairs leading up to the next level.
Although it was the beginning of August, Grimmauld Place maintained a cool interior that was a welcome gift in the heat of summer, and a bloody nuisance in the height of winter. Feeling goosebumps rise on her bare arms Hermione rubbed them fiercely, she should have slipped on her dressing gown before wandering around at 3:48 in the morning. Still if she new Harry, the fire would be lit, and tea would be stewing in the pot ready for another cup to be poured. Reaching the low attic door she knocked gently, no answer, but she could hear him pacing back and forth. Twisting the tarnished brass knob, she was not surprised to find it unlocked, and as expected, there was Harry, black hair sticking up like a birds nest, brow scrunched up steadily wandering back and forth beneath the apex on the ceiling. He paused as she entered giving her a weary smile as she crossed her arms and lent against the door frame.
"The usual?" her voice was soft as she watched her friend sigh and slump down into a well-worn arm chair. He pushed his glasses up into the mess of black hair, a habit he'd acquired since working at the Ministry, and pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes shut tiredly. The briefest of nods came as an answer.
"You?" Harry asked looking up at her.
"Just the screaming tonight, but still is enough to wake me" Hermione whispered dipping her head downwards.
Even after two years, the deep-set memories of events during the last year of the war still plagued the pair of them. Harry with Voldemort and Bellatrix for Hermione, Ron it appeared had managed to escape such an exhausting parasite as nightmares. Ginny too, for the most part, occasionally she would have the odd one, but overall she was fine. The only other person to suffer as they did was George, even now after the extensive therapy provided by St. Mungo's psychiatric department, he still feared sleep, terrified Fred would appear. Crossing the room Hermione folded herself into the matching armchair across from Harry, just as worn, just as loved as his.
"You coming to the Burrow this weekend?" he asked passing a mug of steaming tea into her hands, she nodded blowing across the top of the dark brown liquid.
"Yes, it's been a good few weeks since I last went I suppose, I really can't remember, and besides Molly will be in her element prepping for Ginny's birthday I really should give her a hand".
Harry snorted, "Yes, she's been non-stop by all accounts, writing and send invites, shopping for food, buying presents. You know how she is. Gin's caught on though, she's not looking forward to all the fuss, but she'll play nice just to see Molly happy". They lapsed into a familiar silence, it had become a regular occurrence for the pair of them to sit curled up in the attic quietly chatting or thinking after a disruptive night's sleep.
Hermione studied her friend over the rim of her mug, he was staring out of the large window at the faint glow of London. Still as rough around the edges as he'd always been, Harry had hardly changed, accept he was now physically fitter and boasted a slightly better haircut and glasses.
"Heard anymore about that case you've been assigned to?" she asked sipping the tea slowly, repeating his earlier action of resting his glasses on his head and pinching his nose Harry sighed heavily.
"Yeah, however the details still haven't been passed along yet, but it looks like it might be a missing persons case". Hermione was surprised, Auror's didn't usual deal with missing persons, that was left to trackers, it must be an important case if a small team of Auror's had been recruited to help.
"Really? Of who?"
"That's the thing" Harry began, "I don't know, I haven't been told anything more than, the case is due to start within the next few weeks and that it will probably entail me going abroad for a while. If I'm quite honest I'm not sure why they want me to be on the team in the first place, I lack vital training when it comes to tracking, and I'm not up to speed with wizarding protocol in foreign countries". He sighed again, then rubbed the early morning shadow around his cheeks.
"Well I can help with the laws of other countries, but tracking, that's best left to the professionals" she chuckled slightly placing her mug on a nest table beside her.
"Cheers 'mione" Harry yawned, stretching and settling back into his chair.
"I'll bullet point basic info and bring it round the Burrow this evening. You going to try and catch a few hours sleep?"
He shook his head "Nah, I'll just finish off some paperwork then get ready for work, it's a half day anyway, plus Gin's still asleep and I know I'll only wake her going back to bed". Hermione nodded in understanding, Harry was a gracious boyfriend when it came down to rest and sleep. Spending a year on the run catching a few hours shut eye here and there had made him respectful of others sleeping patterns, and considering Ginny was still in her intensive training phase with the 'Holyhead Harpies' he understood more that she needed her rest in order to keep herself on peak form.
"Okay, well I'm going to try and catch a few more hours of sleep before I need to be at Hogwarts for my meeting with Nevil and Sprout".
"Oh yeah, how's that going by the way?" asked Harry a teasing smile on his tired face, Hermione snorted,
"Fine, however Nevil is a bit enthusiastic when it comes to gathering plants for the new syllabus. I think Sprout wants me there just to rein him in a bit. He doesn't seem to quite understand that first years, or indeed seventh years need to be dealing with the poisonous roots of the Edasphorus Flower".
Harry laughed, "Never heard of it".
Hermione smiled "No, I'm sure you haven't, it's native to the rocky mountains in Scandinavia, the peaks to be exact".
"And Nevil wants to have students studying it's roots?" Hermione nodded, standing and cracking her fingers, a bad habit procured by writing endless essays, book updates and check cards for the new library at Hogwarts.
"Yes, a tad extreme for my liking, but that's Nevil for you. Still we will see how this meeting goes, if not the new batch of first years better cover up, the fine hairs on the foots can embed themselves into the flesh and cause decay in a matter of hours".
"Blimey, you're right that is a tad extreme. The poor kids won't know what's hit 'em".
She laughed at the appalled look on her friends' face, turned and began leaving the cosy attic space "Night Harry, see you later this evening".
"Night 'mione" Harry replied, a yawn deepening his words. Glancing back a fond smile spread across her lips, Harrys eyes were closed head propped up by his hand.
"Thought you had paperwork to do?" she accused gently,
"Mmm, yeah, I have, just resting my eyes for a minute" he muttered, jaw slackening as sleep took hold.
She snorted softly, "Boys" she whispered, quietly closing the door behind her, it looked like a note to Ginny would be in order, just to make sure that he had a wake-up call in time for work.
The squeak of the old wooden gate caused Molly to look up in surprise, Hermione stood at the end of the pebbled path smiling warmly at her, hand lifted shading her eyes from the beating sun.
"Hermione dear! What a lovely surprise, come here and let me look at you!" The Weasley matriarch cried pushing herself to her feet, rubbing soil from her hands on the flowery apron she had on.
Dropping her carry on Hermione opened her arms wide to accept the inevitable hug that she knew was coming, "Hello Molly, sorry it's been so long I've been busy".
Molly chuckled, "When are you ever not busy my love, oh it's so good to see you" she sighed holding the younger woman at arm's length. "Look at you, just as beautiful as ever, little on the thin side but nothing a good few meals wont sort out". Hermione rolled her eyes at the trade mark comment made by the now much thinner Weasley woman, the death of Fred had not been kind to her, nor the stress of George being sectioned. Still everyone secretly admitted that she did look healthier, now that a few of her spare tyres had receded, but no one dared tell Molly that. "Lemonade?" the grey redhead asked motioning to the open kitchen back door,
"Please" Hermione answered picking up her bag and following Molly into the cool shade of the Burrow's kitchen.
"Are the boys and Ginny coming this weekend?" Molly asked over her shoulder as she scrubbed vigorously at the dirt under her nails. Hermione swallowed her mouthful of lemonade and looked up from the copy of 'The Daily Prophet' she was pouring over.
"Yes, they'll be here in a bit I expect, apparently it's a half day today for the boys and as for Ginny, probably about five-thirty ish".
"And how is my youngest son? Are you two..?" Molly turned, picking up a tea towel and fixing Hermione with a somewhat hopeful look, she felt her cheeks redden slightly,
"He's fine, sleeping like a baby as always, and no Molly we aren't. We tried and we weren't compatible, no use in trying to force something that wont fit". She hadn't meant for it to sound so blunt, but it was painfully obvious that Molly was still holding onto the prospect of her and Ron rekindling their somewhat short lived relationship.
The redhead nodded "Ah well it is to be expected I suppose, you are to unbridled in the face of adventure, and he, a home bird at heart, it still surprises me that you didn't accept the Aurorship offered to you".
"Not my style Molly, you know that, I prefer my books and teaching rather than regimented teamwork. Not that I'm discrediting the Aurors by any means, but can you honestly see me in a uniform being, for want of a better word, a soldier?"
The ageing woman cocked an eyebrow at her, "But wasn't that just what you were Hermione, a soldier? After all you rebuilt Dumbledore's Army, fought on the front line in the war, and in my opinion posses knowledge that could outrank any known Auror to date?"
The brunette ran her fingers through her hair, "And there lies my point Molly, it was a war, I am a fighter, a survivor, not a soldier. It is a completely different scenario, a different time". The two women quietened, looking at each other the stalemate hung in the air between them. Finally, Molly's shoulders drooped, pulling out a chair she sat and faced Hermione, reaching across the table she gently took her hand.
"You're tired my dear, I can see, Merlin knows I am too, we all are, but please, do not limit yourself to what is comfortable. You could do wonders for this world. You have more power than you realise or give yourself credit for". Tears filled Hermione's eyes at the soft words spoken to her, she was tired, so tired, and life had not turned out the way she'd hoped. No parents, no job, and little money, how was she meant to keep going if she didn't know which direction to take? The boys she knew would be fine, happy with the careers they had been given, friendships re-forged as adults meant they already had the makings for the rest of their lives, but what about her?
Brushing the tears away embarrassed and a little ashamed she fixed Molly with a firm smile, squeezing the freckled hand in an attempt at reassurance she said "Thank you Molly, but I'm fine honestly, I just need to find my calling and everything will fall into place. It shou-" her sentence was cut short at the appearance of an apparently overweight Barn Owl flying through the still open back door. It landed on the scrubbed kitchen table breathing heavily and stuck out its leg giving a hoarse 'coo' in greeting. A scroll was strapped to its claw. The women glanced sideways at each other, unsure as to who the message was for Hermione carefully began untying the blue ribbon from around the owl's claw. Motioning with her fingers a few treats zoomed out of a small bowl on the sideboard and into Molly's open palm, offering the owl one she chuckled as it nuzzled its smooth head against her hand.
"Well I don't think we need to worry about you being a nipper do we?" she chuckled feeding another treat to the now recovered bird.
"It' for me, from Kingsley" Hermione muttered scanning the letter fast, "he has a job proposition for me and wants to know if I can attend a meeting first thing tomorrow morning".
"That's fabulous news, looks like you're calling may have just appeared" Molly beamed at her, still enamoured with the owl she motioned a few more treats to fly into her hands. Hermione opened her mouth, then closed it again, she couldn't bring herself to tell Molly that Kingsley has specified that 'Artimus' was meant to be on a diet. Rolling the letter back into a tight scroll she shoved it into her back pocket and smiled at the pair before her. Muscles now tense in her back and shoulders, mind going nineteen to the dozen.
That evening after dinner, as Molly dozed on the sofa and Arthur buried himself in a muggle car magazine, Hermione motioned the rest of them to follow her. George was just coming up the garden path as the quartet left the Burrow, seeing Hermione's head shaking he paused, turned and returned the way he'd come. They wandered together in silence before Ron finally said as they reached the crest of the small hill next to the house "Mione where are we going? What's up?" She turned to face them, the setting evening sun turning her hair to amber.
"I received a letter from Kingsley this afternoon" she began "he wants to offer me a job but-"
"That's good isn't it?" Ron butted in.
"Yes, but that's not why I bought us up here. The job isn't necessarily the issue, it's who the job is with that could be problematic". She sighed crossing her arms and looking at out at the view, touched by golden rays, the smell of hot earth and summer fields found her. Breathing it in she looked back at the group, a shared look of concern and confusion painted on each of their faces. Cupping her forehead she muttered "He wants me to reintroduce certain people back into society. Criminals technically" she breathed deeply trying to word the job correctly "Kingsley wants me, by myself, to be paired up with criminals, educate them on new social systems, laws, and then hopefully reintroduce them back into the wizarding community as changed people. Thus, cancelling out their previous charges and wiping the slate clean so they can begin their new lives. There's a meeting tomorrow morning at 10:30 with the first two candidates." Silence. Harry shuffled uncomfortably, this sounded awfully risky, even to him, glancing sideways he watched Ginny's face she was looking at Hermione with a sort of calculating expression.
"Kingsley's already told you who the first two candidates are hasn't he, and judging by the look on your face you are in two minds whether or not to take his offer?" The brunette shoved her hands into her jeans pockets and looked down nodding at the other woman's words. "Who are they Hermione?" Ginny's voice had a hint of fear to it.
Fixing the group with an exasperated look Hermione spoke slowly "Narcissa and Draco Malfoy".
There was a moment pause as the names sunk in before Ron exploded. "Are you serious! What in the name of fucking Merlin is Kingsley thinking, or not thinking? You can't be left alone with those two pieces of scum 'mione they will kill you as soon as look at you. Please tell me you are not honestly considering this?"
A flash of annoyance crossed the brunettes face, "They asked specifically for me Ron, they approached Kingsley requesting my help, and my help alone".
"Exactly! They asked for you so they can kill you, finish what Bellatrix started. I mean com'on could they make it any clearer?"
"I don't think Kingsley would be that blind, if you ask me" George's voice was low, it was the first time he'd spoken, feeling a surge of gratitude towards the elder Weasley Hermione gave him a small smile. She'd thought that too, yes the offer did appear to be riddled with any number of dodgy possibilities but if Kingsley had vetted and okayed the requested then who was she to question it?
"Does he state that you have to be alone with them in the meeting?" Harry asked frowning at her, absentmindedly rubbing his scar.
"He doesn't say, but I wont be alone, Kingsley is obviously going to be there, give me some credit I wouldn't willingly be alone in a room with he pair of them without some form of back up". The boy pursed his lips but cocked his head in agreement, Ginny, shedding a quick flick of her eyes at Ron reached forward at touched her friends' arm, Hermione looked at her, exhaustion and unease apparent on her pretty face.
"Go" she said "have the meeting, at least hear the situation out. Don't make a decision before hand because I know you, and you'll kick yourself forever with 'what if's".
Ron flung his arms up in the arm dramatically, "Am I the only one thinking rationally here. It's Draco and Narcissa Malfoy! The mother of our school bully, the sister of a deranged psychopath an both former Death Eaters. Why in the world would any of you agree to let her go?"
"Because we all trust Hermione's judgement Ron that's why" George snapped at his younger brother, Ron flinched. George's tongue had changed from cheeky and sarcastic to quick to challenge and complete honesty.
"If it makes you happy you can all come with me to the Ministry and wait outside until I am done, does that sound like a better option?" They all nodded in agreement, feeling there was nothing more to discuss Hermione made to walk back down the hill, pausing only to make one final comment. "You all have a career, whereas I don't, I'm not saying I'm going to accept Kingsley's offer but if it sounds like something I could be good at and want to pursue, please do not hold it against me". She held up her hand to silence the Ron's possible onslaught of pandering. "I don't want to discuss it anymore".
After the war the Ministry was the fist part of the magical world to be restored, departments that could be held accountable for its original demise were liquidated. All past employees needed to be vetted before returning to the positions, each were given strict instructions that any misconduct that was akin to that of former employees would not be tolerated. New features that were hoped to improve the security and daily running of the building were put in place. Each department had a waiting room where an assistant would tell the visiting witch or wizard which subcategory or desk they should go too, thus improving filing and document recovery. All in all the newly reformed Ministry was running smoother and quicker than ever before, and with Kingsley at the helm there was not a bad word to be said against anyone; a rare feat for such a young minister. So there they all sat each concerned with their own thoughts. Harry holding Ginny's hand in his lap, Ron legs kicked out in front of him arms crossed moodily across his chest, not a respectable look in anyone's opinion. George staring at the ceiling whilst gently tapping his knee and Hermione 'Prophet' open for once pretending to read, as her heart beat repetitively in her chest. "Let's just go, this is stupid" Ron muttered, clearly not impressed with he fact that any moment they would all come face to face with two people they had all thought they'd seen the backs off. As if on cue Draco and Narcissa walked into the waiting room. There was an intense silence penetrated only by the crumple of pages as Hermione lowered the newspaper, gone were the duos former snobbery and pride. Instead in front of them stood two people backs ramrod straight with eyes desperate to look anywhere than at the five pairs scanning them with unease. A mother and her grown up son.
"Mister and Miss Black would you mind going straight in the Minister is expecting you". Kingsley's assistant paused in her scribbling to smile tight lipped at the blonde couple as the made a steady path towards the glossy blue door with a gold plaque stating 'Minister of Magic' upon it.
As it swung shut Hermione lent across to whisper at Harry, "Did you hear that, she called them Black, I wonder why".
"Miss Black renounced her married name after her husband's death, reverting back to her maiden name. Mister Black had the option to keep his birth name, however he too wished to renounce all ties to that of his father and take his mothers family name as his own". The secretary didn't bother to look up as she uttered this surprising piece of information. Hermione swallowed, seeing the former Malfoys like that had unnerved her somewhat, like the world had been turned on it's head, she had still expected them to be dressed in their fineries, not in the relatively normal suit attire they donned now. Narcissa more than Draco had been vastly underdressed compared to the handful of other times the witches had crossed paths. Her thoughts were interrupted as Kingsley stuck his head out into the waiting room.
"Hermione we're ready, would you mind coming in?" Jaw clenched she gave a curt nod and rose, folding the paper neatly and dropping it onto her seat. "Good luck" Ginny muttered as she left, turning back she mouthed a thanks and followed Kingsley into the office behind him.
Feeling nerves gnaw at her gut, Hermione smoothed her hair back from her face and gently adjusted her shirt, painfully aware that two out of the four of them had always scrutinized people's attire. As gracefully as she knew how Hermione settled herself down into the bucket chair next to Draco's, she shot a hesitant glance at him, surprised to see his Adam's apple bobbing has he gulped continually. Feeling a cool sweat break out down her back she willed her breathing to stay in check, Kingsley seemingly unperturbed by the blatant uncomfortableness of the situation drew his wand and summoned a fourth chair into which he sat crossing one leg over the other. "We are all here to discuss a the possibility of change" he began, voice thick as molasses "as each party is aware this meeting has been called due to the surprising request by Miss Black, and I have decided that out of such request a position be offered to Miss Granger by the Ministry that, should she agree to accept your request, will become her career. Hermione you are aware of what I am posing to you, the hoped outcome and possible benefits this position could offer, are you not?" Hermione nodded once, "Miss Black, the floor, as the muggles say, is all yours". Narcissa's eyes widened slightly, perhaps being given control of the conversation had not been what she had expected, regardless the blonde woman elegantly shifted in her seat to look at Hermione across Draco.
"The last time we were in the same room Miss Grange was at my hearing, you graciously sat as a witness for my defence, a dept I cannot repay. I am in no position to ask for your help, for anyone's help for that matter however I am, as is Draco, we are not the people we once were. I know our exteriors remain the same, and that alone can cause your mistrust, but please will you consider accepting my proposition? I understand the Minister has given you a brief outline?"
Hermione blinked, the voice coming out of the blonde woman's mouth was not that of her memory, it was softer, cleaner somehow. Feeling the sudden need to move she stood and moved as far away as possible to the seated trio, pressing her fingertips to her lips, other hand resting on her hip she studied the pale wallpaper. Brain clicking as it made new connections, she breathed slowly, "May I ask a question, why have you reverted to using your maiden name?"
Narcissa cocked an eyebrow in surprise, "I-we, don't want to have any ties to that of my late husband". Hermione turned to gaze at her, cerulean eyes held chestnut, Draco watched the two women before registering his name being said.
"Draco, how much does your mother know about our history at school?"
Exhaling loudly he rubbed his chin, before answering "In regards to academic competition all of it I'd say, as for personal very little". Hermione pursed her lips, he looked up at her, hands clasped between his knees, jaw clenched under her scrutiny. Finally, after a long pause of furrowed brows she relaxed a little, turning to Kingsley she spoke softly.
"Minister please draw up a contract for me to sign as soon as you possibly can" a small gasp issued from Narcissa at the understanding of what the young woman had just said.
"I take it you're accepting the offer Hermione?" Kingsley smiled at her over steepled fingers, she nodded back, clearing his throat slightly the black man pulled from the depths of his midnight blue robes a scroll, handing it to the brunette he twitched his head towards the desk where a quill stood in ink. Bending over the unfurled contract Hermione read as quickly and clearly as she could, it was as Kingsley had stated in his letter exactly what he'd requested. Conditions she noted were down to her, so long as the Ministry agreed with them, she smiled slightly a sense of bravery returning to her. Looking up she saw Narcissa and Draco watching her intently, she swallowed, throat suddenly dry.
"It requires all our signatures for it to take effect", clasping the quill she printed her name and signed, "but before you do, I wish to pose a few obvious conditions. One, we do this on my terms, this cannot be rushed. Two there can be no with holding of information, I do not wish to know your secrets, but if I need to know something that could be important please tell me, and three," she paused steeling herself "the derogative name for my blood status or any blood status for that matter is band, if it is so much as muttered I ask the Ministry to dispose of our contract and we return to our separate lives, do we have an understanding Mister and Miss Black?" As she'd spoken Hermione had moved around the desk to stand unbarred from them, she held the quill out towards the blonde pair, an olive branch which could be snapped at any moment.
The room was still for just a second before Narcissa rose and slowly crossed the open space towards the brunette pulling her right glove off expertly as she moved. Reaching her the blonde woman paused before taking the impressive quill from the others fingers, skin brushed quickly and Hermione felt a flush rise up her back. Draco followed suit coming to stand in front of his former peer, his eyes squinted slightly as he looked into hers, silently he offered his hand to her, Hermione glanced down at it, a smile pulling at her lips. Slipping her hand into his she felt the long fingers gently tighten around hers. "Thank you" he whispered, before letting go and moving to join his mother behind the desk. She watched them, the elegant flick of each wrist as they signed their names, her heart pumped hard behind her rib cage, the ramification of her recent decision weighed heavily in her mind. Quill deposited safely back in it's ink pot Kingsley clicked his fingers and a stamp moved to thump itself across the top left corner sealing the deal.
"I do believe it's all settled then" he smiled at the trio in turn, before turning back to Hermione and extending his own large hand, "welcome Miss Granger to your new job for the Ministry of Magic". Clasping his hand she gave a small uncertain smile, before returning her attention back to the couple behind the desk.
"We are now equals, and regardless of what the public is going to say about our little arrangement, I am going to treat you as such. As of now our pasts are null and void, tomorrow we start again, I would like us to meet again in the afternoon to reassess in the cool light of a new day if this decision has been the correct one to make. Minister would you mind being present just one more time?" The tall man inclined his head to her. Feeling there was nothing more to say she smiled politely at Narcissa and Draco before turning and heading towards the door, just as she was opening it she glanced back realising she had not given a time to meet again the following day. "Is one o'clock okay?"
"Of course Miss Granger we look forward to seeing you" Narcissa replied her tone soft as silk, Hermione closed her eyes quickly
"I'll see you both tomorrow then, and it's Hermione. Please call me Hermione".
Draco watched the young woman leave, the tiniest twinges of hope filled his heart. Perhaps things were about to change for the better, perhaps Hermione could save them from the terrors he knew were headed his and his mother's way. Regardless of his father's death there were still people baying for their blood, sighing quietly he stared down at the polished floor beneath his feet, wondering if yet another letter or grotesque gift would be waiting for them at home as a warning that 'they' were coming.
This is going to hurt my brain to rewrite I can tell!