"Tell me again, please."

"No. Go away!"

"Draco, please. I need to have your story down perfectly. I need your case to be airtight to get you set free."

"Who says I want to be free, Granger? I know what I was, what I did, what I caused. You don't know what I've done, what I've faced. I think it is safer here."

"Draco, I promise, you won't be alone."

"Oh, really? Is your ginger idiot going to be happy if you bring me home?"

"Seeing as he's married to Lavender Brown, he has no say in who I bring home."

"I would have figured that you would have four or five curly haired ginger brats by now."

"Obviously not. Now, can we get back to your case?"

"I don't know why. I'm indefensible."

Hermione sighed. "No, Draco, you aren't. You never actually cast a hex at anyone without being directed to do so by one of the full Death Eaters. You said you didn't know who I was when I was captured in your home. Luna says you snuck her food a couple of times. You are very defendable. And if you are worried about probation, you might know that not only have I said you could stay with me, Harry and Luna have said you could stay with them, and Severus says you could apprentice with him. So, you will have a place to stay, and a career."

"Why would all of you do that? I've caused so much pain." Draco's face was drawn.

"Draco, we all think you need another chance. Dumbledore certainly did. But most of your peers, those who were drawn in by their parents or their circumstances or both, are all out on probation. You are the last one, because you weren't willing to speak to a lawyer."

"I don't think I was willing to speak to you, either."

"No, you weren't. But I'm just as stubborn as I am bossy. So, now you are stuck!"

"You don't have to sound so cheerful about it, you know."

"Yes, yes I do."

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"This is your home?"

"Why?"

"I think I was expecting it to be more Gryffindorish."

"No, I like quiet, calming colors."

"It's lovely."

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"Hermione!"

"Yes, Draco?"

"Come quickly!"

"What is going on?"

"I did it!"

"You did what?"

"I got my mastery! I finally have something I earned myself."

"I'm so proud of you!"

"Good. Then you might actually say yes."

"To what?"

"To this." Draco pulled out one of the older Malfoy rings, a delicate piece of platinum with emeralds, diamonds and amethyst.

"Oh, Draco."

"Say something!"

"Yes."

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Many thanks to Southern_Witch_69 for the beta.