A/N: I've been reading tons of HP fics for the past few days so I decided that I'd write my own. I fell in love with Dramione especially. So here's my attempt at it.

Summary: The story is set three years after the war. Draco Malfoy is a man haunted by his past and in the need of self-redemption and righting wrongs, he moves into Muggle-London where he runs into someone he never expected to see again, Hermione Granger. After having to see her every day, Draco finds himself weirdly attracted to the stubborn brunette, who is no longer the annoying girl at Hogwarts. In her place was a woman that captivated him and caused a fire to burn in the pits of his stomach. Can these two former enemies put aside their pasts and embark on an adventure of a world where they could be together?

Disclaimer: The characters and all things Harry Potter related belong to J.K Rowling. The plot however, is mine.

Warnings: There will be mature language and situations in this story, so if that offends you in anyway, maybe this isn't the story for you.

Main Characters List:

Draco Malfoy: 20

Hermione Granger: 21

Harry Potter: 20

Ron Weasley: 20

Ginny Weasley: 19

Pansy Parkinson: 21

Now I hope you enjoy, see you at the bottom. ~ Riney

The Lion and the Snake

1. First Day of My Life

It had been yet another wonderful day in the life of Draco Malfoy.

Of course the world's definition more than likely didn't coincide with his definition.

He had spent most of his day dealing with the ministers at the Ministry and it had been humiliating, tiring and humbling.

He knew that he would forever be tainted by his role in the mess with the Dark Lord and his mission to destroy Harry Potter.

The day wasn't all bad though, he had felt something akin to gratitude at the kind words of Molly Weasley.

The Weasley matriarch had surprisingly been his defender throughout today's hearing.

"The fault is not entirely young Mr. Malfoy's," she said her voice loud and clear in the crowded court room.

"Mrs. Weasley?" the current Minister of Magic said.

"The poor child was influenced by his father, and what young boy says no to their father's wishes?"

Draco had been stunned at her reasoning.

He had never even thought of it from that perspective.

He had been forced into this whole ordeal by his father.

"So just what are you saying Molly?" the minister asked.

"I was just saying that instead of sending this child to Azkaban to die there, why not let him be put on a probationary program?" Molly Weasley said giving Draco a bright smile.

He who had never been on the receiving end of any willing gesture of kindness, didn't know what to do in return.

This didn't phase Mrs. Weasley as she went on to list some of the heinous things that Lucius Malfoy had done and forced his impressionable son to do.

The ministers decided that it would be a good time to break after Mrs. Weasley's speech and Draco had found himself wandering the halls of the ministry, shell-shocked by the morning's events.

When they had been called back in, the ministers had reached a decision.

They had found him guilty of being a Death Eater, and being involved with the Dark Arts, but they decided that they would be lenient and instead of being thrown into Azkaban, he would do a year of community service and he would also help in locating the rogue Death Eaters still hiding after their side lost the war.

Now he was sitting at his table in the manor sipping on a cup of tea his mother insisted he drink, and trying to decipher if he was dreaming or this morning had actually happened.

The sound of the floo going off shook him from his reverie and he looked up in time to see his best friend brush off her jacket.

Pansy Parkinson looked up at him and grinned, her green eyes twinkling devilishly.

"I heard you're not going to jail mate!" she said walking over to where he sat and pulled him up for a hug.

Draco hugged her back limply and she pulled back and glared at him, "For fuck's sake Malfoy pull yourself together, you're acting like a mindless Weasley."

"Leave the Weasley's out of this," he said finally finding his voice.

Pansy looked at him, a look of shock on her face. "Blimey, did they hex you or something?"

"No," he growled and turned away from her.

Pansy stared at the back of her friend and couldn't help but feel the palpable weight of despair that hung around him.

"Dray," she said softly closing the distance between them almost hesitantly. "What happened today?"

He gave a heavy sigh and turned to face her, tears glistening in his grey eyes.

"Today Molly Weasley was the only person that came to my defense, I owe her my freedom."

To say Pansy was stunned speechless was an understatement. She just stood there, her mouth opening and closing without a sound, she sort of reminded Draco of a guppy.

That thought made him laugh, and he was glad for something to lighten his somber mood.

"Would you like some fire-whiskey?" he asked although he had already poured two shots for them.

"You better believe it," Pansy said downing the drink in one smooth gulp.

"Christ Dray how the hell do you drink this shit?" she spat as the drink burned its way down her throat to settle on her chest.

Draco laughed, "Don't be such a wuss Pans, it's not that bad."

"I should hex your balls for that," Pansy said with a little cough.

"And then how will you get those godchildren you so badly desire?" he retorted.

That gave her pause, "Well maybe perhaps after that happens."

"Such a bitch," he said smiling affectionately at the girl across from him; they had now moved to the couch.

"Yet you love me for it," she replied with a cheeky grin.

"I do," he said, suddenly serious again.

"I love you too Dray," she said raising her glass for a refill. "Christ, enough with this mush already. What are we turning into a bunch of Gryffindor's or what?"

Draco shuddered at the thought and threw back his second shot, "Perish the thought Pans."

The two talked and drank for the next hour or so before Pansy yawned, "I'm sleepy," she announced.

Draco chuckled, "Is that your way of asking to spend the night?"

"As long as you don't try to get into me knickers," she grinned.

He rolled his eyes and pulled her up against his chest, his forehead resting on hers, "You're such a dolt Pans, we both know you're not wearing any knickers."

Her eyes widened and then they both burst into laughter and he guided them to his bedroom.

This had been their ritual ever since the war had ended, no one knew about it and just believed that the two Slytherins were shagging each other, when the truth of the matter was that Draco had very vivid nightmares and he hated being alone when he had them. He didn't want to worry his mother, so he but a silencing charm on his room so as not to disturb her. Pansy had slept over one night and had woken to him thrashing and screaming in the bed next to her, so she promised to be there for him and she was.

She loved this man so much it hurt, but knew that it would never happen between for the two of them, so she settled for being the best friend she could be to him.

"Dray?"she said her voice slurring a bit.

"Hmm?" he answered, climbing into the bed next to her.

She scooted closer and lay her head against his chest, "I want you to promise me something."

"What's that?" he asked quietly.

"Promise me that you're going to start living again," she said rubbing his chest idly. "Promise that you won't become more of a recluse than you have already."

"I prefer my solitude these days," he said with a frown.

"That's a poor excuse and you know it," she said sharply.

"What do I get in return?" he asked, knowing that she would never shut up and let them sleep if he didn't agree.

"You get whatever you want," she said with a flourish of her arm. "Carte blanche."

"Fine," he said closing his eyes and praying that he'd have a dreamless sleep tonight.

He really did mean it though, Pansy was right. He hated not being in the spotlight. He was used to being the center of attention, and although he was the center of attention now, it wasn't exactly the type of attention he had in mind. So yes, he'd make an effort for Pansy. He'd prove to her, the world and to himself that a person could change, if they so desired. On that thought, he felt himself drifting off to sleep; he smiled into the dark as he heard Pansy's soft snores begin next to him. He kissed the top of her forehead and then gave into the lethargy sweeping through his body.

So there you have it the first chapter.

I'm so nervous about this, but you never know if you don't try, right?

Chapter 2 will be up tomorrow. And we get to catch up with Hermione. I can't wait.

Let me know what you think.

Night ya'll :)