A/N: When I made up a Dramione Playlist, I knew this song had to be on it. The dawn of realization, the plan of action, the I don't give a frack attitude...all to win the love of a Girl Like You. Yeah, that's Draco's fight song. So here is the story.

Kudos to Pat Dinizio of the Smithereens for writing such a kick ass love song.

I used to travel in the shadows

And I never found the nerve to try and walk up to you

But now I am a man and I know that there's no time to waste

There's too much to lose

Draco knew exactly how this felt. He had been living in the dark for so long and now he was blindingly in the light. Many things that he thought were truth was smashed to smithereens. So he was done wasting time. He was going to do exactly what he wanted. The first thing on his list was going to let the love of his life know how he felt about her.

He had to get to Hermione, that beautiful girl. The one he was never allowed to pursue but adored from afar. The one that filled his thoughts every day and his dreams at night. But this was the start of new beginnings. The war was over and the right side had won, much to his relief. He was done with just blindly following. In his heart he never wanted to, he knew it was all wrong, but what could he have done? He was marked and he was forced to do the bidding of one truly terrifying madman. Thankfully, that psychopath was dead and gone and he was free. He was going to take the lead in his life now. He felt sorry for anyone who got in his way.

He had heard that her relationship with the boy she thought was the one had gone south. She was devastated because he had been her best friend, and she thought he would be there for the rest of her life, for as long as they both shall live...but now he was neither. Draco knew in his heart that it didn't work out for them, because she was meant to be with him.

Girl, you say anything at all, and you know that you can call

And I'll be right there for you

First love, heartbreak, tough luck, big mistake

What else can you do

It was eighth year and Hermione knew Draco had changed. They all had at the end of the war. She hoped it would be for the better. She knew things wouldn't be easy. But she had always been focused, she was always one to see things through and she wanted to finish her education. He wanted to get away from his parents house, which no longer felt like home to him. How could it, after it had become headquarters for the most warped and deranged lunatic while he attempted to gain control over the Wizarding World? He too felt the need to accomplish something good. He wanted to better himself so she could see he had changed. Then maybe, he could prove his worth to her and have the chance to show her how he really felt.

Headmistress McGonagall helped him along by making him Head Boy while she became Head Girl. He thanked the gods for this good luck, because now he would be right there with her, and not just in her periphery. They would have to work closely together. The Headmistress had also told them she would rely on them to show that they could do this and be a good example to the rest of the student body. If the fallen Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor Princess could make peace and live in harmony, then there was hope.

I'll say anything you want to hear

I'll see everything through

I'll do anything I have to do

Just to win the love of a girl like you,

a girl like you

He was too ashamed to actually talk to her at first, so he wrote her a letter apologizing for everything. He knew he had no excuses to hide behind and he didn't, nor did he want to. He told her how genuinely sorry he felt. He explained how when the very foundation of his beliefs started to crumble beneath his feet, he couldn't stay down and wallow in self pity. Always, in the back of his mind he knew it was crap. She proved that time and time again with the way she had bested him in all subjects. She also did that with the way she had carried herself and used magic with such easy confidence and grace. He was livid because if blood purity and superiority was so utterly false, then what the hell else did they lie to him about? His life until now was based on ugly untruths and he was just done with it. He needed to lift himself up and start over. He didn't ask for her forgiveness, just the opportunity to make things right. He slipped it under her bedroom door and waited.

She later knocked on his bedroom door, with his letter in her hands and tears in her eyes. She felt the heartbreak in his words, but also saw determination, and a little glimmer of hope too. She knew he did what he had to do because of the desire to keep his family safe, although he seemed to be set up time and time again for failure. He didn't ask for her forgiveness, but she confirmed she had already given it to him long ago. Because forgiveness is usually not about the other person, but yourself. It's something that needs to be done in order for you to go on without being burdened anymore by what had been done to you. She told him to please forgive himself now. He would never be able to truly go forward if he had that heavy weight to carry. She told him how much easier it would be for him to lift that weight off himself. Didn't he want to be light? He knew he did, on many different levels. She believed everyone had the right to a second chance. She was very curious to see what he would do with it.

He was overwhelmed by her response. He didn't dare hope that it would have gone this well. He saw his heart standing right there before him and it was just too much to handle. He broke down in front of her. She at first was very scared to see him so emotional. Then she really looked at him, and the pain pouring out of him made her want to help it go away much faster. She automatically went to him, and wrapped her arms around him. He was shocked at first, but then he just let it all out and cried in her embrace. He dropped to his knees on the floor and held tight to her as if his life depended it, because it did. And she never let him go until she was sure he was okay.

People talk and people stare, tell them I don't really care

This is the place I should be

And if they think it's really strange for a girl like you

To be in love with someone like me

I want to tell them all to go to hell

That we're doing very well without them you see

That's just the way it is and they will see

I am yours and you are mine, the way it should be

Their love did not happen overnight. However, every day they got a little closer. He studied hard, and did his Head Boy duties with pride. He didn't give in to taunts and turned the other cheek. In his mind he did tell them all to go to hell, and more times than he could count, he wanted to hex them into oblivion. But he reigned it all in, because he was on a mission to make himself a man worthy of her. He was very much focused on what he had to do. He didn't care what others thought. He just cared about her.

She saw that he meant every word he had said in that letter because his actions proved it. He studied hard, then eventually did it by her side in their common room or in the Library. He did his fair share of Head Duties and never complained when he was asked to do more. They got to know each other during late night patrols, him sharing little snippets of his life, even when they were painful. He wanted to share everything with her, no matter how ugly it was at times. She appreciated his honesty, and reciprocated by telling him things in her life he would have never known otherwise. He made an effort to be civil when others would not afford him the same luxury. She knew it took great restraint for him to ignore all the sneers and insults. She wondered how he stayed so calm and collected. She thought that if it were anyone else, they would have already been to point of breaking. But she recognized he was strong and the few times when he wasn't, she would give him reassuring looks or a little touch to his arm or shoulder so he would know she was there for him.

He proved to her he meant it when he said he would make things right. He was attentive when it came to her. He took notice of what she needed and wanted. He would leave new quills and fresh parchment on her study desk. He'd make her favorite cup of tea and place it by her bedside, charmed to stay warm. He'd give her a simple squeeze on the hand when he saw her worry her bottom lip with her teeth when she felt anxious. He'd gift her with words of reassurance when he knew she felt like there was no one in the world there for her. She started to feel pampered and cared for. At first, she thought she would feel lonely since two thirds of the Golden Trio decided to start their careers instead of coming back and finishing school. But Draco made her feel special. She came to look at him from a different perspective. She felt like the real Draco was finally cracking out of his shell and that inner peace and clarity made him very attractive. This made her notice everything else about him, especially his softened features, and that he was very much a grown up man.

She found herself falling hard. At first, she was frightened by these feelings. Then she summoned up that Gryffindor bravery. She wanted to be there for him too. She wondered if he could ever feel the same way about her. Was it too much to hope for? She had never wanted anything more than for him to be in her life always. She found herself strategizing and making plans, and then she stopped herself. Overthinking was a bad habit of hers. She took a few moments to still her thoughts. Then she realized he had been saying "I love you" over and over with every quill, sheet of parchment, little cup of tea, every squeeze of her hand and reassuring word. Not to mention the way he looked at her, when he thought she wasn't looking...desire, longing, adoration, lust...told her all she needed to know. She decided then and there she needed to tell him how she felt. She had noticed the changes in him. She heard what he was telling her without any words. She was amazed how he spoke right to her heart.

I won't walk and I won't run, I believe in you

London, Washington, anywhere you are I'll run

Together we'll be

Inside, outside, got my pride

I won't let 'em take you from me

He came into their Common Room and saw her sitting there nervously working her hands in her lap. He put his bag down by the door and looked at her curiously. Had she been waiting for him? She had this look on her face, but unfortunately it was unreadable. He gulped and waited for her to acknowledge his presence. She stood up, smoothed down her skirt and took the steps needed to be right in front of him. She sighed, and then ran her fingers along his jawline. She had touched him before, but not like this. This was electric, and shot through his whole body. It made him shiver in response. His breath hitched, then cool slate eyes looked into warm chocolate ones. She smiled and confidently declared that she was in love with him too. He wanted to break down again and crumple to the floor in her arms like on the night she had decided to give him a chance. He could not believe the Universe dared to give him what he wanted. But no, that was not the response that this beautiful and trusting witch deserved right now…

He declared his love for her too. He felt elated to finally say that out loud. He lowered his head to place the gentlest kiss on her lips. Her tender hands wove through his hair, while his hands went possessively around her waist. He lifted her up to make sure he was really seeing love on her face and as he lowered her down, she crashed her mouth passionately against his, deepening their kiss. He moved so that his body was flush with hers. She felt how aroused he was, and broke off their kiss to take him by the hand. In her warm bed, they claimed each other for the first time in frenzied passion. Then later, they took their time, exploring and learning what made them reach their bliss. As they lay in each other's arms afterwards, never had they felt anything so right as this.

Draco got a glimpse of a future he only dared to dream of. He confirmed it wouldn't be easy. But now that he had her love, he realized he could make it, especially with her by his side. He saw a vision in white walking joyfully towards him. He pictured a warm and inviting home he would take refuge in each night in her loving arms. He heard the laughter of their children. He was well aware that his gorgeous and headstrong witch would do whatever it takes to make sure he understood he was very much loved. He would make sure she felt the same. He was certain without a doubt, this would last forever. He thanked the gods for this incredible stroke of luck. He knew she would laugh and tell him he was being daft if he thought it had anything to do with that. She would say that it was all him and his transformation to someone she couldn't help but love. And nothing would ever change that.

I'll say anything (I'll say anything)

I'll take anything (I'll take anything)

I'll say anything, almost anything

Except goodbye

Well, there was one thing he definitely could say farewell to, and that was his miserable life before her. He would live in gratitude for the joy she brought him. They would be together forever, for always.