A/N: Hello :D

This is my first fanfic, so please be kind…

Basically, the war is over, but Harry killed Voldemort with an avada. It's a little angsty in the beginning but it gets better. I promise. So please give it a try

I have this posted on HPFF too :D

I know this story is as far from perfect as can be, but please, no flames…

I enjoy constructive criticism though :)

Disclaimer: JK Rowling is super rich, super brainy and super awesome. I am a student. I = JKR in a strange parallel universe where the Easter Bunny exists and Santa is an investment broker who loots banks. That's all :D

He walked out into the rain, ignoring the steady stream of moisture that stained his shirt. The war was over, but the ghosts of his past continued to haunt his soul, feeding off his pain. The wizarding world may have won their freedom from Voldemort, but that victory had led to the downfall of the Malfoy name. His wealth had been seized by the Ministry, leaving him unable to maintain his Manor. Forced to move out of his ancestral home, he now lived in a small flat near the Ministry.

He wished his parents had had the courage to break away from the Dark Lords power, wished he had fought for the right side. In the beginning, he had joined the death eaters as a foolish young man, full of delusions of superiority and grandeur. However, this soon turned into a walking nightmare. Recruited as a 16 year old boy, his task was a punishment to his father for not retrieving the prophecy. He was elated at first. This was his chance to prove himself. He ignored his mother's protests, fantasizing about the day when he would be the Dark Lords most trusted servant, and positioning the Malfoy family at the top of the wizarding world, where it belonged. His dream quickly turned into his worst nightmare where the fate of his family depended on him.

He sighed. His life seemed to be the summation of mistakes upon mistakes. It was too late. Society shunned him, and he was alone. Any penance he attempted was for naught, he would never regain the trust of the people again. All the money in the world would not compensate for the empty feeling inside him.

She watched him, brown eyes filled with worry. She observed his daily routine, and understood his loneliness. After all, the same feeling was present in her soul. Ron had left her after the war, when he became an instant celebrity, claiming she was not what he needed. She buried herself in her work and distanced herself from everyone else. Harry and Ginny had just had their first son James, and she did not want Harry to have to deal with the stress of having to choose between his friends, and balancing his job as Head Auror. Her days passed by in a blur of work and sleep.

She noticed all the times he tried to help others, only to be rudely sent away. No one realized his genuine repentance. People laughed when he joined the Department of Muggle Relations, and he was only assigned rote filing work. No one trusted him with anything else. After all, what if he reverted to his old death eater ways?

She took a deep breath, and glanced at her watch. It was half past seven. Her parents had insisted that she visit them today, and she was already late. She apparated to their porch, and knocked on the door, fixing a large smile on her face. This evening was going to be hell.

She got back to her flat late that night. Her mother and father insisted on hearing about her job in the ministry as a muggle relations officer, and she could not disappoint them. Her mother, complaining that Hermione has lost weight, ladled large amounts of pasta on her plate, and would not take no for an answer.

Visits to her parents' house always depressed her. She had always wished for a life like theirs, full of laughter, happiness and love, but that had always eluded her. And now everyone around her had moved on with their lives, while she remained the same. Her depression threatened to drown her, and she drifted off to sleep, full of uneasy dreams.

As she walked to work the next day, she slipped in a puddle of water, and crashed into someone. Large hands steadied her, and as she raised her head to apologize, her eyes met those of Malfoy.

"I'm sor-sorry." she stammered.

His cool eyes appraised her as he replied, "No Problem."

"Shall I accompany you?" he asked her.

Hermione's mind went blank with shock. "You want to walk next to a mudblood?" she snapped. She saw his jaw tense and his eyes turned to cold steel.

"Really? Is that what you think of me?"

She blushed with shame. She knew she shouldn't have replied like that. She was the person who probably understood his need to make up for his past deeds the most, yet she treated him just like everyone else. She was not being fair. Her caustic reply was the unconscious result of years of exchanging insults with him.

"I apologize for my thoughtless reply. Let me rephrase that. Thank you so much, I would love the company."

He smiled at her. This was probably the first time he had looked at her without a smirk on his face, or an expression filled with hate. The smile transformed his features, making him look years younger. He looked almost handsome, she thought.

He quickly fell into step with her, and both of them spoke about work as they headed into the ministry. As they walked into the Department of Muggle Relations, heads turned towards them in shock. One of the heroes of the war talking to a former death eater? Impossible. As Hermione heard the sudden silence, she felt Malfoy stiffen next to her. His expression was once again shuttered, and the tension around his was almost palpable. The tense set of his mouth betrayed his fear of her reaction.

Anger flooded her mind. Was it not prejudiced of them to mistrust him based on his family name and his past behavior? The other ministry workers were behaving no better than the Malfoys had behaved before the war. Her famous Gryffindor courage filled her as she squared her shoulders and resolutely ignored all the staring faces. Bidding Malfoy goodbye, she headed to her desk, feeling more alive than she had felt in a long time.

He looked at her retreating back in shock. Had Hermione Granger, best friend of Harry Potter, walked with him to the Ministry, risking her reputation in the process? When he asked her if he could accompany him, he did not expect her to actually accept. He was pleasantly surprised when she apologized after his outburst, and in spite of himself, enjoyed her company.

He knew she was smart, but didn't expect her to be funny as well. He had found himself drawn into the conversation, and had been amused by her passion for work. He had heard that the Weasel had left her, and could not comprehend how he could choose a brainless girl like Lavender Brown instead of Granger. His small conversation with her had already brightened his day, and he found himself eager for the next time he would see her.

The day passed by quickly, and soon it was time for her to leave. As she rose from her desk, Malfoy entered the room, greeting her cheerfully.

"Malfoy, why are you here? Weren't you supposed to leave an hour ago?"

"Usually, but my work spilled over. So looks like we're leaving together Granger."

"Nice try. I happen to know you sit in that cubicle the whole day staring at the walls. Now what's your real reason?" She smirked at him, her expression mirroring his, eyes alight with amusement.

"You caught me. I confess. I wanted to walk you down so you wouldn't hurt yourself by slipping again." he teased.

She laughed. "I can take care of myself" she retorted, smiling.

As they walked out into the cool evening, they continued to banter, trading their old Hogwarts insults. However, it lacked the same sting it had had four years ago, and instead seemed to them as a reminder of the days when everything was much simpler. When Hermione turned to walk down her street, Malfoy stopped her.

"Hey Granger, do you have anywhere to be today evening? Because I have nothing to do, and was wondering if we could go to the Leaky Cauldron and maybe get a bite to eat."

Hermione was pleased. She had enjoyed the easy camaraderie between them, and had been facing a boring evening in the tub with a book. She readily agreed, and they apparated away together.

The evening had been better than she had expected. Malfoy was a very interesting conversationalist, and they had talked about a wide range of topics from house elf rights to their days in Hogwarts. Draco seemed more open and care free, and Hermione preferred this side of him to his moody vicious side. He had told her all about the torture he had faced during his time as a death eater, and all the reasons why he was compelled to be one. She told him what had happened when Ron left her, and how she had to cope with it. She spoke about all her insecurities and worries, and he listened patiently. It had felt good to be able to talk to someone so freely. She realized that over the course of the evening, she and Malfoy had gone from being acquaintances to friends. Imagine that! If someone had told her ten years ago that she will one day have a willing conversation with Malfoy and enjoy it, she would have had them checked in St. Mungos for head problems. The twists in life never ceased to amaze her.

He had been a perfect gentleman too. His cultured upbringing ensured that he had perfect table manners. This was a refreshing change from Ron who used to eat like he was facing a ten year famine. She hummed contentedly as she got into the shower, looking forward to tomorrow.

Slowly days passed by. The tenuous friendship between Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger soon morphed into something stronger. They began meeting everyday, if only to discuss work.

Draco found their conversations riveting. Hermione was not like any other woman he knew. She always continued to surprise him with her spontaneity and surprisingly sharp wit. He felt drawn towards her, and couldn't imagine the days when he didn't meet Hermione everyday. He knew he felt a strong connection with her, but could not define his feelings. They seemed more powerful than anything he had ever felt before.

Hermione was also surprised by the sudden intensity in their friendship. They had known each other well only for such a small amount of time, but she felt connected to him like she hadn't felt before. The feeling was new and exciting. He was the only man who had been her match intellectually. But this did not mean they agreed on everything. In fact, they tended to disagree more than ever. And funnily, the arguments were what Hermione enjoyed most. It provided her an opportunity to discuss and argue endlessly, something she had not done since her Hogwarts days.

About a month after they had first spoken, Draco walked into Hermione's office, as was their custom at the end of the day. He had expected her to be either waiting for him or engrossed in a particular file, unaware of the time. What he did not expect was what he found.

As he entered, he saw Hermione sitting on her chair, ashen faced and staring ahead, eyes filled with worry and fear. In her hand, she clutched a letter.

The sight of her looking so helpless quickened his pulse and his step. He hurried towards her.

"What happened Hermione?" he asked, his voice rough with tension.

Wordlessly, she handed him the letter. When he read what was there on the page, his face drained of blood. His past had caught up with him…

A cliffhanger! Lol. So? Hated it? Liked it? Loved it? Let me know. A cyber cookie to you if you do :D Rate and review please, I would love to hear what you think….