Chapter 1
Time Changes Everything
AN: Hello there! So I was listening to Josh Groban and was inspired to write another fic. Don't worry if you read my other stories I promise to continue with those as well. Hope you enjoy this new story for Draco and Hermione. Please review and check out the new album on photobucket for pictures. Search for ssteele2989 and the album name is You're Still You.
Draco Malfoy was the most eligible bachelor in wizarding London. After it came out that he had in fact turned good towards the end of the war was the only thing that had redeemed him. His father had been sentenced to life in prison while his mother and he continued with the family business. In the two years since Draco had taken over the profits had doubled and the company was fully legit rather then some of the dark dealings his father did. They both did lots of charity fund raising, which was what they were doing on this particular night but we will get back to that in a moment. The important thing is that while Draco was the most eligible bachelor he had never had a relationship that lasted more than a month because Draco Malfoy had been in love with a woman he could not have, someone he had been head over heels for since fourth year. Draco Malfoy was in love with the girl who had been tortured by his own aunt. He was in love with Hermione Granger and he was planning on making her fall in love with him as well.
Draco scanned the manor's ballroom. His mother had taken to redecorating after the war and had turned Draco's childhood prison into the most beautiful manor house in England. The ballroom had a large balcony that had two staircases that came down into it. The walls were cream brocade and the large chandeliers were crystal. Tonight they were having a costume ball on Halloween night to raise money for funds to help Hogwarts students who didn't have the means to buy all their supplies. Her name was on the guest list so where in Merlin's name was she he thought to himself. Then he looked up to the balcony and saw her. She was more beautiful than ever. Her hair had darkened and taken a red hue to it, it fell in long silky curls down her back and was no longer frizzy. Her eyes were warm pools of chocolate that showed how good and loving she was. Her mouth was perfect and plump and how Draco had imagined kissing those lips. Her body was the perfect hourglass shape and the dress she wore showed that off. She wore the most beautiful gown he had ever seen. She wore a blue gown that had a sweetheart neckline and the bodice was covered with a design that looked like peacock feathers. The blue of the gown brought out the red in her hair. She wore her hair down with one side pulled back that had a flower in it that was designed with peacock feathers as well. She wore simple blue sapphire earrings and a simple blue sapphire necklace. She was the picture of poise and grace. Draco was bracing himself to see the Weasel come and escort her down but Hermione walked down by herself. Draco moved through the crowd like a man on a mission. He would talk to her tonight. He would tell her all things he never could growing up. Unfortunately Draco's mother intercepted Hermione before he got to her. He saw them speak to each other Hermione smiling at his mother as he assumed she thanked his mother for the charity work they were doing, telling her how beautiful everything looked. Then they both started to walk toward him. Draco adjusted his tie and smoothed his tuxedo jacket.
"Hermione I trust you remember my son?" His mother said gesturing towards Draco. His mother still amazed him at how beautiful she was and how gracious she acted towards everyone. He had always tried to protect his mother. She was a good woman who had fallen in love with a bad man and being the ever dutiful wife had followed him even when he turned to dark magic.
"Of course how are you ?" Hermione said not really looking him in the eye.
"Please I don't think there is a need for , I'm not my father. Mother I wonder if I may take Hermione from you, I would like to ask her for a dance." Draco said offering his hand.
"Yes, Of course you two must dance together. Think of how wonderful it will look for the press." Narcissa said with a little too much enthusiasm. Hermione inwardly groaned but took his hand so they did not cause a scene. Plus Hermione had genuinely come to like the matron of the Malfoy family so she would dance with her son to appease her. Draco led Hermione out onto the floor and wrapped an arm around her back bringing her close to him to where their chests were almost touching. Draco was considerably taller then Hermione but for some reason she felt safe in his arms. A new song started up and they began to dance around the ballroom Hermione being as light on her feet as Draco.
"Where is your date? I expected to see you with Weasley?" Draco asked as he danced with the woman of his dreams.
"Not that it is any of your business but we broke up." Hermione quipped back at him.
"I am sorry to hear that." Draco said sincerely. He may want Hermione to himself but he didn't want her to be sad or in pain in any way.
"I am sure you are." Hermione said sarcastically.
"Look Hermione I want to apologize for how I treated you in school. I was raised to believe terrible things and I know that isn't really an excuse. I followed my father when I could have been my own man and I hope some day to receive your forgiveness and I would really like the opportunity to show you that I mean well." Draco told her as they continued to dance through another song.
"Do you honestly think that after all you put me through, that you put my friends through, that I would trust you enough to let you into my life when it is already messed up enough? I don't think so. You may have fooled everyone else but you will never fool me. "Hermione told him.
"Hermione please I only want to make up for how I treated you."
"Stop that." Hermione said becoming slightly angry.
"Stop what?" Draco asked slightly confused.
"Stop saying my name you have no right to say my name." Hermione told him.
"Well it is your name, if I am not allowed to call you by your name then what shall I call you my Lady?" Draco asked whispering all into her ear which sent chills down Hermione's spine.
"Well you had a name for me all through out school I thought you would use that you never had a problem with using it before in public." Hermione said to him looking into his face. She had to admit he was gorgeous with his gray eyes and angular face and that baby soft hair.
"I told you that I don't believe in that anymore I don't think I ever really did but when your father literally beats it into you what is a kid supposed to do." Draco asked her pleading with his eyes to her.
"Don't you dare make me feel sorry for you Draco Malfoy. You could have changed at any time but you didn't." Hermione said.
"But I did change, before the final battle and I watched over you that whole time you were fighting at Hogwarts. I made sure you weren't killed. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you had died fighting people that had been friends with my family, friends with me. Hermione please give me a chance to make it up to you." Draco told her. Hermione was silent for a while and then backed away from him when a song ended. She studied his face for a while. There was such sadness and longing in those eyes and Hermione felt herself being drawn into them.
"Very well I shall give you a chance, but don't expect me to forgive you right off the bat, do you understand?" Hermione asked.
"Yes completely, let me take you to dinner tomorrow night. There are many things for us to talk about." Draco asked.
"Very well owl me the time and place and I shall meet you there." Hermione said.
"Thank you, you won't regret this I promise." He said taking her hand and kissing it before going off to make plans for his dinner with Hermione the next night.
Hermione was getting ready for her dinner with Draco when a knock came at her door. She went to answer it and found a man holding a large bouquet of flowers.
"Ms. Hermione Granger?" The man asked.
"Yes that me." Hermione replied.
"These are for you miss." He said handing then over. She thanked the man and closed the door going to her kitchen to find a vase. The flowers were lovely a mixture of orchids and blood roses. There was a card in them as well. Hermione opened it thinking it would be from Ron saying he had made a mistake and wanted her back, but it was from Draco.
Looking forward to tonight.
I hope you like these.
See you soon.
DM
Hermione was stunned she had never received such beautiful flowers before and she certainly wasn't expecting them to come from Draco Malfoy. She placed them in a vase and finished getting ready. He was taking her to a new Italian restaurant that had just opened in Diagon Alley and they were to meet at eight o'clock. Hermione had opted for a cocktail dress that had a cream silk top to it then from the bust down was black. The dress went up to her neck and was sleeveless. She wore her hair back and twisted over to one side that cascaded down over her shoulder. She put pearls in her ears that matched the pale peach of her dress and some black peep toe heels that would give her some height. She had done her make up light and more natural trying to keep this as professional and not a date. Giving herself the final okay she grabbed her purse and wand and apparated to the restaurant.
When she got there she went to the hostess and gave him her name and followed the man to a table where Draco was already sitting. He stood up upon seeing Hermione approach. Hermione was taken away with how good he looked. He had grown more muscular and his hair had grown out more and was styled pushed back but not like how he had in school it still looked natural. He wore a gray three piece suit with the jacket unbuttoned with a purple tie and white dress shirt. He pulled out her chair for her and pushed it back in for her once she was seated.
"I ordered you a glass of their best wine." Draco told her sitting down at the table across from her.
"Oh thank you and thank you for my flowers they were lovely." Hermione said placing her napkin on her lap. She found herself blushing now that she was here what really seemed to be like a date with Draco. "So what did you want to discuss?" Hermione asked taking a sip from the wine glass that had been placed in front of her.
"Well as I said last night I really want to apologize for how I behaved towards you in school. It was wrong and uncalled for and I would really like the opportunity to start over with you and perhaps build a friendship." Draco said.
"I see and why now?" Hermione asked.
"I have been doing some thinking and since family affairs are finally back in order and time has passed to heal some wounds I would really like to start making a fresh start in other aspects of my life." He explained to her.
"You know I am not the only person you wronged?" Hermione asked him.
"Yes I do realize that but i feel I have wronged you the most and so I wanted to start with you." Draco said.
"Well then let us start over. Hi I am Hermione Granger and you are?" Hermione said standing up and extending her hand towards him.
"Hello Hermione I am Draco Malfoy." Draco said standing up and taking her hand. It was so warm and soft he could have held her hand all night. They took their seats again and ordered food and began to talk and get to know each other.
"So what do you do for a living now?" Draco asked Hermione as they shared a meal together.
"I work in the ministry for the betterment and equality of all magical beings. Repelling archaic laws and replacing them with ones that are fair to all." Hermione told him.
"Still trying to save the world Granger?" Draco chuckled.
"Well someone has to since Harry retired from that role." She said making them both laugh and Hermione realized he had a wonderful deep laugh and he was breath taking when he smiled. "You should smile more often Draco it looks good on you." Hermione commented not believing she had been so brazen to say it.
"Well keep giving me reasons to and I will Hermione." Draco said causing Hermione to blush and look away from him. They continued their meal and talked about things they had done since school and started to get to know each other. Draco was sure that this night had been the best of his life so far.
AN: Well I hope you enjoyed the first chapter please let me know what you think. The song the inspired me to write this is You're Still You by Josh Groban. Lyrics to follow.
Through the darkness
I can see your light
And you will always shine
And I can feel your heart in mine
Your face I've memorized
I idolize just you
I look up to
Everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
I've loved you for so long
And after all is said and done
You're still you
After all
You're still you
You walk past me
I can feel your pain
Time changes everything
One truth always stays the same
You're still you
After all
You're still you
I look up to
Everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
And I believe in you
Although you never asked me to
I will remember you
And what life put you through
And in this cruel and lonely world
I found one love
You're still you
After all
You're still you