A/N: ok so I'm going to do this with some flashbacks, which will be in bold and italics, now and then to set the story and what not, they will probably thin out and become nonexistent as the story progresses. This is a Dramione fic. No I don't hate Ron. Alrakis Lyra Dashwood is named the way she is for a reason. Alrakis is one of the stars in the Draco constellation, Lyra is his neighboring constellation. Dashwood is just because I like that movie What A Girl Wants and it popped into my head.

I put pictures of the animals they turn into as well as their Patronus', except for Draco's as I didn't mention his yet for a reason, and the meanings behind them on the Pinterest page for this story, but because I have done some things to this story I may need to create a new board so look to my profile here to find the link to that board. If anyone doesn't wish to go to the board but wants to know the meaning of the animal, just let me know and I'll PM you.

On another note: I am not British. I do not speak like Brits do. So there will be times they sound more American than British. I have looked up some terms to use every so often but I know that if I use them too much one of my British readers- if I have any- will call me out on it. If you happen to be British and see me use a term or phrase wrong feel free to correct me but please don't be nasty about it. Also feel free to tell me something you might say or have heard someone say often. I'm always looking for some help and to make my characters as authentic as possible since they're rather OC to begin with. Thanks. :D

Chapter One

Hermione

Hermione and Ron listened as Voldemort spoke to Snape. They couldn't see Harry because he had thrown the Cloak on and went into the room. She realized a second too late just what Voldemort was getting at. He meant to kill Snape to gain control of the Elder Wand.

Before anyone could stop it they heard Snape yell; and Voldemort speaking in Parseltongue.

"Kill."

There was a terrible scream and a thud as, they assumed, Snape fell to the floor.

"I regret it," they heard Voldemort say coldly and then listened as he walked from the room.

They charged into the room the moment they knew he was gone. The sight before her eyes was terrible. Snape was on the floor, a bite wound in his neck from Nagini and Harry was kneeling next to him. There was blood, so much blood.

The next thing the three knew there was a screamed "No!" and a tall boy with blond hair was barreling past them and kneeling in front of Snape, taking the man's head into his arms. But Snape wasn't looking at Malfoy- his eyes had found Harry's. He raised his hand and pointed to the memories seeping from his mouth, eyes and ears mixed in with the blood. It was obviously hard for him to speak, but he managed two simple words.

"Take...Them! T-Take... Them!" Hermione saw that obviously this was important to Snape so she conjured a vial and passed it to Harry.

"They're his memories, Harry. He wants you to take them, so take them." Harry nodded and moved forward, kneeling next to his childhood enemies and filled the vial with Snape's memories. When he was done Snape nodded his head.

"Look... At... Me." Harry looked Snape in the eyes. The man's next words shocked all of them, except it seemed for Malfoy.

"You... Have... Your... Mother's... Eyes." And then Snape fell into unconsciousness; and Harry stood and stepped back, away from the pair.

The scene in front of them was heartbreaking. No matter how much Hermione should hate the two men, she couldn't. No one should die like this. Not even Snape; and watching Malfoy of all people crying was surreal, but it wasn't the first time. Harry had seen it happen and had told them about a boy's bathroom, a gaunt and anguished looking Draco standing at a sink crying his eyes out.

They of course dueled because Merlin forbid anyone see the boy losing his Pureblood arrogance, let alone his most hated enemy. That was the day Hermione was thankful Harry realized that messing around with Dark Magic and spells you didn't know was something that should never be done. He had nearly killed Draco and in doing so nearly destroyed himself. It was the moment that reminded all of them that Voldemort was the true enemy, of everyone. Coming back to the present Hermione turned to him.

She had made her decision. She just hoped her friends could understand why she was about to say what she was.

"Harry. I can save him. Please, before it's too late. I know you hate both of them, we all do or at least we should, but not even Snape deserves to die like this. Please, let me save him!"

Her humanity demanded she at least try and she was glad when Harry gave her a quick nod. Quickly moving forward, she pulled out her wand. However, when she got closer to Snape Draco grabbed her arm, turning red tear filled eyes on her.

"I won't let you cause him anymore harm Granger!"

Hermione understood his reticence. Her friends believed Snape a traitor and he and Malfoy the enemy, but Hermione wasn't so sure. It had happened that day, at Malfoy Manor. She had had doubts about Malfoy all through Sixth Year. He was so scared and she saw how much the task they now knew he was given had eaten away at him, turning him into a shadow of the arrogant little toe rag he once had been. Quite often she felt when he was cruel to her that his heart hadn't truly been in it, that he hadn't truly meant it.

Then, when they were brought to the Manor, not only had he pretended he wasn't sure who they were- and she knew he was pretending because she had seen that split second of recognition in his eyes just before he had said he wasn't sure- but there was also the look he had given her as she stared at him after his sadistic aunt had tortured her. His eyes had met hers and they were full of sadness, he looked like someone who had watched the one he loved being hurt and there was nothing he could do about it.

Now, she knew he didn't love her, he was Draco Malfoy, but she could never forget that look. She also didn't have time to lose, Snape was still losing a lot of blood. So she put her hand on Draco's shoulder gaining his full attention.

"I'm not going to hurt him Draco. I swear it. I'm going to save him. Please let me do this, we don't have much time." She watched his eyes widen as he realized she had called him Draco instead of Malfoy, but then the doubt was back just as swiftly.

He must have seen something in her eyes though, as he studied them, something that helped him make his decision. He nodded and moved back, sitting down on the floor and wrapping his long arms around his knees, and settled in to watch.

Thanks to what happened with Arthur Weasley in Fifth Year Hermione knew just what to do. It took a new spell to heal Arthur; and Hermione used it now. Pointing her wand at the wound in Snape's neck she began to chant the spell.

"Reparare sanari non possunt," she repeated over and over as she watched in awe as the poison from the snake began to seep back out of the wound and pool on the floor.

The minutes ticked by but they felt like hours as Hermione worked the spell. When she was done, Snape remained unconscious, but alive. Just as they were about to discuss what to do next they all heard a familiar haunting call and watched in amazement as Fawkes came flying in through one of the broken windows and landed right in front of Snape.

They all watched as the phoenix bent forward and rubbed his head against the unconscious wizard, as he dropped two tears into the wound on his neck, finishing the healing process Hermione had started. Then, after flying up and landing on Draco's shoulder and nibbling his ear a bit, Fawkes flew back out the way he came and disappeared into the sky.

"What the bloody hell was that about," exclaimed Ron.

None of them were prepared for the answer. Especially as Snape had killed Fawkes' own master and Draco was a Death Eater who had nearly cost them all their lives not an hour ago in the Room of Requirement.

"Malfoy?" Harry turned to his nemesis.

Clearly there was something they were missing here. Dumbledore had trusted Snape. The only reason everyone lost that trust was because of Snape killing Dumbledore. What if they were wrong to stop trusting him? After all, Dumbledore was the king of cryptic messages and plans only he knew. Only the memories in Harry's pocket would give them the answers they needed, that and the boy in front of them.

Hermione could see the calculating look in Harry's eyes. Many thought that he was just an average wizard with help. That that's why he had gotten this far. She and Ron knew different. After all Harry had stood alone against Voldemort everytime he had faced him so far. It had been Harry and the amazing love he had for his friends that had helped him this far. Draco stood and faced them.

"Look Potter, I can tell you what that was about. Would you believe me though? If I told you that Snape never betrayed The Order? If I told you I am not the enemy? Would. You. Believe. Me?"

There was absolute disbelief on Ron's face. Hermione couldn't quite tell what exactly Harry thought, his face was a blank. Could he possibly be thinking about believing him? She knew she could. There was just something in the tone of his voice, and the niggling feeling that he was different somehow. Apparently Ron saw the same look because he was suddenly shouting, the sound loud and harsh in the silence that had been there.

"Oh come on! Tell me you're not seriously considering that he's telling the truth?!"

Ron's face was almost as red as his hair when they looked at him. She knew that things were about to get complicated...

Complicated wasn't even the word for it. McGonagall and everyone else that were in the Great Hall when the quartet, Snape levitated between them, walked in after Voldemort had issued his ultimatum. She demanded absolute proof when Harry told her what had happened in the Shrieking Shack. She followed them up the steps to the Headmaster's office and went into Snape's memories with Harry. Ron and Hermione had sat back and watched, Draco sitting in a corner of the room by himself with a still unconcious Snape laying on the floor.

When Harry and McGonagall had finished they told the trio what they had seen and that's when it was discovered just how truthful Draco had been. Snape really was still a part of The Order, Draco had defected before the Astronomy Tower incident and Albus Dumbledore had chosen the time, place and way that he would die. Of course Ron was his usual stubborn self.

"So we're just going to believe him then?"

"Ron, Snape's memories can't be refuted, there was nothing to indicate tampering like in that one Dumbledore had from Slughorn. Malfoy and Snape really are on our side."

"I just can't believe it!"

"Why?"

"Because he's bloody Draco Malfoy! Because there's a Dark Mark on his arm!"

"And we know he didn't want it, and his name shouldn't matter. He has really defected. He actually helped us at the Manor!"

"Oh yeah, watching Hermione get tortured was helping?"

"He had no choice. He couldn't let on he was on our side. I understand it, so does Hermione, why can't you?"

"Whatever, I still don't trust him."

"Fine, don't, but right now keep it to yourself. What's going on right now is more important than hating Draco Malfoy."

McGonagall had then fixed up a cot for Snape and then they had all gone down to the Great Hall, without Harry. After that things went wonky and they feared Harry was truly dead, but as usual things with Harry weren't what they seemed.

When the Battle of Hogwarts reached it's conclusion there were many dead on both sides, Death Eaters on the run and people with no place to go, Hermione and Harry being two of them. Yaxley had somehow managed to escape and until he had been captured, Harry didn't want to chance living at Grimmauld Place. Harry and Hermione moved into The Burrow at Molly Weasley's insistence. And surprisingly they had two visitors they never expected over that summer.

This brooked another row, between Ron and Hermione this time thus completely ending any possible relationship they could have had because Hermione had finally seen she and Ron were too different. It was just before she had returned to Hogwarts. Draco and Snape were the two visitors they didn't expect and they became regular fixtures at The Burrow while Snape helped Harry and Ron prepare to become Aurors- at, of all people, the request of Arthur Weasley.

The argument was because Ron was still determined to hold his hate for Malfoy, constantly needling him and being rude. Hermione had finally had enough one day. She couldn't understand why Ron held on to his hate while his family didn't. He didn't act like that to Snape after all.

"Why do you keep persisting on acting like that towards Draco, Ron. You don't do it to Snape."

"Because he's Draco Malfoy."

"So? You need to get over your prejudices Ron."

"Have you forgotten how his family treated mine? How he treated you, me and Harry? Especially you?"

"No I haven't, but Harry, I and your parents, as well as your siblings, have forgiven the Malfoy family already. After a sincere apology from all three of them. You're the only one to continue to be blinkered."

"Because I can't get over the fact he was a Death Eater! And he tried to kill Dumbledore!"

"Key word WAS Ronald. He was! He isn't anymore! And he never wanted to be. Voldemort threatened his family, what would you have done if He had broken into The Burrow and stolen your mum? Or your dad? Or Ginny? And then contacted you and said if you didn't kill me or Harry He would kill them? Would you turn your back on your family? Or would you have done everything in your power to kill us to protect them? And Snape was also a Death Eater, so why is Draco different. And you seem to have conveniently forgotten that Dumbledore planned his death and Draco's part in it. Grow up Ronald."

About a week after that Hermione had broken off her relationship with Ron. Neither of them were too upset over it. They all concentrated on training. Harry and Ron to become Aurors, they chose not to go back to Hogwarts and finish their education. Draco and Hermione just so they were more prepared for their N.E.W.T. level classes and to learn some of the things they had missed due to the war. Harry and Snape began to develop a better relationship than before.

They would probably never be as close as say, father and son, but Snape was now like a favorite uncle. Now that he didn't have the heavy burden of being a double agent on his shoulders, and apparently had realized that Harry was more like Lily than James, he was more cordial. He laughed easier too. He was just a different man all around when he was with them and the Weasley's; as were the Malfoys. There were a lot of changes that summer.

Snape taught them everything from more advanced defensive spells to advanced potions to even wandless and wordless magic. For Harry, Hermione and Draco, with the help of McGonagall- or 'that meddlesome feline' as Snape so loved to call her, who checked in from time to time- he taught them how to become Animagi. Registered of course.

Hermione mastered it first, as usual, and was surprised to discover that instead of an otter like her Patronus, she became a fox. When she looked up the symbolism of both animals she became less surprised. After all, both your Patronus and your Animagus took after your inner traits. Harry became a wolf of all things, Draco an eagle. She and Harry offered to teach Draco how to conjure a Patronus, but what he told them when they offered nearly broke Hermione.

She had become rather fond of Draco, and he of her. They had spent nearly every day of the summer together after all. She saw a new side to the former Death Eater. One less conflicted and more prone to kindness. When he told them he didn't have strong enough happy memories, or any really, to conjure a Patronus Hermione had run off to cry her heart out over it. Draco was the one to find her.

He didn't say a thing, simply picked her up and held her until she was done and then kissed her forehead and led her back to the house. Hermione vowed that day to help him make so many happy memories that he'd have trouble choosing. He still hadn't conjured a Patronus before they had to leave to get on the train to head back to school though.

Over that school year, well if she were totally honest it was that summer before going back to Hogwarts, Hermione found herself falling for Draco. And falling hard, but she had been too afraid to tell him, too afraid that she wasn't what he would want- after all she knew the witches he had gone with, Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass, among others; and when they left she didn't have the chance.

She became engaged with her orphanage, Granger's Home for Lost Souls. She started it not long after the war with the help of Molly, Narcissa Malfoy and Aberforth Dumbledore- who let her use the rooms above the Hog's Head since they were rarely used by anyone else. While she was in school Molly and Narissa helped her. Once she graduated she took over full time. She had twenty-one orphans so far and was in desperate need of a staff member or two.

As for Draco, he was recruited by Puddlemere United. Their season didn't start until the beginning of November, however, so he joined the Ministry as an undercover Auror and helped them round up Death Eaters that were still on the loose. He used his Animagus. An eye in the sky as it were.

Their business meant they didn't have much time to see each other and most of the times they did there were others present, like Harry and Ron. So Hermione still hadn't had the chance to tell him how she felt. She vowed that she would do it soon, if it killed her. A year and a half of being in love with someone you hadn't told yet, was just too long.

Hermione was pulled out of her reverie, she really should be looking at the listings for estates to move her orphanage to, by a knock on the door. She was sat in Aberforth's study, which he allowed her to use for her paperwork and such. When she called for whoever it was to come in, the door was pushed open slowly and a little blonde head poked itself around the frame, eyes full of tears.

Alrakis Lyra Dashwood was only 5, a beautiful little girl that reminded Hermione strongly of Draco, it was the way the girl acted more than the way she looked. Her hair was a tad darker, more a honey blonde than a white, her blue eyes so crystal clear it was as if you were looking at the ocean in the Carribbean. She had lost her father during the Battle of Hogwarts, her mother having passed away during childbirth, a rare occurrence in the Wizarding World, and she had no Godparents. She had no older or younger siblings either. No, she was quite alone.

Hermione wished nothing more than to adopt her, but she couldn't. At least not until she was settled and actually had a permanent place to call home. It wouldn't be fair to the little girl for Hermione to bring her into her life and not have a permanent home. Right now Hermione was living right there in the Hog's Head with her orphans. Once she found them a permanent place for the orphanage she would start the necessary procedures to adopt Alrakis.

The little girl ran to her and threw her arms up begging to be picked up. Hermione grabbed her up and tucked her into her arms, her head tight against Hermione's chest as the little girl sobbed. She let the tears slow before asking what was wrong.

"Did I make Mr. Aberforth leave Miss Hermione? I swear I didn't mean to make his beard blue again! It was an accident! I promise!"

Hermione's heart clenched painfully for the little girl, even as she tried not to giggle at the memory of Aberforth with a neon blue beard. The man had acted angry, but he had that same twinkle of merriment in his eyes as his brother had. He hadn't fooled Hermione for a second. Now she knew he was a little weary of all the sounds and craziness that came with magical children, that's why he had gone off today, but angry he would never be. She snuggled the girl tighter to her, while rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"Oh sweetheart no. Mr. Aberforth knows it was an accident. He had to go to Diagon Alley to get supplies for his pub, that's why it's closed today. He'll be back later this evening."

"Do you promise?" How could one ever not promise this little girl anything when she was looking up at them with big, watery blue eyes and a pout? If those didn't ellicit the promise the sniffling surely would.

"Yes darling, I promise."

With those words the little girl kissed Hermione's cheek. She was about to slide off her lap when there was a tapping on the window and a hoot. Looking out Hermione saw Skye, Draco's eagle owl. Alrakis squealed with delight and launched herself off Hermione's lap, the sudden movement making Hermione's heart leap with fear that the girl might hurt herself, but Alrakis was all grace and landed perfectly on her feet and raced to the window.

She unlocked and opened the window and Skye hopped onto her shoulder and nibbled her ear a bit. The girl carried him to his perch- Hermione tried not to think about the fact that she had a perch specifically for Skye and no other owls that came sometimes with letters from Harry or the others- and brought the letter tied to his foot back to her.

"Look Miss Hermione, it's a letter from Uncle Draco!" All the kids called him Uncle Draco. It amused her immensely. He was only able to come see them about twice a month, but he always brought presents. Hermione received a letter from him at least once every fortnight, although this letter was about a week late- probably because his team was preparing for their first match.

She took the letter from Alrakis and looked at the elegant script on the front bearing her name. She'd recognize that writing anywhere. Breaking the seal on the back, naturally a dragon, she opened it up and found a note and twelve tickets. Looking at the tickets she noticed they were for the match, which was this upcoming Sunday. There were eleven children with her at the moment, the others were in school, so she assumed the twelfth ticket was for her. Reading the note she had to smile.

Dearest Hermione,

Hello love, all right? As you probably already know I have a match this Sunday against the Appleby Arrows. My first ever pro-Quidditch match! I was hoping that you and the children you have with you would be willing to come and cheer me, well us, on. I've enclosed twelve tickets and have already talked to Mother and Father and they said they'd be absolutely willing to help you, just give them an owl and they'll be there Sunday. Also I've already arranged a Portkey, Father will have further information as to what and where. I was hoping afterwards you could let them take the children back to the Hog's Head and you and I could have dinner? Send a reply with Skye. Here's to hoping you say yes.

Yours,

Draco

When she looked up from the note she noticed Alrakis had gone back over to Skye to pet him. Hermione watched the girl. She was surprised the bird wasn't fat from all the owl treats the kids gave him. Most of the kids fed him when he came around. There were a few times Draco hadn't sent him, he had just showed up wanting treats. Most of the eleven were of the age where napping was necessary in the middle of the afternoon, the others were keeping an eye on the younger ones for her while coloring or playing games or whatever.

This was quiet time at the Hog's Head, even the customers that came in occasionally were quiet during nap time, despite her assurances that the Silencing Charms she put around their rooms would ensure they wouldn't hear anything going on downstairs. Although if Alrakis was awake that probably meant the others would be waking soon too.

Hermione figured she had just enough time to pen a reply before the others were ready for dinner. She knew they'd come bounding down the steps, loud as can be, in search for her soon. She wrote a quick reply to Draco, another note to the Malfoys and tied them to Skye's legs. After one more treat from Alrakis he gave the girl a gentle nibble and hoot to Hermione and took off out the window. Just then there was a clatter, the sound of stomping feet, and shouting and everything was suddenly at sixes and sevens. Her tots were awake.

"Miss Hermione, I think the others are awake now."

"Yes darling I believe so. How about we go meet them and we can all get coats on and head to the Three Broomsticks for dinner?"

"Yes please!"

The girl became a bouncing ball of happiness then. She loved Madam Rosmerta and to sit behind the bar and watch the customers. Hermione started thinking about Sunday, and what she would wear for her dinner date with Draco. Perhaps she was finally getting her second chance. Hopefully this time she would have enough bottle to tell him she fancied him. Hopefully he would tell her the same.

a/n: as you can see Snape is still alive and well. I put Fawkes in there because, after reading the HP companion book on Magical Creatures, I discovered it takes an exceptional wizard to tame a Phoenix, and that it's not easy to win their trust. So if Draco and Snape did it, then there must be a reason. I know I took a lot of liberties here. This is a good deal away from canon. If you don't like that then stop reading. It's getting ready to get even more OOC or whatever as we go on. Read and review, but please keep it respectful. Also, I say a year and a half even though the BOH takes place a year and seven months prior to the beginning of my story. But Hermione wasn't in love with Draco then.