Author's note: Well, it's been a little while since I've put up a new story. I'm hoping that you all like this one. It's a little different from my other fics, but I think I like this one the best so far. In case anyone wants to know, it was inspired by the song 'Travelin' Soldier' by the Dixie Chicks.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. Only the plot... Not even that really.

Traveling Soldier

Hermione was beyond her school day tiffs with the Slytherins. It had been a year since they graduated, and each of them went their separate ways. Some became Death Eaters, some joined the ministry, and others went on to do other things. The quarrels were long forgotten to her. Sometimes when she thinks back to her school days she thinks about the things that were said. She realized long ago that they only treated her the way that they did because it was all they knew. They grew up thinking that people with less wizard heritage were inferior to them. She accepted that it was the way things would remain. But she also knew that people could change. They could realize that what they were taught was wrong.

That's why when Draco Malfoy stumbled into her small café she offered him a small smile before approaching him.

"What can I get you?" she asked him taking out her paper and pen, smile still on her face. Hermione noticed that Draco looked weary like he hadn't slept in days. But with what was going on, he probably hadn't. Harry and Ron, who both worked as Aurors for the ministry, informed her weeks ago that the war was going to begin at any time. She knew it was coming. The increase in deaths had lead many to believe the same thing. Hermione could only wonder where Draco's loyalties lied these days. Although many expected her to be by Harry's side through his whole life, she knew that she would have as little to do with the war as she could.

Draco sighed and rubbed his hands over his eyes, as if attempting to rejuvenate himself.

"I'll have a coffee." he said wearily. "And if you don't mind, maybe you could sit down and talk for a few minutes."

Hermione knew that he hadn't had many people to talk to back at Hogwarts, and it was probably the same way now.

"Sure. I'll be back with your coffee in a minute." she said with a smile. It had been months since she last saw him. He looked different. Like he hadn't slept and spent too much time inside. She could tell that something was bothering him and he needed someone to talk to.

She walked to the back of the kitchen where the coffee was kept and poured Draco and herself a cup. While exiting the kitchen she decided the grab a few cauldron cakes for them to snack on. Once she made it to Draco's table she set the food and drinks down before taking a seat across from him. For a few moments they sat in silence while they drank their coffee and nibbled on the cauldron cakes.

"The war is going to begin tomorrow." he stated unexpectedly as he set his coffee down and began to rub his eyes again. Hermione inhaled deeply before answering.

"I know." she said quietly. "I'm worried. I have no idea how bad it's going to get."

Draco removed his hands from his face and clasped them together on the table. He then looked Hermione directly in the eyes. She knew now that whatever he said would be anything but a lie.

"It's going to be terrible. But it wont last long. People are already saying that it'll be over in a matter of weeks."

She tried to stifle her gasp the best she could. Many witches and wizards already fled to foreign countries to avoid the inevitable. The war wasn't unexpected, but it was hard to predict when it was going to begin. Hermione rested her head on palm of her hand.

"Are you going to fight?" she asked in a low voice. She needed to know where is loyalties lied. She needed to know if he was going to be okay. A stray piece of hair dropped in front of her eyes, causing her to re-tie the bow in her hair.

"I am." he stated flatly as he picked up his coffee once again. Hermione wanted to scream and tell him that he was stupid for fighting against something he couldn't defeat. She wanted to tell him to stay home until it was all over. She could feel her harbored feelings for him resurface. She remembered how much he'd hurt her in the past. But she couldn't let go. She knew that somewhere inside of him, he knew that he needed her.

"You shouldn't. What if you get hurt?" she asked him softly. She could read his face better this time. It showed worry and distress. He didn't want to fight in this war. No one did.

"If I get hurt, then I go home and rest. If I don't fight, I'm going against everything that is expected of me. I'm not fighting because I want to kill people, I'm fighting to help those who need it the most."

"Well, the Death Eaters will certainly need as much help as they can get." she stated with a hint of anger in her voice. She couldn't help but think that Draco was one of them. His father certainly was.

"Hermione. I need you to know something." Draco said looking into her eyes once again. He reached across the table and placed his hand on her forearm.

"You cannot tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. It could ruin the entire mission." She nodded her head in agreement before he continued.

"I'm not fighting for the dark side, Hermione. I'm spying for the light." he said quietly. He knew that anyone in the small café would have heard him if he said it any louder. "I've been spying for months. No one would have suspected me to do it."

"Do Harry and Ron know?" she whispered leaning closer to hear him. Draco copied her movements so that they were a few inches apart.

"Harry and Ron have absolutely no idea. It was the headmaster's idea. He approached me at the end of school about it."

Had Draco joined the dark side? Did he have the... mark? Now, after sitting with him for a few moments, she knew that he was sincere, and would continue that way.

"Do you have it?" she asked tentatively as she gestured to his forearm. Draco looked down for a moment before pulling up his sleeve. What she saw surprised her. Nothing.

"Father convinced him to wait a few more months before I got it." Draco said as he rolled his sleeve back down. In the background of all the chattering going on about them, Hermione heard the fait sound of a clock dinging. She needed to get back to work until the next shift came in.

"I've got to go, Draco." she said quietly. "I hope that you have a safe return. And when you get back, make sure to come pay me a visit." Draco looked thankful. He stood up and rounded the table until he was in front of her. He offered her a hand to help her up. She gladly took it.

"Thank you for listening, Hermione. I haven't had too many people in my life do that for me." he said graciously before adding, "I'll write you to let you know that I'm alright if it'll make you feel better. But I better not get any howlers from an upset boyfriend." Both lightly chuckled at his remark. "I've got to get going. I have to leave tonight and I haven't gotten everything together yet."

Hermione stepped forward and closed the small space between them. Her small arms wrapped around his lean torso.

"Be safe, Draco." she whispered in his ear before letting go and walking away.

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