This is my first attempt on writing a story for fanfiction. I do not own Harry Potter character but the plot is mine. Hope you like the first chapter. If you like it then please do review. Thank you and now on with the story.

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Hermione Granger lay awake in her bed, staring at the ceiling as though there was no tomorrow. Two years had passed since she graduated from Hogwarts along with Harry and Ron. The final battle took place during their seventh year between Harry and Voldemort. Voldemort was finally defeated by Harry. All the death eaters were immediately given Dementor's kiss. Wizarding world was now safe again. Hermione became a Healer at St. Mungo's, something she had always wanted to become. Harry and Ron has become successful Aurors at the Ministry of Magic.

An outsider would think Hermione's life to be perfect from the way she behaved - happy, poised and calm. But little did they know that it was just a cover to hide her innermost emotions. She had not been emotionally stable since the beginning of the battle. She had been in love then but was torn apart in doing the right thing. Little did she herself know her righteousness would cause her such pain. She could not sleep at night because his dreams haunted her. She could not even look at another guy because she could not bear to be with any one else but him. She loved him so much but never got the chance to tell him yet. Many guys had asked her out but she would flat out refuse. Some guys even began to think that she was not straight. The fact was far from different.

Hermione had been in love with the Slytherin prince Draco Malfoy. They were a secret couple for almost six months before the battle. Hermione still remembered the day when she had made her decision and though it killed her inside, she had to tell him.

"Listen Draco, I need to tell you something", Hermione started.

"Yes love", Draco answered absent mindedly stroking her chestnut hair.

"I think it's best for us to go our separate ways", Hermione said avoiding any eye contact.

"You are joking right."

"No I am dead serious."

"You cannot do this to me. Not after all the things we've been through."

"Please try to understand Draco, we have to do this. It's for the best".

"No I refuse. There are two people in this and I absolutely refuse"

"Draco please don't make it more difficult than it is has to be"

"But you are the best thing that ever happened to me Hermione. Please don't leave me"

'It's not my choice but I have to do it" Hermione pleaded.

"Of course there has to be a choice. There is always another option", Draco was now angry.

"No there isn't any other option. What I am saying is the best option."

Draco was now pleading with her but Hermione knew with the war fast approaching it was the best for both of them. Draco had switched sides to light and now was in more grave danger than before. Voldemort and Lucius would not leave him alive if they saw him and so Draco had to go under the hiding on Dumbledore's order. Hermione herself was trying not to cry, but seeing Draco's blurred eyes did not make it any better. She wanted to straightaway run into his strong, protective arms. She somehow restrained herself because if she did that now, she would never be able to leave him. Draco's voice shook her then.

"Hermione is that really what you want to do?", he asked in a pleading voice. Hermione had never seen him so pleading, so desperate, a sense of urgency defined his voice.

"Yes Draco I.......we...have to do this", Hermione repeated slowly, stuttering.

"Fine then." Have it your way. But I am telling you that if you loose me now you will never be able to get me back Hermione, no will love you as much as I do", Draco whispered in her ear sending shivers down to the core of her spine .He looked directly into her eyes and waited for her to reply.

Hermione looked back and merely nodded. She had never seen him so fierce before, his eyes never this shade of stormy grey. It was like a cyclone going on inside his grey orbs.

Draco banged his fist on the wall near him and she thought she saw two tears leak down silently from his eyes. In two swift steps he came directly in front of Hermione and kissed her. This kiss was unlike any she shared with him. He was always sweet and gentle with her; as if she were a precious vase made out of glass and would shatter if he applied force. But this kiss was fierce, urgent, rough, demanding yet breath taking. It was like he poured all his love, emotions, hope in one last kiss. He bit on her lower lip and finally withdrew. With one last look at her he reached for the door and walked away. Hermione saw blood running down his hand but could not do anything about it.

Hermione sank to the floor. She wished she was strong enough to stay with him and face the consequences as it came. But the sensible side of her said that she had made the right choice.

She recalled his words "Fine then. Have it your way. But I am telling you that if you loose me now you will never be able to get me back Hermione, no will love you as much as I do."

She now realized he loved her and had said so for the first time ever since they were going out and thanks for her cowardliness she could not even say it back. She now realized fully that she would never see him again. Never would he hold her when she was upset, never stroke her hair, never kiss her, never wipe her tears and say he would make it all okay. Never again. She was all alone now, like she always used to be. Draco had to go into the hiding tomorrow with Proffesor Snape. Either of them, or even both of them could die in the war. She regretted it, she regretted she had made this decision, she regretted she had fallen in love with the enemy in the first place. But who was she kidding? This was the best thing that ever happened to her too.

Hermione lay in her bed rethinking of the worst of her memories. After the war was over, she somehow managed to get the news of Draco's survival. She could not have been more relieved. She had seldom heard of Draco as he became famous with his quidditch business. She could say he had done a good job and had a very good living. He was even ranked 4th most eligible bachelor in Witches weekly magazine! She wondered whether he had a girlfriend. But what would change? Even if he saw her, he would shrug and pasd by. After all she broke his heart and he was still a Malfoy by heart. If only once she got a chance to say how much she loved him. Sighing deeply she went to sleep.

Next day Hermione got up and got ready for the day. She had a quick breakfast of eggs, toast and some orange juice. She was just about to leave her apartment when Ginny called.

"Hey Hermione how have you been?" Ginny asked.

"Oh hey Ginny nothing much, pretty much the same schedule, get up, go for work, come home, go to sleep", Hermione replied.

"Yeah yeah my old boring Hermione"

"Hey I might be tad bit boring but I am certainly not old", Hermione defended laughing.

"Like you say but I am coming at lunch to pick you up. We are going out to eat. It's time you go out you know or else you will get aged cooped up in your apartment."

"Okay Gin be there on time."

"Yeah I will. Bye."

"Bye."

Hermione made it in time to St. Mungo's to go for her duty. By the time lunch started, she had already gone through three patients. Soon Ginny came and they were set to go for lunch. They went to a small Chinese restaurant down the street.

"So Ginny what has been going with you and Harry", Hermione asked looking at the menu card. Ginny and Harry had started dating after the war got over.

"That is the reason why we are here Hermione. Harry asked me to move into his apartment this morning and I am so happy", Ginny squealed going through the menu.

"Oh that is great Gin you should be more than happy."

"Yeah you bet!"

"Excuse me ladies. Can I take your order please", a short chunky waitress with Chinese dressing asked.

"Ah yes I will have chicken noodles, with lemon toppings", Ginny said.

"I will have Thai noodles please", Hermione said.

"Is that all?" the waitress asked.

Both the girls nodded and the waitress set off.

"So Hermione are you seeing any cute guy?" Ginny asked expectantly.

"As if I would not tell you if I was dating one", Hermione said rolling her eyes.

"But Hermione it's about time you start dating one". Ginny whinned.

"You know Ginny I can't do that."

"How long Hermione? You know you can't wait on him forever. I think you should move on."

"I do not know Gin. I guess I will never be able to move on till I have had my last chance to set things right", Hermione replied sighing.

Both of them talked eagerly over their hearty lunch and then departed off for their work. Hermione was truly happy for Ginny. She got a perfect life, perfect boyfriend and a perfect job. Ginny worked as an editor for fashion column in Witch Weekly magazine. She truly was a good friend. Ginny had been there for her in her bad times. She was the only one who knew about her and Draco going out in school. Even in school Ginny was her girl best friend and it meant a lot to Hermione. Ginny would patiently listen to her ramblings as she cried her heart out, and the best part was that she was not judgmental about her private life. Sometimes it was good to have a girl friend around and not surrounded by two boys constantly. She shook off her thoughts as she reached St. Mungo's and concentrated on her patients she was about to check up.

"Healer Granger, Healer Bradshaw wants to see you in her office immediately.", Colin, her fellow peer said.

"Okay thanks Colin I will go see her right away", Hermione said walking towards the head's office.

"Good afternoon Healer Granger, I would like you to meet Mr. Malfoy................"

That was it! Hermione could not breathe, she could not concentrate. What was going on? What was Malfoy doing in here? After two straight years she was actually seeing him in flesh.......It was like her world had turned upside down. Her heart was beating so wildly that she thought it might just come out.

"Healer Granger are you even listening?" Healer Bradshaw asked outraged. Malfoy was busy looking at his nails.

"Uh yes Healer Bradshaw", Hermione answered a bit red in the cheeks for caught not paying attention.

"So as I was saying that Mr. Malfoy over here is on the Board of Directors and he is a very prominent person in................. If I am not mistaken both of you attended Hogwarts in the same year right", Healer Bradshaw asked suddenly.

Hermione nodded absentmindedly thinking of a way to escape further interrogation.

"Yes we did. But we were not on very good terms", Draco replied coldly. Hermione flinched at his chosen words. She knew she broke his heart but she didn't know it would turn out to be this cold.

"Healer if it's all you wanted can I go back to attend to my patients", Hermione asked expectantly.

"Healer Granger it would be nice if you could just show Mr. Malfoy around", Healer Bradshaw said flashing a wide smile.

Hermione dreaded this day and cursed her calendar. " Healer Bradshaw could you find someone else to do it. I have some unattended patients waiting on me."

Healer Bradshaw gave Hermione a- you-better-do-it-or-you-are-so-fired look.

"But I am sure you won't mind. I will send some other Healer to attend to your patients."the older Healer replied furiously.

The whole exchange did not go unnoticed by Draco. It hurt him a little to see the girl he still had feelings for flat out refuse to even be in the same room as him.

Hermione on the other side did not know how she was going to handle herself being alone with him. But after that look, she had no choice but to reply "Okay if you insist I will do it". She spoke her words carefully because she did not want to show him she still loved him .Yet.

She preceded going out of the room and waited for him to follow her. He finally came out with a very smug expression on his face. Hermione decided to remain calm and started showing him different wards in the hospital. Luckily he did not come very close to Hermione and kept distance.

Hermione calmly started explaining him as she passed through different wards but he just walked on without even acknowledging her presence. As it was, his presence was making her feel very uncomfortable and by him behaving this way he was not helping any bit.

"Draco what's your problem. First of all I am leaving my patients behind to show you around and all you can do is walk on without any interest". Hermione finally said hotly. She could not take any of his cold behavior any more.

"First of all it's Mr. Malfoy to you", Malfoy spat angrily," And secondly no one dare orders me around, you Mudblood. My one little complain and you will be out of here". With that he walked out and left her staring behind him.

Hermione stood staring at the place he had just left. So she was correct on estimating that his feelings for her had changed. He no longer loved her or else he would not say such bitter words. How would he? After two years she could not expect him to be waiting for her. And that word MUDBLOOD hurt so much, specially coming out of his mouth. She was hurt and hurt beyond damage. And her heart shattered into million pieces all over again. She tried very hard not to break out into tears in front of all the people .She was just about to turn and leave when.....

"Healer Granger, wait here for a second. I got something important to tell you", Healer Bradshaw interrupted her.

A small okay was just what Hermione could squeak out.

"'St. Mungo's is holding a little charity ball this year. You know Mr. Malfoy contributed quite a big amount for the patients who got cursed during the war by some terrible unforgivables", she said." And I have heard from sources about your talent of singing. So I want you to present a song at the ball. I leave you to decide which song you choose. Mr. Malfoy is to attend it and he will be the special guest that evening."

"But Healer Bradshaw I Have not really sung in ages and I am not sure if I will be able to........" Hermione complained but was cut off in the middle.

"No but's and if's. Once I say it has to be done, it should be as good as done", the older Healer replied with a winning smile.

Hermione could not help but accept the orders. Healer Bradshaw had always been sweet and kind to Hermione and had never had a problem with her before. She never even showed her command and authority over others before. Hermione was mildly surprised by her different side of behavior but did not think much of the change, as she had more pressing matters going on in her own life. Hermione almost got scared by the look the elder Healer had given her. She did not understand why she had chosen her to show that bloody git around. It could have been any other Healer, why only her? Sure she wanted to see Malfoy once to solve some issues but she had never thought in million centuries that that one time she had been longing for, would come up so unexpectedly. For merlins sake she wasn't even prepared, and Hermione hated it when she was unprepared on any occasion.

.She decided to pay Ginny a visit. It was time to pour her heart out again. So after her shift got over, she went to the department of Witch Weekly and straightaway headed for Ginny's office.

"Ginny we need to talk", Hermione said.

"Yeah okay what is it?" Ginny asked surprised because it was only in the afternoon that they had met.

"Well Draco Malfoy came at St. Mungo's today and it seems that he has contributed a lot of money for patients there." Hermione said.

"Whoa Malfoy came huh! But what's wrong in that? Atleast he doing a noble job. Who would have thought Malfoy to be charity types?" Ginny said. She had never expected this to be the situation.

"Yeah that is not the point and then Healer Bradshaw told me to show him around, so I had to. I decided to remain calm and started to show him the wards but he was just acting so cold. Then I got bugged and asked him to act civilly when he got even more cold and called me a Mudblood", Hermione said and by the she finished there were tears in her eyes.

"Oh that nerve of the git", Ginny said hugging Hermione and stopped her from crying.

"I hoped he still loved me but it turned out to be complete opposite. Now how am I going to tell him that I still love him? I don't even want to see his ferret face.", Hermione sobbed.

"Hermione have you ever thought that he was acting cold to shield his emotions. Maybe he still loves you but thinks you will hurt him again. Just maybe his coldness is an act, like he acted when we were in school." Ginny replied thoughtfully.

"Or maybe he is an arrogant, self centered ferret head git who is heartless and cold evil bastard," Hermione said removing all her frustrations.

"Whoa that was great. But think about it Hermione, if he really did not have a heart then he would not love you then. And I am sure love does not fade away easily."

"All I ask is to give me a chance."

"Then you just might have to take your chances."

"And I think I just got an idea of how am I going to do it", Hermione replied remembering.

Then Hermione told Ginny about how this charity ball was going to be held at St. Mungo's and Draco was going to there and she was given an order to sing a song. Hermione just knew how to create that situation into her wanting chance.

"I know what you should do. You can dedicate a song to Malfoy and pick out a song that conveys your message. And let him see how much you still love him." Ginny cried happily.

"You are thinking along the same line Gin. I was planning to the exact same thing." Hermione said with happiness and hope filling her eye.

"Thanks Gin for helping me out. It means a lot. And you know what. As the ball is going to be held two weeks away, I want you to come shopping with me next weekend for the ball. Will you come?"

"Of course I will come .You don't even have to ask you know. And about the other one, no worries. Anytime you feel like coming and pouring out, just do it. I will be all ears and advice."Ginny said.

"Thanks Gin you are the best. Bye."

"Bye."

Hermione went home happily. She decided she had a big task to complete, that was picking out a perfect song. She still had time for that so she made some pasta for a light supper. After dinner she read a book and went to sleep with Draco filling her dreams.

Most of Hermione's time went in listening and re - listening every romantic song she came across. She would go to St. Mungo's in the morning, come back in the evening, make some dinner, eat , listen to the cd's she brought, read a book and go to sleep. One week passes by in the same routine and Hermione was now panicking. She still had not got her perfect song.

She called Ginny and Ginny sensing the problem immediately came over with all the more cd's she had. Hermione went through those cd's and ffinally decided that she had got the perfect song. She immediately stopped with choosing of songs and instead dedicated her time in practicing the song. She was shocked to find that she still had her voice.

Soon the weekend came and it was time for Hermione to go for Shopping with Ginny. They decided on going to Diagon Alley for shopping. On Saturday, both the girls apparated to Diagon Alley, to Gladrags. Though it was a bit expensive for Hermione, she decided she would not worry about it now, for she had to look her best.

They had already gone through two racks when Hermione heard Ginny cry, "This is it Hermione, I guess i have found the perfect dress for you."

When Hermione walked to her she found her mouth drop open. The dress was really beautiful. It was a sleeveless sky blue dress with a tight bodice around her bust line and the dress flowed down till her knees. There was a sash to tie around the bodice of same but a darker shade as the dress, with silver sequence .The bodice was decorated in pretty silver sequential work. When Hermione tried the dress, it fitted her perfectly as if it were made for her. It was tight but not oh-my-god-it's-so-tight-that-i-cannot-breathe type, it sowed her curves adequately.

"Wow Hermione, I love it and it's perfect. Now on with the matching shoes" Ginny said happy with her choice.

Hermione paid for her dress and they went to shop for her shoes. They brought silver stilettos as it went with the silver sequence of her dress. Ginny even brought her a pair of silver hoop earrings and they decided to go plain on her neck.

Hermione was now truly excited. Four more days and she would finally perform. It was like she had to give a big exam and wait for results (Wait for Draco's reaction) She was also getting anxious. What would happen if he did not respond or walk away? She was so excited that she forgot about any negative reactivity. She was also a bit scared about her stage performance. What if she chocked or if her voice did not come out and betray her. What if she could not stop her tears from coming? Here she was all confused and lost, wondering what was going to happen. But hey where was her Gryffindor courage then? She decided she act strong and keep up her Gryffindor courage. For now she forgot about all her fears and doubts, dreaming about happy memories of her beloved Hogwarts.

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All right this was my first chapter. Please review and tell me how did you all find it till now. And secondly, this story will have only two chapters. For those who liked it tell me if you want a sequel or continuation. Thanks.