AN: This will be a Dramoine, but I'm carrying off from the end of the war so she's still currently with Ron. Rated M for upcoming chapters. This isn't Beta'd and it's my first HP Fic. Don't be too harsh and please leave reviews if you're enjoying it.
*Disclaimer* I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters or JKR's work.
Almost three months had passed since the end of the war. Hogwarts was almost completely put back together. Death Eaters had taken to Azkaban, while others were still hidden, and loved ones were being buried and remembered.
It took all of Hermione's strength to not cry as they buried Tonks and Lupin together while she holding baby Teddy. Andromeda was in no state of mind to hold him and neither was Harry. It was the last of the funerals they were to attend. The first being Fred then Lavender, who while she despised, knew in her heart that Ron needed closure, Colin Creevey, Snape and now Tonks and Lupin. She stood there with a slight sway in her step, eyes glossed over, trying to keep the stream of tears threatening to escape her as she held this innocent child who had lost both of his parents in one day. Her internal struggle leading up to today knowing one of his parents should at least still be standing here knowing all too well Tonks was too stubborn to sit on the sidelines and enjoy her son while a war was being fought. Lost in her train of thought she hadn't felt a rather large hand placed on her lower back until she was brought back to reality with a kiss on her temple and barely a hold on the three month old wiggling and grabbing for the person whose hand was touching her. Looking to her right she meets his soft blue eyes and bright red hair as he's now reaching for Teddy releasing her hold of him. Once he had him settled in his arms Ron looked into Hermione's honey brown eyes and nodded his head in Harry's direction. Without any words spoken Hermione glided over to Harry and sat on the ground staring at the new headstone seen before them.
Nymphadora "Tonks" and Remus John Lupin
Proud mother, wife, father, husband and friend
Devoted to the moon
In darkness she found comfort
In light he found hope
Wrapping her arms around her knees she leaned into Harry putting her head on his shoulder while they silently wept. After a short time they left, taking Teddy with them and leaving Andromeda to mourn for her daughter and son-in-law.
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The Trio and their friends continued their work at their beloved school trying to get it fixed in time for September classes to commence. All 7th years had been offered a chance to come back to complete their N.E.W.T.'s. with an automatic Outstanding in Defense Against the Dark Arts. It seemed only fitting as they had survived a war against the Dark Lord. Hermione of course had chosen to do just that, though did argue she'd rather earn her "O" fair and square. Ron and Seamus were the first to reject the offer while Harry and Neville were still undecided. She knew Ginny would really want Harry back during her final year but the horrid memories could be enough to keep him away and just pursue his career as an Auror. As much as Hermione wanted her best friend there, she also knew what it would do to him mentally.
After a long day of rebuilding Hermione headed down to the Dungeons, one of the only places that was complete, to rest her head for a moment. She walked into what was once the Slytherin common room and inhaled deeply. Many secrets were held in these walls. The secrets of the Death Eater sons and daughters that caused them torture during their school years. Now it was empty. Just a large empty room. She cast a wordless spell at the fireplace to bring a comforting warmth to the common room. Something she was sure the dungeon never saw. She laid on a couch facing the back wall when she heard others enter the room murmuring about some Healer who helped people after the war. Interested she sat up a bit to hear them better.
"Yes that's what I'm saying Nicola. It's said that this Healer has been a miracle worker to those who have terrible nightmares after the war." The taller brunette she recognized from the years of watching Harry play Quidditch. She was a Hufflepuff, Hermione believed to be named Heidi. She assumed the other girl was also a Hufflepuff by her yellow and black striped outfit.
"Wow, I wonder if they picked that up from the Muggles. I believe they have a similar profession don't they? Ther...uhhh...thereaputes? I think they're called?" replied a puzzled Nicola.
Of course! Hermione thought to herself. "Therapists." She corrected making both girls jump at the realization they weren't alone.
"Oh um, hi Hermione. How are you doing?" Heidi asked with a sad and concerned expression.
"As good as expected. Glad the war is over. Could you tell me a bit more about this Healer?"
Nodding. "Well, she's like those, uh, therapists you just mentioned. They figured a lot of people would have post war traumas like they've seen in the Muggle world. Apparently they have quite a few Healers who have stepped up to help talk about the troubles of the war but rumor has it she's the only one who's been able to help enough to get the nightmares to stop or be extremely limited. I'm not sure if it's true o'course, but it's something to look into. They're at St. Mungo's. Her name is Estella"
"Thank you Heidi." Hermione said as she headed out of the dungeons.
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Letting Harry and Ron know she was going to head to St. Mungos, she left with Neville who decided to go see his parents. As they entered St. Mungos they were greeted by the Welcome Witch. Neville headed to the Janus Thickey Ward after bidding farewell to Hermione.
"Excuse me", Hermione started, "I'm looking for the healers who are similar to therapists? One in particular named Estella."
"Ah yes," replied the Welcome Witch. "Up on the fifth floor. They've cut the tea room in half to make room for the new healers."
Hermione headed up to the fifth floor and knocked on Healer Estella's door. From the other side she heard a faint voice say "With a patient. Please have a seat in the tearoom and I'll be with you shortly." She made some tea as she waited about half hour before the door clicked open. Standing to speak with Healer Estella she was first face to face with a tall male with blood shot grey eyes who looked rather pale with disheveled platinum blonde hair.
"Move." A cold stoney voice in a low tone made her suddenly aware that she was indeed in his way.
"Now Mr. Malfoy what have we been talking about?" Came a voice Hermione could only presume was Healer Estella's. It was very feminine with a matter of fact tone behind it.
"Move. Please." Draco Malfoy managed to say through gritted teeth.
"Excuse me." Hermione replied as she side stepped and Malfoy pushed through her bumping her shoulder. Rolling her eyes in disgust she composed herself and looked at Healer Estella. She saw a petite lady standing before her with golden brown hair and bright blue eyes. She was wearing a black jumpsuit and was smiling at Hermione.
"Well hello there Ms. Granger, I was wondering when I could expect you, Harry or Ron. I'm glad to see you as I'm sure we have much to talk about. My name is Estella."
"Yes, hello. Um. I'd like to be able to make an appointment with you. I'll be going back to school soon so I'd like to see you as soon as possible." Hermione said though her mind was still on Malfoy and thinking about what he could possibly want to talk to a healer about. Surely the war had affected him, but he wasn't really the type to seek help.
Noticing the witch was distracted Estella spoke. "Well I'll be coming to Hogwarts weekly to meet with students who need my services come fall, like your fellow classmate there." Gesturing in the direction Malfoy had just walked.
"Malfoys coming back? Surely he has no reason too."
"Ah, but that is a question for him. I could see you in three days at half past two in the afternoon. Does that work?" Estella said as she looked at her calender.
As they agreed Hermione walked out of St. Mungos and apparated to the burrow with her mind racing with questions, all pertaining to Malfoy. The need for knowledge was always her worst enemy.
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Three days had gone by and so many things happened in that time. She was continuously fighting with Ron and while she was trying to be a supportive girlfriend while he mourned his brother, all he wanted to do was snog. She missed how George and Fred would play jokes, the fire in Ginny, the jokes between her, Harry and Ron. She was happy the war was over as they'd spent their entire school life fighting evil, but at the same time, it seemed they had nothing in common but surviving. She was glad she had this appointment. Trying to talk Harry or Ron or even Mrs. Weasley into going was a difficult feat and though she hadn't given up, she did stop talking about it. They all agreed it was a waste of time and their time could be suited better doing something more productive. Like crying she thought.
Apparating to St. Mungos she waved to the Welcome Witch and headed to the fifth floor. Heading into the tea room she started to make herself a cup of tea when she heard a low groan. Turning she met the same blood shot grey eyes from last week.
"Hello Malfoy." She tried to say cheerily.
"Granger." Malfoy sneered. "Seems Estella is late."
"Oh. You haven't been to see her yet?"
"Obviously not. Why would I continue sitting in here with you if I had?" Malfoy spat.
Rolling her eyes and ignoring his comment she sat across from him. "So I hear you're returning to Hogwarts?"
"Nothing gets past the Gryffindor Princess huh?"
"Just surprised me."
"It shouldn't."
"Well why are you coming back? I've decided t-"
"Not surprised you're going back. Always have to be the top. Miss know-it-all. Can't miss a single marking huh mudblood?"
Growling at the unwelcome term she sneered, "Trying to have a civil conversation with you is absolutely impossible Malfoy."
"Well then stop trying. I don't care to speak with YOUR kind."
"Really? After everything we've been through and the war we've won, you're STILL going to act like this Malfoy? Still a foul loathsome evil little cockroach huh? No one to love you? Did mummy not hug you enough as a child?" Hermione growled standing in front of Malfoy.
Standing up with rage, he over-powered her petite frame. "Listen here mudblood. You leave my mother out of this. My family is and will always be better than you."
"Mr. Malfoy if you are done, our session can start." Estella said calmly from the doorway though there was anger in her voice.
Glaring back at Hermione who was standing tall glaring back at him, he stormed off and slammed the door behind him. Breathing heavily she sat down and drank her tea, turning her back to the door so she didn't have to see him when his session was over.
"Ms. Granger, I can see you now."
Realizing she dozed off she headed into Estellas office. It was a small room with a lounging chair and comfy looking love seat. The ceiling was charmed similar to the way Hogwarts was with stars in the sky and floating candles. On one side of the wall was a fire place that wasn't lit. Most likely because Malfoy liked it cold. Lighting it she took a seat in the lounger.
Sitting across from her Estella started. "Ms. Granger, thank you for seeing me. I figure you might have the most trouble post war.
"Yes. Well I hear you're the best healer around and I'm truly sick of these nightmares. There are many things that haunt me and I'd rather not deal with them anymore."
"Well before we can get the nightmares to stop, first we must get to the root of the nightmares. What keeps causing them to recur even though the war is over and our side has one. The feelings you're going through. We can discuss coping mechanisms, potions, charms, etc. and see if we can get the nightmares to lessen."
"Sounds like a plan. Where do we start?"
"Well, where are you today emotionally?"
"Sad. Tired. Thankful." Hermione had time to think about her emotions over the last few days knowing this would be a question after doing some research about muggle therapists.
"Can you tell me why you're tired?"
Hmm, interesting one to choose first to discuss. "Well I suppose it's because we've been working hard to fix up the school."
"Is that all? It must feel like nothing compared to the physical and mental work you've accomplished over the last 7 years."
"It is, but then when I get back to the burrow, I'm dealing with constant sadness. I understand we're all mourning people and that we've just finished burying our dearest friends. The constant mood swings from Ronald are getting so tiresome though. He just wants to be physical all the time and if he's not physical he's losing his temper about the smallest situations. At the end of the day, it's just exhausting. I can't turn to anyone because what would I say? 'Ginny, I know you're mourning Fred as well, but your brother is being an insufferable prat'. It's not like I can talk to my parents as we're still trying to get their memories back after we found them a couple weeks ago. I just feel like I have no one to talk to who understands and I feel guilty that I'm feeling this when my boyfriend and best friends have just lost their brother." All of this came flooding out of Hermione before she could stop herself and think. Had she been keeping all of this inside? She felt a sigh of relief come over her as she let the words slip aloud.
"It sounds as though we have a place to start doesn't it?"
They talked for the full hour and as their session came to an end she thanked Estella feeling much happier than she had before going in. Hermione felt as though she might be able to get past her nightmares eventually. Opening the door and making her way to the stairs she heard a distinct snigger. Knowing the sound of the voice that released it, more than irritated, she turned to face Malfoy.
"You're still here? Nothing better to do Malfoy? I thought you'd be home asking mummy for a hug by now."
The smirk on his face quickly diminishing and turning into ice cold stare that made Hermione feel as if looks could kill, she would be dead. Quickly moving towards her, his eyes locked in hers, he watched her try to suppress the panic rising in her chest. As he became within inches of her face he spoke. "Estella thought it might help me to do some charity. Help those in need after the war. I immediately thought of you and the Weaslebee's. If anyone was a perfect charity case it's you lot."
Bringing her hand across his face she slapped him before she had put more than a second thought into it. Without hesitation he grabbed her wrist, then the other with extreme force anger flooding his grey eyes and pushed her painfully against the wall challenging her to try it again. Not backing down, their eyes staring dangerously at each other, Hermione didn't move as she glared back daring him to make another move. She could feel the warmth of his breath as his lips were slightly ajar, smelling the linger of the black tea he had earlier. She could see his chest rise and fall in her peripheral vision and the sweat beads streaming down near his eyes as he held her there.
"Let me go Malfoy." She said with confidence in her voice.
"Or what? You going to stick your Weaslbee on me?"
"I can handle myself perfectly. I don't need Ron to fight my battles."
"Oh that's right. I forgot the Gryffindor Princess always had to save him because he's a weak excuse for a Pure-Blood."
Rolling her eyes she wasn't even putting up a fight. She was too exhausted to try to get free when she knew Malfoy was much stronger than her. She could see the definition of his biceps as he held her wrists against the wall. If Malfoy didn't disgust her so much she would have found it arousing, the thought of those muscles on Ron would have been something of enjoyment. As it was, Ron was letting himself enjoy in the sweets a bit more than usual.
Sensing the fight was over as he wasn't getting the satisfaction of fighting her that she normally gave him, he forcefully pushed himself away from Hermione. "Stay out of my sight." He sneered turning and descended down the stairs.
Hermione couldn't help but smile as she gracefully walked down the stairs. Though it wasn't a pleasure seeing Malfoy, it was a nice break in the rather repetitive routine she'd gotten herself into.
Returning to the burrow, she tried to tell Ron about her session with Estella which of course started another argument between the two. Ron felt like she was overstepping again and didn't want her help. Frustrated she ran up the stairs to the room she shared with Ginny and fell into her bed face first and screamed. Turning her head she noticed an owl she hadn't recognized. Getting up she walked over to it and stroked it taking the letter from its leg.
Trying to decide what will benefit more. Destroying the Weaslebee's home so they can make a new one, or just donating the money. Though that would be a lost cause because they wouldn't know what to do with it.
It wasn't signed but she quickly knew who it was from. Getting a piece of parchment she wrote:
How about you focus on something that's actually helpful, like fixing up the school.
H. G.
Attaching the parchment to the owl she stroked it again before it flew off. Laying down she started to think. Malfoy had written her hours after their altercation. She had never once received a post from him in all the years she had known him. This past year he had changed so much, going against his family, the Dark Lord, to lie about Harry after she had cast the Stinging Jinx. He was hesitant about joining him. Overall he seemed like he was thinking on his own. If only he'd stop calling her a mudblood, maybe they could get past their school days.