Compromises

Disclaimer: I only own this plot. Anything recognisable is owned by J.K Rowling. Also this story is inspired by the incredible fanfic: Broken by inadaze22.

A/N: Warning, this is my first fic EVER. Actually my first attempt at ACTUAL major writing ever, but I decided to give it a go… with my favourite characters: Draco and Hermione along for the ride! So here's the deal, please forgive any mistakes… and possibly offer help with the grammar, mine is kinda iffy. Hopefully the writing gets better as we progress through the story. I have this roughly planned out, so I am – by all means – GOING TO FINISH THIS, however long it takes :D. Support is welcome, and please… be gentle :P. Ok enough yabbering (though I can't promise a lack of it in future notes haha)… Here it is. *fanfare + confetti*

Chapter 1: Gotta love Mondays

Hermione Granger sighed as she looked at herself in the dresser. Same old frizzy hair, same old brown eyes, same old… She narrowed her eyes and ceased that train of thought. It was a new beginning. It was going to be a good day. She pulled a face at herself in the mirror and turned away before she could find something else to criticize. Sigh… Another Monday. With that thought Hermione disapparated from her London flat.

The gentle wind had turned into a bully, leaving battered leaves in its wake. The pleasant breeze had turned into a full-fledged gale as soon as Hermione Granger had apparated into quiet village of Hogsmeade. She surveyed her snow covered surroundings. Nothing much had changed. The Three Broomsticks looked the same albeit a bit more dilapidated. She quickly looked away before Madam Rosmerta could catch her eye and invite her in for a butterbeer.

From the corner of her eye Hermione glanced curiously at Rosmerta, the witch didn't have any wrinkles but her hair had an edge of grey at the corners. It looked quite austere actually. Looking around, Hermione noticed that Honeydukes was still as popular as ever, she caught the sound of chatter and laughter on the wind as yet another patron entered the shop to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere inside. Ignoring the rumble of her stomach Hermione turned away from the inviting haven and stomped towards the castle, causing a flurry of snow to cascade down from the awning above a stall. The frown creasing her forehead deepened.

Over the years, Hermione had slowly evolved into a complete and utter sourpuss. No other word for it. Other people's happiness annoyed her; she had morphed into a bitter person after the war. Kinda like an all-year scrooge. Hermione smirked at her own observation. A mirthless, cold smirk.

Gazing around, Hermione noticed the quietness. This journey was quite different without the chatter of her fellow classmates. A lot longer too, she grumbled, lengthening her strides to loosen the cold from the muscles of her legs. She rounded a corner and suddenly the castle, in all its glory, was in front of her. Hogwarts. The turrets were not as high as she remembered, the grassy Quidditch fields not as green. The gates weren't as awe-inspiring and the Black Lake not as exciting. Or maybe it was just her new pessimistic take on life. Or… maybe she had finally grown up… at the age of twenty-three. Chuckling acidulously she gazed up at her old school. She was back where it had all started. Great. Life really had come a full circle.

Go away, mumbled Draco Malfoy, rolling over and covering his face with the goose-down blanket.

"Master! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! You told Pepper to wake you up on Monday, and IT IS MONDAY! WAKE UP!" the shrill house-elf berated her master in a very motherly fashion.

"FINE!" yelled Draco, giving up his feeble attempts to block out Pepper with his pillow.

"I'm up, I'm up… why in Merlin's name did I ask you to disturb my precious sleep?" Draco muttered as he lazily pushed himself off the King size bed and sauntered over to his ornate dresser. Running his hands through his long-ish blond hair he rubbed his stone grey eyes.

"Job interview, Master Draco. Do not tell Pepper that Master forgot! Pepper is so very proud of her Master, looking for a job! You need to look…"

"Pepper!" Draco cut off the doting elf before she went blue in the face. "It was a rhetorical question." With that remark Draco shut the door of the bathroom and started the shower.

Standing under the pelting hot water pouring from the showerhead Draco let his thoughts drift.

Pepper was right, I am pretty damn proud too. Persuading mother to let me leave the business wasn't an easy task. What with father gallivanting around the world, taking longer and longer 'personal' trips… But this is my life dammit! I am sick of sitting in a conference room around pompous, hypocritical, old coots. Those bigots – Draco's thoughts were interrupted by the bar of soap slipping from his hands. It smashed into the ground with a loud, wet SMACK! Picking up the soap Draco cleansed his mind of bitter thoughts. If he started on a rant, he would continue all day and he did not need that today.

Today was the day to focus. It was after all… a Monday. Start of the week… with a much needed clean slate. Bubbling with optimism Draco grinned and quickly dressed in stylish grey dress robes. Walking out of the mansion Draco took a second to gaze admiringly at the stunning white peacocks roaming around and then disapparated.

Appearing in front of an old castle, Draco's grin wavered. This place had been the beginning of it all… and the end too. Taking a deep breath he pushed open the iron wrought gates with surprising ease. Gaining confidence from this, Draco made his way up to the front entrance with a spring in his step.

Hogwarts here I come.

A/N: Liked it? Could use some work? Should I continue? (continue posting that is because I am still going to keep writing this for myself). Please take the time to give me some feedback, I'm working completely blind here. Complete novice haha… still trying to find my running legs. So yeah… tell me how you liked it.