Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Harry Potter

Hermione Harry and Ron sat in their compartment on the train they were returning to repeat their last and final year at Hogwarts. Not all those that had participated in the final battle were retuning but molly was not accepting no for an answer. The three had tried to explain to her that Professor McGonagall had made it clear while they were more than welcome to they needn't return and complete their 7th year but Molly wouldn't have it. Currently Harry and Ron were indulging in a game of wizards' chest and Hermione sat near the compartment door curled up with a book.

"I don't know why I listened to her" Ron groaned as Harry destroyed yet another of his pawns.

"You listened because that's better than facing the wrath of Molly Weasly." Hermione smiled not even bothering to look up. Molly had made it very clear to all three of them they would be returning and she would not be discussing it. "She just wants you to have all of the qualifications for the jobs you'll be getting." Just then the compartment door slid open and the trio looked up. Ron groaned and looked back at his game while Hermione sat there staring intriguingly at the blonde Slytherin before her.

"I see some things never change" He drawled and smirked at Hermione. She shrugged and returned her attention to her book.

"Some of us want to pass this year." She mumbled.

"Surely the golden trio has been excused." He said she rolled her eyes

"Apparently we all need to learn a lesson or two about not running off from school before the semester starts." Ron grumbled.

"Aww did someone get yelled at by their mommy?" Draco mocked Ron glared at him.

"At least my mommy isn't a death eater!" Ron yelled Draco pulled his wand and pointed it at Ron.

"Don't you ever.." Draco began.
"Enough!" Hermione yelled stepping in between the two men. "We have spent the last 7 years of our lives fighting. Do you boys think we might be able to act like adults for once and show some civility!"

"Civility?" Ron scoffed. "Malfoy doesn't know what the word means."

"Apparently neither do you!" She yelled.

"Good one Granger."

"Malfoy," Hermione warned

"At least I don't have the dark mark on my arm!" Ron Screamed

"Ronald Weasly that is enough! He lied for us when he could have been killed himself! And you." She said rounding on Malfoy. "You will stop your childish antics!" he slowly dropped his wand and locked eyes with the witch in front of him. She was much more demanding than he remembered. He liked that, his eyes flashed at her dangerously.

"Don't you hurt her." Ron started as he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him.

"I'm not going to hurt her Weasly." He spat he was angry and she could see it.

"Oh that's right that's your aunt's job."

"RONALD!" She screamed she rounded on the red head and slapped him before running out of the compartment.

"Nice one Weasly." He smirked before walking down the corridor after her. He found her in an empty compartment half way down the train. He lightly knocked on the door before sliding it open.

"Can I come in?" he ask she shrugged. He sat down next to her.

"I'm sorry Ron was out of line." She sniffled.

"No if anyone's going to be apologizing it's going to be me." He said

"You have nothing to be sorry for Malfoy." She said softly, he stared at her in disbelief.

"Nothing to be sorry for? I stood there and let her torture you!" He yelled she half smiled at his reaction.

"They would have killed you, and your mother."

"It shouldn't have happened." He mumbled darkly.

"I told you not to do anything, I saw you reach for your wand." he looked at the broken woman beside him, she had faced the dark lord and spent nearly a year on the run but the cruciatus curse has a lasting effect on its victims, especially when the witch or wizard performing it has as much power as Bellatrix Lestrange. "Malfoy risking your life for me wasn't an option." She laid her hand on top of his as he stared out the window. Both of them felt the spark that ran through their bodies at her touch and both blatantly denied it to themselves.

"I won't let any of them hurt you again, I've changed." He said the last part quietly this brought a smile to her face.

"I know you have. If you hadn't I wouldn't have spoken for you at your trial." He looked at her and was somewhat relived to find she was still smiling at him reassuringly.

"Why did you? You didn't have to, none of you did."

"We weren't going to at first." She answered honestly "But Kingsly told us the real reason you joined Voldemort." He winced at the use of the dark lord's first name but she continued. "Your mother's life was at stake, not to mention your father basically signed you up the day you were born." He laughed she sure had a way of making even the darkest topics seem slightly light hearted.

"You know Granger, You aren't half bad." He chuckled.

"Did the Draco Malfoy just laugh?" She asked this cause him to laugh harder.

"I could get used to this civility thing."

"Let just leave your aunt out of it, ok?" She asked he quickly nodded. I better get back before Harry comes looking for me." She said standing. The two exited the compartment

"Later Granger." He called over his shoulder as he strode away. She watched him for a moment; maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.

Hermione walked back into the compartment the boys were still playing chess as she sat down and picked up her book.

"Hermione?" Ron said tenitivley. She shot him a death glare that instantly shut him up.

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