Hello everyone! Yay a new chapter! You guys are being so kind with your reviews and I just wanted to say thank you. I never knew that I would enjoy writing this much!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All characters and places belong to J.K. Rowling.

Hermione was confused why Draco was being somewhat kinder. 'Has he changed after the war? Are things going to be different?' She thought. More customers than usual came and bought books today. She was very pleased when she closed up.

The next day she opened up and two hours later Draco came in. He didn't say anything to Hermione, but just went over to a book shelf and after careful deciding, he picked up a book and went the the sitting area in the front shop. In the far front, there was a bay window where there was a place to sit and read. Hermione particularly loved that spot because it was so comfortable and it was the perfect place to read.

Draco read for almost the whole day and when it was time to close up Hermione didn't want to stop him. She was actually enjoying having someone reading near her all day.

"I need to close up soon, Malfoy. Ok?"

Draco didn't answer because he was so deeply interested in his book. It was that or he didn't want to leave and he just ignored Hermione. Once it was exactly 5:00, Hermione got up from her stool and walked over to Draco. She reached out her hand to tap on Draco's shoulder, but she stopped before she was just about to. She was, scared. She decided to speak in alternative.

"Malfoy, I'm really sorry to stop you, but it's closing time. You can come back tomorrow, if you wish."

Draco looked up into Hermione's beautiful hazel eyes. He almost got lost but the then snapped out of his trance. He closed the book and stood up.

"Thanks for letting me read all day. I've grown on this dump, but don't think that I am going to keep on coming."

"Goodbye Malfoy."

He stalked off and left the shop. Hermione felt a little more vulnerable now that Malfoy was gone. She felt that a piece of her was missing. She sighed and looked out of the bay window. The smell of his cologne lingered where he sat.

Draco kept visiting every day for the next couple of weeks even though he said he wouldn't. Hermione felt so safe with him in the book shop. She really enjoyed his company. 'Why do I feel this way?' She thought. 'This isn't right.'

She woke up one day. It was severely gloomy and dreary. It made her remember when Voldemort was in power of the horrid dementors and the weather was so sad every single day. She shuddered and it went through her spine all the way from her head to her toes. Those were awful times.

After she opened up, she expected Draco to come, but he didn't show up. There was no sign of him at all. She felt depressed that he didn't come. She was looking forward to his presence. Hermione looked up whenever anyone passed her shop. She felt empty without him coming.

The next day, Hermione woke up feeling sad again because she knew that Draco wouldn't come. She didn't feel like doing anything at all. She just wanted to stay at home and watch a marathon of movies. She dragged herself out of bed and got ready glumly.

At 10:00 the bell rang, and Hermione didn't even bother looking up. Until she smelled a familiar smell. Draco's cologne. She looked up and saw him. He looked depressed and hurt. Hermione thought of asking him what was wrong. She thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she asked.

"Malfoy, you look upset. Would you please tell me what's wrong? It would help to let it out."

Hermione could see the hot tears that were about to run out of his eyes. She noticed how piercingly grey they were.

"My father is in Azkaban. He was sentenced to life. My mother only has to be watched closely by the Ministry. She got off the hook, not like my father. I, on the other hand have to prove that I have changed in 6 months. I will have a trial and then the ministry will decide whether I will go to Azkaban. They are doing this for all the people that were under the age of 20 and were forced to follow Voldemort because of their parents.

"Malfoy." Hermione looked at him and felt sorry for him.

"There's no chance for my case. I will never be able to show them that I have changed."

"Malfoy, I will help you. I will do research and prove that you have changed. Each day you came in, I saw it in your eyes that you are now different."

"Granger, you really don't need to do that. I don't need another person to be disappointed when I lose."

"I want you to stay here and work with me. I won't give up without a fight. Please Malfoy just try."

"Fine, but don't think I don't know why you are doing this. You just want to fake that I stand a chance and them you can disappoint me even more."

"Malfoy, please don't think that. We can look up in my small library in my apartment and see if there is anything. You can come up to my apartment with me after closing time."

Throughout the day they did research together and didn't find anything to help Draco's case. Once it was closing time, they went up. Hermione and Draco were hungry. Draco has always enjoyed cooking because he grew up to fine cuisine. His parent never allowed him to cook because they said it was house elves work. He however snuck in late at night and cooked. He loved it. It was his escape from is forced life. Once they entered, Draco said,

"I'm really hungry, can we eat?"

"Yeah sure. Do you want me to make something?"

"I've always enjoyed cooking, but I don't know if I really want to cook in the confinement area that you call a kitchen."

"Oh come on Malfoy! Just cook something."

"Ok. Fine."

Hermione resumed reading as Draco cooked up an amazing dinner. He made roasted duck breast with a cheery balsamic glaze along with a English pea risotto. He also made a perfect salad with fresh lettuce to go on the side. Hermione and Draco ate and talked for a while.

"Malfoy, this is amazing. I didn't know you could cook so well."

"Thanks Granger. I do have some talents you know."

"Well I can surly see them here." She pointed at the plate with her fork.

"So what have you done over the 3 years since the war?"

"I spent some time with Ginny and Harry at their house. They were so welcoming. I worked hard to make enough money to buy this place and finally did. It took a whole lot of work, but it completely paid off. I really am living my dream. This is what I wanted since I was a girl."

"What about you and Weasel?" Draco said curiously.

"It really didn't work out. He never fully understood me. I felt lost with him. It was really complicated."

"Oh. Well I never really thought you and Weasel were meant to be. I thought you needed some one better." He said with a smirk.

"Really?"

"Yeah" said Draco quietly.

There was now an awkward silence with them because of Draco's comment. He finally broke the silence.

"I also made some chocolate soufflé. It's in the oven now."

"Yum! Malfoy, you didn't have to do this."

"Oh well, it's the least I could do."

They shared a soufflé and chatted some more.

"Malfoy I know you don't think this, but everyone has really moved on now. Even if you haven't. Harry and Ron forgive you and all of our friends. Just so you know."

"I just don't know if I forgive myself yet."

Draco and Hermione worked until 2:00 in the morning. They were working in the living room on the couch. Hermione was curled up with a big book and a cozy blanket. Hermione began to doze off and Draco was tired too. He started to drift off, but he snapped awake and took Hermione's book out of her sleepy arms and put it on the coffee table. He pulled her blanket across the couch and his brain started to go fuzzy, and the noise outside Hermione's window was starting to sound distant and echoing. He sat back down on the couch and buried himself under the blanket without knowing.

Hermione woke up, but didn't open her eyes. She was laying in Draco's arms. She had her head rested against his warm chest and his arm went around her shoulders to her waist. She loved how this felt. She felt the safest she had ever felt. She was enjoying it. She may have laid there forever if it hadn't been for Draco who woke up and started to rub his thumb on the small piece of skin showing on her right hip between her shirt and pants. Hermione shivered. She loved it. If she had the choice, she would never stop this.

Draco finally said "Morning sleepy head."

Hermione smiled. Draco knew that he shouldn't be with her like that so he finally got up. Hermione felt sad that he left her but she didn't care. She had that small moment in her mind. Draco decided to make breakfast.

Hermione thought this was the perfect start to any day. There were too many words to describe how she felt right now.

A/N: I know that this was longer than the last one. Most chapters will be this length. I will probably have a new update later today or early tomorrow.