Draco sat up from his bed in incredible pain. His head throbbed from the nightmares that haunted him for the past three years. His family had cleaned up their act, his father was in Azkaban for twenty years, Draco was returning to the rebuilt Hogwarts, and his mother was running the business in a whole new way. He was basically an alcoholic after what happened at the manor. He missed his lover… no she was more than that, she was his everything. He remembered when they first came together. It was right after Weasley flirted with Lavender Brown. She was miserable, one thing led to another and they woke up in each other's arms. He loved her even more in that moment.

"Draco love." He looked at his mother who looked weary of his antics. "We must go." She insisted. Draco stood up, using magic to change his clothes. "You look even more miserable Draco." He followed her out to the drawing room where they had tortured his love. "I know that I ruined your chance with her. I'm terribly sorry I did. I just didn't want to lose you Draco." He didn't blame her for pulling him back, if he would have tried to interfere they would have both been dead in seconds.

"I don't blame you mother." The memory of her walking away was strong, always appearing everything he saw a woman that looked like her… anytime he closed his eyes the manor scene was right there in front of him. "Do I have to return?" He didn't want to walk down those halls, memories of him and Granger's interludes mocking him.

"I think it's best Draco." She hugged her son. "I know you hate yourself, I know you want to give up… but please, just don't leave me." she whispered, tears leaking over the edge. "If it was meant to be you will be together Draco… I promise you will be happy again someday." He knew it wasn't possible, he was numb… empty. The only real thing he felt was hatred for himself and love for his mother. It wasn't his fault that he became what he did, it was his stupid father's. The only part he blamed himself for was standing by watching Hermione plead him to help her. It killed him to watch her give up, as if she knew he wouldn't help her. He was instantly saddened at the thought.

"You'll do fine love." His mother hugged him once more before apparating them to platform nine and three quarters. He let the luggage load itself like normal. He noticed everyone was watching him. He hugged his mother one last time.

"I won't leave you." He promised. He boarded the train, pain and anger eating him away. Hermione felt fear as she and her wizard agent apparated to the platform that would take her to the one place she feared returning. She looked up at her agent, Jason. He was handsome, he would make her forget her feelings. They were currently in the state where he was married to a muggle and would sleep with Hermione when they had a fight. She would sleep with him when the pain of being alone was just unbearable. Hermione looked around, freezing when she saw Narcissa Malfoy. The older witch looked over at Hermione, feeling eyes on her. She met Hermione's eyes, suddenly saddened. Hermione was frozen in the spot next to Jason. Narcissa approached her quickly.

"Ms. Granger…" she whispered. Hermione was visibly shaking. "I want to apologize for everything."

"Jason go and find Harry and them, save me a spot?" He nodded hesitantly at his client before walking off. She turned back to Narcissa. "I'm not one to hold grudges." She replied, her voice betraying her by quivering.

"I know. That's why my Draco loves you so." Hermione looked at the ground awkwardly. She's been alone for the past three years, truly alone. "I still want to apologize for my psychotic sister. I was masked by love, doing what Lucius wanted and joining him in the dark arts." She told the young beautiful witch. "I'm also sorry for holding Draco back from running to help you. I saw your friends and knew they would help you escape. If Draco would have stepped forward you would have both been dead within seconds."

"I forgive you even though all you did was raise your wand Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione said politely. "I'm sorry that you were put into that position."

"Thank you. I would like to ask a favor if it would not be to bold." Hermione said nothing, just letting her continue. "Draco has yet to cope with the manor… incident. He has been trying to cope by drinking himself to forget what happened. I just want you to watch out for him."

"I don't think I can do that Mrs. Malfoy, I don't mean to be rude… but I can't even think about him without breaking down, let alone help him." Narcissa was immediately saddened. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for Ms. Granger… and please, call me Cissy." Hermione nodded.

"Call me Hermione then… I must get going, but if you need to talk to anyone… feel free to owl me." Cissy smiled at the kind young witch.

"Thank you." Hermione nodded, turning to board the almost loaded train. "Oh, Hermione?" She turned to Cissy. "You aren't anything like Draco described." She turned back to the mother of her ex love. "You're better than what he described… and he told me how high up you were." Hermione let a smile grace her full lips. "You're also way more beautiful than he said." Hermione blushed at the comment. "I love your hair by the way." With that the witch apparated away. Hermione knew she looked different. She had grown several inches and filled out to sexy kitten looks. Her boss wanted her to change her hair and so now it was a white blonde, almost matching the love of her life's. Ex. She reminded herself. She had tanned wonderfully and had a whole new style of clothing, thank god. She was more than most could handle. She hadn't let anyone in except when she let Jason dominate her. She was truly alone. She moved quickly through the train, hearing the Weasley siblings arguing loudly. She opened the compartment, getting shocked faces.

"Merlin's beard!" Ginny jumped at Hermione, hugging her fiercely. Hermione laughed and returned the younger witch's hug. When Ginny released she was passed around, finally ending by Jason. "Jason had just finished telling us about your exciting new life." Ginny wagged her eyebrows at the blushing model. "What's it like to be adored by men?"

"Boring." Hermione laughed.

"If you insist." Ginny grinned. Hermione turned to the window, watching the train take off from the station. She apparently missed a lot of the conversation because they had somehow progressed to Draco. "Don't you agree?" Hermione tuned into the conversation.

"The ferret had giblets returning." Ron fumed. "He was a freckin' death eater. He shouldn't be allowed back."

"You don't know what he faced." Hermione spoke surprisingly.

"You… defending the ferret?" Ron asked appalled.

"Yes, you don't judge people Ronald." Hermione stood up angrily. "I'm not condoning what he's done, but everyone deserves forgiveness." She hotly said, standing.

"How can you defend him?" Hermione ran her hand through her blonde hair.

"Maybe because I realize it wasn't him that tortured me, it was his deranged aunt." Hermione spat angrily. "It's like we can't even have a decent conversation Ron." She turned towards the door, slamming it behind her. She walked aimlessly through the train, thinking about the last time she was on this train. Draco looked angrily at Pansy and Blaise as they talked in an annoyingly loud tone.

"So Draco how did you spend your time?" Pansy said, bouncing excitedly. Her name was cleared, she had nothing to worry about. Draco just looked at her disinterestedly. "What's wrong Draco?" Draco stood from his seat, turning towards the door. He muttered something about needing air. He never expected to step out, smacking into someone. His slightly tipsy state had him wavering slightly.

"I'm so sorry…" the beautiful witch looked up into his eyes. He almost died seeing who is was.

"No, I'm sorry." He found his voice. He released his hold on her. She didn't move though.

"Granger." They both turned to Pansy. "I wanted to apologize about making fun of you all those years." Pansy stood with unknown elegance and grace. "I'm sorry."

"It-It's fine." Hermione stuttered shocked by who she just ran into. She looked between the trio, stopping her gaze on Draco. "I… uh…" she cleared her throat. "I have to go." She went to turn and leave but Draco had grasped her. She gasped at the electric sensations pouring into her.

"I'm sorry." He met her dark hungry gaze. She swallowed the lump in her throat, holding back the love. "I'm so sorry." He whispered.

"Let me go." She begged, it wasn't harsh… just pleading. He released his hold on her. "I must go." Draco watched her as she all but ran from him.

"What's going on Draco?" Pansy asked. Draco closed the compartment door, calling a bottle of firewhiskey. He slammed half of it before answering.

"Draco, is that her?" Blaise his best mate asked. Draco just looked at him, pain showing in his eyes. He took that as confirmation. Draco had been depressed all fifth year, knowing that the dark lord would soon claim him. After a long Christmas break away he came back and found his best mate grinning and truly happy. He suspected he finally had the girl he had been chasing, but Draco wouldn't speak of it. Blaise watched his friend drown his sorrows, it getting worse and worse. He was depressed himself, Luna had withdrew from him and he hadn't been laid in over a month. Pansy had grown up and was now sensible, seeing the supposed love she held for Draco was actually brotherly. Things have changed.

"What happened between you and Malfoy?" Ron sounded so pissed. Hermione sat down, crossing her legs.

"I forgave his mother and I'm working on forgiving him." Hermione said simply. They left her be while the train arrived. She was silent through the carriage ride to the castle and through the welcome back feast. As expected she was head girl and Draco head boy. It would be painful living with him for the next year, she knew this. She felt immense love and physical attraction towards him, but also anger for not helping her. After the feast she went up to her new room and just slept. The darkness didn't last for long.