Author's Note: Thank you guys so much for all of your support! I just wanted to let all of you know that I am a college student, so I will be trying to update more than once a week, but I might get too busy near the end of each semester. Last week I was working on a 10 page paper, so I missed one. But I am trying to at least keep up with one a week. I promise, just stick with me. Over the next month or so I should be posting more. Without further ado, please enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 2: Reintroduction

When Hermione and Draco arrived in Draco's apartment, Hermione looked around in amazement. His flat was absolutely breathtaking, decorated with deep mahogany and pale oranges. It held an air of sophistication, while still projecting a mood of spontaneity and playfulness. Hermione let her hand trail over the back of a washed-out orange sofa while Draco observed her reaction carefully. He had noticed her abrupt change in attitude back at the wedding, but was still concerned that she might remember all of the terrible things he had done to her throughout their years at Hogwarts. Hermione became preoccupied with a painting on the wall, completely oblivious to Draco's attention.

"My mother had that painting commissioned after my father ran off following Voldemort's downfall. Mother wanted those of us who were brave enough to stay to reunite as a family and show our support for the dead and injured from the battle," Draco chuckled sarcastically. "Even after our whole lives fall apart, we have to project the proper image. Just like my mother." He turned away from Hermione and looked out the window. "And she yells at me if I cover the portrait or take it off the wall. Otherwise, it'd be hidden in a closet somewhere."

"What has your family been like since that final battle?"

Draco stiffened, but tried to hide his discomfort from Hermione. He was doing his best to distance himself from what he had been and who his family was, just like Sirius Black used to. Draco was ashamed of his past, and hated reliving it, but he knew that to gain Hermione's trust, he needed to talk about it. "Not much better than they were before. They try to be 'good' just for the image, not for the results or the actual benefits. Everyone is still so wrapped up in appearances and don't realize that they would look better if they would just be honest and genuinely nice."

Hermione had still been skeptical about Draco's sudden change until he talked about his family. He seemed so… lost. He had relied on his family so much throughout his whole life, but now that he needed them most, he didn't have them. They were too stuck in their traditional ways of thought, and no matter how hard Draco tried, he couldn't help them. When the remnants of his family should have bonded and become closer than ever, they only continued to be distant and cold with each other.

"Draco, I trust you. You really seem like you've changed," Hermione tentatively approached Draco and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He shivered involuntarily and reached out, as if asking for a hug. She accepted him and placed her head gingerly on his shoulder, surprised by how warm he was after so many years of seeing him as cold and evil.

He let his own head rest on hers, the only girl who accepted him after everything he did. His eyes began welling up with tears, and despite blinking furiously to prevent them rolling down his face, they did. Hermione felt the wetness on his face and looked up at him compassionately. As he gazed back at her, he felt a twinge in his chest. He was unsure of whether he could ever make up for what he did, but when she forgave him, he only felt guilty and ashamed of himself. Hermione seemed entirely unaware of this tirade of emotion, thinking that he was crying because of his past.

She reached up and wiped away his tears, hoping that he will be able to move on like it seems he is. Draco pulled Hermione tighter and whispered, "thank you," in her ear, doing all he could to stop his crying before she asked what was wrong. He reached under her face and tilted her chin up so she would look him in the eyes, and then forgot what he wanted to say to her. He knew that he wanted to say something serious and had to be facing her to say it, but… it didn't even matter anymore. All he cared about was her beautiful round eyes.

She found herself held captive in his gaze and didn't want to look away. Hermione felt peaceful holding Draco's gaze, but couldn't maintain it without pushing it further. She didn't want to be rejected, and she definitely didn't want him to feel like all she wanted from him was sex, but she couldn't stop herself from leaning up little by little, reaching for a kiss.

Draco was slightly alarmed when he realized what Hermione was attempting, but her eyes were still fixed on him, and that was all that was important. He quickly thought through what could happen as a result of a kiss between them. He could be used for sex and forgotten, they could start a doomed relationship and he could lose one of his few allies, or they could fall in love and be perfect together. He decided that if he even had the slightest chance of waking up to brown eyes and bushy hair every morning, it was a risk he was willing to take.

While Hermione was inching forward, giving him time to think, Draco decided he couldn't wait for her lips to be on his. His arms that were around her shoulders dropped to her waist, and he half picked her up and pulled her closer so he could reach her. In an instant, once his decision was made, they were wrapped in each other. Her hands slid up his back and into his hair, and he tightened his grip on her waist. Draco's hands continued to slide further down until they were at her hips, and she jumped up and wrapped her legs around him. Supporting her, they moved to the couch and Hermione fell on top of Draco.

Her hair fell in both of their faces, and they stopped long enough for Draco to brush her hair back. When they made eye contact again, they sprang apart.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" Hermione began.

"It's as much my fault as yours," Draco cut her off. "If you're willing to try… we have to do this right. Let me take you out tomorrow night. Please?" He seemed genuinely afraid of her response.

"I'm busy tomorrow, owl me? I do want to try. But I also don't want to rush into anything. Ron and I just broke up a little over a month ago."

Draco nodded in understanding. He remembered when Pansy decided to flee with the rest of the cowards. He didn't even truly love her, but the breakup still hurt. If Hermione wanted to try, he would move as slow as she asked.