"Where HAVE you been?"

"Oh come now Molly, we were only gone an hour. Look, we found the good stuff." Sirius waved 10 year old Ledaig whiskey in front of the Weasley matriarch, but she was unamused in her mother stance; hands on her hips. Grabbing the bottle from him in one swift motion she returned to the kitchen to resume cooking.

Molly always cooked for a small village, which meant leftovers for days with Ron and the twins around. Ginny ate just as much as her brothers sometimes.

"Two hours. I'll not have my children running amok after sundown. Merlin knows what sort of trouble they'll find themselves in."

One by one they filed into the candle lit kitchen. Hermione chose the spot next to Draco at the long table in the center of the room, across from Harry who shared a silently amused look with his godfather's fiancee.

"You'd better get your man Ishani, Molly is about to burn holes in his head with her laser beam eyes."

"I'm quite amused Harry, let me enjoy this."

It was the first time in a long time that Draco had been to anyone else's home for a party. Such a homey place, he mused. Right away you could smell Mrs. Weasley's freshly baked cinnamon apple pie that Tonk's was fanning with an oven mit.

Ironically, Mr. Weasley was tinkering with a wall clock. He was blissfully unaware of the commotion around him, or rather, chose to ignore it. Either way, he was more comfortable than Draco felt.

Hermione sensed this and gave Draco an encouraging smile.

"It's okay, this is normal. We'll be on about something else soon."

"Yeah? I'm not used to all this conversation. Meals at my home...well, let's just say that we eat in silence. Sorry if I seem a bit out of place." There was a hint of sadness in his tone.

"You'll warm up quickly." She placed a hand on his arm, remembering what it felt like to be an outsider.

Her first year of Hogwarts was tough coming from a non-magical family, being surrounded by children who grew up with witches and wizards for parents.

Draco was part of the reason it was so hard. He would tease her and others seemed to laugh with him when he called her a "filthy mudblood." But she had her best friends, Harry and Ron -not to mention Professor McGonagall- to support and believe in her abilities to become the brightest witch of her age.

Hermione felt that everyone ought to have someone to believe in them.

But from what little she knew about him, Hermione was coming to the conclusion that Draco didn't seem to have anyone to believe in him.

I could be that for you she thought.

"Mum, the war is over. We're safe now. Besides, we're 17!" Ronald grabbed a dinner roll from a basket on the table and she smacked his hand.

"Oi!"

"She's right, you know." Until we know for sure that all of Voldemort's followers have been captured, caution needs to be your first instinct. After all, they let Bellatrix off the hook for being his ultimate downfall. Danger is still out there."

In an instant, Draco stood out like a pink elephant in the room. His mother and aunt devised a plan to ensure Voldemort's defeat, but the shame of his family's involvement of his reign, followed him like his own shadow.

"I think I need some fresh air." Draco abruptly made his way to the front door. Without hesitation, Hermione followed him.

"Well done Remus, you've managed to offend at least one person in five minutes. Record timing, I'd say." At this point, Sirius was pouring his expensive whiskey for everyone in shot glasses. "You don't suppose Draco would mind if I drank his first round do you?"

"Sirius!"

"Wha-ouch, Ishani! I've suffered enough abuse from Molly. Not from you too!"

"I didn't know you were a smoker.." Hermione fastened the buttons of her pea coat. The air was especially crisp tonight. It'll probably snow, she thought.

"Only when I'm stressed." He feigned a smile but turned to look in the distance.

"I don't know why I'm here. I don't belong, I certainly don't deserve their hospitality. The contempt that Remus feels for me is right."

"You're here because Harry has faith in you and who you really for what your family name is. Decisions were made for you as a child, and unfortunately they weren't ideal. Harry can relate to that. We don't get to choose our parents, Draco."

"But I went along with it all..I did horrible things, even to you."

"Your past doesn't define who you are. Do good now and you are good."

"Do you want me here?"

"Wh-what?"

Draco snuffed his cigarette and flicked it, taking a step in Hermione's direction.

"Of course I-"

Draco leaned in and kissed Hermione. Steady and slow, hoping she didn't push him away. Hermione put her hands on the back of his head, pulling him into a deeper kiss. It didn't last long, but Draco felt like he could sprint down the road in excitement.

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"You hated mud-muggle-borns."

"Past tense. I was fed lies as a child, Hermione. But the nicest and most merciful people I've encountered are either advocates of muggles or are at least half, themselves. I'm not blind, I know good people when I see them. Plus, you believe in me.."

"I didn't say that.." she smiled

"C'mon, Harry might see my potential for the cause, but everyone knows you're the mastermind behind Harry pointing him in the right direction."

Hermione blushed and she barely knew what to say. How did this happen? When did this happen? It was like being hit by a truck of emotions and feelings for the blond wizard. All she knew was that this beautiful man had eyes for her, and it made her happy.

"Shall we go in and enjoy supper with our friends, then?"

"Together?" Draco held out his hand, and the young witch gladly took it."

"Together."