Back to where we started

Chapter 2

a/n: Hello, hello! In any part of the world you are, no matter what time it is, I hope you are having a nice day. I was really really glad to see that they were readers who liked the first chapter of my story "Back To Where We Started' and so I decided to post the next chapter.

It includes some really important information, however it seems like every chapter will answer some questions…

I want to warn the readers that they might be some higher rated parts of this story.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer:Everything you recognize is made by the wonderful J.K Rowling , not me.


Sighs of Patience


''Could I come in?' Hermione's voice was heard
''You ask as if I would tell you not to.' Draco said.

She closed the door behind her and came close to him.

'Were you crying?' he asked after noticing her bloodshot eyes.
'It is not your business.'

"Well, I think it is.'

"Is this why you ask me to come? To make fun of me? I think you said you wanted to talk to me.'

"I want.'

"Then please stop this little game and do it.'

Draco shook his head "Tch tch tch. Not a really nice way to talk to your husband, is it?" , but when he saw the look she gave him he gave up. ''Okay, then.'

Hermione sat on the edge of his bed, hands trembling.

"How did this happen?' , Draco asked immediately.
"You mean…your injury, or…us?' Hermione asked, obviously uncomfortably.

He thought about it and then added; "Both, I guess.'

The young woman shifted on her shit and took a big, calming breath; "After Voldermort's defeat, almost every Death-eater was captured. The only ones who weren't, were you, your mother, and one I hadn't heard of; Scot Lukas. The Ministry was never able to catch him. It seems that he is…smart. The other Death-Eaters of Askaban have been asked about him. And well…about a year ago, your father revealed some certain things that we don't know about. A day after that, you were sent a message - from Scott, as we thought - , saying you were in danger. And …well….after a year of unsuccessful tries to hurt you, he finally made it, two days ago.'

"What did he do?' Draco asked, wanting to learn as much as possible.
By the time his question was on the air, Hermione's features suddenly expressed pain, somehow. She was now staring everywhere but at his eyes.

"He casted Crusio on you. Many times and he was also -oh, my- he was also clobbering you the ground, and…and it was terrible. I was… Don't make me say more, Draco, please.'

"And you were there, right? You were watching.'

"Don't-'

"Weasley said you saved my life. So you were there…'

"I was, but, could we talk about this another time?'

"I don't think we should.'

"Please.' She begged him slowly while fresh tears were now filling her eyes.

"Okay, then.' Draco sighed, noticing this, and then awkwardly suggested; ''Just drink some water, Granger.'

"Don't call me Granger.' She murmured before taking a sip of the glass of water he offered her, but he didn't hear it.

"So, how did us happen?' Draco asked when he believed she was calmer.
"At Hogwarts. She simply answered. Seventh year. I came back, of course, and we were both Heads. Several things happened and we started falling for each other.'

"I fell in love with you?' He knew it was true, of course, but he just felt the need to ask, again. Her.

"Yes, Draco. When we finished school we… wanted to live alone. Without people knowing about us. To live an adventure. We were dreaming of living what war took away from us. So we started travelling all around the world. We were living together and loving each other more and more. This lasted six months. '

"And then?' Draco asked
"And then, we came back to reality. I started studying to take a job at the Ministry and you inherited the Malfoy Companies. Actually you were always claiming I didn't have to work, as you had enough money for both of us to live with total luxury, but I refused to give up my studies and dreams. We have had a nice life. The only problem was that we were the last persons the Wizarding Word expected us to …pair with. So there was a lot of gossiping. And my friends didn't like you, of course. Even after I tried to persuade them you were a different man. Narcissa didn't want me for her son, and all this caused our hesitation about it.'

She paused, licked her lips and kept on talking.

"However, we were still madly in love and started living together at our resent place. A year later, we got married, to make our relationship…formal.

"I still can't believe I fell in love with you, then, Granger." Draco said after a moment, trying to picture their life together.

"Don't call me Granger."

"…It sounds unbelievable. It doesn't seem strange to me that people were gossiping and talking about it. Quite normal, actually. I mean… com'n how would I even like you?!"

"Yeah…got it." Hermione said, obviously hurt by his comment.

"I and you…bleach! I don't even want to think about it, Granger!"

"Stop calling me like that!' she finally said.

Draco blinked, surprised by Hermione's exclaim, as he was unobvious to her annoyance. "Like what?'

"Granger! Stop calling me Granger!' Hermione stood up

"It is your bloody lastname!'

"My last name is Malfoy, Draco! M-a-l-f-o-y ! Did you forget that as well?!' she was out of breath.

Draco was staring at her with a look that made her think of what she just did. The healers had told her that her husband should not be getting through emotional stuff. His mind was trying to assimilate all these information. She shouldn't blame him for anything at this moment.

"Sorry. Ehm…sorry.' She sat again.

"What was that for?' Draco said.

She cleared her throat and tried to explain. "You only call me Granger when we fight, or when you are really mad at me. And even then, regularly. I hate it.'

"Okay, just calm down. It is not a big deal. I am going to get used to it.'

"Yeah, I know. It is just…everything was perfect lately. No bad thing going on, and I have been…I have been thinking that we were finally happy…but now this happened.'

Draco tried to pretend that he didn't notice that she was avoiding his eyes.

"I-I will try to remember.'

Hermione looked up at him, as he expected.

"Do you…do you promise?'
"I do.'

"Tell me.'

"What?'

"Tell me that you promise.'

The man sighed. "I promise I will try hard to remember my life. My life with you.'

"Oh, Draco.''

And then Hermione did something he hadn't seen coming; she hugged him.

Her body was pressed on his, her arms around him and he could feel her breathing next to his neck. Her move was sudden but what made him stay still under her touch was her smell. Draco closed his eyes and took a deep but silent breath, trying to get as more of it, as he could, but before he could do it once more, she quickly pulled away from him, reminding him, without knowing it, of who she was and of where they were.

"Ehm…sorry, she said, that was….inappropriate of me.'

A knock on the door was heard.

"Come in.' Draco said hoarsely

Blaise came in. "Hey, Drake, Hermione. Did I interrupt anything?'
"No. No I was leaving anyways, Blaise.' Hermione said.

"Healer Smithson is coming, so that you can have the tests, Draco. I know you dislike those…medical activities, but they are necessary.'

Draco nodded to his friend and the witch picked her bag up and left the room.

Blaise looked at Draco; "What the-'

"Hermione's parents are muggles, aren't they?' Draco cut Zabini off.

"You know they are."

"Then they should not be allowed to come here, right?'

"Well, normally yes. But letting muggles enter Saint Mungo's was voted and is now allowed. But only for visiting. They have their own hospitals.'

"Who voted for a low like that one?'

"Lots of people. Herm loved that idea, actually.'

Draco snorted '' I am sure she did. Kind of strange she wasn't the one who suggested it, actually!'

"Well, she was busy working on S.P.E.W.' Blaise replied.

"Spew?' a confused Draco asked
"Ha ha. No. S-P-E-W.'

That rang a bell; "That silly thing she was about at Hogwarts?'

"It seems that it isn't that silly. But you should better ask her about it.'

"Not that interested.'

"Com'n Drake, try a bit! You can't avoid her all the time!'

"When did I avoid her?' Draco said but he could not really lie to his friend. Plus, he knew exactly what he was talking about.

The door was knocked again, this time by Healer Smithson.

"Alright, are we ready for the tests? We are starting with blood examinations. The muggle way. It happens to be safer.'

"Fucking perfect.' Draco murmured.


Hermione was sitting on one of the chairs put in the outside of the room in the inside of which Draco was biting his lips in order to avoid saying something that he would later regret. Her mother walked towards her and sat next to her.

"Hermione dear, do you feel okay?'

"I could say I feel everything but okay, but I hope I'll get over it.'

"What did you say to him?'

"Everything.' she answered automatically "Everything I could, I mean. Mostly about…our story. And some things about the attack, of course. I actually felt like telling him it was my fault-'

"You know it wasn't. You know that you did everything you could." Her mother stopped her.

"…no. But, anyways, I didn't tell him. It would make the situation worse.' Hermione said

"The Healers told me you should rest. If possible, at home.'

Hermione stood up firmly. " I can't! You know I cannot leave him now.'

" Hey. Listen to me. You haven't slept properly for two nights now! You have got dark shadows under your eyes, you know.'

" I know. I saw my reflection in the mirror, after I h washed my face to recover from…you know.'

" Hermione, about that-'

"I guess you are right.' Hermione interrupted her mother with a, fake, smile. "I need some sleep. But here, if possible. Could you please arrange it? And in addition, make sure that Jasmine is doing okay at work?'

"Of course, dear.' She stood up. "And…Hermione; I'm sure he is going to recover, soon. So do not be depressed. It is not…healthy.'

Hermione knew that she would not change that easily her emotional condition, but she couldn't tell her so. " I'll do my best.' she assured her.


Hermione was taking a ship of her tee. Narcissa was now coming towards her, while Draco and Blaise hadn't come out, yet.

"Narcissa, your son…he is having some-'

" Yes yes, I know. Blaise informed me about it before he left. Shouldn't you be sleeping?'

"What?'

" I met your mother and she told me that a room has been prepared for you to go and sleep.'

"Oh.' Something seemed off to Hermione

"Well, what are you waiting for, then? Go and have some rest.'

"What is wrong?'

The older witch sighed. "The same that is wrong for you.' She said and looked her genuinely in the eyes.


Draco's medical examinations lasted two hours. They were intricate and so time was needed for them to be complete.

Draco was now lying on his bed, still out of place and time, but at least with the companionship of Blaise Zabini. He was trying to recount how his life had been until that day. It seems like Blaise was with a half-blood called Jenna. Four months ago it was reviled that she was pregnant, something that came as a surprise, but was not unwanted by the couple. However, around thirty days ago, Jenna miscarried. " It was not like we tried or anything, but when we lost it…we understood how much we wanted to have a child. And…hm, now that we do try, we haven't…succeeded something.' he was telling Draco, when Hermione came into the room. Draco, however, was so carried away by his friend's words, that he didn't care to turn around and see who had come in.

"Well, I am really sorry for…your loss. I don't remember it happening, but I just, I just hope that I was there for you both.'

"You were. We all were.' Hermione answered for Blaise.

"Oh. Hi Hermione.' Blaise said, trying to smile, after reliving the tragic happenings in his mind.

"Where were you? You look better than before. Oh, please tell me you had some sleep!'

"Yes, well actually, I did.'

"You needed it.' Draco said quietly.

"I did, but I wouldn't admit it. You need some of it, too, however. '

"Ehm, I was having a conversation with Blaise…'

" No, mate, those things can wait. Your health comes first. You really should sleep.' Blaise said

Draco rolled his eyes. " All right, then. I will go to sleep at seven o'clock! Goodnight, Blaise, Gr-Hermione. Goodnight, Hermione.'

She nodded. "Sleep well'

"See you tomorrow. And if you need anything…' Blaise left his sentence hanging, grabbed his robes and left the room. He kept the door open for Hermione.

Hermione and Draco were staring at each other, not knowing what else they should say. Thankfully, Blaise got them out of the uncomfortable situation, clearing his throat.

She shook her head. "Well, bye.' She said simply, before leaving. She didn't look back at him.

"Bye' Draco whispered after the door closed.

He leaned back and sighed. What the heck is going on? He though. What am I supposed to do with my life now? It is not like I knew what to do before, but, now…it is all so different. And weird. Is this a dream? He wondered and tweaked his arm. Ouch! He grimaced. Yep. Completely alive. He closed his eyes, tired. This is not going to be easy.


"I mean, I love her, I trust her and all these stuff, but I don't want her to hang out with other guys.'

"I didn't like it either, but after thinking that I used to trust her in everything else and that she always did trust me, I decided to have more faith on her. I haven't regretted it. Okay, I don't love seeing her with other, cooler guys, but I know that she only has eyes for me.'

"Maybe you're right. Plus, if something is going to happen, it will happen, right?'

"Exactly.'

Draco was awake less than half a minute now. For one moment he thought of why Ron Weasley was talking to his best friend about his relationship worries and what he was even doing at Hogwarts Express.

Then he remembered, he sighed and made a move to get up.

"Wowow, mate.' Blaise said noticing this. "Don't do this on your own'

"Yes, let us help you.' Ron followed Blaise near Draco.

"I do not need help to get up.' He replied, moody from sleep. However the two wizards did help him, as he actually needed it.

"And what are you like now? Friends?' he said

"Well, why not?' Ron shrugged.

"Give him some time. He is not who he…is. He is not…was not…oh, you know what I mean! Just give him some time.' Blaise said.

Ron didn't say anything, just opened the curtains. The weather was getting better.

"What time is it?' Draco asked

"The perfect time for you to get dressed, wash your face, with our help of course, and come with us.' Blaise said "We need to do something.'


Draco Malfoy was staring at his barely dressed reflection in the bathroom's mirror. He had changed. His hair was already thinning slightly, his arms more toned and his back, too. He had a short beard, but it was that short he couldn't tell if it was his actual style, or if it just happened to become like this the last few days. His eyes however were still the same grey, cold colour to him.

He let the sink's water pour and his head get washed under it. He closed his eyes and thought. He thought of all these things that he had been told about. He thought of his mother, who must have been so freaking worried about him. He thought of his friend who was just like he remembered him. He thought of his father, for which he was however not told very clear words about. He thought of Harry Potter, of the Weasley family, of Luna Lovegood, of the Granger family…he thought of Hermione. Hermione who actually loves him and cares about him. All of those people who had visited him yesterday cared about him. Maybe even more. Not two, not three, but more. He turned the water off and looked at his reflection again. He needed to be strong. Not about the confused, wet-faced man he was staring at. But about those people who cared about him and were there for him. It was strange to think of all these like that, but that was the only plan he could come up with, for now. And it sounded…okay.


"Why am I not wearing a robe?' Draco asked Blaise and Ron noticing the tux he was about to wear "Oh, please do not tell me I have quitted wearing robes!'

"Of course not. You would never.' Ron replied. "Didn't "Mione tell you that you were going out on a date that night?'

Draco shivered at the hearing of the muggleborn's name. "Well…she did. So what?'

"The restaurant was of Muggles.' Blaise informed him.

"Then, were the Death Eaters'-

"Who?' Ron said

"Yeah, sorry, I mean weren't the wizards who attacked us seen by the Muggles? I hope you didn't forget to cast-'

"Take it slow.' Draco was once again interrupted, this time by Blaise; "your questions will be answered soon.'

And with that, they nodded him to follow them. Draco was fully dressed with his fashionable, expensive-looking tux. He felt like within five minutes he had turned into another wizard; confident, successful, fun… He stood straight and nodded them back, telling them he was ready for whatever the two men seamed so nervous about.


Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley were waiting silently in the outside of the St. Mungo's officer's, office. The two had gotten even closer as friends, so Ginny knew that her friend would rather not speak about anything. Well, except of…

"Where is Luna?' she asked

"She left one hour ago. She said that she needed to go back to her family…' Ginny replied.

"Yes, alright.' Hermione cut her off abruptly.

Ginny backed off a little; she wasn't expecting this.

Hermione obviously regretfully turn left to look her in the eyes. "I am sorry. It is just that I can't…I can't stand listening about happy families at the moment.'

"No need to apologize. Really.'

Ginny hugged Hermione right after saying this. "I can talk to you, I can try to make you feel better, if you want to. Just say it.'

Hermione pulled back. "Ginny, you of all my friends know better how I like to act in these situations. No talking, when we can. I simply want you to be here.'

Indeed, Ginny was the one who comforted her the most and better when she and her best friends were arguing, when Ron destroyed her night at the school Ball, when Harry and Draco fought violently the night of her 23th birthday party and in lots of other difficult times for her.

"Thank you for taking a break from your job in the paper, in order to come and support me and Narcissa, as well. It means a lot.' She finished.

Ginny smiled, but before she had time to open her mouth and respond, her eyes caught sight of Blaise, Ron and Draco coming near to them. Hermione saw that and turned around to see them, too. Her stomach dropped when she met Draco's eyes.

Hermione couldn't help but recall the time before Scott's attack. Draco was so happy that night. She was so happy that night and excited for the night's plans. That tux looked so different on him, then. He was happy. Now he is not. I feel awful. If I am not able to make him happy again, to take him where he was, to take revenge for him, then what will I have succeeded? It is up to me. she thought.

"Good morning gentlemen.' She told them. "How are you feeling, Draco?'

"The same bad.' He replied silently.

The office's door opened before to close again.

"Hello and nice to see you.' A witch around fifty years of age stood in front of it, wearing clean, white robes and smiling at them. "My name is Lucy Williams and I am St. Mungo's head-officer.

"Congratulations.' Draco suddenly said.

"Excuse me?' she asked.

"Didn't you get your job as the head-officer here, right after the war?' everyone was staring at him confused.

"Well, yes.'

"I remember that one right. Then, congratulations for keeping it. It must have been a challenging one. I bet you are a true professional. ' Draco said.

"Oh… Oh!' she laughed. "Mr Malfoy, I had heard that you are a charming wizard, but…' she kept on laughing with her cheeks red.

Draco smirked weakly, Blaise widely and Ron glanced at Hermione who rolled her eyes.

"Anyways…' The head-officer said. "The others are waiting inside. Ready to come in?'

"Who are the others?' Draco asked seriously.

"Everyone you saw before plus your lawyer, minus Luna. The Healers say that the following is a quite important process, which is likely to help your memory. ' Ron answered.

"So, what is this process? No one is telling me!'

"Patience, Draco.' Hermione said.

He clenched his teeth; he didn't want to argue with her, although all this patience was starting to get on his nerves.

"Before everything, could I have, like, some coffee?' Draco said

"Of course not. Not in your condition' a Healer passing by answered.

Draco sighed. If I could get a sickle for every time I have sighed these two days, I would have a galleon…

Lucy Williams took a final look of the small group of people surrounding her before opening the door behind her. Draco was let in first. He needed to look around three times to understand where he was.

"Mr Malfoy, I hope you are ready to examine some memories.'


a/n:I hope that you liked it, thank you for reading...!

S.