A/N: So, this chapter makes me a little nervous to post, because Hermione is pretty OOC. It all unfolds in later chapters, so if you can stick with it I promise it gets better and angsty and all that good stuff that makes for a satisfying romance ;) So far I'm up to 11 chapters and just over 60k that is in chonrological order, and nearly 75k total. So I've decided updates will be on Thursday's until I can clear up a few scenes, then I'll post twice a week. Here we go!


Chapter 1

Week 4

Harry opened the door and nearly jumped back at the sight of Draco Malfoy. To say he was surprised was a drastic understatement.

"Potter." The git greeted in his usual condescending tone.

"Malfoy... are you lost?"

"Aren't you going to invite me in? It's rude to keep a guest standing on the front step."

"No." He said bluntly. To Harry's surprise, one side of Malfoy's mouth curled up into an almost smile at the remark.

"I'm looking for Granger. Would you happen to know where I can find her?"

"What?" Harry tried to keep his voice level, even though he could feel the panic rising. "What would you want with Hermione?"

"Look, I'm certainly not going to have this conversation standing on your front step. Tell me how I can find her. Bloody woman seems to have dropped off the face of the earth." He mostly grumbled to himself, but Harry caught it.

"No. I don't know how you can find her. Sorry I can't help." He moved to shut the door but Malfoy was quick and grabbed it before he could do so.

"You're lying. If anyone knows where she is it's you."

"Malfoy, I'm warning you... stay the hell away from here." Realizing what he'd just given away, he cursed his own stupidity as he saw Draco's smirk.

"She's here, isn't she?"

"I don't have anything else to say to you." Harry said sternly. He yanked the door free of Malfoy's grasp and slammed it in his face. He took a moment to compose himself before walking back into the living room.

"Who was that, Harry?" Hermione asked from her spot near the window. She was curled up with her feet tucked under her, reading a book.

"No one. Wrong address."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Only wizards and witches can see your house, Harry Potter. Who was at the door?"

"Hermione, it really doesn't matter. It was no one." He said calmly. "Please, don't worry about it."

She only nodded, her eyes cast downward. It truly broke Harry's heart to see her like this. His Hermione was bold and brave, this Hermione was bruised and broken.

"Hey." He said as he made his way over to her. "How about we go get some ice cream, Hmm? It's a nice day out. There's a little shop not too far from here."

"M- maybe tomorrow." She said timidly. She felt bad for Harry. He was trying his best to help her move on with her life, and get back out there. She just wasn't ready yet.

"Tomorrow it is." He smiled, knowing that tomorrow it wouldn't happen either.


Draco apparated to the front gate of Blaise's obnoxious Zabini Chateau. The mansion sized, austin stone house was four floors and contained seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, two kitchens, a study, two living rooms and a formal dining room. Really, Draco had no room to judge, Malfoy Manor was just as grand; Blaise however still loved to flaunt his money, much like Draco did in his childhood. Blaise lived to be extravagant, and the man loved every minute of it.

He walked right through the wards, feeling them surround him then back away as they recognized his magical signature. Without even knocking, he strolled into the grand foyer and made his way to the second floor study, where he knew Blaise kept his private stock of the finest whiskies money could buy, magic and muggle alike. Reaching inside the cabinet for whatever touched his hand first, he poured himself a drink, completely unaware that Blaise was even in the room.

"I take it you've found her."

Draco jumped at the unexpected voice, nearly spilling the contents of his glass. "What the fuck, where did you come from?"

Blaise gave a low chuckle as he moved away from the bookshelf and back to his desk. "I believe you're standing in my house, raiding my liquor cabinet."

Draco took a sip of his whiskey then sat in a nearby chair. "Yes, I found her." He practically snarled.

Blaise rose his eyebrows at his friends tone. "And?"

"And Saint Potter refused to let me speak with her."

"Ahh. So she is there, then?"

Draco confirmed his friends statement with a nod. "He was more of a prick than I remember, something wasn't right about it."

"Well, you are Draco Malfoy, asking about Hermione Granger, of all people. It is a little... odd."

"I'm not sure odd is the right word, darling." Pansy said as she walked in. She walked over to Draco so he could kiss her cheek, then took a seat next to Blaise on the couch. "Did you talk to her?"

"Potter wouldn't let him." Blaise answered.

"Well, you have to be careful with him. You know she just got divorced."

"So? What's that got to do with him?"

"I haven't heard anything on why they split, but no ones seen McClaggen for weeks."

Draco scowled at the name. He couldn't believe Hermione Granger would marry someone like that maggot McClaggen. That idiot put himself on a pedestal that he never deserved. At least Weasel ended up doing something that was worth while.

"You think he had something to do with it?" Blaise asked.

"Meaning what? Everyone knows wonder boy married that she-weasel."

"Draco, you're going to have to be a little more mature about this." Pansy scolded.

"Really, Pans?" He thought that as pretty rich, coming from her.

"Really, Draco! You know she's not going to tolerate your stupid name calling. It's been five years, and if you expect her to go along with this then you're going to have to get along with him!"

Draco tried his best to control his temper. He knew she just had his best interests at heart, but damn it all she could be annoying. He realized that he would have to attempt to get along with her idiot friends, he just didn't have to start right away. She was a logical creature from what he remembered, surely if he could just talk to her he could make her see that they were soulmates and born to love each other for the rest of their lives. What could possibly go wrong?


So, Draco found himself on Potter's doorstep again the following day. All he needed to do was see the blasted witch. He hadn't a clue what he was going to do after this. Hermione Granger was the very last name on his list. With a shake of his head he walked up and pounded on the door. It swung open to reveal a very angry looking potter.

"Potter. Might I come in?"

"I told you to stay the hell away from here."

"I will gladly do that... right after I talk to Granger."

"I don't know what you're trying to pull, but whatever the bloody hell it is leave her out of it!" Potter slammed the door in Draco's face. Again.

That was a most surprising reaction. What in Salazar's name was going on?

Hermione heard the door slam for the second day in a row. She peered out the window of her second floor bedroom but couldn't see who it was. They must've disaparated right from the step. Deciding that Harry was trying to keep something from her, she headed downstairs.

"Was someone at the door?" She asked as she walked into the kitchen. "I thought I heard something."

"Not that I know of." He answered with a shrug.

"Harry, you're lying to me. Who was it? What did they want?"

"Hermione, it was no one, trust me on that."

"Harry." She pleaded. "Please, don't lie to me."

"It was no one that you need to concern yourself about." He said as he walked over to give her a reassuring hug. "Wanna get out of here and go see Ginny for a bit? We can get that ice cream we talked about yesterday."

"Harry, you don't have to spend all day here babysitting me. You can leave, you know."

"I'm worried about you, that's all." He said softly.

She let out a small sigh. "I guess we could do that tomorrow."

"Tomorrow it is."


Later that night Harry laid in bed as he watched Ginny change for bed.

"I don't know what the bloody hell he wants, but he's not going away." He complained.

"Have you asked him what he wants?"

"Of course I have! He won't tell me. Just that he needs to speak to Granger." He mocked.

"I wonder what he wants to say. You saw the papers, didn't you? How his marriage didn't work." Ginny came over and laid next to Harry and pulled the covers up.

"What do you think?" He asked her seriously. "She's not herself. She's not ready. I can't even get her to leave the house for a walk, I'm certainly not going to let her talk to him."

"I don't know, Harry. She just needs time, and patience."

"Which That git has none of. I don't want him around her."

"Always the overprotective brother." She quipped.

"Not protective enough, apparently."

"Harry, we've talked about this. She needs you right now, let that be enough. She doesn't blame you for anything." She said softly as she trailed her fingers up his bare chest.

"No, she blames herself. Which is worse." Harry let out a deep breath.

"All we can do is be there for her, Harry." She kissed him sweetly. "I don't want to continue to talk about Draco Malfoy in bed."

Her comment made Harry smile. "No? I can think of a few other things to do, and none of them involve talking." He said just before he kissed her, no other words being spoken.


The next day Draco sat on a bench across the street watching Potter's house. Something was up. Granger was there and he'd be damned if he backed down. He had sat on that bench for three miserable hours before he finally saw something worth while...

Hermione walked into Harry's study, surprising the hell out of him. "Ready?"

Harry looked up and stared at her confused. She looked very nice, like she purposely put some thought into her outfit. Even though she just had on a pair of skinny jeans, flats and a soft pink t shirt with a white camisole underneath, he thought she looked beautiful. Her hair was pulled back, with a few strands still loose around her face. His confusion must've shown on his face, then he immediately felt bad about forgetting something that they apparently had planned. He watched as what little confidence she had mustered up died away.

"For ice cream?" She said timidly.

"Yes!" He nearly shouted, then felt like a fool at his excitement. "Yes, of course." He smiled when she did and walked over to her, tucking her hand into his elbow.

They walked out of the house together, with Harry having a ridiculous smile on his face and Hermione having a much smaller one, but it was there. She had missed the sun on her face, the way the breeze felt on her cheeks.

"Thank you, Harry." She said softly as they began to walk.

"Anything for you." He gave her hand a pat. "Anything."

"So where is this place?"

"Just around the block, actually. It's nice. Ginny and I have been a few times."

"Maybe we can go see her, tomorrow." Hermione said, trying to sound a little more care free than she really was.

"If that's what you want." Harry said with a shrug. He decided he wasn't going to push her anymore. She would be ready when she was ready, and right now they were going for ice cream and he considered that a huge step in getting Hermione her life back.

They sat and talked over their ice cream at one of the tables that were outside the ice cream shop. Harry ordered a huge banana split with extra chocolate sauce. He always did have a sweet tooth. Hermione, being the simple person that she was, ordered a single scoop of cookie dough in a waffle cone.

Things almost seemed normal between them. They talked about Harry's job, and how he really wasn't sure if he wanted to be an auror anymore. It was tiring work, and he spent too much time away from Ginny. With them starting a family it was weighing on his mind more and more that this job wasn't for him. He couldn't bear it if he left his wife without a husband, and his child without a father. It was something that really plagued him every time he went on a mission. The conversation made Hermione feel helpful for the first time in recent memory.

"So what will you do then?"

"I'm not sure." Harry answered. "Maybe just be a husband for a while. I need that time when the baby comes. I can't... I can't go back."

She reached over and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. "You're such a wonderful man, Harry."

Harry gave a small smile. She knew he would never be used to the compliments, but she gave them anyway.

"I'm excited for the baby." She said as she pulled her hand away.

Harry's smile faded at her words. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." He said quickly.

She looked up at him, confused at first, then the realization hit. "Harry... I really am happy for you and Ginny. If anyone deserves this, it's you. I mean that. Just because... well, you know. Maybe I could... help. With something. Anything." She didn't mean to sound so damn desperate, but that's just how it came out.

"I'm sure Ginny has a whole list of things that she could use help with. And between you and me, I'm going to need all of the help you can give. I always have." He chuckled.

With the tension gone from the moment, they decided to head back to the house. Harry was giddy with the idea of taking the long way around, walking around the block backwards and then walking through the park that was across the way. As they walked up to a fountain that was in the middle of the park Hermione excitedly pulled out some coins from her pocket.

"Make a wish!" She said as she handed Harry a coin.

He shook his head as he let out a sigh. "This is silly."

"Maybe so." She said with a shrug. "I've always liked the idea of wishes, though. Shooting stars, coins in fountains, you never know."

They stared at the fountain for a while, watching the water ripple across the surface.

"Okay, I've got it." Harry said with a smile. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, then tossed in his coin.

She smiled at him, then closed her eyes. She always used to wish for the same thing. Then after Ron it had changed, then after her marriage to McClaggen it had changed again. She felt a stab of sorrow as she realized how long it had been since she had made a wish. Setting her shoulders back she made her wish then tossed her coin into the water. I wish for the strength to me me again. Giving a genuine smile as some of the weight left from her chest, she grabbed Harry's hand and walked back with him to the house. They were so engrossed in conversation and laughter, enjoying the moment so much that Harry didn't even realize the man leaning against his front door.

"Harry?"

Harry glanced over at Hermione, concerned about the sudden worry in her voice. He followed her line of vision to see Malfoy on his front step. Again.

"I'll handle this, just go in the house." He said quietly.

Draco had his hands in his pockets, trying to look as bored as possible. Inside his stomach was doing flips at finally seeing her, which in turn made him disgusted with himself.

"Potter. Granger." He said in a cold greeting.

"Malfoy." Harry said to him.

Draco noticed how the man seemed to have a vice grip around her shoulders and she was curled into him slightly. "Granger, Would you mind if-"

"Malfoy, leave her alone, I mean it." He threatened.

"I don't believe I was speaking to you, Potter." Draco ground out.

"Hermione, go in the house please. I'll be right there."

Draco watched as she nodded, moving away from him slowly. "Granger, I'd like a word with you." He rushed out.

"Malfoy." Harry's voice was dangerously low, but it didn't seem to bother him.

Hermione glanced up at him, trying to figure out what was going on. She tried her best not to cave into herself, not to let this man's intimidation work on her. She kept her hands at her sides as she slowly made her way passed him. She was thankful that Harry immediately followed her, putting his hand on the small of her back. Just a few more steps, she thought. Just a few feet from the door then she would be safe. Her mind was screaming at her for the betrayal of her thoughts she had just moments ago. She wanted to be stronger, better, she wanted to be her. Not this pathetic shell of a girl that used to be something great.

"Get lost, Malfoy. I don't want to see you here again."

Without thinking Draco reached for her, he couldn't let her get away without at least speaking to her. His hand flew out before he even realized what he was doing.

Hermione saw the movement and couldn't help the inevitable reaction. She gasped and squeezed her eyes shut and turned to bury her face into Harry's shoulder, bracing herself for the pain she expected to feel. Harry's arms wrapped around her tightly, his expression one of pure hatred and anger.

Draco drew his hand back, shocked at the reaction it received. "I-"

"Get the hell out of here, Malfoy!"

"Harry." Hermione breathed, barely above a whisper. Her breaths were getting quicker, the sure signs of a panic attack forming.

"It's alright, it's okay." He soothed, without a single glance at Draco as he guided her into the house.

Once they were safely inside she broke. The tears came, and she couldn't stop them, no matter how hard she tried. She was feeling to many emotions, and the fear just made her disgusted with herself. How was she ever going to get back to being the person she was?

"Sit down, Hermione. There. It's okay." He sat her on the couch and held her as she cried.

"Wh-what was he doing here? He's the o-one that's been coming around hasn't he?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't know. All he's said was that he needs to speak with you. I didn't think that was a good idea."

She sat quietly for a while, her head resting on Harry's shoulder. He drew soft circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. It helped her relax and she thought she'd just close her eyes for a moment. Just concentrate on breathing in and out. Breathe in... Harry's gentle touch... breath out... breath in... breath out.


Harry laid her down gently and covered her with a light blanket when he realized she had fallen asleep. He held her for a while, thinking about how the hell he was ever going to fix her. He got up and quietly made his way to the kitchen. It was nearly four and Ginny would be home any second now. Earlier he had the thought that maybe they could go out for dinner, since Hermione had done so well while they were out, but that idea was long gone. She would retreat to her room as soon as she woke up, Harry knew. He would try to get her to eat with them, and he would fail and they both knew that.

He glanced up when the floo lit up briefly before Ginny stepped out. "Hello, Love." He said with a small smile as he stood to kiss her.

"What's wrong?" She asked after the kiss. Harry had worry lines all over his face.

"I'm pissed off." His voice showing exactly how angry he was.

"What happened?" She asked as she set her bag down in a chair that was by the fireplace. Harry walked back into the kitchen and poured them each a drink.

"Malfoy showed up again today. She actually came to me and asked to go out for ice cream."

Ginny looked up, surprised.

"Yea. It was great. We took a walk around the park afterwards, made wishes at the fountain." He smiled at the memory. "I wasn't paying attention. He was on the bloody doorstep when we got back. The bastard wouldn't leave. He reached for her and she flinched and had a breakdown the second we got into the house."

"Oh no."

"She's sleeping now." He said with a nod towards the living room.

"Maybe we should just hear what he has to say?" Ginny said slowly.

"Gin, you should've seen her reaction! No. Absolutely not."

"I think you should ask her what she wants to do, Harry."

Hermione stood outside the kitchen doorway, listening. She was curious why Malfoy wanted to talk to her, but Harry was right. She wasn't ready.


"I don't know what in the bloody hell is going on." Draco groaned.

"You just have to give it some time." Astoria said gently.

Draco looked over at her with his eyebrows raised, a sarcastic comment right on the tip of his tongue. He bit it back though, not wanting to ruin the decent night he was having after this horrible day.

Theo, Daphne, Astoria and himself were gathered around Blaise and Pansy's dining room table having their weekly Thursday night dinner, as they did nearly every week for almost two years. It was still awkward as hell, with him and Astoria no longer being a couple. He found it hard to not act like it. They had ended it so abruptly that sometimes when he was around her he simply forgot. He caught himself reaching over to place his hand on her knee during dinner, or wanting to move her hair back that had fallen over her shoulder. He missed her. He just missed her.

"Time." He repeated.

"Yes, Draco. Time. This is all new to her, too."

"Stori, I haven't even spoken to her yet!"

"Maybe, you should cool it for a while." Theo suggested. "You know, let tempers settle then try again with a level head."

"He may have a point." Blaise said before Draco could argue. "With the way Potter's been acting you might not get a chance to talk to her any time soon, and it would be wise to not lose your shit when you finally get to."

Draco took a deep breath through his nose and exhaled slowly. He'd had a shit day today, and a shit day yesterday, and honestly a shit day everyday since his stupid wedding that never happened.

"Draco-" Astoria placed her hand on top of his but he jerked it away.

"Don't." He swallowed harshly, hating this feeling. Hating the way he was surrounded by people, yet still alone. "I'm not giving up."

"No ones telling you to give up." Pansy said quickly. "Just maybe, not to be so... in their face about it."

Draco let out a snort of disbelief. "Did those words just leave your mouth? That's seriously the advice you're going to give me? This is the only thing I have left, Pans. If I do ever get to be graced with her presence she could still tell me to bugger off and then what? I'm still alone, still wishing, still holding onto something that's becoming so obviously unachievable. I never asked for this, I never chose any of this. Seems to be my lot in life, never being able to chose which path I take. Hell, the one time I did chose something it was yanked away from me."

Everyone at the table exchanged nervous glances between Draco and Astoria. The air was getting uncomfortable with all the tension, but really it couldn't be helped. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Without another word Draco stood to leave.

"Draco, don't go." Astoria said as she stood as well.

"I can't do this." Shaking his head as he turned to face her. "I can't sit here and act like we're nothing. We were everything. You were everything to me, and you threw me away. The chances of Hermione fucking Granger ever loving me are about as good as this scar disappearing from my arm! I loved you, Astoria! I still love you. I'm just not good enough. You won't love me, and she won't speak to me and I'm just-"

He looked around at the shocked faces of his friends. Now he felt like a fool. "I have to get out of here." Before anyone could stop him he bolted from the room and ran out the front door, disaparating on the spot.

He landed just outside the wards of the Manor, walking deeper into the seclusion of the woods to the only spot that came to mind as he left Blaise and Pansy's. He wandered down to the flowing creek, breathing deeply as he got closer to the water. He perched himself on the long smooth rock that he, Theo, and Blaise had put there what felt like a lifetime ago. It trickled down into a pond that they used to come to when things got heavy during breaks from Hogwarts. He closed his eyes even though it was getting dark out. Listening to the flowing water and smelling the wet earth, the moss, the way this spot had always seemed to be exactly what he needed when he had to think.

Taking out his wand he conjured up a few simple flames and encased them in bubbles to float about, liking the way they reflected on the water. He picked up a handful of pebbles and threw them into the water one by one, smiling at the small kerplunk. He always preferred being outside. It calmed him, helped him think. He would've despised the Slytherin dormitories if it hadn't been for the view of the lake. Having that glass wall where he could lay awake for hours and watch all of the creatures as they floated by was almost just as good.

His smile quickly faded to a frown as he thought about his behavior earlier. He'd have to apologize to Blaise and Pansy. And Astoria. Damn it. His outburst was embarrassing and now he was going to have to deal with the pity from his friends that just wanted to understand but didn't. How could they? Theo and Daphne had each other, they weren't soulmates but they bloody well acted like they were. The way they understood each other, the way they depended on each other and could lean on one another. Draco wanted that. Blaise and Pansy of all people fit together so well you'd think that one was made for the other. The way they fought then quickly made up, the way they joked and teased, the way they were brutally honest with each other, regardless of the situation. Draco wanted that. He had that!

He would never do better than Astoria, he just knew it. She put the complete mess that was Draco Malfoy back together and made him what he is now. She made him see that he was worthy of love and affection, but was also the one to cut him so deeply that he wasn't sure he could even heal it. He wanted to be mad at her, he wanted to hate her. He wanted to scream at her for building him up and making him believe that he was worth something, then rip it away from him on the worst possible day. He had argued with himself so many times, but he always lost. He simply couldn't blame her, her heart was too pure to intentionally inflict this amount of pain. He knew deep down that she did it for him.

"I knew I'd find you here." Blaise said quietly as he walked up and sat down next to Draco, picking up his own handful of stones. Neither one of them looked at each other as they threw their pebbles into the water one by one.

"I didn't mean to cause a scene. This is all just crashing down on me at once."

"We understand, Draco."

"No you don't."

"We are trying." He countered.

"I know." Draco said as he let out a heavy sigh. "I want to be mad at her. I should be married right now. I should be married and happy and here I am, alone and fucking miserable."

"She wants what's best for you, and she knows it isn't her."

"What if she never accepts me?" Draco finally turned to face his friend. "What if Granger never wants to speak to me, or what if she does and I fuck it up. Like I do everything else."

"Draco, you can't keep beating yourself up like this."

"You know damn well that it could happen. You can't tell me it won't."

Blaise tossed his handful of pebbles into the water and looked to Draco. "When she finally does face you, because let's be honest she will get curious, just be the half decent guy that we know you to be. Don't go in there with that annoying Malfoy attitude that the world owes you and this is will work out just fine."

"I don't act that way anymore!" Draco nearly yelled.

"No, but she doesn't know that. The only thing she knows is that prick of a kid. Hell, we all used to act that way, Draco. You just have to show her that you're different."

"I don't know if I can do this." Draco hung his head as he spoke. "It's Hermione Granger. What do we have in common? How could something between us ever be a good thing?"

"Don't over think it. If I went off of first impressions Pansy would certainly not be in my bed every bloody night. It's gonna be work, and you're gonna have to put the effort in to make her see that you've changed. Sounds like she's changed, too. You're both just gonna have to accept who you are now."

"I don't know what's going on with her. I completely expected her to break my nose again the first time I saw her. Instead it was like she was scared of me."

Blaise shrugged. "Maybe she is. She did go through a lot during the war."

Draco only nodded. He knew that of course. He'd watched her fight for her life at the Manor. The way she refused to say anything despite his crazy aunts attempts gave him chills. She was brave, and loyal, and strong. He tried not to think about that day, but sometimes the memory crept up on him. He recalled the way he felt sick as he watched her, the way he almost physically hurt when she was hit with the cruciatus curse. The way he still had nightmares filled with her screams every now and then. He was relieved when they had found a way out, because he just knew that she would not survive the night if she remained at the Manor.

With a shake of his head he tried to clear his thoughts. "I still don't know how I feel about this. Why do I never get to chose my own path in my life?"

"I don't know, Mate." Basis said with a heavy sigh. "Just believe that this is a good thing. You've found your soulmate. You read those books, she's the one person that was made to love you."

"How ironic." Draco retorted.

"Isn't it? I love it." Blaise smirked at his friend and Draco gave a small smile back. Blaise could find the humor in almost anything. "Come on. Let's go back and have a drink."

"I'll have to apologize." Draco said glumly.

"Maybe to Astoria. I wouldn't worry about Pansy. You didn't break any of her fine china so she could care less."

"There's always next time." Draco said with a wink.

"Please don't." Blaise begged. "I have to live with her. I'll be hearing about it for the rest of my days."

"I'm sure she's made you buy three different set of china." Draco said with a roll of his eyes.

"And I'd rather not buy four, thank you very much." Blaise grabbed Draco by the shoulder without warning and disaparated to the front gate of his estate.

"I hate it when you do that." Draco spat.

"I know." Blaise chuckled.

They walked in the house together and headed straight for the patio that was off the huge living room. The air was warm and Pansy had lit several outdoor torches for light as they sat and sipped glasses of wine, or firewhiskey in Theo's case.

"Draco." Theo called out. "Sit down, I'll pour you a glass."

Draco saw the two extra glasses sitting on the table in front of him and realized that they had expected him to come back all along. He smiled at the thought and sat down next to Astoria.

"Thank you." He took the offered glass of firewhiskey and sipped it slowly as the conversation picked up as if nothing had even happened.

"Are you alright?" She asked quietly.

"Do you wanna go for a walk with me?"

"Of course." She smiled at him then turned to tell Daphne that she'd be back.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" She called after them.

"Theo's not my type." Astoria laughed out as they made their way down the stairs. She waved her wand and small bubbles of light lined the walkway that surrounded the gardens. "So what's on your mind?"

"I'm so sorry." He blurted out. "I don't mean to take any of this out on you."

She grabbed his hand and held it as they walked. "Draco, I know that. I know this isn't easy, we were supposed to be the ones that are together. I'm going to have to watch you fall in love with someone else, and it hurts. I still love you too, don't ever think that I don't. I just know that you won't be happy with me, it would haunt you and you know it."

"I love you, too. It was supposed to be you, and I'm just mad that it isn't." He squeezed her hand, finally seeing that this whole mess affected her, too. They were both hurting, and it made him love her even more that she was giving up everything she wanted so he could have this chance. He prayed that it was all worth it.

"What if it's not worth it, Stori? What if I can't figure out how to make this work?"

"You will. She's you're soulmate, Draco. You will figure this out. Be patient, sweetheart. Remember the man that you really are."

"I miss you."

"I'm still here, Draco. I'll still be here for you, I don't want you to fall back into that dark place you were in before. You can do this, I know you can. Just give it an honest chance. When you finally do get to speak with her, be open. Be your true self. Let her in and trust the magic. Promise me that?"

"I promise." He had to give it a real chance, if only for her. She was giving up just as much, he owed it to her to put his trust in this.