Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/n: This story has been stuck in my head for awhile so I thought I would post it.
His flat was clean and well organized; the opposite of the flat she was once shared with Ron. It lacked any sort of "homey" feel to it and in true Slytherin fashion the walls were grey with a green accent. It also looked as if he was hardly ever home; which is not uncommon for Healers to never be home.
"I am sure you have a million questions," He said as he remembered when they were in school and Hermione was always asking so many questions to their professors. "But I am too tired to answer them-your room is on the left and you have a personal on-suite. Now if you will excuse me…my bed is calling my name."
She watched him walk into the master bedroom to the left in the hallway behind the kitchen. The first thing she planned on doing was to take a hot shower, because she always hated smelling like a hospital. Her room was grey and their was a king sized bed in the middle with two nightstands on each side. The bathroom had black tiles and white walls. Ugh, it's almost as if she was still staying at St. Mungo's, Hermione thought to herself. As she turned on the steaming hot water, she couldn't help but remember much happier times.
"Wow Mione," Ron gasped when he walked into their new flat. "This is incredible. You are amazing."
Hermione felt the heat rise up in her cheeks as she blushed at his compliment. Ron had been gone on an Auror mission when they began looking for flats to rent. It was up to her to find the perfect flat for them and decorate it. She was elated to take on the task, because this would be their first home together.
"Thank you." Hermione accepted his compliment.
Their flat was quaint but it feel like home. After-all why would they need so much room when it would just be the two of them? When you entered the doorway the kitchen was in the left corner; it had a tiny little island with two barstools. Off to the left of the entryway was the living room. Hermione opted for a tan leather sofa with a dark chocolate brown coffee table and two maroon chairs. It was incase they had guests over, because she never wanted anyone to not have a spot to sit down. Towards the back of the flat was a tiny bathroom with a stand up shower, toilet, and sink. Their bedroom was to the right of the bathroom. Hermione had picked out Gryffindor colors for their room, because she knew how much Ron would love it.
She waited for him to pick out the rest of the paint colors, because she thought it would be a fun experience for them as a newly married couple. It was easy to day-dream about all the wonderful moments they would share in their new place together, because they were so damn happy.
The water scalded against her skin as the memory faded. Her tears mixed in with the water pouring down on her. Hermione never thought it might not last with Ron, because she always thought he was the one for her. She hadn't seen Ron in almost two years now. Ron had moved on with his life without her. She lived in their old home, they once shared together until Harry and Ginny took her in. It wasn't like she wanted to live with Harry and Ginny but she had no choice after being evicted from her flat.
At first Harry and Ginny didn't know why she needed a place to stay. They didn't ask a million questions unlike herself. They welcomed her in with open arms, but within a month she knew they had realized they made an awful mistake. It is easy to hide your problems during the first couple of weeks, but eventually the truth always finds a way to come out.
Harry and Ginny had taken her in after she was evicted from her flat. It was awfully nice of the married couple to offer her shelter, but it was also a lot more work to convince them she was okay. When Harry asked her why she needed a place to stay, she had lied and said her landlord was prejudice against muggle-borns. Harry being Harry had believed his best friend. However it wasn't the truth at all, she had been evicted because she wasn't paying her rent anymore. Which is what happens when you lose your job, because you were fired for being intoxicated at work.
No one had thought her, Hermione Granger could fall so hard from her pedestal. Everyone believed she would never battle alcohol addiction. They especially thought she could never harm herself, but they didn't know she was fully capable of such a thing.
One day Ginny had come home early, and found a drunk Hermione passed out of the living room sofa at 10am. Ginny hadn't been feeling well at work and was surprised to see her friend at home. Unlike Harry, Ginny was not a pushover and had told Hermione if she didn't find a job and stop drinking then she would have to leave their home. She stopped drinking after Ginny had caught her and found a low paying job at the library.
They thought she would be happy being surrounded by books, but Hermione wasn't happy. She was suppressing a lot of painful memories, and nothing, not even books could make her content. Even though she struggled with her past, Hermione had found being around her friends made her feel a little more complete. It was going well for her until around six months of living with Ginny and Harry then it all came undone. The Daily Prophet announced the engagement of Mr. Ron Weasley and Miss. Lavender Brown, and it broke Hermione's heart reading about her once lover and his new fiancee. She knew any chance she had of winning Ron back was now gone. Once again Hermione had found herself keeping a distance from her friends. She returned to her old ways which lead her to where she is now.
Hermione wrapped a white towel around her waist after she stepped out of the shower. She wondered if there would be any clothes for her in the dresser drawer. She prayed there was as she opened the top drawer. Harry had taken her wand away from a long time ago, so she couldn't use magic. She also didn't want to wake up the Beast. To her surprise there was a night gown for her to wear. It was Slytherin colors to her displeasure but she didn't have any other options. She yawned as she walked over to the bed, and climbed in. She couldn't wait for sleep to take her away from her reality.
"Granger!" Hermione had woken up to Malfoy yelling her name.
"What the bloody Hell is wrong with you?" She asked him, but she doubted he would ever give her an answer which would satisfy her.
"Wrong with me?" Malfoy shouted, "You are the one who was screaming in their sleep."
"Sorry," She didn't meet his eyes.
"Here's a dreamless potion for you to drink," Malfoy said softly this time as he placed the drink down on her nightstand. "I have to leave for work soon, but Potter said he would be over to see how you are doing."
"Why?" Her brain needed answers. "Why are you helping me?"
He didn't give her answer instead he told her he would be home late and not to wait up for him. She didn't understand why he of all people was trying to save her. Couldn't they all see? She can't be saved, because how do you save someone from themselves? Hermione gave up trying to find out the answer. She allowed herself to be swallowed in herself pity. She could have been a Healer by now if it wasn't for the incident. Her and Ron would have had children by now and they would have been happy…really happy.
Life didn't seem to be in her favor, because now she is alone. In the enemy's den to make matters worse, and her enemy wants to save her.
Hermione kept herself occupied by doing what she had done best, reading every material available to her. She would never tell Malfoy, but she was impressed with his collection of books. By the time Harry came, she had read the majority of Malfoy's books. Harry's visit wasn't a pleasant one.
"He can help you-" Harry argued.
"No one can help me." Hermione cried, because she knew it was the truth.
"Mione please give him a chance," Harry pleaded his friend would take this opportunity to get her life back together. "I can't lose you."
Hermione merely nodded, because she couldn't promise Harry she would give Malfoy a chance. She could sense Harry had given up on her. She didn't blame him, because she would do the same if she was in his shoes.
Hermione returned to the books to give her comfort. It was oddly comforting being in Malfoy's place; it wasn't home but it was better than the hospital. She knew she should be grateful for the hospitality, but she couldn't throw away the little pride she still clung onto.