Harry, Ron and Ginny were out flying in the fields near The Burrow as the sun began to set. The sky was painted a magnificent yellow with a tinge of pink near the horizon. They needed to take their minds off things, and flying was something that happened to do the trick. Flying provided a sense of serenity for the three of them. It was like natural instinct to mount a broom and take off.

"Harry! Is that an owl?" Ginny asked as the wind carried her voice causing Harry to snap out of his trance. Harry and Ron turned to look at the direction Ginny pointed at, narrowing their eyes at the approaching owl which looked like a speck of dust in the vast sky.

"Yeah, I think it is. It's very far away though. Very sharp eyes there, Ginny. You could've been a Seeker," Harry said. A blush crept up Ginny's cheeks at that compliment. Ginny would have done fairly well as a Seeker, but she was a better Chaser. Heck, Harry could also imagine Ginny as a Beater. The girl did grow up in a house full of boys.

"Sweet Merlin! I won't take another minute of this flirting," Ron chided and proceeded to descend. Harry and Ginny followed suit, and they dismounted their brooms as the speck of dust finally began to look like an owl as it closed in on them.

"Do you recognize that owl, Ron?" Harry asked. The owl didn't ring any bells in Harry's head so he thought it might have been one of the Weasleys' friends.

"I don't think I've seen it before, Harry. Maybe it's for mom and dad." The owl swooped down and dropped the parchment straight into Harry's waiting hands. It took off almost instantly indicating that there was no need for a reply or rather, a reply wasn't wanted. Harry looked at the parchment in his hands. It was addressed to him. His name was scrawled in very neat handwriting which the three of them recognized instantly.

"Hermione," they said all at once. Harry unfolded the parchment, feeling both nervous and eager. Was it even possible to feel those two emotions at once? He didn't care. The handwriting was most definitely Hermione's and any doubt of forgery was pushed out of his mind.

Harry,

If you're wondering, I'm alright. I know it's my birthday and I usually celebrate with you lot, but I need to have some time alone and you know why that is. I'll explain when I see you in person. Don't worry, I promise I'm fine. Knowing you, you're probably beating yourself up for that incident that day, but it's really okay. Something must have been bothering you that day as well. I know I haven't been in touch since that incident, but I assure you that that's not the reason why. I just really need some time alone. Send Ron and Ginny my love, Harry! When I've sorted things out, I'll be sure to look for you.

Love, Hermione.

"See, Harry! She's alright," yelped Ron in delight after he read over Harry's shoulder. Harry stayed silent. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something slightly odd about the whole situation. Why did she only send a letter now?

"Yeah, look at that, Harry. She must have been really busy and distracted to only send a note now, but there you go. She's fine and she doesn't blame you. So you should stop blaming yourself. Hermione's different that way, you know? She likes dealing with things her own way, but she knows that she can come to us if she ever needs it," Ginny chimed in as though she read Harry's mind.

"Yeah, you're right, Ginny. As always." Harry felt better at once. What Ginny said made sense. He wasn't going to berate himself further. The letter offered him assurance and so did Ginny.

"How about a little more flying before dinner?" Harry asked, feeling his mood elevate for the first time that day.

"Last one up has to be George's test subject for the next month!" Ginny screamed as she shot into the air, leaving two scowling boys below her.


A certain blonde Slytherin just emerged from a much needed shower. He stood there in the bathroom for quite some time, enjoying the feel of hot water cascading down his pale skin. He absolutely loved hot showers and loathed cold ones. Back in Hogwarts, his entire Quidditch team used to take cold showers after long practice hours except him. His teammates found it weird, but they never questioned him. It was simple, really. Draco just felt as if he couldn't breathe under cold water, not that anyone needed to know that.

He grabbed the first items of clothing he saw and proceeded to put them on. Before he left his bedroom, he took a look at himself in the mirror. No, he wasn't being vain this time. There were times where he would just study himself in the mirror. This happened to be one of those times. His body filled out over the past year in Paris. He was no longer skinny like he was back in sixth year. His skin was still pale and his hair was the exact same platinum blonde he took pride in. His eyes were grey just like they always were, except it looked like there was something missing.

A spark, maybe?

He didn't know what it was, but he knew something was missing. Maybe that was why he looked in the mirror sometimes – to figure out what it was that was missing.

He ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it back before allowing it to fall back perfectly. He didn't discover anything this time, much to his chagrin. He Disapparated and appeared back in his guest quarters. His brown-haired guest was still knocked out. The slight rise and fall of her chest was the only indication that she was alive.

What are you doing looking at her chest, he asked himself, feeling rather disturbed.

You were just seeing if she was alive. Get a grip.

Stupid conscience, he thought to himself. He looked at her for another few seconds, realising that she didn't look peaceful when she was sleeping. It was as if something was bothering her. He honestly couldn't be bothered at the moment since he had somewhere else to be. With that, he Disapparated once again and appeared in the Zabini Manor.

"Blaise!" Draco said loudly. Blaise Zabini was the only fellow Slytherin Draco kept in touch with throughout his stay in Paris. He could probably call Blaise his best friend. Blaise remained neutral throughout the entire war and never once did he choose a side; no one forced him to. Blaise was once prejudiced, just like all other Pure-bloods, but somewhere in third year, he started to have his own beliefs and since then, he stopped making fun of Half-bloods and Muggle-borns.

"Draco," Blaise greeted as he walked towards Draco for a manly hug. Blaise was the only one with the guts to hug Draco. Well, Pansy too, but Draco would very much rather stay in an embrace with Blaise for ten minutes than hug Pansy for more than two seconds.

"How're you doing, mate? Did Paris do you any good?"

"Paris is the last bloody thing on my mind."

"Somebody's in a foul mood," Blaise mocked.

"Do not test me, Zabini. You know I'm fully capable of hexing you," Draco said with clenched teeth. Blaise eyed his friend and put his hand up as a sign of surrender.

"Sorry, mate. So what brings you here?" Blaise asked. Blaise obviously knew that Draco needed to rant which was a rare occurrence. Draco barely ranted openly, not even when his father died, and here he was in Blaise's house looking absolutely exhausted and ready to rant. Draco sighed and ran his fingers through his hair again. As the silence stretched on, Blaise decided to sit, motioning for Draco to do the same. The second Draco got into the chair, he jumped up again and started ranting about his day.

He told Blaise about coming home from Paris, and all about finding Pansy and Theo being complete imbeciles for entering his home in his absence. He then mentioned finding Granger being kicked into a pulp by Goyle causing Blaise's eyes to widen. Blaise opened his mouth to ask a question but Draco cut him off.

"Don't interrupt me, Blaise!"

Blaise snapped his mouth shut again, sensing the distress in his friend's voice. Draco continued telling Blaise about his horrid day, bumping into Scarhead, Weasel and the Weaslette, as well as forcing Granger to write the letter. He ranted on and on as he paced back and forth in the room. Knowing that Draco was on a roll, Blaise just sat and listened.

Draco sat down after all that ranting. His chest heaved as he let out a long sigh. It was very unlike him to rant. Malfoys never showed emotion, but Draco needed to let this out and the only person he could trust was Blaise. Blaise shifted in his seat and when Draco didn't continue, he assumed it was all done. Draco looked deep in thought.

"Draco, where's Granger now?" Blaise inquired.

"My guest quarters."

Blaise burst out in laughter, but stopped immediately when Draco shot him a glare.

"Sorry. It's just hilarious, you know? You hated the girl with burning passion at one point, I thought you were obsessed with it, and now she's in your guest quarters."

Draco sighed again.

"You know I was brought up to hate her. I hated her existence, I hated that I was always second to her, and my father would punish me for not being smarter than a Muggle-born. I didn't hate her, per se. I still don't. I don't know enough about her to hate her," Draco replied grimly.

"I understand, Draco. What are you going to do about Pansy and Theo though?" Blaise asked again. Blaise really did understand what Draco was saying about Granger. He couldn't hate her. You can't hate someone you don't know, and Blaise understood that perfectly well.

"I want to hex them until they forget their names, but that's the irrational side talking. I'll just keep Granger in my house till she heals and just come clean with Pansy and Theo. They happen to think I'm currently torturing Granger," Draco said. His last sentence was said with such disgust. Blaise nodded. There was nothing left to say.

"I'll be off now, Blaise. I think Binks made dinner for me. Thank you," Draco said as he got up. He Disapparated with a pop before Blaise could even reply.

"I'm glad he's changed for the better," Blaise said to the empty room as he proceeded to the dining room for his own dinner.


Draco appeared straight in his dining room and dropped lazily on the chair at the head of the table. He was thankful for Blaise even though he didn't express his gratitude often. He didn't have to, actually. Blaise understood. Their friendship happened to be one where they could be entirely disconnected for years, but when they connected again, it would be as if they had only been gone a moment. Draco felt better after ranting. He was deep in thought again when a little squeak broke his concentration.

"Master Draco," squeaked Tinx as a small smile graced her little elf face. Draco nodded towards her in acknowledgement.

"Would Master Draco likes dinner now? It is almost eight at night. Binks made Master's favourite food."

"Yes, Tinx. That would be nice," Draco responded. The little elf snapped her fingers and food appeared right before Draco. Grilled fish with lemon sauce and almond slices, with a small serving of mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables. Draco's mouth was watering at the sight of the food. Though it was simple, it has been so long since he had food made by his elves. No one cooked better than they did.

"Thank you, Tinx," Draco said as he cut into the grilled fish. The elf bowed and watched her Master in delight. He looked like he was really enjoying the food.

"Oh, Tinx!" Draco called out before the elf could turn to walk away.

"Yes, Master?"

"Has Miss Granger eaten?"

"Yes. Master. Binks makes chicken soup and woke Miss Granger while Master was out."

"Did she have enough?" he inquired.

"Binks came back with more than half the bowl of soup. Binks saids that Miss Granger can't take much food now."

"Yes, that's right. I suppose it was enough. Thank you, Tinx. Would you help me tell Binks that din –"

Before Draco could finish that sentence, a distressed looking Binks appeared right beside Tinx.

"Master Draco, Miss Parkinson is outside the Manor gates demanding to sees you. Binks remembers our conversation today. Binks doesn't know if Miss Parkinson can come in," Binks said, worry laced in his words. Draco's lips twitched upwards into a mischievous grin.

"Let her through the gates, but make sure she walks utterly slow and never gets to the front doors. Can you do that, Binks?"

"Yes, Master." The elf bowed and left with a pop.

"Tinx, remember what I told you what you were supposed to do if Miss Parkinson comes again?" Draco asked as his grin got a little wider. The elf thought about her conversation with Draco that afternoon and realisation dawned on her.

"Warts, Master?"

"Exactly that, Tinx." The elf grinned a toothy grin and left with a crack. Draco left his dinner and Apparated to the front doors to enjoy a good show. He had to admit that it was rather childish, but Draco wanted to get even. Warts were nothing compared to trespassing.

Far ahead, he could see Pansy and Binks. He made sure he stood in the shadows where Pansy couldn't spot him. Pansy was in a dress that went all the way down to her ankles and revealed way too much cleavage. Didn't the girl leave anything for the imagination? Binks was right behind Pansy and he stepped on her dress on purpose, causing Pansy to come to an abrupt halt. Pansy turned around and glared at the elf who feigned innocence, but his eyes told another story. Binks threw himself at Pansy's legs and latched on.

"I is sorry, Miss! So sorry!" Draco heard his elf and laughed. Merlin, who knew Binks could act that well? Pansy hopped around on one leg as she shook the other back and forth trying to get rid of the elf. She stopped hopping when another elf appeared in front of her.

"You!" she screeched, pointing at Tinx.

"Get this stinking elf off me before I hex the both of you! No one this clingy should have the privilege to walk around Malfoy Manor." Draco heard the threat and felt his blood simmer.

"Gladly, Miss," Tinx replied with a sweet smile. She snapped her fingers and Binks appeared by her side.

"Ugh, finally." Pansy proceeded to walk, but her feet were glued to the ground.

"What the hell did you do?" Pansy screamed as she glared at Tinx.

"I is doing what Miss told me to do. Getting rid of clingy people who should not walk around Master's Manor."

Draco laughed at his elf's reply. The look on Pansy's face was priceless.

"You stupid little –"

Snap.

Pansy shrieked like she was a banshee in training. Her hands flew to her face and she felt the warts all over her face. She jabbed her finger downwards at the elves.

"How dare you –"

Snap.

Pansy was thrown out through the Manor gates and landed on her bum. The two elves appeared in front of her as she got up.

"Your face isn't the only place with warts, Miss," Tinx said sweetly. Pansy fumed and Disapparated on the spot. The two elves giggled silently as they appeared in front of Draco who finally came out from his hiding spot.

"Master," the two elves spoke together. Draco was still laughing from everything that happened to Pansy.

"I'm pleased, Binks and Tinx. You may rest for the night," Draco said as he tried to suppress his laughter. The two elves rubbed their hands together in glee as they disappeared. Draco went back to his dining room to finish his dinner as he replayed the entire Pansy fiasco in his head again and again.

After dinner, Draco retired to his study to read Malfoy's Industries records and accounts to make sure everything was running smoothly. He hired a family friend to run the business while he was in Paris, but now that he was back, he would take over once again. However, he didn't have much to do. He didn't even have to go in for meetings. All he had to do was make big decisions and hire people as well as fire them, if needed. Draco spent the next hour going through all the records and when he was done, he was feeling very satisfied. The company's profit increased fiftyfold in the last two months and every department was running smoothly.

Feeling extremely content, he left his study and walked to his bedroom for another warm shower. He picked out a pair of black pants and a dark green shirt to wear before magically drying his hair.

Check on her before you head to bed. Malfoys are supposed to have perfect hospitality, said the little voice in his head.

"Stupid, annoying, righteous conscience," he muttered as he left his room for his guest room. He could feel his conscience doing a little victory dance in his head as he walked towards the sleeping figure. He rolled his eyes before fixing them upon Granger. Her bruises and cuts were better thanks to Binks, and it looks like his elves managed to clean her hair and all that dirt from her skin. Maybe she had a shower.

She still didn't look peaceful. Her eyebrows were furrowed together and she twitched a little in her sleep. Her fists clenched every now and then. They weren't clenched tightly, but they were clenched nonetheless. After staring at her for a good five minutes, he realised that he was rather fond of Granger. He felt like he cared about her a tiny bit.

But since when?

He thought about it as his eyes roamed over Granger's face. Her eyelids somehow squeezed themselves together and her eyebrows were still furrowed together. Draco remembered seeing her eyes sewn shut like this before. When? When did he see her eyes like this before? It was as if she was in pain. Was it pain? Hurt? Realisation shook him to the core. Bellatrix. He'd seen her with her eyes sewn shut as Bellatrix tortured her. He watched and he wanted to do something to save her so badly, but he couldn't. He didn't care about her then, but no one deserved to be tortured mercilessly by that crazy bint.

That was his answer. The fondness he felt for her started when she was tortured in this very house. She tried hard not to scream in pain and he wanted to scream for her. Bellatrix didn't have a heart and to suffer the end of her wand wasn't something he'd wish on anyone, except Voldemort. Seeing her once again in his dungeons earlier that day stirred up the fondness he felt for her without him realising it. At least this time, he saved her.

He suddenly felt compelled to smoothen away the lines that formed between her eyebrows. He reached out only to pull away again.

What am I doing? I'm going soft, he scolded himself.

No, you're not. It's just a small gesture and if anything, it makes you human. You won't get flesh-eating bacteria by touching her. It's bloody okay to care, even if it's just a tiny bit, the voice replied sounding perfectly like Draco when he was frustrated.

Draco decided to ignore that little voice. Who in the world has conversations with themselves in their head? He really did care a little. How could he not after all she suffered at the hands of the people who happened to be his family?

He reached out his hand and placed his thumb on her forehead praying it wouldn't wake her. He smoothened out her frown lines gently. After a few strokes of his thumb, the lines were gone and her eyebrows weren't furrowed together anymore. She seemed more relaxed. Just as Draco was about to retract his hand, he felt delicate fingers wrap around his wrist in a somewhat tight grip, preventing him from pulling away.

Even in her sleep she has a death drip, Draco thought as he scowled to himself. He was too tired to feel annoyed. Reaching out for the chair beside him with his free hand, he pulled it close and sat down. Granger brought his hand to rest on her stomach as she continued to hold on to it like it was her security blanket. Her grip on his wrist loosened and before he knew it, she was holding his hand. It wasn't an intimate sort of holding, but it was intimate enough for Draco. He didn't like physical contact, but he didn't care right now. He sighed again and mentally scolded himself for the amount of sighing he did today.

His gaze moved from her hand on his to her face. She looked a little more at ease now, but far from peaceful. He kept her face in his line of vision as he shifted into a more comfortable position on the chair.

He whispered, "Happy birthday, Granger."


Author's Notes : Hello again! Another chapter's up! I know there's very little Dramione interaction at the moment but Hermione needs her beauty sleep for now. I promise there'll be more interaction coming up. It isn't just some love story though. It may seem so in the beginning but things are going to happen as the plot builds up so stick with me as you would stick with Harry until the very end (even if I'm not even close to being phenomenal like Harry Potter was) and I'll try my very best not to disappoint you. Christine is still a wonderful beta and she'll stay that way for a very long time! With that said, give the review button a go yeah? xx

Aerinn Gwen