o0o0o0o Hermione

Hermione woke up in a room that she didn't recognize. It was a warm and inviting room, but she lay in the bed, weak and unsure what to do. She heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in." She called quietly, moving to put her feet on the floor. Draco walked in carrying a glass of water.

"How are you feeling? I brought you a calming potion and some water," he said.

"Where are we?" She asked ignoring his question. She didn't know how she was feeling, except lost and hurt. Seeing Ron today was harder and scarier than she thought it would be. The fact that she was able to not cry in front of him was amazing. But she had still fainted, which was humiliating. If Draco and Nott hadn't been there, what would have happened? Honestly, I think Ron may have taken me home and killed me. He looked that angry.

"Theo Nott's House. He didn't want me to have to carry you from the apparition point up to the castle, not that I wouldn't, but it was easier to just come here. How are you? Do you need anything? Theo is making us dinner." Draco said sitting on the edge of the bed and giving her the glass of water and calming potion.

"Thank you. I'm sorry I fainted again. I just...I think my mind shuts off after trauma now." Hermione said looking at Draco's face. She took the potion and took a drink of water. Draco took the glass and set it on the nightstand.

"I was thinking," Draco paused, "after the war, a part of my rehabilitation was to go to a counselor. I found a squib who is well versed in mind healing and muggle psychology, especially PTSD. I still see him twice a month. Do you think having someone walk you through healing may help?" Draco asked taking her hand and rubbing circles on it.

"I have thought about it, but I don't feel comfortable with full magical mind healing and would prefer a muggle psychiatrist, but there is the whole muggles don't know about the war and magic. I don't think mind healing is all that helpful. I tried to study it, and it seems a lot like divination. But if your doctor is a squib and knows both that would be wonderful. Would you feel comfortable with me going to the same doctor as you?" She asked timidly and a little hope. If she could find someone to help her walk through this, she may eventually be able to heal.

"I wouldn't have suggested it if I wasn't comfortable with it. He really is wonderful. I can get you his information, and you can contact him for an appointment. Do you feel up to going to the kitchen and talking with Theo? Or do you need to rest?"

"I feel better. Let's go see if we can help Theo with dinner. It's the least I can do." She said smiling and standing up. Draco put his hand on her elbow to make steady her, instead of feeling stifling, it was comforting. She walked with slow steps toward the kitchen.

"So, what are you making?" She asked Theo, sliding onto a barstool.

"Fettuccine Alfredo. Not hard, but filling. I figured comfort food was the way to go after the day you have had. How are you feeling?" Theo asked stirring a sauce on the burner.

"Better. Thank you for the calming potion. You are making it the muggle way?" She queried.

Theo smiled, "After the war, I went through a time where I hated magic. I moved into muggle London and did almost everything without magic. I learned how to cook, use electricity, all the muggle crap that I used to hate. But I have come to love it. I use more magic now, but I still love the telly and films. And I love to cook. It calms me."

Hermione nodded unsure of what to say. She looked at Draco who was sitting next to her running a finger over the rim of his Water glass.

"Can I help with anything?" She finally asked not wanting to sit still any longer. She didn't know what to talk about with these two wizards.

"No, but if you want, Draco can take you to my library to look around. It's not huge, but it's something. Feel free to borrow anything." Theo said smiling kindly to her.

"Really? But you don't know me, not really. Why would you be ok with me borrowing your books?" She asked slightly suspicious.

"Hermione, I know you love books. The top three students in our year are in this kitchen. You don't get to the top student spot without loving books. None of us are savants. Besides, it may help calm you even more. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. And as for borrowing books, I trust you. It's as simple as that."

She nodded and followed Draco down the hall to the library. She gasped when he opened the door and she glimpsed the inside. He smiled and nodded to her to walk in. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. A sense of peace enveloped her.

This library was bright and welcoming. The room must have had an extension charm on it, but she didn't care. It was at least a quidditch pitch in length and full of books. Where the Hogwarts library was dark and crowded, this was airy and calming. Mismatched chairs were mixed in with the shelves. A large fireplace was at one end with a group of chairs surrounding it. The carpet was beige and the shelves were a light colored wood. Instead of candles, it was lit electrically with sconces and hanging lights. It was glorious. She wished she had far more than ten minutes to browse.

Looking at Draco, she saw he was watching her and she blushed.

"I know, Theo exaggerated, his library is huge. This is my favorite library as well. And Theo has quite a collection-enough to rival Hogwarts. Look around. I'll call you when it's time for dinner." He smiled again and left her in the library. She immediately turned to the books to find one to peruse, within seconds she had four and sat on the nearest chair to look at them.

After what felt like a minute, but in reality, was more like half an hour, Draco returned and called for her. She didn't hear him. She was so absorbed in a book on the history of wand and old lores. He put his hand gently on her shoulder and she jumped heart pounding.

"It's time for dinner. I didn't mean to scare you. What are you reading?" He asked picking up the top book from the stack she had next to her. "Magick and Wand Creation, interesting selection. Are you interested in Wand making?"

"Actually, yes. The day I got my wand from Ollivander's was one of the most memorable of my life. Living as a muggle, I didn't know about magic and wands. It completely fascinates me that a stick of wood and a magical core can tap into my innate magical ability. I have been looking for these books for years, but they are out of print." She said smiling and rising from the chair. She picked up the books she was planning on borrowing and followed Draco to the dining room. Draco took the books from her and placed them on a table near the library door.

"I understand the fascination. Even though I grew up in a magical home, I was always intrigued by the differences in wands and the amount of power displayed. I didn't realize Theo had these or I would have already read them," he said with a laugh.

Reaching the dining room table, he pulled her chair out. Theo floated in three plates of food. "Draco, can you go get the wine from the kitchen. It's on the counter breathing." Draco walked to the kitchen and brought back the wine.

0o0o0o0o Later 0o0o0o0oDraco

We walked into the castle together. Dinner had been fun. Theo was always good for a laugh and Hermione seemed to relax at least a little as the evening progressed. She laughed a very musical but hearty laugh. I couldn't wait to hear it again.

"Can I still borrow Great Expectations? I need a muggle fiction book tonight, and I think Dickens just might hit the spot." Hermione said laughing.

"Of course, follow me, and I can get you the book." We walked to my room that like her room, was through my office. She waited in the office while I fetched the book. Walking back into my office, I saw that she was perusing the bookshelf that I keep my potions books on.

"Here you go. Keep it as long as you need. I would really love to hear what you think though when you are through." I say with a smile.

"Thank you, Draco, not just for the book, but for standing up for me to Ron. I had hoped that I wouldn't see him today. You came to my rescue, and I appreciate it," she said sadly.

"I won't let him hurt you if I can help it. There is one thing that I cannot fathom is someone wanting to hurt another for gain. I'm here for you. Maybe we can go to Hogsmeade tomorrow for some of your other things. Or even go to Muggle London if you want, for your Muggle Studies classroom items." I say, sitting on the edge of my desk.

"That would be lovely. How about we go after breakfast, say 9:30 am? We can shop then eat some lunch." She said smiling brightly.

"Sounds like a plan. Don't stay up too late reading then," I tease her lightly.

"Never!" She grinned back and walked out of my office.

I laugh to myself and am suddenly glad that I have Hermione Granger to tease, talk books with, and protect.

A/N: I'm so sorry for the lateness of this update. My whole family got a stomach bug one right after the other- one person would get better, then another would get sick. NO FUN! And on top of that, I have had bad writer's block. I know where I want this to go, but some of this is hard to write. I'm not fully satisfied with this chapter, but I really wanted to get something out for you guys! I appreciate all the reviews!

Also, I know that Hermione went to Muggle school for primary school and may very well have already read Great Expectations for school, but I love that book and wanted to put it in here somehow. Please suspend disbelief for that.

I'm hoping to have another chapter up in a few days. I have the next chapter mapped in my head, it's just getting it down is the problem.

Please read and review!