Letters continuously flowed between the two. Each one becoming more and more bold. Questions asked and grudges somewhat released.

14th August, 1998

Malfoy,

It would most definitely not be a smart idea for us to meet. I am still of the mind to hex you to oblivion, and even though you are now hated and I am loved; I don't believe the Minister himself could keep me out of Azkaban for what I have in mind for you. Since you are determined to pester me despite my repeated request to be left alone, you will have to settle for this. I have no plans of ever accepting anything from you so there is no reason for us to meet face to face. I will also mention that if we are to continue writing each other you will cease from referring to my friends in that way, especially after all they have done for you. I'm glad that you remember that horrible day. I remember it too, I feel stuck in it. Every moment of my life since the war ended has been remembering that moment. Remembering the pain, the sound of my own screams. You said you would trade places with me if you could. I wish that too. I wish you were bleeding on the floor instead of me. I wish you forever carried a disgusting mark that refused to heal. Something to always remind you of how hateful others can be. I wish so much on you. I wish it so much it hurts. You'll never know how I feel. Keep apologizing Malfoy, I'll never hear the words. Just like how you refused to acknowledge my place in your world, I will never allow you into mine.

H. Granger


16th August, 1998

Granger,

I will apologize as many times as you allow me to say it. There has never been a day where I don't regret everything that happened. I was so sure of where I stood. I was sure of what I believed. You were beneath me because you weren't born into your magic, because you were a muggle. Everyday you proved me wrong, you were smarter and I despised it, you were clever and I mocked you for it. Even you friends were truer then anything I could ever hope would befriend me. You stood up to the face of evil in a way I probably never will. You stood up and won and that makes you a better person then me. It's a shame you don't want to meet. I swear it's no trick. Somethings are better said in person. My mother has this crazy idea that you're my salvation and I think I might believe her. I remember your screams too, I hear them everyday without fail. I remember your pain and no one else's. You have a lot of wishes for me but they are my reality. I carry a mark just as well as you. A mark I can never wash away no matter how much or how long I scrub. I took this mark foolishly with pride and now I hide it in shame. I carry mine as well because of hatred. If I could go back and tell that stuck up younger version of myself that you would always true and to not turn you away I would. I hope you see that these are more then words to me. I hope you see the truth.

Forever your servant,

Draco


24th August, 1998

Malfoy,

I will not feel sorry for you. Everything that has happened, it is your fault. You should feel shame, you should feel it everyday of you sad existence, because of you I am alone. I am suffering alone and I hope the guilt of knowing this tears away at you. My parents were everything I had, everything pure and good about me and now they are gone and I am nothing. Everything you always told me I was. Everything you always wanted me to believe. Does that fact make you happy? Does that fill you with glee to see me so down. Everything is your fault. I place the blame solely on you. I sent my parents away to keep them safe. They had plans for their lives and now they have nothing. They died cold and alone and I blame you for that. I couldn't even attend the funeral. I couldn't be with them in the last moments. Would you like to know why? Because your disgusting uncle, the man who struck them down was waiting for me, waiting to put me in the grave next to them. Harry attending in my stead because it wasn't safe for me. They were my parents and I couldn't be with them. Even when it was all over I couldn't be near them. I just don't understand how you could hate me so much. What have I ever done to you? You and your family have taken everything from me all because I dared to claim the title Witch. Well you know what? It is what I am and I'm not ashamed.

H. Granger


25th August, 1998

Granger,

I am more sorry then you will ever know. I didn't know about parents. I swear I had no idea your parents were killed by Rodolphus. Maybe that's not true, maybe I wish it was true. The day you escaped the Manor, Bellatrix went mad. She went on and on about how she would make you pay, how you'd be sorry. She was enraged, talking to herself, laughing at shadows. She wasn't making any sense, even Mother was worried. Then one day she was back to herself. I knew she'd done something drastic. I saw her talking to her husband one night. I didn't hear what they were saying but I could tell it wasn't anything good. I wish in that moment I would have been stronger. Maybe now you wouldn't be alone. Maybe you would have your parents and you could share with them every amazing thing you've done. You are the strongest person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and I hate that you are now in pain. You are right. You don't deserve what my family has put you through and I hate that it started with me. What I feel is more then shame, it is more then guilt. If I could take it all back believe me when I say this I would. I hate that because of me you carry this doubt now. You used to make it your mission to prove me wrong, to prove you were better. And you were, so why are you afraid to do it now. I deserve my feelings of inadequacy you do not. You've done things others shudder at. You are greater then these memories, you survived so why don't you live?

Forever you servant,

Draco


27th August, 1998

Malfoy,

We will never know what my parents wanted for me will we? They're dead. Each letter you write makes me hate you more. I don't want you to encourage me, I want you to be the prat from my past. The horrible boy who make me cry. I really want to hate you and it's unfair of you to try and change that. Say something horrible to me. Talk about my hair, my teeth, my friends, my life. Do something so this feels real, so this feels the way it used to. I hate that every line you write make me feel terrible. I feel like I'm attacking a deflated ball. I keep poking at you but you do nothing in return expect apologize and say something slightly admirable. I just want things to be the way they were before but I suppose it's foolish to wish for that. Sure I would have my parents but Voldemort would still be a threat and you and I would not be speaking the way we are now and I am embarrassed to say I would miss this. Although I greatly dislike you, I look forward to your letters. I look forward to your words. I hate when you say something true because it gives me a fire I haven't had in so long. I've been sitting in the darkness for so long I'm not sure how to pull myself free of it. I think you might be my salvation too. I need to forgive you or I will forever be trapped. I will be free on the 2nd of September if you are still willing to meet with me. If you are, I will change the wards so that you will be allowed to enter. Please come to 9 County Lane at noon on that date. I hope to see you then.

Hermione


27th August, 1998

Granger,

I will see you then.


Watching Orion fly towards wherever Hermione was made Draco's insides feel with joy. She'd finally agreed to meet, she was willing to give him a chance to redeem himself. He needed her forgiveness like he needed his next breath. He'd spent most of his youth tormenting Potter and Weasley but he'd been especially hard on her. Every time she succeeded he tried to chip away at her confidence. Tried to plant a seed of doubt in her. Make her doubt her ability in herself. He'd been second to her in everything and he hated it. His father hated it more.

And because of that he made it his mission to make her feel like dirt, like she didn't belong. He felt a great deal of satisfaction whenever he succeeded in this. But now, knowing how much she'd lost and how much she'd gone through, all he could think of was how to pull her back up. How to make her herself again. He needed to do this. He'd made so many wrong decisions in his life before. He was ready to do the right thing. To make amends.

Going back inside his bedroom he decided instead of sitting around the manor doing nothing he would visit Blaise. Writing Hermione had sparked something inside him. Something he hadn't felt before. It make him want to search the unknown and ready to pursue life. Standing very still he concentrated. He pictured Blasie's London flat. He'd never been there but he knew the area well enough. His mother had forced his Aunt to teach him several things and Apparating was one of them. She felt there was a need for him to learn the skill quickly and didn't feel that the instructor at Hogwarts would be up for it. Feeling the magical pull he felt himself leave his bedroom at Malfoy Manor and reappear in another location. Opening his eyes he realized in the next moment he was standing outside a very posh penthouse door. Raising his hand he rang the door bell. He'd only been standing in the well lit hall for a few seconds before the door opened and Blaise Zabini stood before him.

"Draco? Well this is a surprise, what do I owe the pleasure?"The tall man asked smirking while he spoke. "Boredom." He responded in a casual offhanded way. Laughing Blaise moved aside and allowed Draco to enter. The interior of the dwelling was exactly what you'd expect for Blaise Zabini. White marble covered ever inch of the floors. The walls were also draped in a white paint that shone with tiny flecks of gold. There was a large spacious living area, with a large stone fire place. There were two long white leather couches facing each other and a grand piano that was currently magically spelled to play Liebestraume. Throwing himself on the stiff couch Draco smiled up at his friend. "Nice place." Laughing Blaise sat opposite of him. "Funny thing that you're here Mr. Malfoy. I was just thinking about you and the interesting things I hear about you and your family."

"Were you now Mr. Zabini? Well if you hear things, then I should definitely be concerned"

Chucking, Blaise continued. "I hear that your Father is being released."

"Hmm, Now where did you hear that?"

"Where I heard it doesn't matter now does it, what matters is if it's true or not...so tell me then, is it?" He asked expectantly.

"Yes, my mother seems to think my father is coming home. She heard the news from the Minister himself."

"You don't seem very happy about that fact. Do you not want old man Malfoy home?" Wanting to get off this subject Draco sighed. He hadn't come here to talk of his father. "Rather I am or not is neither here nor there. Besides that's not why I'm here. I wanted to tell you that I'm thinking of becoming a Healer. I need to do something with myself and that's the only useful thing I could come up with. I've already written to Healer Tibbs. He's the new head of St. Mungo's. I've got a meeting with him tomorrow to discuss it." Blinking slowing at Draco, Blaise smiled. "Well considering I know you the way I do. I know you don't care what I think and you don't want my advice so I'm wondering why you bothered sharing the new with me." Laughing, Draco was reminded why he liked Blaise's company. He always spoke what was on his mind. No matter what anyone else thought. Which was a welcome change, having spent many years in the presence of people who agreed with everything he'd ever said. "I just wanted to let you know that I was finally going to be doing something with my life. So hopefully I won't be as free as I am now and you'll have to find someone else to pester." "Well good for you. I hope you enjoy being a dull working citizen." Laughing again they carried on. Blaise and Draco spoke for the next couple of hours without pausing. Draco liked the way things were going with his life. He hadn't felt this way ever but he was going to do whatever it took to hold on to it. He didn't tell Blaise about his meeting with Hermione but he had a sneaking suspicion that the dark Wizard might've already known. Blaise had a way of knowing things others didn't. But that was most likely his paranoid mind speaking again.