A/N: People have commented about how Hermione shouldn't be asking for approval from her friends for who she dates. I totally agree that that's the case for any normal situation with friends. Although friends do often have valuable insight and opinions that one should take into consideration (remember, love is blind, oftentimes!), overall, I think that people should respect their friends choices in who they date. HOWEVER. This is a post-war situation, in which Harry and Neville and especially the Weasleys all had family and friends KILLED by the enemy. An enemy that Draco and his family very much supported and were directly involved in. I'd say that means that Hermione should want to make sure her best friends are ok with this. I hope that explains why I chose to write the characters this way.

Also, the reason Hermione is so upset is not just because he hid her cat, but because he betrayed her after she gave him a chance and trusted him.

Anyways, I do appreciate all the reviews and critiques, because it definitely makes me look at the way I've written characters, and I did tweak a few things to hopefully make it more realistic :) Thank you!

Without further adieu, here is the latest installment (And one of the last!)

Chapter 21: The Unforeseen Confidant

"Here you go, your favorite," Hermione reassured Boots. Picking him up, she plopped him in front of the dish of the fancy feast. With a swish of his tail, he turned up his nose and walked away.

"Come on, Boots!" She ran after him, cornering him in her room by her bed. Giving her a very disapproving look, he ducked under the bed frame and out of her reach.

It had been almost a week since they'd been reunited, only it hadn't been the glorious and happy one she'd imagined. Boots was listless and was barely eating. The apartment didn't smell anymore, but the cat would scratch at the door constantly to be let out. She knew where he wanted to go, but she wasn't letting her thoughts dwell on that particular individual.

They hadn't seen each other, which had been a miracle given their working situation. They had one overlapping shift, but Hermione had been able to switch with someone.

She hadn't had any visitors to distract her, except for Ginny, who had come over to visit the day after Christmas. Hermione had cried on the couch as she told her friend the whole story. The redhead had been livid with anger.

"I joked about someone being mean enough to steal Boots, but it turns out that little cretin actually did it!" She was fuming as she shoved popcorn into her mouth."How could he treat you like that? He got all chummy with you, then puts the moves on you, all while hiding your cat from you the whole time!"

Hermione sighed. "Let's not talk about it now. I don't want to cry anymore." She placed Boots in her lap and scrunched her hands into his thick, soft fur for comfort. "I've got Boots back, and that's the most important."

Ginny had dropped it, but Hermione could tell by the look of concern in her eyes that she was worried about her still.

She spent the week trying to engage in all her normal activities. Only, there was a problem. She'd been doing everything with Draco since almost the day she'd moved into her apartment. From going to the mall to buy herself a new winter scarf, to reading a book she'd gotten from the library, it all reminded her of Draco. I miss him, she confessed to herself. That was a bit of a problematic realization, as she currently also wanted to throttle him.

Finally, after much aimless wandering around the apartment, she remembered she actually had an unread book not obtained from the library: Luna's book on cats. She settled onto her reading chair and worked her way through the chapters over the next few days.

By the end of the week, she had learned that certain breeds of domestic cats were sensitive to magic, and that once a cat became acclimated to magic, they actively sought out individuals with the ability. She also learned that the bond formed between a wizard and a magic-sensitive cat was especially strong. If a cat in such a condition was separated forcefully from a wizard for which it had formed a strong bond, it could suffer withdrawal and depression if not dealt with.

"Oh dear," she sighed, looking to the cat bed where Boots currently lay, staring dejectedly out the window. "This is not good..."

Draco watched Hermione arrive at the bookstore for her shift from the safety of the towering shelves. A gap between the books allowed him an unobstructed view. He'd offered to stay an extra half hour to help out Meredith. Or at least that's the reason he'd given to her.

He'd knocked on Hermione's door multiple times over the few days following the awful events in his apartment. There hadn't been any answer, and he assumed she'd glanced in the peephole on her door, seen him, and subsequently ignored him. His attempts at phone calls had gone similarly.

Hermione smiled at Meredith, who was manning the cash register, but Draco observed that it was an empty smile. Beautiful, but sad and empty. He resumed organizing the books as Hermione disappeared into the back room to clock in.

Merin, what am I doing? He chastised himself. I'm spying on her like a bloody stalker. Placing two books into the empty spy hole, he walked out from behind the bookshelf just as Hermione emerged.

She was tying her apron on, and had almost run into him when she looked up and noticed him.

"Draco!" All the color drained from her face as she stopped abruptly, almost losing her balance.

"Hermione." Stated Draco, simply. He reached out a hand to steady her before he could stop himself. It looked as if it physically pained her to have his hand touch her, and she jerked away as if burned. "Look, can we talk, please?"

"I have to go. I can't-" She looked panicked. "This isn't a-"

"It's ok," Draco interjected. They couldn't talk here anyways. It was too public. "I'm about to leave." Taking one last look at her face (since it would probably be a while since he'd see it again), he walked past her to the back room to clock out.

She was in his hiding spot, partially behind the bookshelves, when he emerged again. He felt her eyes on him as he walked to the front door.

He'd have to try something different next time. And he had the craziest idea.

Harry Potter was pouring hot water over darjeeling tea leaves he'd gotten from Percy Weasley when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Casually, he pulled it out to see who'd texted him. He glanced at the screen, and almost dropped his phone into his tea.

It was from Draco Malfoy.

"What the-?" He burst out.

'Hi Potter. Its Malfoy. I know u probably hate me again, but I also know ur the only one who can convince Hermione to talk to me. Im desperate.'

He set down his phone and stared at it for a moment.

Ginny had talked to Harry about what had happened. He had been livid at first, but he'd also felt they were missing something. Maybe Malfoy would be able to explain. Not only had Ginny conveyed Malfoy's betrayal but she'd also shared her concern at Hermione's sadness and listlessness that mirrored her cat's.

After his initial resistance the night of the musical, he had wanted Hermione to be right about Malfoy having changed. It had seemed like he had, after everything they'd found out. The slytherin probably wasn't completely innocent, of course, but he knew if there was a chance that this situation could be mended, he was the only one in a place to get that healing going right now.

He picked up his phone and began to type.

'Ok, Im giving u a chance to explain ur self.'

Draco had been holding his breath for almost the full 2 minutes between sending his text, and receiving the reply from Harry. He let it out in relief, realizing he might have a chance at this.

'Would u be willing to meet me? Not at my place, Hermione lives on my floor.'

It was nearly ten minutes before he got a reply this time, but he wasn't in suspense now that he had gotten a positive first response.

'Yes. Where?'

Draco thought for a moment before replying. All of the places he might suggest were places Hermione had shown him.

'Fancy some French food?'

Draco was seated inside the French restaurant he'd taken Amelia to on their first date. It was literally the only place he'd visited without Hermione, and the least likely place he would run into her. Looking up, he saw Harry appear at the front of the restaurant, and the host showed him to Draco's table.

He stood abruptly and offered his hand, trying to start things off on the right foot with the-boy-who-lived (Also, the-boy-who-was-his-only-chance). "Harry."

Harry took the hand that was offered and shook it apprehensively."Mal-" He started, then instead said, "Draco. I should call you Draco."

"I really appreciate you coming to meet me," began Draco. "I know me and you in particular have a pretty bad history. I'm sure you're surprised I contacted you at all."

"That's actually why I decided to come. I figured if you were willing to meet with me, then you weren't the Malfoy I knew back at Hogwarts."

"Well, apparently there's still some of him left in me," said Draco, looking down. "I messed up. I really hurt her. I was trying to change...and I feel like I am different. But...I didn't know how to fix things, and it got out of hand."

"Hermione told Ginny the gist of what happened," said Harry. Draco wondered how much detail had been included, and if Harry Potter was now privy to the fact that he had snogged Granger pretty thoroughly before all hell broke loose. "I think you were a complete git for all that happened, but I also felt like we were missing some of the story. I want to hear it."

They ordered desserts and coffee, since it was too late for lunch and too early for dinner, and Draco began his story from the beginning. He explained how he'd felt in the muggle rehabilitation program before he'd met Hermione, how he'd wished he could take back so many things. How he hated himself for those things.

Then, Hermione had shown him that he, Draco Malfoy was worth something, and that life was worth enjoying too. She had believed he could change, and that belief had helped him more than anything. The mistake he'd made in the beginning, keeping Boots from his ambiguous owner, had snowballed into something he hadn't known how to fix without giving her up.

"I know now...I should have done the right thing. Once I knew what that right thing was, and I admit it took me a while to get there, I should have given Boots back. Even if it meant losing her. But at least I'd have her respect." Draco finished.

Harry had been silent for most of the story, only asking a few questions.

"Is that really how you feel?" asked Harry.

"Yes..." He started to say, then stopped. He looked down. "It's how I wish I felt. But at this point, I would do anything to get her trust and friendship back. Even go meet with you at a bloody, romantic french restaurant in Muggle London," he joked, and Harry let out a small chuckle. Draco grew solemn again, and said, quietly, "Losing her was the worst part."

Harry seemed to be considering something for a moment. Then he said, "I was shocked when Hermione first told us you two were friends. She always spouted forgiveness and acceptance after the war, and although I agreed with her, I didn't ever see that extending to a friendship with my former enemy. But now I see that she was right all along. Even if she's too angry right now to see that, I think she just needs some time, and maybe a helpful nudge from me. She's Hermione Granger - she'll come around. And of course, I'll stop by and talk to her soon."

"Thanks Potter."

"It's Harry, remember?" He offered his hand to Draco as they stood to leave the restaurant and part ways.

"Thanks Harry," he repeated, smiling, and shaking his hand again. "I don't think I've apologized for being a git to you too, yet. So, just so you know, I am. Sorry, I mean."

Harry grinned. "Glad to hear it."

Alright, read and review please :) I'll be finishing this story up very soon, but motivation is always nice. And reviews are always VERY motivating!