Disclaimer: Harry Potter was created by JKR, and unfortunately, that means she created Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape- alas...guess I can't have it all.

A/N: Yes, I know it has been quite awhile since my last update. Many of you have written to me, afraid that I will abandon this fic. I must again assure you, I will not abandon this fic. Truthfully, I had a bit of writer's block regarding this story that just now let up. So forgive my lack of updates. Please R & R!

Severus Snape was tired of the silence and depression that had enveloped Draco Malfoy after his run-in with young Mr. Potter. Yes, Draco had been stupid and immature. And yes, Miss Granger certainly had the right to feel the way she did, but all of that did not excuse Draco from living his life.

Severus walked over to Draco's door and pounded on it loudly.

"What?" Draco asked from inside the room.

Severus rolled his eyes. "I believe, Draco, that it is time for you and I to have a little talk."

Draco took several deep breaths. He had known that this talk was soon coming, but he hadn't wanted it to happen. Now, it appeared that he'd run out of his stretch of luck.

"I'm coming." He said begrudgingly. He stood from his bed, walked over to the door and opened it silently. He then turned and went back to his bed.

Severus cleared his throat. "No, Draco. We are going to discuss this like men. Now, get up off of that infernal bed before I do something that you will regret." And with that, Severus turned on his heel and strode into his sitting room.

Draco sighed and quietly followed.

Once they entered the sitting room, Severus motioned for Draco to take a seat by the fireplace while he took its twin. "It is time for you to get over this foolishness and make the best of things. I am sorely tired of seeing you pine away day after day in that room."

Draco took a deep breath. "It's just hard." he mumbled.

Severus glared at Draco. "Well, you should have thought of that before you let that girl in your pants. You have made your own bed, Draco. Now, it is up to you to lie in it. But I will NOT allow you to pine away in my chambers. You are going to make something of yourself if I have to beat it out of you."

Draco did the only thing he could. He took a deep breath, looked Severus in the eyes, and spoke. "Yes, sir."

Severus nodded. "Good. Now that we understand each other, I suggest that you begin doing some schoolwork. The staff has decided that for the remainder of your time here, you will sit in on some classes, and on others, you will assist or write papers. You are now far too advanced for much of the curriculum. We expect good grades, and above all else," Severus looked pointedly into Draco's eyes. "We expect professionalism. Now that you have agreed to this..." Severus waited for Draco to nod, and he did. "I suggest that you spend some time in the library looking up items for your professors."

Severus handed Draco a scroll. "If you need anything, I'll be in my office."

Draco watched Severus leave. On one hand, he hated that he'd angered the man to that extent, but on the other, he couldn't help but smile at the fact that no matter what, Severus Snape cared about him.

The days that followed were long and cold for Draco. His heart had grown cold, and he did his best to forget how much he cared for Hermione, but he wasn't very successful. The truth was, he wished that he had a time turner and could go back and not be as stupid as he was. But even if they did exist, he still wouldn't be able to live with himself. It was all for naught. Nothing he did would make his wrong right. He'd already done the only thing he could--apologize.

Draco never saw much of Hermione after Harry had come down to beat the life out of him. She avoided him as much as she could-- even to the point of taking classes that she never would have set foot in. All so that she wouldn't have to be in contact with him. At first, it was more difficult that way, but over time, Draco got used to it. She was no longer his and nothing he could do or say would change that. He would simply have to learn to live with it.

Several times, Pansy tried to infiltrate herself into his life, but he refused her. Finally, he told her that if she touched him one more time, he would eat her liver. She fled from him in terror. He supposed that it probably hadn't helped that he let his power flash behind his eyes, but he had accomplished what he'd set out to. He never had Pansy Parkinson darken his doorstep again.

After they graduated, Draco never heard from Hermione again. He left his mother Malfoy Manor. It wasn't that he was ungrateful for the money his family had, it was just that he didn't want to spend any more time in the place where he had to kill his father. It had been bad enough to stay there during holidays.

Draco's mother supported his decision and with some money he'd set aside, Draco bought himself a flat in one of Muggle London's upscale neighborhoods. After he got settled, he spent a lot of time just thinking and trying to figure out how to move forward with his life.

It was through these thoughts that he began to write. The only other time he'd ever written anything in the past was for school and the poems he wrote for Hermione. But the page kept calling his name, and soon, he found that he couldn't make it through the day without putting something down on a scrap of paper. Over time, he learnt about computers and actually went through the trouble of purchasing one. After getting used to the device, he was surprised at how simple it made things. If it wasn't for the fact that the old wizard was so crotchety, he'd get Snape one for Christmas.

Draco, however, did not allow himself to become a hermit. He presented himself as quiet, but not unapproachable, and soon he was friendly with his neighbors on either side of the street. After many conversations, one neighbor in particular finally convinced Draco to let him read what he'd been writing.

The man worked in publishing, and after having read Draco's story of love that had gone awry, he believed that it would sell. Many times over the next few months, Draco refused. To him, it was simply everything that had happened between him and Hermione changed to the world of muggles. Somehow, it didn't seem right to let that out to the world, at least not without her permission. Finally, Draco told the man that the events of the novel really weren't fake. He'd lived them. But that only served to fuel the man's fire towards getting Draco's work published. Finally, after many months of pestering, Draco relented-- if only to get the silly muggle off his back. He reasoned that the chances of Hermione actually reading the dumb thing was very slim, and if it made the muggle happy, so be it.

"Regret" was published under the moniker "Devin Alexander." Faster than a snitch, the book became popular. Draco was rolling in muggle money. While it felt good to have finally made his own wealth, Draco found himself having to avoid interviews. Luckily, he'd refused to have his photo placed on the back of the book.

Gradually, the main story of all the newspapers was that Devin Alexander was a recluse, and major news centers were dying to solve the mystery of the man who had written the popular bestseller. Above all else, he had been pleased that when he'd told Severus what he'd done, the elder wizard had applauded his good fortune. That made all the difference.

Every time Draco wandered the streets, he would see something about his alter identity and his book. At first, it was a bit disconcerting, but once he got used to it, he couldn't help but grin. Eventually, he wondered where Hermione was, and if she'd ever read the book. Truthfully, he was more afraid of her recognizing the story than anything else. But deep down, he wished that somehow, the book would help her to forgive him, and just maybe, they could once again become friends. He knew that was all he could ever hope for.