Chapter 10

The second Harry was accepted into the Auror program, Hermione began preparations to locate her parents. She knew that by working at the Ministry, Harry would have enormous of resources at his disposal. Being the Chosen One didn't hurt either.

Harry had promised that after his training, he would make searching for her parents one of his top priorities. While she had expected to hear something official from him much sooner, Hermione was still pleased when a letter arrived at breakfast from the Auror office. Normally when Harry was giving her news and details he sent a letter on his own, not through the program.

She felt a wave of nausea as she held the letter in her hands. Out of her peripheral, she could see Ginny talking enthusiastically in her general direction; the words not making it to Hermione's ears. It was like the boisterous noise of the hall had just died down and Hermione was alone in the room with the letter in her hands.

In hindsight, she should have waited until she was alone in her room to read the letter, but she was so anxious for news, she couldn't wait any longer. With shaky hands, she finally managed to break the Ministry seal and open the letter. Her face paled as her eyes skimmed the first sentence.

Lost. Her parents were lost.

Without bothering to read the rest of the letter, she mumbled something to Ginny about heading to the library and ran from the room.

She made it to a miraculously empty courtyard before her knees gave out from under her. She pulled her knees to her chin and began to cry.

She had known that Obliviating her parents and sending them to Australia had been a risky move, but at the time she would have done just about anything to keep her parents safe. The Death Eaters would have stopped at nothing to gain the location of the Golden Trio, their families being at the top of the list of those with information. It was the reason that they had been leery about having a wedding at the Burrow. It was why they had fled without a word to anyone from the Order.

Even though her parents had been gone from London for a year, it was finally setting in that Hermione was completely alone. She could now be considered an orphan. Even if her parents were alive out there, they would have no clue on who she was.

She had always held on to some hope that she would be able to collect her parents, restore their memories and have them back home in no time at all. Even if she was unable to restore their memories, she would have lived happily, albeit alone, that her parents were safe, healthy and happy. She would give anything to at least look at their smiling faces one last time.

When she took a deep shuttering breath, she heard the sound of footsteps crossing the courtyard towards her. She didn't need to look up when the intruder sat beside her and spoke.

"Granger, what's going on?"

Still without looking up, she thrust the letter into the blond's hands.

The only sound was her quiet sobs as he read the letter in his hands. While he read, he placed a soothing hand on her back.

"How far into the letter did you get?" He asked softly.

She noncommittally shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't need to read past the first sentence to know what the rest of it said," she finally replied, a sob catching in her throat.

She could hear the irritating smirk in his voice when he responded. "Granger, it says they might have a trail."

Brown eyes snapped up to gray ones. "What? Give me that." Without waiting for a reply she snatched the letter from his hands.

Skipping the first sentence, so as to prevent another breakdown, she read on.

Upon entering the last known address listed for a Wendell and Monica Wilkins at 146 Kendall Street in Melbourne Australia, the Aurors found no sight of the couple. The house had been packed up and left empty, as if they had moved. The state of the house suggests no one has entered the house for a few months. After a thorough search of the home, the Aurors have found some pieces of evidence that suggest Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins have taken up a new residence in Paris, France. Aurors Potter and Weasley have been dispatched to Paris to continue the search for the couple. We should receive news within the next few weeks. If you have additional questions, please contact-

Hermione stopped reading and turned to Malfoy. "They might still be alive."

He gave her a small reassuring smile. "They might still be alive. Don't give up hope just yet, Granger. I'm sure Potter and Weasley are somewhat proficient at their jobs, or the Ministry wouldn't have done much with them after their training."

Hermione chuckled quietly under her breath. "I'm sure they volunteered themselves for the job."

Malfoy nodded as his hand moved soothingly up and down her back. "Nothing would surprise me more than the day that Potter doesn't throw himself into action."

She chuckled again and leaned her head back on the stone bench behind her. "Thanks, Malfoy."

He nodded again and turned his gaze forward towards the castle. "No problem, that's what fake boyfriends are for."

She turned her head and looked at him. "That's what friends are for," she corrected.

He turned his head to return her gaze. "Is that what we are, Granger? Friends?"

"With how much we've been consoling each other lately, I'd like to think so."

Malfoy nodded and turned his head back to the castle wall in front of them. After a few moments of comfortable silence he said, "Friends it is."

Hermione continue to inspect the side of his head as she built up the courage for her next question. "Do you mind staying here with me for a little while longer?"

Malfoy turned back to her, considering her as his eyes bore into hers. "I'll stay as long as you want."

Hermione placed her hand on his and squeezed her thanks before turning her face up to the sky. It was an unusually sunny day, but she wasn't complaining; she had missed the sun the past few weeks.

They stayed seated on the flagstones of the courtyard for another fifteen minutes before they had to get up and head to class side-by-side.

…..

"Do we have to go?" she whined. She knew she sounded childish, but she did not feel up to going.

"Yes. I haven't seen Theo in months."

She watched him from her perch on the bed as Malfoy sat in the chair tying his shoes. He had become comfortable enough in her presence that he insisted on taking off his shoes when they were in either of their dormitories. It was a side of Malfoy that she never thought she would see. Obviously he didn't wear shoes 24/7, but he was also so prim and proper that it was bizarre to picture him in anything other than his black suit pressed to perfection. Lounging Malfoy was a whole other view that she did not hate.

"Okay well do I have to go?" She was really looking forward to heading to the prefect baths and climbing into bed early with a good book.

He lifted his head and quirked up a brow. "And what big plans did you have tonight? A bath and early bedtime with a book?" Her silence gave him all the information he needed. "You do that every night. Besides, as my 'girlfriend' you are also required to grace them with your presence." He emphasized the word girlfriend with finger quotes.

She groaned and threw herself down on the bed. "But a Slytherin party? I'd rather chop my own arm off."

Malfoy chuckled from the other side of the room. "Well unfortunately for you, you could still join me with one arm."

A pillow was thrown very quickly in his direction. He just snickered and threw it back.

"Is that what you're wearing?"

She sat up and looked down at the school uniform she was wearing.

Before she could respond Malfoy was up and at her wardrobe. "The answer is no, that's not what you're wearing."

"What's wrong with my outfit?"

"Nothing, if you're planning on going to the library."

She looked at him slightly offended. He turned and caught her glare.

"Granger, it's a party. You would be the only one in uniform. Besides you wear that all the time, wear something fun for once." He went back to riffling through her clothes. "You don't have many elegant items in here."

Hermione scoffed. "Yes, because my thoughts while packing for school was that I needed to be prepared for a cocktail party."

"Well you had to have known that people would want to celebrate the ending of a bloody war. Ah, here." He pulled out a dress that Ginny had gifted to Hermione for her birthday.

It wasn't an ugly dress, Hermione just had no use for it and had quickly shoved it to the back of her wardrobe without a second thought. It was made of a navy blue chiffon that was gathered strategically on the bodice then flowed freely down the skirt that was cut just above her knee.

Malfoy was holding the dress by the hanger and looking at her expectantly.

Hermione threw her head back and groaned loudly in annoyance before rolling off the bed to her feet. "Fine! But don't expect me to be partially chatty."

Malfoy just smirked in return. "Fine by me." He turned on his heel and left the room allowing her to change.

Twenty minutes later, they were standing inside the entrance of the Slytherin common room. Hermione had grudgingly put on heels, styled her hair, even put on makeup and she still felt underdressed compared to these students. What was with purebloods being able to make sophistication seem so casual?

She shifted her weight from her right and left foot and back again. As if sensing her unease, Malfoy wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Would you feel more comfortable if you stayed with me all evening?" He breathed into her ear.

She quickly shook her head. "No it's alright. I've got to learn how to push through my anxiety."

"That's my girl." He squeezed her waist and headed off to where Hermione saw Theo and Blaise standing.

She took a deep breath and headed toward the refreshments table, ignoring the numerous stares she received.

She was pouring herself a glass of Firewhisky when someone stopped next to her and cleared their throat.

"I'm surprised Draco was able to talk you into coming tonight."

Hermione took a sip of her drink and turned to see Daphne Greengrass dressed in head to toe emerald green. Typical Slytherin.

Daphne was one of the few who had never been outright cruel to Hermione in the past. Sure she was part of Pansy's group of friends that tormented and teased, but Daphne had simply joined in on the laughter, never contributing. The last time Hermione had seen her, Daphne had looked strained and miserable, like most Slytherins during the war. Now she was looking perky and had a surprisingly friendly smile on her face, it suited her.

Hermione realized she was staring and cleared her own throat. "Yes, well it did take some convincing. I didn't think I would feel too welcomed down here."

Daphne nodded and reached for a glass of her own. "Probably, but Draco made it very clear that there would be no harsh treatment of you if anyone wanted to properly walk tomorrow."

Hermione raised her brows in surprise. Malfoy hadn't treated her poorly since the beginning of term, but she didn't expect him to go out of his way to make sure no one else treated her poorly. There were some things about the way Malfoy acted that still amazed her.

She caught his eye from across the room and received a smile from the blond. She smiled stiffly in return. He rolled his eyes and mouthed, "relax" before returning to his conversation with Theo.

Daphne huffed out a chuckle. "You two sure are smitten, you can barely keep your eyes off each other." Hermione turned her attention back to Daphne. "You know, I thought it was just a ridiculous rumor at first that you two were dating, but the way he looks at you could set something on fire."

Hermione managed a sly smile. "Yep, we're just nuts about each other."

Daphne giggled and grabbed her arm. "You must come join us for a game."

Hermione accepted and followed her cautiously. If she were to convince these people that her and Malfoy were in love, then she had to learn to mingle with his people.

…

Three hours had passed and Hermione was having a shockingly splendid time. She found that Daphne was very witty and actually enjoyed spending time with her. The game that Daphne had insisted that Hermione play was a drinking game the Slytherins had apparently created. The object of the game was to take turns going around the circle naming an attribute about every person without skipping a beat, and if you do then you take a drink. You also couldn't use the same descriptions as anyone else. Hermione was learning quite a few things about the group of Slytherins and realized they weren't too different from Gryffindors when it came down to it.

Malfoy had drifted in and out of the game as he made his rounds around the room. Hermione, however, had stayed in the circle the entire evening. She kept promising herself that she would play one more round, and then a half hour would breeze by.

It was now Theo's turn in the game and he was slipping up more and more as the game continued.

"Right, Daphne, nails. Granger, legs. Harriett, tits. Thomas, six toes. Wilson, forehead. Fontell, tits."

"Ah, you said tits twice! Drink!" Someone yelled.

"I'm sorry if I've got tits on the brain," Theo grumbled as he took a shot.

"Apparently. Fontell doesn't even have tits!" Someone else exclaimed as the group erupted with laughter.

Hermione held up a hand and stifled a yawn. She usually didn't get this tired so early on in the evening, but she had double rounds today as one of her prefects was in the hospital wing. She also had had a trying week after the news about her parents.

She stood up and stretched her arms above her head. "I'm out. Continue without me."

Theo whispered loudly as she turned her back, "She's just scared that it was her turn and the only word she could think of for me was sexy."

"Actually I was thinking numskull," she called out over her shoulder.

She heard Theo gasp dramatically as the group roared with laughter again.

She found Malfoy on the other side of the room in an armchair talking to Blaise.

"Hey, Granger. The game get you properly sloshed?" Malfoy smirked at her as she swayed on her feet.

"Just a little tired is all. My social timer is running low too."

"So you came to just stare at me?"

"Maybe I just wanted to spend some time with you, you git. Just-" Before he could respond she had plopped herself down in his lap.

Malfoy's shock wore off quickly as he adjusted her so she was curled up in his lap, his arm around her waist.

"Mmm, you smell nice," she mumbled into his chest.

She felt his laugh vibrate his chest.

"And you're completely done for, Granger."

After a few minutes he went back to his conversation with Blaise, occasionally running his fingers up and down the length of her arm. He laughed buoyantly at something someone said.

"I love your laugh," she mumbled.

He froze for a moment. He probably thought she had fallen asleep and was surprised to hear her talking.

"It's just nice to hear you laugh after everything you've been through. You deserve to laugh."

His eyes bore into hers and his face softened. "As do you, love. Close your eyes."

She stifled another yawn and snuggled her face into his sweater. "I'm not even remotely tired. I could stay up for hours. You just want me to shut up so you can keep talking to your friends."

His laugh reverberated through his chest. "Maybe only a little. Rest your eyes for a bit. I'll be right here."

He pressed his lips to her temple and rested his chin on the top of her head as he returned to his conversation.

Hermione could only hold on so much longer before her exhaustion crept up on her, the darkness quickly claiming her.

….

Draco yawned again for the third time in twenty minutes.

"I know you find me boring, Draco, but the least you could do is pretend to be interested," Theo slurred.

Draco snorted. "Nothing you have ever said to me has ever been remotely interesting."

Theo scoffed dramatically, "Well, I never!"

"You are such a drama queen," Draco snickered.

"You want drama? I'll give you drama!" Theo got increasingly louder as his sentence went on. "This is drama!" He yelled. "I'm giving you drama!"

Granger shifted in his lap and muttered something in her sleep. Draco froze and waited until her breathing slowed again and she stopped wiggling.

She had been sleeping for the better part of an hour. He thought about waking her, but didn't have it in him; she looked so peaceful. He knew that she had an exhausting day with double patrols and the news about her parents had been weighing on her all week. She had been sending letters to Potter all week and he could see the emotional drain it had on her.

To be honest he hadn't wanted to come tonight either, he had used Theo as an excuse to get her out. He grew up with Theo and truthfully enjoyed small breaks from the bloke, but Granger needed to get out of her head. Being Head Girl was a demanding job for anyone, let alone Granger who went above and beyond on everything she did. Then with N.E.W.T.s hanging over their heads and this search for her parents, he was surprised she was able to hold it all together. She had no outlets to speak of so he figured she could use a night to blow off steam and forget about all of those things for awhile.

And since he wasn't living with death hanging above his head every second of every day anymore, it was nice to get together with friends and just be teenagers for once.

He checked his watch as he fought off another yawn. It was nearly two in the morning and Theo was still demanding drinks out of everyone, even though half the room had cleared out hours ago.

Granger squirmed in his lap again making his decision for him. "Alright gents, I think it's time for me to head out."

"Already? The night's still young!" Theo leaned back in his chair and sloshed half his glass onto Blaise's shoes.

"Famous last words. I'll see your bright shining faces in the morning then," Draco replied as he flicked a bottle cap at Theo, hitting him squarely between the eyes.

He slid one of his hands under Granger's knees, hoisted her up bridal style and sauntered off to his bedroom.

Once he kicked the door shut, Draco laid Granger down on his bed. She immediately rolled to her side, dragging the pillow to her. He smiled to himself and started getting ready for bed. After changing into his pajamas and taking off her heels, Draco crawled into bed next to her and pulled the blankets over them.

He turned to face Granger and watched her for a few moments. Her hairstyle had started to come undone and now framed her face with small ringlets. Her cheeks were slightly pinked from drinking and her lips were parted slightly as she blew air out in her sleep.

Draco lifted a tentative hand and with his finger, traced the lines on her face. The small worry lines between her brows softened under his touch and he could've sworn he spotted a slight curve of her lips. She adjusted slightly drawing in a deep breath. When she breathed back out she muttered one word in her sleep, "Draco". It was so soft he had to almost strain to hear it, but it was there.

His lips pulled up in the corners as he watched her. Never in his life would he have pictured Hermione Granger snuggled up in his bed, sleeping peacefully.

His life had changed entirely after the war, so far for the better. He had been willing to turn his life around and make amends for how he had treated everyone in the past, especially her. Even if their relationship wasn't real and seeing as how she probably didn't have any romantic feelings toward him, Draco had come to think of Granger as a close friend since returning to school. He was going to miss spending time with her when their ruse came to an end, but he had gained the one thing he had set out to accomplish when returning this year; her forgiveness. If that were the only thing he left with come June, he was willing to accept that and move on.

She mumbled his name again, but this time she furrowed her brow in annoyance. With his finger, he smoothed it away.

He pulled her closer and was pleasantly surprised when she snaked her arms around his waist.

"You'll be the death of me, witch," he whispered into her hair.

He lifted his wand, mumbled a quick Nox and nestled back around her, breathing in her sweet vanilla scent.

He had few thoughts past her once he drifted into a remarkably dreamless slumber.

a/n: I hope you all love this chapter as much as I do, I figured a party was needed.

This chapter is dedicated to Neekah, whose comments absolutely kill me and give me life at the same time.