New story! I own nothing! Enjoy!

Chapter 1

"I can do this," Draco Malfoy insisted, standing in front of the Headmistress's desk. "I want to do this, Professor McGonagall. Please, just say you'll consider it."

Every day for the past week, the former Slytherin found himself in the same position - begging the head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a job. He had been in prison when he took and passed his N.E.W.T.s and was granted his diploma. Branded a Death Eater, he had found it difficult to find work upon his release, and he needed to work. The Ministry had seized the Malfoys' money, property, and assets, leaving them practically penniless. While his father was in prison, his mother needed him to provide for their small family.

"I just...I'll do anything, Professor," he continued. "I know my past mistakes, and I take complete responsibility for them. I've hurt a lot of people, and I've tried to make amends with as many of them as possible. Please, just give me a chance. I'll clean the lavatories if I have to."

Stern, strong, and powerful, Minerva McGonagall cracked a small smile at the thought of the notorious pureblood scrubbing toilets. "I'll find you something, Mr. Malfoy," she promised. "However, there is one person in this castle who you'll need to speak with before I allow you to take a permanent position. If she's uncomfortable with your presence, I'll have to ask you to seek employment elsewhere."

Draco made his way from her office to the Transfiguration classroom, knowing he would find Hermione Granger there. Standing in the doorway, he watched her move around in a flurry, setting up her classroom for the upcoming school year. It was her first year as a professor, and he was sure she was anxious if her ever-expanding hair was any indication. Clearing his throat softly, he got her attention. "Granger," he said.

Brown eyes narrowed and hardened at the sight of him. "Out."

"Please, just hear me out," he said, keeping his distance. "I've come to ask the headmistress for a position, but was told I need to talk to you first. I don't know how to say it though. An apology doesn't seem good enough."

"I don't want it," she interrupted. "Please leave."

With a heavy sigh, he nodded and turned to leave. "Wait," he said. "I really need this job, whatever job she can give me. We can keep our distance, can't we? It's a big castle. We'll probably never see each other."

She had read of his family's financial troubles in the paper, and a small part of her felt bad that the life Draco had once known was gone. It didn't erase the years of bullying and teasing and hexing though, and she didn't feel ready to forgive him. "How do we do that?" she inquired. "Meals, staff meetings, school gatherings, we'll both have to be there. There's no keeping apart."

Draco nodded, nervously pushing away his blond hair from his eyes. "I guess you're right," he replied. "I'll let McGonagall know I'll look elsewhere."

"Where?" she asked as he began to walk away. Turning back, he grinned at her as she toyed with her curly hair. "I mean, do you have other options?"

Frowning, he shook his head. "I'll find something," he said hopefully. "Something in Diagon Alley maybe. One of the shop owners might be hiring. Anyhow, it was nice seeing you, Granger."

"Take it, Draco," she advised. "You need the job. I don't want to be the reason you can't find work."

After thanking her, Draco left her classroom. After a brief stint with the Ministry of Magic, Hermione left to pursue a career in education. The position of Transfiguration professor had opened, and she immediately applied for it. A short conversation with her former professor was all it took, and she quickly accepted the job. She had thought, now that the war was over, that Hogwarts would be a safe, accepting, welcoming environment. With Malfoy back, she feared that her picture perfect Hogwarts was not to be.

With her classroom set up, she left for the Herbology greenhouses. Neville needed to know the latest developments. He had borne the brunt of Draco's bullying far more than she had, and he needed to know that Malfoy was back. "McGonagall is really hiring him?" Neville Longbottom asked, fiddling with the leaves of one of his plants. "You're okay with this?"

Few knew what had happened at Malfoy Manor just a week before the final battle commenced. Neville knew. "I don't know," she replied. "It's been five years. I should be over it by now, right? I should be over it, Neville."

"No, you shouldn't," he argued, his voice soft. "If you're not ready to be over it, you don't have to pretend you are. If you're not comfortable, tell McGonagall. Tell him to look for work someplace else. Malfoy doesn't have to work here."

"He needs the job, Nev," she replied. "Who else is going to hire a former Death Eater with a prison record?"

Neville shook his head. "It shouldn't be Hogwarts." Hermione nodded in agreement, knowing he was right. "So, what are you going to do?"

Sighing, she said she didn't know. "He seemed different," she shared. "He didn't call me names or make fun of my hair. He smiled, apologized, said it was good seeing me. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but seeing him brought it all back. What if it comes back every time I see him?"

"I'm here," he assured her. "If anyone is going to have your back here, it's me. We're Gryffindors, we can be counted on for loyalty."

Smiling, she hugged him and said she would see him at dinner. She made her way back to the castle and her rooms. Next door, she heard voices, familiar voices. Shutting the door, she leaned against it, attempting to control her breathing. Draco would be living next door to her.

A small yelp passed her lips when she heard a knock. Turning, she unlocked and opened the door. Draco stood in the hallway, attempting to smile. "Hi, um, I know I said I'd keep my distance, but it looks like I can't," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just...is this okay?"

Letting out a shuddered breath, she looked away. "Look, you don't have to try to make amends with me," she told him. "Just do your job, and let's never talk about that night. Ever."