Intro:

The great Wizarding War has ended. The castle has finally been rebuilt and students whose final year was interrupted by the war get the choice to return to redo their year and complete any exams and courses.

Chapter 1: The Burrow

"Ronald, you're really not going to return with us?", Hermione said frustrated with her boyfriend. Staring at his freckled face as he refused to make eye contact. They sat on his bed as he picked at the quilt, perfectly made thanks to Hermione.

"I just don't see the point, Fred and George dropped out and look at-"

He stopped himself as he remembered his brother Fred was killed during the battle. He then looked into Hermione's amber eyes, sympathy reflecting back at him. "George needs help with the store and he said I can be his partner. He needs me Hermione"

"I get it, I really do. But ill miss you." She then leaned over and gave him a kiss.

The soft kisses started to turn intense and she felt his hand slowly move from her cheek down her collarbone, then into her shirt. She swatted his hand and shifted away from him. It's not that she didn't want to lose her virginity. She just didn't really feel ready yet and him pressuring her made her even more turned off.

"What?" Ron stated with a confused look.

"You know what!" Hermione stated, chewing on her bottom lip and feeling herself getting more frustrated

"Like I don't get whats wrong with you? Are you not into me? Do you not love me? What is it?!?!" Ron's face was getting red as he raised his voice.

These questions Hermione had been thinking about for a while now. She knew she loved him, that's for sure. But after watching how her parents, Harry and Ginny, and other couples reacted to each other, she started to realize the difference between "love" and being "in love".

"Honestly Ron, there is something we need to talk about"

She watched the redness that was showing on his face just moments ago fade to a pale white.

She chewed her bottom lip as she decided how to best word it. "I love you, you know I do, but... I don't know... I feel like I'm not in love with you. Not on the level you want me to be..."

"Sooo where does that leave me?"

"I don't know Ron. Maybe we should take a break while I'm away at school. See how we do away from each other"

"But I love you Hermione!" He said with eyes that made her heartbreak.

"I know Ron, and if this is real then we will still feel the same, or even more, for each other. Let's just give it till Winter break."

Ron was about to speak when there was a knock on the door.

"Guys its me." Harry pushed open the door look at both of them with a confused look "Mrs. Weasley says we need to get ready soon or we will miss the train. Ron, you okay?"

"I'm good mate. You guys head down, I want to be alone for a bit."

Hermione stood up and tried to give Ron a hug but he brushed her off. She then quietly turned around and followed Harry out the door.

"What's wrong with Ron?"

"I told him that we needed a break. And- Don't look at me like the Harry. I need to figure out who I am and if I really love him like he needs."

"I wasn't judging you Hermione. More worried about the both of you."

"We will both be alright. I promise."

On the other side of the UK Draco was quickly and quietly throwing everything he need in his trunk. He needed to do it this way. The past week his mother had been trying to convince him not to go back. Scared of how accepting people would be of him after the war. After all he did let let the death eaters into the castle in 6th year and, although against his will, took the dark mark and fought on the wrong side of the war for so long last year.

Now his father is locked up for life and his mother created her own prison inside the mansion.

He wasn't all too sure what changed in his mother but she was quick to disown Lucius and keep Draco away from any wandering death eaters who have been on the run. She even put away any dark artifacts and Salazar Slytherin heirlooms that have been in the family for generations.

Draco grabbed his sack with his personal items and his school trunk and opened the door to leave but his mom was in the doorway, hand raised up ready to knock.

"Hi my boy, where are you going?"

"Bloody hell mother i told you im going back to Hogwarts. You expect me to live in this depressed hellish prison you created but I need out."

"But Draco, I'm just trying to keep you safe."

"I'm of age and I can make my own fucking decisions!", He snapped, quickly losing patience. "Now move!"

He saw Narcissa flinch and the hurt in her silver eyes created a lump in his throat. "I'm sorry" Draco finally mumbled.

"I just don't want to lose you. You're all that I have."

"What about Aunt Andromeda? I thought you two were talking again?"

"Draco, its been 30 years since we were close. its going to take some time."

"Well I cannot be your bloody crutch no more. I need to get out of here before I lose my sanity."

On that note he pushed pass her to the fireplace. Grabbed some Floo Powder and was gone in an instant.

This is my first chapter of my first fanfic. This chapter is rather short but I promise its going to start to dive in the next chapter.