AN: I like this… it's giving me a break off Fata Viam Invenient… and well, I've been inspired lately. I think.

Disclaimer: I highly doubt that J.K. Rowling will be writing D/Hr. But, oh sweet mother of god, I wish. Oh, and the song I've been using belongs to the excellent Robbie Williams.

Dedicated to: The wonderful personages who reviewed Chapter One. The ones who review this chapter will be rewarded on Chapter Three. *shameless review promotion*

Chapter Two: Restored Peace

As my soul heals the shame

I will grow through this pain

Lord, I'm doing all I can

To be a better man

- Better Man, Robbie Williams

"Nice to see you, Granger. But, by all means, haven't you researched a charm that would tame down that big bushy head of yours yet?" Draco smirked as Hermione stalked through the corridors with him by her side. Hermione chose not to reply, her lips pressed together in… who knows? Fury? Exasperation? Or… heaven forbid… laughter?!

Draco glanced at her. "Are you really going to be this boring? Maybe I can ask for a replacement…" The hurtful words spilled out before he could stop himself. Suddenly, Hermione stopped dead, whirling around and jabbing a finger into his chest.

"The moment I heal your wounds, a binding magical contract will be ensued. I'll be your official Paladin for…" she shrugged dismissively. "as long as necessary. The moment I close up that nasty cut on your cheek, or mend that horrible lump on your forehead, we'll be stuck with each other, whether you like it, or not."

She stopped her speech, eyes bright. Hermione swung open the door of the medical wing and motioned for Draco to sit on one of the empty cots. He did, warily watching her. She heaved a deep breath and took out her wand.

"Okay, Draco. Last chance to ask for a replacement." She pointed the wand at the cut on his cheek. "Well?" She glanced at him through expressionless brown eyes. He was surveying her with bright silver-grey eyes filled with faint amusement.

"You called me Draco."

Hermione stared at him. "And?" Draco shrugged, his eyes still bright. "Well, I haven't given you any reason to be so angelic as to call me by my first name." Hermione sighed. "Shut up, Malfoy… and tell me now if you want a replacement." Draco appeared to consider that for a moment.

"No."

"Why not?"

"I like the way you call me Draco. There's a… twinge to it."

Hermione almost laughed. "Well, then. Ameliorate."

The cut on Draco's cheek glowed a bright blue, before disappearing completely, healing over into smooth skin the color of ivory. Hermione moved closer, and whispering various charms, began to soothe Draco's body of the pain that had besieged him for the past three hours. With that one word, the synonym for "restore", she had bound the two of them in a seal that could only be broken by death. The duty to protect him was on her shoulders, and the duty of respect her was on his. This is not going to be fun… she thought, poking at his bruises harder than intended.

As for Draco himself, he sat on the cot, listening to the slight humming of various magical procedures around him, the hushed whispers of the mediwizards and mediwitches on duty in the ward, and on top of it all, Hermione's spells, which were so effective that they left him feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Hermione finished off with a Reviving Charm, and straightened up, only to see Draco leaning back, a faint smile on his face, and his eyes closed. She sighed. "Did he have to fall asleep… of all times?" she whispered harshly. To her surprise, Draco opened his eyes and looked straight at her. "I 'm not asleep." Hermione stared back. "You aren't a lot of things. Like amiable, for one." She grabbed her bag and motioned for him to follow her.

"I may not be a lot of things… I admit that." replied Draco fifteen minutes later, as they made their way to the Relocating Platform on the other end of the building. "Like what? Sweet, charming, a hit with the ladies?" Hermione insinuated. Draco frowned mockingly. "No… I'm not ugly, for one. I'm not stupid, and I'm not foolish. I'm not a heartbreaker, either… no matter what's scrawled up on the walls of the Hogwarts Girls' Room." He winked playfully at Hermione, and she felt a sudden urge to hit him across the face with her traveling bag.

"Oh, and I'm not small. I heard that an extremely angry ex-girlfriend of mine went off on a gossip trip about my… ahem, Lilliputian manhood. I'm actually quite well-endowed." Draco smiled, looking extremely pleased with himself. Hermione, however, grimaced at him. "I didn't need to know that, Draco." Draco shrugged once more. "Ah, thought you might need a little change from your little Potter." He glanced sideways at her and smirked. "And I do mean little."

Hermione sighed, then replied casually. "How do you know he's little? Been spying in the showers lately?" Draco threw his head back and laughed. "Bravo! Sorry to disappoint your perverted little mind, but I haven't been spying in showers… well, men's showers, to be exact." He suddenly turned serious. "Did you know Pansy Parkinson used to wear dragonhide thongs?"

Hermione paled. "I really didn't need to know that." Draco laughed. "Neither did I."

~*~

"So, I'm going to be living here for the rest of my whole damned life, is that right?" he muttered, dumping his belongings on the floor. Damned is right… Hermione thought, but instead, out loud, she suggested that he go off and check out the bedrooms, while she began putting up wards.

Draco watched Hermione walk out of the small cottage incredulously. "Okay then. I'll get the house-elves to bring my luggage up to the biggest bedroom available…" He whistled for a house-elf.

None.

He whistled again, tapping his foot impatiently.

Still none.

Then Hermione's face appeared at the screen door. Draco feigned surprise, jumping backwards melodramatically. "Oh! Sweet mother in heaven! I didn't know the house-elves here were that ugly!" Hermione looked sour. "Stuff it, Draco. There are no house-elves here, so I suggest you get to work and bring all your stuff in. And no picking the best bedroom… remember, you honor the lady first." She walked away.

Draco frowned. "No house-elves?!" He picked up his bag, bending under the weight. "And who ever said that you were a lady, Hermione?" he muttered, pushing his way through the dusty furniture scattered over the equally dusty floor.

Suddenly, Hermione's voice floated in from the front lawn. "Ah, calling me Hermione now, eh?"