Author: Aurora Borealis

Title: A Longing Dream

Disclaimer: I own no characters mentioned in this story or the main plot this was branched from. I wrote this story for my enjoyment and for others not for money or critical acclaim.

Summary: Why is it that you always let the good ones get away? Maybe because your blinded at the time and don't see what they truly have. Why can't you see what's staring you right in the face? How is it that no matter how hard you try and tell yourself this is wrong, it's not suppose to end this way, it always does? Why do certain things look bad, but turn out good? These are questions that have been around since the dawn of time, never ending answers try to shine some light on the unknown. But no matter what we try to come up with to make up for what we loss it never fulfills our need to know. Why?

Chapter 2 Long Ago

Hermione tossed and turned under her silky white bed sheets. Throwing them off and on, first she was hot then she was cold. She would cry for hours then ran out of tears only to start up again. She hugged her pillow in the absence of her husband, trying to comfort herself. She listed to the pit pat of rain that had started up sometime around three. She couldn't take it, she could stay here now, not anymore. It reminded her to much of Harry. He had been gone so long she couldn't remember what it was like when he was here. She never use to run from her problems, now she could hardly think of a time when she hadn't. She flung off her sheets and climbed out of bed. She pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants and a jacket and pulled her now curly hair into a sloppy bun. She grabbed for her purse and pulled out her keys. She felt her wand in the back side and stopped. Thinking of how late it was and how no one was safe out on the streets at this time of night she quickly showed it into her pocket. Unlocking her door she opened it up in one swift motion. And as silently as she had come into that world, she slowly started to slip away.

Draco Malfoy walked along the cold deserted streets of London in a daze. He had just finished partying in a local strip club with his fellow mates and still wasn't off the high he had gotten. There was nothing more he liked then the heat of a dance box the sweat dripping off the walls and the alcohol rushing through his veins. Usually he would roam the infamous Ever wood street for an easy night, but tonight he wanted something more. He didn't know what he was after, he just knew he needed to find it.

Hermione tripped and fell on a crack in the sidewalk getting her clothes mussed and wet. Picking herself up she began walking again. She didn't know where she was going and what she was going to do but she had to keep moving. She stumbled into a local coffee shop and took a look around. The usual people you would suspect at five in the morning. Business people, drivers and college kids were all lounging around. Hermione walked up to order a coffee, when she realized she had forgotten her money. Turning away from the counter she went and collapsed in a chair. I suppose I have to go back home now. There's no way I can leave without any money.

Draco finally decided to head back home. There was no sense in wasted his time looking for something unknown. He walked by the dimming street lights toward his posh apartment. This was the last place Malfoy had ever expected to end up but he had done quite well here and now didn't want to leave. He had many close mates, a prosperous job, and any girl he could ever dream of. As he walked by the coffee shop just a block away from his house he quickly glanced inside. As soon as he saw one person that he never thought he would see again he stopped in shock. He toyed with the fact of going in or running for the hills. She hadn't seen him yet, he could still make it back to his house and forget about all of this. He glanced toward his house and shook his head. Maybe she was what he had been looking for. All he knew was that he was going to find out.

Hermione heard the clack on the bells on the front door and the rush of wind that snuck inside. Shivering, she wished she had brought some money. She heard footsteps from the newcomer travel towards the front desk and order two coffees. She didn't bother to look up at the strangers face, there was no need to. All she wanted to do was blend in. Suddenly, she heard the footsteps walk toward her and the guest stop behind her chair. "What are you doing in a coffee shop with out a coffee Granger? Or is it Potter now?" That voice, she knew that voice. It was a voice that brought back so much pain and hurt.

**Flashback**

Hermione ran through the castle corridors trying to find a way inside the room that held Ron and Harry. On the Mauders Map she could see them listed right above her but no matter where she went they would always move. Franticly she begun swinging doors open looking inside every classroom. The final battle had began and she was scared for her friends life. Pushing on walls trying to find a secret passage she had no such luck. After ten minutes of pounding on walls and opening doors she fell in a heap crying her eyes out. It's to late now, they have to go on without me. I just hope they'll be okay. Suddenly she heard footsteps rush towards her, sounding very urgent. "Hermione, Hermione! I know how to get to Ron and Harry come on!" Hermione looked up with tearful eyes at the exasperated Draco Malfoy. There was no reason for Malfoy to help her but she knew whatever his motives where he would lead her to Voldermort. "All right Draco lead the way." He took her hand and ran down the halls. He twisted and turned down corridors even Hermione didn't know about. By the end of it she was very lost and very confused. "Are you sure you know where we're going Malfoy?" "Yes I'm positive come on." Finally they stopped behind a thick black curtain and Hermione could hear Voldermorts voice. "Harry, you know one of us will die, but it doesn't have to be that way. Let me perform a joining spell to join us together as one. Apart we fight against each other, but together we shall rule the world!" "I would never rule the world with you Voldermort!" Draco silently pulled back just enough of the curtain to allow Hermione to watch. Firmly he clasped his arm around her to help protect her from falling as she strained to see. She watched as a scene she could only relate to what happened in the Goblet of Fire maze played out before her. Spirits where released from Voldermorts wand swirling around Harry as a protective shield. But likewise everyone that Harry had seen die that was evil swirled from his wand towards the Dark Lord. Suddenly Harry's wand began to waiver. Shaking uncontrollably he had to make great strain to hold on to it. The Dark Lord began to advance on to Harry with an evil laugh. "It seems your mothers magic does not work when she's alive. To bad you felt to much self desire to see her alive again to think. You've destroyed the whole world Harry, not me! Dumbledore is dead because of you so he cannot help you, it seems that everyone around you has died trying to save the invincible Harry Potter! But you are nothing Harry, with out those in the shadows of your glory! That is where your true power lies and foolishly you destroyed your source! You've been a worth opponent all these years Harry but now it's time to die!" Voldermort screamed and lunged at Harry. Suddenly she saw Ron break free from his bonds and dived in front of Harry just as Voldermort uttered the unspeakable curse. And as quickly as he had gotten up he fell in a heap. Hermione tried to scream but Draco but his hand around her mouth and pulled her away from the scene into a classroom. "There's nothing you can do for Harry now Hermione or Ron. But you need to be alive." "I need to help Harry!" "I won't let you go!" They fought and struggled until Draco hit her with a sleeping spell and she fell to the ground in a silent heap.

She had never told Harry she had encountered what had happened. Maybe it was because in some ways she thought it was her fault. If she had only used her wand on Voldermort Ron wouldn't have had to jump out to save Harry. She had ran away from the wizarding world to never have to deal with these problems. Now it seemed there was no avoiding them. Draco sat down in the chair opposite to her and smiled. "I guess your thinking about your final night in the wizarding world huh? You do realize that everyone thought you had died. They know Harry lived but he never bothered to say you did to. I'm also guessing that you wonder what happened to me, after Voldermort finally feel? I ran, I ran to here like so many other death eaters and you. I started a normal life, tried to forget about all of my past and now here I am. I don't think I can say I'm any better but I can say something. I'm sorry for what I did but Hermione if you had gone in there you would have died! Harry wouldn't have a use for you." "But why did you show me Ron die then pull me away, did you know what would happen?" "Not exactly I knew that Harry did not have sacrifice love protecting him anymore since that reversed when he brought his mother back to life and I knew that he needed that to win so someone that cared had to die. But I had to let you understand he would be okay. I thought it I showed you what was happening you would figure it out. I guess I was wrong." Hermione looked down and swirled her coffee. It all made since now. Why hadn't she figured it out before. Maybe because she didn't have all the details since Harry rarely talked about it. "Why are you here Draco?" Draco looked into her hazel eyes and shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know really. My house is a block away and I'm fairly tired. If you want to talk later feel free to come by… I hope you will. I quite miss the wizarding world and you probably know more than I do." He got up out of his chair to leave. Just before he had reached the door Hermione followed him. "I'll come now."