Chapter 1

He was sure she was feeling uncomfortable as she entered his flat. Just by the way her eyes took in the clean and empty front hall. Impersonal. It looked nearly uninhabited he knew... but he didn't much care how his house looked. His mother was upset with him when she came. She had fussed about it.

But it was odd to have her in this hallway.

She didn't show she was nervous, so he showed no sign of his discomfort. Only allowed her in, taking her coat as she shrugged it off gingerly. Why was she here?

"Did you... want some tea?" His voice didn't sound like his own as he place her black coat on the hook by the door and turned to her again.

She shook her head.

More silence.

Her heels clicked against the tiled floor as she turned to look at the grand stair case leading up into the darkness of the rooms above.

His eyes fell to the wand sticking out from the waist of the dress pants. She looked like she had just got off of work.

"I don't know why I came."

She turned to him now, her eyes full of something he didn't quite know how to pick out. But she held her position strong; her face set.

He walked forward and past her, heading to the sitting room. He heard her follow him. She was brave.

"I saw that you and Weasley got married." His voice was hollow... strange. He knew. He turned to her as he sat carefully in one of his overstuffed arm chairs.

She perched herself on the edge of the couch across from him, leaning forward, staring intently at her ring finger.

"Yes."

Silence again.

He was beginning to feel uneasy... edgy. Why was she here? "Does he have anything to do with you coming here?" He feared the answer, but wasn't sure why.

She shook her head. "I'm not going to tell him I came... but he isn't the reason I'm here."

"Potter than?"

Once again, she shook her head. He was starting to feel anxious.

"Why, Granger?"

"Weasley." It seemed a reflexive thing to her. A quick correction she may have to do quite a lot. Only, he knew she didn't normally blush when she said that.; didn't look suddenly so uncomfortable as she did now.

"Sorry."

She shook her head again and took a slightly shaky breath; another sign of her nervousness well hidden. "It's fine."

They both fell into silence once more, and he found he wanted to break it.

"He's treating you right though." It was more a statement than a question. He knew what the answer would be. He was kind to her... though he may be a prat sometimes. He didn't necessarily like Potter... but they had an understanding. An understanding that didn't reach Weasley. They still hated each other like in school.

She smiled at him, a move that made his head feel slightly lighter. "Yes, Draco. I'm fine."

He didn't hate her. Nor did they have an understanding. It was just... there.

"Good."

She took a deep breath and spoke again, just as he settling more into the chair, determined to get eased into the situation suddenly thrust at him.

"I just came here... because I felt I needed to. I know it doesn't make much sense but..." She trailed off, looking rather flushed. She did not bring her eyes up this. "I think I needed to see you again."

The last time he had seen her, he realized suddenly, face-to-face, had been at the ministry of magic. She had come to his trial and testified for him. That he had rebelled against the Dark Lord... helped Potter and his friends in the end. He had a lot against him. His father was in Azkaban, his mother followed only just recently. Who was to say he wasn't trying to cheat them like Mr. Malfoy?

But she had stood up for him. And Potter... he thought they hated him.

"Why?"

She became silent again, as if thinking something over, then smiled again. "I think there was a lot left unsaid between us, maybe?"

He shrugged, willing his shoulders to work. There was a lot left unsaid between them. He wasn't about to say it.

"Maybe it should remain unsaid."

She nodded, then, standing... nervously, she wabbeled over to the entrance hall again.

He nearly sprang after her.

His last remaining contact to anything good in his life.

"Hermione."

She stopped in the hall, halfway to her coat, and turned to look at him.

It felt good to call her by her first name.

"I will see you again?" He forced out, feeling like a complete idiot doing it. Of course she wouldn't... she had a life. A life that did not include old enemies. One happy life with Potter, and the Weasley clan...

She was nodding, smiling. "Yes... I want to see you again."

She walked to him, looking up into his face now as she stood in front of him. He felt paralysed.

Her arms were around his middle, and her face was pressed into the crook of his neck. She smelt wonderful. That was all he would remember later, a whirl of curly hair and the tantalizing smell of exotic flowers and fruits.

But she had pulled away from him, a small smile gracing her lips as she walked over to her coat and slipped it carefully over her shoulders.

"I'll see you, Draco."

All he was able to do was nod as she opened the door into the sunlight and left the house. Left him again.

But he knew she would come back. She said she would.

And he would be waiting for it.

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AN: Way more to come!

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