"The Room of Requirement!" said Harry, smacking himself hard on the forehead with Advanced Potion-Making. Hermione and Ron stared at him. "That's where he's been sneaking off to! That's where he's doing… whatever he's doing! And I bet that's why he's been disappearing off the map — come to think of it, I've never seen the Room of Requirement on there!"
"Maybe the Marauders never knew the room was there," said Ron.
"I think it'll be part of the magic of the room," said Hermione distractedly.
She was only partially listening to Harry and Ron discuss their theories of what Draco was using the room for. She was thinking much the same way, but wanted to do some research on her own. She knew if she included Harry and Ron too soon they wouldn't understand. No, she needed to do this herself.
"Hermione, what do you think?" came Ron's voice, pulling her to the surface of their conversation.
"Even you have to admit, it seems dodgy for Malfoy to be spending so much time in the Room of Requirement," Harry said desperately.
Hermione looked Harry in the eyes. She saw that it was important to him for her to agree, to be the voice of reason behind his irrational and constant accusations against Draco. This didn't surprise her. She liked to look at the facts, research and make a logical conclusion. Whereas Harry seemed to want to focus on the most obvious person. Ron… well, she had grown use to him not being straightforward with his decisions. However, now she could not blame Ron for agreeing with Harry, because she did as well. This is what did surprise her.
She had listened to all of Harry's spouts about Draco. She saw the determination in Harry's eyes and knew there was a bit of logic behind his speculation. She just couldn't bring herself to believe Draco had actually sided with you-know-who. Yes, Draco said unforgivable things and acted as he was important to you-know-who with those that were close with him. Well, as close to Draco as you could get. But she saw him when he thought everyone was looking at his victim. They looked hurt and lost.
"Hermione?" Harry prodded. Searching her face for agreement.
Hermione chose her words carefully and tried to act as if nothing had occurred to her, "As I've already told you Harry, we should trust Dumbledore." With that she grabbed her things and made to leave the Common Room.
"Hermione, you can't honestly believe—" Harry began.
"I can and I do," Hermione responded impatiently. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She needed to focus and go where she knew she would find him. "Harry, Draco using the Room of Requirement is of mild interest," she lied. "Just last year we met there in secret and a fat lot of good that did us. Draco will be discovered one way or another. Though I don't recall Dumbledore assigning you to the task, I do remember him asking you to master occlumency, which you haven't done yet!" So much for staying calm she thought, though she only felt slightly guilty.
With a flick of her wand, cleaning the ink that had spilt on Rons essay when Dobby and Kreacher apperated in, she left. Leaving Harry glaring after her and Ron examining his parchment whispering "Brilliant".
Hermione walked as quickly as she could to the library. Not that she intended to stay, she simply wanted Harry to see where she was going, if he was watching the Marauders Map. After a few moments she withdrew herself from a book she was reading for show and continued to the Room of Requirement.
...
When the Dark Lord called upon his father, back in their fourth year, Draco had been pleased. He saw a change to his boring life, thinking it was about time. If it had still been within those first few weeks, he would have been honored to have been given the task. However, now that he knew… had seen. He wished nothing more than to have fled when his return was mere whispers. Oh he put his normal show on, tormenting first years and such, though it was mostly for Snape.
He wouldn't get off his bloody back and insisted on helping him with his task from the Dark Lord. He couldn't let Snape find out he has had a change of heart. No, that wouldn't do. He would naturally go to the Dark Lord who would in turn perform curses on him that he had only witnessed on others.
He felt like a coward, watching people struggle for their life and he not making an attempt at stopping him. Why didn't he? He asked himself every night while fighting sleep that tried to take him under. Sometimes the nightmares were worse than the actual executions. In his nightmares it always seemed the Dark Lords victims looked into Draco's soul, begging him to set them free. Like he had the power to do such a thing. He didn't even have the will power to…
Draco stood from the molding sofa he sat on and quickly looked around. He had not been so lost in thought to let the lite footsteps he heard go unnoticed. He moved to stand in front of a tower of random entangled items. If he was to be attacked he would be sure his attacker faced him properly instead of from behind.
He was just about to call out to the intruder when she rounded the corner. Granger. He meant to make a snide remark, to let her know he knew she was there all along. Though she was the last person he expected to see here in the Room of Requirement. All he could do was stand there, wand at his side, staring at her curiously. How had she gotten in and why did it look like she was not surprised to find him here?
Draco, unsure of how to proceed, decided it would be best to wait for her to speak first. He remembered her temper well and fought back a smile as he recalled her punching him in the face years ago.
He had deserved it, in her defense, he had taunted her with the intent of making her mad. This was odd to admit to even himself. He never thought of himself as being wrong. Then again, he had not thought the Dark Lord wrong once too and that had changed. So much has changed since then. He had changed, though she doesn't know that Draco thought.
When Hermione still hadn't said anything Draco decided maybe a gesture would help. He slowly put his wand away and crossed his arms across his chest. All the while keeping the curious look on his face. This must have stirred something in her because she laughed harshly saying "I don't know why I am here."
Draco pondered his response before finally asking, "Well, let's start with this… how did you gain entrance into the room?"
Hermione thought about responding with something cunning but she didn't. She was thrown off by Draco's genuine curiosity. He didn't snear or smirk, he asked with wonder. So she decided on the truth. She had come this far and wanted to accomplish what she had set out to do.
"It took some time, but you left clues. I noticed the lack of your presence and the change in your eyes when others aren't paying you attention." Hermione could have gone on but she wanted to hear Draco's response.
He just stared. She knew. How the did she know? And if she knew, did Sanpe know?
"So, I haven't been around. Everyone knows I can't wait to leave Hogwarts," Draco spat. He didn't mean for it to come out harsh but he could feel himself pale at the thought of Snape telling the Dark Lord he has lost his touch.
Hermione flinched slightly at his words. She shouldn't have expected anything different, yet she had hoped. "When others…"
"You mean The Chosen One?" Draco inquired with a roll of his eyes, but with a softer tone than he had before.
Hermione mumbled something under her breath about that not being the point. Deciding to leave off the bit of Dobby and Kreacher following him, there was no need for specifics, she continued saying "They have noticed you coming here." She motioned broadly while looking around the room.
Draco took note of the objects her gaze held a little longer on. Why? He did not know. He found it comforting though and waited for her to return her attention to him.
When she looked at him he calmly stated, "That explains how you know I was here but the question remains… how did you get in?"
It unnerved her how calm he became, but she did not let it show. Instead she said, "Isn't it obvious?"
At that he raised an eyebrow as if to ask "Is it?"
"You wanted to be alone, where no one would find you. That brings you to the Room of Requirement, but that's not enough. You need the room to become something you need," Hermione continued.
"Am I to assume you know what I need?" Draco asked with a small smile breaking through.
"Not at first, and I still don't know completely," Hermione allowed herself to say. She noticed his smile so she felt safe to tease, "I thought what could Draco, a boy who wants for nothing, need?"
Draco's smile vanished, his expression unreadable. Hermione quietly asked "Draco, what do you need?"
Draco's eyes locked with Hermiones. He knew, before looking at her, that she had asked him truthfully. Should he share his fear with her? Finally speaking the words that have brought on his nightmares for two long years? He could, he thought, however something kept him at bay.
"Why do you care?" he asked with an edge to his tone.
Hermione was ready for his question. It was fair for him to be sceptical after all that has happened between them. Though Hermione was well aware Draco had caused the scepticism himself, through years of harshness towards her. It was only deserving if she was there to twist his deepest confessions against him.
"I care because…" she hesitated. She hadn't meant to, yet she had. Her answer was there, ready to spill out but didn't.
Draco narrowed his eyes, "Why do you care?" he asked again.
He didn't know why he needed to hear her answer, all he knew was it mattered to him. His heart quickened as he started to think of all the interactions he had had with her. None of the memories that flooded through were happy, Draco realized with a shock of guilt going through him.
His expression softened as he almost pleadingly asked, "Why do you care?" one last time.
All that he was realizing was becoming too much. He didn't know how much longer he could stand there, agonizingly waiting for her response. He had hurt her in years past, even sought her out at times just to tease her. Yet he craved her forgiveness, like one craved an antidote after being poisoned. He had no doubt he didn't deserve it, bloody hell, he shouldn't have even wished for it, but he did.
Draco turned to leave, unable to stand the weight Hermione's gaze held. Before he could take more than a few steps he felt the force of an invisible wall appear in front of him. He turned, impressed she didn't need to speak the charm. However his thoughts were cut short at the sight of her. She looked fierce, strong.
It took him only a few steps for Hermione to realize she didn't want him to go. She was unsure why, but she wanted him to understand she understood him.
"I care because, even after the six years of hell you put me through," ignoring Draco's flinch, Hermione continued "I am drawn to you. I can't explain it, but I am. I notice when you arrive at lessons, when you try to turn a laugh into a scowl to keep up this facade," throwing up a hand, motioning to Draco.
Hermione continued barely above a whisper, "I care because I have seen the change in you since his return."
She didn't specify who, but they both knew she was speaking of the return of you-know-who during their fourth year.
"You look worn, as if you live a life of internal battle. You no longer dote on your father, which leads me to assume you think differently than him with this war brewing."
"Hermione.. I…" Draco started.
He noticed this was the first time he had called her by her first name. He liked the feel of it on his lips. He wanted to tell her she was right, as she usually was, though he didn't know how to go about saying it.
"It's not too late Draco," Hermione stated.
Draco didn't have to ask what she meant, he knew. It was not too late to fight against the Dark Lord. He knew it would take more bravery than he processed. However looking at her, the strength it took for her to confront him, he felt as if he could do it.
"Will you help me?" Draco asked without meeting her eyes. "Will you…"
He wanted to ask her to help him be strong but how do you ask someone for that?
"Yes, I will," Hermione said determanly. She didn't need him to explain, she understood.
Draco sank to his knees and shook as silent tears fell down his face. He had been fearful for so long, since before the Dark Lord's return even. Now, he finally felt in control, it was freeing. He felt Hermione's hands intertwine with his. He raised his head and found her knelt in front of him with a knowing look. Guilt again washed over him. Why had he called her such horrid things? How did he not notice how wonderful she was until today?
He looked at her stedally, beginning to ramble. "Hermione, please forgive me. I was blinded by my fathers way of the world. I learned of blood status and rank, not loyalty and friendship. I know now that blood does not truly matter. Hell, you alone are living proof of that. Please Hermione, forgive me for the wicked things I have said to you."
Hermione blinked rapidly. Of all the things that had happened today, Draco apologizing was the most shocking. She had long ago decided his opinion meant nothing to her, but now she wasn't sure she felt the same way. She knew she would never let another person define her, however there was something nice in the fact that he truly wanted her forgiveness.
"I forgive you," she said, meaning it fully. She had never taken his words to heart, after their second year that was. Since then she had learned to be proud of her blood status and that there were more important things to worry about.
Draco let out a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding. He then looked down at their fingers looped together.
"What do we do now?" Hemione asked, blushing and made to disentangle their hands.
"There are many things I need to tell you," he said, squeezing her hands gently. He wanted her to know he didn't want to let go of her just yet.
She squeezed his hands back, "Tell me."
...
Hermione tried to ignore Harry and Ron's questions. Upon her arrival to the Common Room they had started back up on their theories of what Draco could possibly be doing and wanted her input.
"Just come with me. We don't have much time," Hermione said, while pulling their arms to get them out of the chairs they lounging in.
"We just took them from some first years," Ron started to complain, then quickly added upon being fixed with a piercing look from Hermione "that I suppose we could easily bully into giving back to us when we return."
She explained that she couldn't talk about it here. She glanced around quickly, "People or things could be listening," she murmured loud enough for only them three to hear.
Ron's eyes widened, "Things?" he asked bewildered.
"Portraits, suits of armor, you can never be sure of Hogwarts magical qualities," Hermione stated.
"Where should we talk then?" asked Harry.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I told you… oh, it doesn't matter. Come with me." she tried saying without showing her annoyance.
She walked the path she had walked just hours before, this time taking Harry and Ron to see Draco.
She made sure not to draw attention to herself when she started to pace back and forth in front of the wall that held the entrance to the Room of Requirement.
However Harry stopped her before she could walk the final length of the corridor.
"Hermione, what are we doing here?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"Harry, trust me." Hermione said, turning to complete the sequence to reveal the door. Though was stopped by Harry grabbed her hand.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron asked, confused.
"Harry please, you have to trust me." Hermione said, ignoring Ron.
"Why wouldn't he trust you?" Ron asked, turning to look at her.
"He is planning something and you want us to go and talk with him?" Harry asked wildly. "Why, to go along with it?"
"Who?" Ron asked looking from Harry to Hermione then back to Harry. "What plan?"
"Ron, please, everything will make sense in a moment." Hermione turned to Harry, "I don't blame you for not trusting him but I am asking you to trust me," she said as she removed her hand from his. "Ron and I have stood by your side since first year and we will continue to do so. I am asking you to stand by me now."
She turned and walked the length of the corridor one final time, thinking to herself "I need a safe place for us to use to speak with Draco."
The door appeared.
"Hermione?" Ron whispered, not removing his eyes from the door.
"Come with me," was all she said as she walked through the door without looking back.
...
Draco stood in front of Harry and Ron. He had just explained his plan after they begrudgingly agreed to listen, thanks to Hermione.
When she first arrived with them, they both drew their wands instantly. Hermione quickly began to reason with them. She told them how she had found Draco and of their conversation. To his relief she left out the part of him crying and asking for help. He liked that that would remain between them.
When she finished they still didn't look convinced, but agreed to hear his plan to the benefit of Hermione.
So Draco began with the task he was given by the Dark Lord — to kill Dumbledore. He was to think of a way to get Death Eaters into Hogwarts unnoticed. He shamefully admitted he had accomplished that by using the vanishing cabinets.
With an encouraging nod from Hermione, he showed Harry and Ron the cabinet and how to use it. He explained the Death Eaters were to come through the second cabinet at Borgin and Burkes.
"I knew it!" Harry interrupted, which gained an eye roll from Hermione. Draco raised an eyebrow and fought the urge to retort back to arguing with Harry.
With great effort, he continued to explain that the Death Eaters were waiting for his signal, then they would travel through the cabinets to be there if Draco needed assistance completing the task.
After a while Harry finally looked at Hermione asking, "If we were to believe him, what would you have us do?"
Hermione looked at Draco, "Are you sure this is the only way?"
"Yes, unless one of these two could think of a better plan. Which is highly unlikely." Draco answered smartly.
"What did you—" Ron started to say but was cut short with a flick of Hermione's wand as she muttered "Silencio".
"Draco has a plan to answer your question Harry," Hermione said, while shooting Ron an apologetic look. Really, now was not the time for arguments.
"And what would this plan be, might I ask?" Harry asked unamused.
Hermione looked at Draco, "Snape knows I've been given a task by the Dark Lord. I've kept my distance so he doesn't find out my true intentions but—" Draco said.
"Your true intentions?" asked Ron, having gained back the ability to be heard again.
"To fight in this war along with you," Draco stated, then added sheapishly "If you'll have me." Draco knew he owed them both an apology as he had Hermione. It had felt right with her though. Harry and Ron on the other hand… there were going to be some things that would take time Draco realized.
"Right," Harry said, looking away awkwardly.
"Snapes bound to find out eventually," Ron said, mostly to get back on topic.
"Yes, but Draco's plan will delay that for a bit," Hermione said, then added still holding hope. "However, Dumbldore trusts Snape."
All three boys looked at Hermione. She hadn't expected them to agree with her, but she needed to remind them Snape might not be who they thought.
Draco, choosing not to comment on Hermione's hopes on Snape, looked at Harry, "Hermione said Dumbledore's been away from Hogwarts most of term."
"Yeah, but how does that keep Snape from finding you out?" Harry asked.
"I only need to put the plan in place when Dumbledore is here. If he is not at Hogwarts, there is no need for me to call on the Death Eaters," Draco said matter of factly.
He knew that his plan was absurd, but did not know how else to best the Dark Lord. He needed to lay low until the holiday where he could hide away until next term.
"And if Dumbledore stays at Hogwarts long enough?" Harry asked wearly.
"Then he has to call on them," Hermione said. "Draco was given the task and I can bet you-know-who chose him for the sole purpose of punishment. I think on some level he knows Draco wont be able to go through with it."
"If I have to call on the Death Eaters, you have my word I will not hurt Dumbledore. None of the Death Eaters go against the Dark Lord's orders. This task was given to me and they have been told not to intervene, unless I am killed," said Draco, paling a little as he thought of dying by Dumbledore's wand.
"Dumbledore won't hurt you," Hermiones said as if she could read his mind.
"So, to be clear," Ron said. "If you have to call upon the Death Eaters, Dumbledore will have to kill you for them to be able to go after him?"
"In a manner of speaking," Draco said.
"Since you don't plan on attacking Dumbledore, therefore not dying, the Death Eaters will have to take on Dumbledore by themselves," Harry added.
"Yes," Draco agreed and felt as if he needed to add, "I don't want to die. I want to be free of the Dark Lord and their kind. While I am under Snapes watch there is no way of doing that without him going to the Dark Lord. Hermione, I know you want to believe Snape is good, but I have seen him at meetings with the other Death Eaters. He is one of them, there is no denying it."
Hermione stared at Draco and for the first time today he was unable to read her thoughts. Before he could inquire further she looked away and spoke to Harry and Ron. "I suppose that is that then. Now that you know everything will you help us keep Draco's secret?" Hermioned asked.
Both boys were quiet for a while, until Ron spoke first, "I'll help you, but don't mistake this as friendship."
"I wouldn't dare," Draco said, then looked at Harry.
For what seemed like the first time, the two boys actually stood facing one another seriously. For in the past it would have been angry glares and petty words, but now it was a level of trust between two people who were entering a war at too young of an age.
"I will help you as well," Harry said.
"Thank you," Draco said, surprising himself. He wanted to laugh hysterically from the overwhelming feeling that he might just be okay. If he could make it through this term, to the holiday, he would be okay.
"I suppose we should leave you two to talk," Ron said, walking towards the way they entered with Harry following him.
"Don't forget you must act as if nothing has changed between us or no one will believe it!" Hermione yelled after them.
"You can count on that!" Ron said, smirking.
"Yeah, what has changed?" Harry added.
As soon as they were alone Draco let out a nervous laugh.
"What is funny about all of this?" Hermione asked, shocked.
"Nothing," Draco said, still laughing. "I just feel like I am going to be okay." He walked quickly towards her and grabbed her hands. "Do you know what I mean?" he asked her, smiling. When was the last time he smiled? He couldn't remember.
"I am sorry to say that I don't," Hermione said, pity filling her eyes, "Draco, I am truly sorry for what you have been through."
Draco touched his forehead to hers. "Don't be, because of you, I am going to be okay."
...
Term continued as it normally did, lessons dragged on as the Professors started drilling them for their NEWTs. The boys had done as promised, continuing to act as if nothing had changed. Draco had kept up his slide remarks when he saw them in lessons or passing in a corridor, while Harry and Ron threw counter attacks right back. Hermione was pleased with how the arrangement was going.
She had been receiving daily letters from Draco, giving her updates on the Death Eaters and you-know-who. Most of the letters were the same, just what his father was passing along, which was barely worth noting. Her favorite part of these letters were the end though.
About a week after meeting him in the Room of Requirement, he had started writing the letters and at the bottom of each of them he wrote a little about himself and would ask questions about her. She found herself expecting the letters and promptly writing back. She didn't quite know what to make of it. She had known something more had transpired between them before they parted ways that day in the Room of Requirement, but was unsure Draco felt the same way. That was until today.
She had received her letter as usual, during morning post. She always read it over breakfast, being sure to tuck it away safely in a book after. Today she skimmed the first half, looking for keywords to indicate anything interesting had happened, then jumped down to the second half of the letter where the only thing written was "Meet me where you sought me first— at dusk."
Hermione blushed and casually looked over at the Slytherin table. There, sitting at the end of the table, as if waiting for her to look at him, was Draco. Hermioned blushed even deeper and looked away. As usual, she tucked the letter away but did not immediately grab a spare piece of parchment to reply.
She did not know what to do. Maybe she was reading too much into it, that had to be it. He must have learned something too important to write in a letter. Though Hermione knew she was wrong as she thought it. Draco wanted to meet her, to be with her face to face and she would be lying if she said she didn't want the same thing. So with her mind made up she looked back over at Draco, who was still watching her. She smiled and nodded slightly, then grabbed her things and made her way to her first lesson of the day.
Along the way all she could think about was how he had smiled back at her after she nodded.
...
It was half an hour until dusk, Draco had arrived early due to nerves and was now kicking himself mentally for torturing himself by having to wait for her. He had been corresponding with Hermione for a while now and felt if he had to go another day without speaking to her directly he would go mad. He didn't know what he wanted to talk about, just that he wanted to hear her voice and be in her presence. He sat on the same sofa he had the very day she found him in the Room of Requirement, then stood back up too nervous to sit still.
Why was he so anxious? She was so easy to write to and he adored sneaking glances at her when others weren't watching. If he was completely honest with himself, he had asked her to meet him so that he may actually tell her of his feelings towards her. Though now that the time was growing nearer, he became less confident. Suddenly, he heard her voice.
"Draco?" Hermione said, since he obviously didn't hear her walk up.
Draco turned around and smiled at the sight of her, "Hermione" was all he could say.
"I didn't realize you would already be here. I had planned to come a bit early to make sure no one saw me come in," Hermione explained.
"I hadn't planned on being so early," Draco said, "but I was excited to see you, so I made my way up in hopes you would show up early as well."
"I… I hadn't realized," Hermione said her voice dropping and face blushing.
"Hmm? What is that?" Draco asked.
"That you would be excited to see me. I had thought maybe you had something important to tell me," Hermione said, then concluded, "Too important to write in a letter that is."
From a moment Draco just stared at her. How did he not see how brilliant she was until now? How did she not know this of herself? She needed to know, to know she was important, if not to everyone than at least to him.
He reached out his hand as if asking her to join him and to his surprise she fitted her hand into his. He started to walk with her through the path of the room. They walked in silence for a while, hand in hand, looking at all the unique objects that had been left to be forgotten.
"You are correct," Draco said, breaking the silence.
"What's that?" Hermione asked, pulling her gaze away from a tiara she had been regarding.
"I did ask you to come here so that I could tell you something important," Draco said, then teased, "Too important to write in a letter that is."
Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes then said, "Well I would have thought if it was of such importance you would have said it by now."
"I wanted to be sure it was the right moment," Draco said, taking her other hand in his, pulling her gently to face him. "Hermione, you are wonderful. I have never met a person who cared so deeply and fought so fiercely for the ones she holds close. I am honored to be amongst them. You have given me light Hermione Granger and for that I cannot thank you enough. More than that though, you have brought me happiness, when I thought I would not be happy again." Draco moved a lock of hair behind her ear, "Hermione, I adore you."
His eyes searched hers for a sign of rejection, though he doubted his heart would have been able to handle it. Though what he saw was joy. Slowly he cupped her face and drew her closer, softly kissing her lips. He had thought of this moment several times but could never have prepared himself for how perfect it would feel. When he pulled away he leaned his forehead against hers and pressed his thumb into the palm of her hand. "Will you be mine?" he asked.
"As long as you're mine," she replied with a smile, pulling him down by his tie, finding his lips with hers.
...
For the years to come, whenever Draco replayed that night in his head, he thought only to the moment when he and Hermione kissed goodnight before leaving the Room of Requirement.
For that night, when he returned to his dormitory, he had a letter waiting for him — "It's time."
The Death Eaters had grown impatient, dissatisfied with how long Draco was taking. Thus they decided to force Draco's hand. They wouldn't be the ones to kill Dumbledore, but they would be the ones to decide when it happened.
Draco, fearing for his life and now Hermiones, wrote a note to her, Harry and Ron letting them know what had happened.
The plan had gone all wrong and Draco learned why from Harry years later.
Snape had been on their side, while attending to the Dark Lord under Dumbledore's orders. Harry told Draco how Dumbledore knew of Draco's task and had asked for Snape to kill him instead. Draco still hadn't been able to forgive Dumbledore for that.
After Dumbledore died, Draco had no option but to go with Snape back to Malfoy Manor. Where he had to continue to fight on the wrong side of the war.
For over a year he had no contact with Hermione, until she was brought to the Manor.
When he saw her he was peralized with fear, the only thing he could think to do was lie and said he didn't recognize Harry when he was asked to examine his disgruntled face when thrown in front of him.
There was also a moment during the battle where he had found himself once again in the Room of Requirement with Hermione. Though this time it was engulfed in flames and he was sure he would die. That was until Harry pulled him onto a broom, saving his life. Once his feet hit the ground he ran faster than he ever had before, away from Hermione and the pained look on her face.
Towards the end of the battle at Hogwarts his parents had found him and took him away to safety. He laughed bitterly still when he thought of it. After the years of torture his parents put him through, they acted as if they did him justice by removing him at the very end. Mere moments before Harry had ended it all.
Draco supposed he could have reached out to Hermione during the years that followed the war, but he couldn't bring himself to face her. Not after he had been a coward and let Bellatrix torcher her at the Manor, while he listened to her scream. He didn't deserve her and she surely didn't deserve him.
Shortly after the war came the news of Ron and Hermiones wedding. This didn't come as a shock for Draco. He was happy for her and hoped she was in-love and cherished.
...
It was 19 years before he saw her again. They were each accompanying their children to the Hogwarts Express and locked eyes across the station.
Time seemed to stop if only for a moment. Hermione smiled and nodded, while Draco smiled back.
-L.H