A/N: Thanks to everyone who is following my story! It's something to do now that my kids are bigger.

Morning came much too quickly; Hermione woke up feeling like she hadn't gotten any sleep at all.

After she had showered and dressed, she sat at the vanity to fix her hair for the day. A folded sheet of parchment was peeking out from under her bag on the trunk, and suddenly she recalled that she had gotten the letter yesterday but was so distracted by Malfoy that she never read it.

Hermione -

I hope Hogwarts is treating you well. We've started case training, which will have us traveling for awhile. Hopefully we will complete all of our stuff in time to see you before term starts. We miss you something awful, wish you were here. I'm sorry Rom doesn't understand, but I get it- a little part of me wishes I stayed there too. The bigger part knows that I would just wish I was back here. I feel like I'm doing some good. They tell us that when we finish, we'll be hunting the escaped death eaters. Speaking of, I wanted to let you know about something I heard around the bullpen. It appears that Draco Malfoy has been released, and he's been assigned to Hogwarts. I went to Kings right away and begged him to reconsider, but he told me that what was done was done and you were more than capable of handling yourself. Just so you know, I wrote to Hagrid and asked him to keep an eye out for you. I hope you haven't encountered him yet, but if he steps out of line, don't hesitate to floo call the Burrow and let Arthur know. He will come right away and I swear Malfoy will have a one way ticket to Azkaban.

We love you- Harry & Ron

Hermione smiled, then laughed out loud - talk about timing! Either he heard the info late or the owl missed her and had to come back. Harry was sweet, including Ron in his letter, but she knew that Ron was still angry at her. It boosted her spirit to read the letter, and she nearly bounced to her desk, pulling some clean parchment from the stack and one of her muggle fountain pens.

Harry,

I'm so glad that you both are doing well in training. Hogwarts isn't the same without you, but I am reminded of our adventures every day. I spend much of my time in the library, working tirelessly to restore it entirely before term. Speaking of, I have indeed learned of Draco Malfoys return to Hogwarts…in fact, he is helping me in the library. I promise I am okay….I do not think that he would risk his freedom just to taunt me. He is actually quite helpful, which I know you will not believe, but it's true. Not that I let my guard down anytime, but so far he has been more than civil.

I visited Hagrid last night, he is so proud of you and Ron both for joining the ministry. He has some new friends visiting that seem friendly but perhaps not exactly social. The Headmistress also approached me about the aforementioned classmate situation, and I don't like repeating myself. Don't say anything to anyone else. This isn't a situation that needs mention, and don't you even think about 'saving the day' okay?

I love you, and I love Ron, and I always will. But I don't need you to save me. I promise. And so you know I'm not spelled, you have duckies on your underwear.

Love, Hermione

She found herself feeling irritated with Harry for being so….protective. She knew that it would be hard with them away, but found herself more and more feeling relieved this year. They had the best intentions, but she was always worrying over them. Even before the war she fretted about, and she was mostly on her own this time. It was the only reason she was able to spend so much time in the library and read anytime she wanted. Go to bed early, take a long hot bath, wake up early and walk the grounds.

And spend time with Draco Malfoy. She was sure that his parents imprisonment was the biggest change, but the boys would have been a deterrent and fodder. She found herself looking forward to the library without dread in her belly over the state of it. Malfoy - the new version anyway - seemed promising as far as companionship went. A small voice in the back of her brain was saying it's much too soon to judge who he'll be now.

She pushed the thoughts away and grabbed her bag, darting down the stairs and up to the owlry. She wanted to get this letter off to the boys before getting to the library. She was determined to finish before term began.

"Malfoy." Hermione greeted as she walked into the library, spotting him already seated at the command center, a tray in front of him. One hand was clasping ihs fork as he took carefully timed bites, in the other was Catcher in the Rye book she had lent him yesterday.

He breifly glanced up and smirked at her before his grey eyes dropped back down to the pages. She put her bag down on the tabletop before picking up her coffee and sipping it slowly, relishing each strong swallow. Her breakfast was french toast with strawberries, oatmeal, a blueberry muffin, and some bacon. Hermione felt, for the first time in a long time, hungry, and dug into the french toast.

A chuckle took her out of her thoughts of dancing strawberries, and she looked up sheepishly at the young man across from her, a smirk lifting his lips. She imitated is smirk back at him before ducking her head, re-opening the large tome she had been reading yesterday.

"Granger, I'm going to work in the Charms section today, if you need anything, I'm sure I'll be there all day." He stood and walked away, bringing her attention to his body, watching as he sauntered over to his selected section. She blushed redder than Weasley hair as she took one more bite and stood as well, moving to the restricted section.

As she stood in front of the wards, prepared to dismantle them, she paused, feeling a knot in her gut form quickly. She took a few deep breaths, trying to get control of herself. The barrier she had set up around herself and the entrance shattered and she whirled around, eyes frantically looking for the interruption - the threat.

Malfoy stood in front of her, chest heaving with deep breaths, his right hand raised with wand firmly clasped, the left hand fisted against his leg. She stepped back, wand hand dropping to her side as she looked at him curiously. He gulped a few times before falling to his knees, his face pinched and shiny with perspiration, eyes locked with hers. She saw that elusive emotion coming through, but then his head dropped forward and he heaved a breath, "Don't…go…in…there….without….me….."

She opened her mouth to speak, but found that he voice failed her. Empathy rushed through her, and she tentatively took one step forward; when he didn't move, she continued slowly until she reached him. She stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do, but then dropped to her knees as well. Pressing her forehead to his, she breathed slowly and methodically until he was no longer shaking.

Before she could move, his arms came up around her and he buried his face into her neck, holding her to him tightly. His body was warm, and hi breath drifted over her neck. She felt her heartbeat quicken, and realized that her arms had at some point wrapped themselves around his shoulders, hands splayed across his back.

Hermione felt like she was in shock, frozen in this odd variation of reality, where Draco Malfoy was an enigma she needed to know. The damn clock ticking in the distance, counting the moments. One - his smell, parchment and apples and musk. Two - his arms, strong and muscular. Three - his hot breath, puffing on her pulse point. Four - his chest, broad and stable. Five - she felt safe. So safe. Six- she felt, for the first time, complete peace. Seven - his lips on her neck. Eight - the clock chimed loudly, gonging the hour.

Suddenly, he released her and she toppled back on her butt, watching Malfoy carefully as he regained his composure. He stood, looking down at her for a moment, then he grit his teeth and clenched his jaw.

"Please, don't go in there until I'm with you. I just….don't think that it's a good idea. There's other work to do around the stacks, just…stay out of the restricted section until tomorrow. We'll do it then, together. Promise?"

Still in shock over the last three days of her life, Hermione froze, unable to speak.

Malfoy sighed and knelt on one knee, grasping her chin and tilting her head until her eyes met his. Emotion jolted through her, though it was unfamiliar, and she shuddered as it ran through her body.

"Promise you won't go into the restricted section." He said slowly, his eyes flashing into hers, and she felt like she had to answer honestly, "I promise. I didn't have a great feeling about it either. It makes sense to do this area together. We put the wards up to contain the chaos. I should probably get a few professors to join us as well. The more power we have, the better our odds are."

He chuckled, "I'm taking the day, I'm not feeling well. Ill see you tomorrow."

Standing and spinning switly, he grabbed his bag and left the library, his shoes tapping again on the floors.

She touched her lips with one hand, wondering why she had such a vivid fantasy of him kissing her before he left. Hermione stared at the door, her thoughts clearing and recalling every moment that had passed. She felt her body shiver again, heat building in her belly - these feelings were new, never having any real relationship. She was forced to grow ip so quickly, thrust into danger on a regular basis and living on the run from people who would have loved to catch and kill her just for the credit.

Now, she felt consumed by him; if she wasn't with him, she was thinking about him. She wondered if she had lost her mind, or maybe he did spell her. Suddenly, she felt sick instead of warm, her mouth dried and her head pounded. She sat on the floor and evened her breaths, trying to calm herself from this panic attack. Was she spelled? Imperious? A love spell?

Her heart beat wildly and she wondered who she could go to with this. Who had this level of knowledge and she could trust?

Malfoy.

Hermione struggled to her feet, thinking. She felt unsure about confronting him, if something was going on, why did he leave any time things got….intense? She had no idea what to look for, and she didn't have the time to read everything she could speculate on.

She went over to the command center and rummaged through her bag, finally pulling out the parchment she had spelled ages ago for communication as times silence was required. Sticking her hand back in, she pulled out the invisibility cloak and map, tracking Malfoy to Slughorns bedchamber, still empty and waiting for him to return. She was grateful for the cloak when she was passed in the halls a few times, everyone now heading to lunch. The dungeons were practically empty, and she moved swiftly down the corridor. She approached the door silently, and was bending down to slip one sheet under the door when it opened and she scrambled back, grateful that it was large enough to cover her small frame.

"Granger. I know you're there. Dissillustionment charm?" He said, leaning casually against the doorjam.

"Invisibility cloak." She corrected, pulling it off over her head. He smirked at her and motioned for her to enter the room, gently closing the door behind her.

"Malfoy, I'm literally the brightest witch of our age, do uou think I wouldn't notice?" She shot out, climbing to sit on the empty table. He paced for a moment, glancing at her every so often.

"I don't know hw you'll take this. It's…not mon. Actually, it's quite rare. Esecially today." His tone dropped and he laughed, "It's actually mind-fuckingly unbelievable. But it's true. And I'm scared it'll cause you to run."

Hermione paused, feeling for the first time like she wasn't ready for whatever was going to come out of his mouth next. Then she thought of the moments in the library and the peaceful sensation returned. She steeled herself mentally, then nodded at him.

"I'm ready. Tell me," She said, setting her jaw. He laughed again, then sobered and sat on the edge of the bed. He folded one knee up, placing his chin on it and studied her intently. His eyes examined her before meeting hers and for a moment she almost felt his presence in her mind.

"I'm veela." He said flatly, eyes roaming her face in search of a clue to how she felt about the news..

Initially, Hermione felt nothing, registering that he's different, something she already noticed. Then her memory sharpened, and she heard the unspoken words buried in his statement- 'You're my mate.'

Deep down, that small voice was reminding her that he didn't actually say it, but she felt it deep inside. The knowledge that what he was saying was true and she was suddenly struck with many thoughts. As they raced through her mind, one in particular stuck out to her.

"How do you know?" She asked, and he leaned toward her, twirling his wand in one hand, "Can I show you?"

"Yes."

She felt the coolness of the spell spread throughout her as he pushed images-

Third year, his perspective of the punch. As pain flooded her face, she felt pride and admiration. Fourth year, she saw herself coming down the stairs for the yule ball, and felt amazed at the feeling that ran through her being- she felt beautiful. Fifth year, standing in Umbridges office, and she felt the tug in her gut. He was giving her the memories, and apparently the emotions too, because she had never experienced these emotions with such intensity.

The images moved faster, giving her glimpses into all the times they interacted. The feelings were brief flashes, shifting through her until they stopped - qlong with her heart. Her entire being burned and she looked around. The manor. Movement registered, and suddenly her own face was thrust into the frame, along with a puffy Harry and Ron. She felt sick, and then Narcissa filled her sight, concern lining her face. Her lips moved and Hermione felt the spell take hold. Horrified, she was frozen in place and forced to watch, turmoil roiling in her gut.

Suddenly, it shifted and the manor was gone. Instead, she stood on the grounds, staring up at herself with the boys, hugging and then Ron dipped his head and kissed her. Nausea bloomed in her stomach, suddenly running off to some secluded bushes - another shift and she was sitting on a bare cot in a cell. The stone walls felt close and constricting, then the door opened and Kingsley walked in.

He placed parchment on the side table, then sat down and spoke, though the only sound was the fast beating of a heart not hers. Once the man left, she reached for the paper and opened it slowly, feeling as though she shouldn't be surprised by the contents, though she felt surprise in that moment. Did he still have it?

Minister Shacklebolt,

I write to you and whomever on behalf of Draco Malfoy, to plead the court for a second chance. A new chance to redeem himself and his family name. A new chance for the world to benefit from his mind. Mr. Malfoy is not without fault; as classmates, he routinely taunted my friends and I. He was raised in a world that encouraged loyalty above all else in a world that allowed these thoughts to spread and take hold in damaged children desperate for attention.

However, he has always been bright, coming in second only to me in every subject for all of our years in school. He was a constant challenge, determined to win the favor of his family and friends, always pushing himself to be better. He excelled in potions and has the ability to become a potions master whose contributions are essential to all life.

He deserves a second chance. I say this despite being the target of relentless taunts and intense hatred for many years. I say this as a muggle-born witch who was a target to all whom followed Voldemort. He deserves a chance to change his future, a future that forced him to grow up more quickly and suffer at the hands of many who claimed to care for him.

Give Draco Malfoy another chance, please.

With deepest respect,

Hermione Granger

As she read the letter she had written, her entire being flooded with warmth, and a replay of all the moments flitted past. He was showing her one more time before he completely pulled away, and she realized that she was now alone in the room. At some point he slipped out of the door, but she found herself certain that he was giving her space to process. Hermione slid off the table, reaching into her back pocket for the map.

He was in his dorm room, so she gathered her few items and made her way under the cloak to the library. Immediately heading for magic creatures, she pulled every book she could find on Veelas, grateful that this section had been completed a few weeks ago.

"Three?" She said, dismayed at the lack of written knowledge. Mentally she made a note to write Fluer and maybe request some books. Then she sat at the command center and flipped through the pages, specifically looking for information on mates and the mating process.

She was relieved to discover that being his mate would mean that he wouldn't take away her freewill, but she would always be compelled to respond to him, be close to him. She was slightly unnerved that she would be consumed by desire for him each time she had her monthly. The knowledge she collected grew as did her apprehension, and soon she found herself struggling to catch her breath.

"Hullo Hermione! I came to see how you're doing." Luna slid across from her and tilted her head to one side.

"Luna." She felt stuck, and tried to get her eyes to convey it.

"Oh, are you trapped in your head?"

Seriously? She understood?!

Suddenly Hermione felt calm and peaceful, warmth spreading through her limbs. Her eyes darted around the room but couldn't see him. He was there, though. She knew it.

Luna cleared her throat, getting Hermione's attention.

"So, Malfoy is a Veela, yes?"

"What?" Hermione was stunned, how did this girl always know things like this?

A/N: Leave a review and let me know how I'm doing! It's been a long time since I wrote much of anything, and I'm just hoping that it's living up to expectations! : )