A/N- Thank you so much for waiting patiently for the update. Enjoy! I apologize for not responding to your wonderful comments as I normally do. I truly appreciate them, but I've been too busy this week. Please continue to leave feedback because I truly do read them and value each one.

Chapter 6: Another Chance

October 8, 2003

Granger,

So, you think I'm handsome?

-DM

October 10, 2003

Malfoy,

It's hard to tell if you are attempting to be charming or are just being a giant prat. Based on our past, I'll assume the latter. You've seen yourself. Do you actually require my validation? Complimenting one's physical appearance is the lowest form of flattery. Show me a great thinker or a kind heart. Show me the wizard described in the pages of my Ministry Spouse information packet. I've already met Malfoy, the boy git. Is there any chance Draco, the man, is any better?

-HG

October 11, 2003

Granger,

There's no need for me to attempt being charming, I simply am charming. While I don't mean to insult you, I see our mutual physical attraction for one another as a starting point. Otherwise, I'd be inclined to agree with you. I too am looking for something deeper than a pretty face.

To your last note, I assure you I am a better man than the spoiled child you once knew, but I need you to understand that we are both responsible for the outcome of our meeting on Saturday. Perhaps it is bad form to point out that you immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion and scolded me for no reason when you misunderstood my conversation with Blinky, but I don't appreciate your assumptions about me. I treat my House-elves with the utmost respect and have done so for years, prior to the laws you helped pass about elven rights. Please do try to remember that I am not my father. Your problem is that you assume too much based on our past. Of course, you have no reason to base it on anything else since our first acquaintance after all this time was almost a complete disaster.

That being said, I do apologize for saying some untoward things about your person when I was angry. I didn't mean any of them. (A reminder that teenage Draco would have never apologized for his cruel words.)

-DM

As she read his letter for the tenth time that day, it was a struggle for Hermione to decide if she was furious with Malfoy's candor or found him intriguing. She wasn't used to people telling her she was wrong, yet the way she overreacted when he questioned Blinky was just that, wrong. Of course, his response was inexcusable, if not more so than her making an unfair assumption. At least Pansy said he'd admitted as much when they'd spoken about it afterward.

One thing was for sure, Hermione and Malfoy needed to learn to communicate with one another if this was going to work between them. Did she want things to work for them? There was the option to protest the new marriage law as some others had after finding out their appointed spouse. In the nearly two weeks since the assignments were revealed, there had been a small group of protesters outside the Ministry every day. Hermione's heart clenched at the thought of not trying with him. There had to be a reason Malfoy had such a high compatibility with her, and she would find out why...for the sake of research, of course.

"Don't you look determined," Harry interrupted her thoughts as he entered the den and sat beside her, peering over her shoulder. "Another love letter from Malfoy, I see," he laughed as Hermione stuck out her tongue and playfully shoved him off her shoulder.

"Hardly a love letter," she scoffed, jerking the parchment from her best friend's view. "He did apologize to me for his behavior, so that's...good...right?" Hermione asked hesitantly. She wouldn't mention to Harry that Malfoy had also called her out for the overreaction on her part because the bespeckled wizard wouldn't understand. At first, it had rankled her, but after some reflection, she appreciated her future husband's ability to be forthcoming when she upset him.

"If I were you, I'd frame that letter. He'll probably never apologize again," Harry laughed, tickling her side before standing to leave.

"Where are you off to?" she wondered as he flushed brightly and looked away. "What are you hiding from me, Harry?" she demanded, folding her arms across her chest, a knowing smirk on her lips.

"I have a…well, I suppose it's a...it's a date," he swallowed hard, "with Pansy," he added unnecessarily. "I'm taking her to a Muggle street carnival that Dean was telling me about. There will be dancers and music," Harry explained, his fingers tugging at tufts of his hair nervously.

"She'll love it!" Hermione gushed. "What a brilliant idea, Harry!" she squealed as she threw her arms around him.

"You think? I just wanted to do something different that neither of us has really done...away from the press, so I can...get to know her, I guess." he faltered. "I don't really have any idea what I'm doing," the dark-haired wizard shrugged uncomfortably. "Ginny and I never really went on fun dates. We just sort of hung out with her family or our friends," he shrugged.

"Harry, this is perfect, really," she assured him. "Relax and have fun."

"Thanks," he smiled shyly as he kissed her on the top of the head. "I'm off!" Harry called as he left for the evening, leaving Hermione to write back to a certain surly wizard.

Malfoy,

Shall we give it another go? Perhaps we can meet in a neutral location where we aren't likely to hex one another this time.

-HG

Granger,

If you're agreeable, I know a nice restaurant where we can meet. (Details attached) Are you free around 8 in the morning for breakfast?

-DM

Malfoy,

Thank you for asking this time. I'll be there.

-HG

October 12, 2003

As he stared down at the outfit Pansy had chosen for him to wear to breakfast, Draco rolled his eyes. According to her, his arse looked fantastic in the fitted, grey trousers, and the dark blue jumper she picked not only brought out his eyes, but it was also Granger's favorite color. He dressed quickly in hopes of beating his future wife to the restaurant because he knew from years of attending school with her that punctuality was something she valued. He'd overheard her scold Potter and Weasley about it enough times.

Just as he Apparated to the restaurant, he ungracefully stumbled into a person who'd gotten there at just the same time. He reached out his hand to steady the petite witch when he realized it was Granger.

"I'm so sorry," she apologized as her eyes slowly drifted up his body and widened on his face.

"Like what you see, Granger?" he smirked, arching his eyebrow as she wrinkled her nose at him. Suddenly, the witch looked down at herself and began laughing.

"Pansy made us...match!" she burst, waving her hand between them. Finally, Draco caught on, looking down at himself before noticing the blue and grey floral dress Granger wore. It was long and wrapped around her, cinching at her trim waist like a present to unwrap. For a moment, he pictured doing just that. There was also a slit up one side that showed off her toned leg until just above the knee, and he idly wondered what it would feel like to brush his fingers up her thigh to see how much that opening would truly reveal to him. "Like what you see, Malfoy?" she interrupted his little fantasy with a smirk of her own.

"At the risk of offering you low-level flattery, yes, I do," Draco smiled at her and offered his arm. Although he meant what he said, he enjoyed throwing her off her game, but the flush of her cheeks at his compliment was an extra bonus. Granger gaped at him, stunned for a moment. The way her eyebrows furrowed, it was as if she thought he'd steal his arm away and laugh at her if she reached for him. Draco's stomach dropped at her reaction. He certainly didn't want her to be afraid of his reaction to her touch. Mentally kicking himself for the millionth time about his behavior the last time, he moved his elbow a bit closer to her. Cautiously, she placed her hand on his arm and allowed him to lead the way.

"Thank you," Hermione practically whispered.

"I don't pay her, but Pansy is definitely fired after this little stunt," he chuckled, motioning at their outfits with his free hand. To his relief, Granger seemed to relax a bit and laugh.

"Don't be too tough on her," she said with a quirk of her lips. "After all, she is now responsible for the first time in our lives that either one of us has ever smiled at one another," Hermione peered up at him. "And I'm pretty sure you couldn't fire Pansy if you tried. Believe me, I know," she said, shaking her head with a grin. He wondered how the two witches ever found friendship, but his thoughts were halted as soon as they stepped through the door of the restaurant.

"Mr. Malfoy, who is your beautiful friend?" the manager of the cafe inquired, winking at Hermione rather than greeting Draco as he usually did. He'd always liked this man, but something about him leering at Granger rubbed the blond wizard the wrong way. He could feel the anger inside him clawing its way to the surface, but he wouldn't lose his temper again. Winning Granger's trust was his ultimate goal here, and he wasn't likely to get another chance after today.

"Watch it, Sebastian, she'll be my wife soon," Draco said with forced kindness, attempting to keep the bite out of his tone. Luckily, the flirtatious man didn't seem to notice Draco's discomfort.

"My apologies, sir. Congratulations on your engagement," Sebastian said almost questioningly as he peered down at Hermione's naked ring finger. Surprised by Granger's silence thus far, he brushed off the manager's words. Draco would have thought she'd have plenty to say on the topic, especially since he didn't really know where they stood.

"This is a Muggle establishment," Hermione whispered in disbelief as Sebastian turned from them to grab two menus.

"Is it?" Draco replied with false bewilderment.

"That you frequent," she continued, ignoring his sarcasm.

"Well spotted. Brightest witch, indeed," he drawled as Hermione scowled at him. "Of course, I come here regularly, Granger. I do own the place," he clarified. To her credit, the look of surprise he'd been anticipating was quickly replaced with one of guilt.

"You were right," she stated as if she'd discovered something new. It was Draco's turn to be shocked as Sebastian sat them at a private table. "What you said in your letter about me assuming too much about you...you were right. I'm sorry," she said with conviction, looking him in the eye, determination written in the force of her gaze.

"Please don't...you've nothing to apologize for, Granger," he stared down at his menu, unseeing. "Obviously, our past is all you have to go on. I don't blame you for being apprehensive or cautious around me...I owe you a great many apologies…" he trailed off, wondering if now was the time to bring this up. He knew he had to formally express his remorse to her before they could move forward, but he wanted them to be alone.

"Why did you choose the Ministry program, Malfoy?" she asked suddenly, sensing his discomfort. His time to apologize to her should be in private, but this question was one he wasn't ready to answer either.

"To find out the answer to that, we'll have to get along for longer than," Draco glanced down at his watch, "ten minutes," he smirked. "Why did you choose it?" he asked, knowing full well how hypocritical it was of him to not offer an answer yet wanting one from her. It was surprising that she actually responded without rolling her eyes.

"Well, you see, my choices were Ronald or the Ministry program, and I knew at least one of those options definitely wouldn't make me happy, so here we are," she sighed, staring intently at her menu.

"Your standards are too low, Granger. At this point, your only goal is for me to be better than Weasley. Done," Draco replied, shaking his head and flicking his hand through the air as if he were checking off a box.

"And what exactly have you done to prove you're any better than Ron?" she quickly countered. What was worse is that she was right. He hadn't done anything to improve her perception of him.

"At this point, nothing," he admitted. Hermione shifted her gaze up to him and furrowed her brow as if he were a puzzle. "However," Draco continued, her curious expression turning wary. "I finally read through my packet about you, and I'm sure—"

"You hadn't read it before," she stated simply. It wasn't a question. Hermione took a deep breath, her eyes were full of emotion. He knew that expression. When they were younger and Draco had said something especially nasty, he'd seen Hermione make this face many times over. She was holding back tears. How had he already fucked this up again? He'd hardly said anything. "Listen, Malfoy, I figured you'd be disgusted with our match. We—"

"Disgusted? That's not what I was going to say. Where did you get that?"

"I understand, really," she held up her hands as if she were soothing him.

"Understand what? I already admitted I was attracted to you, and I was just going to say that I'm sure you noticed we have a lot in common before you began accusing me of my supposed disgust," he scowled, folding his arms across his chest. "Do you really think I would have signed up for this program if I cared one sodding bit about blood status?"

"But you hadn't even read the packet before," she replied as if that cleared up anything. Both her hands were pressed to the table, and she was leaning toward him.

"So you concluded that I still hate Muggle-borns because I hadn't read the bloody packet?" Draco demanded. "I hadn't read it because I thought I didn't have a chance in hell with you. I assumed you were too good for me!" he snapped angrily. From the corner of his eye, he saw a waitress approaching their table, but she slinked away when she caught a glimpse of his scowl. Hermione took a deep breath, and they glared at one another until she finally broke the silence.

"Well, it seems I owe you another apology…" she trailed off as her cheeks brightened. He couldn't allow her to keep apologizing to him because he owed her a lifetime of apologies that he hadn't even started yet.

"As I was saying," he said, forcing himself to move past the heated moment, "we have many like interests, and I believe that once we start spending time together, we will actually start to enjoy one another's company."

Granger's expression was unreadable for what felt like an eternity before she dissolved into laughter. Her shoulders shook as she hid her face behind her hands, occasionally lifting the serviette to wipe the tears forming in her eyes. Watching this witch laugh unabashedly was quite charming, and before long, Draco joined her. Though he'd had every intention of telling her he thought they could actually get along given their interests, he supposed his timing was a bit off.

"Thank you," she said with a smile when they'd both settled down.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"For making sure we didn't hex each other this time," she smirked, looking down at her menu again.

"It's bad for business, really," he responded sarcastically, grinning when Hermione snorted in reply. The witch almost began another laughing fit when the waitress appeared before them, having mustered enough courage to take their order now.

"Are you sure you don't want to join the protests, Malfoy?" she wondered aloud once their meal arrived, perhaps to provide him with an out if he didn't want her. But the thing was, he felt a spark of something with her. He did want her. So much so that he was a little struck by her question. Instead of lashing out, Draco decided to challenge her.

"Why? Are you afraid of failing at something, Granger?" he smirked, hoping she'd take the bait. Without fail, her determination resurfaced, and she scoffed at his question.

"You should know more than anyone that I don't fail at anything I set my mind to," Hermione countered, leaning in toward him. Excellent. That was the type of reaction he anticipated from her.

"If that's the case, then I sure as fuck hope you don't think you can treat this relationship like you did flying a broom or Divination," he tutted, hoping to get a small rise out of her. With a loud huff, she scowled at him.

"It isn't that I failed either of those subjects. One is not something I felt I would ever require in my life, and the other is a complete farce!" Hermione defended herself, her arms folded across her chest, pushing up her breasts in the most delightful way. In an attempt to quickly memorize the view she unintentionally gave him, he stole a quick peek before forcing himself to look into her eyes.

"Just making sure, Granger. You won't find me protesting against this," he waved his hand between them. Her brow furrowed again trying to puzzle him out, but eventually, her small frown morphed into a secret smile.

The rest of their meal was surprisingly pleasant. Granger asked about how Draco came to own a Muggle restaurant and he asked her about her work in civil law. The passion she had for helping those without a voice was refreshing. Most of the people Draco dealt with treated everything like business, but this witch actually cared for the magical beings she worked to protect. It made him glad that this quality would likely win over Theo's approval of her.

He almost felt guilty for inquiring about the Wolfsbane legislation she was trying to push because it seemed if he played his cards right, his company's new potions sector could be utilized sooner than he thought. Draco would have Blaise crunch some numbers later before sharing his ideas with her. Setting his own plans aside, he admired Granger's excitement. Their whole conversation was intriguing to Draco because she seemed so grateful that he was interested and listening to her that she let her guard down entirely. It made him wonder how many of her friends actually cared about the things that she enjoyed. Somehow, he couldn't picture Weasley even understanding half of what she was saying.

"Granger, there are some things I'd like to say to you. Will you walk with me for a bit?" Draco asked when they finished and were headed toward the Apparition point. He'd decided he needed to get this difficult part out of the way before he saw her again. It was tiring having the guilt hanging over him all the time, and she deserved to hear it.

"Of course," she replied, lines creasing her forehead with concern.

"I can't change the past," he began once they'd walked far enough from the bustling Sunday brunch crowds. Focusing only on the words he wanted to say, he filled his lungs and let everything else leave his mind when he exhaled slowly. "You should know how truly sorry I am about every horrible thing I've said or done to you while we were growing up."

"Are you Occluding right now?" Hermione asked abruptly as she stopped and tried to catch his eyes. Bloody hell, no one had ever noticed him doing it before, and he felt exposed. Everything he'd been suppressing at that moment came crashing down and suddenly buried him. It wasn't like feeling the prickle or stab of Legilimency. That was something he expected. This was her seeing him. The real him. Very few people saw the true Draco that lurked below the mask he showed the rest of the world. It was easy enough to feign confidence even if you couldn't feel it. He'd been taught from a young age that no one should see the real you unless you allowed it.

"Yes, I am. If I don't, I'm likely to become emotional," he practically whispered as he caught his breath.

"How can you be remorseful if you won't let yourself feel it?" she asked with a sad frown and her head tilted to the side. Realizing he owed her more than a quick apology to unburden himself, Draco looked around at all the Muggles milling about. They needed to get out of this place. Quickly.

"I can't...I can't lose control here," he confessed, grabbing her hand without a thought and briskly leading them toward the Apparition point. "I hadn't planned on being incredibly rude, but would you trust me if I took you to the Manor? It's the only place I can think of right now where we can speak in private."

"Yes, I trust you, just please slow down," Granger said as she tugged him lightly, and he shortened his long strides, so she could keep up.

As soon as he was able, he Apparated them to his bedroom, where they landed facing his bed. In his effort to escape the crush of memories and emotions, he hadn't been able to think clearly. A flash of rose bloomed from Hermione's chest, making its way up her neck and all the way to her ears. Her eyes widened in what could only be described as trepidation. In hindsight, he could have taken her to a number of rooms in his wing of the Manor without forcing her to face the reality of what would be required of them in the months to come.

Draco led her across the large room to his sitting area by the fireplace. He felt slightly bereft when she dropped his hand to sit down in one of the black leather wingback chairs flanking the hearth. In an attempt to escape their problems, he and Theo had spent many nights staring into the flames. It was always a place of solace for both of them. For Theo, it was an escape from his home, but for Draco, it was a place of peace without his father's constant judgment.

"I won't Occlude, but it is difficult for me to...show you…-er...this side of myself. Please know, I absolutely mean every word I am going to say," he explained, hoping she would understand why he couldn't face her as he began to pace.

"I'm listening," Hermione breathed, her eyes tracking him to and fro.

"As I said before, I wish I was able to take back all the nasty things I did and said, but there is one thing I can never forgive myself for, nor would I ever expect your forgiveness either. If I could, you must know that I would go back to that night," Draco gestured toward her arm where he knew his aunt had left an awful scar, "and I would have done anything to stop her. Out of everything in our entire ugly history, I want you to know that doing nothing that night will always be my biggest regret," he confessed as he carded his fingers nervously through his hair. He finally gathered the courage to turn and face her.

"You don't have to—"

"Yes! I absolutely do!" he interrupted. The brilliant witch had no idea what it cost him to be open with her without the help of his Occlumency, and now that he'd allowed her to see him, he wouldn't cower behind her easy forgiveness. "We cannot truly build anything together if we ignore that blasted, awful night. Not when it plagues my nightmares almost every evening. Not when it probably still haunts yours," Draco heaved guiltily as he collapsed into the chair where his best friend normally sat.

"Thank you...I know that must have been difficult for you," Hermione acknowledged, turning toward him and catching his eyes. "I didn't know I needed to hear it, so I thank you for that...we don't have to discuss it right now, but...I think we should one day...when we're both ready," she added hesitantly.

"I'll be ready when you are," he offered her a sad smile. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, both absorbing the moment between them.

"Would you be interested in going on a...double, -er, date the next time?" she asked as she stared straight into the flames.

"I don't know, Granger. I'd like us to get through an entire date without arguing before your friends start in on me too," he grinned over at her, and she chuckled in return.

"It's just that Ginny mentioned how well she and Nott got on, and I thought it might be nice to spend time with another...matched pair."

"Oh, Theo and the Weaselette, of course. I thought you meant the Wonder Duo, and I'm certainly not ready for those two yet," he confessed with relief. "Anyhow, you ought to get used to Theo since he and I are almost inseparable." When he looked at Hermione, she was giving him an incredulous look.

"Her name is Ginny. Merlin, she might even prefer you just call her Weasley instead of that horrid nickname," she rolled her eyes. "As for the 'Wonder Duo'," she said with finger quotes, "I can't see Ron ever agreeing to purposely be in the same room as you, but Harry will be fine, especially now that he and Pansy are matched."

"Since Pansy and Potter have almost as much baggage to work through as you and I do, let's stick with Theo and...Ginny this time," Draco concluded. "If you don't mind, of course," he added as an afterthought. It was important for Hermione to be included in the decisions, and he had to remember that going forward. Growing up, his father led with an iron fist, and neither Draco nor his mother was ever allowed to question his choices. He reminded himself that he wanted a witch that thought for herself, and he didn't want a marriage like his parents and every other pureblood couple he knew.

"Excellent! I'm very interested in meeting Theo since he is your best friend, and Ginny has such wonderful things to say about him," she answered brightly.

"Yes, he doesn't shut up about her either, so I'm glad her feelings are mutual. If anyone deserves happiness, it's Theo," Draco said before he could stop the words from coming out of his mouth. Without apprehension or trying to figure out his motives, Hermione looked at him with a pure smile. It was as if she just realized Draco wasn't so bad after all. Like she actually respected him. "I'll owl you the details once I speak with Nott," he said, rising from his seat and offering her the bowl of Floo powder. Her lips were still turned up fondly when she nodded in response and disappeared in a flash of green flames.

A/N- I rewrote this chapter a bit to include an apology from Draco because I really think it would be important in order for them to continue to make this work.