TW: Mention of Torture and Mentions of Miscarriage

Draco stared at the box in front of him. It was a leather covered box with gold edge details. Angus Cunningham, the Auror who was overseeing his probation, gave it to him and said, "Your father cannot have it while he's in Azkaban and I don't think your mother would appreciate seeing its contents. But I cannot keep it, so I'd rather give it to you."

He never explained what were the contents and why his mother would not appreciate what was in the box. Now, here he was, debating if he should open and check the contents or hide it somewhere where he would not see it at all. As much as he was curious, it was not his.

He sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. Sudden and continuous knocks made him jolt, and he grabbed the box then put in the drawer. He had vanished the chair he was sitting on earlier with a flick of his hand.

Draco opened the door before the next knock came. There with his fist in mid-air was Theodore Nott. "What do you need?"

"Don't you know what time it is?" Theo asked him, and Draco just shrugged. "It's fucking dinner time. Are you going to skip dinner too?"

"I am not hungry."

Theo scoffed. "Yes, you are. You haven't eaten lunch. What the fuck is wrong?"

"Nothing. I just—"

"The last time you were like this, I did nothing. I am not doing that again, so come and eat dinner," he said, and Draco felt a pang of guilt in his chest. Theo had been one of his best mates and he never questioned even once, when he started drifting away from him and Blaise as he worked with his task. He was just there, trying to support him in any way he can.

Draco sighed. "I am not doing anything like that, Theo—"

"I am not saying that you were—"

"Fine, I'll come down for dinner."

Theo nodded and stepped aside to let Draco leave the room. Together, they made their way to the Great Hall. Draco once loved and even craved the attention, but now, he loathed it. Everyone was whispering, throwing dirty stares at him or hexing him just a little not-so-subtly. He deserved it; he knew. So, he distanced himself from them as much as possible. He needed to stay away from trouble that may risk his freedom. He was only there because the Ministry told him so and there were conditions—strict and specific conditions.

They reached the Great Hall with no conversation exchanged between them. They went straight to the Slytherin table. Draco and Theo sat together.

"Finally! I thought we had to follow Theo and help him drag you out of the room," Blaise said as he drunk his pumpkin juice.

"What got you occupied? Since Cunningham visited, you always skipped either lunch, dinner or both," Pansy asked with a pointed look.

He shrugged as he filled his plate. "Nothing."

"Oh, is that why you lock yourself in your dorm room?" Pansy asked.

"Or choose to stay alone in that space in the library or you walk alone by the Black Lake every—?" Blaise said next.

"Or I can leave now," Draco interrupted, looking at each of his friend. And when they did not respond anymore, he started eating.

The Slytherin table was mostly silent except for the quiet chatter of other students and the sound of the silverware against the plates. Since the end of the war and the students were asked to return, the Slytherins were ostracized and cast out—maybe they deserved it, but not for the first years. Draco did not finish all his food and excused himself to walk back to his dorm before the rest of the students go to their dorms. He walked through the alternative routes he established after the first attack he experienced from the other students. Of course, no one wanted a Death Eater in here. Draco did not want to be here, too, but it was Ministry mandated. Something he had to do for his freedom.

Draco reached the Slytherin dorm and went straight to the room assigned to him as one of the eighth years who returned to Hogwarts, making sure he casted privacy charms. He grabbed his sleeping clothes and headed for the showers.

He quickly showered and returned to his room, resetting the privacy charms to ward off his friends until he slept—if he could sleep. Since the war ended, he barely slept. The nightmares had always plagued him—the night in the Astronomy Tower, Voldemort living in his house… and that time he just watched her be tortured.

Draco stared at the ceiling for a minute too long before he mumbled 'Nox'. He closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep, closing his eyes. Everything was blank at first. Darkness enveloped him.

Silence.

Then, the creaking of the floor.

Muffled voices.

Crucio.

He gasped, opening his eyes. He was gripping the sheets so tight and was sweating profusely.

Maybe one sip can help.

No.

He shut his eyes tight. He did not want to succumb in the addiction of taking Sleeping Draught.

Yet, he needed sleep.

One sip.

No.

A drop.

Just a drop.

For a peaceful sleep.

He needed it.

Yes, he needed it.

Draco sighed heavily and pushed himself up. He reached for the nightstand and opened the drawer. The box was there. Vial of Sleeping Draught forgotten. He picked up the box. He murmured 'Lumos' as he closed the drawer. He cannot put his curiosity at bay anymore.

As he put the box down on the nightstand, he grabbed his wand. He checked if the box was cursed despite the Aurors had already opened it. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Nothing came up, so he put his wand down and slowly opened the box. His brows knitted together as he saw a bunch of folded parchments in it. Why would my mother would worry about a bunch of parchments?

Draco picked up one of them and was about to unfold them when he saw something like a photo—a still photo. That's impossible. A muggle photo? He returned the parchment and picked what seemed to be a muggle photo instead.

It was a muggle photo but the other half was torn, and the colour was fading. It was a photo of a woman with fair skin, wearing a high-neck jumper, her seemingly black hair pony-tailed and was smiling brightly at the camera. He turned the photo and found a name. Celestine. Year 1971.

As far as he knew, his parents were already betrothed in 1972 and right after they graduated, they married. However, he knew little about the story of their relationship.

He put down the photo and picked up the folded parchment that he set aside earlier. Unfolding it, revealed a note possibly written by Celestine because the stroke looked far different from her father's or her mother's.

Meet me at the library at 8.

I miss you so much.

You're insufferable, but I love you. I'd hex you still.

I love you, but you're an arse.

Meet me at our place after Potions.

Congratulations! You looked good in your Quidditch gear, luv.

Meet me at the library after divination.

I am not sorry I trapped Yaxley in the broom closet. I am sorry you got detention, though. I love you.

I love you.

Happy Christmas and Happy New year. I missed you.

Meet me at our place before Astronomy.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you, always remember that. In any other life, if I need to choose someone, I would choose you. At all times. However, in this life, it seemed the universe was against us. I'll see you in another life, Love. Goodbye.

Draco found a few more parchments with nothing but quotations that he did not recognize at all. However, the last message from Celestine left him with an unmistakable and unexpected pang lingering in his chest. He still went through the items left in the box. There was an old gold quill, an old muggle writing device—he guessed—a notebook filled with sketches of muggle London and Scotland but more of Celestine, and a small velvet box with a diamond and sapphire cluster on a gold ring.

He snapped the ring box close and, one by one, he hastily returned the items in the box. His head was spinning with all the things that he had seen from the box. Did his father really have an affair with a mud—muggle-born? He needed to owl Cunningham tomorrow.

Draco attached his letter to his Eurasian eagle-owl, Chael, and gave him treats before he let him leave to send the message to Cunningham. He left the owlery and went to the Great Hall to eat his breakfast while there are a few students in there. A plate with silverwares appeared when he sat at the end of the Slytherin table. He picked up a toast and spread butter on it, leisurely.

"Hey, morning," Blaise plopped down beside him and picked up a piece of toast. "I thought you slept early, but you don't look like you slept at all. You look like shite."

"Thank you for the reminder. Anything else I need to remember?" he deadpanned before biting on his toast.

"Good morning!" Theo greeted, too jovially for his liking. Draco quietly grunted. He might have a headache.

"You disappeared last night, Draco. You missed Pansy looking flustered when Longbottom approached her."

He hummed like he was listening, but he was not so interested in Pansy's current dilemma with her little—or not so little—crush with Longbottom.

"At least Pansy was having progress. How about you?" Blaise asked Theo pointedly.

"Huh, like you are having progress with the Weasley girl," Theo bit back as he filled his plate with pancakes.

Blaise snorted. "I am taking my time. I am not in a rush, you know."

"Sure, whatever," Theo said, rolling his eyes. Then, took a bite of his pancake before turning to Draco. "How about you, Draco?"

"I don't know what you want to know, Theo."

"Anyone you took an interest in? Or why you go to bed early every night?"

Before Draco could even make a comment, Pansy walked in the Great Hall and went straight to their table.

"Good morning, boys," she greeted them as she plopped beside Theo.

"Good morning," he greeted and paused, "Pansy, Theo made a comment about you being flustered when Longbottom talked to you."

Just as he expected, Pansy glared at Theo, and they started bickering. With Blaise amused with the two, he quietly excused himself and headed to the Transfiguration classroom. As expected, no one was there yet. Most of the students were just coming down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Draco went straight to the farthest seat and settled there. He basked in the moment of silence and serenity of the empty classroom. Slowly, he felt his eyelids became heavy, so he leaned down on the table, crossing his arms on the table to pillow his head.

Draco did not know how long he had slept, but he only knew that there were already students in the classroom when someone nudged him in the ribs. He stirred and yawned quietly, wiping his face with his both hands. The classroom was almost filled with students. He looked beside him and found Theo.

"What are you doing here with Granger before class?"

Draco's brows knitted together and his nose scrunched up. "I was alone when I came here."

"Really? Ev—"

Whatever Theo wanted to say was cut when Headmistress McGonagall cleared her throat and started the class. Draco dismissed whatever Theo said and jotted down notes about the lesson or scribble nonsensical doodles while oblivious to the stares of his classmates. Or maybe he was used to people staring that he ignored them.

Draco spent the day in a blur, answering his friends in one word or just a nod or shake of his head. He was still in disbelief at last night's discovery. The box sat heavily in his satchel, in case Cunningham would visit. He refused to believe that this was not the Auror's doing or maybe it was the Ministry doing what they thought could help him change.

He did not need any more wake-up calls. The war was enough. It was difficult to forget everything his family taught him, but he tried. He sent the apology letters as they recommended. He stayed away from them, not calling them names or anything because those were the only ways he knew how to handle it for now.

After class, he did not pretend that he was going to eat dinner. Instead, he asked as politely as possible, an elf for an apple, and headed back to his bedroom. He opened the box again and read everything again, looked at everything again and checking time and time again if they faked it. Nothing. He came up with nothing at all.

He wanted to know if this was all true or was an elaborate ruse made by the Ministry to fuck his mind because it was working. But Lucius Malfoy, one of the ultimate blood purists, would never associate himself with a mud — a muggle-born. It cannot be true. If only the Ministry did not ban him from talking to his father, he would have many questions.

Draco received a parchment from a student after his third class, and he scanned through the letter. Before his friends can ask questions, he turned around and almost sprinted to Headmistress McGonagall's office. He muttered the password, and the gargoyle moved aside, letting him in.

He took the steps of the stairs two at a time. When he reached upstairs, he was panting.

"You did not have to run, Mr. Malfoy. Are you alright?"

He nodded once, he breathed out, "Yes. I'm fine."

Cunningham was there in one of the visitor's chairs, wearing a suit instead of his Auror uniform.

"Auror Cunningham told me that you asked for his presence thus, I will leave you two. I'll be back in an hour," Headmistress McGonagall said before she left passing him, and he was able to mumble a 'thank you'. She hummed as an acknowledgment.

Draco stood in place until he heard Headmistress McGonagall exit the office while Cunningham waited before he walked forward. He put his satchel in the chair and pulled out the box and tossed on the table between him and Cunningham.

"What the fuck is this?!" he asked through gritted teeth and his nose flaring.

"I told you it was one of the items seized from your father's vault, and I told you why I gave it to you," Cunningham explained calmly.

"Bullshite! Those were not my father's!" he spat, a hand in a fist while the other pointing at the box. Both were shaking.

"I am sorry, Malfoy, but I am telling the truth. We took it from his vault and we asked the help of our most competent curse breaker just to open it. I can show you the memory if you want to."

"Have you seen what's inside of that box?! Do you think my father will keep such things!?"

Cunningham sighed audibly. "Mr. Malfoy. We asked your father, and they were his. He wanted to have them, but as per Wizengamot's ruling, he cannot have it. All he knew now was that we have them." He paused and looked straight at him. "He did not know I gave it to you."

Draco dropped on the chair and laughed mirthlessly. He rubbed his hand over his face, mumbling, "You're fucking with my mind. Fucking Ministry."

"Mr. Malfoy, the Ministry is not playing tricks on you."

"She might not be even real!" Draco shouted, his veins popping out on his neck. "She's not real."

"She is real, Mr. Malfoy. Celestine was a student here in the same year as your father's. She's a muggle-born Ravenclaw."

"You don't know my father. He would never associate himself with muggle-borns. He is a blood purist."

"I know, Mr. Malfoy. We never expected to find those as well. We checked their validity, and they were genuine."

Draco ran his hands through his hair, his head lowered. "No. No. No."

They were both quiet, Draco clenching and unclenching his hands while Cunningham just watched him. Draco's thoughts were racing. Was it really true? What will happen now? What happened to Lucius Malfoy that time? How can be cruel to muggle-borns if he loved one? What happened?

He did not know what to believe or not now. Cunningham looked honest but, can he trust someone from the Ministry?

Above the silence, they could hear ramblings far behind the Headmistress' desk. It seemed the two previous Headmasters were having a not-so-hushed disagreement.

Then someone cleared their throat. "If I may, Mr. Malfoy. I can tell you how to that Ms. Celestine Shelvey was a student here."

The voice was familiar, eerily familiar—his mind flashed images of him at the end of his wand, offering help and him falling off the railings of the Astronomy tower. He shut his eyes, pushed those memories back. Occluding. He lifted his head up and saw Severus watching him along with Dumbledore.

"You can ask Professor Flitwick about her. He won't admit it, but she was one of his favourite students. She was known for her exceptional Charms work. He will tell you everything he knew about her."

"It's true, Draco. You can also ask Slughorn. She was a member of the Slug club," Severus drawled.

Finding himself no energy to argue, he nodded. Then, an idea came in his mind. He turned his attention to Cunningham, who was sitting in front of him with cold, untouched tea in front of him.

"Cunningham, as per my condition, I cannot communicate with my father, in any way or form, right?"

"Yes…"

He nodded. "If so, I can send letters to this Celestine, right?"

"Yes, you're right." He paused like he was picking the right words to say next. "But it had been years since the last time someone saw Celestine Shelvey."

Draco's brows knitted. "What do you mean? Did she just vanish in the face of the world?"

Cunningham sighed, scratching his temple. "She left Wizarding Britain right after her graduation, and no one knew where she went. Her friends and family may not know too or were told not to say anything."

"So, no one knew if she's dead or alive now?"

Cunningham shook his head. Draco inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. He could feel the incoming headache.

"Is there any way you can look it up? Maybe there's something in the Ministry that can locate here."

"I am sorry, Mr. Malfoy. I cannot do such a thing. It's not part of my duty as your parole Auror."

Draco wanted to argue and push him to do this one thing, but he didn't. Instead, he bobbed his head once. "I understand."

It took a second before Cunningham spoke. "Thank you."

Mentally, Draco was already planning how he would approach Professor Flitwick or Professor Slughorn without revealing too much. He sighed audibly and pinched the bridge of his nose momentarily as he felt the headache starting. He picked up the box and put it inside his satchel. He then straightened his posture.

"Thank you for coming, Cunningham, despite the short notice," he said, standing up and Cunningham stood too.

"It's my pleasure."

"A-and…" he trailed off and gulped. "I-I'm sorry about earlier."

Cunningham walked to him and put a hand on his shoulder, give a tap and a squeeze. "It's alright. I understand the need to talk about this."

Draco felt uneasy with the gesture, but he said nothing and just nodded. Cunningham removed his hand and pointed a finger at him.

"No matter what happened or what you learned about this, no trouble."

Draco's mouth twitched a little. "I know my conditions."

"Good. I'll go now."

Cunningham left through the floo, leaving Draco alone in the office. But not so long because Headmistress McGonagall just walked in.

"I see that your meeting went well," she said as she walked behind her table.

"Considering everything, maybe you can say that, Headmistress."

"That's good. But you don't look fine now that I am looking at your face. Do you need to go to the infirmary?"

Draco shook his head. He can handle the headache. "I'll go to my next class."

"Alright, then."

He gave her a curt nod and left her office. Absentmindedly, he walked through the corridor, going to his Charms class. Great. Maybe he can ask him about it after class. He found his classmates already walking in the room when he reached the Charms' classroom. He bumped into someone and he just quickly mumbled an apology.

"Hey, mate, what happened? You went running like crazy earlier," Blaise said, trapping him with his arm around his shoulder. Then Theo took the other side, minus the arms around his shoulder. Now, he's in Theo-Blaise sandwich. He groaned quietly.

Draco scratched his jaw and said, "I – Uh, something just came up, but it's all fine."

"You don't sound convincing at all," Theo said.

"I'll tell you when I figure it all out," he bit out. Draco shrugged Blaise's arm and removed himself out of their 'sandwich'. He went straight to the vacant seat next to Pansy.

"Hello to you too."

"Please don't ask anything. I am not doing anything like before. I just need to figure this one out alone for now."

"You could've just said hello too, you know."

Draco looked at Pansy and gave her an appreciative smile. Despite what happened in the war, Pansy still never asked too many questions, just waiting until he said something. Until he was ready to say it. Theo and Blaise sat behind them. Flitwick started the class, but all he could think about was how on earth he could ask him about Celestine.

He tried to concentrate and take down notes, but it was getting more difficult as the time pass. Draco kept twirling his quill and tapping the desk softly. And when the class ended, he slowly put his things back in his satchel.

"Why are you taking so much time?" Theo asked.

"Just go ahead. There's something I need to ask with Professor Flitwick."

"We can just wait with you," Blaise said, picking up his satchel.

"Uh-uh. You two are coming with me," Pansy said, shoving her satchel and books to them.

"Do you—"

"No," Pansy cut off Theo's question, knowing what he was about to ask. "Let's just go."

Pansy pulled them with her as she walked out of the classroom. Draco silently thanked her and quickly set his mind on how to ask Professor Flitwick. When the last student walked out, Draco hurried to him.

"Professor?"

He turned to him. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"

"I—" He clenched his jaw and put his hands in his pockets. "Do you know someone named Celestine Shelvey?"

Professor Flitwick's eyes widened in what seemed to be in disbelief. "It's been a while since I heard that name."

"Do you know her?"

"Yes, she's one of my students. Why?"

Shit, I need a fucking excuse. Think. Think. Ah yes, that. Hope this fucking works. "I-I wanted to know about her. Uh, I heard she was excellent in Charms."

It seemed like Professor Flitwick remembered something with that and made his face lit up. He nodded. "She is. How did you know?"

Draco faltered. "I… uh… Professor Slughorn mentioned it once."

"Horace did?"

"Uhm. In passing."

"Oh…" He paused and Draco's heart started racing, wishing that he wouldn't ask more questions. "Let's go to my office and I will tell you about her."

Draco nodded, relieved, and followed Professor Flitwick to his office. His office was neat. The stacks were neatly piled, and the shelves were organized to perfection. He offered him to have a seat, and he did.

"Tea?"

"Uh, yes. Thank you."

Professor Flitwick waved his wand, and a set of cups and saucers appeared filled with tea. He gestured for him to take his tea, and Draco did. Earl Grey tea mixed with dried citrus. It was not his typical type of tea, but he did not dislike it either.

"So, what do you want to know about Ms. Shelvey, Mr. Malfoy?"

Gently, Draco placed the cup and saucer on the table. "Anything actually."

"Well, to say that I am surprised that you are interested in knowing her was an understatement. She's a muggle-born…"

"I-I understand that. Maybe this could be a way for me to acknowledge that… that… we are not superior to them… that we can be equal or they can be… better than us… maybe…"

"I understand and I appreciate that, Mr. Malfoy."

He nodded.

Professor Flitwick continued. "Ms. Shelvey was an exceptional student. She was a hatstall. Seven minutes, to be exact. She excelled in every class she attended. Of course, because she was a muggle-born, she was bullied, but that did not deter her. She did not even tell me about it. I would just know about it when she got detention from hexing a bully or trapping them in a broom closet, classroom, or just stick on the wall. She was creative in dealing with her bullies…"

"And I guess her exceptional skill on Charms is not just her forte."

"Yes, she's also good at dueling. Beat your father once…" Professor Flitwick suddenly grimaced, but Draco only shook his head.

"It's fine… so…" He cleared his throat. "So she beat my father?"

"Yes. She beat most of her dueling partners. She was one of our best students in her year. Aside from that, she was a very kind, helpful, and graceful young lady with slight tomboyish manners. Oh!" He opened his drawer and pulled out a photo and gave it to him.

"That's her," he said, pointing at her in their class picture. She was beautiful.

"Was she ever in Quidditch?"

"Yes. She was our Chaser, but she had to stop when she got injured during her fifth year during a Slytherin and Ravenclaw match."

"Oh, of course."

"It was nobody's fault. It was purely an accident because if Ms. Shelvey knew that Slytherins did something, then she would have done something about it."

Draco nodded as he looked at the photo he had in his hand. "She sounds more than just an exceptional student."

"She is. It's just… I never expected that she would leave Wizarding Britain after her graduation…"

"She said nothing about it?"

"As much as she was open to us, she had many secrets."

"I see. So, you were not able to talk to her at all? After she left?" Draco asked, returning the photo to him.

"Not a single word."

He nodded. This would be difficult.

"But you know, you can ask about her with Professor Elijah Collins…"

"The new muggle studies professor?"

"Yes, they were close friends. Maybe at sometime, they talked."

"Thank you, Professor."

"You're welcome, Mr. Malfoy. Let me know if you still have questions."

He nodded. "I'll get going. I still have Arithmancy in thirty minutes."

Professor Flitwick nodded, and he stood up. He was almost at the door when Professor Flitwick spoke again. "Mr. Malfoy."

He turned, and Professor Flitwick cleared his throat. "Thank you for trying. I really appreciate what you're doing."

"It's the least that I can do after what I did."

"It's not entirely your fault. You made mistakes, that's true, but you're on your way in atoning them. You were brought up to believe they were right and were supposed to live a life like theirs, but now you can make your own choice."

"Let's hope I won't sabotage this."

"You won't. I am sure. And, whatever you are trying to do or look for, I hope you'll get them."

He bobbed his head once. "Thank you."

"Sure. Go, you don't want your friends waiting too long for you."

He left the office and out of the classroom. He sprinted to the tower where his Arithmancy class was.

"Hello, Malfoy," a melodic voice greeted him and it stopped in his tracks, almost tripping with his own feet. He was quick to swirl around.

"Lovegood," he said, a little out of breath.

"Arithmancy?"

"Yes."

"Good, let's walk together then."

"Walk? We're—"

"We're not going to be late. Professor Vector would not start the class in ten minutes. She's still in the greenhouse talking with Professor Sprout. She looked like she cannot leave just yet."

"Oh."

"Yes, so let's walk."

"A-alright," he said as they walked together. "What were you doing here, anyway?"

"Ah, I was checking if there were Nargles hiding around here."

"Nargles?"

"Yes, they are very mischievous."

"I see." He paused and cleared his throat. "Look, Lovegood. About the time that you were in the Manor—"

"It was not your fault at all. You treated us better than everyone else. We were well fed when you're the one looking after us."

"But—"

Lovegood shook her head. "Don't do that to yourself, Malfoy. You already apologized to me in your letter, remember?"

"It's not enough."

"It is so, please don't do this to yourself. I forgive you if you really need to hear that."

"Thank you."

As they walked to their classroom, he let Luna Lovegood talk his ears out about these Magical Creatures that he did not even hear about or even knew existed. When they reached the classroom, he opened the door for her and she mumbled a melodic thanks. Professor Vector was not there yet indeed, just like Lovegood had said. Their classmates were busy chatting among themselves and they paid little attention to them walking in. Except one. Theodore Nott was watching them like a hawk while Blaise slowly vacated the seat next to Theo's.

"Hello," Lovegood greeted them.

"She's sitting with us," Malfoy said, and was about to sit next to Blaise, but Pansy was already there, and Lovegood already sat down next to Theo. So, he sat at the last desk.

Professor Vector came in and immediately started the class. While the rest of the class were still working on the sample problem, Draco was already planning out how he would approach Professor Collins later after class. He did not know him at all and he was not taking his classes.

"You're done?" Pansy whispered, and he looked up, nodding. She grunted and turned back to her work.

Draco was only able to escape Theo and Blaise because they had Quidditch practice. Something that they stripped him off. However, right now, he was thankful that it was enough to distract his friends while Pansy left to work with Longbottom on their project in Herbology, which he did not have a partner yet. This was more important.

Yet, right now, he was stuck in front of the classroom door. Walking back and forth. If he would do nothing right now, he might back out—a coward again. Fuck it.

Draco knocked and pushed the door open, popping his head and saw his back was facing the door. He cleared his throat.

"Professor Collins?"

"Oh," he squeaked, dropping something that clank on the floor.

"I-I'm sorry to surprise you…"

He reached and picked up what fell on the floor before turning to him. "It's fine, son. You are?"

It baffled Draco that he did not know him. "Uhm. Draco Malfoy, sir."

"What can I do for you, Mr. Malfoy?"

"I-uh…" He cleared his throat and scratched his jaw. "I want to ask about Ms. Celestine Shelvey."

Professor Collins paled and had to hurry to the door, which Draco forgotten to close and put quite extensive privacy charms. Once he closed the door, he looked back at him.

"How—?"

"Professor Flitwick said that if I can talk to you about her."

"No. I mean. How did you know about her?" he asked cautiously.

Draco searched his face for something. Something to tell him what made him panic. Should he tell him the truth? He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He shut his mouth.

"Did he tell you?" he asked, and Draco's brows furrowed for a moment, then it dawned on him. He knew.

"No, he did not. We… we were not allowed to communicate at all."

"So, how?"

Draco sighed and opened his satchel. He pulled out the box. "I got this from Auror Cunningham. I saw her photo in there and some… other things."

"May I?"

He tightened his grip on the box. He was hesitant.

"I would tell no one about it, son. I promise."

Draco licked his dried lips. If he needed answers, he needed to trust him. Fuck. He reluctantly handed him the box. Professor Collins opened the box and when he opened it, he immediately picked up the photo. As he looked at it, he gasped and stepped back, the back of his legs hitting the desk.

"I took this picture," he mumbled. "Around Christmas break. He sneaked out to be with her that night."

"You knew about them?"

He put the photo back as he nodded. Then he chuckled, lifting the muggle writing device.

"He kept it. Gods, I thought he threw it away after…" he trailed off, then dropped the writing device back in the box, closed it and handed it back to Draco. "I am sorry you had to know about it this way. I never thought he would keep them."

"I never expected to find something like this, knowing my father…" He paused. "Were they really in love?"

Professor Collins looked at him a minute longer. "From the way they looked at each other, they were nauseatingly in love."

Draco slowly slumped down on the desk behind him. He cannot imagine seeing his parents like that—nauseatingly in love. They shared understandings with each other but not much as affections.

"I am sorry I made you feel uncomfortable."

He shook his head.

"Anyway, what did you really come here for?"

"As I said earlier, I-I am not permitted to talk to my father so, I wanted to know her side of the story."

Draco looked up and saw Professor Collins run his tongue over his teeth. "I am sorry, but I can't."

"You don't talk to her anymore?"

He sighed. "It's not like that. It's complicated—"

"Please. Just let her know that I know… and I want to hear her story."

"I don't know, son. She did not want to involve herself anymore with your family… she did not want to complicate things."

"Is that why she left?"

He nodded, and Draco cannot help but feel defeated. His shoulder sagged.

"I understand, but please tell her I know. I-It won't complicate anything… anymore."

Professor Collins sighed. "Give me time, will you?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Professor Collins stood up and pushed his hands in his robes' pockets. "We should go to the Great Hall for dinner."

"Aren't you supposed to finish that? Whatever you're doing?" he said, looking at the weird little box on the desk.

"Oh that. I think that's hopeless."

"What is that, anyway?"

"A telly."

"A telly?"

"Yes, a telly. A television. It's a muggle device where we can watch shows like in theatre but in a box like device."

Draco straightened up and walked closer to it. "Can I see it?"

"I wish I can but there's no electricity in Hogwarts because everything here worked with magic."

"Is there any other way you can get this… electricity thing?"

"I am actually running out of ideas and I am hungry, so let's eat."

Draco acquiesced and Professor Collins undid the privacy charms. They walked to the Great Hall, Professor Collins explaining patiently to Draco about how some of his muggle devices work and what they really called. Then, they had an extensive discussion about the electricity and it made Draco easy to ignore the stares in the corridor from the students.

"Don't you think the heat of the sun can be a source of electricity?"

"I forgot about that. Brilliant idea!"

Draco chuckled. "I know."

"Don't be too smug, son."

They walked into the Great Hall, and Professor Collins gave him a pat on the back before they parted ways. Draco sat down between Theo and Pansy, who were in the middle of bickering.

"You," Theo turned to him while Draco put food on his plate.

"Yes, me. What's up with you?"

"What's up with me?" he asked in disbelief. He looked at Blaise, stammering.

"You looked friendly with Professor Collins, was it part of it?" Blaise asked instead. Draco looked at him. He knew he did not know, but it was a question of reassurance, something to let him know that he was not secretly in trouble.

"Yes."

"Wait, what?" Theo asked, now looking back at Draco.

"I will try my best to tell you everything once I think everything's ready." I am ready.

"Just don't starve yourself."

"Yes, mum," Draco teased Theo, and he rolled his eyes at him.

"Anyway, do you already have a partner for herbology?" Pansy asked.

"About that. I think I want to do it alone."

"You sure?"

He nodded as he chewed his food.

"You can pair with me," Theo said.

"Pair with Lovegood."

Blaise chuckled, almost choking with his food. Theo sighed exasperatedly while Pansy just hummed.

"Look at Pansy. She has an excellent partner… because she's inspired. Maybe you need one too," Draco said, that made Pansy slap him hard on the arm. He winced.

"I agree. I mean, I am inspired as well," Blaise said with a shrug while his eyes slid to the table behind Draco.

"Okay, stop," Pansy said and, as the lady requested, they did.

It had been a week since Draco and Professor Collins talked, but they hadn't heard anything from Celestine yet. He reassured him a couple of times that she would write back. She always did.

"So, about your electricity source, how's it going?"

"I am looking into solar panels. I was thinking of purchasing some, but they were expensive."

"How much?"

"No. You're not doing that."

"Do what?"

"I know that look. Your father has that look too, and I don't like that."

Draco put down the Rubik's cube, just what Professor Collins called it. "You sure? I mean I could…"

"Oh, no, son. You're not spending that much."

"But I am curious to see what that telly does."

"You'll see, but we're not spending too much for that…" he trailed off, and he looked at the cube beside him. "How on earth did you do that? I have been trying for years!"

"Uhm, I followed what you said."

"No, you cheated," he said, walking to Draco and picking up the cube.

"I did not," Draco defended.

Professor Collins looked at the cube, amazed. He mumbled, "I hate that you were able to solve this faster than me."

Draco shrugged. "What can I say? I am good with that."

Professor Collins was about to respond when they heard the door of the classroom opened. A familiar bushy haired Gryffindor walked in, her eyes looking between the two of them. Yes, Granger, I did not kill him or hurt him. He averted his eyes and stared at the lined-up muggle device in front of him.

"Professor Collins, Headmistress needs you in her office."

"Oh, thank you, Miss. I will be there."

Draco almost arched a brow but then remembered that he did not even know him when they first met. Or pretended not to know him. It was something refreshing now that he recalled that day. It felt quite normal.

"I think this means I am going to the library and I…" He snatched the cube from Professor Collins and picked up his satchel. "… would like to keep this as a souvenir."

"I still hate you."

"Thanks for letting me know, Professor," Draco called out and when he passed by her, he gave Granger a nod of acknowledgement.

Since the previous week, Draco had been searching the books that had the quotations Celestine wrote for his father. And he's not having any luck since Professor Collins did not know too.

He was standing in front of a shelf when he saw movement in his peripheral but he ignored it. He just scanned the titles of the books.

"I did not know that you read Romance novels, Malfoy."

He knew that voice anywhere, but he has no time to talk to her. And he cannot look at her in the eyes without remembering her being tortured in the manor, in front of him and he just stood there like a coward that he was. He just made a noise, letting her know he heard her.

"Are you really going to ignore me?"

Yes, please just go away.

She huffed and heard her walked closer. He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. She could be incorrigible.

"What are you looking for? These are muggle books, you know. I know better."

Draco was about to speak when he heard shoes slid on his other side. He lifted his head and turned. Longbottom. Nice save.

"Malfoy, I believe you need to see this," he said, a little breathy. Then he cracked a smile. Draco's lips quirked and was following Longbottom in a snap, grabbing his satchel from the table where he left it. Completely ignoring Granger.

They sprinted out of the castle. Once they reached the greenhouse, they were both panting and Pansy was there, crouching down in front of a charmed patch of dirt. They squatted on each of her side.

"Right there," Pansy said, pointing at the middle of the patch.

Draco leaned in further and there, small leaves and stems sprouted from the seeds he planted. He sighed, and a smirk formed on his lips.

"You did it, Malfoy. In a week."

"I did it with your help, Longbottom. Don't make me take all the credit."

Longbottom laughed. "Fine, Malfoy. Thanks for the credit, but seriously, you did the hard work. Planting the seed, water schedules and the charms. They were complicated, you know."

"This looked good, right?"

"Yes," Longbottom said, leaning in as well.

"How about yours?" Draco asked and Pansy pointed to the one-inch-tall growths on their patch of dirt.

"Thriving beautifully," she said with a proud smile. He had seen Pansy get down on her knees and did not mind getting dirty when they worked on their patch. Longbottom had been someone she exactly needed, but he thought she did not fully realize it yet.

They stayed there for another hour, taking notes about the progress of their plants. Theo and Lovegood came in just as they walked out of the greenhouse. They trudged back to the castle and Draco excused himself to go back to the library, hoping that Granger was now preoccupied and would leave him alone. He was halfway to the library when a silvery hummingbird stopped him, then Professor Collins' voice came out of it. 'It's here.'

Draco wasted no time, and he turned, taking the shortcuts he knew to reach the Muggle Studies classroom. He pushed the door open too hard that it hit the wall, making a loud bang and surprising Professor Collins.

"You don't have to destroy school property, son."

"Sorry…" he said, out of breath. He closed the door as gently as he could before he strode to Professor Collins' desk. "So, what did she say?"

He handed him a separate parchment. It was just for him. He scanned through the letter, clinging to each sentence she wrote.

It was sad to hear what happened to you and your family, yet it was a relief to know that you were finishing your studies. I know this time was difficult for you and the universe decided you needed to know about this now.

This surprised me so much that I am lost for words for days, thus explaining the delay in my response. I never expected for this day to come. I thought we already buried this deep in our past. I apologize if this discovery caused you pain and confusion. This was what I wanted to avoid ever since I learned about your parent's betrothal. I did not wish to complicate things for you. However, Elijah told me you were adamant about knowing my side of the story. I would like to grant your request if this would bring you peace of mind, but then I did not know how to start or where to begin. Maybe you can tell me what you want to know and let Elijah send it for you. I just need to make sure that these letters only come from one person. I have no plans to let anyone else know that I am communicating with someone from Wizarding Britain. I hope you understand.

Draco found himself sitting on the desk in front of the Professor's table and there's a mishmash of feelings in his chest—relief and nervousness. He was perhaps silent for so long that Professor Collins needed to talk.

"Did she agree? You are making me worry, son."

Draco nodded. He smiled a little. "She agreed. I-I just cannot believe it. She is real."

"What did you think of her? A ghost? An illusion? I am not yet crazy to make up an imaginary friend and I don't think Professor Flitwick would lie to you."

Draco rolled his eyes. "My father was an extreme blood purist, Professor. Finding out that he was in love with a muggle-born before and remained a blood purist perplexed the hell out of me."

"Well, you're right, but I think there are things he cannot change… because of some circumstances."

"We are a bunch of cowards," he mumbled, folding the parchment and putting it in his satchel.

"Have you tried writing using our kind of writing device?" he asked and Draco knew the change of topic was intentional. He appreciated that.

"No, I haven't."

Professor Collins pulled a drawer opened and took out a muggle writing device. He held it up, showing a small cylinder with sapphire blue and gold colours that showcased a simple design.

"This is a clip. You can use it to insert the pen like this…" he said as he demonstrated it in front of him. "Then, if you're going to write, twist the top part to the right."

After removing the pen from the parchment he had, he twisted the top part of the pen; the tip appeared. He started scribbling on a blank parchment, and Draco was already leaning forward as he watched, immensely amazed by it.

"It's less messy than the quills we use."

"Right."

Professor Collins held the pen out to him, and Draco was slightly dumbfounded. "Take it, son. It's yours now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Use it and if it runs out of ink, let me know," he said with a smile.

Draco hesitantly took the pen that felt cold to his touch. It was quite heavier than a quill, but it was conveniently small.

"Twist it to the left so the tip returns inside."

He nodded as he continuously looked at the pen closely.

"I will send my response to Celestine tomorrow night so you don't have to rush."

"Alright."

"Good. Now, go to your Ancient Runes class."

"Okay. Thanks for this," he said, twisting the pen and pocketing it. He walked out of the classroom while some students walked in, turning heads as they watched him, confused.

Draco reached the classroom on time and was able to sit beside Blaise this time. Professor Babbling started the class shortly. It was all fine until Professor Babbling announced a project to be worked in pairs, yet unlike Professor Sprout, she did the pairings. Just great.

"… Parkinson and Lovegood. Zabini and Bones. Nott and Macmillan. Malfoy and Granger… I expect that you and your partners would work amicably within two weeks in solving the rune stones assigned to each you," she said, looking pointedly at each of them. No one dared to make a noise, so she continued, "Well, move and be with your partners."

Begrudgingly, Draco stood up and walked to Granger's desk. He spent the previous times before this class ignoring her, yet here he was, her project partner. He noticed her sit back down as she noticed him walking in her direction and letting Lovegood walk to Parkinson's desk. Before sitting down, he put his satchel between them and did not say a word. Their assigned runestone appeared in front of them. He slid the stone to her, knowing she wanted to see it.

She started flipping pages from her book while Draco kept staring at the runes engraved on the stone. They looked familiar, probably something he had come across before. He picked up the runestone, making Granger pause.

"Excuse me, I am still—"

"I just need a closer look. Give me a minute. Besides, you're still checking your book."

"I need to make sure I found the correct rune."

"A minute," he said. Granger huffed and started flipping through the pages of the book again.

Draco was right. He was familiar with this set of runes. He put the stone back in front of Granger and she immediately held it against the page she found. He pulled a parchment and the pen. He would not be able to hold that stone again, that he was sure of.

"Can you please put the stone down? I'll just copy the runes so you can keep it."

"Fine," she said, putting the stone in the middle of the desk.

He twisted the pen just as what Professor Collins showed him earlier and wrote the runes according to their arrangement in the stone. The pen did a better job than a quill. He did not need to dip the pen in the ink, nor would it mess his parchment.

"I see you found the practicality of using a pen."

He made a noncommittal noise and continued writing. The thud of the book hitting the desk made the stone jump. Draco immediately caught the stone before anything happened to it.

"Can you be careful? If this crack, we won't have anything to submit. You're not a fan of failing your academics, right?"

"Well, if you want things to be done right, then learn to communicate."

Why does she have to make things difficult? I cannot even look her in the eyes long enough before I remember her writhing on the floor of my drawing room and the years that I taunted her and her friends. The fucking guilt ate me more and more.

"All we need to do is translate the runes on our own and meet up to compare them. That's the only time we need to talk. Once we have the same conclusion, then we pass the essay. Done. You don't have to try being nice to me and all. You did your duty as the Wizarding heroine when you testified for me in my trial, and I thank you for that, but you're not obligated to talk to me," he said, carefully putting the stone back in its place.

He continued copying the runes on the stone while Granger remained quiet as she compared the runes again on what was in the book. Professor Babbling dismissed the class right after Draco finished copying the runes.

"Give me two nights to translate these and we'll compare notes, eight in the evening in the library. You choose where to sit," he said as he put the parchment in his satchel and pocketed his pen. Draco did not wait for Granger to answer and left the classroom.

Blaise and Theo were waiting for him outside the classroom and were grinning like fools. "Ah, you're still in one piece! I thought Granger will slice you up or…"

"Cut your balls off," Theo added as they walked.

"I can hear that you both find my situation amusing, but I don't so can you both fuck off?"

"We are just making the situation light because you looked like you wanted the ground to swallow you when you got paired with her. Besides, I believe this is not a bad thing."

"I actually agree with Blaise. She did not hex you, so it's a good start."

"I just need this project over and done with."

"Why are you so opposed to the idea of you two working together?"

Draco halted and looked at Theo. "I was her bully for years. My unhinged aunt tortured her in my drawing room—in front of me and I did nothing. She did not have to feel obligated to be civil with me because of the damn project. I have done enough damage to ask her that too, don't you think?"

"You're dramatically overthinking," Blaise said, and he put his hands up in mock surrender.

"I am done here. You two go to your Quidditch practice while I start on this project," he said and walked away before they can even drag him out to the pitch. He did not want to stay on the bleachers and watch his friends do the thing he loved the most, next to Potions.

"Don't forget dinner or I'll drag you to the Great Hall!" Theo yelled.

Draco spent half an hour rummaging through his trunk for his own book on Ancient Runes, then for the next two hours translating everything and making sense of the message and checking if he did justice on translating the runes. Only the grumbling of his stomach made him decide to continue tomorrow. He could just get food from the kitchen, but he knew his friends would bother him so he would show up in the Great Hall and eat, then go back to his room and write his letter to Celestine.

He went straight to the hidden alcove with a concealed door he used to pass through every other day. However, today was not his lucky day. Upon pulling the tapestry covering the alcove, he saw an unmistakable red head before he noticed the tangled limbs of one Ronald Weasley, who was still in his Auror training clothes, trousers down to his knees and Daphne Greengrass. Weasley's bum was even facing him. The light from the corridor made their movements freeze and for Daphne to squeak in surprise. He dropped the tapestry.

"For fuck's sake, get a room. Decent room," he said before leaving while mumbling, "I fucking need to obliviate myself."

Draco took the long way to the Great Hall with hands ready to cast a quiet Protego for any hex thrown on his way. But sometimes multiple groups of students attacking you were difficult to avoid, so he reached the Great Hall with a not so healed ankle after a hasty healing charm and quite red marks on his hands.

"Who did that to you?" Pansy asked as soon as he reached the table.

"No one important."

"Fight back a little, Draco," Blaise said.

"And risk my barely attainable freedom after here? No, thanks."

"I will report this. This is enough." Theo interjected.

"You won't do such a thing. I am fine. This is nothing compared to him living in my house," he said dismissively and started filling his plate.

"Didn't you use the hidden passageway behind that tapestry?"

He groaned. "Please, I will not use that passageway for the next few days because I don't want to remember what I saw tonight."

"Spill," Pansy said immediately.

"No, I am not—"

"Daphne and Weasley. The one-third of the golden trio," Theo cut him off nonchalantly.

Draco looked at him suspiciously. Blaise coughed while Pansy's mouth fell open.

"I am not elaborating."

"How did you know?"

"So, it is them?" Pansy asked, finally recovering from the initial shock.

Draco did not answer her but narrowed his eyes at Theo, who sighed dramatically. "I've caught them shagging multiple times already."

"I thought he's dating Granger," Blaise said.

"Rumour has it, a month before we came back to school. They amicably broke up."

"How did you keep up with gossip while… You know what? Never mind," Draco said and ate.

Pansy was about to say something when she saw Daphne walked in like she was not being fucked earlier and sat at their table. She gave her a meaningful look that made her panic.

"Not here, Pans," she whispered.

"I'll wait in your room then," she said with a smirk, and Daphne nodded in resignation.

Draco finished his food before anyone else and was about to leave when Pansy spoke.

"There will be a party at the Gryffindor's tower on Friday. Neville invited me and he said I can invite you."

"Well, I am going because she-Weasley invited me."

"You already know why I'll be there," Theo followed.

"How about you Draco?"

"I'll think about it."

"Come on now, Mate. You can't just isolate yourself. It's our last year in school."

"I'll think about it. Good night," he said and left.

He was well aware of his friends adjusting just fine after the war because they were not involved as much as he was. He was happy and envious of that at the same time. However, he made his choice that led him to this situation so he cannot complain. He wouldn't be welcome at that party or whatever gathering they'll have. It may take time to rebuild his family name, enough to be barely accepted by his peers or the society but not now.

He was about to turn a corner when he decided to walk out of the courtyard for some fresh air. The chill air greeted him like an old friend and his feet led him to the Quidditch pitch, the same place he tried to avoid earlier. He climbed to the bleachers and sat on the very top, letting the icy breeze fan his face as he reminisced about the days he used to play—was allowed to play.

He heard a creak to his far left before the person sat beside him. "I was thinking of a rematch, but I heard you were not playing anymore… or should I say, the Ministry did not allow you to do so."

He scoffed. "What's the point?"

"You're infuriating, but you play well, Malfoy. At least you're a challenge to me."

"Hmm."

Potter pulled out a carton box from his pocket and tapped the bottom twice with the heel of his palm. Two white sticks came out of it and he offered one to him. Draco cocked his brow.

"Muggle cigarettes."

"When did the boy wonder learn to smoke?" he asked as he took the other cigarette.

"Since I started Auror training. Don't tell Hermione."

Draco snorted. "Like I would. Maybe what you want to say was that I should not tell Astoria."

They both lit their cigarettes with the tip of their wands.

"Oh, she knows, but don't tell her that I gave you a cigarette."

He nodded, taking a long drag of his cigarette. "Anyway, what's the progress?"

"I found the contract, but I haven't had the chance to read through it."

"There should be something in there to void it."

"Or you two can marry, then divorce after."

"Or you can be my mistress," Draco said with a shrug, and Potter made a gagging noise.

"Fuck you."

"I mean, you would if you were my mistress," Draco said and Potter's laugh echoed around them.

"Thanks for the offer, Malfoy, but I am certain I only want Astoria," he said before taking another drag.

"I know, so read through it, Potter. There might be a clause about consummating the marriage to provide an heir. Our traditions were twisted like that. And if I were to have a child, I'd rather not let him suffer. I think what happened to me is enough for us to last a lifetime of regrets and shame."

"Don't say that. Where's that smug, insufferable Draco Malfoy I knew? He won't speak of himself like that."

"He fucked up, Potter."

"He did, but I knew he learned his lessons."

"Don't trust an ex-Death Eater, Potter. I might betray you."

"You won't because you know better than to mess with Hermione Granger's best friend."

Draco chuckled before sucking on his cigarette. They fell in companionable silence until they finished their cigarettes. Potter left when Weasley's Patronus found him and told him it was time for them to go back to the Auror trainees' dormitory. He pocketed the unopened pack of cigarette that Potter gave him before he headed back to his room. Thankfully, avoided Filch and Peeves. He strode in the dungeons and found the common room almost empty except for some groups of students who were studying together who did not care about his presence.

As soon as he reached his room, he pulled out a blank parchment and took out his pen. He wrote all his questions to Celestine. Everything he wanted to know about her and her relationship with his father.

It was still dark outside when Draco walked to the Greenhouse. Draco crouched down in front of the dirt patch where he planted the Valerian. He rolled his sleeves before he pulled out the surrounding weeds with bare hands instead of using those itchy gardening gloves. Before filling up the watering can, he checked the soil. He watered the plants, trying his best not to drown them and end up sabotaging his own project.

The water stopped when he stilled his hands after hearing the door of the Greenhouse open. He looked up and their eyes locked, but he immediately averted his eyes and was determined to finish watering. He heard her walked and put her bag on one of the empty tables.

"Good morning, Malfoy," she mumbled.

"Good morning," Draco replied as he finished watering.

"I presume you're alone in this project."

"Yes. I'd rather fuck this up alone," he said as he turned away to put the watering can back to its place.

"Hmm."

Draco washed his hand thoroughly and dried them with a flick of his wrist. He pulled out his wand from his robe's pocket and returned to his plants. Remembering he had rolled up his sleeves meant his Dark Mark was fully exposed, he unrolled his sleeves and buttoned the cuffs. He re-established the charms he had put on his plants earlier, before picking up his notebook and pen to write the day's morning observation. But sometimes his eyes would catch Granger's movement and his stare would linger at her working on her plants—dittany, he guessed. She used those itchy gardening gloves. Though he would immediately look away when he saw any sign that she might catch him looking.

"Good morning! You two were awfully early," Professor Sprout greeted them as she walked into the greenhouse.

"Good morning, Professor!" Granger responded cheerily.

"Are you together in this project?" she asked as she approached them.

"No, Professor," Draco quickly answered.

"That's a wasted potential," she said, looked at their plants. "What did you plant again, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Valerian."

"Ah, I hope this survives the winter. Why did you choose this?"

"Because its root was a well-known sedative and used to treat anxiety and insomnia. I think many need it."

"Well done, Mr. Malfoy," she said before she turned to look at Granger, who was already watering her dittanies. "Be careful, Miss Granger. Don't drown them. Dittanies are very delicate."

"Yes, Professor."

"I just came by because I saw your shadows from my room. I'll head to the Great Hall. You too, eat breakfast."

"Yes, Professor," they chorused, and Professor Sprout smiled before she turned her back and walked out of the Greenhouse.

Draco put his notebook and pen in his bag. He shook off whatever dust he thought was caught in his robes before putting it on. With his back turned, he heard Granger hissing. He looked back and found her rubbing her hands on her skirt, her face scrunched up. He picked up his satchel, but his feet seemed to be stuck in place. Mentally, he groaned. He rubbed his temple. He had a balm for what she was experiencing. Damn it.

He pulled out the balm and placed it next to her bag while she was trying to reach for her notebook. Her head snapped up to him, but his eyes were on the table.

"For your hands. Don't use those gloves again," he said, then he grabbed his bag from the table and left.

He was walking to the Great Hall when he was tackled to the wall, making his vision swim and before he could even take his wand or utter a spell, fists came hitting him in different directions. Then he felt himself dragged, then kicked. Everything dimmed, but the blows he took did not end. Faintly he heard them call him a Death Eater, that he did not deserve to go back here and every other thing he heard before. He was wheezing very hard and there's a metallic taste in his mouth.

If only he could concentrate and think of a spell, anything to stop this.

"Stupefy!"

Was that him? Wait, no. That was not his voice. He hadn't concentrated hard enough.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw! What do you think you're doing?"

She sounded familiar. Who was she again?

"We're just teaching him a lesson, that's all," a Gryffindor said, if his vision was right.

"A lesson?! Who are you to give him a lesson?"

"He's a Death Eater! You should not sympathize with him. He called you a mudblood!" another person said.

Fuck.

"And you just did, too. Two-week detention for all of you. And don't think Headmistress McGonagall will not know about this. You'll hear from her soon. Now, leave."

He could hear their shoes hitting the stone floor as they ran away, but another set of shoes hurried to him.

"Malfoy? Can you stand?" she asked, hand hovering over him.

He tried to move away, but something pinched on his side, making him grunt.

"Stop. Don't move, let me call Mada—"

"I… d-don't…" Wheeze. "… need… your…" Wheeze. "…help…"

"You need help, Malfoy. Don't be stubborn," she said, but when she tried to touch him, he moved away despite the pain he was feeling. She did not need to help him. She owed him nothing.

Draco propped his hand and tried to push himself up, but his body felt so heavy for him. He dropped back onto the floor with a loud groan. He heard her sigh and her shoes shuffled on the floor. She left, finally. He tried to push himself up again. He fell again. He was tired and in pain.

"Here!" he heard her shout. She was still there.

He heard hurried steps and strings of curses. He had no energy to fight what was happening.

"I was afraid that if I levitate him, it would do harm than good."

"I think so too—"

He did not hear the end of that sentence as his vision dimmed; the voices muted. As he drifted in and out of consciousness, he heard snippets of the surrounding conversations.

"He needed to stay here for a while…"

He blacked out again. The sharp pain in his ribs woke him, and he heard them again.

"I'll stay here…"

"No, go to class…"

"They'll be suspended…"

He drifted to sleep again and woke up with someone humming and sometimes singing an unfamiliar song. He opened his eyes and saw brown robes.

"P-Professor Collins, tell me what that song are you singing?"

"Oh, you're awake! It's… uh… Love Grows by Edison Lighthouse."

"Hmm. It sounded nice, but I need to hear the original song. I bet it would sound better," he said, twitching his lips to smirk—barely.

"If you're not in a terrible state, I would've hit you."

"Took it from Professor Snape?"

"Not really, but close."

Draco laughed, but he ended up coughing and clutching his sides as pain shot him. "Ah, fuck."

"I want to say that's karma for making fun of me."

"Y-yeah, I got many of those lately."

Professor Collins sighed. "You did not deserve this."

"In the contrary, I think I do."

"Stop that, son. A Malfoy—"

"Is an epitome of shame, cowardice and shitty beliefs."

"And you will change that."

He scoffed then he looked around for his bag and found it on the nightstand.

"Can I have my bag?"

"You cannot leave yet and it's already past your last class."

"I still have Astronomy," he said, but Professor Collins only looked at him impassively. "I just need to give you my letter."

"You were beaten and blacked out today. Madam Pomfrey had to grow your ribs, dose you several potions, and cover you with balms that smelled like earth. But all you could think was about sending your letter to Celestine. How hard did you hit your head?"

"I know my priorities, so, my bag, please."

Professor Collins sighed audibly, but he gave him his bag. Draco winced as he leaned to his side as he rummaged through his bag. Once he found it, he gave it to Professor Collins, and put it in his robe's pocket right before Madam Pomfrey burst in.

"Mr. Malfoy, you're not supposed to be forcing yourself up."

Professor Collins took his bag, and Draco laid down, flinching. "S-sorry."

"You will stay here overnight so I can monitor your condition." Then she turned to Professor Collins, who visibly stiffened. "You. Why did you not call me?"

"I-Uh…"

"I am sorry, Madam Pomfrey, it's my fault. I did not…"

"No. I really forgot."

Madam Pomfrey looked at the two of them and sighed. "Alright. If you need to get up, Mr Malfoy, call for me or ask assistance from whoever is visiting you."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'll get your potions and ask an elf for your dinner."

"Speaking of dinner, I had to go," Professor Collins said with a sheepish smile and left the Hospital wing as fast as he could. Madam Pomfrey shook her head before leaving too.

It was not long enough when an elf appeared with his food. He helped him sit up and placed a table across his lap before putting his food on it. The poor creature stammered his response after he thanked him and disappeared with a crack. He picked on his food but gulped his water. He was parched. Madam Pomfrey came back with his potions and instructions about when and what he should drink and left him alone again.

He already finished his food when he heard the Hospital wing door creaked open while the table over his lap along with the dishes disappeared. The curtain surrounding him split open, and to say that he did not expect Granger to walk in was an understatement.

"Hello."

"Hi?"

"It's good to see you quite well."

"Madam Pomfrey patched me up fine."

She nodded, but he did not miss the way her eyes travelled up and down of his body.

"Why are you here, anyway? I think I still have one night before we compare notes on Ancient Runes."

She shook her head. "I know. I-uh… the Headmistress asked me to take notes for you since you missed classes and we attend the same classes."

"Uh, thanks. Better you than Theo, I guess. I have no time to decipher his handwriting or Blaise's."

She smiled. Was there any time that her smile was directed at him? Of course, none. Silly of him to think she would smile at him with all the things he did to her.

"Here." She extended her hand with notes and when he tried to reach for it, he took back his hand, flinching. "Oh, I am sorry—"

"Don't."

"What?"

"Never say sorry to me. You have nothing to be sorry about. Uhm, please put it next to my bag and you can go."

She placed her notes where he asked her to, but she did not leave after that. Instead, she pulled something out from her robe's pocket and placed it on his nightstand. It was the balm he gave her.

"You should keep that."

"Why? You don't want to use it because a mudblood like me used it? Contaminated it?"

He did not know where the pang in his chest came from if it was from hearing the word and the accusation that went with that could have been through before, or from his injuries.

"Look Malfoy, I—"

"There's a possibility that you will use those gloves again. I had seen you hesitate to wear them, but sometimes, you seem to forget. So, no Granger, it was not because you used the balm. Keep it," he said, all the while his eyes were on his lap and was clutching his chest.

She did not speak, but she was still there. He started counting. Maybe she would leave in a minute.

He was wrong. On sixty-one, she spoke.

"I read your letter. You apologized, but I cannot believe it, so I meticulously thought of a way to talk to you and see if you would ever be civil to me because Malfoy, if you're sorry, at least you can be civil with me. However, you ignored me, grunt like a troll, and if you spoke to me, they were short or you're just trying to get away from me. This is the only longest conversation that we had. But I see you talking to Luna and Neville just fine. So tell me, what made me different from them?"

He gave a laboured sigh, and for the first time, stared at her after staring solely on his lap. She was mad at him. That he was familiar, but there was something else in her eyes that he cannot fathom. "Everything I wrote was true. I, truly, am sorry, Granger. But do you think it's fair for you to be civil with your bully? I already caused too much damage, and it's better for you that I keep a distance from you."

"You don't get to decide what's better for me, Malfoy. I decide for myself. And how about Harry? You bullied him too, but you looked chummy together, smoking."

Draco was about to speak, but Madam Pomfrey walked in. "Miss Granger, I think you have to go back to your dormitory. It will soon be past curfew, and Mr. Malfoy probably needed to read your notes and rest."

It was still early and far from curfew, but he said nothing.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll go now. Good night."

Granger left without the balm and Madam Pomfrey left a moment after while Draco took the parchments with her neatly written notes—fully detailed notes. He got tired of reading and ended up sleeping early.

"Sir Draco Malfoy is back!" Theo greeted with a bow, and Draco rolled his eyes.

"Good morning! It's good to see you not bleeding and blacking out," Blaise said whimsically, holding up his glass of pumpkin juice.

"They were seventh years. Headmistress McGonagall suspended them," Pansy stated as he sat down at their table.

"Cunningham came down and saw your state. We cannot give anything to him because we were not there," Blaise said, popping a piece of bread in his mouth.

"Luckily, Ms. Head girl vouched for you and detailed what happened from what she saw," Theo said with a smirk while Draco busied himself putting food on his plate.

"She's the one who called to us. It was out of pure luck that she was just behind you when they attacked," Pansy said and sighed. "I cannot thank her enough."

"She also volunteered to write notes for you while you're out cold in the hospital wing."

"Volunteered? I thought Headmistress asked her to do so," Draco said, confused.

"Nope. She volunteered, so I think it is only proper that you thank her," Pansy said matter-of-factly, that had Draco scratching his temple, remembering the conversation they had.

"I will."

"Don't just thank her. Give her something," Theo said.

"A gift?" Blaise asked with a brow lifted.

"You're getting ahead of yourself, Theodore. I will thank her, but giving her a gift is too much."

"Shush, it could be anything."

"Okay, stop Theodore. Your idea was too much," Pansy said, slicing the air with her hand. "Let's just eat."

"I was just saying…"

"Alright, Theodore. We'll revisit that later, okay?"

"Okay."

Draco ate, watching his friends eat and talk about school. What could have been their life without Voldemort? Or without those crazy prejudices? Maybe Crabbe would still be alive, and maybe there would be no brutal house rivals. He probably would not have any reason to bully them. Maybe they would've been friends. Maybe. But he cannot do much about it. Damage had been done.

The owls arrived just before they finished their breakfast. Draco received an owl from her mother, letting him know that she had left Italy and would be staying with their relatives in France and was unsure when she'd be back. Since the war ended, his mother had been distant and right after they granted her permission to leave Britain, she took it and left without hesitation. First, to Italy, then now to France. Draco folded the paper and pocketed it.

They attended their class after their breakfast. All was fine for him. He visited Professor Collins during his vacant time before his Ancient Runes class. He played the song just as he requested through the radio, the only thing working in Hogwarts. Now the song was stuck in his head. He was humming as he was walking to his class. Professor Babbling instructed them to sit with their partners and continue with their translations.

Granger and he sat quietly. He knew that she already translated them, but he knew he told her they would compare notes after two nights. He needed to thank her.

He cleared his throat. "Granger, I finished the translations. We can compare notes now if you're done, too."

"I am not quite sure about my translations yet. Let's stick with your schedule."

He nodded. "Okay."

They kept quiet for a while the Granger groaned in what sounded like frustration.

"What's up with you?"

"Nothing," she said, but her brows knitted together and was scowling at her notes.

"Tell me so I can help."

"You said—"

"I know what I said, Granger, but it doesn't mean I won't help you in this project."

"I can figure this one out."

He did this to himself. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Granger, I am sorry if I pushed you away. It was the only thing I thought was right. Now, you don't have to forgive me or anything, but let me help you."

She did not respond at all and just continued staring at her book. He gave up and just scribbled on the margins of his parchment. Professor Babbling dismissed the class, and Granger had not spoken a single word to him. He picked his things and put them in his satchel.

"Draco! You going to watch practice?" Blaise asked.

"I-uh…"

"Malfoy, are we going to continue in the library?" Granger asked. He turned, and she looked too innocent to be lying. Was she really supposed to be a Gryffindor?

"Uh, yes…" He turned back to Blaise. "I cannot go Blaise."

"All fine," he said and looked behind him. "Let us know if this git did something stupid."

"Okay, Dad. Thank you, but you need to go," he said, shooing Blaise.

"Behave," he said, pointing at him, then winked.

He rolled his eyes at him. He turned back to Granger, who already had her bag on her shoulders.

"Uh thanks…"

"Alright. Is the offer still up?"

He nodded. "Yeah, sure."

Draco picked up his satchel and gestured for her to walk first. He followed her and opened the door for her. They walked side by side to the library. Quiet. But many people were turning heads as they walked past them.

Granger chose the table at the far back of the library beside a window. He sat down opposite to her and they both laid out their parchments.

"Okay, so you did finish translating."

"Yes, but I am not sure about the message…"

"How did you get them?"

"Our family has a book on Ancient Runes and I found the translations there."

"And you were just sharing that now?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest and her brow arched up.

Draco scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry. I thought you'd find something in here. I mean Hogwarts library is extensive."

"Yes, I found something, but there's one rune that I cannot decipher, because it looked like it had an extra line, and I cannot find one with an extra line."

"Alright, can you take out the runestone? Let's see if I copied the correct thing. Maybe my translations are wrong because of that rune, too."

"Only if you bring out the book you were saying," she said, jutting her chin.

"Of course, I have it with me."

Draco searched for the book inside his bag and pulled it out. He placed the book on the table at the same time Granger put the runestone on the table too. She gasped and grabbed the book.

"Memories of Runes: First Edition. Are you kidding me?"

"I think you holding that meant I was not."

She looked at him stoically for a minute before she started flipping through the book while Draco compared his copy of the runes from the runestone. They were correct except for one which he was having second thoughts about. As he could see, there seemed to be an extra line on it. However, in his memory, there was no rune like this.

"The runestone, please," Granger said, and he put it on her open palm. His fingertips brushing her skin. "I cannot find this rune here, too."

"Maybe because that rune did not exist. That rune did not have an extra line. It's probably a crack."

"How can you be sure?"

"I cannot remember any rune like that."

"But we cannot take chances. This will decide our grades."

"And you don't want to fail. Alright. I get it. Here's what we can do. We can grab all Ancient Runes books and check for that symbol."

"Okay."

They both stood up and pulled out the books that they think could help them. They read each book looking for both Runes, the one they were familiar with and the one they suspect had a crack only. Draco started humming again the song while flipping through the pages of the book and returning those they already read and were approved by Granger to be returned.

"Where did you learn that song?"

"Hmm?"

"That song you were humming."

"It's Professor Collins' fault. He was humming it when he visited me in the Hospital wing, then today he played it through the radio so now it's stuck in my head."

"Oh. It's a muggle song."

"Yes, you're familiar with it? No, wait. Stupid question," he said, and Granger chuckled. Draco felt the blush on his cheeks.

"I am very familiar with that song. Love grows by Edison Lighthouse."

"Yes, that's it."

Granger smiled, and she continued reading again. It's time.

"Granger?"

"Yes? You found something?"

He shook his head. "No, but I would like to say thank you. And, I am sorry… maybe we could start again? I'll try."

"I think this counts as starting again. Don't you think?"

He smiled. "Yes, I think so. Thanks."

"Hmm-mm. So, don't fuck it up."

His brows shot up, and he chuckled. "Okay. That's a first."

"What?"

"You, swearing. I mean, I riled you up many times but haven't heard you swore even once."

Granger just shrugged. "Surprise."

"I am surprised," Draco said, smirking.

They went back to reading until they exhausted all the books and found none close to a rune that had that extra line.

"I guess it was really a crack."

"You cannot say we did not do everything."

"Right. So, if it's that the rune, then let's check our translations. What I got minus that rune were: People, hold, gift, heart, thread, action, future, freedom, harmony, and peace."

"Change was the other rune. It was between action and future."

"Okay. People hold gift heart thread action change future freedom, harmony and peace."

"Yes, but look at these," he said, picking up the runestone, "these symbols showed other words like the, of, to, and then the other symbol meant find."

"So if we arranged these. People hold the gift of heart to thread action to change the future and find freedom, harmony and peace."

"Yes. It's like saying that we have the choice to change our fate."

"That sounds profound."

"I hate that this message felt spontaneous for me."

"How's that?"

He shook his head. "Not now. Maybe next time. Right now, we have the message, so let's write our essay about it."

"Sure."

They started writing their essays and did not notice the time until someone walked to their table and cleared their throat. They both looked up and saw Madam Pince looking at them with pursed lips and an arched brow.

"It's almost curfew."

They both looked at their watches. It was almost curfew.

"We'll pack up our things and leave, ma'am," Granger said, and Draco started doing so.

"Good. Don't make me tell you twice."

"Yes, ma'am."

Draco was almost done while Granger was only halfway through her things. He waited for her to finish and left the library together. Draco offered to walk her to her dorm, which she accepted to Draco's relief. He was dreading the rejection, or the offer was too forward.

"I am quite curious why you've been hanging out with Professor Collins almost every day," she said. Of course, she was curious. Who would expect Draco Malfoy to hang out with a muggle-born?

He pushed his hands in the pockets of his robes. "Let's say he is helping me."

"Helping you? In what way?"

Draco pursed his lips. "Just something personal."

"Is that why you've been looking at Romance Novels?"

Draco laughed. "Somewhat yes."

"Oh. That's interesting."

He nodded. Finding out about his father's previous relationship with a muggle-born through the trinkets he kept was beyond interesting. She cleared his throat, and it pulled him out of his musings.

"So, Professor Collins knew this person? I mean, you said he was helping you."

"Yes, he's close to her."

"I see. She's a muggle-born too?"

"Yes, she is."

"Is she studying here now?"

Draco was about to answer when Ginny Weasley came face to face with them.

"Hermione, there you are! We've been looking for you." Then she paused. Looking between him and Hermione warily.

"Looking for me? Why?"

She snapped from scrutinizing them and glanced back at Hermione. "It's Friday. We have a party in the dorm. So, let's go." Weasley grabbed Granger's hand and Draco thought that it's time to leave.

"I think that's my cue. Good night, ladies," Draco said with a curt nod and he trudged backwards.

"Wait a minute, Malfoy. You're coming with us," Weasley said.

"You don't want me there, Weasley. So, please enjoy your night," Draco said with a smirk while Granger gave him a disbelieving look.

"No, if I have to suffer at this party, then you too," Granger declared.

"You're not going to suffer Granger. They are your friends."

"Your friends are there, too, Malfoy, so don't make it difficult for me or I will hex you," Weasley said, and before he could even respond or walk away, Weasley grabbed the strap of his bag and grabbed him and Granger.

They finally conceded halfway to the Gryffindor tower and Weasley let them go. When they reached the Gryffindor tower, their portrait looked at him up and down.

"I don't think I can let him in. It's for your own safety."

"I agree, so I'll go now," he said, and the portrait glared at him, but he kept his smirk. Before he could even turn, Granger grabbed his robes and narrowed her eyes at him.

"You're not leaving."

"I gave you the password. He is with us, so let us in or I will burn you," Weasley said to the portrait in her menacing tone that also stopped Draco from executing his escape plan.

The portrait reluctantly opened the door, and the music blasted out into the corridor and when they walked in, the music was still playing, but people paused and turned.

"Found Granger! And Malfoy as a bonus!" Weasley announced. Draco looked around and most of them looked dumbfounded. Yes, me too.

"Oh, great, another snake," Seamus remarked not-so-subtly and Dean immediately shushed him.

He knew this would happen. The party continued, but there was just this uneasy tension among them. He watched Pansy stay with Longbottom. Lovegood was just being herself that Theo focused on her. While Blaise was busy flirting with Weasley. Then there's him, standing in the corner of the room and nursing his drink that's probably spiked because it tasted dubious. Granger moved across the common room, giving each a small talk until she reached him. She stood beside him, sighing.

"I am sorry I had to drag you into this," she murmured into her glass.

"Don't drink too much. I think your beverages are spiked."

"Hmm, probably Seamus' doing."

"It's a common thing."

"They are playing a game later and I have no intentions of joining."

"What game?"

"Truth or dare. Nott suggested it and they seemed to be too drunk to oppose because earlier they made a comment about you, then now they are agreeing with him."

"I am a Death Eater. Of course, they won't trust me."

"Was a Death Eater. The war ended. You already had your trial. I was there."

"Not everyone thinks like you," he said and watched Theo gathering the crowd in a circle. He put his glass down on the table beside him. "I have to leave. The game is starting."

"You're leaving me here?"

"This is your dorm, Granger. You can just go upstairs."

"Sure, I can do that, but it's not like they won't drag me out. Ginny especially."

"Then think fast, Granger. What's the plan?"

Granger bit her lower lips as she scanned the room. It was fascinating to watch her think. "We need a distraction, then we cast a disillusionment charm to ourselves and exit through the portrait. We had to be fast."

"What distraction do you need?"

"I'll take care of that."

Granger flicked her wrist, and balloons appeared out of nowhere and their drunk schoolmates stared at them in amuse like a kid who saw candies raining down at them. Granger grabbed his hand after vanishing her glass, and they hurried behind the crowd disillusioned and before they opened the portrait door; the balloons popped one by one. Their classmates cheered and shouted in awe, drowning the sound of the door opening. They snuck out successfully until they turned around a corridor and found Peeves lurking. They tiptoed their way out of the corridor and as soon as Peeves were out of sight; they removed the charm and Granger quickly let go of his hand. He just realized how warm her hand was around his now that it was gone.

"Where to now?" Granger asked.

Draco shrugged. "Where do you want to go?"

"Black Lake."

"Alright, let's go."

They walked out of the castle with only their wands as their lights and headed down the Black Lake, with warming charms to shield them from the evening breeze. They put their bags down and sat on the dry part of the shore and watched the moonlight reflect on the water.

"Do you mind if I smoke?"

"Yes, I do, but tonight is a one-time exception."

"We're outside the castle, Granger, but thanks for the exception." Draco pulled out the pack of cigarettes and took one. He put it between his lips and lit it with his wand.

"When did you learn to smoke?"

"Around fifteen. I always saw my father smoke a cigar and was curious."

"Muggle cigarettes?"

"Just when Potter offered one to me. He told me not to tell you, but it seemed like you already know."

Granger chuckled. "Of course, I know. The smell of cigarette sticks on you."

"I am not at fault here then," he said before taking a drag of his cigarette.

"He looked stressed when he came here. Was it about Astoria?"

"What do you know?"

"Not much, but he asked me to research about betrothal contracts."

"He doesn't know how to be subtle at all."

"Why? Was it a secret?"

"No, not for me, but I am not sure about him. You know that he and Astoria are seeing each other, right?"

"He did not say, but he's too obvious."

"Right. So, they are. Let me confirm that since he's too obvious. The problem is that Astoria and I are betrothed. Now, I have no access to the contract and as far as I know the Greengrasses hadn't dissolved it yet. Potter has plans for them, but the contract hinders those."

"So, he wanted to know if there's a loophole."

"Yes, because everything has one. He hadn't found it yet."

"But there were limited resources about betrothal contracts in here. I don't think I can really help."

"Pureblood families were very protective of their traditions, including that kind of contract. I have little knowledge about it, too. So, this would be difficult for him."

"For you too."

Draco blew the smoke upward before he turned to her. "To me? I don't think so. They raised me to marry a pureblood witch of their choosing, so this did not come as a surprise to me."

"But what about the girl you were interested in?"

"Me?" His brow knitted together.

"Yes. You mentioned earlier, the muggle-born you were interested in and Professor Collins was helping you with."

Draco chuckled. "No, it's not like that. I mean, I am interested in her, but not the way you were thinking."

"Oh."

"I'll tell you about her next time. Even my friends don't know about her yet."

"Why?"

"There's something I need to know first because once I told you about her, you'll have questions. Just like I did, so I need to have the answers first."

"That sounds reasonable."

"Why, thank you, Granger."

They chuckled.

"What do you think is happening there?"

"Probably they are doing something stupid, like a dare from Theo or Blaise. Those two can come up with crazy ideas."

"Seamus and Dean too."

"I don't know when would those two admit they were in love with each other."

"Seamus and Dean?"

"Yes. You don't see?"

"Not at all."

"Watch them. You'll see how they tried to conceal it."

"You're mental, Malfoy. Dean dated Ginny, you know."

"I know that, but it doesn't mean I am wrong. Just watch them."

"If you're wrong, you'll buy me a box of sugar quills."

"And if I am right? What do I get?"

"You're already rich. You don't need anything."

"You're being unfair, Granger."

"Okay, what do you want, then?"

He took a drag of his cigarette before answering. "Hmm, lend me your favourite book."

"No way. I don't know if you can take care of a book."

"I can take care of a book very well, Granger. If you did not notice, I had that first edition of the Runes textbook and it's still in its best condition."

"I will cut your balls if you so much as wrinkle a page of my favourite book."

"We have a deal then."

They stayed by the lake until the wee hours of the night, talking about anything they can think of. From Academics to everything about the war, people they lost. They strode back to the castle, carefully avoiding Filch and Peeves. He brought her back to the Gryffindor tower and, in a quick peek, the party was already over and many were sleeping on the floor and couch.

"Seemed like they had fun."

"Indeed." She looked back at him," Good night, Malfoy."

"Good night, Granger."

Draco watched her walk inside and the portrait closes. He made his way back to his dorm through the other hidden passageway he knew to avoid Filch and Peeves.

Since that Friday when Granger gave him a chance to try again and not be an arsehole. They'd been studying together in the library and visiting the greenhouse together. If they were not sharing notes, they were debating in hushed tones about their academic understandings. Granger conceded her defeat on their bet when one night, she saw Dean and Seamus making out in their common room. It was more than enough to prove his point, so she reluctantly lent him her favourite book. Pride and Prejudice written by a muggle author, Jane Austen. He hadn't read the book yet since the Professors seemed chose the next two weeks right to give them all the projects they could think of.

However, here he was in the Muggle Studies classroom, reading through Celestine's response to his letter.

Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy,

It saddens me to know about what happened to you, but I hope you're now well. I am very aware of what you did, but I truly believe you don't deserve such cruelty and don't you say otherwise. I am well informed of what was happening there in Wizarding Britain.

Anyway, enough of those things. I had read your question about the books I quoted and sent to your father. Well, they were muggle books, as you probably have guessed. I am a fan of Jane Austen, so all those quotes were from her books. The titles were Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion and Emma. Those were my favourites.

He paused. One of the titles she gave was the one Granger lent to him. He needed to read that book after this. He continued.

Now, to your other request. I cannot promise that I would not be biased as I tell you my side of the story, but I will try.

It was bittersweet to remember those days, but I never regretted one day that I was with Lucius. I was the same year as him. He was easy to notice with his incredulous blond hair and aristocratic tone. I can wager that you have the same features as him. He and his friends did not notice me at all because they were focused on the Slytherin's rivalry with the Gryffindors. It's petty if you ask me, but that's how it was, tradition and all. Going back, they only noticed me when I topped the class end of the first term. To say that they did not receive the news well was an understatement. That's when the bullying started like name calling, using the infamous 'mudblood', the other snide remarks and not-so-subtle hexes. What they did not know is that I've watched them do those things to other muggle-borns, so when they attacked, I was ready. I used their tricks against them. But there came a time that they tried to sabotage my Potions project, and that's when I confronted them in the courtyard. And let's say because of all the hexes that came flying that day, I got my longest detention with them and caused colossal points deduction from Ravenclaw but more damage on Slytherins. The detention was punishment enough for all of us, but it did not mean that they stopped bullying me and other muggle-borns. There were times that we sent each other to the Hospital wing. Facing them had been part of my life whenever I was in Hogwarts.

During our fifth year, it was a Hogsmeade day and decided to go out with someone to keep my mind off my accident during the Quidditch match that week. He was a co-Ravenclaw student, a half-blood, the same year as me. It was a typical day and usually, there was no bullying that happens because we're excited to be just out and about during weekends. However, I found it odd that my date seemed to have a string of bad lucks. Little things like tripping, his glass tipping over, or his food growing moulds despite being served fresh from the kitchen. Regardless of those incidents, we moved on with our day until we reached Tomes and Scrolls. I was looking through Wizarding novels when he came up to me and told me he wanted to cut our day short before he hurried out of the store without a backward glance. I stood frozen in place for a moment, then Lucius stood beside me and taunted me. I neither have the patience nor the energy to fight back that day. I was heartbroken and cannot play Quidditch anymore, so I just left the store, ignoring Lucius. Little did I know, he followed me and when he caught up with me; he dragged me into an empty classroom. I did not expect to be confronted by him about my decision to date my co-Ravenclaw. If I were to guess, he caused those incidents and even frightened the bloke to walk away from me. I did not understand his outburst that day, but looking back; I dare say he was jealous and I know he did not understand why he felt that way that day, too.

Since then, I noticed how he casually excluded himself from bullying with the most unconvincing excuses that even I don't believe it. I always caught him staring and was not sure what to think of it. The first time I caught him, he averted his eyes, but the next times, he held my stare until I gave up. Then, one night my prefect partner who was a Hufflepuff was running late. We were supposed to meet in front of the Ravenclaw tower, but he did not show up. Instead, Lucius did. From then on, we started meeting at night and found solace in the Come and Go Room. It was our meeting place.

Keeping up appearances was the most arduous task in our relationship. We sometimes unintentionally hurt each other. Our relationship was not perfect, we are not perfect. Lucius was still prejudiced against muggle-borns. I know it was difficult to forget what you believe, but he tried. I had seen it.

With little time we had, we make the most out of each meeting. On holidays, he would even sneak out of the manor to join me and my family for dinner and one time, Elijah was there, and he was flabbergasted, to say the least. I did not expect the two of them to get along, but they did. Only Elijah and my family knew about us. It was of great help that I can talk about him with Elijah.

However, our story was not meant to end happily ever after, like the fairy tales or romance novels. Rumours started during our sixth year about his budding relationship with Narcissa Black. I never doubted Lucius's feelings for me, but I know there was truth in the rumours. They were betrothed. I understood the traditions of the Pureblood families and Lucius cannot escape that. I did not wish for him to be disowned, so I decided for the two of us. Before the official announcement, I ended our relationship. The pain I felt on that day was worse than receiving a crucio. I deeply wanted to seek after Lucius but I know it was not right so, I left Wizarding Britain after graduation.

There, that's my version of our story. I think I did justice to it. Anyway, why don't you tell me about yourself, Mr. Malfoy? I'll wait for your response.

Sincerely,

Celestine

"Are you okay there? You're so quiet. That letter was not so long," Professor Collins said, and Draco slowly put the letter down to look up at him.

"I don't know. It just felt like there's something more to why she left than what she wrote."

"Oh, what made you think so?" Professor Collins asked.

"I don't know. I just felt it," he said, but Professor Collins only shrugged. Draco sighed. "Maybe I am just overthinking."

"Or stressed."

"Probably both," Draco said, looking at the letter one last time before he folded it and put in his bag. "Their love story sounded like the novels but ended bitterly."

"Happily ever after will not happen without sacrifices. If Lucius chose her, he would be disowned, and she did not want that for him. She knew how important was his family duty for him."

"However, in this life, it seemed the universe was against us," Draco said.

"Where did you get that, poet?"

"It was the last note she left for my father."

"Of course she said that. You know when I asked her why she left, she told me Elijah, I chose not to go against fate, I might not take it well. That woman made me feel her pain with just her words."

"I just know that my father was too much of a coward to fight for them."

"You cannot blame him, son. He had no choice. There were so many consequences if he chose her."

"Why are you defending him? He hurt your friend."

"I was there, son. He loved her and if she wished for him to give up his family, he might have done it, but Celestine already decided for them."

"She said it was her who wanted seek him and not my father."

"They both wanted to. I saw how Lucius' self-control was tested as he restrained himself from taking Celestine away and just be gone. The longing stares and the hurt in their eyes. Merlin, sometimes I just want to smack them two and tell them to be together, but it will just make things complicated. And if your father and mother did not marry, you wouldn't be here right now."

"Probably that's for the best. Look what happened to me."

"Shush, son. You were also a victim of a twisted belief." He paused, then he stood up and walked to Draco. He put his hand on his shoulder. "Don't think about it too much. For now, you still have class. You cannot be late."

Draco rolled his eyes at him, his mouth quirked upward. He pushed his hand from his shoulder. "Fine, I am leaving. I'll give you my response tomorrow."

"Good. Now, shoo."

He walked out of the Muggle Studies classroom and made his way to Ancient Runes class. Their classmates were already sitting with the project partners, so even though Granger and he already passed their essay, Draco sat beside her.

"You don't look too happy. I thought you'll get a response from Professor Collins today," Granger said as soon as he sat down.

"I got the letter but there's something about it the bothered me."

"Like what?"

"Just a hunch."

Professor Babbling walked in and whatever Granger wanted to ask remained unsaid in the class's duration while Draco cannot stop thinking about the letter he just received. Something was left out or was hidden between the lines. He would read the letter again until he finds what his hunch was telling him.

Draco wrote his response to her before he read again her letter. There must be something hidden in between the lines. On the fifth time he read the letter, he was fixated on the line: The pain I felt on that day was worse than receiving a crucio. I deeply wanted to seek after Lucius but I know it was not right so, I left Wizarding Britain after graduation.

Did they crucio her when they bully her? But that would cause expulsion and a time in Azkaban. He never heard that something like that happened during their year. Pretty sure, they would boast about it or at least talk about it. So, when did she receive a crucio? Wait. As far as she had written, only Elijah and her family knew about her relationship with my father. She still trusted Elijah, so that would rule him out. Then her family, since she was a muggle-born it could be concluded that they were ruled out as well.

Then something clicked.

A pureblood found out about them, and knowing some extremist, they probably went after her. Fuck.

Draco dropped the letter and bolted out of his room. He ignored his friends, calling out his name as he exited the dungeons. He had one destination in mind. Walking through the corridor without care if Filch or the Prefects would catch him, he reached the Muggle studies classroom panting. He strode in, calling out for Professor Collins.

He went out of his room, confused. "What are you doing here, son? It's late."

"Who cruciod her?" he asked, fuming.

"I am sorry. What?"

"Only you and her family knew about them. None of you will crucio her, so who?!"

"Son, it's late. Let's talk about this tomorrow."

"No, Professor. I want to know now." He paused. "Was it my father?"

"No. He would never do that."

"I saw him torture muggle-borns, Professor."

"Son, your father will never hurt her."

"Then, who?"

Professor Collins looked conflicted. Then Headmistress McGonagall walked in. This was the only time Draco noticed the other people outside the classroom.

"Why are you causing this disturbance, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco opened his mouth to respond, but Professor Collins spoke first. He lifted a hand to Headmistress McGonagall. "I need time with Mr. Malfoy, Headmistress. Please."

Headmistress McGonagall looked between the two of them before she consented to his request and turned around, instructing the people outside to leave, and closed the door of the classroom.

"How did you come to that conclusion, son?"

"The pain I felt on that day was worse than receiving a crucio. That's what she wrote. No one else can do that, but my kind. Blood purists. It was easy to rule you out. Her family would not be able to do such a thing."

"Maybe it was just a metaphor—"

"No, it's not. We both knew that, but you knew more."

"It's not my story to tell."

"But she would never say because she knew how I would feel if I learned about it."

"Then why do you still want to know?"

"Because I don't want to live with lies anymore."

Silence stretched between them. They stood face to face. Draco gritted his teeth and fists in tight clenches.

"You won't leave until I say something," Professor Collins said it as fact. Draco could see that Professor Collins knew exactly what he was asking for. He sighed audibly. "Merlin, I would need a drink after this. I knew you're too smart not to notice anything."

"So, who did it?"

"I need you to sit down, son."

"I don't think I can."

Another sigh. "I found her passed out in front of my house one night. She barely escaped that night, if it weren't for the emergency portkey we created. She remained quiet for months. I gave up coaxing the details from her… until that night came, I found her crying uncontrollably after a terrible nightmare and I managed to let her tell me what happened that night." He paused and sniffled. There were unshed tears in his eyes while Draco can hear his heart pounding in his chest. "She was about to leave her flat when they found her. They tortured her. She fought back, but she was alone and was… in a delicate condition."

A sob choked out of Draco's throat, and tears pooled in his eyes. "She was pregnant."

Professor Collins nodded. "She lost her baby. She almost went insane, but thank goodness, she held on."

"Who did it, Professor?"

"Son, I don't think you need to…"

"Please. Tell me."

"Your grandfathers and… other Death Eaters."

"D-Did my father know a-about the baby?"

Professor Collins shook his head. "It would only make things complicated."

Draco cannot stop it anymore, the tears flowed from his eyes uncontrollably. He bent over, clutching his knees.

"Fuck!" His knees buckled, and he fell to his knees. "I-I should've not… asked her. F-F-Fucking idiot. I…I… just hurt… her all over again."

"Don't blame yourself, son," he said and Draco felt his hand on his back.

"I-I should've… listened to you."

"Hush now, Draco. Son, I told her about you and she decided herself that she would like to hear from you. I just did not think you will figure it out this early."

How he walked back to the dungeons last night was a blur to him. He did not know how long he stayed in the Muggle studies classroom with Professor Collins.

He walked out of his room, no glamour over his swollen eyes. He did not care anymore. It was too early for any student to be up yet, so no one was looking at him oddly and his friends were not there to ask him questions. He visited his Valerians in the Greenhouse and made sure they were growing fine. Then he passed by the kitchen to ask an elf for an apple before going straight to the Transfiguration classroom.

Draco thought he would have the classroom to himself, but to his surprise, he found Granger there. He gave her a nod and went to the farthest table. He was about to eat his apple when Granger walked over to him. She put a paper bag in front of him that smelled delicious. There must be sausage or bacon in it.

"I just knew you won't come down to the Great Hall," she said as she sat down beside him. "It's not poisoned, I swear."

His lips quirked. "Of course, poisoning me would be too easy for the great Hermione Granger." He took the bag and picked up a sandwich from it. Sausage sandwich.

"Oh, you know me too well. Go on, eat."

"I am going to eat it, relax. You made this?" he asked, and took a big bite from his sandwich. He moaned as the savoury taste enveloped his tongue. It tasted better than his elves used to prepare.

"Was it good?" she asked, and he glanced at her. She looked genuinely concerned about it. He nodded, but she looked unconvinced.

He covered his mouth and mumbled, "It's the best I ever had."

"You're exaggerating."

Draco wiped the side of his mouth and licked off the brown sauce from his thumb. "I am not." He made a show of taking another big bite of the sandwich, and Granger's lips quirked into a small smile.

"Fine. I believe you," she said and put a plastic water bottle on the desk, then pushed it to him. He was familiar with it since Professor Collins seemed to collect those.

"You should. I was not lying. I honestly think it's better than what my elves serve me."

"Hey! They work hard to cook for you!"

"And I eat whatever they give me."

"I find that difficult to believe. You look like a picky eater."

"I just look like a picky eater. If there's someone I know who was a picky eater, that would be Blaise Zabini."

Granger leaned forward and propped her elbow on the table, resting her chin on her hand. "Hmm. Now, you said it, I can't unsee it."

Draco finished his sandwich and opened the water bottle. He emptied the bottle in one go and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth clean. He's too full for the apple he asked from the elf, so he put it in his bag for later but took a mint candy and popped it in his mouth. Then he noticed the unusual silence beside him. He looked down at Granger but cannot see her face with her hair bushy hair covering her so he leaned down in front of her face. She looked serene, sleeping with her face slowly slipping off her palm. This close, he could see her full long eyelashes, her button nose and the freckles that spread across her cheeks and nose. Then there's her plump lips.

Draco smiled and before her face slid off her palm, he tapped her nose and said, "Granger, wake up."

She jolted backward and opened her eyes. Startled, with his face close to hers, she pushed him away, making him laugh.

"Don't do that again!" she grumbled, her face turning red as a tomato.

"And here I thought you were sulking inside your room!" Theo complained, making them both look up. They did not notice that they walked into the classroom. Draco rolled his eyes at him.

"Uhm, I'll go to my seat." Granger said, picking up her bag.

"No, stay there, Granger," Zabini said, sitting in front of them, but turned to look at them, then Theo followed. Granger sat back down.

"Where's Pansy?" Draco asked, trying to steer the conversation to something else.

"With Longbottom in the Greenhouse. Anyway, what are you two doing here alone, early in the morning?"

Draco picked up the empty water bottle and hit Theo on the head. "Mind your own business, Theo."

"Ow! You did not have to do that!"

Blaise shook his head at them, then looked at him, his face sombre. "How are you now?"

"I am not trying to think about it now. Need to go through the day somehow."

"Maybe, let's talk about it over firewhiskey," Theo said and Draco arched an eyebrow at him then slid his glance to Granger, who was looking at him incredulously. Theo followed his line of sight, then smiled sheepishly. "I actually meant tea."

"Really, now? I can bet that if I am not here, you will now plan about it," Granger said pointedly at him.

"Well, if you won't deduct points or put us—"

"You," Draco cut in, tapping his arm with the plastic bottle.

"—me in detention, then you can join us later."

"Hmm. And you're proposing this idea with the Head Girl…"

"I mean, maybe the Head Girl wants to join us…"

Blaise snorted. "You're digging your own grave right now, Theo."

"You sound like you're forced to invite me," Granger said with an arched brow.

"Nooo, I am not forced."

"Okay, Theo, stop," Blaise said and turned to Granger. "You're invited later. We'll find an abandoned classroom."

"Or you can just stay in the Head's room. Ernie will be staying with Hannah tonight," Granger said nonchalantly, and Theo's mouth dropped so fast.

"You got to be kidding me, Granger. You're not consenting this idiot's idea…" Draco said, tapping rhythmically on Theo's arm with the plastic bottle.

"If you're going to disagree and try to stop him, he would still do it, so it's better to let him do it and watch him closely," Granger explained and Blaise chuckled while Draco sighed. She just indirectly called Theo a child that needed supervision.

Before Theo could even react, their classmates walked in. Pansy came in with Lovegood and Longbottom.

"Oh, I see. We have a fresh addition. Welcome, Granger," she said, sitting next to them with Lovegood.

"There are too many Wrackspurts around your head, Theo. What happened to you?"

"Yeah, you have so many Wrackspurts. Let me slap them away from you," Blaise said, taking the plastic bottle from Draco, waved it around the head of a scowling Theo before hitting him on the forehead.

"Ouch! What the fuck!?"

"There, you're all good!" Blaise said, laughing, and the rest followed.

They fell silent when Headmistress McGonagall came in and cleared her throat. Theo and Blaise sat properly while Blaise kept the water bottle with him. The class started. And Draco tried to concentrate despite remembering what he learned last night and how Headmistress McGonagall saw his outburst.

Maybe today would be his last day in Hogwarts and leave for Azkaban. He never deserved to be here. The Ministry was wrong to let him go back.

The class ended with Draco just scribbled on a parchment. No notes at all. His classmates started vacating the classroom for their next class.

"Mr. Malfoy?" Draco looked up to the Headmistress. This is it. He's leaving. "Come with me to my office. The rest of you need to go to your next class."

He watched them walk out of the classroom with lingering looks at him. Draco closed his bag and followed Headmistress McGonagall to her office. Quietly, they walked through the corridors. When they reached the office, Headmistress McGonagall served them tea and biscuits. He was expecting Auror Cunningham would be there waiting for them with his co-Aurors, but no one was there.

"Kindly take a seat," she said, and Draco did. She sat opposite to him instead of sitting behind her table. "Tea?"

"Yes, thank you," he said, taking the cup. Black tea. He stirred in a spoon of honey, waiting for the floo to activate.

"Are you waiting for someone, Mr. Malfoy?"

"I was expecting for the Aurors would be here to take me back to Azkaban."

"Why would they do that?" she said, taking a sip of her tea.

"I know I crossed a line last night, Headmistress, so I understand if they would take me back."

"What made you think you crossed a line?"

Draco's brows furrowed. He knew he was wrong to barge into Professor Collin's classroom past curfew. "I broke a rule. I went out past curfew and confronted a professor."

"Hmm." Headmistress McGonagall put her cup down on the table. "If we would review your parole conditions, Mr. Malfoy, what you did last night was not a violation of your parole conditions."

"Then why am I here?"

"I would like to know how you were doing."

"I… uh…"

"I know you're not comfortable speaking to me, Mr. Malfoy, but I am also trying here, just like you."

Draco took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. She was right. "I am angry with myself. With my family… I know we were never good people, but I did not expect them to torture her in her condition. Aunt Bella, sure… she's insane, but my grandfathers? I looked up to them, but I should've known they could do that."

"I understand that you were angry with your family because of what they did, but why are you mad at yourself?"

"I-I made her remember her pain… I was an idiot who pushed her to talk to me."

"Collins told me that Ms. Shelvey was the one who decided to communicate with you."

"Professor Collins told you?"

"Yes, he explained what happened last night."

Draco's jaw clenched for a moment. "This should've not reached to this."

"It was inevitable since you learned about her and your father."

"I-I did not say—"

"You know, I have two portraits who blab too much." Her eyes slid to the two empty portraits behind her table, then back to him.

Draco rubbed his temple. "Of course they told you."

"Now, I won't say I fully understand your situation because I would be lying then. But what I can say is that you are not your father and certainly, you're not your grandparents. You cannot do anything about what happened in the past. Focus on what you're going to do now. Understand?"

"Yes, Headmistress," he said with a nod.

"Good. Now, finish your tea. You're excused from your classes today. Ponder and understand the lessons you learned from this."

"Thank you, Headmistress."

Draco finished his tea and picked up his bag but before he left the office. Headmistress McGonagall spoke again. "By the way, please go to the Muggle studies classroom after here."

That made him confused, but he did not question her. He nodded and made his way to the Muggle studies classroom. The corridors were empty, with classes still ongoing. Draco reached the classroom and strode in, closing the door behind him. When he turned, he froze in his place. There was someone in the far corner of the room. Her long hair was braided and was wearing a short sleeve, denim shirtwaist dress and brown belt and black kitten heels shoes.

She turned around and smiled. "Hello, Mr. Malfoy. I am sorry for showing up without prior notice."

She looked exactly like in the photo. He opened his mouth to say something. Anything but nothing came out. She approached him, her heels clacking on the stone floor.

"You looked like your father," she said as she stood in front of him with her hands intertwined in front of her.

"I-I thought you don't want to go back…" He finally spoke.

"I am here because I made a mistake. I am sorry for what I did to you."

Draco shook his head. "You kept it for so long. I know it was difficult—more than difficult. I should be the one saying sorry for what my family did to you."

"No, dear. You're not at fault here. And it was my mistake to slip that information to you. I should've just let it live in the past. I am deeply sorry, dear."

"You don't have to say sorry. I—" He cleared his throat. "I understand, but I want to ask you a favour."

She blinked twice. "What is it?"

"Can you let me tell my father about what I found? I-I'll ask Cunningham to do something so he would know," he said, and he could see the hesitance in her face. "He deserved to know… the pain."

"It would be too much for him now that he's in Azkaban…"

"You've gone through worse. It's just right that he would go through the same."

"Dear…"

"Please. It's time for him to know… that the choices he made had consequences."

"He probably knew that now, dear, even without knowing what happened to me."

"He was put in Azkaban once. He did not learn his lesson. I doubt he learned anything."

Celestine shook her head, a small smile on her face. "You sound just like your father. But I think you're growing up to be a better man… Don't think too much about it. I will take care of your father."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I promise. And you're right, he needed to learn that the choices he made had consequences just how my choices did, too."

Draco nodded. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me, dear."

There was something in his mouth that he wanted to ask, but did not know how to say it. The words tasted weird in his mouth.

"Anyway, why don't we go into Elijah's office and have a seat?"

"Uh. S-Sure. Where is he, anyway?"

"In his office, hiding," she said with a chuckle.

They walked together into Professor Collins' office and he immediately stood up. Looking between them, and slumped back in his chair with a sigh.

"I need not to be a mediator anymore. I might have an actual heart attack."

"Don't be dramatic, Elijah."

"I am sorry about last night, though," Draco said, but Elijah only waved his hand dismissively.

"You don't have to say sorry, son. How are you now?"

"That's the third time I heard that question. I just want to say I am fine and be done with the questions."

"They care for you. That's why they ask, dear. However, I understand you wanted space to think," Celestine said with a soft smile.

Draco still could not believe that he had finally met the woman that his father tried to keep a secret. He saw how his father fell in love with her. She was reserved and not at the same time. She was beautiful and witty. And, knowing what she had been through, she was brave and a tough woman.

As they conversed, he learned many things about her. She was currently an owner of a bookshop and a coffee shop somewhere in Ireland. She still practices magic, but not so often. She loved cooking, doing arts and writing literary works.

When it was time for Professor Collins' class to start, she said goodbye to Professor Collins with a hug. Draco walked with her back to Headmistress McGonagall's office, where she'd floo back to the villa she had rented before she portkeyed back to Ireland.

"I still have the contents of the box. Do you want them?"

She shook her head. "No, those were your father's I have no intention of taking them."

He nodded.

"I want you to know that we could still write to each other if you're still up for it. Not just about the past."

"That would be great. Thank you. Can I tell my friends about you and my father? I would make them do the unbreakable vow if needed."

"That's unnecessary. You can tell them about me if you trust them enough."

"Thank you. Again."

"I thank you, too," she said as they reached the office. She turned to face him; her lips tugged in a smile. "Always remember, Mr. Malfoy, you always have a choice to change your fate. It's always a conscious effort and at times, there will be sacrifices."

"I will."

"Good. And no matter what they say, you're doing well, dear. You're getting better. Never forget that."

"Never."

Celestine nodded, her smile not faltering. "I'll write to you soon and I hope I'd see you again."

"You will."

"Good bye, Mr. Malfoy."

"Good bye, Ms. Shelvey."

Celestine turned to walk into the office but halted when Draco asked her to wait. She looked back over her shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"I-I have one more thing to ask."

"Sure, go on."

Draco opened his mouth and closed it. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "Do…Do you still love my father?"

She turned back around with a soft smile. "I never stopped loving him."

Celestine's sincerity gripped his heart tightly. He just bobbed his head once. Their love could've conquered the prejudices. They could've lived together. Fought against the pureblood ideologies. They could've brought up a better family.

But, worse, it could've ended in a tragedy with the kind of family he had. His father would've faced threats and plans to keep them apart. They could've died.

"I'm sorry, I have to ask."

"Don't say sorry, dear. I understand."

"I am sorry for the hold up."

"No, it's fine."

"I hope you'll portkey out safely."

"Thank you. Take care, dear."

"You, too."

Celestine left and Draco went to the Greenhouse to check on his Valerians before walking to the pitch with a cigarette in between his lips. Pondering. Always remember, Mr. Malfoy, you always have a choice to change your fate. It's always a conscious effort and at times, there will be sacrifices.

He was almost about to finish walking around the pitch when something hit him. Just like Celestine and his father before, he knew Astoria and Potter wanted to be together. And he did not want the past to happen again. No. He needed to help more. How? Fuck. I need more cigarette.

It was only him, Theo, Pansy, Blaise and Granger in the Head students' dormitory. They all brought their dinners with them. And sat around the kitchenette's dining table.

"So, are you ready to share now?" Theo asked.

Draco nodded. He cleared his throat. He decided to be straightforward. "My father was in love—or maybe still in love—with a muggle-born. And I just learned about it with the box Cunningham gave me."

There was multiple clanking of silverwares heard in their silence, mouth agape and eyes unblinking.

"Bloody hell. Are you fucking with us?" Blaise said, breaking the silence.

"No, I am not. I am telling you the truth."

"The Lucius Malfoy is in love with a muggle-born…" Theo mumbled in disbelief.

"I know. Imagine my surprise."

"Are you sure that this is not just a ploy by the Ministry?" Pansy asked.

"I asked the same thing. It was not. I-I talked to the Professors… Severus a-and Dumbledore, and they all told me she was real. I wrote to her through Professor Collins. He was her friend." He paused. "Just today, I talked to her."

"W-what? Wait. She came here today?" Grange asked, and he nodded.

"Okay, hold on. I have a question. Why did you barge into Professor's Collins last night? Was it also because of this?" Blaise asked.

He sighed. "Yes."

"Sorry, explanation please," Theo said. Draco grimaced and scratched the back of his head. He said he will tell them everything so, it meant everything.

"Last night… I… I discovered…." He gritted his teeth. "… that my family was fucking worse than monsters…" Draco had to stop and prop his elbow on the table, entwining his fingers as tightly as he can contain his rage. "My grandfathers, among other Death Eaters, tortured her. She barely survived, but she lost her baby—their baby."

Pansy stood up and walked away, hyperventilating. Granger tentatively reached out and gently touched his arm, her thumb making soothing circles. Blaise's eyes remained glued to the table while Theo slumped back in his seat. Pansy walked further away, not wanting to be comforted in the moment.

"I am sorry that you had to know all about this now," Blaise said, finally lifting his eyes from the table.

"I think there's no better time but now. Maybe the universe said I needed more wake-up call."

Granger frowned. "Don't think like that, Malfoy."

Draco was about to speak, but the sniffles from Pansy stopped him. "Pansy?"

"I-I am fine… I just felt for her… My mother had a miscarriage before and it was because of my father… Merlin, we're monsters."

"No, Pansy. You're not. It was not your fault," Granger said.

Pansy swirled, her eyes red with tears. "Don't you remember how we bullied you, Granger?! We are nothing but like them!"

Granger's hand left his arm as she stood up. "Sure, you bullied me and my friends, but I remember the day that each one of you apologized to me personally and through your letters. Your parents or your ancestors did not do that, so no, none of you were like them."

"Thank you, Granger, but it's difficult to believe that," Blaise said with a shrug.

"I know, but I need you to see it differently."

"It would take time, Granger. But right now, I need a drink. Let's drink…" Theo muttered.

"I agree," Pansy said as she walked back to the table and sat down.

Blaise took out a bottle of Ogden's Old firewhiskey and summoned tumblers. Draco patted her hand and gestured for Granger to sit down. She sat down with a sigh. Blaise poured each of them a finger, but two fingers to Draco's. They nursed their drinks as they contemplated what they had learned tonight. Granger only drank once and opted to read a book. She reasoned she should be sober to look after them.

As the night went by, they got drunker. Theo started bickering nonsense with Blaise and also declaring his love for Lovegood while Pansy leaned on Granger, asking her silly questions about the book she was reading or about Longbottom. They did not even notice that Draco had already stopped drinking.

They were passed out around three in the morning, and he helped Granger transfigure things into mattresses and blankets for them. He levitated them onto their made-up beds while Granger tucked them in.

"It's so peaceful when they are all asleep," Draco said, looking at his friends, who were sound softly snoring except Blaise.

Granger cackled. "I know, right? Have you heard what Parkinson was asking me about Neville?"

"Oh, I heard all. Then there's Theo defending his love for Lovegood to Blaise like he was defending her from his father because he would."

"I believe he would fight hard for his love for her and he would win."

"You're too optimistic, Granger."

"Not always."

"Well, I need your optimism now," he said as he faced her and stared straight into her eyes. He's determined.

"Why?"

"I want to ask a favour from you."

"And I can get a favour from you in the future?"

Draco's lips tugged on a smile. "Are you secretly a Slytherin?"

"A favour for a favour, that's all," Granger said with a shrug and a smirk on her face.

"Fine. It's a deal."

"Good. Let's talk over tea?"

"Alright."

Granger prepared the tea for them. They both stirred a spoon of honey in their cup, unknowingly.

"So, what's this all about that you waited until your friends were dead asleep?"

"It's about my betrothal with Astoria. I need you to ask Potter to send in his resources about Pureblood traditions, including the Malfoy journals related to traditions or arranged marriages. I wanted to make the dissolution of the contract quick."

"But you're not supposed to have access to those journals."

"Yes, but you and Potter can. No one needed to know that I read them. I just need to point you in the right directions. Where to research or what to read more."

"Do you really think those can help?"

"Yes, especially if it's my great grandfather's. And my father's…. in case he wrote something."

He could see how the gears in her head were turning. Thinking through the idea. After a pregnant pause, she nodded.

"Okay. I will send a message to Harry. I cannot say we'll get them fast, but…"

"That's fine. We needed to be careful."

"What made you decide to do this?"

"You always have a choice to change your fate. It's always a conscious effort and at times, there will be sacrifices. That's what she told me, Granger. I don't want a repeat of what happened to them. If Astoria and Potter were in love then, this contract should not stop them from being together."

Granger nodded. "Okay. That sounded cheesy and romantic, but it's also rational."

Draco rolled his eyes at her, and Granger cackled.

"Can you sleep on the couch? Or should I transfigure it with silk sheets?"

"I can sleep just fine on the couch, Granger. I survived sleeping in Azkaban for months," he said sardonically and drank his tea.

"Er. I am sorry…"

He scoffed. "You don't have to say sorry. But I need one thing."

"What?"

"A pillow."

Granger beamed. "I can definitely transfigure one."

"Thank you."

"Hmm. I am getting used to being thanked by you, Malfoy. You're spoiling me," she said as she finished her tea.

"I would thank you again if we dissolve the contract," he said with a smirk.

Potter's response came in after a week with his presence and a brown box. Granger dragged him to the Head students' dormitory, ignoring the looks they gathered. Potter brought all the books, records, and the journals he had asked. He was too busy with his Auror training that he hadn't been able to read much through this stuff. The copy of the contract was there, but saying that it was vague was an understatement.

"I cannot stay long. I have a class in two hours and I have to prep for that…" he said and turned to Draco. "Thanks for doing this, Malfoy. Here."

He handed him a new packet of cigarette, and Draco snickered. He took the pack of cigarette despite Granger's scolding scowl.

"I will put a bubble around me so the smoke won't bother you," Draco said, but Granger only huffed and turned to Potter.

"You two should smoke moderately."

"I smoke moderately. Tell your friend Potter, here."

"Hey! I smoke moderately, too!" Potter defended.

"That's not what I heard from Ron," Granger said with her arms crossed over her chest now.

"Ron!?" He turned to look at Draco, who just shrugged. "He was smoking more than I do!"

Granger threw her hands up. "I don't know what else to say. You lot should smoke moderately."

"Malfoy and I were. Ron's stressed, so he's smoking more."

"Why?"

"Oh, Hermione, he's in love, but in denial."

"In denial?"

"I did not see the denial when I saw him fucking Daphne in a hidden alcove," Draco said indifferently and he heard Granger snorted a laugh.

"Fuck, Malfoy. I did not need that image in my head," Potter said in disgust.

"Well, that image was still giving me nightmares and now, you too," Draco said and Potter was not able to stop himself from laughing.

"Alright. You two stop joking around and you, Harry, need to go if you want to prepare and catch your class."

"Yes. Yes. Thank you for doing this." Harry hurried out of the dormitory, giving each of them a hug, leaving Draco frozen.

"Are you okay?"

"No. Potter, just fucking hug me like—"

"Like you're his friend? Because you are," Granger said and hit him on the arm. "Now, let's move. We've got some reading to do on top of our NEWTs."

"If I were to guess, you already studied for NEWTs and if they asked you to take the NEWTs, you will pass with flying colours," Draco said as he followed her.

"My, my. Are those compliments from the great Draco Malfoy?"

"Don't get used to it, Granger."

They went through everything, and Granger was too detailed not to take notes. Draco smoked two sticks each session and was about to really conjure a bubble when Granger told him he would look stupid, so he just sat far enough from her so she wouldn't be bothered so much.

They took breaks. When they said breaks, it meant they would attend classes or visit the Greenhouse—where Granger forgot not to wear the gloves and he had to give her the balm again. This time she took it with her.

They would bring their food with them in the Heads' dorm and would eat dinner while reading. His friends and her friends were giving them odd looks, but they did not ask questions. Instead, they were observing, which is more frightening, but it's not the point now.

"Fucking hell," Granger whispered in the middle of the night on their fourth day of reading through the books and journals. Draco look up from the book he was reading.

"Use proper words, Granger. What did you find?" he mumbled, with the cigarette in between his lips.

"I- Come here," she demanded, and Draco rolled his eyes before putting down the book and left the cigarette in the ashtray. He crawled to her side, bumping her shoulder in the process, but both did not mind.

"Look. Betrothal engagements were once broken. One, if the family terminates the contract but with a hefty pay; two, the lady gets pregnant out of wedlock and eloped; three, the man gets someone pregnant and eloped—"

"My father…if he knew about Ms. Shelvey's pregnancy." If only he knew…

"Yes, they could've eloped and…"

"No, it would end in a tragedy. Just, continue…"

Granger bit her lips momentarily before nodding. She cleared her throat and continued. "Yeah. Uh…and here… Harry can contest the betrothal, but he had to prove that he was more than capable of surpassing what your family can give."

"Moneywise, Potter will do well… I mean, our family vaults were frozen so they won't get shite until after the Ministry let them go and if he ever contests now, his reputation would help."

"Can't they just elope?"

"Granger, eloping entails that Astoria needed to be pregnant. He can do that or he can just contest the betrothal. I think he would win it."

"Or he can try to contest the betrothal contract first, then if anything goes down south, then he can go and elope, and we can burn the betrothal contract."

"I agree with everything except the burning of the betrothal contract—"

"Why?"

"That's a crime. Destroying of pertinent documents. Besides, I am sure that they charmed the document not to be destroyed or tampered with and if you try, there'd be consequences."

She huffed. "Fine. No burning of documents."

"Alright, where did you get this, by the way?"

"I gathered it from your family's journals…" she said as she picked the journals she read through the four days. He looked down at them and saw that his great grandfathers and—his father wrote them.

"What did you find from my father's journal?"

"Erm… it's not really a personal…" she started and Draco looked at her impassively.

"Malfoys don't write too personal things… they just called them journals, but they were just for plotting. Maybe for murder. Maybe for breaking deals. Or creating dark magic shites or whatever shady business they had."

"Well, your father had been listing way too many ways betrothals were broken, but only one came close based on his 'research'. And that's when the man gets someone pregnant and eloped… I believe he was thinking about it."

"Fuck. Is there any chance he knew?" Draco asked, more likely to himself than to Granger.

"M-maybe."

Draco shook his head. "It's not time for that…" He cleared his throat. "So, you tell Potter what we found out and see what would happen next."

"I agree. Ugh, let's put these back in the box and sleep."

"Right."

Draco crawled back to his place and put off his cigarette before vanishing the ashtray and its contents altogether. Then, picked up the books and stacked them neatly on the side while Granger gathered the journals and arranged them according to the year it was written. Then, when everything was in the box, he carried the box to her room with her, opening the door for him. The smell of her room always comforted him, and he did not know why. Maybe it was the vanilla scent, or he just became familiar with it. He placed the box under her table.

"I'll send an owl to Harry later and we'll see it from there."

He nodded. "Agre—" He yawned, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. "Excuse me. I agree."

Granger tried to stop her yawn, but failed. "Sorry. Uh, are you sleeping on the couch again?"

"I think I'll head back to the dungeons today."

"Alright. Good night, Malfoy."

"Good night, Granger."

They put everything back in the box and vanished the ashtray and the cigarette in it before Draco left. He reached the dungeons without getting caught by Filch or being caught in a prank with Peeves. He made it to his room and took a hasty shower before getting a quick shut-eye.

Draco walked in the Great Hall, his head swaying with lack of sleep, but it's not something he was not used to. He was about to head to the Slytherin table when someone grabbed him from the back and dragged him out of the Great Hall.

"Potter, don't kill our friend!" Theo yelled from the inside.

He let go of Draco, and he followed him. He looked way too serious at this time of the day.

"Well, good morning, Potter. I did not think you'd be here that fast. Did Granger already send you a message?"

"Yes, and I came here as fast as I can."

"That's great, but I need breakfast."

"Don't worry about it."

"I am sorry, but I will not starve myself for you. You're not special, Potter."

"Shut up, Malfoy, and just walk."

"I am walking."

They reached the Heads' dorm, and he mumbled the password, letting the portrait door swing open. They walked in and met Macmillan inside. Potter greeted him while Draco gave him a cordial nod. Confused momentarily, Macmillan walked out while Potter and he walked to the kitchenette, where Granger arranged a small array of fried eggs, sausages and toasted breads. The smell was immaculate for him. It made his mouth water.

"Coffee or tea?" she asked.

"Coffee," Potter and Draco said in chorus.

"Alright. Uhm, how do you take your coffee, Malfoy?"

"I can just…"

"Let her do it, Malfoy," Potter said, pushing him down to sit.

"Fine…" He turned to Granger. "Black. One sugar cube."

"Should I worry that you two take your coffee the same way?" Potter said, and he just ignored him. He picked up his plate and put eggs and sausages and a toast.

Granger put a cup in front of him and Potter. They both thanked her, and she sat in front of them.

"So, what did you two get?"

"Can you let her eat first or just take a bite of her food?"

"Ah yes. Sorry," Potter said sheepishly.

"It's okay. Er, so…"

"Eat."

"Wait. You don't sound like the Malfoy. Who are you?" Potter asked in an accusatory tone.

Draco glared at him and when he was about to speak again, he shoved a sausage in his mouth. He almost got choked. Thankfully, he did not die. Potter stared daggers at him, but he ignored him. Granger shook her head and took one bite. Just one bite of her food.

"Okay, so we found out ways for you to dissolve the contract," Granger said, taking Potter's attention.

"Ways?"

"Yes. You ready?" she asked, and he nodded earnestly. She continued. "One, if the family terminates the contract but with a fee; two, the lady gets pregnant out of wedlock and eloped; three, the man gets someone pregnant and eloped. And last, you can contest the betrothal, but you had to prove that you were more than capable of surpassing what Malfoy's family can give."

"Can't you just terminate the contract, Malfoy?"

"Do you think I have a say on this? It's either my father or my mother should dissolve the contract. Not me. I have no power in that betrothal."

"Can't you talk to your mother?"

He scoffed. "I highly doubt she would agree. She was the one who arranged the contract because she was friends with the Greengrass matriarch."

"So we're left with three more options."

"Malfoy, you should elope."

Draco looked at him dead in the eyes and raised his fork. "I will stab you with this fork, Potter. Are you daft? I am on fucking probation and the Ministry would not let me leave the country for two years after my graduation. How the fuck would you think this elope idea that you have had a chance of succeeding? And, besides, I need someone to elope with Potter because listen…the man gets someone pregnant and eloped."

"Why not elope with Pansy? I mean, you two were together before. Maybe we can…"

"No. I may have bullied Longbottom, but I am greatly thankful to him for making Pansy happy to betray him. So, that option is off the table, Potter," he said, picking up his coffee and putting the fork down. Perfectly brewed. He almost hummed.

"Parkinson and Neville? How? When?" Potter asked.

"Not yet official, but it will be after Pansy realizes that she's besotted with Longbottom."

"Huh… I never expected."

He snorted. "You don't say."

Potter shook his head like he just shook a thought away. "Anyway, going back. Uh… why don't you elope with Hermione? Like just for show?"

Granger coughed out her food while Draco spat his coffee with a curse. He quickly cleaned his mess.

"Have you gone mental?"

"Harry! That's not the plan at all."

"What? I mean, now that I look closely…" He trailed off, leaning back. "You two worked together well. You kind of okay together."

"Okay, Potter. Drink your fucking coffee and let us tell you what to do."

"But—"

"Shut it, Harry. We have decided that you will contest the betrothal contract."

"How about…"

Granger cut him off immediately. "She needed to be pregnant during the elopement. That's unfair to you and to her."

Potter slumped back in his seat and mumbled, "That's not what I meant." And drank his coffee. They ignored him.

"I believe you'll win Potter. You have one of the Black's vaults plus your parents' vault, then your reputation might also help. They might dissolve their contract with my family for you."

"The chances are slim. Can we do a two-pronged attack? Like you and Hermione eloping."

"No, Potter. That idea is bullshit. No one would buy that."

He snorted. "I think they would buy it."

"Harry, it's a no."

"Fine. I am just saying. You have already helped me. Why not do this too?"

"No," Draco and Granger chorused.

Potter rolled his eyes at them. "Fine."

They resumed eating and Potter started sharing his experience during his Auror Classes, then followed by Weasley's brooding phase because he was still in denial. Draco let it slip for Potter to blab to Weasley because he just knew he would, that Daphne was planning to runaway to Paris after her graduation since she already saved galleons with her own vault. So, he need to stop denying and start taking action. Their conversation drifted in and out of the topic of Potter's plan on contesting the contract. They finished their breakfast on time for them not to be late to their respective classes. Potter walked back to Headmistress McGonagall's office while Granger and Draco walked to their double Potions class.

"I hope we knew more about the process of contesting the contract."

"Let's just hope Potter won't fuck it up. I mean, Potter can defeat a Dark Wizard, but I doubt his social skills on this level."

"I hate to agree with you."

"Oof, finally Granger agreed with me," Draco teased and Granger rolled her eyes, slapping him on the arm.

"Ow," he said, rubbing his arm.

They reached the classroom, and he opened the door for her while he listened to her talk about their Potions project. They only split up when Granger walked to her table with she-Weasley and her other friends while Draco went with his friends.

"Draco, be honest with me…" Blaise started, whispering, and he looked at him like he had grown another head. "Are you shagging Granger?"

He sputtered. "W-what? H-how did you come up with that idea?"

"You don't sleep in your room for days now. You two were always together," Blaise said, and he could see Theo leaning in to listen. He pushed Theo away, who bumped into Pansy, who grumbled and hit him on the arm.

"No, I am not shagging her. We were working on a schoolwork, that's all."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Okay," he said, but he looked unconvinced. This was what he feared when they were just being observant.

Theo came back, and when he leaned in, Blaise spoke. "He said no."

"Sure? But I really think you are shagging Granger."

"No, and stop. We're just… friends, I guess. Or just acquaintances? I don't know, we're just civil."

Theo nodded and mumbled an okay. Draco shook his head. He did not understand what's going on right now that they were asking about him and Granger. True, it was weird that he and Granger were seen together because who would want the company of their bully? Just Hermione Granger. There were more nights now that he asked himself what he did in his life, that he deserved her forgiveness and he cannot think of a single good thing he did.

Professor Slughorn walked and started the class. He would glimpse at Granger's table and when she caught him looking, she would glance at she-Weasley and make a face. It seemed like she was asked the same thing. His lips quirked, sheepishly. She so-subtly shrugged, and they both looked away when their friends were about to talk to them.

They continued meeting in the library, quietly studying and waiting for any news from Potter. He hadn't visited the castle for a while. But they noticed the increasing time that flowers were being delivered to Daphne and the "mystery" man who visits her. Weasley took the bait well, just as he expected.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Granger asked him one time when they were in the library.

"What are you exactly accusing me of, Granger?"

"Don't play innocent to me, Malfoy. It can only play well once. You suggested to Harry that Daphne would run away after graduation, so he would say it to Ron."

"I can neither deny nor confirm that."

"Yes, you did that on purpose."

"Whatever you believe, Granger."

Silence stretched and Draco had already moved on to a new book when Granger spoke again.

"Thank you for doing that, Malfoy."

His brow raised. "What are you saying?"

She sighed. "I noticed he had been having a hard time moving on from our break-up. I mean, it was mutual but, it was hard for him. You know, he lost his brother and then we ended our supposed fated relationship."

"I am not sure if I really did something, Granger."

"Just believe me. You did."

"Okay. You're welcome, I guess."

She smiled and went back to reading her book. He then smiled and looked down at his book.

Draco and Celestine wrote letters to each other and still send his letters along with Professor Collins' letters. He told her about what he and Granger were doing to dissolve his betrothal with Astoria so she could be with Potter. She sounded so proud of what he was doing and how he was getting along with Granger. She promised to visit him again if she was free.

The Christmas break came, and he knew he would stay in the castle. He did not mind it at all. Her mother was not in the country and he hadn't heard from her for a long time so, he'd rather be in the castle than at an empty home that would remind him of all his mistakes and bring back the nightmares intensely.

His friends offered to stay with him, but he did not want them to be stuck here when they can leave, so he declined their offers. He watched them leave for their Christmas breaks. Pansy was leaving with Longbottom and stay with him. Theo with Luna Lovegood and Blaise with Weasley. Of course, Granger would be the Weasleys. Even Professor Collins left to see his family. Later that day, he found himself in layered clothing, standing by the frozen Black Lake and smoking, watching the smoke from his breathing and smoke mingle.

It was not that bad to be alone. His thoughts can be suffocating, but he can control them better now. He did not return to the castle until dinner time. He sat at the end of the Slytherin table and was filling up his plate when a familiar scent waft to him as someone sat down beside him.

"Granger?"

"Good evening, Malfoy."

He was too stunned to reply, and she looked at him and laughed. "You looked like you saw a ghost. I am no ghost, Malfoy."

"I thought you're going to be with the Weasleys during break?"

She shook her head. "I think I want to stay in the castle for Christmas. This is the first time for me to stay here during break. You?"

"Ah. Same."

"Oh well, I thought it was just me," Granger said, and she looked around before eating her dinner. "I heard that the students who stayed were the ones who lost their family in the war."

"Hmm. Yes."

They quietly ate their dinner just like how the rest of the students who stayed in the castle. And like in routine, they walked out of the Great Hall together.

"Do you think the library's open?"

"Granger, enjoy the holidays. Read something different this time."

"NEWTs are coming, Malfoy. I have to prepare."

"It's the holidays, Granger. Let go of the NEWTs for a moment."

She huffed. "I don't want to fail, you know."

Draco stopped and looked at her with a raised brow. "You're not going to fail if you skip studying for the holidays."

"I might forget."

"No, you won't."

"So, what should I do if I won't study?"

"Read a novel or learn something different…" he said with a shrug.

"And you? What are you going to do?"

"Hmm. Sleep? Eat. Smoke and maybe finish the book you lent me."

"I am sorry. You tell me to learn something aside from reading while you will just sleep, eat, smoke and read?"

"And what's the problem with that?"

She gasped. "You should learn something and help me."

"What? No."

"You are not saying no, Malfoy. Come," she said, taking his hand and dragging him to her dorm.

Despite his protests, Granger did not hear him. Instead, they reached the dorm, let him sit down and dumped balls of yarns on his lap.

"I just thought since we're all alone in this castle. Maybe we can create small gifts for the students and even elves!"

"I am sorry, but why am I supposed to help?"

"Because you can. We will knit them scarves."

"I don't knit, Granger."

"Then you'll learn something new!"

"This is not how I planned…"

"You also changed my plans, Malfoy."

"Now that you say it, I think you should go and study for NEWTs, Granger," he said, putting down the yarns on the floor and was about to stand.

Granger pushed him back to the chair. He stared up at her. She's too close for her scent to wrap around him. He could feel his heart skipped a beat. Damn it. Draco tried his best not to blush. It's an impossible feat.

"No. You're doing this because…" Grange trailed off as she stepped back. He almost moved forward to chase her scent.

He fixed his composure and asked, "Because?"

"Because you gave me the idea, so you're helping. That's what friends do," she said as she sat on the settee and picking up the yarn and knitting needles.

"But I need to read your book so I can return it to you."

"Excuses, you can return it whenever. Let's do this now."

He resigned to his defeat because he knew he could not walk away from this anymore. He let Granger teach him how to knit, and he was trying his best not to throw away the yarn and the knitting needles. She assigned him to knit the scarves for the elves because they were small.

Gladly, he could have breaks by smoking in the kitchenette. They knitted until the wee hours of the morning. It was becoming a challenge to loop in the yarn when your eyes wanted to close.

"Granger, I have a question. Not sure if I am allowed to ask," he said as he hooked a yarn through a loop.

"Well, you can ask and I'll tell you if I'll answer or not."

He nodded. "Okay. Uhm, why did you not choose to go to your parents for the holidays?"

She did not speak for a long minute. That made him stop knitting and looked up at her. Granger was staring down at the floor with a gloomy look on her face. Fuck.

"Uhm. I'm sorry for asking. You don't have—"

She shook her head. "No. Uh… I think it was time for me to tell somebody about it and unfortunately, you will take the hit, Malfoy."

"I asked."

"Hmm. You're right." She cleared her throat and stared at him. "During the war, I—I obliviated them and sent them away so the Death Eaters won't find them and use them to lure me and Harry… But, until now, I haven't found them yet and haven't found someone that can help me recover their memories."

He felt the guilt heavy in the pit of his stomach. "That would take too much courage to do that and I admire you for that, but I am sorry that you had to do that."

"We need to do everything to keep our loved ones safe."

He nodded. "Are you going to look for them after graduation?"

"Yes, but I need to make sure I could successfully recover their memories."

"I know you could do it successfully."

She smiled. "Again with the compliments, Malfoy. Stop spoiling me."

Draco scoffed with a smirk. They returned to knitting the scarves until he noticed Granger nodding off while knitting. There was a huge possibility that she would poke her eyes with the knitting needle. He put his knitting needles and yarns in a box.

"Alright, Granger. You need to sleep."

"No. I-I can still…"

"Nope. Let's pause and do this tomorrow again," he said as he took the knitting needles from her and put them in the box.

"Okay, fine."

The entire time before Christmas, Draco and Granger knitted scarves for the elves and students. Sometimes, they would take a break and walk outside, also letting him smoke. They kept the scarves coloured differently than the colours of the houses. When they reached their targeted number based on the list of students and elves, Granger obtained from Headmistress McGonagall, they sorted them. Granger had wrapping materials delivered to the castle and started wrapping the scarves. They even made an extra for their friends and the Professors who stayed in the castle. And they did these in muggle ways that gave Draco cuts and frustrations on folding wrapping papers that Granger found funny even though she helped him with those wounds in a muggle way. Meaning, band-aids around his fingers. He just let her humour him because seeing her smile was all worth it. They both wrote the names for each gift, even those for the elves, and put From: D & H.

They were walking to the Great Hall for the Christmas dinner when he saw a very familiar figure making him pause and Granger stopped walking too.

"Who is that?"

"Celestine Shelvey."

"Celestine Shelvey?"

"Yes, she's the one I told you about."

She gasped. "That's her?"

"Yes."

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy," she greeted with a smile, and turned to Granger. "And you must be Miss Granger?"

"Yes."

"I am Celestine Shelvey. It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too, Ms. Shelvey."

"Are you two going to the Great Hall?"

"Yes. Er, why are you here? I mean, aren't you supposed to be at home for Christmas?"

"My parents were in Japan for Christmas, so I am free to celebrate my Christmas with you and the rest of the students and professors here. I'll be joining them for the New Year's."

Draco smiled. "Thanks for coming then."

"Let's go?" Granger asked, and they nodded.

When they reached the Great Hall, everyone was sitting at separate tables, but Granger and Celestine gathered them around one table and let the food be at the centre. Despite being wary about Draco, he still helped the students get a space where to seat while Celestine called the Professors to sit with them. Celestine brought out boxes of cookies she had previously shrunk. She gave it to them as her gifts.

It warmed his chest and put a genuine smile on his face as he watched the students and professors eat together. This was better than the Christmas parties he attended as a child or the stiffed dinners their family had. He would choose this over those in any day.

After eating, they did not leave the table. They had a good chat and even Draco was included. They were having hot cocoa with peppermint and, even though most of the younger students looked groggy, they stayed until they started nodding off and excused themselves to retreat to their rooms. At the end, only Celestine, Granger and Draco were left in the table.

"Thank you again for coming. We did not think of doing this. It looked like they enjoyed it," Hermione said.

"No need to thank me. Besides, it's not your responsibility to do this. Don't burden yourselves," she said as she sipped the last of her cocoa. "And this was not the only reason I was here." She paused and looked at Draco. There was uncertainty in her eyes that she did not have before when she talked to him.

"What is it? Did something happen?"

"I did what you asked me to do, and your father did not take it too well. He was starving himself. He said he wanted to see me."

"Of course, he would do that. You don't have to visit him if you're not comfortable about it."

"I am just worried about him starving himself, but I am still writing to him. Explaining."

"He would be fine. I don't think they would let him die there. And you don't have to explain yourself to him."

"Malfoy," Granger called his name, and he looked at her.

"What?"

"We need to do something about that."

"I cannot do anything. The Ministry prevented me from contacting my father and he cannot demand her to be there. She already experienced a lot of pain because of our family."

"Dear, don't worry about me. I'll take care of this. I just want you to know what was happening."

"Thank you, but please, don't worry yourself about him."

"That would be difficult, but I'll try," she said with a comforting smile.

They changed their topic after that until it was time for her to leave, but before they head to the headmaster's office, they passed by the head's dorm and picked one extra scarf they wrapped. Celestine thanked them and gave them both a hug. That made Draco momentarily freeze in place again. Granger had to tap his arm so he would realize what was happening. Then they walked her to the headmaster's office and said their goodbyes.

Granger and Draco then went back to the head's dorm to get the gifts and placed them under the Christmas tree. Draco stood up and stretched, then Granger followed, admiring the pile that they made.

"It looks good. I hope they will like them."

"They should."

Granger rolled her eyes. "Let's go. We need to sleep at least."

He nodded, and they both turned to leave the Great Hall, then suddenly a slow orchestral music played. They looked around but they cannot find where it was coming from so they ignored it. They were about to continue walking out of the Great Hall when they bumped into an invisible wall.

"Ow," Granger said, rubbing her forehead.

"What the fuck? What's happening?"

"I do not know, too. First the music, then this," Granger grumbled. She swirled around, looking for anything.

Draco sighed tiredly. He just wanted to sleep. He threw his head back and his eyes quickly bulged. Fuck. There should be a counter spell for this. Was there? Draco dropped his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. Fuck it. Think. Think. Think.

"Malfoy?"

"Hmm?"

"Malfoy."

"Hmm?"

"Malfoy!"

"What?"

"Draco!" His name coming out of her mouth made his head snap at her. She was looking up at the culprit of their current ordeal.

"We're trapped by the mistletoe!"

"I-I know. There must be a spell to get out of this."

"Well, do you know what spell?"

"You did not know?" he asked, surprised, but she glared at him. "I am sorry. I did not mean to say it that way. It's just I thought you knew be-because I don't know any spell. Nothing comes into my mind."

She groaned and turned her glares to the mistletoe above. Draco exhaled in relief that Granger's not focusing her frustration on him. He cannot think of anything to break the spell because he never thought he would be trapped under a mistletoe. He was always cautious about them every time Christmas comes but not today. The worse thing was he was trapped with Granger. He did not want to make things awkward between them if he kissed her—not that he was thinking about it—or maybe he was. Anyway, they just started being civil… or friends, and he did not want to put that to waste just because he kissed her (and he wanted to).

"I really want to rest now," she grumbled.

"You and me both," he said. He tried tapping or pushing on the wards, but nothing really happened, which was expected. "Can we burn the mistletoe?"

"You know they charmed it not to be burned by the people they trapped."

"So, should we wait for someone to do it for us?"

"I don't think someone is still awake now, even Filch is already asleep," she said and rubbed both hands over her face.

"I'll just sleep here," Draco declared as he sat down on the floor, his legs crossed in front of him.

"Seriously?"

"Yes, and then later we'll just ask someone to burn that damn mistletoe."

Granger looked up at the mistletoe again and he thought she would already give up, but when she looked down at him, he knew he's in trouble.

"I am not sleeping here. Stand up, Malfoy, and kiss me."

He blinked twice. "Are you serious?"

"Yes! I am not sleeping here! So, stand up!" she demanded and Draco remembered third year. Ah, fuck. I don't want to be slapped again.

He put his hands up. "Alright. Alright. Relax." He stood up and dusted off his trousers. He huffed and faced Granger.

"You sure about this?" he asked, and the redness of her face was undeniable. She looked like a tomato—an adorable tomato with curly hair.

"Yes! I want to sleep in my bed. Now, kiss me," she said, stomping her feet.

I am fucked. Royally and utterly fucked. "Alright."

He stepped closer to her and he could feel his heart drumming like crazy, deafening him. With one hand, he put his hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him, and the other shakily came up to cup her jaw. He looked at her chocolate brown eyes, searching for hesitance. There was none. He noticed the golden specs around her irises burning like her soul. He leaned down, his nose touching hers and their breaths mixing. Closing his eyes, he closed the distance between them. Their lips touched and felt hands held on his jumper. Her lips were soft against his and he wanted more, but the wards already tingled and melted. He was about to pull away, but he did not know what had become of him that he darted his tongue out to taste her lips. Draco expected her to pull away and slap him across his face, but she did not. She parted her lips for him, letting him taste her. He could feel her tongue move in rhythm with his. And nipping each other's lips. Her arms snaked around his waist, pushing herself to him and him pulling her closer with his arm around her waist. His fingers moved to tangle through her curls, tilting her head.

They pulled away to catch their breaths, but their bodies were still closed to each other. Draco gently made small circles on her cheek with his thumb. They looked at each other's eyes, quietly looking for something.

"I-I am sorry. I got carried away," he said, sheepishly.

"Me too," she answered, and they both chuckled.

Draco gently pulled her head forward and kissed her forehead before they stepped away from each other. She stared at him with wide eyes. No, he did not have an explanation for that kiss, so he looked away.

"We can finally rest."

"Yes… Uh, good night, Malfoy."

"Good night, Granger."

She started to walk away, but there was something that was telling him it was all wrong to let her leave. That he needed to stop her, so he did. Draco quickly grabbed her hand, making her look back with brows furrowed. "Let me walk you back to your dorm."

Granger's lips quirked up. "I thought you would never offer."

Draco smiled.

Draco and Hermione walked down to the Great Hall, the back of their hands slightly brushing each other. Contented with the smallest contact. They strode into the Great Hall with the students holding their scarves with smiles on their faces. The elves were also there when they asked one of them to gather in the Great Hall and get their gifts.

He cannot deny he looked proud with the scarves that he made because they turned out fine, but he knew Granger fixed some of them.

"I think they liked them," he said as his eyes roamed around the hall. Elves and students started wearing their scarves.

"So, this is why you asked me about the list…" The voice of Headmistress McGonagall behind them made them turn. There was a shadow of a smiled on her lips and pride—for Hermione, probably.

"Yes, we thought we could give something to the students and elves that stayed here. Professors, too, but please don't tell anyone we would like to keep it as from D&H," Hermione said happily.

"I am taking no credit for the idea. It was all Hermione's," Draco said and noticeably, the headmistress' brow arched.

"Oh shush, you started the idea."

He turned to her. "No, I just said that you should learn something new, and you came with this idea."

"Well, if you did not make that suggestion—"

"Alright, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger, no need to have a discussion about that," Headmistress McGonagall interrupted, and they nodded in agreement. "Very well, now let me get my gift."

Draco and Hermione both smiled, and they watched as Headmistress McGonagall pick up her gift and called the Professors that walked in to get their gifts. The students then gathered around the table that they occupied last night and they followed them. They greeted each other 'Happy Christmas' but to Draco's surprised, some students greeted him though quick or sounded like a mumble. Hermione watched his reactions, amused by the way he just paused before greeting them back.

They went back to Hermione's dorm, picking up their books and read where they left. Draco comfortably laid his head on her lap while Hermione mindlessly ran her fingers through his hair. They had decided that they would give their gifts to their friends once they return, instead of making their owls do many trips with the cold weather. So, they settled on just reading their books all day, but by midday, a knock echoed in the room. Draco and Hermione looked at each other. They were not expecting anyone. Another knock. Draco bookmarked his book and stood up to get the door.

"Potter?" he asked and Potter stood there wide eyed.

His brows knitted together, recovering from his surprise. "Malfoy?"

"Uh, come in…" Draco said, opening the door wider to let him in and closed it behind them.

"Harry, is there something wrong?" Hermione asked as she stood up, putting down the book on the centre table.

He looked between Draco and Hermione, that made Draco nervous. Did he fail to contest the betrothal contract? He was now rubbing his palms on his jeans. That meant he was nervous. Was this bad news?

"Harry?"

"I did it," he said, but it seemed muffled to Draco.

"What?" Draco asked.

"I said I did it! I dissolved the contract. Astoria and I are now betrothed!" he said more clearly, a grin cracking on his. Hermione shrieked and ran to hug Harry, who hugged her back. He was saying thank you repeatedly. And the tension that built up on Draco's shoulders eased.

Draco smirked, knowing that Potter successfully got the betrothal dissolved and was accepted as Astoria's fiancé felt like he did something good. Maybe he did.

He waited for the two to part before he walked to him. He stretched his hand out. "Congratulations, Potter."

Potter looked down at his outstretched hand, then at him. He ignored his hand and hugged him instead, giving him a pat on the back that startled Draco. Potter then said, "Thank you." Draco snorted smilingly and patted his back too.

"Just to be clear, I did not do it for you."

He pulled away and laughed. "Sure, you selfish git!"

"That I am."

Potter then sighed. "But there's something more I need you to know."

"What is it?" he asked, pushing his hands into his pockets.

"It seemed that the dissolution angered your mother and caused for your mother and Astoria's mother to cut ties. I did not intend the latter to happen."

Of course, my mother still holding onto that old tradition—the tradition that killed an unborn child.

Draco nodded. "Don't worry about it. That's typical of pureblood matriarchs. She'll move on. Or not. Who cares? I did not want that contract, too. Focus on the fact that you and Astoria will be officially together."

"What about your father? Most likely she had informed him."

Draco scratched his jaw thoughtfully. "I think that won't be his priority now. Don't think about it."

"Are you sure? You're not secretly communicating with him, right?"

Draco looked at him like he was the biggest idiot in the world. Probably he was. "I am not that daft to sabotage my freedom, Potter."

"I am just asking."

"I know. And no, I am not communicating with him."

Potter nodded solemnly, then Draco watched his face changed. He was getting curious again, and he hated to answer any questions now. He was staring between him and Hermione then around the room. Draco cleared his throat.

"It's almost lunch. Will you join us?" he asked, to take his attention to something else.

"Huh? Uh, no." He shook his head. "I promised Astoria that we'll have lunch together."

"Alright."

"Oh, before I forget! Let me give you my gift," Hermione chirped in and ran to her room, leaving him with Potter.

They watched her go upstairs in silence, but it did not take long for Potter to speak.

"Malfoy, you know, I forgave you and all, but Hermione's my best friend, so tread lightly. Hurt her and I will kill you."

"I think I had hurt her already, Potter. Remember, I was her bully."

This time he looked at him like he was stupid and he could say he was partially daft compared to Hermione, that is. "You know what I mean, Malfoy. Don't play dumb. It doesn't suit you now."

Draco scoffed. "I'll do my best."

"That's better."

Hermione came down with a small package. It was one of the scarves they knitted. She made half of it and he made the other half. He did not have a choice. She looked like he would kill him if he would not do it. Harry apologized for forgetting his gift for them before he left almost hurriedly for his lunch date with Astoria.

"You did it," Hermione said, nudging his arm with her elbow.

He scoffed and slid his gaze from the door to her. "You mean, we did it."

"Yes, we did it, Draco," she said with a smile. "Now, let's get lunch."

"I agree."

The New Year's Day came, and just like in Christmas, they shared one table for the New Year's Eve. They all stayed up and went to the courtyard, armed with warming charms and layered clothing. Some students created little sparklers that they either watch fly around until it died out or let the sparklers chase their schoolmates. It was nostalgic seeing those sparklers. It reminded him of the only Weasleys he truly liked before, Fred and George. He cannot imagine how George must have felt about losing a twin—or how anyone felt about losing their loved ones. It was their fault—his fault — that these young students were here, with no family to celebrate the holidays with. That left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He found Hermione preoccupied with the younger students to notice him, so he left and headed down to the Black Lake. The breeze was getting colder, and he casted a stronger warming charm and pulled his coat tighter. He pushed his hands in his pockets. He sighed. He forgot his cigarettes.

As he stared at the frozen Black Lake, he thought of what this year brought him. He faced the consequences of his participation in the war, went back to school with his friends, learned about Celestine Shelvey and met her—changed his view of his family, formed a friendship with Harry Potter, helped him be with Astoria by dissolving their betrothal contract. And starting anew with Hermione Granger. Kissing Hermione Granger.

Draco smiled to himself. This year was not that bad at all.

"Why are you brooding here? It's almost midnight." He heard her walked towards him but he did not look back or answered. He waited for her to stand beside him.

"I was not brooding." He paused and exhaled slowly, then glance down at her, who was staring at the Black Lake. "How did you know I was here?"

She finally looked at him. "If you're not in the Quidditch Pitch, you're here. Easy deduction, really."

He smirked. He looked up and found the magical timer hanging in the air from the courtyard. Fifteen seconds left.

"Hermione?" He looked back down at her, carefully cupping her jaw.

"Hmm?"

"May I?" he asked, and she bobbed her head once.

As the clock reached midnight, Draco leaned in and captured her soft lips with his. Eyes closed as he savoured the warmth of her lips against his. The fireworks echoed and painted their surroundings in different colours. He hoped this year would be better—with her.

The classes resumed a week after New Year's. Hermione gave their friends the scarves we knitted. She was proud of what we did, and the fools, namely Theo and Blaise, were smiling like idiots. They were in Double Potions when they cornered him after he avoided their questions.

"So, that's all what you did all holiday break? Knitted?" Blaise asked as he stirred the concoction in his cauldron.

He tried to ignore him, but Theo slid beside him. "Or is there something we needed to know?"

"There's nothing you need to know."

"So something happened and you just don't want to share?" Theo asked.

"Again, there's nothing you need to know. Beside we already told you the two pivotal things that happened, Celestine Shelvey celebrated Christmas with us and we gave the people and elves left here scarves." And I kissed Hermione, but you don't need to know that.

"Really? So all the time you did not sleep in your bed, it was because you two were busy knitting."

He gritted his teeth. "Yes, Blaise."

"You're clearly hiding something."

Draco sighed. "Theo, I have a very sharp knife in my hand. I would accidentally lodge this to your torso."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

He noticed the two looked at each other and nodded before they left him alone with his potion. However, that was not the end. They did not ask him questions anymore, but he could feel their eyes on him, on them, watching them like hawks. He would notice them following them in the library or when they take walks to the Black Lake or even when they visit the Greenhouse. Knowing that they were watching, Draco only went to Hermione's dorm past curfew.

It's not that they wanted to keep each other as secrets. They just wanted to take things private without the prying eyes of their friends or the world because if they knew that Hermione Granger, the Golden Girl, was with a Death Eater, they would definitely have something to say.

They would tell their friends and the world next, when they think it was the right time.

With the NEWTs inevitable arrival, all students on the seventh and eighth year huddled around their friends studying when they get tired of studying alone. Wednesday was the day that four Slytherins, one Ravenclaw, one Hufflepuff (Macmillan was the newest addition of the study group) and three Gryffindors gathered in the Heads' dorm. They would all sit in front of the fireplace, reading, asking questions, or practicing spells. The highlight of these nights was the numerous times that Hermione Granger corrected them when they pronounced the incantation wrong or their wandworks were a little off. It was hilarious.

They would stay there with their spare uniform and sleeping clothes. It was basically a mid-week sleepover. If anyone fell asleep before the rest did, then they would have a bunch of doodles on their faces. It was something that started when Theo (the unfortunate victim) fell asleep before midnight and Ginny Weasley had a marker in her hand. Lovegood did not even mind joining.

Draco would wait until all of them were dead asleep before joining Hermione in her room and would wake up earlier than them so they wouldn't suspect anything. He hoped so.

NEWTs week was draining, stressful and overall pain in the head. A week prior to that, they had submitted their final projects and that included the evaluation of the plants they had cultivated in the Greenhouse. So, when everything was all done, the Ravenclaws (one of the most stressed students) spearheaded an 'end of hell week' party. There were firewhiskeys and butterbeers along with a variety of amuse-bouche. Draco watched them get drunk and do foolish things. He, on the other hand, just drank one finger of firewhiskey because he was on probation and he wanted his freedom after all.

They all woke up with a hungover by Saturday, Hermione included. After the party, he carried her to her dorm as she slurred her thoughts about being a Ministry employee that would eradicate laws that favoured Purebloods and that she would fight for the magical Creatures' rights. He agreed all along because he believed no one else could do it but her. However, right now, she needed a pepper-up potion.

Draco spent the remaining weeks in the castle waiting for their NEWTs result and thinking about what he could do while he was on a two-year travel ban. He could widen his studies with potions or just watch Hermione Granger change the world again. Sometimes, it made him think that maybe he would just pull her back instead of helping her achieve what she wanted, but she thought otherwise. It was hard to believe, but for her—he would.

Narcissa Malfoy would not attend her son's graduation. Draco knew how much his mother loved him, but when she learned that he was somewhat involved in dissolving his betrothal with Astoria, she did not want to speak with him or see him. It was fine. He understood because two weeks ago, Lucius had decided to divorce his mother. She's probably a wreck. Cunningham told him that Andromeda — his estranged aunt—visited Lucius and told him that it was his mother who informed his grandfathers about Celestine and her pregnancy. She even helped plan everything. So he would rather not see or hear from his mother for now. It was still a mystery to him though, why Andromeda thought it was time for his father to know about this.

A knock interrupted his musings. "Draco? You ready?"

"In a minute. I'll meet you in the Great Hall, Pansy."

"Good," she said and left, her heels clacking on the stone floors.

Draco fixed his cuffs and put on his suit jacket before putting on the traditional Hogwarts graduation black robes and the Slytherin green stole that had the Hogwarts seal on the right and the Slytherin seal on the left. He looked around his room; all bis belongings were packed—he would miss this room and the dungeons—the entire Hogwarts castle. It became more of a home to him than the manor where he grew up. One last look.

He took his pointed hat from his nightstand and walked out of his room. Many students stayed to witness their graduation ceremony. As he made his way to the Great Hall, he noticed the families that were there to cheer for the graduates. They again transformed the Great Hall to accommodate the graduates and their families and other students who wanted to watch. There was noticeably only one photographer and no Skeeter to be seen.

"Malfoy!" He turned around and found Potter standing with a woman who looked like his mother and a bit like his aunt. He was frozen in his place for a moment and when he recovered, he strode to them. She was carrying a toddler, who changed his hair to his hair colour.

"Potter," he acknowledged him, and when he faced the woman with the toddler who was trying to reach him, she smiled.

"Hello, Draco. I'm Andromeda. I am your mother's—"

"Sister," he said, cutting him off. "I just noticed your resemblance to my mother and…her."

She nodded. "Ever observant, of course. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"We should have tea some time, don't you think?"

"I would love that."

Her smiled grew. "Anyway, this is Teddy, my grandson. Say hi, dear." Another victim of the war, now orphaned.

"Hi…" he said shyly with a cute little wave of his hand.

"Hello, I am Draco Malfoy," he said and when Teddy outstretched his hand to him, he took it and gave him the smallest handshake.

"Well, I think you two can bond later because the ceremony is about to start, so you should be in your place," Potter said.

"Right. I'll see you later."

"Yeah. Congratulations, by the way."

"Thanks, Potter."

He gave them both a curt nod before leaving for his seat next to Hermione, who was, of course, their class' Triple First Class honour and he managed to get Double First Class honour. Then the rest of their friends followed as Upper Second Class Honours. The Wednesday sleepovers they had, and those who woke up with doodles on their faces were all worth it at the end.

"Hi."

"Hello there. Where have you been? I thought you'll come here with Pansy."

"I just kind of took time…"

"Hmm. Of course you will."

He smiled and reached to fix her hat for her. Then, she fixed his stole. He made so many mistakes but one of the worst things he did was calling Hermione Granger an undeserving witch, that nasty name he used to call her, because she was a witch, better than him or anyone in the Wizarding world. She smiled up at him and he cannot help but smile back at her. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

Someone cleared a throat. "Okay, you two, stop the cheesy moments. We're in public. Do that later."

Draco rolled his eyes, and Hermione blushed. He looked to his right, and Theo was already speaking to the Ravenclaw between them. "I am so sorry that you had to witness that exchange. That man was shameless, and Granger was just being nice."

"Shut it, Theo," Draco admonished, but he only grinned. Good thing Lovegood tapped his arm, taking his attention.

The professors sat on the stage facing them all but without the table, all in their best robes. The ceremony started with Headmistress McGonagall giving her speech for the graduates and ended with the Hogwarts' Alumni Oath. Families gathered around them and Draco watched from afar.

A tap on his shoulder made him turn around and found Professor Collins grinning. "Congratulations, son."

"Thank—"

Draco was cut off when he pulled him in a hug. "I am proud of you, son." In shock, Draco stood there unmoving for a second before he could hug him back.

"Thank you for everything, Professor."

They pulled away, and Professor Collins sniffed. There were unshed tears in his eyes. "Don't thank me. I did the bare minimum."

"And yet you did more than what my father can."

"Don't say that to your father. He will get jealous."

Draco rolled his eyes. Professor Collins chuckled.

"Anyway, Celestine sent something for you," he said, pulling a rectangular, polished wooden box from his robes. He handed it to him and, by the looks he was giving him, he opened the box. It was a fountain pen with an intricate design nestled in the middle of black velvet.

"Montblanc patron of art Alexander the Great fountain pen. A better pen than what I gave you. Something for the new chapter of your life."

"Your pen held a special place in my heart, Professor," he said after admiring the pen in the box. "Please tell her I am thankful for the gift."

"Why not tell her?" He pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to him. "She got an owl, so you two can finally write letters without me as a middleman, but don't you dare forget writing to me."

"I won't."

"Good. You're doing well, son. Keep it up," he said with a smile, giving his shoulder a squeeze. Draco nodded. "Alright, I'll go now. Looks like someone else wanted to talk to you."

He looked behind him as he took his hand off his shoulder, and that prompted him to turn around. Hermione was already making her way to him.

"I thought the Weasleys will take you to the Burrow."

"I need to do something first."

"Oh, alright…" He sounded uncertain—or nervous. This was it. She had to cut ties with him for her career. He was ready for this. No, not really.

"Do you remember that favour you owe me?"

"Uh—yes."

"Well, I want to cash in that favour."

"Alright…" He watched her pull something from her inner robes. A folded parchment. She handed it to him, which he took carefully. "What favour?"

"Read it first."

"O-okay." He unfolded the parchment and started reading. His mouth slowly gaped. She didn't. He glanced up at her and she looked damn proud of herself and had a smirk that could rival his. "Hermione… you—h-how?"

"There's a perk of being the war heroine, I guess," she said with a casual shrug. "So? Can you do me the favour?"

"Of course!"

"Great!"

"I can kiss you right now."

"Actions are better—"

He never closed their distance faster than he did today. He cupped her jaw and covered her mouth with his. Eliciting excited shouts he knew came from their friends.

"I fucking knew it!"

"Finally!"

"You go, girl!"

"React badly and I will hex you!"

"Ah, shut them up!"

"Wait, you lot need to pay me!"

"Blaise and Pansy, pay up!"

"Potter! You owe me, too!"

"Now, if only we could prove they already shagged."

"They did."

"Yeah, they did,"

All the other noises were just a blur to them. He pulled away, and they both had smiles on their faces.

"Ready to be stuck with me in Australia for two years, Draco?"

"More than ready, Hermione."

This was not his fate, he knew it but he chose it and as long as Hermione wants him, he would choose this, fight for this, and sacrifice everything for this every day.