New Life.

By about two o'clock I was ready to get out of bed and perhaps even have a bit of a stroll around the grounds. Stretching from the bed I limped into the adjoining bathroom. Looking into the great big mirror that stretched across the bathroom wall. My eye had a deep dark circle around it and the fresh red cuts were swollen and pink. Waving my wand, I healed the cuts as well as I could leaving only a faint line where the deeper cuts had been and a slight ache where my ribs had been kicked and a twinge in my ankle. If I wasn't going to see Tom again, I didn't have to keep hiding my magic or waiting for the cuts and bruises to heal naturally. I felt a lot brighter having cleared myself up but there were certain scars even I couldn't heal. Waving my wand again I changed into Ugg boots, an oversized hoodie and a pair of leggings to keep me warm in the winter weather. The snow was just starting to fall again outside of the window, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from having a look around.

"Tinky?" I said nervously. I still wasn't fully comfortable asking an enslaved creature for help around when I didn't believe she should be enslaved at all, but I saw no other option. With a faint pop a little house elf appeared in front of me, her big blue eyes blinking at me as she smiled. To my amazement she was wearing a little Christmas jumper with a penguin on, although the jumper was a bit more of a dress on her tiny body.

"How can Tinky helps you misses?" She asked in her high-pitched and cheerful voice.

"Would you be ok to show me to the grounds Tinky?" I asked trying to ensure I sounded polite.

"Of course, Misses, this way." She said, being careful to stay by my side as she showed me the way.

"You can call me Hermione if you'd like Tinky, May I ask you a question?" I asked as we walked down the long corridor past room after room. I would eventually have a slight nose around the house, but I wanted to start with the grounds and get a bit of fresh air.

"Yes, misses Hermione." Tinky asked looking slightly nervous as she looked at me.

"Does Mr Malfoy treat you well?" I asked trying to avoid directly asking if she was still enslaved.

"Mr Draco is very kind to Tinnie and I Misses. We chooses to be here. He pays us and gives us holidays, he even brought us these Christmas jumpers last week Misses." I stared in shock at Tinky, Malfoy had freed his house elves and paid them if they chose to stay? It seemed as though he really had matured since school.

"I'm glad he treats you well." I replied wincing slightly as we made our way down the stairs, a shooting pain hitting me hard in the ribs.

"We is glad he has company now to, Mr Malfoy has been sad he has, he seems happier already with you here Misses Hermione." I didn't reply as I thought over what Tinky had said. Surely, he had someone. I knew his father had been sent to jail after the war, but I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to his mum or some of his school friends, he always had a posse with him in school. There was no way he'd lost all of that in the past few years. Then again, he certainly seemed different now so maybe something big had happened to him. I'd never thought of Malfoy as lonely before. Maybe, just maybe we could help each other out.

Finally, we reached the back door and I slipped out, pulling my jumper tighter to me as the cold air hit me like a brick and my breath appeared in front of my face.

"Here you go Misses Hermione, the gardens. Do you need anything else?" Tinky asked staying by the door.

"No thank you Tinky, I'll see you later, thank you for showing me the way." I replied smiling and holding out my hand for her to shake. She stared at it before grasping it and shaking it enthusiastically.

"You is most welcome Misses Hermione." She said quickly before skipping back inside. I smiled as I watched her go and began strolling around the gardens. I could imagine these gardens would be stunning in the summer months when all the flowers bloomed. They were beautiful even now. The few surviving winter berries were frosted and the air was brisk as I walked. It was hard to believe that this house had so much beauty when for so long it had been the headquarters of evil. I'd never imagined that I'd be able to enjoy being here but as I walked I couldn't help but notice how peaceful it was.

I made my way over to a small lake that sat at the bottom of the grounds a thin layer of ice covering the water. The mist had slowly settled about a meter above the lake and it looked like a scene out of a movie. I stood for a few minutes and took it all in.

"I expected to find you in the library rather than the grounds." Malfoy's voice made me jump slightly as it cut through the silence. As I turned around, I was surprised to see him in a black jumper and a simple pair of jeans. He smiled as he came closer and looked out across the lake.

"Oh I'm sorry, I definitely plan to spend time in the library and a lot of time too but I thought a bit of fresh air might do me some good first." I replied studying the relaxed look in his eyes. Saying sorry almost felt like second nature to me now, I didn't want to be too much of a burden on his life. He seemed so calm all the time, it was almost as if he could handle anything, maybe he was just good at hiding his emotions.

"You don't have to apologise to me Hermione. I'm sure he made you feel as though your existence was a burden but its not. I'm glad you're able to enjoy the fresh air here." Malfoy glanced my way as he spoke but I couldn't quite meet his eye. It struck me that he always seemed to know how I felt but I still couldn't fully put my finger on why.

"I guess it'll take some getting used to… being away from him and realising the things he did weren't normal." I replied staring out across the little lake. As I spoke a bubble of nerves formed in my chest. This really was a new page, and it was terrifying. What if I wasn't strong enough? What if Tom was right and I needed him? What if I really was nothing?

"Just take it one step at a time. Learn how to love yourself again, spend time with friends, just focus on you for a little while." Malfoy said as If he sensed how odd things felt for me. This all felt so strange, but I couldn't deny Draco had changed. He looked so much more relaxed and mature now that he let his hair fall naturally and his eyes looked less strained as if the shadows of his past had faded slightly. For once his intelligence shone brighter than his arrogance.

"I'm not sure I have many friends left." I responded quietly turning away from Draco and the lake. I felt his eyes on the back of my neck but I knew he wouldn't come any closer, he seemed very aware of keeping a small distance.

"Surely Potter and Weasley are still close, you three were inseparable not three years ago." There was a slight hint of bitterness in his voice but it wasn't in a horrible way. It struck me as more a sense of jealousy. I fiddled with my hands again suddenly feeling the cold once again.

"I haven't seen much of them, Tom didn't like it when they were around, he always said I showed off." I heard a sigh from Draco and could feel his growing agitation towards Tom.

"They will understand, friends like that are always there, if not always at the forefront of your attention." I began strolling towards the house again happy enough for Draco to follow.

"I've let them down, I wouldn't blame them if they weren't there." I said sadly as we walked. I had abandoned the two people who I loved the most and I couldn't exactly wait for them to be there when I got back.

"Take a few days, until there's less of a wince in every step you take, settle your mind and I'll help you find a way back to them." Draco replied.

"How come you're being so nice to me Draco." I asked as we reached the door and slipped into the warmth of the manor once more.

"I've done a lot of things wrong in my life Hermione, but this is something I have the opportunity to do for the better. I will be happy the day I see the Granger that punched me in third year. I'll be here every step of the way." He said offering no further explanation as to what motivated him to be this way. I knew now that I'd be grateful to hm regardless of what happened from this moment.

I couldn't deny, I wanted the old Hermione back as well and somehow I knew Draco would help me find her one way or another.

****end of chap*****

Another chapter for you all! I hope this doesn't feel to slow a story for you all as I wanted to add truth to the time of recovery from such a relationship! Hope you've enjoyed! More coming soon xoxo