A/N: Hi all! As always, a special thank you to takingflight4, Ineedcookies, decadenceofmysoul, BeachGirl114, Fast Frank, Shorty653, SoeyOlivia, Lost O'Fallon Girl, and jacpin2002. Thank you for commenting on the last chapter, your comments really do make my day!

This weeks chapter is a little short, I've been fighting off a head cold that just has made me useless, and because of the short chapter, I'll try and get the next one out sooner.

BUUUUUT if all goes well, next chapter will have more Draco and Hermione (and maybe even a flashback if my muse participates).

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

As always, enjoy!

Chapter 4:

Hermione spent most of the morning outside in the garden. It shocked her how peaceful it was, almost as if noting outside the garden walls was at all dangerous.

No war.

No bloodshed.

No hatred.

There were only rows and rows of flowers and trees, beautifully decorating the manor grounds.

It was calm and clear and so nice to finally be somewhere where she could breathe.

"It's a beautiful garden," Hermione said to Narcissa, who was standing a few yards to her right pretending not to watch her.

"Thank you," Narcissa replied, "herbology has always been a talent of mine… "

Hermione hummed, the pads of her fingers gently stroking the low hanging leaves of an apple tree. Hermione took this time to center herself, and she didn't exactly know how to bring up the subject thats been on her mind since she got to Malfoy Manor. She sucked her lower lip between her teeth, picking at the skin until she tasted copper, her mind drifting to the different outcomes of the conversation she almost dreaded to have.

"Narcissa," Hermione said, gathering all the courage she could, "do you know where my grandfather is? I think it's time I had a word with him."

Hermione turned to see Narcissa open her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by the man in question. He walked confidently into Hermione's new happy place, somehow breaking the peace that was there.

"I'm right here," Riddle said, "Nagini had let me know that you were here. I have to say, it is one of my favorite places on the grounds."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the snake at the Dark Lord's feet. "Traitor." Hermione deadpanned. Nagini gave a soft hiss in response.

"I need to talk to you about something," Hermione said, "I- I havent exactly thought of how to breech the subject."

Riddle inclined his head, a sign for Hermione to keep going.

Hermione sat on the stone bench under the tree, "It's about Harry." Hermione began, "I need a favor."

Riddle rose an eyebrow but said nothing so Hermione ran with it.

"Harry should be going on a mission in a couple days. Ron and Bill Weasley should be with him." Hermione rushed out. "Harry wants to meet with you. To talk about the situation in hand."

Riddle sat next to the young witch, studying her closely. "And you think that we should meet? What would that bring us? Dumbledore doesn't want peace, I've tried time and time again to reach out after the battle at Hogwarts." The Dark Lord had air of nonchalance wafting around him, "We've tried, and failed, so we are just going to leave it be."

Hermione crossed her arms immediately, her sudden rage threatened to suffocate her, "this had nothing to do with what Dumbledore wants— we want out and we want him gone."

Hermione's voice cracked. "After everything we have fought for, all the lives we lost, we— Harry, Ron, and I— we want peace. We want to stop fighting."

Riddle looked at her with his jaw set, "and what do you expect me to do?" he asked cautiously.

"We want a treaty," Hermione said, her eyes slightly misty, "we want you on our side when everything goes down."

The garden fell into an uncomfortable silence, Hermione kept her head bowed trying to reign in the anger that threatened to set her magic off.

This pregnancy has made her more volatile than a Hungarian Horntail.

"When everything goes down?" Narcissa spoke, her voice wavering.

Hermione nodded, "You can't know more until we know you're on our side. We have to make sure that we are safe."

Riddle hummed in contemplation, his eye's calculating glance on Hermione.

"A treaty." Riddle said, "with Dumbledore?"

"No, with Harry... with only Harry," Hermione responded cryptically.

Riddle's brows jumped and he stood without another word and walked into the manor obviously lost in thought. Hermione and Narcissa watched him go, and Nagini, who had decided to stay behind, looked at Hermione expectantly, who gave the large snake a sad smile.

"I think I want some sleep," Hermione said to Narcissa.

Before Narcissa could get a word out, Hermione was already heading towards the french doors leading into the garden. She had lucky memorized the way to her room, and quickly walked up the stairs into the safety of her chambers. Nagini, who had over left her side since she released her parentage, slithered along side her, demanding whoever who crossed their path to make way.

Hermione undressed, wrapping her self in a soft robe. She sat by the window and looked into the horizon, hoping the Riddle would come back wanting a treaty with Harry. That he would want to end this war.

And a key part of that was taking Dumbledore down... Everything else could be settled after.

She spent the rest fo the day in her room, food would show up by her bedside, and she would silently eat, still hoping that Riddle would approach her agreeing to help.

It was sunset when there was a knock at her door. Hermione jumped up, her heart pounding, hopping over Nagini to get to the door. Without a second thought she ripped it open, expect Narcissa or her grandfather.

Instead, she was met with the gunmetal grey eyes of Draco Malfoy.

Her heart dropped at the sight of him, her heart stuttering in her chest for a different reason.

"Hermione," he breathed, sending gooseflesh to rise on her skin.

Hermione moistened her lips, her throat suddenly dry, "Hi, Draco." she said, equally breathless at the sight of the boy— no, man— who she had longed to see.

Draco brushed his fingers against Hermione's, gently looking his finger around Hermione's in a way she knows so well.

And with the touch of his skin, Hermione was finally — finally— home.