Two days later, Hermione found herself hugging Harry in front of the fireplace. She had received a letter from Draco on behalf of The Snake King to Floo to Malfoy Manor, where he would meet her and side-along apparate to the Zabini estate. "Are you sure about this?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Harry. As I've told you, I think it may be beneficial to us and the Aurors if I'm there," she replied, squatting down to make sure her bag was zipped shut.

"The stories about him…" he trailed, frowning.

Hermione straightened and put her hands on Harry's shoulders, drawing his attention to her face. "I know. I met him, though, and I don't think I'm in any sort of danger. I believe he's only brutal when he thinks it's needed," she told him, knowing that it wasn't a very compelling argument.

Green eyes closed as Harry drew in a deep breath. As he exhaled, he reopened them and offered her a small smile. "Alright. Owl me when you can," he reminded her, bending to pick up her bag.

"I will," she promised, taking the bag and slinging the strap over her shoulder. She turned to the fireplace and scooped some floo powder out of the bowl on the mantle. Stepping inside, she enunciated "Malfoy Manor" before throwing down the powder.

The nauseous feeling that often found its way to her after using the floo network subsided quickly when she stepped out of the fireplace in a perfectly clean and decorated parlor. The furniture, a loveseat and two chairs, remind her of the vintage set in her grandmother's house. There were some paintings of landscapes, ranging from mountains to the ocean, hanging on the walls. An end table sat between the two chairs and a framed picture sitting on the surface caught her attention. She moved closer to it, lightly dropping her bag onto the floor. Her fingers curled around the edge of the frame as she picked up the picture. It was of a small blonde boy, a toy broom in his hand as he grinned at whoever was taking the picture. His front two teeth were missing. It had to be Draco, when he was about four years old, she'd have guessed. In true wizarding photo fashion, young Draco waved his arm that held the broom and his eyes squinted when he grinned. He looked so full of joy. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen Draco Malfoy do anything except smirk.

"I was quite the handsome child, wasn't I?" The man in question drawled from behind her suddenly.

She jumped, fumbling with the frame before placing it back on the table. Reaching up, she pushed her hair away from her face as she turned to face him. He was smirking, as she knew he would be, standing with his hands in his pants pockets. He wore black trousers and a light blue t-shirt. She'd never seen him dressed so casually. It slightly annoyed her how his casual attire seemed to increase his level of attractiveness. If he'd only have a decent personality to match his looks, he'd be quite the catch, she found herself thinking. Clearing her throat, she picked up her bag.

"I was only admiring how happy you looked in it," she told him. "I was trying to think of another moment that I'd seen your actual smile, but I couldn't place a memory."

He sauntered across the room to join her, looking over her shoulder for a second to see the picture of his younger self. His expression was almost wistful. "I'd say my childhood was a happy one. Things were easy and my family was...well, I still probably wouldn't say normal, but we were better before I started Hogwarts. That's when I remember things really changing with my father. He drew away from me and my mother and began seeking more attention from his Death Eater friends," he shared.

Hermione blinked, surprised to hear him share something personal. She didn't say she was sorry for him- something told her that's not the response he would have wanted. "I'm glad you had a happy childhood, Malfoy. I thought maybe you were a sorry git even then," she told him, her tone light and joking.

A small crack of a genuine smile surfaced on his face, but it didn't last long. "Don't joke with me, Granger. I might think you want to be friends," he chided.

Before she could respond, he took hold of her arm. "Let's be on our way," he said, holding up his wand in the other hand.

They found their footing in the same grove of trees she had apparated from a few days earlier. Without a word, the two started the trek to the backside of the manor. For a late July afternoon, it was rather cool with a breeze blowing. "There's one thing I've been wondering about, Malfoy," Hermione said, glancing at the wizard walking beside her.

"That would be?"

"Is this what you've been doing since the end of the trials? It's been four years, have you really dedicated all this time trying to bring down the remaining Death Eaters with The Snake King?"

If his hands weren't already shoved deep into his pockets, Draco would have put them there with her question. "The first year after the trial was hard. I spent it being angry at my father, taking care of my mother, and trying to make peace with the horrible things I did. When the remaining Death Eaters started popping up and causing problems, it took me back to a dark place. I was terrified someone else decided they could be the next Dark Lord. Then I saw how much trouble the Aurors and Potter were having rounding the rogues up. I knew I couldn't sit back and let other people handle it. I have contacts and got involved. I'm not the same scared little boy I had been four years ago," he told her.

He didn't know why he unloaded so much on her, but it felt nice to talk to someone about it. Hermione reached out and touched his arm. "You know, I meant what I said at your trial all those years ago. I still think it was brave of you to become a Death Eater to protect your family," she told him.

"Thanks, Granger. Now, what's the deal with Potter? If what I've heard is correct, he's been very protective of you and kept you out of Order business lately." She glanced at him, wondering where he'd been garnering information.

"Harry means well, Malfoy. Ron," she took a deep breath, "was killed seven months ago. Some other things were going on at that time too, and it was very hard on me. I wasn't in a good place. Harry is just worried about me, but I've come a long way in the last few months. I'm doing better now."

"What kind of 'other things' do you mean?"

"Hey now, a girl has to have some secrets," Hermione said, giving Draco a weak smile that didn't meet her eyes. They paused outside the metal door that led back into the manor. The wizard in front of her looked her over for a minute, observing. She wondered what he was thinking.

"You're surprisingly easy to talk to about this stuff, Granger. I've already spilled much of my personal life to you twice today. Let's not make it a habit, deal?" he asked, turning to open the door.

She followed inside after him. "Deal, Malfoy."

A little later Hermione found herself wandering down a hall, getting acquainted with the manor, when she heard a shout from a nearby room. She hurried to the room it had come from and flung the door open. It was a spacious room with concrete flooring. Inside was a handful of dummies and tapestries hung on the wall. This must be one of the training rooms, she thought. A man stood in the middle of the room, his back to her.

"Hey- are you okay?" she asked, stepping inside.

He turned so fast that he stumbled to the side before catching his balance. "Ah, yes, I'm fine," he said, clearing his throat.

She looked him over, noting the singe marks on his shirt and pants. Blinking up at him, she asked, "Did you set yourself on fire?"

He looked down at himself. "Oh, that? Um, yes, I did. By accident of course," he replied, rubbing a hand over his face. His cheeks tinted pink in what Hermione could only assume was embarrassment.

"I heard a shout and just wanted to check," she told him, stepping further into the room.

The wizard was taller than her, with dark hair and upon closer inspection, blue eyes. They were bright and clear, reminding her somewhat of Ron's. Something about the way he held himself seemed familiar. "Do I know you?" she asked.

"No, I don't believe we've formally met," he said. "Though I was only a few years ahead of you in school. I'm Jett Cray." He held out his hand.

"Oh! You're Fenton's brother!" she exclaimed, taking his hand in hers.

"Yes, and thank you, for what you did. I know you're Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her age."

For some reason, Hermione felt her cheeks flush. It was something she heard a lot, but from him, it somehow sounded like a compliment she'd never received before. "I don't know about that, but thank you," she told him.

They both seemed to realize at the same time that they still held on to each other's hands. Quickly they released each other and she stepped back while he shoved his hand in his pocket. "Sorry," they said in unison.

He chuckled and she giggled nervously. This was unfamiliar territory. He was rather attractive. It had been a while since she'd spoken to a handsome man that wasn't someone she already knew. He reached up and rubbed his square jawline, which she noticed had just a hint of stubble running across it. She was sure if she'd been closer she would have heard it scratch against his palm.

"Fenton told me you help with the training. Is this where you do it at?" she asked.

"One of the rooms. There's many around the manor. You should come to one of them," he told her.

"Yes, you really should." Hermione started and looked over her shoulder at the sound of Draco's voice. He was leaning against the door jamb, arms crossed over his chest. If she knew him better, she'd have said he looked almost irritated.

"Malfoy," Jett greeted. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

The blonde meandered into the room, stopping just beside Hermione. "I was looking for this one. I was told to show her the library," he said, looking down at her.

Jett hummed and turned his attention to Hermione. His eyes seemed to have darkened and he suddenly didn't seem as friendly as before. She could feel the tension between the two men. "It was lovely to meet you, Hermione. Feel free to come to any of my training classes," he said.

She responded in kind and they shook hands once more. Draco took her elbow and led her from the room, shutting the door behind them. Once they were a few feet away, she asked, "What was that all about? Don't get along very well?"

"Now, now, Granger, a man needs to have some secrets," he replied, smirking at her. Clearly, he wasn't in the mood to share. It wouldn't be surprising if Draco didn't get along with someone. Definitely would not be the first person he didn't like. She shrugged it off, continuing down the hall beside him.

"Is the library as large as yours at Malfoy Manor?" she wondered aloud. "I was under the impression that the room I met you and The Snake King in the other day was the library, albeit a small one."

His smirk turned into a genuine smile, though it was small. "That was only the study. Just you wait for the library, Granger," he said.

When they reached the mahogany doors, Hermione took in a deep breath, ready to be impressed by what awaited her. As he pushed open the doors, Draco stepped to the side, allowing her to enter first. She exhaled her breath slowly, eyes widening as she took it all in. The library was large, reaching to the next floor with a staircase on each side. To one side on her left was a small sitting area, occupied by a few others. The bookshelves on both floors stretched from floor to ceiling, lined with different sized books. She noticed a reference cart near the sitting area and her fingers itched to look through the cards to see what kinds of books were housed in the library. Looking up, she noticed a skylight in the ceiling, beams of sunlight streaking across the upper level bookcases. So the library ran from the second floor up to the third. She wondered briefly why the constructor of the manor didn't go ahead and have it down all three floors. She'd have loved that!

"Come, Granger. I want you to be reacquainted with some former classmates," Draco said, drawing her attention away from the splendor surrounding her.

She looked back at him and he gestured to the sitting area. Her eyes followed the gesture and she thought she might vaguely recognize the three people occupying the space. She followed him to the area, jerking her arm when he tried to take her elbow again. Though she knew it was his pureblood breeding and manners training, she didn't like being led around that way. As they approached the group, the two wizards that had sat on a white leather loveseat stood. She recognized one as the young owner of the estate, Blaise Zabini. He'd been named "most eligible bachelor" last month in Witch Weekly. Ginny had gushed over his handsome Italian features. While they had been at Hogwarts together, Hermione couldn't remember ever having a full conversation with the man. The other wizard looked familiar as well, but Hermione couldn't place his name. The blonde witch sitting in one of the armchairs was Daphne Greengrass though, she knew. It seemed her earlier assessment of the manor being full of former Slytherins was correct.

"Everyone, you remember Granger from school yes? She's come to join us and help out. She'll be on your team, so play nicely," Draco said, chuckling to himself like he'd told a joke.

Blaise was the first to move, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to that particular greeting or goodbye. "Blaise Zabini, in case you weren't sure of my name," he practically purred.

He flashed her a grin of pearly whites and Hermione found herself smiling back. His dark hair was trimmed close to his scalp, his brown eyes light and full of cheer. He was a handsome wizard, and she got the feeling he was quite the charmer. She turned her attention to the other wizard, who stood taller than the other two beside her. His hair, black and long, was pulled back into a low ponytail. He was pale, but unlike Draco, his pallor was closer to looking ill. He was thin and gangly. She imagined if Molly Weasley had been here, the older witch would have dragged him down to the kitchens and stuffed him full of her shepherd's pie. Hermione offered him a hand. "I'm sorry I can't seem to place your name," she apologized.

"Theodore Nott," he said before clearing his throat. "Theo."

He spoke quietly, his voice low and almost timid. He met her eyes once but looked away so quickly, she wasn't even sure what color his eyes were. Giving her hand one quick shake, he dropped it and stuffed his hand into his pocket. Sensing that he wasn't one for much more than pleasantries with strangers, she turned to look at Daphne. The two witches had taken a few N.E.W.T. courses together the year following the end of the war, when Hermione had gone back to Hogwarts. That year had been the only semi-peaceful one before the remaining Death Eaters started popping up again.

"Nice to see you again, Hermione," the blonde greeted from her perch in the chair. Her shoes were off and she had her legs tucked underneath her. A book sat open in her lap and Hermione was curious as to what she was reading.

"How have you been, Daphne?" She asked, stepping away from the three men to visit with the witch.

"Better. I'm not going to ask you, but please don't think of it as me not caring. I just know what you must still be going through," Daphne said.

Hermione was grateful for the woman in that moment. It was nice to not have to tell someone she was fine or good when she really wasn't. She was almost there, but not quite yet. Theo and Blaise took their positions back on the love seat, Draco joining them. The three men barely fit on it, none of them looking exactly comfortable. Hermione took a seat in the chair opposite Daphne. The four old friends fell into conversation and she found herself easily brought into it. For the hour or so they sat there, Hermione felt surprisingly comfortable. Unless something happened, she figured she'd may just be alright at the estate.