A/N: Obviously I don't own the characters nor the locations displayed here, only what I make with them...
2. About Diagon Alley and forgiveness.
Hermione was walking in Diagon Alley. She didn't know what she was looking for, only that she just wanted a moment alone, after all that had happened in the Battle of Hogwarts, Ron and everything. She didn't know what to think about it. She had thought it a very good idea at first, but as the days went by, she couldn't help herself thinking Ron wasn't the right guy for her. At all.
Draco, on the other hand, was clearly avoiding going to Diagon Alley when it wasn't necessary. His family was still seen as traitors, and the death of his father wasn't really helping. He would offer everything he had to be born in a normal rebel family. He could have been friends with Potter, Weasel and everything would have been just fine.
They both didn't see the other coming, until they bumped into each other in front of Nockturn Alley's stairs. Hermione jumped backwards when she saw who it was, and Draco only sighed at her frown.
"Hello, Granger."
She didn't frown when he said her name. It was almost as if it was a apologetic word. "Hello, Malfoy. What are you doing here?" She arranged her clothes, though no dust was visible on it.
"I was...you don't want to know anyway, why should I tell you?"
"I heard your father died. I'm...sorry for you." It wasn't really true. Lucius Malfoy had always freaked her out, the world was better without him.
Draco didn't miss it. "Thanks. I'll just-" He tried to leave her alone, but strangely it didn't seem to bother her that he was there. "I don't freak you out, then, Granger?"
She shrugged. "It's not like you were dangerous, Ferret." She showed him her wand in her sleeve. "And anyway, you weren't the creepiest of them all."
He started following her as she resumed walking. "Yeah, well, I guess it's a bit late for that but...I'm sorry. About that day. In the Manor."
Hermione stopped and faced him. He was looking sincere. That day had been the most horrible of all her life. Only thinking about it made her mental scars crack open. She automatically touched the scar Bellatrix had carved her in her right arm. "I...accept your apologies."
He bowed. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."
She sighed again. "You were as frightened of her as we all were. It's not like you had the choice anyway."
He kicked a nearby wall with his fist. It didn't even hurt a little, and he looked at the bleeding flesh with curious eyes. "I could have stood before them. Get you out. All of you. I was such a coward."
She hesitated but put her hand on his shoulder anyway. "Draco..." It was nearly hard to say his name without spitting it out. "...you're not a coward now. We all know it."
And she resumed walking. He didn't follow her at first, but then made up his mind and walked next to her tiny figure. "Would you...mind-"
"Drinking a Botterbeer, or even a Firewhiskey, would be the best thing that would happen today. Thanks for asking." She literally pulled him towards a bar, sat at the counter and asked for two whiskeys.
He looked at her in awe. "You really are one of a kind, Granger."
"Because I'm a Mudblood?" Her voice was sharp even if she didn't intend it to be.
"No, that's not what I meant." He shifted his weight on the stool, feeling uncomfortable about that conversation. "I wish I never treated you like that."
"I wish it too. Things would be easier, wouldn't they?"
"Anyway, I heard you and Weasel were getting along?"
She turned to face him. "Why would you care?" Then she made up a face. "No, I...we...I don't know. It doesn't feel right."
His grey eyes widened. "Really? I've always thought you were meant to be. As Potter and the red-head fury."
She giggled. "Yes, Harry and Ginny were meant to be together, but...I mean...it's just like I was dating my own brother!"
He made a disgusted sound. "It doesn't seem agreeable at all."
"No, it isn't." She giggled again and took a blazing sip of whiskey. "And you? Still single? Where has Parkinson gone to?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Pansy and I? No way! It would be just like you and Weasel. Duh!"
"Well, I guess we aren't lucky, then."
He looked at her intensely for a minute, and then sighed. "It's too difficult."
His whisper got in her ears. "What is?"
"You shouldn't be that attractive, it isn't fair. We're like...deadly enemies, even now the War had ended. And I'm here, sitting at a counter with you, Hermione Granger, and I wish I was dead after all I did to make you suffer."
She looked stunned. "You...Oh my God! Don't tell me you're-" She looked in his glass. "You're not even drunk! What are you thinking?"
Hermione got up, paid the barman and quickly tried to get out of the bar. Draco caught her arm before she could open the door.
"You forgave me, didn't you?" His eyes were pleading.
"Yes, I did, but don't push-"
His lips met hers, and she couldn't say anything else.
This chapter was way easier to write... Hope you enjoyed it!
As you might have guessed now, I'm a total Dramione fan... Shame on me!
Review! Who would you like next chapter to be about? :)