Malfoy Residence, Van Wert

Harry stared in shock at the words that left his friend's mouth. Of course it had been quite obvious when he had seen the children rush downstairs. Hermione was never the one to bear a child out of wedlock, let alone four. When he had seen Draco Malfoy, he had known that she was wedded to him yet hearing the name uttered from her delicate form was a shock. It seemed so wrong yet so right at the same time, the name flowing wonderfully.

"Y-You're m-married?" Harry stammered. His mind was racing with thoughts. When did they get married? Didn't they hate each other? How the hell did she forgive him after all these years? What on earth was going on?

Hermione looked down softly. "Yes." She whispered before taking on a confident voice. "Kids, have lunch and then go have your nap. Remember that you're going to Lisa's house later on. Draco…could you put Liam to bed and then bring them down?" Draco nodded before kissing away her fallen tears before taking Liam from her and leaving with the two children in tow.

Harry stared intently at Hermione, waiting for an explanation for her actions. "Hermione?" She nodded softly before answering him. "You will find out. Just…take a seat." Harry complied, sitting in a single recliner, as she sat down on a matching love seat, only an oak table separating them. They sat in soft silence until Draco re-entered the room, a familiar looking object in his hands.

"Is that-" Harry began before being cut off. "Yes Harry. It is. This is how you'll find out. It's a collection of the most important memories from the past seven years, from when it all started. We collected them for the day we returned…which has come a little bit too early for our liking…but here…just look at them without any biasness."

Harry nodded before repeating the process so familiar with him, entering the memories of both his best friend and arch-nemesis. You're doing this for Hermione…she is your best friend…you must find the past…

A/N: These memories are going to be like flashbacks unlike in the books.

Malfoy Manor, 1998

Draco Malfoy had woken up early that morning, unable to sleep with the shock of Snape's treachery to the school and Dumbledore. It had been surprising when he had learnt that Dumbledore, in fact, had not died. After his body had erupted into flames, Albus Dumbledore III had reappeared a few days later to Minerva McGonagall, but not even in ghost form. His body was still as solid as before and he was, it seemed, reincarnated. It had confused people to no end yet they were all happy to welcome him back. At first many had been afraid of an Inferi but how could one be made when the body had been burnt.

The Headmaster had been given a strong glass of Veritaserum and asked about how and why he had returned. He had answered casually that the Greek gods, most importantly Zeus, had decided that it wasn't his time to leave earth and that he was needed for very important things. He had described the discussion of whether or not to allow him back and his deliverance back to earth.

Naturally, he had added, Hades wasn't too happy and Persephone, despite her cold demeanour, had an odd sparkle in her eyes. He had stated that it was quite like she had eaten a Lemon Drop. At this odd statement, many had believed that it truly was Dumbledore including Minister Fudge, who had been reinstated as the public believed that Rufus Scrimgeour had done a poor job at protecting the school of Hogwarts and the people.

One of the first things Dumbledore had done was to visit Draco, a few days before Lucius Malfoy had escaped from Azkaban. He had repeated to Draco the offer he had once made, that Draco could turn to the Light-Side and his family protected. Lucius Malfoy would never be harmed, they knew for he was too close to Voldemort. Narcissa Malfoy wouldn't be touched either as Dumbledore knew that Voldemort couldn't risk losing Lucius' support. Draco had readily agreed. He wasn't, as Dumbledore had told him, a killer. He wasn't truly a Death Eater.

Nevertheless to say, Draco couldn't return to sleep with all these thoughts swimming in his mind. He soon decided to talk a quick walk. His father, he had learnt the day before, had escaped and he was too worried about his return. As he strolled close to the front doors of his home, the doors flung open with a sickening crack as Lucius Malfoy strolled defiantly through the doors, a limp body floating behind him.

Nervously Draco hid behind a small alcove, praying that the dark of the night would conceal his location. As Lucius sauntered snootily down the corridors, obviously towards his dungeons, Draco took a good look at the girl.

There was a familiar look about her. Her face was facing towards him, her full lips the only visible part. Her rich, brown curls lay across her face, hanging and swaying with her movement. She was wearing a knee-length denim skirt and white tank top, which was stained with dirt. Her feet were bare and scraps ran down her legs.

After Lucius had disappeared down the cold, bleak stone steps, Draco sprinted back to his room, the girl haunting his thoughts. Who was she and why did she look so familiar?

Draco lay back in bed, the shock making him drowsy. He would sleep for a few hours.

The sun had risen by the time Draco had woken up. He had quickly showered and dressed before making his way through the eerie halls to the dining room. A long mahogany table sat in the middle, his mother seated in the middle. She looked up happily as Draco entered and sat at one end. Though his father had been away for so long, Narcissa refused to sit at the head end for it was designated for Lucius. "Guess what Draco?" She questioned eagerly. Before giving him time to answer she continued. "Your father has returned! He came last night and returned to our chamber! Oh I am terribly thrilled!" She exclaimed.

Draco let a wall drop, covering his emotions. He forced a cold smile onto his face. "Wonderful, mother. Will he be down for breakfast?"

Narcissa nodded joyfully seconds before Lucius strode through the doors, proudly. "Draco, my boy."

Draco inclined his head slightly. "Father." Lucius smiled proudly at his son. "I heard that the Dark Lord is proud of you, son. I have a small surprise for you."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Really, Father? And what may that be?"

Lucius smiled. "Remember that Mudblood in your grade?" Draco nodded thinking of Granger. "I've brought her for you. You will practice your techniques on her. Meanwhile, I have to meet the Dark Lord." He stated before Apparating away.

Though no emotions were visible on Draco's face, his insides were squirming with fear. The girl was Granger. What the heck was he to do? He would not harm her. Yes…he would set her free… but how would he do it without his father realising it?

He would definitely not practice his damned techniques on her. By techniques, Lucius meant that Draco was to practice torturing on her.

His mother soon left, stating she was to meet Mrs. Gloria Parkinson. This was the perfect time, Draco thought. He quickly Apparated to the dungeons searching for the cell in which the girl was.

Before long he found her. In the corner was a small ball. Her legs were pulled up and her arms wrapped around them. She was much more dirty than before. Her arms had whip marks running down them as did her delicate legs. Tear marks were glistening from the small light that lit the dungeons. As she heard the patter of Draco's footsteps, she looked up fear written all over her small face.

Her eyes widened as she saw Draco looking down on her. "M-Malfoy…" she muttered softly, her voice weak with pain. "P-please don't h-hurt me…" Tears were streaming freely down her pale cheeks.

Draco knelt beside her. "I wont…Dumbledore has offered me freedom and I want it. I need to figure how to help you out…I cannot take you outside of this cell…only Lucius can." Hermione nodded softly before muttering her thanks.

Draco nodded before slowly enveloping her in his arms. "For good luck…" He whispered. She wept into his arms until a soft sound disturbed them. A distant 'pop' resonated off the walls. Lucius had returned with company. Draco pulled back in shock as Hermione whispered for him to get himself out of there.

He placed himself in a nearby niche in the wall as his father entered, Voldemort not far behind. "This is the Mudblood."

Voldemort nodded. "Take her to the room." His eerie voice hissed out. Lucius nodded, dragging Hermione out of the room, her screams echoing around the dungeons. Voldemort's face split into an unnatural grin as he followed. Draco pulled himself out of the alcove and followed them in the shadows, as Lucius led them into a large room.

The Torture Room, Draco thought morbidly. Hermione's eyes spotted him, fear and pain swimming through the deep chocolate orbs of hers.

Draco painfully watched on as Lucius brought down the whip on her many times, her screams piercing his ears. Voldemort drew his wand before shouting 'Crucio'. Draco closed his eyes as Hermione began to writhe on the floor, convulsing with the pain. Her deeps eyes were bored into his mind, her screams echoing in his mind.

The torture seemed to go on for hours before Lucius laughed cruelly, the pair Apparating out of the room. Draco ran forward to the girl in the middle. He began to pick her up, only to have to scream in pain. "D-don't…h-hurts…" She muttered softly before her eyes rolled around in her head, darkness overcoming her.

Draco cursed softly under his breath before Apparating away to a familiar hospital. He sprinted to the front desk where a blonde woman sat, twirling her hair in her hands, a line before her. Patients and visitors gasped in horror as they saw the girl and quickly moved for him to reach the woman. "I need a Healer! Quickly!" Draco choked out. The eyes of the woman widened before she alerted the Healers who came sprinting and took Hermione in their arms.

One remained behind, asking Draco numerous questions though Draco himself just wanted to faint from the overwhelming shock and mind-jarring images that haunted him.

He was now seated in a plush chair, awaiting news of Hermione's condition. A small 'pop' was heard and a voice spoke out to him. "Ah, Draco. A very noble thing you did it was. I am proud of you." Draco turned to see Albus Dumbledore solemnly smiling at him. "I have received news that Miss Granger is in a stable condition and awaiting us both. I do think she wants to thank you for your nobility." Draco nodded before allowing himself to be taken to a ward somewhere he didn't register.

Dumbledore entered first and smiled down softly at the young woman on the bed. "Hermione, I trust that they are taking good care of you, yes? Good, good…I believe that we shall keep this even secret. The witnesses of your arrival have been obliviated and the reporters have been told of what happened, though all names have been excluded." Hermione smiled softly. "Mr Malfoy is here to see you as well. I have a good friend in another ward. I'll go pop in and visit him and allow you both a moment to yourselves."

Hermione nodded in agreement as Dumbledore left the room. Draco entered and awkwardly sat beside the breath-taking girl, her skin once again blemish-free. "How are you?" He questioned timidly.

A soft chuckle escaped her full lips. "I've been better, trust me. But I have to thank you for my life. Healer Clancy said that I was losing blood rapidly and would not have made it if it weren't for you. I do owe you. Is there any way I could repay you?"

Draco was about to decline her offer when he thought of something. "I have only one request of you…Hermione." Her eyes widened at his use of her first name. "I pray that you will forgive me of my wrong-doings towards you. I was completely out of order these past years. All I ask is that you will forgive me."

Hermione smiled softly. "Of course Draco. How could I hate the one that saved me?" Draco smiled brightly.

"So do you know when you are able to leave this forsaken place?" Hermione's pained laughter rang through the room yet was a blessing to his ears.

"Forsaken place? I wouldn't call it that but I can leave tomorrow. A bit early, I thought, yet my blood has been replenished and my scars removed…" Her voice trailed off as she remembered her wounds. "And besides, Dumbledore has decided I am going to stay at Hogwarts. He said you would to as you couldn't possibly return home." Draco nodded in agreement.

They had sat there for hours chatting lightly about their past before a Healer had arrived and announced that Draco had to leave and allow Hermione to rest before she was let out. As he was about to leave a soft voice stopped him. "You'll return tomorrow right? I'd be so grateful if you came and helped me."

Draco smiled widely. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. You're the only one that I'd even consider a friend…" With a glimpse of a wide smile adorning her delicate face, Draco left anticipating the next day.