After waiting all day to meet up with Malfoy, it was finally time. It was 8:55 pm and I was standing on the 7th floor in front of a bare wall across of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy—waiting for Malfoy to arrive. When he did, I walked across the area of the wall three times thinking about a comfortable place to relax and talk. After the third time I walked across a door suddenly appeared and Malfoy and I entered.

The room reminded me of the Gryffindor common room. It had comfy armchairs and a roaring fire in the fireplace but instead of red and gold it was blue and purple in color and decor. There was also books all about—on tables and shelves. I loved it.

"Nice." Malfoy exclaimed appreciatively as he sunk down on on of the armchairs in front of the fire.

"It really is." I said while sitting down next to him on chair of my own.

"Had a good day?" I ask him.

"Yeah." Was his short reply

"Good. Me too but let's make it better shall we. Time for me to talk your ear off!" I say in an overly bright voice just to be silly.

"Oh, joy." He laughs and says.

"So tell me then Granger, what's got your knickers in a twist these days. You were always so strong and happy so how come things got so bad for you that you're willing to get help from me."

"Ugh. Where to start." I moan.

"The beginning is a good place."

"Don't get smart with me and wipe that smirk of your face before I do it for you." I growl at him.

"Okay my big bad Gryffindor." he replies while holding his hands up in the air in mock surrender.

"Alright. Well when everything was happening, you know all the fighting,hiding, going on the run and all that—was going on—I wasn't like this at all. Things were crazy and frantic—of course I was upset at what was happening but I had a purpose—helping Harry to defeat Voldemort. It was what kept me going. Every moment was devoted to finding ways to end him once and for all—it was hard work too. They boys and I were at our wits end and things got so bad that Ron left at one point. That was the only time I allowed my emotions to get the best of me—the first few days after he left. I had a job to do though so I pulled myself together and continued to plan with Harry. At one time, just before Ron returned—Harry and I were attacked by Voldemort's snake and missed the man himself by just seconds. It was terrifying but I couldn't even feel it properly—I was so close to dying and I didn't even let it bother me. Harry was ill and I needed to be strong for him. That was the way it was—no time to dwell on feelings. Everything was go, go, go. Never stopping—never feeling. When Ron came back shortly after that, things got a little bit better. Even though I was furious at him for leaving it was still good for the three of us to be together again. Then as I'm sure you remember we were captured and brought to your house where I was tortured to within an inch of my life by your crazy aunt."

"I am so sorry about that." Malfoy interrupted me to say.

"It's fine don't worry about it. That's all in the past now. It wasn't your fault anyway." I assured him.

"Now, as I was saying. Your aunt tortured me with the Cruciatus curse and it hurt like hell but I didn't break. I fought the pain and lied to her because my main focus was to protect our plans at all cost and no amount of pain was going to make me forget it. Then Dobby saved us all only to die himself courtesy of Bellatrix. It was so sad for all of us, especially Harry who Dobby was closest to. Anyway, we stayed focus and made our plan to break into Gringotts. That did not go as planned and we ended up escaping by riding out on an ancient blind dragon but we got what we were looking for nonetheless. It was sheer madness I tell you. By the time the three of us made it to Hogwarts I was running on pure adrenaline. There was so much to do and everything was chaos but I just kept going, kept on fighting even when people I knew and cared about were dying in front of me. Then there was this ridiculous moment when Ron decided to be considerate and think about the Hogwarts House-elves' safety and I just forget myself for a moment and kissed him. Imagine that—kissing the boy I fancied for ages for the first time on a battle field. All of my feelings were quickly pushed back down though. I couldn't afford to be distracted. Well in the end, Voldemort was dead and we were victorious and I had accomplished my goal. I felt such immense relief. The worst was over I though and it seemed that way until I came back here because all through the months that followed I was so busy with everything that I didn't even allow myself to really digest all that had happened. Harry and Ron needed me, I had to go get my parents from Australia and restore their memories—I had modified their memories you see—they thought they wee completely different people—people who didn't have a daughter and who's dearest ambition was to move to Australia. Ron and I were trying out our new relationship and there was no time to really reflect and feel. I was living in the moment—until I came back her and reminders were everywhere. That firs night I was so scared and upset and while it was better in the day—classes kept me busy and distracted but it was still bad, I would see some evidence of the battle in a damaged area or where someone died if it would take everything in me not to collapse into a crying nighttime was a different story. I would go to bed and take ages to fall asleep. I just couldn't but when I finally did the nightmares would come with a vengeance. I've been putting a silencing charm around my bed hangings just so no one would hear me when I woke up screaming and crying. It went on like that all through the first week until I talked to you on Saturday. I've been sleeping better since then." I finished with a sigh.

I have to admit, getting all that of my chest felt so good. Now I now how Malfoy feels after he unloaded his feelings on me—lighter somehow.

"You are one amazing, strong and brave woman. That's all I have to say after that." He says with admiration.

I'm blushing like mad—my whole face must be the shade of Ron's hair. How embarrassing.

"Um, thank you." I mutter.

He only laughs—amused at my embarrassment I assume.

"It's true. You spent all this time taking care of everyone else and you never let anything get in the way of you goal. That's impressive. Potter's very lucky that he had you on his side. We all are actually because I doubt he would have been able to defeat the Dark Lord without your help and sacrifice. I mean modifying your parents memories just to keep them safe—that was a huge risk to take. You might have not been able to reverse the spell or worse yet cause serious damage if anything went wrong."

"I just did what I had to, it's no big deal. I would do anything for Harry really and he needed me so I was there."

"You're a good friend, Granger."

"I should think so." I said with a small laugh.

"Though I don't think I'm being a particularly good one right now."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well, you know that the boys didn't come back to Hogwarts with me because they want to become Aurors and are currently training to do so right?"

"I heard." He replied nonchalantly.

"Yeah well—you see, even though I encouraged them to do it—I would never stand in their way because I know how much they both wanted it— a part of me was and still is angry with them for leaving to come back here without them. I mean would it have killed them to just give me a year of their time? How bad could it have been really? I mean maybe I'm being selfish because I might not know everything that influenced their decision but after everything I've done for them it was the least they could do. Didn't they know I would lonely without them? Yeas, I have Ginny, Nevile and Luna as well as some others but it's not the same at all."

"I understand completely what you're saying. I know our situations are different but my stupid friends just abandoned me too and it's an awful feeling."

"Yeah." I agreed.

"Well fuck all of them because we have each other now and it's just fine with me." He says while wearing the biggest smirk on his face.

"Very well put, Mr Malfoy." I say while trying to stifle my giggles.

He throws his head back and laughs at my remark. It's a lovely sight and I'm glad that I can make him happy. He sure deserved it.

I check my watch to see what time it is—I wouldn't want us to be caught by Filch after curfew. It's 9:50 so we have ten minutes to get out of here and reach our common rooms.

I tell him as much and we both get up to leave.

When we're about to go our separate ways, I had a sudden impulse to hug him and I did it instantly before my nerves failed me. He felt nice—a lot warmer that I thought he would. It's clear that I took him by surprise because he stiffened for a moment before relaxing slightly and then returned my embrace.

"Thank you for being here for me." I whispered softly into his neck.

"No problem." He replied equally soft.

Too soon we were letting go and saying our goodbyes.

"I'll see you tomorrow then? Same place and time?" I ask.

"Sure." He said.

With that we go our separate ways.

As soon as I entered the common room, Ginny rounded on me.

"Where have you been all this time Hermione?" She demands.

" I was just wondering around the castle Ginny."

"Why?" She asked, seeming confused as to why I would be dong that.

"Because I felt like it. I just wanted to be alone for a while, it's nothing really." I replied.

"Oh." Was all that she said.

"Well I think I'll go to be bed now." I told her.

I exaggerated a yawn and ran past her before she could ask anymore questions.

I had already done all my home-work that was due for tomorrow and I didn't want to hang back in the common room unnecessarily. I wanted to be alone and reflect on tonight so that was why I got out of there so fast.

As I readied my self for bed I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face. Tonight was so good—I felt happier than I did in weeks.

As I lay down and recounted tonight over in my head I became sleepy and I knew that I would sleep well tonight.

My last conscious thoughts were of piercing grey eyes and and the warm body of a boy pressed against me.

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