Chapter Three

Second Chances

I, I
It's a fraction of the hope but it's hard to control and
I, I get this strain.

Walking into the Wilkins' home felt strange. She was a stranger to them, but they weren't a stranger to her. Well, that may be a lie. She didn't know the Wilkins, she knew the Grangers. Monica walked into the bright yellow living room and sat down upon one of the sofas. Hermione sat down on the sofa opposite her mother.

"Would you like some tea, Hermione?" Monica asked pleasantly.

"No thanks. I had some at a café just a few streets away."

Monica smiled and nodded. "Very well. Wendell won't be home for a few hours, but if you'd like to join us for dinner you can."

"I'd like that very much," Hermione said as she smiled at her.

"Great, so tell me more about yourself."

"Well, I'm currently on vacation, but when I go back in a few weeks I'm going to finish my last year of school."

"Oh? Are you in high school or college, dear?"

Hermione thought quickly. What could Hogwarts be compared to Muggle school? "College," she said finally.

"How wonderful! What are you studying?"

"Social work," she said quickly.

"That's great!"

"Thank you! What do you and Wendell do? If you don't mind me asking, that is."

"Not at all, we're both dentists."

Hermione smiled to herself. Her parents were still dentists. It was as if nothing had changed. And maybe they really hadn't. Maybe they were the same exact people that she had grown up to know and love, but they just didn't remember her and didn't have the same name. Maybe this would be easier than she thought it would be.

The two of them talked about anything and everything and Hermione truly felt like she was talking to her mother like she used to every summer. The door opened and in walked in her father. He looked at when he heard another voice in the room.

"Hello," he greeted Hermione as he walked over to his wife and kissed her on the cheek.

"Hello," Hermione said shyly.

"This is Hermione Granger. She's a relative of yours and she wanted to get to know us better."

"Oh brilliant! I hate to ask, but whose daughter are you?" He asked kindly.

"I'm your Cousin Clara's daughter. She's your Uncle Joseph's cousin Elena's daughter. I know it's a lot to take in, sorry," Hermione said nibbling on her lip.

Her father seemed to think about all of this for a moment and then nodded his head in affirmation. "How is your mum and grandmum?"

"They're fine and they told me to send you their love. They wanted to come as well, but grandma is getting up there and mum couldn't get off of work."

"What a shame."

Hermione nodded. It felt surreal to be sitting in front of her parents and having a normal conversation. He just looked them over. They looked happy.

"Are you staying for dinner, dear?" Her father asked.

"I am actually."

"Brilliant. I'm just going to pop upstairs and get out of my work clothes and you can help us cook," he said before he disappeared up the stairs.

When he came back the three of them headed into the kitchen. He wasn't kidding when he said she would help them cook. Nostalgia was threatening to bowl Hermione over. It was like old times. The three of them had been cooking together ever since she was five. And blinked back her tears and enjoyed the present.

Dinner and the conversation were lovely. Hermione hadn't felt that happy in a long time, except when she was with Draco, but she didn't want to dwell on that when she was with her parents.

After cleaning up, they called a cab for Hermione and she bade them goodnight. A smile on her face the whole time it took her to get back to the hotel. She waved at Monica when she got back inside the hotel and headed to her room. She showered and snuggled down in her comfy bed. She took out the book that had the spell to reverse her parents' memories and read through it again.

She would go back to visit in a few days (she also wanted to visit that café again) and hopefully reverse their memories. Hermione closed the book after she had the chapter memorized. She turned off the light and closed her eyes. She'd owl Harry about everything in the morning.

~-O-~

She had forgotten. She couldn't believe that she had forgotten, but she could see why she had. She knew that there would be a trial, but she didn't think about it. She wanted to be there. She wanted to show her support even if he didn't want to be anything to her anymore.

Hermione didn't want to do it to make him feel guilty. She just wanted him to know that someone was there. And it wasn't she who was there for him. Ironically it was Harry, his sworn enemy. Hermione almost wanted to cry as she re-read Harry's words to her. He had been there for Draco when she couldn't.

But she couldn't beat herself up about it. She was doing something that was extremely important to her. She was trying to get her parents back. Surely—if he still cared—Draco would know that. He was supposed to come with her when everything was over, but that obviously didn't happen. Things change, but Hermione still wanted him to know that he could still rely on her no matter what.

As she stood in the Owlery, she had the strongest urge to write him. Just to let him know that she hadn't given up on him despite everything. But she stopped herself. She was sure he didn't want to hear from her. Hermione bit her bottom lip and wrote to Harry instead. Her mood from the night before was a bit subdued due to the nature of his letter, but she didn't let it show.

Harry:

I'm proud of you for going to the trial and for putting aside your differences and speaking on Narcissa and Draco's behalf. It's understandably so since Narcissa did such an honorable thing for you. You always amaze me, Harry.

It's ironic because I was going to write you and you beat me to the punch! But I saw my parents last night! It was great. I told a little white lie to get close to them. Don't you dare shake your head and smile at my Harry James Potter! I had to or I would never have got a chance to speak to them.

But they're lovely! They act the same. I'm just so happy that I finally got to see how they were doing. They look so happy. I just hope they won't be angry with me because I tried to protect them. I just hope they understand.

Anyway, I'm going to see them again in a few days and hopefully reverse everything. And then hopefully I'll be home soon. I miss you and the Weasleys. Send them my love!

~ Hermione

Hermione attached the letter to the same owl that took her letter to England before. She paid and left the shop. She decided to explore Wizarding Australia. It was different from Diagon Alley, but she liked it. Hermione just liked learning about new things and learning about Wizarding Australia was something to add to her list.

She spent hours looking through the shops and buying things for everyone at home. She bought a few books for herself that she could read on her downtime when she went back to Hogwarts. Her good mood from the day previous was restored as she left and went back to her hotel. In a few days time she would be back to see her parents and hopefully get them back for good.

~-O-~

Hermione knocked on the door of her parents' home. Wendell opened the door and gave her a cheerful smile.

"We were wondering when we'd see you again," he said as he let her in the house.

Hermione smiled. "Really? I didn't want to intrude or anything."

"Of course you aren't. You're family; it's your natural right."

Hermione laughed. Her dad had always been funny and she was glad nothing had changed.

"Where's Monica?"

"Oh, she's outside in the garden. I'll tell her you're here."

"Good, I need to talk to you both."

Wendell and Monica came back inside and sat down on the couch together. "What did you have to tell us, dear?" Monica asked.

Hermione felt the now familiar nauseous feeling she got whenever she was nervous. She pulled her wand from her purse. The Wilkins looked at her with wide eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly before she cast the spell.

Hermione watched as their eyes were blank and wide. She could see the spell working and she held her breath until it was over and then she waited. They finally moved and blinked their eyes a few times. They looked at one another and then at Hermione.

"Mum? Dad?" She said uncertain if they were truly back.

"Hermione? What, what happened?" Her father asked.

"I have a lot to explain," she said sinking down in the nearest chair to her.

They both sat up straighter and waited for her to talk.

She took a deep breath and let it out quickly. "Ok. There was a war in the Wizarding world, as you sort of knew about. It finally broke out into a full war last year. I had to protect you both. I'm friends with Harry and he was a target to Lord Voldermort. I didn't want you two to die because of me so I replaced your memories and you both moved here."

"Where were you?" Her mother asked.

"I was in hiding with Harry and Ron trying to figure out a way to kill Voldermort. "

"And we didn't remember you all this time?" Michael asked.

Hermione shook her head. "No. I had to make sure that I never existed to you two just in case Voldermort tracked you down and tried to find out where I was. I couldn't take that chance. And you two had talked about Australia and how you thought it was lovely, so I thought why not."

"I-I can't quite wrap my head around this. You hide us while you were out in the midst of a war?" Jean asked.

"I had to help Harry. I couldn't just let him go off and try to defeat Voldermort alone."

"But you could have been killed!"

"I could have and I almost was, but I'm here. I'm alive. Everything's fine. I just hope you aren't angry with me," she stated as she looked at them again.

"Angry with you? Can you blame us? Our daughter used magic on us without our consent. And then she went off and could have been killed and we would have been none the wiser," Jean Granger said as she tearfully looked at her daughter.

"I know and I'm sorry! But I wanted to keep you both safe!" Hermione said, her voice growing louder and tears started to form in her eyes.

"And we understand that, Hermione, but you also have to understand that what you did hurt us as well. If you talked to us about this before you acted, then maybe it would have gone better," Michael said calmly.

"But you wouldn't have let me go! I needed to go."

"And you're right. We probably wouldn't have let you go, but I would have felt better if you had talked to us about this. I know you would have done it anyway. You're too determined for your own good sometimes," he said giving her a smile.

Hermione smiled back at him, but disappeared. "I was panicking and I had to get you both to safety. I'm sorry."

"It'll be all right, Hermione, but if there is ever a next time you need to talk to us first, okay?"

Hermione nodded and stood from the chair and walked over to them. She threw an arm around her mother and father's necks and hugged them. She had missed them and they were finally back. Hermione had some semblance of peace in her life.

To see Potter at his father's trial was like staring at a unicorn for far too long, it was blinding and surreal. Potter took the stand and Draco sat forward in his seat.

"Mr. Potter," Kingsley's deep voice boomed from his seat. "How is your relationship with the Malfoy family?"

Harry fidgeted in his seat for a moment. "We've never been on good terms. In my first year, Draco offered me his friendship, but I didn't accept."

"And why is that, Mr. Potter?"

"I heard about what his family was like and I knew enough at the time that he wouldn't be a very good friend."

"Why are you here today?"

"To give all the evidence I can to help the Malfoys."

"And why do you want to help them if your relationship with them is anything but spectacular? You have no obligation towards them."

"Actually Mrs. Malfoy helped me to defeat the Dark Lord. She lied to him in exchange for information about Draco."

Draco looked at his mother, the woman who was sitting up tall with her chin held high. He didn't know that she had lied to Voldermort in exchange for information about him. It was almost unreal. He knew that his mother was strong. She had to put up with his father's shit since they were in Hogwarts, she had to be. But lying to someone that could have killed her without batting an eye took a lot of courage. A new respect for his mother instantly bloomed within him.

Draco turned his attention back to Potter.

"What exactly happened?"

"Voldermort had just cast the Killing Curse on me. I suppose I did die, but part of me was a Horcrux. Neither Voldermort nor I knew that at the time. So when I came back, he told Mrs. Malfoy to check on me. She found out I was alive and inquired about Draco to see if he was alive or not. I told her he was and she turned back to Voldermort and told him that I was dead."

The small crowd in the room murmured as they listened to what Harry had said. Draco was intrigued.

"And how did you know Draco was alive?" Kingsley asked.

"I saw him earlier that night. Hermione, Ron, and I were in the Room of Requirement looking for another Horcrux of Voldermort's when Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle ambushed us. Crabbe cast Fiendfyre and it started to destroy the Room. Malfoy, Goyle, Hermione, Ron, and I all escaped, Crabbe wasn't so lucky."

"Draco's intentions weren't very honorable at that moment?"

"No, but I knew he never had his heart in what he was supposed to do."

"And how do you know that Mr. Potter?"

"Erm—I spied on Draco a lot during our sixth year and I overheard his conversations with Snape. He never wanted the Mark. He never wanted to kill Dumbledore. He never wanted to do any of it. He just wanted to protect his family. He lied to his Aunt Bellatrix when Fenrir brought us to the Manor."

"What did he lie about?"

"My identity."

Kingsley nodded. "And what about Lucius Malfoy?"

"What about him?"

"Did he do anything that would help his case?"

Potter looked at Lucius for a few minutes before he spoke. "Lucius Malfoy is a vile man, yes, but he was trying to help his family in the end. I'm not saying his course of action was warranted, but it was for one sole purpose."

"Is that all Mr. Potter?"

Harry nodded.

"You may step down."

Harry stepped down and walked back to his seat. Draco turned his head to look at Harry. A silent conversation between the two seemed to happen. Draco nodded in thanks for telling the truth about his family. Harry nodded back and stared at him for a little longer. It seemed that he was trying to tell him something, but Draco didn't understand. The look unnerved him, but he turned around anyway.

"I now call Draco Malfoy to the stand."

Draco's eyes widened before he smoothed his features into his usual mask of indifference before he smoothed down his robes and sat down on the stand.

"Draco, why did you ambush Mr. Potter during the battle?"

"I thought if I turned him in, my family could finally be safe. I could correct my failure from sixth year."

"And did you believe in Voldermort's side at the time?"

"I just wanted my family to be safe."

"You didn't answer the question."

"No, I suppose I didn't believe in Voldermort's bullocks war."

"Very well. Do you resent your father for getting involved with Voldermort?"

Draco sat there for a moment. He looked at his father, who looked back at him. The man still looked gaunt with dark purple bags under his eyes. His usual impeccable white blond hair, the very shade of Draco's, was limp and lank. He needed a good scrubbing. His jaw sported stubble. Draco had never seen his father look so bad.

Draco looked away and down at his folded hands. "I suppose I do, in a way. If he hadn't decided to join Voldermort then we may not have been in this mess. But…but I know that he had no choice. If he didn't join, our family would have shunned him. He may not have been able to marry mother. And he grew up believing the very things that Voldermort stood for. He knew nothing else."

"But you grew up the very same way he did, believing what Voldermort said was true, but you changed your opinion it seems."

"The truth is that I didn't want to be like my father. After seeing what being a Death Eater was like, I knew that I couldn't put myself through that or my family. So I started seeing things differently. It didn't happen all at once, but little by little. I never had the gall to kill anyone. So when Voldermort assigned me the 'honor' of killing Dumbledore, I knew from the start I couldn't do it. Even when I got the Mark, it never properly healed. It still isn't. I didn't want this."

Draco didn't like speaking his mind, but he knew that if he didn't there was no hope for him. So he just let the truth set him free.

"All right Draco, you may step down."

Draco quickly walked back to his seat, glad the spotlight wasn't on him any longer.

Kingsley stood and so did the rest of the Wizengamot. "We will deliberate over the memories and the statements we got today. We will reveal the verdict tomorrow."

Everyone stood as they left the room. Draco felt the anxiousness settle back into his stomach. It felt like lead. Draco watched as his mother hugged his father and kiss his cheek, whispering something in his ear before the guards took him away. He caught Draco's eye before they took him completely away. Draco stood there defiantly as his father stared at him. He didn't look anger that he had spoken against him. Draco was surprised.

But he didn't care. He was going to stick to what he said—the truth. Granger had been right. The truth did set him free. He felt light in a way. He had spoken his mind after years of his father telling him to keep his thoughts to himself. He had changed. And he supposed part of it was because of her.

He wished she had been there today. He could have used some sort of support. But he didn't expect her to be there. He had given her the cold shoulder, why would she want to be there to support him? He mentally shook his head. He couldn't let his mind continue to drift to her.

Draco saw Potter start to leave the room. Draco told his mother he'd be right back. He walked quickly after Potter.

"Potter!" He called.

Potter stopped and turned around. Draco stopped a few feet in front of him. They stared at each other for awhile until Draco spoke.

"Um, thanks for that."

Harry nodded. "I didn't do it for you."

"I know, I know. You did it for my mother."

"Not only for her, but for Hermione too."

Draco was stunned. Had she told him about them?

"What are you talking about, Potter?" Draco asked sternly.

"Malfoy, I know about you and Hermione. I'm not blind. She never told me, but I've seen things."

Draco felt slightly light-headed. He knew about him and Granger. He made sure they were so careful.

Harry must have noticed the look on his face. "I have a map that oversees the whole castle. I saw you two together."

"H-have you spoken to her about this?" He felt himself pale.

"No. She's not even in the country."

Draco wanted to ask where she was, but he knew that wasn't any of his business. He could guess where she was—Australia to get her parents.

"She's in Australia," Potter said as if he guessed his thoughts.

Draco nodded. "H-how is she?"

"She's okay. She seemed a bit down, but she didn't want to tell me about it. I'm sure it was about you. What happened between the two of you?"

Draco didn't even want to think about this nonetheless talk about it with Harry Potter. He sighed.

"I let her go."

Harry searched his face. "Why?"

"Do you realize how difficult it would be for her if she was attached to me?"

"But you know Hermione, she wants what she wants and if she's determined enough she'll do anything in her power to keep it. And if she was willing to keep you around Malfoy, then you should have let her decide that. You know she hates when people decide for her. She never got a choice and you took it away at the first sign of difficulty."

Draco looked at him. He never really thought about that. He thought that if Hermione continued to stay with him he would ultimately ruin her life. And he didn't want her to regret being with him. So he let her go.

"But I have to go. I'll be back tomorrow to hear the verdict," Harry said before he turned around and walked away from a dumbfounded Draco.

~-O-~

The next morning, Draco sat in the same spot he had the day before, his mother next to him. Potter was sitting in the back.

Kingsley sat in his majestic purple robes in the front row above them.

"We are here to give the verdict on Lucius Malfoy today as well as Narcissa and Draco Malfoy," his deep voice rumbled.

Draco felt himself sit up straighter in his seat. He saw his father do the same.

"We, of the Wizengamot, find Lucius Malfoy guilty."

The verdict didn't surprise Draco in the least. He knew his father would be guilty.

"He will be serving a maximum of 10-15 years. And as for Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, cleared of any of their charges, but Draco Malfoy will have to wear a tracing anklet for a year for probation purposes."

Draco's shoulders slumped. It could have been worse. His father will be gone for a decade or more. It was surreal. But it could have been worse. He could have been sentenced to life or even the Kiss. His mother was crying beside him. He put a hand on her back in comfort. She stood up letting the hand that was comforting her drop and walked to her husband.

She embraced him and cried on his shoulder. Draco turned his head away from the private moment. He didn't want to intrude nor did he want to see it. Draco felt his mother walk over to him.

"Go say goodbye to your father."

Draco gave her a look, but walked over to the man who had sired him.

"Take care of your mother, Draco."

"I will," he said in a clipped tone.

"And take care of yourself."

"I will," he answered in the same tone.

"And I am sorry about everything. I just wanted to protect you and your mother."

"I know, but you see where that got you."

Lucius sighed. "I love you Draco," he said as a guard came up to take him away.

Draco had never heard his father say anything remotely caring to him. It was strange. It was almost like he would never see him again. And part of him believed that. And he hoped it wasn't true.

Author's note: Hello! This would have been up last night, but was being ridiculous. Anyway, it's up now! And sorry it took a bit! Between school and having issues writing this, I finally sat down last night and finished it. Ok enough rambling! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Reviews are nice, too!

*Fixed a few things