Things were finally starting to look up for Draco Malfoy. His job was going well, his co-workers love him, and he got a pay raise to boot. Although working at the Ice Cream Parlour was not his top choice for a career, he had been lucky enough in the past few weeks to not have anyone aside from the Golden Trio recognize him. If anyone did, they surely did not care enough to question him. Draco's main goal now was to find a place to live. Winter was quickly approaching and living on the streets during a blizzard did not sound too thrilling. Unfortunately, finding an apartment was proving to be difficult. Many people did not like the idea of a former Death Eater taking up residence at their complex so even the most run down places refused to let Draco rent.

He was close to having the amount of money he needed for the apartment he found down the road, but he still needed one more paycheck. A few times Draco resorted to asking his boss, Audrey, for an advanced pay. Usually she understood and would give it to him but he wasn't sure if she would be so nice this time. It was worth a shot though.

"Audrey, do you think I could possibly have my pay early? I think I might have a place to live, but I need another week's worth of pay…" Draco asked his manager.

"Draco, you know I can't keep doing that. You keep saying you find a place then it doesn't work out. Why not find somewhere to live with the money I've already paid you?"

"But, you don't understand! I've found a place. I'm sure of it. Please just give me another chance." Draco cried out.

"I'm sorry, love. I do understand, but I just can't. Good luck to ya though." Audrey patted Draco on the back before turning to return to her office.

Draco's world was crashing down on him. There was no where left to turn. He felt completely and utterly hopeless. No one wanted him. His parents turned their backs on him, Audrey would no longer help him, and no one would rent an apartment out to him. He was alone. Or so he thought. Little did Draco know, he was being watched.

-

Hermione Granger sat in the corner of the Ice Cream Parlour reading the latest edition of the Quibbler. Luna took over as the main writer and things have since become a lot more unordinary. It wasn't surprising in the least. Although Hermione had appeared intently focused on the Quibbler for the past hour, she was actually doing something much more curious. She watched Draco Malfoy while he worked. If anyone asked, she would simply tell them she was doing an investigation for the Ministry and that would be a suitable answer of course. However, that was far from the truth.

Draco's behavior intrigued Hermione. Draco would never admit it, but he had changed in the past five years. He tried to give off the vibe that he was still a bad, but he became softer over time. Rather than lashing out on anything that crossed his path, he would be thoughtful and caring. Just earlier that day, Hermione witnessed Draco cheering up a crying child. It was unbelievable. Seeing this change made this desire to help Draco grow even larger inside Hermione.

It tore her apart to think that he would be living in the streets because no one wanted to let him into their home. As awful as Draco had been in the past he wasn't nearly as bad as people seemed to think. She knew she had to do it. Ron would no doubt get mad, but she couldn't just do nothing and watch Draco suffer or die. It wasn't in her nature.

Hermione stood up and walked toward the counter trying to be as brave as her Gryffindor past could let her be. As she stood there, staring deep into Draco's soul, Draco kept washing the counters unaware of her presence.

"Ahem…" coughed Hermione.

Startled, Draco looked up. "What are you doing here Granger? Aren't you supposed to be off making plans to marry the Weasel?"

"Well, yes… but there's something I wanted to talk to you about. I couldn't help but overhear your situation. I just thought maybe I-", Hermione tried to say until Draco cut her off.

"Granger, I already told you I don't need your help. I don't need your pity. I don't need your charity. I'm a man. I'm a Malfoy. We don't give up our pride so easily."

"Malfoy, come on. Just hear me out. Ronald's brothers, Fred and George, had an apartment above their joke shop. They used to live there while running the business, but ever since Fred's death George couldn't face going back inside. He still owns the shop, but he doesn't live there anymore…"

"Wait, you expect me to live with a Weasley? Yeah, not going to happen. Like he'd even let me..."

"Just a minute! George doesn't stay there anymore so it's empty. He offered the place to me and Ronald but we already have somewhere else that we're living. We technically still have the rights to the apartment though… so maybe… if you paid a little bit of money each month. I promise it wouldn't be much but you'd at least be off the streets!"

"Granger, why are you trying to help me?"

"Because I can't stand to see someone in your position! You've been through a lot in the past five years. Probably more than I even know of. You're still human even if you are a dick sometimes." Hermione tried to joke, but she never was very successful with humor.

"I'll think about it," said Draco reluctantly.

"That's all I ask," said Hermione. She had a feeling that this was one battle she would win. Draco wouldn't be able to resist. Hermione gave Draco one last glance before walking out of the parlour with a smirk across her face.