So, originally I intended to end this with them separating….but it doesn't seem right. I mean, they have to find each other again, since they both survive the war, right? And so I continue this adventure, as there are still many challenges they have in front of them.

***

Chapter 17

Azkaban. The Malfoy's were to be brought to a holding cell to await their trial. No one was taking any chances with known death eaters, so Azkaban was entirely likely. Unless, of course, they had the solemn word of a hero or two that they were on the good side by the end.

Several wizards were watching over a group of death eaters, tied to chairs by the entryway until transportation could arrive. Draco had managed to slip away to find her before he had been rounded up. Several wizards reached the two of them just as their hug ended.

"No, you see, he saved my life." Hermione was trying to explain. She had Draco behind her, but had the good sense to keep her wand pocketed. Hero or not, drawing a wand on a mob of wizards who had recently been fighting for their lives was not a good idea.

Among the group was Mcgonagall, and she stepped to the front, clapping her hands twice to get their attention. "Everyone, I think I'm more than capable of handling the situation. Go attend to the various other problem's we have left to clean up about the room."

No one argued. You couldn't argue with Mcgonagall. And so the group dispersed, leaving Hermione to state her case to her former professor. It was a big improvement from the small crowd.

Of course, if she could have even seen Harry through the wall of bodies, she could have asked for his 'seal of approval' on her claims. He also knew that Draco was forced to do the things he did under Voldemort's rule. No one would refute anything he said tonight.

She sighed, looking at her stern professor. She grabbed Draco's hand behind her and held it firmly. She liked to think that if the outcome of this battle had been reversed, Draco would have done what he could to protect her, as well.

"Professor, Draco Malfoy deserves to be acquitted of the charges being made against him as a death eater. He didn't fight on the side of Voldemort in this battle."

Mcgonagall sighed. It had been a long day for her. "Miss Granger, you and your friends have risked so much for someone your age. You three had a greater understanding of what was happening behind the scenes in this war than any of us, thanks in large part to Albus Dumbledore. I would very much like to excuse Mr. Malfoy…" she glared at him from over her glasses, "…but that is not up to me to decide. You all seem so young to me, but the truth is that you are seventeen and responsible for your actions. Counting on the good nature of certain students to bail you out of trouble seems like a very cowardly act, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco didn't make eye contact with her. He was staring down at the ground. Hermione squeezed his hand behind her back.

"Professor, please don't assume I'm as gullible and naïve as to be used to save death eaters- even if they were former classmates. I may be good natured, but I'm not stupid…"

"No, you certainly are not." Mcgonagall interrupted. "Very well," she sighed, "state your case. What legitimate knowledge do you have about Mr. Malfoy's innocence? Keep in mind that at the most I should be able to keep someone as young as him out of a holding cell- the finale say is all still up to a judge to decide, ultimately."

Hermione gulped. Ok, get him out of hot water for now, then come up with a game plan for dealing with death-eater-hunting-judges later. She would need Harry's help on that one, for sure. No way was she letting Draco end up in Azkaban.

Though is it possible he deserved it? Was she just biased because she loved him? And how could she love someone she thought might actually have done horrible crimes?

She shook her head. No. She couldn't doubt him. She needed to believe in him, because the alternative would drive her nuts.

"Draco Malfoy was forced to do many things under Voldemort. His life and the lives of his parents depended on it. He couldn't kill Albus Dumbledore, as we all know, and Harry can testify that everything Draco did was because he had no choice. He and his family didn't fight during this battle, at least not that I saw. And he saved my life during our long mission to stop Voldemort. He saved my life three times, actually." she said, smiling at the knowledge that Draco would have made that distinction himself were he not scared out of his wits.

Mcgonagall nodded. She quickly said, "Get him out of here; I'll handle the rest for now. You will receive a trial date by owl. Make sure to have your witnesses ready," and walked off. There was too much else to deal with right now.

Get him out of here? Where?

Hermione pulled Draco behind her out of the great hall, and down a staircase. Draco said nothing. It was like he was stupefied; completely stunned. He just followed her.

When they reached a door Hermione opened it. Good. An empty classroom. She needed to think.

She let go of Draco's hand and shut the door, locking it with wave of her wand.

Now what? Ok, she had to get Draco out of this battleground. But she didn't really have anywhere to go…maybe her home? It was in a muggle neighborhood, and her parents where still gone…

But she couldn't just leave without telling Harry and Ron, either…

"Thank you." Draco said quietly, interrupting her thoughts.

She turned to him. He was still staring at the floor. He lifted his head to look at some indiscriminate point on the wall behind her. His face was slightly flushed. "I don't know what will happen next, but I'm sorry I ran over to you like a scared… rabbit or something. I didn't know who else to turn to…"

That was it. He was embarrassed; thought he had been cowardly, as Mcgonagall pointed out. But the truth was, Hermione would have been furious with him if he hadn't asked for her help.

"It's payment in kind, Draco. Remember?" She held up three fingers. "It's only natural to do whatever you can to stay away from that awful place, Slytherin or not."

He sighed. "My parents…there's nothing really to be done, is there?"

"I'm….I'm not sure, Draco. I don't know everything that happened."

"That's probably a good thing."

He sat down roughly into the professor's chair behind the desk, and looked up to meet her eyes.

Despite the awful battle, and despite the current situation, Hermione felt her heart flutter at his gaze. Why couldn't this all be simple? How did she fall in love with the most complicated person possible? Was there really no way the universe would let the two of them just be together? Then again, opposites attract, right?

Hermione felt guilty, because all she wanted to do was think about him. She wanted to push all of the horrors of the past few hours and days out of her mind. She wanted to jump into his lap and kiss him. But that somehow seemed disrespectful to all those who had died. Just a bit.

No, the two of them just had to leave. For now.