Draco sat at the kitchen table, brooding. He felt lost and confused. Seeing Hermione again had brought back many memories - both good and bad - back to him.

When Dumbledore had told him that Hermione would be there, he had felt torn; half of him had wanted to run and hide away forever, and the other half had eagerly awaited her arrival.

You can't keep running from the past, he thought ruefully.

He had to learn to at least have a civil conversation with her by the end of the week. Sighing heavily, he rubbed his temples slowly. He was so immature when he was with her, but it was because all of his previous hurt and anger seemed to surface.

If there had been any doubt in his mind as to whether he still loved Hermione or not anymore, it had all been erased the moment he saw her walk in through the doorway. Now he was really regretting his outburst, (he was, after all, sitting there psyching himself out about it) as she'd never love someone who was cruel to her and still acted like a lovelorn teenager.

He decided he'd send her an owl and ask if she wanted to meet him for dinner at a local restaurant the following night. He hastily scribbled a note and sent Hawk off with it. He got into bed, hoping she'd agree, he fell into a fitful sleep.

Hermione jumped out of her doze on her couch by a sharp rapping on the window.

Outside, tapping on the window stood a large and beautiful owl, its piercing glare directed in at her as she hurried to let him in. He held out his leg for her and she untied the scroll, but before she could do anything else, the great bird flew off into the dark night sky.

She slammed the window shut, as the chilly outside air was already seeping through the room. Snuggling back down in her warm blankets, she curiously unrolled the parchment and read the unfamiliar script…

Hermione-

Please accept my apologies for letting my anger get the best of me the other night. I was wondering if I could make it up to you… would you like to meet me for dinner at the Phoenix Feather at 6:30 tomorrow night? Hopefully, we can start to work things out.

Hope to see you soon.

Draco

Hermione re-read the letter through twice more, her smile growing more each time, before grabbing the nearest spare bit of paper and jotting down a reply. She wondered if Draco really meant everything that he'd said in his letter. She certainly hoped he did. It wasn't hard to see that she was still in love with him, and no matter what happened, she knew that she always would be; time or death or anything else could never stop it. It was both a blessing and a curse - but the past few years it had been more of a curse.

She knew that the Phoenix Feather was one of the nicest places to eat in town. It was quite formal too. Her heart jumped as she realized that it was where they had gone for their first date. She wondered if he meant anything by it.

Don't be stupid, of course he didn't! Maybe we could start fresh…try to forget about the past, she thought hopefully. They had both hurt each other, and she wondered if those wounds could be healed.

Yawning widely, she realized that it was still night, and if she wanted to get a good nights sleep, she'd better calm down and go to sleep. She pulled the covers up over her and with a small smile, fell into a deep sleep.

Draco looked up from his breakfast reluctantly at the sound of tapping on a window. There was a stunning owl outside of his window. He recognized him immediately as Hermione's owl, Quarles. He had given her the owl, so many Christmases ago in their 6th year. She had named him after one of her favorite poets, Francis Quarles, an English poet. The bloke had died a long time ago though- sometime in the 1600s. He quickly made his way to the window and let the bird in. Quarles immediately flew to the nearest chair and perched on it. Slamming the window, he turned and untied the parchment. He stroked the bird a few times before removing the scroll and reading it…

Draco-

I accept your apology, I didn't exactly act too mature myself.

Sure, I'll meet you tonight, we DO need to start to get along again.

-Hermione

Draco danced a little jig, grinning a bit foolishly. You're a pathetic excuse for a Slytherin, he thought to himself giddily, its not a date or anything, and she probably wouldn't come if it wasn't necessary, but it's a START! He remembered when he had given Quarles to her. He eyes had shone so brightly that they'd put the stars to shame. He sighed sadly, then gave Quarles a bit of water before sending him off on his way.

"Send her my love," he whispered softly into the owl's warm feathers as he carried Quarles to the window.

He watched the creature fly off into the sunlight, letting only a single tear slip down his cheek.

This time, he didn't even scold himself for the tear, he rarely shed tears, and when he did, he was not happy with himself. But this time, he'd almost felt as though he'd deserved it.

He turned away from the window, still thinking mournful thoughts.

He really had no close friends. All he had was Hawk, and as much as Draco loved him, Hawk never responded when he talked to him, and lack of friendships and friendly human contact made him very, very lonely.

All of his old 'friends' from Hogwarts had turned their backs on him when he had started seeing Hermione. That didn't really matter to him, he'd never really cared for them anyways, and the small sacrifice had been worth it. He so wished for strong friendships, like the ones Ron, Harry and Hermione had. He had gotten along okay with Harry and Ron while he'd been dating Hermione, but after they had broken up and Hermione had been miserably, they had blamed Draco entirely.

He had always been extremely jealous of Potter and Weasley, they had always been so close, sharing the same House, most of the same classes, and a strong friendship that had lasted through much.

Some people get all the luck, he thought bitterly. But if given the chance, will make it up to her!

I'd do anything,

just to hold you in my arms,

and try to make you laugh,

'cause somehow I can't put you in the past…

Humming softly to herself, Hermione let herself into her house.

"Hey!" a voice greeted her.

She quickly looked up, to find her best friend, Ginny Weasley, sitting at her kitchen table, sipping on a steaming mug of tea.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, surprised, but pleased as she went in and gave her a warm hug.

Ginny grinned slyly, "Oh, I was just in the neighborhood, and thought I'd stop in and see you!"

"Well, I'm glad you did!" Hermione replied, conjuring herself a mug of hot tea and taking the seat across from her red-haired friend.

"So, how've you been?"

"Brilliant!"

Hermione raised her eyebrows at her friend's enthusiastic response.

"Guess what?!" Ginny exploded, before Hermione could speak.

"I have absolutely no idea," her friend replied, although she did have an idea as to what could be the cause of her excitement.

"Dean asked me to marry him!!"

"Omigosh!" Hermione squealed, her suspicions correct. "What was your answer?!"

"YES!! Duh!"

Ginny showed her the ring, and Hermione couldn't help but feel a tad jealous of her friend, as she would've been married years ago.

You would've been married, a voice inside her head chimed in.

She was determined to be happy for her friend, so she pushed the voice aside as they chatted happily.

Hermione had known that it was going to happen soon, as Ginny's longtime boyfriend and childhood sweetheart, Dean Thomas, had asked her to help pick out a ring for Ginny weeks ago.

"Why don't you spend the night?"

"I'd love to!" Ginny enthused.

Hermione's smile faded a little as she remembered why she'd been so happy all day.

"Oh, no! Ginny, I'm so sorry! I forgot, I have to meet Draco at the Phoenix Feather in a half an hour!"

Ginny's eyebrows shot up into her hairline, and remained there, until Hermione explained the nature of the dinner date. Ginny beamed at her friend, "I'm glad you two are finally getting along again! It has been a long time coming, too. Well, what are you waiting for?! Let's get you ready!"