So let me just say, I am so sorry for taking so long on this. The introduction came to me pretty easy and I was between two different ways to go with this chapter. I also just started a new job so things have been a bit busy for me. I'll try my best not to let so much time go past between updates.

Once again, I do not own Harry Potter rights. Most characters belong to JK Rowling.

Anyway, if you guys have any suggestions, or something you would like to see happen, feel free to leave it in a review. Thanks!

-x-

Flickers of light danced across the walls from the fireplace within Hermione's living room. Her flat sat above the store, it was nothing lavish, rather small, but it suited her just fine. She had just finished up a long and busy day, as Saturdays usually were, right before Christmas no less. She was lounged across her sofa, gazing out the paned glass window as a light snow began to fall. The thought of a certain blonde wizard invaded her mind once again. Hermione had found herself thinking of him quite often since their encounter two weeks prior.

She hadn't given much thought to her old nemesis much since her final year at Hogwarts. They had both returned to finish their studies and, surprisingly, Draco had been named Head boy with Hermione as his counter part. This was when she knew that he really had changed. They had shared a common room, but aside from discussions regarding their duties, the two kept to themselves for the most part. Not once did he degrade her, calling her the vile names he had taken to for so many of their younger years. Not once did he taunt her over her blood status or looks. Truth be told, they had both been damaged by the war and there seemed to be a mutual, albeit silent, understanding amongst the pair.

Of course she had noticed him frequent her shop. Draco had always been a man of intellect, the only one in school that could have potentially surpassed her in grades. Never sure how to approach him, she had resolved to letting her employee's take care of him. That was until she heard the way Christine spoke to him.

Hermione was well aware of how prejudice had shifted in the wizarding community. Where once was hatred for muggleborns and half-bloods, was now a loathing for reformed death eaters and defected supporters of the Dark Lord. It was the reason why she had fought for their rights as well. She saw first hand what that kind of hatred could do, the ghastly scar on her forearm reminded her of that daily. Although most could understand and even support her cause, there were still many who objected to the law. This included her former fiancé, Ron. While she loved him dearly, she refused to spend her life with someone who could hold so much hate within themselves. Ron resented her for her choice, claiming she chose parasites over him and they were never able to salvage their friendship.

A knock at the door pulled Hermione from her thoughts. Rising from her spot on the sofa, she made her way across the room, opening the door to find her one of her dearest friends.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were touring for another week?" she said, pulling Ginny into a tight hug.

Ginny laughed as she returned the embrace "I wanted to surprise you and Harry."

Hermione released her, giving her a warm smile. "I missed you terribly. Come in, coffee?" she asked as Ginny stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "Please." she responded as she hung her coat up.

With a quick wave of her wand, Hermione conjured up two mugs before pouring them both a drink. Ginny taking a moment to look over the flat, noticing nothing had really changed aside from a small Christmas tree nestled in the corner of the living room. Taking a seat at the small kitchen table, Ginny eyed her friend. She had become fairly protective over her, despite herself being the younger of the two. After the war, Hermione had become the sister Ginny never had. She had even taken her side when Hermione broke off the engagement with Ron. She too had returned to Hogwarts and noticed a change in not only Draco, but most of Slytherin house, and fully supported Hermione when she fought for the new laws.

"I'm so sorry I didn't write you more. Things were so hectic while I was away, what little free time I had, I tried to write to Harry as much as I could." Ginny said as she took the mug from the other witch.

Hermione waved her hand to dismiss the apology. "I knew that would happen. You're the captain of one of the best quidditch teams in the world. Believe me, I understand. Besides, Harry kept me well informed, and always relayed your apologies though I told him there was no need." she said taking a sip of her coffee.

"Still though." Ginny paused while she gave her an apologetic look. "Anyway, tell me what you have been up to? How has the store been doing?" she asked.

Resting her mug on the table, Hermione pulled her sweater closer to her body to banish the winters chill that had managed to creep through the old windows. "I can't complain, with the holidays almost here I've been almost as busy as I am before school starts." she said with a smile.

"Well that's good to hear." Ginny said, genuinely happy for her friend. "I do hope you've been doing other things aside from work for the past month though."

Hermione hesitated for a moment as she could see the very knowing look on Ginnys face. "Aside from dinner here and there with Harry, not much. I've just been so busy with the store." she said.

"Hermione, you need to hire someone you can trust the store with. There is no need for you to be there all of the time." Ginny said, folding her arms in a disapproving manor.

"I know, and I am trying. I've been working with Sarah, teaching her everything so she can take on some more responsibility, and I'm positive she can handle it. I had to let Christine go though, and I haven't found a replacement yet so I've been helping out more." she explained, hoping Ginny would understand and not start with another one of her lectures.

"Christine? I thought you liked her, why did you let her go?" Ginny asked.

Hermione shifted in her seat, she wanted to talk to somebody about it, but wasn't sure what kind of reaction she would get. "Well that's the interesting part. It was how she treated a particular customer."

Ginny leaned forward "Do go on." she said raising her eyebrow.

"Well, Malfoy came in one night, just wanting to pick up a few texts, and Christine refused him service, claiming he was a death eater. I told her to get out and may have threatened her a hair." Hermione said matter of factly.

Ginny's eyes grew wide. "Malfoy? As in Draco Malfoy?" she asked.

"Of course Draco. I don't believe they would let Lucius out of Azkaban to do some leisurely shopping." she replied jokingly.

Ginny smiled "I'm just surprised you would defend him to that extent. I know he has changed, even Harry doesn't have a problem with him anymore, but he was cruelest to you at school."

The reminder didn't seem to phase Hermione in the least. "That was before the war. You saw how different he was during that last year I was there. He comes to the store a lot you know, I can't explain it, he is just not that guy anymore." she explained as she took another sip out of her mug.

Ginny could easily surmise that there was more to this then her friend was leading on and she pressed her for more answers. "So what's he like now then?"

Hermione seemed surprised at the question. "How am I supposed to know?" she asked.

Ginny was now the one in surprise "you said he comes in all the time, that you can tell he is different. Haven't you talked to him?"

Hermione wasn't sure what Ginny was getting at or why she was so interested but she answered her friends questions none the less. "Only that night, he just holds himself differently now." she said.

"So you mean to tell me that you haven't spoken to him since school, yet you know he is a changed man, enough to the point that you would fire someone for him?" Ginny asked.

Hermione thought for a moment before responding. "Ginny, first of all, I knew his prejudice was gone back at school, we may not have talked much, but I was completely convinced then that he had changed. Second, I fired Christine for violating the law. The law that I wrote. She knew when I hired her that I would not tolerate that kind of behavior in my establishment."

Ginny raised her hands in defeat. "Fair enough. Why do I feel like there's something more to the whole Malfoy part of this story though?" she asked. Unlike Harry, she was much better at reading Hermione, and always had a way of knowing when she was keeping something from her.

Hermione held her gaze down at her mug, she bit her bottom lip as she searched for a way to explain. "I'm not entirely too sure myself. Malfoy and I have not spoken since school, and even then, it was usually just head duty matters." she paused "but the other night, there was this moment. I had helped him with the books he needed, he was talking about how I didn't need to fire Christine, and I walked him to the door." she looked directly at Ginny now. "He was saying something about the law, and when I told him I wrote it, he seemed shocked. I think he was going to ask me about it, but I said goodbye to him and shut the door. He had this look though. His eyes were so...soft when he heard me. He is definitely still a bit rough around the edges, but not like when he was a teenager. Now I keep thinking about the whole ordeal and I don't know why."

A small smile snuck its way onto Ginny's face "find out then." she said simply.

Hermione furrowed her brows, puzzled by the statement. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Ginny rolled her eyes "Hermione. You're intrigued. You wondering who this person is. Yes he has changed, but you're wondering just how much so. You never knew anything about Malfoy really. Talk to him, you said yourself he comes in to the store, just talk to him."

Hermione shrugged her shoulders "I guess you're right."

"Of course I am." she joked. "On another note, Harry and I are going to the Burrow tomorrow for brunch. Mum insisted I invite you, but Ron will be there so I think I already know your answer." she said with a half hearted smile.

Hermione gave her friend a sympathetic look. "You know I love them all and I do miss them, but until Ron can be in the same room as me without throwing a tantrum, I think it would be best if I decline."

Ginny knew this would be her answer. While Ron was her brother, and she would always love him, there was a part of her that hated him for taking Hermione away from the whole family all because he couldn't just be a mature adult. "I know. I wish he would stop being such a git. Hasn't this gone on long enough?" she asked.

Hermione laughed "Of course it has. You know how he is. Ronald has a tremendous heart, but he also holds grudge's with a fierce passion. I believe he will at least be civil with me at some point, but that won't be until he is ready." Hermione took notice of the disappointed look on Ginny's face. Hermione thought of the Weasley's as family, and they the same of her. "How about we all have dinner sometime soon? I really would love to see you're parents."

Ginny's face grew a bit brighter at the idea. "I think they would love that. They really do miss you." Ginny reached across the table and gave Hermione's hand a quick squeeze. "Well then, Harry and I were planning on telling everyone tomorrow, but since you won't be there, I guess I should tell you now."

Hermione looked concerned. After years of bad things happening to her and her friends, she tended to always assume the worst whenever someone had news. A habit she was trying to break. "Is everything alright?" she asked.

"Oh yes, this is good news. Well, you know Harry and I have been discussing having children for a while now. We both think we are ready for it, so I'm leaving the Harpies. The article is going to be in the Prophet on Monday, and we wanted to tell everyone else first." Ginny said her eyes began to glisten with tears, however, it was evident that these were tears of joy.

Hermione beamed at her friend "Ginny that's wonderful news"

"That's not all though. I got a job at the Daily Prophet writing for the sports column. That's how I was able to hold the press off for a few days. It's perfect for what we want. Once we do have children, I'll be able to write from home. This way I can be with them, but still have my career." she said with excitement.

"Is that why Harry's been so quiet about what you've been up to?" Hermione asked as she tilted her head, already knowing the answer to her question.

"Of course it is! Merlin, I love that man, but he is rubbish at keeping secrets. Besides, he agreed that while this concerned both of us, it was more so my news to tell rather then his." she responded.

"Well I'm glad he let you tell me. I'm very happy for you Ginny." Hermione said.

"Thank you." Ginny said. She began to stand up before continuing. "I hate to rush off so quickly, but I still have some unpacking to do and it's been a rather long day." she said.

Hermione rose from her seat as well, grabbing both mugs and placing them in the sink. "I understand. Let's get together someday soon so we can talk more, and let me know what your parents think about dinner." she said as she walked her friend out.

"Of course, I'll owl you what days I'm free." Ginny said as she gave Hermione a hug.

"Goodnight Ginny."

"Night Hermione"

Hermione closed the door behind her. While she was truly happy for Harry and Ginny, she was more focused on Ginny's advice to her.

Maybe she was just curious about Malfoy. After all, in actuality, she really didn't know much about him.

The truth of the matter was, that while she was curious about him, was he feeling the same way? She saw the way he looked at her that night. It was shock that came over him when he learned of her involvement in the very law that pertained to him. He wanted to question her, but she stopped him, and she didn't know why.

While it was well known that Hermione was on the committee that was put in charge of redesigning the treatment of wizards, witches, and magical creatures, the fact that she was the one who initiated the discussion and later wrote out the laws that protected reformed Death Eaters was predominantly only known by people who worked within the ministry.

Hermione moved over to the sofa once more. She thought back to one of the very few conversations at school her and Malfoy had outside of head duty. It was the definitive moment that showed her his true level of regret for his actions before and during the war. She wondered if Draco knew just how large of an impact his words had made that day. Tired of questioning herself and her mind drifting, she relented to taking Ginny's advice. She would talk to him.

Hermione Granger wanted to know Draco Malfoy, and she wasn't entirely sure what that meant for her.

-x-

So there's the first chapter. There will be a lot more detail on Hermione and how she came into her current situation, if not in the next chapter then probably chapter three. I hope you enjoyed. Please Review!