Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my last update, decided to post this one now, since I was done with it. Thanks for reading!

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A loud pop echoed off of the buildings as Draco apparated into the dark alley. The distant sound of carolers could be heard drifting through the streets. He had spent that Christmas day at the manor, and had decided a drink was needed after enduring an entire day with his mother. It wasn't that the two didn't get along, quite the opposite actually, however his mother had a tendency to pry and he could only hold her off for so long.

Making his way out from between the two buildings, he proceeded on his way to the Leaky Cauldron. Upon entering the establishment, multiple heads turned at the sight of him. Sending a scolding look to a select few, Draco turned, heading for the bar when he caught sight of that unmistakable head of curls. Granted she had tamed and smoothed them over the years, but her locks still made her easy to spot in the crowd.

Draco paused for a moment, taking notice of the witch sitting in front of him. Since their last encounter at her shop, he had been thinking of her time and again. He had realized that he didn't actually know much about her. He knew she was smart, bloody brilliant to be more accurate. He knew who her friends were. He knew she loved books, which was why he wasn't surprised when he learned she purchased Flourish and Blotts. As he eyed her appearance, he smirked as he noticed she looked gorgeous in emerald green, no doubt she donned the color for the holiday, but he admired the sight of her in his house colors none the less. Aside from those little truths that he knew of, he had been wondering about what else there was to the woman. He had felt drawn to her, despite not knowing why. Resuming his pace, he stepped to her, deciding to throw caution to the wind, and attempt to ease his curiosity.

"Didn't peg you for one to drink on your own Granger." he said as he took a seat next to her.

Knowing the collected voice anywhere, she turned to him. "Spend an entire day with my parents and you would too." she said as she took a slow sip of the amber liquid that filled her glass.

Draco scoffed "one day with my mother is enough thanks." he said, waving his hand to grab Hannah's attention.

Hannah, was another one of the few shop owners, along with Hermione, that never treated Draco poorly. "Evening Malfoy. Enjoying your Christmas?" she asked, pulling out a glass, and setting it in front of him. She began to pour his usual drink, firewhiskey.

"For the most part, better after this" he said as he held his glass to her. "And you?" he asked.

"I rather enjoyed my day, thanks. Anything else for you?" she asked with her hands situated on her hips.

"A refill for Ms. Granger here if you would, please" he said.

Flashing him a quick smile, Hannah retrieved the bottle and topped Hermione's glass. "Let me know if either of you need anything else" she said.

"Thank you Hannah" said Hermione. Draco nodded to her in silent appreciation.

Taking another sip of her drink. Hermione eyed him curiously for a moment. For the most part, he still looked very similar to how he did a few years prior. Immaculately dressed, skin that resembled porcelain, his platinum blonde hair still the same though a bit longer and not slicked back as much. He certainly was an attractive man, she was sure he always had been, but his character caused her to not take much notice during school.

Draco could tell she was staring through the corner of his eye. "What?" he asked as he turned to her, resting his arm on the bar.

She narrowed her eyes slightly "nothing, I mean, I guess I just find it a bit odd that Draco Malfoy is buying me a drink" she said.

Draco shrugged "The least I could do. I was surprised you were able to find that book for me so quickly." he said as he rolled the liquid around his glass.

"Yes well, I do have some connections. What do you need so many potion books for anyway? Aren't you a healer?" she asked. "That is, if you don't mind my asking" she added.

"I was, for a short period anyway. It didn't work out though, I work independently, but technically am employed by St. Mungo's. Mainly I work on improving some of the outdated potions, I've also developed a few new ones." he said in an nonchalant way.

"Quite impressive Malfoy. However, I am curious, why did you stop being a Healer?" she asked.

This topic was something that he normally kept to himself, but for a reason unbeknownst to him, he felt his guards slip on a small scale and wanted to share it with her. He opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by another man's presence.

"You have some real nerve showing yourself in here" said the red headed man.

Unperturbed by the remark, Draco smirked. "Ah, if it isn't the infamous Weasel. Something you need?" he asked in a mocking tone.

Ron's face grew hot with anger. "Just what do you think you're doing here Malfoy?" he seethed.

"Well is appears that I am having a friendly drink with the lovely Ms. Granger. Now run along Weasel, the adults were having a conversation." Draco said as held his chin high in defiance.

Taking a step towards the blonde with clenched fist, "She doesn't want to speak with you, Death Eater." he said.

Hermione stepped out of her seat, standing between the two men. "And just who are you to decide with whom I do or do not wish to speak with, Ronald?" she asked in a calm manner.

Ron stepped back, despite his anger not receding in the least. "Oh that's right. You just love the likes of him, have a soft spot for Dark Lord supporters right? Going to start sleeping with them now too?" he asked, the venom in his voice dripping with jealousy.

Although Hermione was not phased by the statement, it was Draco who became angry. Though he had been horrible in his youth, as a grown man, he despised when a woman was spoken to with such vulgarity. Moving forward, ready to launch into a long list of obscenities at the man before him, he was halted when Hermione turned to face him.

"It seems to be getting a bit crowded in here. Care to go for a walk with me?" she looked over her shoulder to make eye contact with her former love. "I don't find the current company too pleasant." she said.

Smirking down at her for a moment, Draco reached behind her to grab her coat, holding it out for her as she placed her arms inside. "Couldn't agree more." he said as he gave Ron an icy glare, only to be matched by the same look of contempt. Tossing a few galleons on the bar top, Draco thanked Hannah once more, and followed Hermione out of the door, leaving Ron behind them without another word.

As the door swung shut behind them, he noticed that Hermione did not seem at all bothered by the altercation.

"He shouldn't have spoken to you that way." Draco said in irritation.

Hermione laughed. "Believe me he has said much worse Malfoy, it's fine." she said.

He looked at her closely in the eye. Her radiant brown eyes, though dark, somehow managed to shine in the moonlight. "It isn't. No woman deserves to be spoken to like that." he said is a serious tone.

"Malfoy, you do remember how you yourself used to ridicule me right? I mean I know you changed, but-" she was cut off.

"I was cruel. Yes. I treated you terribly. But I was a snotty teenager fueled by a delusional mans ideals of blood status, which I have since abandoned. That." he said pointing towards the pub. "That was vulgar. He is a grown man, and should know better then to speak to a woman like that." he said.

Giving a small smile, Hermione started to take a step as she placed her hands into her coat pockets. "You coming?" she asked.

"Coming where?" he asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"I was being serious in there Malfoy, we were having a conversation before we were interrupted and I would actually like to continue with it believe it or not." she said.

Draco ran his hand through his hair as he pondered over the notion. Not wanting to let the altercation with Ron to come between him and his desire to learn more about his former class mate, Draco crossed over to her and met her side. "Shall we?" he said.

The pair made their way up the cobblestone street, the chilled winter air nipping at their cheeks. They remained silent for only a few moments. "To answer your question." Draco said. "I wanted to be a healer. I had no choice in the matter though. You see, I wanted to work with kids, they're a lot stronger then people give them credit for you know." Draco paused, but sensing he wasn't finished, Hermione remained quiet. "You see, not everyone is accepting of former Death Eaters, especially not when it comes to their child's health. On multiple instances, parents refused to let me treat their children, no matter how severe their ailment was, or how qualified I may be. The last time though, a four year old boy almost died waiting for another healer to come." he finished.

Hermione stopped in her tracks. "You mean to tell me, they were willing to let their child die, just because of your past?" she asked in bewilderment.

"Yes, essentially anyway." Draco said, his eyes transfixed on the fresh fallen snow that lightly blanketed the ground.

"They fired you because of that? They cannot do that!" she said, her voice somewhat elevated.

Draco's piercing grey eyes shot up to meet hers. "No one fired me Granger, the director was fully supportive of me, and vowed to stand by me. It was my choice to resign." he said.

"Why though, why quit?" she asked, although her tone was much softer now.

"That child almost died. If the other healer had gotten there only a few minutes later I'm not sure he would have made it in time. I wasn't taking the chance on it happening again. So I resigned. Took up potion making again. I found ways to improve upon older ones. Started working with the hospital. It's the closest I can get for now, and I'm ok with that." he said as he took a step, motioning for her to continue on their way.

Following his gesture, she resumed on, matching his pace. "I'm sorry. The laws are supposed to stop that sort of thing. That was exactly the type of thing I was trying to stop when I wrote them." she said sympathetically.

"What about you? Why'd you leave the ministry?" he asked, trying to change the subject.

Shrugging her shoulders, she glanced over at him. "It wasn't what I wanted out of my life. It was a great job, don't get me wrong. I just spent so much time in that world for so long. The ministry, the order. It was never doing anything for me, always for others. After I ended things with Ron, I decided I needed to do something for myself, so I bought the store." she said.

As Hermione looked forward down the street, Draco looked at her. The honesty in her answer was something so refreshing to hear. "What did happen with Weasley? Why'd you call it off?" he asked.

"He didn't like my involvement with the proposed protection for former Death Eaters. More so than just dislike. It made him furious, I didn't want to be with someone like that. He didn't have to agree with my views, but he wanted me to change something about myself to please him. I wasn't going to do that." she said

"Why write them at all? Why go through all the trouble?" he asked.

"Because I know people can change." stopping to look at him, he turned to her.

"How?" he asked.

"Do you remember our last year at Hogwarts? You didn't call me a single name, or be even slightly unpleasant to me the entire year. I knew you were different, but I wasn't sure if you had really changed." she took a moment before continuing on. "I didn't know you had actually changed until the spring. We had been studying in the common room, and it was rather warm and my sleeves were rolled up. I had dropped a parchment and we both went to pick it up. You stared at my scar. The one that your aunt put there. Do you remember what you said to me?" she stepped towards him.

Draco looked down at her. He knew exactly what day she was talking about. He thought back to it frequently. "I told you I was sorry." he responded.

"You told me you were sorry you didn't stop her. Not that you couldn't. That you didn't. That was the moment I knew you changed. Other people may not see it, but I do. I know that you're not the same as you once were. That is why I fought for the laws. I knew you couldn't be the only one who changed. People deserve second chances." she said.

There was a silence between them as they stared at one another. Draco realized that what he was feeling went much deeper then curiosity. He genuinely had an intense desire to be around her. Learn everything that was Hermione Granger. Looking past her, he could see they were in front of her store. The night was coming to a close. "It looks like this is where I leave you." he said, nodding towards the door.

Hermione looked over to the shop, before turning back to him "Thank you for the drink, and I suppose walking me home as well." she smiled softly as she swept a stray curl behind her ear.

Draco smirked at the sight. "Goodnight Granger." he said.

"Goodnight Malfoy." she said, turning to walk up to entrance.

Draco had turned to leave, but stopped himself before Hermione could get inside her door.

"Granger?" he asked.

"Yes?" she replied, as she looked over to him.

"Would you have dinner with me?" he asked, mildly reserved.

Hermione smiled "I'd like that." she said, almost relieved that he asked.

For the first time she could ever think of, she saw Draco smile. Not a smirk, but an actual smile. "Friday, say seven? Is that ok for you?" he asked.

"That works for me. Happy Christmas Draco." she said.

"Happy Christmas Granger" he said as he turned making his way back down the street.

The distant echoes of carolers had faded away as the late hours went on. Draco wandered around the streets for a while, replaying the evenings events. Once he made it to his flat, the exhaustion from the long day hit as he lay his head down on the pillow. Sleep found him quickly, the vision of a beautiful young witch as the last thing that flashed through his mind.

-x-

Hope you enjoyed! This chapter had already been started when I posted the last. I probably won't have another update as quickly, but perhaps by the end of next week. Thanks for reading!

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