So glad to see the positive feed back I've gotten from this.

A special thanks to ndavis77 for all the reviews you've left. I'm really happy you liked the choice of book Hermione gave Draco, and I hope you like where I take it.

As always, I hope you all enjoy, and thank you all for reading!

-x-

Hermione scurried about her flat in a rush to get ready. She was meeting with Harry that morning to help him find new dress robes for the Ministry Gala. One of the many things the two had in common was their genuine distaste for shopping. While Harry definitely needed a woman's opinion, bringing his wife along would turn a simple outing into an all day event. Hermione offered to go with him in Ginny's place so the two could catch up.

Grabbing the last of her things, she stopped into the shop to check in with Sarah. After leaving her with a few tasks she went to walk out the door only to find Harry waiting for her outside.

"Was beginning to think you forgot about me."

"I'm sorry" she said as she placed a kiss on his cheek "I woke up a little late."

He chuckled "it's fine Hermione. Let's get this over with."

"So how are you? How's work? I feel like we have barely talked lately."

"I know, I've been tied up with this case at work. Things have been good though, it's nice to have Ginny home. She said she told you our news."

"She did, and I'm thrilled. Her new job sounds perfect."

"We got really lucky. It was a concern of hers. She wanted to be able to do everything her mum did but at the same time she wanted a career. She's happy and that's what I care about. What about you?" he asked as they made their way into the small shop.

"Me? Good. I'm really good actually."

Harry started to sift through the rack opposite from her. "Would that have any thing to do with Malfoy?"

Hermione jerked her head in his direction, eyes going wide. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh c'mon Hermione, how dumb do you think I am?"

"Ginny said she wouldn't say anything to you."

"And she didn't. In fact that's what gave it away. When Ron stopped by that night, she didn't say a word about it. Ginny. My wife. Said nothing. Then she was up first thing the next morning rushing over to your place. I can put two and two together."

"Are you mad?"

"At what? You and Malfoy, or you not telling me?"

"Both"

"I'm a little disappointed, but only at you not telling me. I don't care who it is. If you're happy, that's what matters. You look happy. Are you?"

"I am actually. So it being Malfoy doesn't bother you at all?"

"Not really, the guy gets a rough break enough as it is. You know how much good he's done over at St. Mungo's? Shame no one knows."

"Knows what?"

Harry looked at her with surprise. "Hasn't he told you about what he does over there?"

She shrugged "He said he updates healing potions, and has made a few of his own, but aside from that he doesn't discuss work much."

"Hmm, well if he hasn't told you maybe I shouldn't-"

"Harry, just tell me."

He hesitated, looking back down at the racks of robes. "Look, I only know about this because some of his work has helped aurors in the field. He has created some potions that are so powerful that can knock out some of the darkest magic there is."

Her mouth went agape. "What? Why haven't I heard of this?"

"He doesn't want it published it any articles. Apparently he thinks if he puts his name on them, people won't want to take them, and his work will be for nothing."

"That's ludicrous."

"I agree, but that's the way he wants it. You know...he's been working with Neville also."

Her eyes shot up at the mention of their friend. "With what?"

"Remember his parents? Malfoy has been working on one to help restore their memories. Frank and Alice remember they have a son at this point and their speech has improved a little, but it's spotty. Never the less he has been working hard to find a cure for them."

Hermione felt tears begin to sting her eyes.

"Hermione, what is it?"

"It's just. He really is good Harry. I can tell he has a good heart, but he is so harsh on himself, like he can't forgive himself even on a small scale. I can see how much he holds onto it all, I wish I could make him see what I do."

"Hey" he said as he walked around the display to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Don't do that. Don't get down on yourself over it. Give him time. I'm sure he will come around eventually."

"I hope so." she said with a small smile. "Enough of this though. Here try on these two, they'll match Ginny's gown."

Harry gave her a look before he took the items from her and disappeared into the fitting room. While left to her own thoughts, she felt consumed by the new information about Draco. He was proving to be exactly what she believed he was, but it was as if he couldn't allow himself to see it too. She so desperately wanted him to see himself the way she did.

Harry had settled on the fourth pair of robes he tried on, and after the older wizard who owned the shop made a few alterations, the pair headed out, they stopped for lunch and talked some more but Harry did not bring up Draco again and neither did she.

Hermione returned home, deciding to catch up on some reading. After making a cup of tea she had just settled herself on the couch when a knock came to her door. She was caught off guard as she wasn't expecting anyone else that day.

She opened the door to find Draco looking upset. "Hey, what are you-"

"This really happened?" he asked as he held up the novel she had given him.

She furrowed her brows not completely understanding him.

"The book?"

"No. Well, yes. But I mean this thing, this holocaust it speaks of."

A jolt of shock moved its way through her. She knew that many pureblooded families were, for the most part, alienated from the muggle world but she underestimated how deep it went. "Come in Draco."

After stepping inside, Hermione motioned for him to sit on the couch. She made him a cup of tea, and set it in front of him on the coffee table before taking a seat next to him.

"Yes Draco, it really happened."

He sat in silence as he contemplated the new information. When he finally spoke there was a sound of pain behind his voice. "Why did you want me to read it?"

At that moment, knowing that he knew nothing of that dark period of history, she began to regret her choice of book, but told him the reason anyway. "The night at the manor, when the snatchers brought us, you lied. You could have let them kill us. Why didn't you?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Why didn't you?"

"I don't see why-"

"Just answer me. Please."

"I didn't want any of you to be killed. Shit, I may have not liked Potter or the Weasel. Still don't like the Weasel, but I didn't wish death, especially not by the hands of the Dark Lord, on either of them."

"And me?"

"Hermione..." he could tell she was pressing him to say it, and it was something he wasn't sure if he was ready for.

"Why not me?" she asked again.

"Because...because I knew it then. I knew the moment you stepped in that door what they would do to you. Not because of your name, or your friends, or the order. Because of your blood. I knew your blood didn't matter, at least not to me."

"I've told you this before, and I'll say it again. Had you not done that. Had you not lied, not only would the three of us be dead right now, Voldemort would be in complete control."

"Why does that-"

"This." she said as she grabbed the book. "This is what would happen to muggleborns. He would be in power and would wipe out muggleborns, all of them if he could. You changing. You deciding to believe what you knew was right. Your lie, no matter how insignificant you think it might have been, it mattered. That one small decision you made, it made a difference."

He sat quietly as he took in her words. He stood from the couch and began pacing in front of the fireplace. He finally turned to her and spoke "Why do you do this?"

"Do what?" she asked as she rose and folded her arms in front.

"This. Try and get me to forgive myself?"

"Because you deserve to."

"No I don't! What about Dumbledore? That's on me. His blood is on my hands!"

"It is not! You did not kill him. Snape did, and don't you dare even try and take the fall on that. You know as well as I do that Dumbledore told him to do it. Snape didn't need an unbreakable vow from your mother, he was never going to let you do it anyway."

"If I never accepted the task to begin with-"

"Then Voldemort would've had Snape kill him anyway!"

"You don't know that."

"No, I don't. I do know that Voldemort wanted him dead. He would've found a way to make it happen though."

He stared at her, his chest rising and falling quickly as his blood raced. "Why is it so important to you? Why do you want me to let it go?"

"Because I know you aren't the same person anymore. I want you to see that you are not your father. You've suffered enough because of him. It's time you stop."

"Why should I?"

"Stop doing that." She crossed the floor, cutting the distance between them. Reaching out, she grabbed his arm and pushed back his sleeve revealing his scar. She held her arm next to his. "These are marks. Scars from a war we didn't ask for. A war neither of us wanted to be a part of. At the end of it all, it's just a mark, and mine is just a word. They do not define what we are."

"You really believe that?"

"You certainly would not be standing in my living room if I thought otherwise."

The corner of his lips curled in the smallest of ways. "I want to believe that too, but I'm not certain I know how."

"I don't expect you to forgive yourself over night. I just want you to promise me you will try."

He lifted his hands, cupping her face between them and resting his forehead on hers. "I'll try." he whispered to her.

She gave a small nod, encircling his wrists with her fingers. Tilting her head slightly, she pressed her lips to his. Holding their kiss for a moment before pulling back to look him in the eyes. "That's all I'm asking for."

He leaned in. Kissing her again, moving his hands into her sea of curls, pulling her closer to him. It was as if he were trying to pour his soul into her, will her to believe that he would try, try to forgive himself for the ghosts of his past. She gripped the fabric of his shirt into her fists as she matched the emotion of the kiss, silently wishing to herself that she could some how make him feel all the good she could see within him.

As their growing passions began to intensify, it took every ounce of him to pull back. He smiled as she released a small sigh of dissatisfaction at the loss of his touch. "I should go." he said.

She nodded, silently agreeing with him as she too did not want to get carried away. He released her from his embrace and she walked him out. After opening the door, he turned to look at her. "Are you going to the ministry gala?" he asked.

"Yes...why do you ask?"

"Well, I was wondering if you would accompany me to it?"

"I'd like that."

"You realize there will be a lot of press there right?"

She smiled and she took his hand. "It doesn't bother me."

He leaned down, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight Granger."

"Goodnight."

She closed the door behind her, pressing her back against it as she traced her lips with her fingers. Smiling to herself as she felt like she was finally starting to get to him.

-x-

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