A/N: It's starting to get toasty up in here. Special shout out to Random person in wonderland, purplehedgehog13 and vimto474 for reviewing, thanks a bunch!


"So, if you're having any trouble with that, I did this walk through for a similar question." She pulled a piece of parchment between them, running her fingers down the paper as she explained her working. "All that okay?" Hermione glanced up at her counterpart for the first time in about fifteen minutes to find he wasn't even looking at the table, but some far off point across the library.

"Were you even listening to me?" She asked louder, although careful not to insight the wrath of Madame Pince. He made no sign he'd heard her and remained frozen in thought. "Malfoy?" His eyebrows had furrowed but he still didn't move.

Glancing down at his arm resting on the table in front of him, she hesitated momentarily before stretching out her hand and placing it on his forearm. "Draco?" She tested softly. His grey eyes finally slid to her face and she chewed her lip as he blinked back into focus.

"Sorry, I must've zoned out."

"Are you alright?" She asked her concern evident. When they'd agreed the previous day to have another study session, he seemed genuinely keen but he'd been distracted since the moment he arrived.

"Yeah, yeah, I was just thinking."

"About your mother?" She offered, tentatively. Malfoy hadn't mentioned it since he'd disappeared home for the weekend but she easily sensed it had been plaguing his thoughts. "Is she any better?"

He couldn't be sure why but he laughed, a sad sound that bubbled up from deep in his chest. Oh how he wished it was that simple. How he wished he could turn around and say she'd completely recovered and she was back to her old self. How he wished he hadn't received a letter just that morning from one of the chief nurses to say his mother had been evaluated and offered a place in St. Mungo's that she so desperately needed. How he wished it was his father who should have to make the awful decision to send her away from her home and from her son.

Draco faced her fully, her brown eyes swirling with curiosity and worry as she remained silent and let him speak. "Theo's the only other person that knows and I'd like to keep it that way." At her wordless nod, he told her. He told her everything, from the moment Narcissa had started to change to the letter that arrived that day. It wasn't planned but when he began, it all spilled from him in a flurry of emotion. Hermione listened intently, not interrupting him once during the steady flow of information he was bestowing upon her.

"So now they need me to sign off on her admission and I have no idea how I'm supposed to just send her away."

"You're doing what's necessary to protect her. Deep down, she'll understand."

"She'll hate me for it, Granger. You don't know her like I do; the knowledge that I sent her into a hospital and all but admitted she's insane will crush her."

"You can't leave her in the Manor. You know you can't. If even the elves fear she is getting uncontrollable, then she needs more specialised care. St. Mungo's is the best place for her to make sure she doesn't hurt herself or anyone else."

He groaned, burying his face in his hands, elbows resting on his knees. "I know it's the right thing to do but how am I supposed to live with this? She's my mother, she's all I have left."

Hermione stared at his miserable hunched over form and took a deep breath before reaching out and lightly grasping his wrist. The swirling molten silver of his desperate gaze made her heart break, the pads of her fingers subconsciously dusting feather light over his smooth skin. "I understand how you feel." When he frowned and opened his mouth undoubtedly to argue, she pressed more firmly. "I do."

Swallowing harshly, she licked her lips and spoke softly. "When the war started, I had to do everything I could to protect the people I cared about most. To save my parents I erased their memories and sent them to Australia where the death eaters and other dark followers wouldn't be able to find them."

The crease in his forehead deepened with every word. "Granger…"

"I went looking for them when everything was over. Took me a while but I found them. They had a beautiful house, great jobs and nice friends. I managed to restore their memories and I explained everything to them but the damage was already done. They were furious at what I'd done, they were always proud of my magic but deep down they were concerned I'd someday use it on them and I had always sworn never to do such a thing. I broke my promise and their trust. I regret what I had to do but at the end of the day, in my heart, I know I did what was necessary to keep them safe."

"I'm sorry."

She shook her head fiercely, blinking away the tears that were forming behind her eyes and making the words stick in her throat. "It was my decision. They're alive because of what I did. My point is, Draco, the consequences are hard to live with but I did it for them. As much as you may resent this choice at times, your mother needs you to do this for her because it's what she needs."

Malfoy closed his eyes, her words settling over him and yet simultaneously lifting the weight he'd been carrying around for days. "Be brave." She uttered, causing grey eyes to meet brown. "For her."

Buoyed from her advice, he slumped back against his chair, eyeing their discarded study equipment carefully. "I'm aware this was partly my idea but I would appreciate it if we could pick this up another day, I have a letter to write after all." Nodding in understanding, Hermione tidied up her things alongside him wordlessly but not awkwardly.

Bag slung over his shoulder, he stood in front of her ready to go but something was nagging at the corners of his mind. He didn't even know if it was fair to ask after what she'd already divulged but he couldn't shake his desire to know the answer. Hermione tilted her head, waiting for him to divulge what seemed to be bothering him. "What happened with your parents? Did they come back with you?"

Her lips parted slightly as she sucked in a breath, her head shaking slowly as she glanced to the floor. "No. They stayed over there. They don't mind if I call every now and then but we lead separate lives now."

"Did you tell them everything?"

"Not everything, it didn't seem right to. I didn't want them to feel responsible in any way like they couldn't protect me."

He nodded; he knew exactly what that felt like. Noticing the way she picked at her nails, he diverted the conversation. "I always thought you were more suited to Ravenclaw but it seems pretty obvious now, the Sorting Hat knows plenty more than any of us. You clearly belong in Gryffindor."

"You should know I'm keeping tabs on how often you compliment me." She smirked, mimicking his words from their last library meeting and making him chuckle.

"I'll see you around then." As he turned away, Hermione blurted his name, Malfoy once again moving to face her with an eyebrow raised in curiosity. She shifted her weight nervously, teeth gnawing at her lip and easily noting his gaze scanning her face for any sign of what she was considering. Throwing caution to the wind, she stepped into his space and threw her arms around him in a firm hug. It had been a long time since anyone had held him in such a way but he doubted any had contained such meaning and he stayed frozen under her grip for a minute. It did feel odd to Hermione, knowing it was Draco instead of any of her friends but it was in no way unpleasant.

"I'm here for you, if you need it."

About to relinquish her position, Hermione was shocked when she finally felt his strong arms slide around her frame, holding her body to his. He was warm and firm under her hands, a well-toned physique evident even through his robes. After a few seconds his body relaxed, all tension pouring away as he sank into the moment. A delightful hint of citrus wafted up from her untamed bushy hair and he let it draw him in a little deeper.

When the two of them had the realisation that it appeared to be lasting longer than one usually gave to just a friend, they stepped apart. Draco's hands plunged safely into his pockets as Hermione's clasped in front of her, the two sharing a subtle glance.

"Thank you." She attempted to contain herself at his words but a grin immediately broke out on her face as he shyly dipped his head. Giving in he allowed a broad smile to match hers before taking a step back. "See you later." At her confirming nod, he spun and headed for the library doors, leaving Hermione to watch after him cheerfully.