A/N: *Waltzes in hiding behind Draco and Harry* I'm sorry! Don't harm me! I know it has been…what three months? I'm not sure. And I apologize greatly. It's been difficult to write this...mainly because my heart is in a different fandom now, but I will finish this story! I promise! My life has been pretty hectic as well…my brother is suddenly having medical problems when he has been healthy his entire life…so my family has had a bit of a scare. Anyways…

I want to thank you all for your support, whether you reviewed, alerted or added to favorites. I truly appreciate it. It is encouraging as an author to know people are interested in the continuation of this story. All of you are my motivation, so thank you once again! I'm sorry it took so long

STORY RELATED: Four days have passed since Harry, Ginny and Hermione were at the hospital.

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the HP universe.

Draco watched as the flames cracked and glimmered brightly throughout his study. It was a quiet evening and he thoroughly enjoyed the solitude. It brought a much-needed calming sensation over him, and he felt his stiff shoulders begin to relax for the first time in the past four days. He sighed as he closed his eyes and tried to imagine happier times. His head tilted back slightly as he rested on his comfortable armchair. The warmth of the fire and the softness of the armchair were enough to make him incredibly drowsy. He could feel himself slipping out of consciousness, and relinquishing himself to the world of dreams.

Just as Draco began slipping into a comfortable sleep, a small crash echoing throughout the room and immediately woke him. He looked down and his eyes bulged in surprise.

"Shit!"

He quickly jumped down and picked up the item that had fallen. An uncomfortable feeling of dread pooled in his stomach, He looked down and felt his heart drop. A picture frame. Not just any picture frame…but the picture frame Hermione had bought him for their six-month anniversary. Hermione had found the perfect frame and had placed his favorite picture of them in it as a gift. Draco quickly scrubbed the dirt from the frame and the glass and withdrew his wand. He mumbled a simple spell, which quickly fixed the damaged glass. He sighed in relief, after he was sure that there was no permanent damage. He fondly traced his hand over the wood and glass. Smiling slightly when it felt as good as new.

Draco stared at the photograph as he watched Hermione, who looked as beautiful as ever, smashing a piece of chocolate cake directly into his face. She was smiling and laughing hysterically at him, as he blinked in surprise and then registered what she had done. Draco smiled as he watched himself quickly turn to Hermione and kiss her on the lips, while also smearing cake onto her face and into her hair. The look of surprise on Hermione's face made both Draco and the Draco in the photograph laugh. Hermione then placed a party hat on Draco's head and laughed once again.

His heart dropped as he watched the scene play over and over again. One of his favorite memories: forever captured. He sighed as he placed the picture frame down on the small table beside his armchair. It hurt to watch himself and Hermione together. Part of him wanted to keep watching yet at the same time, part of him was too heartbroken by the sight to continue. He could not believe that she was out of his grasp. After all they had gone through together, he could not believe how easily it had been shattered. He sighed once again and snuggled deeper into the armchair, letting sleep consume his depressing thoughts.

A soft, cool morning breeze made its way throughout the Potter household. The sound of scribbling quills could be heard echoing throughout each room as both Ginny and Hermione wrote letter after letter.

"Thank you so much for helping me with this Hermione. I don't know if I would be able to write all these announcements myself. With the size of the Weasely family and all of Harry's friends, my hand would most likely be broken by now." Ginny beamed at her best friend as she continued to write yet another letter.

"It is my pleasure Ginny! I personally think it's fun! Besides you and Harry have been so wonderful to me this past week and I cannot help but be eternally grateful to you both. I cannot wait to see the look on your mothers face when she finds out you're having a baby boy."

"She will be thrilled. The idea of any grandchild thrills her. She was so excited when she found out that I was pregnant that she nearly fainted. Every time Harry and I see her, she always asks how the baby is, and I swear she never takes her hands off my stomach. She is beyond attached." Ginny laughed wholeheartedly.

"Oh Hermione, I meant to inform you that we are not sending a letter to my mum and dad. Harry and I want to tell them personally. So I think we may be flooing over there later. Or we might just wait until the next Weasely family brunch. I don't want to tell my parents through a letter. It seems a bit tacky. The only family members I'm sending letters to are my cousins and Charlie, who is still in Romania."

"Oh, okay! I'll make sure not to address any letters to the rest of the Weasely family. I don't think any of their names were on my list but I'll check again. I think waiting for the Weasely family brunch is a good idea."

"Thanks, Hermione. I appreciate it."

"Um… Ginny, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, ask away. What's on your mind Mione? " Ginny smiled brightly and Hermione returned the smile, biting her lip slightly.

"Do...I um still attend the Weasely family brunches?" Hermione avoided Ginny's gaze and looked around the room. She heard Ginny stifle laughter and Hermione immediately looked up, a perplexed expression on her face.

"What kind of silly question is that Hermione! Of course you do! You will always be part of the Weasely family. You have been for years now, why would any of that change?" Ginny placed her arm around Hermione's shoulder in a comforting manor. The redhead continued to laugh brightly. Hermione smiled weakly. She was happy to see her friend like this. It warmed her heart.

"I know it seems silly. I just wanted to make sure since…Ron and I aren't together anymore."

"Oh... I'm sorry Hermione I didn't even think about that. I hope I didn't offend you. "

"No worries, Gin. You did not offend me. Truly, it was a silly question."

"It is not silly, Mione. Even after you and Ron split, you still continued to come to brunch. And you are still welcome to join us, as always."

"Um. How did Malfoy feel about me spending time with Ron and your family, without him?"

"Well…actually, after a few months of dating, Draco started coming too." Ginny said sheepishly. Hermione gaped at Ginny, a mix of horror and disbelief flashed across her face.

"Malfoy attends the Weasely family brunches?" Hermione barked out in disbelief. She felt herself struggling to speak. She could not hide her astonishment and she felt her eyes widening as Ginny nodded.

"I know it sounds weird to you right now and believe me, it was weird to me at first too. But oddly enough, he managed to make a good impression on everyone, even Ron." Ginny smiled. Her eyes were slightly unfocused and Hermione wondered if Ginny was lost in the memories of a better time.

"Even Ron? That is er… quite surprising." Hermione closed her eyes for a moment. Malfoy made a good impression on Ron…Now that was something she would like to see. She snickered quietly to herself. She could not image Ron and Malfoy speaking civilly to one another. They had always detested each other.

"At first, things were a bit awkward but somehow everything pieced together. Draco managed to build a completely new reputation among my family. It was difficult at first but with the help of you and Harry, everyone eventually came around."

"Oh, did I invite Malfoy?"

"You asked my mum if you could bring him and my mum, being the kind hearted woman she is, said yes. Mum truly wanted to give him a chance. She understood that Draco was different and she could not say no to you. You know how she feels about you; you are like a second daughter to her."

"That was very kind of her. I hope she knows that I think of her like as a second mum. Um, I was wondering, how did everyone react to Malfoy at first? "

"Well Mum did her best to be kind and hospitable toward Draco, which he was very grateful for. My dad had always tried to be kind to Lucius, despite their bitter feelings toward one another, so he tried to do the same for Draco. I think my dad may drive Draco slightly insane but Draco handles himself well. He has a surprising amount of patience sometimes. Dad told Draco quite a bit about muggles and all the fascinating things about them. I laughed so hard as he explained cars to Draco. Poor guy got a bit confused but that's to be expected from a pureblood such as himself-" Ginny paused for a moment, to catch her breath.

"And Malfoy actually listened to your dad talk about muggles? Without any rude remarks or comments?" Hermione asked suspiciously. Hermione felt slightly guilty when she heard Ginny sigh somewhat loudly.

"Hermione, despite your initial beliefs and feelings toward the guy, he really is a different person. The war changed him. You changed him. The wrong people were influencing him at the wrong time as a teenager. It's not his fault that he was raised to believe in pureblood supremacy. Come on Hermione, if he truly was the same guy, why would you have married him? Or even consider dating him in the first place?" Ginny placed her arm on Hermione's shoulder.

"I've asked myself that same question everyday for the past week."

"Hermione, I know you do not want to hear this but I truly think you should reconsider everything and give him a chance. Let Draco show you who he is now."

"Gin… We have already talked about this. Why don't we send those letters now?" Hermione avoided eye contact and quickly stood up, collecting several letters that were within her proximity.

"Hermione there is something I need to say. I've been thinking about it for a while now and I think it may be for the best. I know you are not going to like it and I mean you are really not going to like it but… I think you may thank me later."

"Gin you are scaring me." Hermione felt her heartbeat increasing slightly and an odd almost sick feeling was growing in the pit of her stomach.

"Please don't be mad. Just hear me out, okay?"

"I'll try not to get angry. I promise I'll hear what you have to say." Hermione nervously fiddled with the letter in-between her hands.

"Well Harry is leaving for a few days. It is work related. He is going on a mission in France with a few other Aurors. He has yet to give me the extensive details but I was thinking that those few days would be the perfect opportunity to…." Ginny stopped for a moment and looked slightly nervous. Hermione's eyebrow arched. She was not used to Ginny acting this way.

"Gin?" Hermione asked nervously.

"Listen Hermione, Harry and I think it might be a good idea for you to stay at the Manor for a few days. It may help jog your memory…" Ginny was looking downward.

"What! No, Ginny. There is no way I'm staying at the Manor by myself with Draco Malfoy." Hermione felt herself shiver. Her last memory of the Manor was anything but pleasant. She wanted nothing to do with that place, period.

"Hermione, listen, I would come with you! And it would only be for three or four days. Do you even want to try and get your memories back?"

"I do Ginny! But… but I don't want to go to the Manor! With him!" Hermione felt her heartbeat increasing.

What was Ginny thinking? Harry too? Hermione could hardly stand to be around Malfoy, how did they expect her to calmly stroll into his house? Whenever she thought of the manor…she remembered her voice, echoing through the dark room. The laugh that had plagued her nightmares for as long as she could remember... Hermione rubbed her scarred forearm, and shivered at the memory.

"Mione, I know you don't want to hear this…but for the majority of the last year and a half of your life, you have lived at the Manor. It is where the majority of your lost memories are from. Mione, if any place were going to help you regain any of your memory whatsoever, it would be the Manor. Not your old apartment, not here…Not Ron's old apartment…" Ginny said the last bit hesitantly and glanced at Hermione who was still rubbing her arm. Ginny sighed and placed her hand on Hermione's, immediately stopping the other girl.

"Mione, you'll rub your arm raw if you continue that." Ginny looked at her somewhat sternly but clear empathy shown through her brilliant eyes.

"I understand what you're saying Ginny…but I just do not think I can do it. I do not know if I'm strong enough to do it." Hermione's eyes were downcast. She felt incredibly self-conscious and weak.

Where was the determination and bravery she once wielded? She was a Gryffindor!

She had faced Death Eaters and Voldemort…yet she could not face Malfoy? Or the Manor? In comparison to the other things she had faced, Malfoy was hardly a threat.

Why then, did she feel so afraid?

Hermione knew in her heart that she was afraid to let go of the known. Everything aside from Malfoy was familiar. The Potter household, the Weasley family… But Malfoy? The way Malfoy was now was incredibly unfamiliar. Her life with him was unfamiliar. Malfoy's kind and more understanding attitude destroyed everything she had ever known about him. And it scared her. She did not know if she could break away from her safety net, what she had already established as truth.

Hermione liked to view herself as a forgiving person, and a person who was willing to give second chances…but this almost seemed like too much to bear.

Hermione was ripped from her thoughts by the sound of Ginny's chair moving. She quickly looked up and saw her redheaded friend slowly rising and heading toward the kitchen.

"Mione, please think about it. What have you got to lose?" And with that, Ginny left the room; leaving Hermione feeling incredibly conflicted.

Warm sunshine cascaded down on Hermione's golden brown hair as she slept soundly on the Potter's living room couch. A small breeze drifted in through the kitchen window, giving the room a cool but pleasant feeling. Hermione nuzzled into her pillow, and sighed in contentment as she slowly awoke. The book she had been reading had fallen off the couch and laid half open beside it.

She had been free of dreams, and oddly it had been refreshing. The feeling of a burden less sleep graced her calm face, and she smiled at the rays of sun pooling into the room. The weather warmly reflected her mood back at her. Hermione slowly sat up and stretched before bending down and picking up her book.

It was incredibly quite throughout the house, but Hermione swore she could hear the faint sound of whispers. A man and a woman, however whoever the man was, he did not sound like Harry. Hermione slowly made her way over toward the study, where the hushed voices were drifting out.

She stopped outside of the study and leaned her ear lightly against the wall. She felt somewhat guilty for intruding, but her years of spying and sneaking around the castle with Harry and Ron had taught her that although she disapproved of the overall mechanics of it, she could not help but enjoy it as well. Her years at Hogwarts had definitely been some of her best.

"So, how do you feel about our idea? I think it's better than anything we've managed to come up with thus far… And it would work perfectly with Harry's schedule as well." Hermione heard Ginny say, to whomever she was flooing. Hermione suddenly felt her heart sink. She had an idea of who Ginny was talking to.

"Ginny I appreciate your concern, and while I do find that idea to be the most favorable, if she doesn't agree to it, it's futile. Hermione isn't the type of person to yield to another. She's headstrong." Hermione heard Malfoy's deep voice pooling throughout the room. She could not help but notice how he spoke about her. He sounded as though he admired her greatly, and oddly enough he seemed to have her personality down to a notch.

"That's true…but Draco, you cannot deny that this idea is exactly what you want. I know you want her back in the Manor with you. And if you think about it, it's the best way for her to regain her memories…especially of you."

"I…I know that Ginny. Believe me, I do. And I wish that she would willingly come. Heck I'd give anything to have her back here…but face it Ginny, she's not ready for it and she may never be. She's disgusted by my very presence. I mean…think about her last memory of the Manor. I can't do that to her. She doesn't need to relive such nightmares. She just stopped suffering from them a few months ago. I don't want to reawaken the pain."

Hermione felt overwhelmed by the pure conviction and devotion in Malfoy's. It was heart wrenching. He sounded so broken. Hermione held her hand over her heart…had...had she really meant that much to him?

Hermione sighed. Maybe she should give Ginny's idea a chance…after all; Ginny did say that she would be there as well…so if Hermione ever became too uncomfortable she could always have Gin take her away. Unfortunately, Hermione's resolve was immediately broken… The sound of footsteps eagerly approaching stopped her thoughts and she slowly turned, a nauseous feeling pooled in her stomach.

"Hey Mione! How've you been? Where is that git husband of yours? I have something I want to show him." Ron said as he was smiling at her warmly. He approached her slowly, before stopping and staring in surprise at the look of pure horror on her face.

There he was right in front of her. Speaking to her…smiling at her…walking toward her… Hermione felt her heart accelerate, and she was suddenly at a loss for words. She felt her heart breaking as a womanly figure approached from down the hall behind Ron. Hermione held her heart and felt tears rising to her face.

No.

No.

Proof that Ron was married was approaching her. The silver band on his ring finger gave true proof that he was no longer hers. They were no longer together. He was out of her grasp, and in the arms of another woman.

He was living without her.

He was happy without her.

He…he did not need her anymore.

Hermione felt herself choke on a sob.

"Mione! Mione, bloody hell, what's wrong! Did that git hurt you?" Ron suddenly looked furious as he reached out and grabbed her shoulder, trying to comfort her. His action had the reverse affect as Hermione quickly pulled her arm from his grasp.

"Mione?" Pure concern melted from Ron's voice and he approached her slowly. Evident worry clear on his freckled face.

"Hermione, are you feeling well? Because you look as though you just saw a rather frightening ghost or poltergeist. " The voice of an all too familiar woman entered Hermione's ears.

Hermione immediately snapped her eyes open, and her mouth dropped in surprise.

She tried to form a coherent sentence, but no words would leave her mouth.

The sound of study door abruptly opening did not faze Hermione as she continued to stare in shock and surprise.

Ginny was immediately beside her.

"Oh Hermione…this wasn't how you were supposed to find out."

A/N: Muhahahah! Cliffy… I originally was not going to stop here…but it felt appropriate, and I couldn't help myself! The cliffhanger felt so right! The next chapter was going to be relatively small but now I can make it the average size.

Who do you think Ron's wife is? Heheheeh…. :)

Honestly, Ron and his wife are not in the story much, so it really doesn't matter too much. I mean, I like Ron and Hermione together but Dramione is so much more fun to write! Ron and Hermione already had their love story in the book, which I was against for awhile. But Dramione is the type of relationship that most girls love...Aside from that Tom Felton (Draco's actor) is sexy..especially with his brown hair... *swoons* Sorry for ranting.

After writing the rest of this chapter, I suddenly feel more inspired to write this story again. I forgot how much I loved HP! Thanks for reading! -jesokaa