AN: All characters and locations belong to JK Rowling. Please leave a review I really want to know what people think so far.

May 16th 1998

It has been 2 weeks since Voldemort has been defeated. Harry, Ron, and I have yet been able to really slow down and appreciate the fact that we survived. Kingsley is acting minister of magic until they hold elections later this year. We were all asked to be Aurors. I know the boys are really interested in this, I however think that I had enough of dark wizards in the last 6 years of my life. It is time to find a calling, my true purpose.

"C'mon Hermione, skip over the boring bits, we aren't getting any younger!" "Thank you for the input Pansy, I will NOT skip over the boring bits!"

I am not sure what direction I want to take now, but I am sure with time I will figure something out. I also am not sure what is going on between Ron and I. We kissed after the battle, and I thought that things would be different. Maybe as the wizarding world settles after the second war, our relationship will start to pick up. I care for him, but now I am not sure if it is as a friend, or as something more.

Harry and Ginny got together again. I am happy for them, he broke up with her to protect her and yet, I am not sure that was the best decision. I always thought he was sending the message that he doubted her abilities to protect herself.

"Yeah Hermione, I always thought that too!" "Thanks Ginny, can I continue now without interruption?" "Yes please do!"

If you truly love someone, you should want them by your side even when the road is rough and dangerous. Hopefully things will work out for them.

The war has been over for 2 weeks, but it feels as if it is not over. So many were lost, we are all left to pick up the pieces of our lives that were shattered. Trials for the death-eaters start early June, there is a mass effort to clean up Hogwarts and find teachers so that it can open this year, and I need to try to find my parents. It is safe now, I just hope I can figure out a way to restore their memories and that they will forgive me when that does happen.

I think what surprises people the most is that when Hogwarts reopens, I will not be going back for a repeat year. I love school, I love learning, but I feel as if I am at a crossroads. How can I go back to the girl I was after all that has happened the last year. How many 17 year old girls have been tortured, yet gone on to use their intellect to help defeat one of the most evil wizards known to man. I think it may be best that I assist with the clean up of Hogwarts, and then assist Kingsley in his attempt to fix the mess that Fudge, Scrimgeour, and Thicknesse left of the ministry.

Hermione finished reading that first entry and looked at her friends. "I didn't realize how sad I really was. I seemed a bit lost I guess."

Luna reached over and patted Hermione's hand. "At least the nargles didn't get you!" Luna let the girls laugh at that and continued, "we all seemed lost at that point, the clean up wasn't just a physical one, but an emotional one for all involved. You are proof that you were able to clean up the mess of yourself from after the war!"

Hermione smiled. "You are right Luna, and Pansy I will do you a favor and skip the next few entries. Ooh, this one should be interesting, it's about the Malfoy's trials." Before she could start reading the door opened. "Did I hear my beautiful wife mention our last name?"

"Draco, this is still our ladies night, but yes. I found some of my old journals and am reading some of the entries." Draco smirked and each of the ladies were reminded of the young Slytherin who used to terrorize the halls of Hogwarts. "You wrote about me? Oh 'Mione, I am flattered, and as much as I would like to give you ladies your time, this is something I have to hear!"

Before Hermione could argue and try to make her husband leave, Ginny grabbed the journal. "Sit down and listen then ferret!"

June 3rd 1998

Today was a really rough day. It was the Malfoys trial. It was hard for me because it brought back the memory of my time at Malfoy Manor when I was tortured by Bellatrix. They tried Lucius first, and as expected the Wizengamot was not very forgiving of Lucius. He was sentenced to 40 years in Azkaban with the option for parole after 20 years. I really could care less if that man ever gets out. I watched him with his wife Narcissa sitting on one side and Draco on the other and I felt heartbroken for them. Both Narcissa and Draco were wearing that Malfoy mask, but I could see beyond that, I could see the fear, the pain the remorse for the things that they had done. And part of me wondered what Draco would have been like if his father had been arrested after the first war, if that influence that had made Malfoy the loathsome little toad that enjoyed tormenting me for years had not existed. Would we have been friends, or maybe more?

More? More? I must need to sleep, what am I doing thinking about "more" with Draco "the ferret" Malfoy of all people?

"Ha, see even back then you couldn't resist my charms could you love?" "Shut up Draco, keep going Ginny."

Anyway, I was feeling sorry for both Draco and Narcissa. After Lucius was taken away to be transported to Azkaban, it was time for Narcissa's trial. She remained proud and she really impressed me, you could see the tears in her eyes but she would not let them fall. For awhile I was afraid that no one would speak for her, much like no one spoke for her husband. But Harry stood up. He told everyone there that she lied to Voldemort and said he was dead. I was glad Harry spoke for her, and was happy with the decision to give her 5 years probation and community service. She requested that she be allowed to assist at St. Mungo's. She always wanted to be a healer but was never allowed to pursue that dream. Kingsley agreed as long as she had someone monitoring her at all times.

I am not sure how I feel about this. Narcissa was never a Death-Eater, she only was married to one. I really think she was more like one of those battered women. She was in a horrible situation, and did not know of any place to go. (Look at her family, the Blacks minus Sirius were all crazy and would have offered no protection for her.) I think she will do well at St. Mungo's.

Now it is time for Draco's trial. This is the reason I am here, this is the reason I wish I were anywhere else. For all of Malfoy's shortcomings, I owe him this much, he doesn't realize that I know what he did the day I was being tortured.

Narcissa spoke for Malfoy first. She nearly moved me to tears in trying to explain what it was like for Draco growing up in that environment. That if anyone were guilty for his behaviors, it was her and Lucius. Malfoy then testified about the things he did. But he stated he never wanted to be a Death Eater, he did not want to have anything to do with Voldemort. He had no choice, if he did not become a death eater, they would have killed Narcissa. (I have to admit I started to cry here.)

"Awww, you cried for me, even before you liked me?" "Draco, your testimony broke my heart, I cry to this day remembering it." They lean in to kiss as Pansy starts to make gagging noises.

Harry stood up next and explained how Malfoy refused to flat out identify us when snatchers brought us to the manor. Even Ron gave testimony that this was the case. Harry also mentioned that if not for Draco, he would have been unable to defeat Voldemort. This threw everyone but me for a loop. I already knew that had Draco not disarmed Dumbledore, and then been disarmed by Harry, Voldemort would have controlled the Elder Wand and the 2nd of May would have had a different outcome entirely.

I had almost chickened out at this point, I did not want to discuss what Bellatrix had done to me, but I looked around the Wizengamot and I could see that not everyone was believing what was being said about Malfoy. I jumped up "He saved my life!" All eyes were on me, and I explained what really happened while I was being tortured. The wounds that were inflicted on me should have been fatal, not the knife wound or the cruciatus curse. But there was more done than that. Things that really should have killed me. After the first curse had broken a rib and I felt my lung being punctured, I also felt it healing. Amidst the screaming I looked around, Draco was standing in the corner quietly casting healing charms. Most people would think he was healing me to prolong the torture, but I made eye contact with him. He mouthed to me "I am so sorry, don't you dare die."

Ginny took a deep breath. "I can't read the rest of this, it's splotchy from tear marks, but I guess you didn't go to Azkaban eh, Draco?" This comment seemed to bring the group back into the now. Draco was holding Hermione tightly. "Yeah Gin, you couldn't get rid of me that easy, however, I still don't know how I ended up in house arrest with your mother as my punishment."

This got everyone laughing and as the ladies said their goodbyes they made plans to meet at Ginny's house next week. "Mione, bring the journal, this has been rather enlightening." Soon Draco and Hermione were alone. "I love you Mrs. Malfoy." "As I love you, Mr. Malfoy."