AN: Edited April 5, 2016.

Day 255 Continued

"What do you mean you want to stay the night at Malfoy's?!"

She glanced between her two friends, knowing this wasn't going to go over well. She might be an adult and completely able to make her own choices, but her friends still worried about her like they would a child, and while they might appreciate what Draco had done for her and they understood that he helped her, spending the night at his flat was something else entirely.

"Harry," she reasoned, glancing between the couple. "You have to understand. I love everything you and Ginny have done for me. You've put up with me while I try to heal and you've let me do what I need to in order to survive. But this is something that I feel might help me. Draco… well, he gets where I'm coming from."

Ginny pointed a finger at her friend, mouth dropping open a bit. "Did you just call him Draco?"

"Yes, I did. It is his name after all." She smiled at little as it rolled of her tongue, thinking how quickly things changed since she was brought back from Azkaban. :He went through what I'm going through and he learned to overcome what happened to him. I'm having a hard time doing that, and I feel like he might be able to help me more."

"How did you even end up over there?" Harry asked, looking between the two women. Skeptical eyes glanced over Hermione, but they only rested there a moment before turning directly to his girlfriend. "Did you set something up Ginny?"

"No!"

"Harry, this is something I planned on my own," Hermione interrupted, dragging the couples heated gazes back to herself. "When we met up for lunch he offered to help me if I needed and set up a private connection via Floo. I wasn't sure at first if I would ever use it… but I did. I got my first good night of sleep in ages after having a conversation with him over tea."

"Talking to Malfoy soothes your soul?" Ginny asked, perplexed by the idea. "Over tea? I always imagined him to be one of those stereotypical brooders drinking heavily over whiskey.

She shrugged. "I don't know what his drinking habits are Ginny. But yes, it does help me to talk to him."

"Hermione," Ginny said, stepping up to her friend, "I know we can't stop you from doing what you want but have you thought this through? Talking to Malfoy is one thing but sleeping at his house is a whole other matter. Won't that remind you of Azkaban?"

"Yes, and maybe in some ways that will help me. I know it's hard for you to understand because you didn't experience living there, but Draco and I supported one another in Azkaban. I loved that he slept one wall over, because it provided the company I needed without being too close for comfort. It reminded me I wasn't totally alone, even though I spent many days before his arrival all by myself. More than a month. But we'll be sharing a wall at his apartment too, and maybe it'll help me somehow, or maybe it won't do anything for me. I don't honestly know, but I have to try at least. I'll do anything if it means I can find peace enough to sleep."

Ginny began protesting again, but this time Harry stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She paused, glancing back at her boyfriend.

"Do whatever you think is going to soothe your mind Hermione," he said, looking at his friend, eyes full of understanding, "I know what it's like to be plagued by nightmares."

The brunette smiled gratefully, nodding her head to Harry. She had hoped he would understand, considering he was really the only person in her circle of friends who could. "Thank you. I'll pack my stuff, which shouldn't take much time at all. I don't know if I will come back to stay before I get my own place or not." She held up a hand when Ginny began to protest, maybe thinking that she only originally meant to be gone for a night. The longer she spoke to her friends, the more she realized she had to do this for herself. "I will certainly come by and visit. Maybe we can have dinner with Lavender and Ron soon, so I can explain this to him. I know he'll lose it when he finds out that I've decided Draco's place is a better place to sleep."

"He'll lose his mind," Ginny said playfully, straining to smile over the topic. "I'll invite them, but I don't know if Lavender will show. She's still on rocky ground with you."

Shrugging, Hermione headed off towards her room, sending the couple a backwards smile. "Then at least we won't have to listen to her bitch through the entire supper."

Draco's flat seemed oddly empty when she returned. He was no longer sitting at the dining room table, but unfortunately he was all too familiar with her nosy nature and he had hidden away his paperwork. She stepped into the spotless room searching for any signs of life, her small bag draped over her shoulder.

"You brought a rather small overnight bag," he says, stepping from the hallway. "I heard you enter," he continues, answering the question on her face.

Her cheeks colored at his words, an expression barely visible in the dim light. Nonetheless she squared her shoulders. "This is all I own Draco."

He frowned, looking perplexed. "Potter is rich you know. He should be able to buy you more than that. You need a starter kit to jump back into life you know. Besides, I think you've gotten plenty of money from beneficiaries who are hoping you'll help them on one matter or another. You could even make money off doing some interviews."

"I really didn't want Harry's money," she snapped in return, suddenly irritated with him. He seemed to think money could come from anywhere, and although he wasn't wrong those weren't the methods she wanted to use to gain financial stability."Not everyone comes back from prison and steps into a lavish life you know, debts or not. I don't want to share my story and get paid for it. Harry and Ron certainly offered to provide me with everything I need until I am back on my feet but I declined. I have more clothing than I brought with, but much of it I left back at the apartment. Ginny understands that a lot of the clothing she purchased with Lavender is simply too girly for me. They offered to buy something new and even take me along but I declined. I have what I need. When I am ready I'll go back for what I want."

He held up his hands in defeat. "I wasn't trying to be rude. It just seemed strange that Potter with all of his money wouldn't help and buy you things to start you off. Even the Ministry would have done that for you, what with your background and all."

"The Ministry would also place me in a position over people who have worked for their jobs for years, provide me with a high class overdone home at no additional charge and clothe me in fine fabrics if I so choose. I choose to make my own living. I'm not trying to take charity from anyone. I sat on my arse long enough in Azkaban and I refuse to sit back and let people take care of me now and literally give me everything. I've always been a believer that you should earn what you have. I just haven't gone out to earn anything yet. I'm still getting there."

He knew he'd hit a nerve, and from the look of determination in her eyes he knew if he kept this conversation going she would only get more fueled up. She was very independent, and he didn't know why she was oh so defensive on this topic, but he chose not to push it.

"Okay, okay I get it. I wasn't trying to push your buttons. The guest room is set up if you would like to go and have a look. The place is literally spotless - like I said, it's never been used."

She nodded once, knowing she had blurted out a lot to him just then. He didn't necessarily need to hear her self-righteous ideas, but she'd told him about her views on some things anyway. He probably didn't want to hear anymore the rest of the night.

"My flat isn't too big," he explained, leading her down the hall. "We'll share a wall like I mentioned before. The rooms are large though, but our beds share the same wall. If you'd rather not sleep against the same wall that I do I can change its position with a flick of my wand though."

He almost seemed nervous to show her the room, and in some ways it was almost humbling. Hermione could think of very few times when she had ever seen him nervous. "I'm sure the room is just fine the way it is Draco."

"We'll see," he said, pausing outside a door. She hadn't ever been this deep into the flat before, having only ever gone to the bathroom at the beginning of the hall. There were three other doors spread out across the end of this hallway, plus a balcony.

The room was as large as Ginny and Harry's master bedroom in their apartment, though the couple was far more humble than Malfoy. The color pallet was bland but calming, and the bed seemed to have just been made, with one side of the covers turned down.

"I never bothered putting covers on the bed before," he admitted when he noticed her lingering stare. "The covers and sheets are actually from my room, off my bed. They've only been used for a night, so I hope you don't mind. They were cleaner than the other set. I suppose I should go and by a few more."

"It's fine," she said, smiling to herself. She didn't know why it brought a smile to her face.

"You can unpack to whatever degree you like - I don't know what makes you comfortable. You have a private bathroom in here, and so do I. Use it as often as you please - draw a bath if it helps you relax."

"Thank you."

"If you need anything you're welcome to knock on my door, it's directly next to yours. After the war I became a light sleeper. I'll hear you right away."

"Are you sure?" she asked, surprised, "Seems a bit disturbing to your sleep."

"Granger, if I didn't expect you to be disturbing my sleep would I really have invited you to stay?"

She blinked, turning to fully stare at him, wondering if there was some underlying meaning to his words. The expression on his face never let her know whether or not there was.

"No… I suppose not. Are your walls soundproof?"

"Erm, no." He gave her an odd look. "Should they be?"

Shrugging, Hermione sat down on the bed and tested out the mattress. Oh, it was very soft indeed. "If they aren't, then you'll probably know when I'm awake long before I knock on your door. The nightmares… sometimes they make me loud. I would sometimes wake Harry and Ginny."

He shrugged in return. "Then maybe I'll already have the tea ready by the time you come out."

"Maybe." She sighed, looking up to finally smile at him. "Thank you for letting me stay here Draco. I don't know whether or not it's going to help me, but it's worth a shot. I'll try not to disturb your slumber too much."

"Anything's worth a shot if nothing else has worked for you," he agreed, grabbing the door handle. "Oh, and Granger?"

"Hmm?"

"Did Potter really let you stay here without complaint? I figured you wouldn't be back until at least tomorrow with the fit your friends would throw."

"It's my decision," she replied, eyebrows drawing together. "Harry doesn't let me do anything. All of my friends can state their opinions about anything I do, but in the end I'm the only one who can make a final decision. When we were in school Harry suffered from nightmares, especially as he got older and Voldemort plagued his sleep more and more. He understood more so than Ginny about why I needed to do this. He understands what it's like to go for many nights without proper rest. Now Ron on the other hand, when he finds out I'm sure I'll get an earful. He'll be harder to convince."

Draco crinkled his nose. "Weasley does have quite a thick head."

She smiled at that, the corners of her mouth turning up just a tad. "Yes, he does."

The blond bowed his head, backing out of the room. "It's late Granger, I'll leave you to get settled in and rest. I'll meet you in the living room sometime in the morning. I don't really have a set wake-up time. Or maybe tonight if your nightmares get the best of you."

"They likely will."

He nodded again, stepping out of the room. "Goodnight Granger."

"Draco."

He left her alone for the first time in the room, and she breathed deep. Falling back on the mattress she instantly noticed the familiar smell and buried her face in it.

It was the only scent she found when near Draco, a mix of cologne and wine. She had noticed the bottle sticking out of his trash when she first visited. Such a light drink for the traditionally hardcore Slytherin. Ginny's comment about whiskey dashed through her brain, but she quickly shoved it away. If she knew one thing for sure, he wasn't using alcohol to cope.

It was a smell she was slowly learning to associate with comfort, a smell she only found on one person.

Draco.

Day 256

It was still dark when she woke up screaming. For the first time there was no sound of the rushed patter of feet on wood, and two people didn't break through her door to see if she was alright. In fact, no one stepped in at all.

Maybe I'll already have the tea ready by the time you come out.

She was at Draco's, sleeping in the guest bedroom. He had told her if she needed something that night she could knock on his door, but if her cries vibrated loud enough off the walls he might already be awake making tea to calm her down.

He was really a curious character. Maybe he had enough nightmares of his own upon returning to know that distance helped more than suffocating coddling. Sitting up in bed she rubbed her eyes, hands jutting out to find the light. The bright shine was painful at first but lessened the longer it was on. Glancing at her clock she sighed. It was only three in the morning.

Standing on shaky legs she grabbed her nearby robe and threw it over her body. Not bothering with her wand she slipped to the door and headed out, peering into the hall. It didn't appear that anyone was awake.

Well he just couldn't have slept through that could he?

Turning away from the direction of the dark kitchen she chanced a glance towards his door. No light shined through the bottom and she wondered if he was indeed still asleep.

Light sleeper my arse. Maybe I shouldn't disturb him.

While debating whether or not to awaken the blond the door swung open, revealing a rather tired looking Draco. It took him several seconds to even realize she was standing there.

"Don't look at me like that," he said, flicking on the light in his bedroom. "It's been a long time since I woke up for someone else's nightmares. It takes a minute."

She tilted her head, studying him. He was so different from her other friends. While they came running and panicking into her room each time she had a nightmare, demanding that she speak up and talk he was very subtle about what he thought she should do, and he never quite demanded she do much of anything. He wasn't even tense that she woke up screaming like someone was killing her. How he managed to keep that level of calm up even in times like these was something she couldn't fathom.

When she didn't respond immediately he arches an eyebrow, dashing away the final bits of sleep from his eyes. "Tea?"

"Please."

They wander down the hallway together, neither speaking as they stumbled to find the light. Hermione smiled as they stepped into the kitchen, the tired man reaching out to prepare the tea by hand. It was nice to share company with him. His demeanor was already easing her troubled mind.

Day 260

It became a habit for the duo to wake at night, for Draco to make tea, and then they sat together in silence until Hermione decided to talk. She had yet to reveal much of anything, but he didn't seem troubled. Often he just closed his eyes and listened, speaking up rarely during those wee hours of the morning.

She found there were few things to occupy her, however. He didn't have a grand collection of books, and the twit still refused help when it came to his paperwork. She didn't push that topic, not when things were going so very well. Her nightmares hadn't stopped since coming to visit the blond, but they weren't necessarily as bad as usual. She liked to blame that on her scented bed sheets, the smell of Draco still lingering there. Why it comforted her she feared to consider.

Thus far she had managed to avoid a dinner between herself and her friends. She had seen Ron just yesterday and although she convinced him that Draco wasn't an all-around bad character he still thought that she should stay with Harry. It didn't change her opinion on the matter.

That night she woke again from her nightmares, though she caught the scream in her throat instead of letting out a noise. Silence greeted her, the kind she didn't like. Each night when she went to sleep these past several days it had been well past midnight, and she was usually exhausted after spending the entire day with her blond companion. Sleep came quickly, even if she feared what she would dream of. Silence wasn't something she was immediately thrown into upon waking; usually she screamed and the sound echoed in her head.

Hermione scrambled from the bed, not at all appreciating the quiet atmosphere. She snatched up her wand as she hurried to the door, breath hitching as she walked.

You're being ridiculous. There's nothing to be afraid of here. This is still Draco's flat, silent or not. You're not going to tumble back to Azkaban in the dark. If he saw you reacting this way right now he'd cock one of those quizzical eyebrows at you and ask some sort of trying question.

Entering the hallway she stilled, looking slowly towards his door. It wasn't opening, and there were no signs that he was already in the kitchen making their midnight tea.

Of course he isn't awake silly. You didn't scream; there was no sound to wake him up.

She stepped up directly in front of the door and froze. What was she supposed to do, knock? They didn't visit one another in each other's bedrooms, it was like forbidden territory. They simply met up in the hall or dining room, but never in each other's quarters. She would be crossing into some foreign zone she didn't know how to handle.

Just knock, it's not like it's a hard thing to do.

But if you knock, you'll wake him up. You didn't wake up like usual tonight, he's still sound asleep. Why not leave it that way?

Hermione turned to reenter her room, deciding that she wouldn't disturb the blond tonight. He was being so terribly helpful and while she appreciated his willingness to aid her she didn't want to disturb him tonight if she could help it. He deserved a night of good rest, and maybe she wouldn't suffer from anymore nightmares. Maybe.

She paused only a step or two away, groaning catching her attention. It wasn't a happy type of groan, but one laced in fear. Surprised she turned back to the door again.

I thought he said he was over his nightmares.

Stepping up again she knocked on the door lightly, uncertain she wanted to disturb him even then.

"Draco? Are you alright in there?"

No response came, and she knew it was because she was too quiet. Pausing a moment she debated knocking again before realizing her hand had made its way to the door handle.

When did that happen?

She wasn't exactly sure why she thought going into his room was a good idea, but nonetheless she slowly pushed open the door and peered inside. It was the dead of night, and though it was hard to see anything she could clearly make out where the blond was. He was on his bed, twisting around. Hermione blinked from her place by the door, watching the shadowed figure.

He still has nightmares just like me. He just doesn't say anything.

Stepping in was a foreign feeling, as she had never even seen his private quarters let alone stepped into them. Her feet traveled towards his bed without asking her brain about it. She stood beside it for several moments, watching him.

He wasn't sleeping well. His body was tense, sweat beading down the sides of his face. One hand clenched the sheets to his side, the other hidden beneath his covers. The blond whimpered, startling her.

"Draco?" she whispered in the dark, extending a hand to his shoulder. She gave him a gentle shake, only to be rewarded with his hand jutting out dangerously close to her face.

She wielded back, surprised by the reaction. "Merlin Draco!"

Her cry awoke the man, whose eyes flew open at the sudden noise. He exhaled several times, taking deep breaths to slow his heartbeat. She stood back a step or two, wary of his unconscious movements.

"What are you doing in here?" He asked gruffly, a hand moving to crease his sweaty brow.

She shrugged in the dark, avoiding answering. A moment later the space was attached by light and she cringed at the brightness. He sat up slowly, studying her closely.

"I had a nightmare," she said nonchalantly, waving a hand as though it wasn't a big deal.

"I didn't hear you wake."

"I didn't scream tonight," she replied with a nod, seemingly assuring herself that it was indeed true. "I got up for our usual midnight adventures but… you were still asleep. I was going to leave it be for the night and not worry about waking you but then I heard noises from in here."

He grimaced, closing his eyes. "Usually I don't have to worry about you hearing me because your screams wake me up." He sighed, rubbing the bridge between his nose. "Should I make some tea? It will take a moment for me to get up but it should taste the same."

Hermione wasn't even listening to what he had to say, and instead sat down on the edge of his bed, close to the man. "You still have nightmares."

"We're not talking about my problems, Granger."

"Yes we are," she replied determinably, studying him. "You led me to believe that you've moved past the nightmares."

"I've done nothing of the sort," he replied honestly, rubbing his fingers over the silky, sweat stained sheets. "I said that things get better overtime."

"But you've been away from Azkaban for months," she pointed out, looking at him carefully. "I haven't been out that long and I suffer from traumatic nightmares still. When I've been out as long as you will I still not sleep through the night?"

He sighed, running long fingers through his hair. "Granger, Azkaban isn't the only nightmare I have. I know you were stolen away early on in the war, but some people were actually around longer. I killed a few people… though I will admit they were from my own side. I won't bore you with the details, but you need to remember that Azkaban isn't my only nightmare. I have my family I have to worry about now, and the reminders of the war, and you-"

"I'm a nightmare?" she inquired, quirking an eyebrow at him. In return he rolled his eyes.

"You're far from a nightmare. But wondering what happened to you was a nightmare for me while you sat in prison."

She frowned, scooting further on his bed. He shifted, giving her additional space. "Why was that? I know you spent time looking for me and trying to ensure that I was okay but… you had nightmares about it?"

"You've never read the prison records for Azkaban have you?"

"I never really saw a point to."

Draco nodded. "Azkaban might be a top security prison when it comes to keeping prisoners in, but the cells are not always perfect. Ours were built well enough to keep us in, but then again neither of us ever really tried to break the door down."

"Speak for yourself. Before you arrived I did that almost every day. I couldn't stand it in there. Sometimes the wood gave under my weight but not enough to ever break it. I just assumed there were probably wards in place to keep the doors from being opened."

"Why bother with spells when there's a fleet of dementors hanging around waiting for an escape? People escape from Azkaban all the time, just to be caught in the endless corridors and be put back in their cells. Meeting a dementor who's mad at you is pretty crushing for the soul. But not everyone runs into one right away. Some people can get quite far before they are caught. Some even get into other cells for one reason or another. I worried about that happening to you."

"The probability of that is very unlikely," she said, frowning. He saw her twitch a moment, but said nothing on the matter. "And even if someone did escape how would they know I was there if the roasters didn't even have it?"

"It was possible," he replied with a shrug. "The people locked in Azkaban are rarely friendly, and anyone would have to put up a major fight if someone entered their cell. But after the war hundreds of Death Eaters were imprisoned. If even one found out you were without a wand trapped in a cell…"

She grimaced. "I get the picture." Her tone softened before she spoke again. "You were really worried about me?"

"Yes, all the time. It bothers me even now that I couldn't get back there sooner."

"What's done is done Draco; you shouldn't beat yourself up over it. I'm just thankful that you did come back in the end. If not I would've died there."

He nodded, the pair falling into silence. They sat together on his bed, pondering their own thoughts.

"Would you care for that cup of tea now?"

"I would actually. It might soothe our souls."

"That's the idea," he replied, standing up. She followed suit, before looking around his room again.

"Draco?"

"Hmm?"

"Might we have tea in here tonight? I've never been in here before but it seems… pleasant."

He was surprised by her request, but it took only a moment for her to respond. "Yes, of course. Whatever you want."