A/N: Wow it's been a long time since I updated. Life got busy as heck! Going to try and post updates every Wed and Fri. I've also been going back through the story attempting to correct any wrong grammar/spelling so please do let me know if you spot anything that I don't! Enjoy!

Draco and Hermione didn't speak for the rest of the evening. After Hermione's comment he nodded and stiffly and left the room, his cheeks tinged with an angry red blush. She remained sat on the bed and a chill swept in to fill the space that remained.

What would happen now? Hermione would return home to her friends, she would be open and honest with them about her reasons for vanishing and hope they would forgive her, she'd quit her job and start training to be a healer. Maybe she'd talk to Harry about the therapy he'd been having.

Hermione knew, however, that she needed to speak to Draco. Sometimes she caught glimpses of a pink haired woman in her memories and at first she thought it was Tonks until she looked closer.

Now that Hermione had her memories back she couldn't help but feel like she'd made a huge mistake getting rid of them in the first place. The hurt of loosing the people she loved hadn't diminished in the slightest. If anything it came back with a powerful vengeance, angry with her for ever thinking she could forget the dead. Her mind flickered through each person an apology slipping from her mouth for ever banishing those dearest to her from her mind.

Never again. She'd never forget them again. She would carry the weight of them with her. She would not be a coward. Hermione Granger did not run scared from her fears. From now on she would face them head on.

Starting with Draco Malfoy.

Draco couldn't believe Hermione was stood in front of him actually attempting conversation. Three days had past since she had told him she remembered nothing of their time together. Three long dreary days. He'd been planning to talk to her tomorrow about their return to England, but it seemed she'd beaten him to it.

He didn't register what she was staying for a while, instead choosing to stare at her. These were his last few moments with her. He wanted to memorise every aspect of her physical appearance and personality. It was a shame, however, that her feelings towards him were not as warm as they once were. He sighed and brought his fingers to his temples, eyes closed in distress.

Why couldn't things have gone his way for once.

"Malfoy? Are you even listening to me?"

His head snapped up and his eyes locked on hers. They were completely devoid of emotion. There were no flecks of gold in her eyes for him anymore. Just brown. Empty, cold brown.

"Sorry. What did you say?"

"Is there anyone here I need to say goodbye to?" Hermione questioned.

"Er, Lisa probably. You worked for her in the library. I can take you there today. When do you want to go back to England?"

Hermione tilted her head thoughtfully for a moment before answering, "Today. We'll go after I see Lisa." She glanced down briefly at the fluffy kitten rubbing it's head against her shin, "I suppose I could give this to Lisa-,"

"Boo. Her name is Boo."

Hermione snorted, "Very inventive."

"You wanted to name her after something in my constellation but all the names sounded ridiculous so we-."

Draco's voice trailed off as Hermione frowned at him, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. Draco wondered if he really repulsed her that much that she couldn't even stand the thought of the two of them having fun together. Hermione hoped her face wasn't giving away that she could remember that evening. She huffed and stormed over to the coat rack grabbing a thin cardigan from it and slipping it on. She wondered if she would always feel this strange around Draco now. Her head swimming with all these memories of his intellect, his small smile that seemed like it appeared just for her, his big toothy grin that brightened his face, the look on his face before he kissed her.

Hermione kept telling herself that it was a violation of her rights. That he'd taken advantage of her but somehow, as she glanced over at the sombre expression on his face, she found herself hoping she could do something to rectify it.

As she followed him out the door and to the bookshop she contemplated starting up a friendship with him. A proper one. She'd defended him at his trial, after all. She'd already extended a branch to him long ago. It wouldn't be easy, but she could try and be civil. He'd just have to understand that friends is all they would ever be.

He glanced over at her and his lips quirked up into a small smile and it was infectious. She smiled back, it was small, soft but Draco was sure he could see the golden light in her eyes returning.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE LEAVING?!" Lisa wailed, fat tears flowing from her eyes leaving giant red trails across her cheeks. She sniffed loudly and blew her nose into a tissue that Hermione had found for her.

"Well, me and Draco, we're… Well we're going back home."

"I'M SO H-HA-HAPPY FOR YOU TWO I-I-I'M JUST GONNA MISS YOU S-S-S-SO MUCH." Lisa flung herself not Hermione's arms and continued to sob. Hermione winced as Lisa tightened her around her further and wondered if her pink haired friend was actually a boa constrictor.

"Look I'll call you all the time. We can e-mail or Skype or something. But anyway there's something I need to ask you. I can't take Boo with me. So I was wondering if-,"

"But Hermione, D-D-Draco bought you Boo. You're like a fa-amily. You can't leave your child behind and go gallivanting off around the world! Boo needs her parents."

Hermione tried to stifle her laughter, "Oh Lisa. Boo is a cat. Don't get me wrong I'll miss her but you know what these airlines are like. Do you know how many animals have died from being knocked unconscious for long flights? It would be better for her to stay here. Besides she knows you. She knows the shop. She'll be fine here. I know you'll look after her well."

Lisa cried some more, promising she'd look after Boo and do her best to make sure the small cat would never want for anything. Hermione smiled at her friend and lifted the girl's head, wiping her tears from her cheeks. She placed a gentle kiss on Lisa's forehead and brought her in for one last hug.

As Hermione headed towards the door Lisa called out to her, "What you and Draco have is really special. I wish you all the luck in the world."

Hermione sighed, "I don't know Lisa. It's complicated now."

"Why?"

"It just is."

Lisa frowned and shook her head at her friend in disbelief, "You would be an idiot to give up on him. Especially since your reason is shit. Don't be stupid Hermione. I know you were a mess when you first got here and I still don't know why and that hurts, but you've been happy here and then Draco appeared and it was like you were glowing Hermione. I'm not saying you need a man, because you don't, but it's sad for you to loose sight of something so important."

"What's important then?"

"Love."

The two girls were silent for a moment. A quiet sob surged through Hermione's body. She lifted her hands to her face and wiped away the tears furiously. No. She would not cry over anyone anymore. This was a new beginning. No more tears.

"I love you, Lisa. I'll e-mail you when I'm home."

"And I you. Fly safe, girl. Remember what I've said."

Hermione and Draco finally arrived back in England later that evening. Through the window of the door Hermione could see Harry, Ron and Ginny waiting outside for her. They all grinned and waved enthusiastically. Hermione's eyes flickered towards them and then to Draco who was purposefully not looking at her.

Time to stop running scared.

"Draco."

His eyes glanced over to her briefly and then to the door. "I'm sure you don't want to keep your friends waiting, Granger."

He heard her sigh, "Please don't call me that anymore."

Draco nodded in her direction but did not open his mouth to respond. He couldn't work out why she was still hanging around. Surely she wanted to leave and be with her friends. Why was she still hanging around him? Especially after she'd accused him of taking advantage of her?

She spoke again, her voice quiet and desperate, "Draco please look at me."

He turned his head to her and noticed the water in her eyes. One of his hands instinctively reached forward to comfort her. He so wanted to hold her and let her know how much she meant to him. How much he cared. How much he loved her and he knew it was love because no one had ever burrowed themselves into the caverns of his heart before. It ached deep in his gut to know she was leaving him now. Leaving him for good.

However, Hermione always had a knack for surprising him.

She reached forward and took his face in her hands, her thumbs brushing against the skin of his cheeks. "Draco," She murmured, "I don't blame you for the things you did as a child. I don't hate you. You're not a bad person. You're a great Auror and you've brought me back to my friends. I want to thank you for that."

Draco swallowed, "It's fine. I was only doing my job."

Her eyes searched his. A tear rolled down her cheek. He brushed his fingers across it, removing it from her porcelain skin.

"Draco. I remember everything,"

And with that she turned and left.

Hermione sat through a celebration dinner that night with a strange expression on her face. Mrs. Weasley had cooked a wonderful feast for everyone to rejoice in Hermione's safe return to England and everyone came up to her throughout the night to remind her that she was not alone. Harry especially made sure to stay by her most of the night, often grabbing her hand and squeezing it in reassurance. She should be happy. Hermione should be smiling and dancing with Ron and enjoying the evening but she couldn't help but feel conflicted. Her mind imagined evenings with Draco, curled up on a sofa that was back in Australia watching a strange muggle TV programme that Draco would rant about until she silenced him with a fierce kiss.

Hermione stole away upstairs when no one was looking and searched for some parchment and ink, drafting out her resignation to the Ministry of Magic. Once she'd completed that she started another letter to St. Mungo's, asking them if she could start her training in the fall. She read over both three times respectively and then sealed them. She tapped her quill against her chin as she started the last letter.

Draco-

Now what? She'd written his name at least. But what did she really want to say? What would sum up every thought that she'd had about him since leaving his side? She hadn't given him any chance to process what she'd said. In fact she'd done precisely what she'd said she wouldn't do - ran. She'd left him in that room on his own to ponder her words.

Hermione couldn't help but wonder if he was thinking of her too. She glanced down at the parchment in front of her and began to write.

Hermione,

I find myself wondering what exactly you were trying to gain with that revelation earlier. I can only hope that you were attempting a reconciliation. I understand you feel I have taken advantage of you, and I wish to express my intentions to you so that they are clear in your mind. Please know, Hermione, that getting to know you was never an act of malice or revenge. I rather saw it as a new start actually. A chance to get to know you without all the prejudice that once filled my being. As I got to know you I found that we were similar on so many levels. We're both intelligent, independent, strong, stubborn, passionate and driven people. I can't tell you when exactly my feelings began to blossom from friendship to something more but I want you to also know that I did try to hold back.

In fact if anyone should be blamed for my actions then I feel Blaise is the true culprit in all this. The bugger convinced me it would be a wonderful idea to act upon my feelings despite my hesitance. I am truly sorry if you feel I have done anything that was against your will.

However, you'll find I am quite puzzled to suddenly find out you do remember everything. I would like to propose that we meet up to talk over everything.

The choice is yours.

Draco.

Hermione headed towards Ron's owl, stroking its head delicately. She pulled out two envelopes and gave them to the small bird before watching him fly off into the night. Hermione wrapped her cardigan around her a bit tighter as she stared out the window. Her letter to Draco remained nestled in her back pocket. It was half-written. She'd run out of words to say and that unnerved Hermione. She was never usually rendered speechless.

Ginny sprang into the room, grabbing Hermione's arm, "Hermione quickly come into the living room we have a surprise for you!"

Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes, allowing herself to be dragged into the living room of the burrow. She saw the Weasley's, all staring at her with wide smiles, eyes littered with happiness. She glanced over at Harry, who was looking at her apprehensively, his brows furrowed ever so slightly. His gaze shifted to Ron and Hermione's followed.

Ron was on one knee, a shy smile on his lips, a ring in his hand.

For the second time that day Hermione turned and left.