Hermione got into a routine that worked for her and helped her avoid Malfoy while they shared the dorm. She would often cook early when she would get home and he would cook late in the evening. She left ten minutes before he cracked his door. They barely saw each other; they barely knew the other was there.

She was enjoying a warm cup of tea in the late afternoon on Friday, she had just gotten home and heard the tapping of something on the kitchen window. She looked up to see a light grey owl tapping more. A scroll was attached to his left claw. The window clicked open as she pushed the window out causing the owl to jump and then jump back to the edge of the windowsill. She untied the scroll and frowned. Ron and Harry wanted to come visit on Saturday. She hadn't exactly informed them that her roommate was Draco Malfoy, she just briefly told them that she barely saw her roommate, but now she was faced with uncertainty.

She could possibly get them to stay out of the dorm for the most part and just hang out in town while they visited her. That was it, she would keep them busy in town. That way she would keep the peace in the dorm and not cause an issue with Malfoy. The two were good at keeping quiet all hours of the day and night.

Today was Friday, which meant she would have to find something for them to do tomorrow. Probably a pub for drinks, maybe visit a few shops in town. Nothing crazy. But she did feel like she should at least let Malfoy know that Harry and Ron would be visiting. Maybe that would give him an excuse to leave for the day to avoid the three.

She placed the scroll on the table as she took another sip of her tea, her honey eyes glanced up to the clock near the oven. He would be home in an hour. She gathered her things and cleaned up before he headed upstairs to her room, she left her door cracked so she could listen for him while she started on her studies for the weekend.

She heard the front door creak open and close as heavy footsteps could be heard on the worn-out steps. Hermione got up from her desk and headed for her door and opened it just before he got to his bedroom door. "My friends are wanting to come visit tomorrow. I just wanted you to know, I didn't want to surprise you or catch you off guard." She spoke softly as she looked at the back of his head.

"You don't have to feel obligated to tell me anything." He turned to look back at her. "Do they know I'm living here, or did you leave that part out?"

"I left that part out." She whispered.

"I'll stay out of the way, but don't think I'm doing this for you to keep peace I have too much homework to cause a stir among your friends." He stepped inside his room and closed his door.

That went over a lot better than she had imagined. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she walked back into her room and closed the door.

Saturday came and the boys were sitting in the kitchen with Hermione as she broiled water for their tea. She wasn't sure if Malfoy left or had chosen to barricade himself in his room with his homework. "Your roommate still a shut in?" Ron spoke as he took a bite out of the slice of banana bread that Hermione had baked the night before.

"Well, err, yes, but it's ok." She spoke as she walked over with the kettle. "We are both really focused on our studies. Could you imagine if I was with someone like Fred and Geo-." She paused quickly as she frowned. "I'm sorry."

Harry frowned as Ron looked down at his empty cup. "Hermione, it's going to happen." Ron was trying to keep calm as she poured the water into his cup.

"It's ok." Harry spoke.

Hermione carefully poured three cups of tea before taking a seat between the two at the little wooden table. "Harry are you going to take Ginny out tonight since you've come out?"

"Yeah, after we visit for a little bit, I thought I would take her out to eat." He spoke placing a tea bag into his cup and dipping it a few times before he let it sink to the bottom.

"I thought you and I could go out later tonight Hermione," Ron spoke as he looked up to Hermione smiling faintly.

"Yeah, we could go eat, maybe at a pub down the street." She spoke happily.

"That sounds grand, will just have the night together, just like a date." He spoke sounding chipper. "I know you want to focus on studies this year and you wanted to wait, but I think a little date night might be good, nothing serious just a few hours to relax and have a bite to eat. Then I'll walk you home and I'll head home to the Burrow after that."

Hermione nodded. "Yeah, I think that's ok, I don't see the harm in that at all."

She picked up her teacup and took a sip a smile forming as she looked at her two best friends. A creak of a door could be heard from upstairs. Her eyes quickly moved to the doorway of the kitchen. She grew nervous was he just leaving his room to use the shared bathroom or was he planning on coming down. She thought he would stay out of sight. Ron slid from his chair and moved to the doorway. Curiosity got the best of him and his face turned pale white when he caught a glimpse of Malfoy walking into the bathroom. Rom looked back to Hermione. Harry looked back between the two a little confused. He could see the panic on Hermione's face. "Ron what's wrong?" Harry spoke up finally as Ron walked back to the table and returned to his seat.

Hermione swallowed as she looked at Ron who looked upset. "What is he doing here?" Ron spoke coldly as his left leg bounced irritated.

"He was invited back just like we were, McGonagall wants all of us to have an opportunity to try to move past the second war." She was trying her best to defend Malfoy, but also tried to make Ron understand it truly was McGonagall's choice to invite him back.

"Hermione who is he talking about?" Harry asked.

"Draco Malfoy is the other person I share a dorm with. It wasn't something either of us decided, but we don't really say anything to each other. We just avoid each other for the most part. We just go to Hogwarts and come home to the dorm."

"He's the enemy Hermione. He's a Death Eater." Ron growled out.

"Yes, but the Death Eaters are no more, you know he was probably just trying to follow in his father's footsteps." She frowned.

"Have you thought about asking to switch?" Harry looked at Hermione a bit concerned.

"No, I didn't ask, and I didn't question McGonagall's decision I trust her." Hermione lowered her head. "You are both mad at me, aren't you?"

Ron rubbed his forehead as Harry laced his fingers on the table. "I just don't understand why you thought you needed to hide this."

"Because I didn't want to start a fight or cause a rift like it is now. I just thought if time passed then you two would be okay and understanding of this." She spoke looking back at the two. "I thought if I gave him a chance, if we managed to live together with no issue then you two would be open to him."

Harry looked at her sadly. "He watched his aunt use the Cruciatus curse on you." He swallowed hard. "He watched her carve into your arm; he didn't stop her Hermione."

"Do you think he really had a choice, but to watch? If he acted against anyone he would have been punished as well. Harry, he didn't reveal who you were to his mother or aunt. He risked it his safety to save us." She bit her lip nervously as the two boys fell silent. This was a particularly hard subject for all three of them. The memories were painful, but there were truths under the surface of those memories. Time passed as they changed subjects and started talking about other things going on in their lives. Ron talked about helping Fred at the shop. Harry was fixing up his parents' home trying to use it as a way to move on, but still keep some things.

Harry departed when Ginny arrived. Ron wouldn't let Ginny into the house, she was confused, but was soon ushered out by Harry. Hermione waved at the two as they left. Ron looked at Hermione and faintly smiled. "Shall we go?"

Hermione nodded as she held out her left hand to him. Rom took her hand as she closed the front door behind her. The two headed down the road towards Main Street. Faint glows came from the windows as the streetlights started to flicker around them. The once-blue sky was turning to a warm violet color. "It does feel good to get out right now." She whispered happily.

Ron nodded as he looked around a bit cautiously. "I guess I'm just used to leaving the shop around this time almost every day."

This caught her attention, but she only assumed that he was still upset from earlier. "It's ok Ron. If I felt like I wasn't safe I would have told McGonagall."

"I understand." He spoke softly as he walked into The Three Broomsticks with Hermione in tow. The sat in the corner away from prying eyes. They had a good view of the front window. A young waitress took their order for food and drinks before she left to put their order in. The candle at the table was flickering like a dance. "Do you really think he can change Hermione?" He finally spoke up once they were more settled in.

"Ron, we are trying our best in this world to make changes, if we can't make choices and be open how do you expect Malfoy to change?" She asked sadly. The waitress brought their drinks to the table first before vanishing off to wait for their food. "Ron, I'll be right back. I need to wash my hands before we eat, I will be right back."

Ron nodded as he looked out the window. "Take your time, it's a bit busy, I don't think you need to rush."

"Thank you, but I'm sure everything will come out shortly." She spoke as she slid out of her seat and headed to the bathroom. She pushed and let the door swing shut behind her. She stood in front of a porcelain sink looking up into the mirror. Hermione truly felt like Malfoy was trying, even though he was cold towards her she never felt a threat from him. She turned the water on and washed her hands as she enjoyed the warm water wrap around her hands and then drip into the porcelain sink below. She waited a few minutes before she left the restroom and made her way to the table. She took a seat across from him. She smiled kindly to him and took a sip of her butterbeer.

"Do you think Ginny and Harry are doing good?" She asked Ron curiously.

"Yeah, it feels like I see the poor owls flying back and forth all the time." He chuckled.

"I bet your mum is happy to have him staying with your family when he's not working on the house." She took another sip of her butterbeer.

"Yes, but mum is still having a hard time after this war. I see her sometimes up in the middle of the night looking out the kitchen window as if she is waiting for Fred to come out from the field." He spoke sadly.

She nodded. "She lost her brothers in the first war, then Fred."

Hermione jumped when the server brought them out a basket of chips and fried chicken. "Sorry love, I didn't mean to startle you."

Hermione shook her head. "No, I'm sorry I wasn't paying much attention, unfortunately." The waitress nodded as she set two plates down for the two before she left. Hermione took a longer sip this time before she got a strip and a few chips onto her plate. She smiled happily. "This is the first time I haven't cooked in a bit."

Ron nodded as he took a plate as well and began to eat. Hermione felt a strange sensation, almost like her mind was becoming cloudy. She shook her head as she took a sip from her butterbeer thinking it would help. She was only able to finish half of her meal. "Ron, I'm not feeling good. Do you think you could take me home?"

Ron stopped eating as he nodded. "Yeah, let me go get a couple of boxes and I'll get you home." Ron stood and went to pay, and get a couple of boxes and a bag. Ron gathered the food and then moved to her right side to help her up.

"I feel a bit off." She whispered as she held the side of her head as Ron helped to walk her home. Once at the front door he opened the door and sat the bag down. He turned as Hermione started to lose her grip on him. Everything felt like it was whirling, she couldn't keep her focus on anything as she felt him pick her up. She didn't notice him as he carried her up the stairs to her room. Ron was careful on the steps not daring to make a sound as he opened her door quietly. He laid her down on her bed. She felt completely numb and could barely open her eyes. Ron went back to her door and closed it carefully making sure the door didn't click as he closed the door before moving back to her bed. She watched as Ron knelt down next to her left side on the bed. He covered her mouth with his left hand as he got on top of her and started to mess with the buttons of her jeans. Hermione made a faint cry, but it was muffled out by his hand over her mouth. What was he doing she was starting to feel herself going in and out of consciousness. What was going on, she felt like she had no control of her body.

She made one last attempt to move this time her right hand hitting her nightstand causing a book to land hard on the floor below. She couldn't keep her eyes open any longer as she felt herself slip into unconsciousness. Ron let go of her mouth when he felt her body relax beneath him. He moved and pulled her pants down after he got the button and zipper down. Revealing her light blue panties. He was careful now as he moved and started to unbutton her blouse. He felt his body tense as if something was shocking him.

"You need to leave," Malfoy spoke as he stepped out of her doorway stepping in. "You are not to step foot in this house again if you value your life." His voice was cold as he kept eye contact with Ron now. Ron froze in place, but felt a new burning sensation as Malfoy flicked his wand. Ron moved from Hermione's bed quickly as he made his way around Malfoy. Malfoy reached and grabbed hold of Ron's left arm with his right hand. "Tell me what you did to her."

"I did nothing, she wanted it, she just fell asleep." He growled out.

"Fell asleep from something you gave her. Now tell me what did you do to her." He glared at him as his grip tightened. "She didn't want this, if she did, she would never have dropped a book like that."

"She must have drank or eaten something at The Three Broomsticks that made her sick. I did nothing wrong." Ron yanked his arm away as he headed out of the room, Malfoy followed after and pushed him down the stairs. Ron stumbled down the steps and fell hard at the bottom clutching his right arm as he pushed himself to his feet quickly.

"You will always be a coward," Malfoy spoke as he stood at the top of the stairs. He stayed close to her room. "She made you look brave, but you are a coward. How you were sorted into Gryffindor is beyond me. You are not brave, courageous, or brave without that girl beside you."

Ron went to pull his wand from his pocket, but Malfoy shook his head. "You really think you can beat me?" He scoffed. "If you value your life, you will leave and never come back."

Ron limped back as he ran out the door. Malfoy flicked his wand the door slamming shut and locking behind him. Malfoy moved back into Hermione's room and wrapped her in a sheet as he carried her to the bathroom. She let out a low groan. He placed her onto her knees in front of the toilet and forced two fingers into her mouth as he tried to get her to throw up. She coughed, but struggled before he was able to get her to throw up the contents of her stomach. He moved and braced her as she continued to throw up.

Once she stopped, he carefully plucked her from the bathroom floor and wrapped her back into her sheet again. He carried her bridal style as she rested her head against his chest. She looked up to him briefly before her eyes fell closed, her body growing heavy in his arms. He stepped into her room and placed her on her bed, making sure her sheet covered her exposed lower half. He moved her onto her side before pulling her comforter up and over her left side. His left hand rested on her back as he started to rub her back softly trying to comfort her.

Malfoy didn't know what Ron had done to her or even why. The only thing he could think of was the conversation he overheard from the stairs when she had defended him against her two friends. That Ron didn't like the fact that he lived in the same building as her and that she was giving him a chance. Would Ron risk everything to be so angry? He would take advantage of the situation, and the trust she had for him.

She let out a weak cry as she wiggled beneath the comforter. She was in a lot of pain, whatever it was wreaking havoc on her body. There was nothing he could do without knowing what it was, all he could do was comfort her the best he could and wait it out. He brushed her brown locks back out of her face as he watched over her. He sat quietly next to her until she was sleeping and no longer in pain. He didn't leave her side as she rested. She rolled onto her side her left arm visible. Her scar reflected what his aunt had done in Malfoy Manor. It didn't appear that she tried to remove the scar, or maybe she couldn't he knew exactly how crazy and malicious she was when she was alive. Malfoy took the comforter, pulled it up closer and covered her arm. He couldn't look at her arm without feeling guilty. He remembered that day, when he watched her torture Hermione, then carve into her flesh without any care in the world as Hermione screamed and begged.

He called Ron a coward, but he was no better when it came to what he did to her in the past.