Haven't posted on that account in ages, but I wrote this story last month so I thought I'd share... Hope you enjoy

Nine Times

The War against Voldemort had ended a year ago. A year Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Prince, had spent looking for any form of meaning to give to all the anguish he had witnessed. Some of it had been his own doing and he was deeply aware of it. He had had time to think, alone in his big mansion in ruins.

His parents had been caught quickly after the final battle and had been arrested. They had called it justice, and Draco had lowered his head and turned his back on everyone, without a word. He had received plenty of insults and threats in the first months after the war. And even then, he had lowered his head, feigning not to hear anything – and then he'd stopped opening the mail.

The Malfoy Manor had been abandoned after the last battle, bloody witness of a past glory. Draco had not found the strength to assess the damage. He had spent an entire month locked up in his room, only going out to eat when absolutely necessary. But then, day after day, he began changing. The doors and shutters of the silent mansion were opened again. Draco worked hard to lift all the hexes and malevolent spells, it took him months. Half of the books on the dark arts available to him in the Malfoy library, had to be read for him to be able to finally vanquish the evil aura that had stagnated in the manor all too long.

Another few months, and Draco had successfully cleansed any remaining traces of a dark and infamous past in his house. He had also succeeded in finding a gardner who never asked questions, to take care of the garden – it had been untouched for too long and the brambles had claimed most of the surface. Draco refused to hire anyone inside the house, he needed to claim it back as his own space. And cleaning the big manor had become somewhat of an obsession, as if restoring his home could free him from his past sins. He was painfully aware that his redemption was but an illusion, the few threatening letters that managed to reach him made sure he knew that. He was the repulsive, malevolent heir of a distorted, fallen glory.

So, his head lowered, Draco had taken it all in. He acknowledged it as a form of punishment he deserved. The War had taken it all, but could he really complain since he had stood on the very wrong side of that war ? There was no room for losers in the after world. Even less so when said losers had wreaked havock and caused death in the wizarding world for numerous years. He couldn't blame anyone, he wasn't entitled to blaming anyone but himself... But how he blamed them all ! He had been a prisonner to his own prejudices his whole life. He had been the good little soldier, dignified heir to a misguided family legacy, despite his doubts, he had lowered his head and obeyed orders.

Even worse, he had sometimes acted against his best judgment. And today, facing the absurdity of an entire belief system that was outdated, Draco didn't know how to exist anymore. Was he still entitled to indignation ?

His head lowered, Draco was resigned to his fate, and he left the world behind.

...

But then, after months of wanderings, the date for his mother's trial was published and Draco had to react. He discreetly made his way to the outside world. He managed to reach the Ministry of Magic without attracting too much attention, which, everything considered, was undoubtedly linked to his visceral inclination to not be noticed.

The first time he saw Hermione Granger, Draco had not met a familiar face in a year. And he was unable to describe exactly what he felt. In the past, he had seen her as a disgusting, impure threat, but today he had reviewed his behaviour and unlearnt the theory : everything had been very wrong. Yet, what could you think of someone when everything you thought you knew about them had been proven irrelevant ? He stayed frozen in front of her, unable to react, not even sure he was allowed to recognize her. Or be recognized for that matter.

Granger had paid him no mind. She had slipped into the crowded elevator before it shut, positioning herself next to him without even seeing him. Her eyes were fixated on a book. And the familiar vision seemed to awaken something within Draco, something he had forgotten about. Seeing Granger immersed in a book was like his childhood at Hogwarts coming to visit.

She had barely changed, he noted : the same unruly hair, the same intelligent hazel eyes, and eyebrows furrowed in total concentration... And for the first time ever, seeing Hermione Granger elicited a smile from Draco Malfoy, and that smile was without malice.

Granger left the elevator on the same floor he did, and she still didn't notice his presence. He followed her for a while, a good few meters behind, and he was shocked to discover she stopped in front of the courtroom where his mother's trial would take place. He saw her close her book and look around her, as if her steps had been mechanical, out of habit, and she only now remembered why she had come. She froze as soon as she finally noticed him. He instinctively lowered his head, hoping his usual technique would help avoid a very uncomfortable confrontation. But she walked straight towards him and he swore under his breath.

-Malfoy, she greeted him with a dry tone.

-Granger, he mumbled as a reply.

-Harry sent me to be a witness for your mother's trial, she declared. We're hoping to reduce her sentence since she helped Harry in the forbidden forest during the last battle.

Draco raised his head and stared. He had been expecting insults, mockeries, even lessons on morality and ethics... but certainly not... that.

-I can't promise she'll be out today, Granger continued. But I have high hopes that you'll be able to see her before she has to go back to Azkaban to await the verdict.

He opened his mouth but nothing came out. It was already difficult to come to terms with the idea that she was nothing like he'd always thought, but now that she seemed decided on helping him, he had no coherent thoughts left. Granger observed him for a while, undoubtedly waiting for an insult or provocation that never came. She spoke again when he remained silent :

-I know I'm not your first choice – be it for your mother or for you – when it comes to getting out of this situation, Merlin knows I'd rather not be involved in any of this... But since we're here and pretty much stuck together, can you forget you hate me for the duration of our collaboration ?

And now he had a million things to say, a million questions to ask. After a year of resolute silence, he didn't know where to begin... His mind was a blur, and he could not keep a clear train of thoughts, at least not long enough to voice anything meaningful. He renounced, he had to. He sighed and nodded, suddenly very tired. Granger seemed satisfied with his silent approval and she turned around to walk towards the courtoom.

Draco took a minute to build his façade again. He couldn't make sense of all the feelings bubbling inside, so he gave up and followed suit.

A few hours later, the trial was over and Draco was allowed to see his mum. Granger sent a polite word of dismissal his way before she disappeared. He never got to answer, he still didn't know what to say. He had lived away from the world for a year, a year he had spent undoing his flawed legacy and rebuilding his home... And he suddenly became acutely aware of how little he knew of the world around him.

He had to learn all over again.

The second time Draco saw Hermione Granger, another six months had passed. He had left his manor for the day, to get some books in Diagon Alley. Books were the only worthy occupation he had in the Malfoy Manor, and he had grown tired of reading the same ones over and over again.

Draco noticed Granger as soon as he entered the bookshop. She was sitting at a table, surrounded by piles of books. There again, the familiar vision of Granger surrounded by books hit close to home. It was a strange feeling that this one, and he couldn't help but link it to childhood. He was tempted to greet her for a minute, but then thought better of it. He walked away quietly and disappeared upstairs to do what he came here to do : looking for interesting books.

And yet, on his way down, Draco couldn't help but glimpse at the table where he saw Granger reading earlier. But she had vanished. The books were still there, only proof that she hadn't truly disappeared. A cough behind him startled him and he almost let go of his books when he saw she was back. She was giving him a puzzled look and he lowered his head, faithful to his new habit.

-Malfoy, she eventually greeted him.

-Granger, he mumbled back.

She stared for a while, and he dared a quick glance to her face. He still didn't know how to act in her presence, still didn't know what to say to her. He felt like she was trying to decipher his odd behaviour, and he couldn't blame her : he couldn't understand himself. She had a quick look at the books he was holding and she made him even more confused when she spoke again :

-If you're interested in Falco Aesalo and animagii in general, I would recommend Lisette LeLapin's biography. She was one hell of a character...

He stared, wide-eyed for a minute. Was she really advising him on books ? He was speechless. He managed a quick nod to acknowledge her recommendation, and it seemed to be enough. She shrugged and went back to her seat, in the middle of her precious books. She stopped paying attention to him and Draco silently berated himself. After years of insulting the witch, here he was, an idiot reduced to a confused silence whenever they crossed paths.

Draco had a look at his chosen books before moving towards Granger. Mustering all his courage, he stopped in front of her. She raised her head and eyed him cautiously. He almost gave up again.

-... Which section ? He managed to ask.

Her eyebrows shot up but she gave him the information he needed. So he mumbled his thanks and ran away, trying to look composed when he really didn't feel like it. He looked for the book, found it, and went to pay for everything without so much as another glance in her direction.

He left without looking back.

The third time Draco saw Hermione Granger, he had an extra six months to prepare. His mother was finally going to be released, and Draco had quickly done the maths : there was a good chance Granger would be around since she had been the one overseeing the case for the ministry. And he was quickly proven right when he arrived in front of the prison doors. There she was, absorbed in yet another book. He didn't dare speak – again. He felt like he had lost that priviledge forever. Condemning himself to hold forever silent when in her presence, for all the times he didn't. Lowering his head had become second nature at this point, and it was a comfortable habit to take.

But Granger eventually noticed him and closed her book.

-Malfoy, she greeted politely.

-Granger, he mumbled – as always.

-From the frequent reports I received, your mother has been in good health and she didn't suffer too much from her time in there.

He nodded in agreeement, still unable to speak.

-The Ministry asked me to follow up with her rehabilitation, Granger continued as if his silence was normal. I think she'll need some time to collect herself and to enjoy freedom for a while, so I won't be coming around right away. I'll send you an owl with the details within the month.

Draco nodded again, still silent. It was so Granger : efficient, down to the point. She stopped talking and gave him a questioning look, as if she was wondering why he was so silent. And he had to admit he was the first one surprised, but she gave up before he could utter a word. She went back to her book while they waited for the wardens to bring Narcissa Malfoy out.

After agonizing minutes, Draco managed to clear his throat.

-Thank you, he muttered.

She seemed stunned and slowly took her eyes off her book to give him a puzzled look, as if she could hardly believe he'd actually said that word. Draco felt out of his depths and deeply uncomfortable so he lowered his head. Granger stared for a while but eventually went back to her reading.

After some more silence, Draco finally caught a glimpse of his mother at the end of the road. A sigh of relief escaped his lips and he felt his heart swell up with hope at the familiar sight of the Malfoy matriarch. Narcissa offered him a tentative smile before she gave him a hug and Draco felt small. He felt like he was a lost kid who finally comes home, exhausted and scared, after losing sights of his mother for too long. His mother refused to let go of his hand when she turned towards Granger to exchange a few polite words. Draco wasn't listening, he was too busy taking in his mother's presence, he felt like everything was coming into place after too long. His mother was finally free, and it felt good. For the first time in years, he felt ok.

Narcissa dragged him behind her as soon as she had said her goodbyes, and Draco had to force himself to snap out of it. He followed his mother without hesitation, but he couldn't resist throwing one last glance at Granger. He uttered an awkward goodbye, and even he wasn't sure he'd said the right words. Granger stared at him for a moment, an unreadable look on her face, then offered him a slight smile before taking out her wand to disapparate.

Draco wondered when they'd meet again.

Let me know if you want the rest :)