A full English breakfast greeted her on the coffee table when she woke, and she didn't waste much time to start eating. She reflexively stood when Malfoy exited the bathroom. Not sure what to do with her hands, she sat back down and continued eating the food in front of her. Malfoy scolded her again about the dangers if someone saw her leaving the suite, and Hermione promised she had no intent on letting the current guests of the manor know she was there.

On the desk, in Malfoy's study, she saw several handwritten scrolls. It was mostly notes taken from books: questions and clarifying messages with page number references written at the end. Of all of Malfoy's faults, at least she was not stuck with a monster that wrote in the margins.

Very unlike what Harry and Ron would do. She would scold them. Explaining it took more time to flip through the pages to find the notes that it did to write it down properly, but they never listened. Harry never really needed the books anyways. His magic was so instinctual. Like once he knew the truth behind the magic, he could never forget it. Most people hated when Hermione would get on about some obscure spell or lesson they were working on, but not Harry. He'd rather hear her explain it to him than read it from the book. Ron would get in on it too. Only he listened to none of her instructions and just waved his wand and recited the words.

Hermione let herself crumple on the floor and cry. No one was around to hear or to hold her. The fact that she was alive was no longer enough to keep the pain away.

They had failed.

Harry, her first friend, her best friend. Gone forever. How could he die. Didn't Voldemort know how funny he was? How good he was at flying. How horrible he was at chess. How kind he was, how selfless he was, and sharp, and clever, and brave, and wonderful. Did he know how many people loved him?

She laid there for a few more minutes until her throat was raw and her stomach ached.

Saving the world could wait a little longer.

Hermione peeled herself from the floor and drew a bath, leaving the soaps and oils settings to Malfoy's preferences. She wanted to wear her own clothes out of her bag but wouldn't be able to explain where they came from.

Hermione pulled on a large bathrobe and returned to her couch, letting her mind focus on the flames as they danced. Just like she used to when she was traveling around the world with an old friend.

Hermione had taken to sleeping on the couch in the study and always kept her beaded bag on her. Serving as a reminder of her old life and to prove to herself that she had not given up completely Malfoy walked into the study shortly after lunch time one day and she sat up in surprise as he took a seat in front of her on the table.

"What's this?"

"I'm not sure, I think it is sort of a vegetable soup," she tried to say casually as she pulled her legs up on the couch.

"No, not the food. What's… all this?" He gestured his hand generally over her person.

Hermione self-consciously crossed her arms. She could only imagine what her hair looked like, but to reach up and touch it would be admitting weakness. She was grateful she at least chose to get dressed properly today.

"What do you mean?" she replied, pulling a string on the dark green jumper.

"Don't play coy, Granger." There was clear irritation in his voice. "Neddy tells me you have barely eaten anything. This moping and moaning is ridiculous. I had to lock the balcony doors in case you suddenly become inclined to hurl yourself over the ledge. Do you have any idea what it is like out there? Especially for your kind." He pointed his finger at her to emphasize his last statement.

That jolted her.

"Do I know what it is like out there? Am I supposed to believe that this isn't what you wanted? Do you expect me to swoon and awe that the big and powerful Malfoy heir continues to grace me with his hospitality?" She should probably stop there, but there is no point. It felt too good. The rage in her taking on a life of its own. "Make no mistake, you've made it perfectly clear what you think of my kind, you foul, spoiled, loathsome prat!"

She was panting and standing once she was finished. As the red faded from her vision, she could hardly recall what she had just said. However, the look on Malfoy's face assured her he was not likely to forget anytime soon.

"Well, at least you didn't physically strike me this time." He schooled his face and leaned back in his chair, looking almost bored. "Now that that's out of the way, let's discuss how we're going to get you back to your friends and out of my life. Unless of course you had planned to stare off into oblivion for the rest of the day? I know how much you enjoy that."

"You made me promise to stay in here and now you insult me for keeping my word?" She argued, crossing her arms.

It wasn't entirely true. Hermione had planned to use the cloak to explore the manor the moment he left. It just so happened that every time she reached for it, it reminded her of Harry. She kept telling herself she would try in a few hours when she feels better. That time just hasn't come yet. But Malfoy didn't need to know that.

She gave in with a small sigh, "I suppose I have been thinking of a few things."

" Let's hear it."

"I was thinking we could use Polyjuice potion," Hermione said. "I could brew it if you bring me the ingredients."

"You can brew Polyjuice potion?" He asked, half skeptical and the other half impressed.

"Since second year."

"You never." He was leaning in, now in total disbelief. "What, was this some sort of extracurricular project?" He questioned.

She grinned. "In a way, yes."

"Swot."

That made her laugh out loud. The expression felt foreign on her face, and she swore she could see the corner of Malfoy's mouth turn up. Having plenty of experience being bullied by him in the past, this felt more like friendly teasing. Having none of the malice his cruel words used to bring with them.

"I'll get the supplies, but it won't work with the wards. It would just strip the effects of the potion away and alert my father while you're trapped and stunned." Hermione imagined as much but thought it would be worth at least suggesting.

"Your turn." She chirped to Malfoy.

"I'll have to get my father to grant me the same control of the wards as him."

That's it? She had been stressed and worried when all Malfoy had to do was ask daddy.

"Well get on then."

"It's not that simple Granger." He took a sip of his tea before adding more honey. "My father is master of the estate, for me to have the same control as him would mean to give me equal power to all of the Malfoy assets. Which I typically would only get upon his death."

"We'll make it quick."

"Cheeky." He flashed her a look from beneath his lashes. "I'll have to convince him I want it for the long term without him thinking I am trying to overthrow him. And after…" Malfoy paused for a moment, clearing his throat. "My family is already in bad standing with the Dark Lord. Without our estate I doubt he would have even kept us around. If I am in favor and my father is not, it could cost him his life."

Hermione wondered about Narcissa, but Malfoy's neglect to mention her doesn't feel like an accident. Instead of probing she just nodded her head as he continued talking.

"You need to do better at managing yourself." He scolded her, back to his usual tone. "Neddy is on the verge of sending herself into a spiral with how much she stresses about your reservations to trust her. Which is extremely concerning as she's tended to me for years without issue."

"She won't even come around me since I accused her," she covered her hands with her eyes. " I need to apologize- I wasn't in my right mind."

He stood up to make his way out of the room. "It's fine Granger, just let her make you some tea and all will be forgotten. She does know about your S.P.E.W. effort, so she may be weary of you trying to sneak her clothes but that is the bed you made."

This was the first time in three days she did not pretend to be asleep when he left. Should she say goodbye? No. That would be weird.

"Granger?" he said right before he exited, and she turned on the couch to look at him. "Severus is the only person I have known to successfully brew Polyjuice potion." His eyebrow was slightly raised, as if he couldn't help but to question her one more time.

"Well… now you know two."

Hermione had never asked what Malfoy did during the day, and that evening when he returned to the study did not seem like the time. However, if his posture and face was anything to go by, he was getting drained by his daily activity.

Was this how he's been returning each night?

"Alright?" He asked casually as he headed to the drink cart to make himself a whiskey.

"Brilliant," Hermione responded. "It's just, well I wanted to make a request if that's alright?"

"I'll have the potion ingredients for you soon."

"No- well that would be lovely, thank you. But that is not what I was going to ask." She troubled her hands and pushed through before she lost her nerve. "It's just that… Well, while your clothes are lovely, there are other items that I would like if it's not too much trouble. And I could pay you back!" she said it so quickly she was not sure he had heard her clearly until he responded.

"What kind of items?" He asked vaguely.

"Erm… female items."

If she thought Malfoy got uncomfortable at the mention of the girl's lavatory, it paled in comparison to the look on his face now. "I don't need much just-"

"No! Yes! Whatever you need just," he cleared his throat. "Neddy can get you whatever you want."

"Okay. Thank you." Now for the hard part. "Could you also remove the charms from the doors? I'd like to walk out on the balcony and get fresh air if there is any disillusionment?"

Malfoy gratefully jumped at the opportunity to change the conversation. "Right, yeah of course the balcony is private you can go out there anytime." He gestured his wand generally in finite incantatem. She tried to hide her excitement. It was very likely the cast also reached the spell monitoring the door to the hall.

The next morning, Neddy showed Hermione to her cabinets in the bathroom filled with clothing: pants, shirts, bras and underwear. There was another drawer that was filled with feminine products and Hermione thanked her graciously for everything the elf had picked out. Hermione showered and dressed in her new outfit, a t-shirt and a pair of denims, before going to the closet to grab the dark green jumper that had quickly become her favorite.