Forgiven

Chapter 1

Hermione Granger, the brains behind the Golden Trio. Well, they sure got that right. She was always behind, hidden, where no one seemed to notice or care. The rest of the survivors praised her like an idol, yet all she wanted was to get away from the unwanted attention and spend time with friends - her real friends- however, with Ron and Harry continuously leaving for auror training and the rest of her friends already laying down a career path, it was difficult for her to decide what to do.

She didn't seem as enthusiastic about all of her studies as she would have done if she was not still thinking about all she had gone through last year and how it was filled with cold terrors and dark screams. Professor Mcgonagall had sent a letter specifically, pleading her to come back and sending what she hoped was sympathy. The Head of Gryffindor was very determined to continue Hogwarts: hiring new and old teachers and accepting in as many students as possible.

Hermione looked herself up and down one last time before grabbing a half- empty trunk ; unlike her usual self, she did not bother packing extra books and potion ingredients. She was ready to leave for Kings Cross when her mother, Jane popped her head through the door. It had been three months since her daughter had lifted the oblivious curse off her parents.

"Hermione, love, are you ready to leave?"

Blowing a loose strand of brown hair from her eyes, she nodded.

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The handsome blonde sat upon a hidden hedge in his garden, trying to decide of what was to become of his life now that he no longer had
to pretend to be a Death Eater. When his father had passed away, due to long-forgotten stress and the fear of change, he felt no remorse. He wasn't delighted, yet he didn't feel bad at all, unlike his mother who had cried buckets and spoke no word for at least a week.

His mother had forced him to go back to Hogwarts as it would help him come out of the dark, ignore the path he was forced into and start afresh. Although he knew his mother was right, he couldn't help but feel that he might not be as welcome.

"Draco, your garden looks way better now that you gotta new house elf. Woah, mate are you alright?"

Draco stared up into the eyes of Blaise Zabini, there was hidden pity behind them as he stared down at his Slytherin friend. He knew it sounded weird, but he just wanted to see Draco smile again, not the infamous smirk he gave to his inferiors, but the genuine ones that sneaked into the common room and the quidditch pitch, when he experienced the meaning of companionship.

"Let's leave, I don't wanna be late. "

Blaise was taken aback by the elder slytherin's answer, and he knew that he was too much of a prat to own up to his feelings. He really did wish he could do something for his solemn friend.

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They were squeezing past all the students in the Hogwarts Express. Most of them were nervous first years seeking free compartments and trying to find newly-made friends.

Draco and Blaise found themselves walking right past the excluded Slytherin compartment and at the back, where lots were sitting lost in thought.

Draco found himself glaring at a certain brown-haired witch, who seemed more ashen faced and gaunt than he had ever seen her, and that was saying something since the last time he had seen her, she was writhing on the floor in excruciating pain that had something to do with a death eater aunt of his.

Hermione Granger looked up from the blue carpet beneath her, and noticed grey eyes staring back. At this moment, it seemed as if neither one wanted to look away from the all-knowing stare, however Zabini had other ideas in mind.

He grabbed Draco's cloak from behind and pushed him into a seat almost opposite the young witch, before a frazzled fifth year could take it. He sat down himself and looked at the two hopefully. This sure as hell was going to be an interesting year.

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The old castle was soon approaching and most had already changed into their robes. Hermione Granger took her seat again and looked once more into the gray orbs of the boy in front of her. She understood how he felt and wanted nothing more than to comfort him, but he was Malfoy and she was Granger. He was the former death eater and she was the war veteran. Where she was right, loyal and subjective, he was utterly disappointing, filthy and rude, yet somehow she couldn't help but wonder at how he was coping.

Relying on her Gryffindor bravery, she pushed herself a bit closer.

"Malfoy? "

Draco looked up at the disturbingly rough voice that had said his name. Granger's eyes were those filled of stress, pity and sadness. She reached forward her arm and lightly stroked his hand, surprising both him and herself.

"Granger. "

"How are you feeling? Is your mother holding up well? "

Draco couldn't help but notice how much she knew about what had happened.

Reading his mind, she replied,
"Harry and Ron are aurors now, they know a lot about what goes on, sadly, including his death. "

Draco noticed how she had said "his" instead of "your father's", for which he couldn't help but think that Granger knew exactly what a person was feeling. She knew he wanted nothing more to do with his father than the rest of the wizarding world, maybe even less. He also didn't notice that he was smiling until the brunette smiled back, revealing pearly white teeth not unlike his. Being a dentist's daughter, it was probably disrespectful not to.

"We're fine. What about you? "

Hermione ignored how vague his answer had been and decided to answer his question instead.

"My parents remember almost everything, they still think that they ought to be living in Australia."

They both laughed at that, although it was a small grin, it meant a lot that they no longer felt uncomfortable in each other's company.

And that's how it continued. The two shared each other's problems, both understanding the harsh difficulty of the time. Perhaps, the two were finally prepared to let go of the past and enjoy the moment. Following from what had happened in the summer break, it was probably the best thing to do.