Hermione

I woke up to Ginny pounding down on my door in our shared apartment we had gotten after the war. We decided to become roommates to just be closer to one another, as she was the only Weasley left that I spend time with. Ron left me for Lavender Brown, saying she had things I didn't and that she was able to do things I couldn't. A small part of me is glad, as Ronald always wanted to do sexual acts when I would just want to hang out and talk to one another and just relax after a rough day. What did he want to do after a rough day?

Have rough sex.

It was so aggravating. And then one day it stopped. He said he had 'found someone who could fulfill his needs better.' I was furious and I was glad that by the time this had happened I already moved in with Ginny. Ginny and Harry still go out, and I'm thrilled for them, but it kind of hurt as I felt like I was just a third wheel.

"Hermione! I need to know what you want for breakfast! Also, the mail is waiting in the living room, get the owl treats?" I heard her walk away and I sighed and got up. I haven't really been the same. I mean I still have a great time with my friends and I'm still the greatest witch of our generation, but I just feel lonely.

I put on my thin robe as well as grabbing the owl treats and walked out to the kitchen. We had pictures of everyone we loved on the walls. However, it was more of people who died during the war. I looked at the beautiful owl and smiled softly. I gave it a treat and it nudged my hand thanking me before eating it. I saw that it had dropped a letter from Harry, one from Hogwarts, and a mysterious one with silver ink. I grabbed three pieces of paper as well as my ink and quill and started reading the letters.

"Hello? Hermione, I still need to know about breakfast." I turned to look at her and she looked annoyed. I cringed internally before responding.

"Well, what were you planning on making?"

"Pancakes and bacon."

"That sounds perfect Ginny. I'll have that with some pumpkin juice." She nodded and smiled wide, before casting the dishes and pans to start making breakfast. I decided to read the Hogwarts letter first.

'Dear students,

I am informing you all that there is going to be an "Eighth school year". You are not obligated to come back for the year, but if you do you should start packing soon as school is starting up again. If you decide not to return, please write back to me personally and we will discuss on a diploma based on last years grades.

I wish you all the best luck in life for those who decide to not return in the fall. For all others, I will greet you all and there will be special classes and rules for you all.

You will learn about them in due time.

-Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.'

Well, I'm definitely going, there's no doubt about that. It wouldn't feel the same without having a diploma that I didn't quite work for. Last year was full of, certain events. And I wouldn't want some pity diploma so I will see what Hogwarts has in store for me. I then grabbed Harry's letter.

'Dear Mione,

I'm going to be going back to Hogwarts this year. I already know you will be as well but I wanted to warn you that Ronald will also be going. Ginny and I are here for you with whatever you need. And we'll support you with any decision you make.

We love you, Hermione. Don't ever forget that.

I'll meet you in Diagon Alley soon. Just owl me back when you'd like to meet me.

Love, Harry.'

I figured he'd come back. He wouldn't dare let Ginny go by herself. As for Ronald, I thought he would have wanted to stay home but I guess he is coming back. I sighed and picked up the last letter. Ginny had given me my food now and I started to eat as I read.

'HJG,

Meet me on the train to Hogwarts. I'll be in the very back of the train. Bring Ron and Harry with you. No need to worry, just need to talk to the three of you.

Sincerely, DLM'

Wait, DLM? Silver ink? I can't think of anyone I know whose name starts with the letter D-

Draco?

I spit my pumpkin juice and choked on it at the same time. I was on my hands and knees trying to recover from the incident I just had. Ginny ran over to me with a towel.

"Hermione! What happened? Let it out and breathe Mione. Who wrote to you?" She picked up the last letter and gasped and I was finally able to breathe again.

"The ferret! What does he want!"

"I don't know Gin. I don't know what he wants to talk about but now I have to write to Ronald and Harry. But I don't think they'll want to meet up with Malfoy. I mean he's tortured us our whole lives and made us miserable during the war. He's a foul loathsome evil little cockroach and I don't really want to see him again."

"Then don't go, Mione! You're not obliged to meet with him. I say you shouldn't go." Ginny had crossed her arms and it got me thinking. What would he want to see the three of us for? My curiosity was getting out of hand and it was so bad it could kill five cats.

One reason could be to torture us about the war. I shook my head slightly. That couldn't be it. There had been rumors that he's become so much more kind after the war ended. Even rumors about house elves being set free. Could it be possible he wanted to apologize? The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. I went back to writing the letters. I started with Harry's.

'Dear Harry and Ronald,

Of course, I'm coming back, Harry. It would be ridiculous and unethical if I didn't. I will see you in Diagon Alley soon. Owl me back when you are free.

Also, this part is for the both of you. I got a letter from Malfoy. And it seems as though he wants to apologize to the three of us on the back of the train. He specifically asked for the three of us. I particularly really want to hear this for curiosity reasons and I wouldn't want to be left alone with the ferret. Please consider going as I am.

See you all at Diagon Alley or just on the train.

Love, Hermione.'

I sighed. One letter done. I finished my food quickly and gave the owl a few more treats for being so patient. It made a loving noise and got comfortable, knowing it might be here for a while.

I started at Draco's next. What should I reply? Should I even reply at all? I groaned silently and decided to reply with a short response.

'DLM,

I will see you on the train back to Hogwarts then. I'm curious as to what you want to talk to us about. However, I already have my suspicion about it being an apology.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Sincerely, HJM.'

I looked it over a few times. Did it seem like a good and short response? I folded it and labeled where it needed to go and I also told the owl where to go after I put the letters in its beak. It nodded and looked at Ginny to see if she needed anything.

"Gin, sending any letters or no?"

"No I'm good, already sent mine out today." She smiled towards us and the owl nodded, flying out the window. I sighed once more.

What did I just do?

Draco

I was getting nervous. How would I do this? How should I apologize? What words to use and which words not to use.

Well, I already know which word not to use. Mudblood. I haven't used that word in a while. Not since maybe Third or Fourth year. I couldn't do that to her anymore. Not Hermione.

I'm very nervous about meeting them. Mainly Hermione. I know I can take Weaselby but Harry was another thing. Hermione, I knew I was no match for. She was the most powerful witch in our generation and she has continued to amaze me over the years. During the war. That's why I always teased her. Because she was better than me. Better with magic and she was a better person than I was.

I heard a pecking at my window and turned way too quickly to look at the window. It was the owl I sent out. I grabbed the letter back from him and gave him a treat. I loved spoiling the owls. I saw the letter was from Hermione. I carefully opened it and started to read.

'DLM,

I will see you on the train back to Hogwarts then. I'm curious as to what you want to talk to us about. However, I already have my suspicion about it being an apology.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Sincerely, HJM.'

Damn. She's good. My heart started racing at the thought of meeting her now. What if she doesn't accept my apology? I don't really care about Weasley or Potter. All I care about is her response. Will she accept that it wasn't my doing? That everything that happened over the years was all my father? I never wanted to turn out this way. I never really was this way. If anything, the three of them would have loved me and would have been my friends if they saw the real me. The one who was always so happy and excited and funny and charming. Not some fuckwit that made people's lives miserable. That was all my father.

I shook my head at the thought. I hated thinking about him and how he ruined my life. Surprisingly, he only went to Azkaban for a few months. Mother was disappointed when she heard he wasn't getting the punishment he deserved. However, she still loved him and he apparently still loves her, so they're making things work.

I want that to be me and Hermione.

I got up and made my way towards the kitchen. We still had house elves but we paid them and gave them clothing so they'd be happier. I became good friends with them but my best friend of them all, I'd have to say, would be Dobby's cousin Ginger. She was wonderful and made the most delicious food. I smiled just at the thought of seeing her.

I walked into the kitchen and everyone quickly turned to look who it was.

"Master Draco!" Ginger came running up to me and I smiled and got down on my knees to hug her. Father still disliked them so I also did this as a way of torturing him.

"How are you today Ginger?"

"Ginger is doing wonderful today, Master Draco. Ginger had made Master's and Mistress breakfast this morning." She smiled and I grinned wildly.

"Well, then let's go taste some." I walked behind her and she seemed to really like her pink dress mother had bought her. I smiled at her and she led me to the dining room where breakfast had been served. Mother and Father were already seated enjoying breakfast. When my father turned to look at me he scowled at the elf. Ginger sat next to Mother and me, staying as far away from Lucius as she could. I didn't blame her.

"Thank you, Ginger, for breakfast. It's spectacular." Ginger smiled and started eating herself.

"Draco, are you going back to Hogwarts?" My mother asked with a tone of uncertainty. She didn't want me to go back because of the previous years' events.

"Yes, I am. I'm finally going to win over the girl of my dreams whether people like her or not." Mother looked taken back.

"Draco? Is this who we talked about before?" She whispered lowly. Father was staring intently and he looked like he was getting angry.

"Yes, mother. Same girl." I finished my breakfast and started to leave when my father spoke up.

"Draco. Who are you talking about? It better not be that Mudblood." I stopped dead in my tracks and shook with rage.

"And what if it is? You have no say in what I do or who I love. Frankly, I'm sure she would show me more love in a day than you ever would have in my entire lifetime." I spit back and walked away, Ginger right on my tail.

"Ginger will approve of any woman if she treats Master Draco with respect and makes Master Draco happy." She smiled and therefore I smiled. I loved this elf. She reminded me of Dobby...

"Thank you, Ginger. That means a lot to me. Please know I would do the same for you. Dobby would have done the same for you." I smiled and we went into my room so I could get a head start with packing. I bewitched my trunk so it could hold more and Ginger sat on my bed, accompanying me.

"Ginger will always be here if things do not work out Master Draco. Ginger hopes things will work out from the things Master Draco has said about Miss Hermione." She smiled once again and it once again made me smile.

"I hope so too, Ginger." I looked out the window and it started to rain.

"I hope so too."