Hermione had started going out almost on a daily basis, but just for a couple of hours. She apparently decided to help the man called Caleb. He had indeed been one of her patients two years ago, but apparently things weren't going so well for him and his son. Caleb, for some reason, always asked to see her in different locations in town, never in the same place twice, and he always came alone without Tom. At first, she found that strange and wanted to ask him about it, but she soon changed her mind. She thought he might be hiding from someone but didn't want to pry, so until he decided to tell her what was going on, she didn't ask. If she were honest, it was better that way. It wasn't like going to Draco's flat was an option, after all, and her office at the hospital didn't seem to make Caleb feel too comfortable, either.

Their current counseling meeting was in Diagon Alley and things had been going better. Caleb opened up more and talked about what had happened in the last two years. Apparently, he managed to find a job at a menagerie shop there in Diagon Alley and things appeared to go well. But then he started having nightmares again and panic attacks every time he had to go to work. He had a feeling he was being watched and that someone was following him every time he left the house. Whether that was actually true or not, Hermione could not say. What she could assert, though, was that Caleb indeed seemed pretty shaken up by something. Whether it was the dreams or fears from the past or some strange thing happening in the present, that wasn't sure.

That day, Hermione decided a different approach. Instead of talking to Caleb about himself she decided to turn the conversation towards his son. That always seemed to make him feel slightly better.

,,How is dear Tom?" she asked, smiling softly. ,,I do miss him. Maybe you can bring him along next time we meet?"

,,He is well, miss." Caleb said, returning the smile as he thought fondly of his son. ,,He is growing up well. I decided to send him from home for a while. You know, until I get better. I don't want him to see me like this. There is an aunt who lives in the countryside, not far from London, and I sent him there two days ago."

,,That's nice. I am pretty sure he will enjoy his time there. The countryside air will do him good." Hermione nodded in approval.

,,Yes. Those were my thoughts as well, miss."

,,Please, call me Hermione." she said, leaning back in her chair casually. ,,We've known each other for some time now, Caleb and I wish we could be friendly to each other."

,,S-sure, mi... Hermione" he said finally, a lopsided smile appearing on his face.

Hermione smiled approvingly and sipped from her tea. The tea shop they were in was rather empty, but she didn't mind. She found herself feeling rather uncomfortable around crowds or loud people. She enjoyed the peace and quiet a place like the one she was in offered her.

,,Hermione, can I ask you something?" Caleb said suddenly, shaking Hermione out of her thoughts.

,,Yes, of course." she said in a pleasant tone.

,,Who was the man you were with? When I saw you at the hospital there was a tall, blonde man standing next to you. You two seemed close."

,,Close? Not at all" Hermione laughed and waved a hand in the air. ,,We've known each other since we were 11 but we are far from being close."

Or are we close now? Sure, we could be called something at this point, right? Acquaintance or even friends... That might not be all bad. I am his counselor, after all, and being on a friendly basis would help enormously with my task, right?

The thought nagged at her mind for a moment. She grudgingly had to admit that they had gotten closer since they moved in together and, even if they were far from being the best of friends, at least they stopped being at each other's throats. Draco's behavior towards her had improved slowly since her nightmare and, for some reason, he felt more attentive towards her. They also had continued having breakfast together almost every morning, and to her surprise, she started to enjoy his company. Draco could be pleasant when he wanted.

There was also something else that made her thoughtful. Never, not even once since they moved together, Draco didn't try to take suspicious potions or do anything harmful. For all it was worth, it seemed like the past incident with the Dreamless Potions was just that, an incident. She was starting to believe it had been an accident on his part, or something else but nothing like an addiction or anything of the sort. The same went for the muggle substances he presumably had consumed. She knew very well wizards react differently to those; therefore he might not have experienced their effects in a way a muggle would have. So why did he take them? And why did Narcissa feel it was dangerous for him to be alone while dealing with all this? She never felt like he could be a danger to himself or to others. Well, maybe apart from the moments when he was in the hospital.

Hermione let out a frustrated huff. They had been living together for over a month now and she wasn't closer to solving the mystery of Draco Malfoy than she was when she accepted Narcissa's offer. Now that they have gotten at least a bit closer she might try talking to him about all this.

She had too many thoughts swirling around in her mind and, therefore, was oblivious of Caleb watching her the entire time. Finally, she looked up and realized she was being stared at.

,,Like I said," she started, clearing her throat nervously. ,,Draco Malfoy and I are not that close."

,,Malfoy?" Caleb asked, eyes widening slightly. ,,As in Lucius Malfoy's son?"

For a moment Hermione thought he looked very nervous. He had a haunted expression, and he kept wringing his hands on the tabletop.

,,Yes. He is indeed Lucius Malfoy's son." Hermione replied slowly, watching Caleb curiously. ,,Do you know his father?"

,,Only by reputation." Caleb answered bitterly. He had composed himself a little and even tried to smile.

Hermione looked at him carefully and couldn't help but notice that despite his attempt to smile, his eyes were now filled with a different emotion. They showed loathe and hate. She knew better than to push the matter. It was good enough that Caleb talked like he had in the last few sessions together; she didn't want to drag him into a subject he obviously didn't feel comfortable with.

Besides, I don't believe there is a person in the wizarding world who hasn't heard of the Malfoy name or hasn't been hurt by the lot of them, one way or other. She thought darkly.

After the session, Hermione and Caleb walked together until they reached The Leaky Cauldron, where they parted ways.

,,Thank you very much for your time, Hermione." Caleb told her, stretching his hand towards her.

,,You are most welcome, Caleb." she said, shaking his hand warmly. ,,I'll see you next time then. Send me an owl with the next place. And maybe you can bring Tom with you. I'd sure like to see him again." she finished with a smile.

And with that they took off in different directions. Hermione walked slowly towards the flat. Even after the attack she still didn't want to give up her walk. If anything, that motivated her to walk more and be on a lookout for anything suspicious. After all, it wasn't like Hermione Granger to feel intimidated by dark wizards.

Just as she turned the corner and walked into the street that took to the library, she thought she saw something on the far-right side of the sidewalk. She stopped dead in her tracks and blinked. Whatever it was she saw was now gone. All that remained in the spot she was looking at was a small bush, swaying in the evening wind. Frowning, she took a step closer, slowly taking in all the details. A few people walked past her on the other side of the street, and a cat ran into the bush in question, but other than that, nothing looked out of the ordinary.

I thought I saw a hand, right there near that bush. And last time I came home I am sure I saw half a leg on this side of the street, right here. Was it just my imagination?

After a few more minutes of staring, she finally huffed and started her way towards the building where the flat was situated. She made a mental note for the next time she was out and about, to carefully scan the surroundings in case something strange happens again.

***

,,Are you sure Harry?" Ginny asked him, raising her perfect eyebrows.

They were having dinner together at a restaurant. Harry had just told her about mobilizing the Aurors to guard Hermione's flat. He also admitted that he wanted to keep that fact hidden from Hermione. Seeing how she never told him or Ginny anything about the attack, he figured it might be better to go about it quietly.

,,No. Actually, I am not sure at all." Harry admitted with a sigh. ,,But what can I do? She hasn't told me or you about it, so it's pretty obvious she wants to hush it up. If Malfoy hadn't told me..."

He grimaced. He couldn't believe he had Draco to thank for something like this.

,,Why don't you talk to her, Harry?"

,,And tell her what exactly? That she has Aurors guarding her place on the clock?" Harry said with a strained laugh. ,,It's Hermione we're talking about here. She will most likely explode, saying she can take care of herself. That and, I can't believe I am actually saying this, but I am worried she might kill Malfoy in his sleep if she finds out that he told me about the attack."

,,Yes, I am pretty sure you're right about that last part." Ginny giggled. ,,She won't take it nicely, that's for sure. But Harry," Ginny continued softly, ,,she is your best friend, you have gone through so much together. Don't you think that counts for something? Talk to her." Ginny finished, gently placing her hand on Harry's arm.

,,You really think I should?" Harry asked reluctantly.

Ginny simply nodded. Seeing Harry hesitating she squeezed his arm slightly.

,,Trust me. It's best she hears it from you, instead of having to explain her the situation after she curses a pour soul into oblivion. I have seen some of the Aurors you have there, and they don't seem too bright." Ginny said grimly.

,,They are the best I have." Harry said defensively.

,,May be, but Hermione sure is better and if she was attacked once, she won't wait to find out why someone is stalking her. She'll attack first and ask questions later."

That seemed to convince Harry. Hermione had always been the brains in the Golden Trio and the one who always had reason with her. But during the years after the war and with all those battles they had to fight, Hermione changed a bit. She became just as good at defending herself as she had been at studying in school. Harry could see Ginny was right. If she felt cornered, even if it was by his own people, she might act in self-defense and Merlin knows what might happen then. He had to try and talk to her and maybe she could even help come up with a plan, like she's always been able to do.

,,Alright, alright. I will drop by the flat tomorrow and talk to her." Harry finally said in defeat.

,,Good." Ginny said cheerily. ,,Now let's eat! I am starving!"