The group had finally been able to think of a plan. In the end, they had compromised, deciding that Hermione could continue her counseling sessions with Caleb, while Draco stood on guard, accompanied by either Harry or Ron. The others were tasked with the security of the area and with making sure to keep and eye out at everything or everyone that seemed suspicious. Harry decided that he couldn't trust his Aurors with this, and therefore, concluded that he will give them other tasks, such as following the traces of the Death Eaters group and analyzing related cases.

After the conversation was over, they said their goodbyes and took turns in leaving the flat, until Harry and Ron were the only ones left besides Draco and Hermione.

Ron gave Hermione a tight hug, keeping her in his arms for a bit longer. That made Draco frown and look away. His eyes fell on Harry, who was staring at him intently.

,,Nice speech you had there." Harry said, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

,,Shut up, Potter." Draco grumbled, purposely avoiding turning his head when he heard Hermione laugh at something Ron said.

,,No, I mean it." Harry continued, more serious this time. ,,I know how difficult and stubborn Hermione can be. I also know you were right. She most surely would have come up with a crazy plan involving her taking on Merlin knows how many Dark wizards by herself. The war changed her, made her more impatient but also made her stronger."

Harry turned to look at his friends, Draco followed his gaze. Ron had released Hermione but was still holding her by the hands. Draco let out a sound of displeasure.

,,Stronger perhaps but it has also made her impossibly stubborn, and not to mention reckless. I believe she resembles you from your Hogwarts years. All those stupid hero moments you had back then." Draco snarled.

Harry let out a hearty laugh.

,,Perhaps. That's why I am worried about her. All those years ago, I always had her by my side to temper me when I was being reckless, always there to make me see reason and make sure I do the right thing. Unfortunately, I haven't reached her level of maturity yet and I might not be able to give her the same support she has given me." Harry finished with a sad smile.

Draco turned to look at Harry in surprise.

Did he actually admit that?

In the meantime, Hermione and Ron walked towards Harry and Draco, unwittingly positioning themselves on either side of Harry.

Old habits die hard, I guess. Draco thought, looking at the Trio in front of him.

,,We'll be off, then." Ron said, clapping Harry on the back. ,,Don't forget Hermione, mum is expecting you at the Burrow next week for a family dinner."

Ron stopped, looking at Draco seriously, pondering about something really hard.

,,I guess you could bring him as well. After all, I doubt he will be alright with you going without him." he said slowly.

Draco frowned.

,,That's a great idea!" Harry said grinning widely. ,,That way we can discuss more about our plan, while enjoying Molly's amazing cooking."

,,We'll be glad to accept the invitation, isn't that right, ... Draco?" Hermione said, turning at him pointedly. A small smile tugged at her lips.

,,W-what?" Draco stuttered, taking a small step back and goggling at Hermione as if it was his first time seeing her. His eyes went wide, and his pale complexion was starting to become slightly scarlet.

,,Then it's settled! We'll be waiting for you there." Ron concluded, trying hard to keep back a laughter.

He nudged Harry and they both disappeared with a crack, leaving Hermione and Draco alone in the common room.

***

,,Do you think he's still alive?" Ron asked, laughing heartily, as he and Harry reached Grimmauld Place a few seconds later.

,,I hope so. It wouldn't be fun if she killed him too quickly." Harry laughed as well.

,,Bloody hell, that was shocking, don't you think?" Ron said, slumping into an armchair near the fire.

,,Which part?" Harry retorted, following his friend's example. With a wave of his hand he had two glasses of firewiskey glide towards them and settle on the coffee table.

They were now in a clean and comfortable looking sitting room. Ever since Harry and Ginny had been living there, they've managed to make the house look unrecognizable. They still had to deal with Sirius's mother from time to time, but they decided to use the house for a while longer, until they managed to build their own.

,,The part where Malfoy actually seemed to care." Ron said snickering. ,,And the look on Hermione's face." he started laughing loudly. ,,Never seen her looking shocked like that when we were kids. I guess Malfoy can be good at something."

,,Yeah. At startling Hermione out of her words. Not an easy thing to do, after all." Harry said chuckling.

***

Realizing they were now alone, Hermione and Draco both started to feel the uncomfortable silence that fell around them. They avoided to look at each other and every time they would open their mouths to say something, they would immediately change their minds.

Finally, after a few more moments of awkwardness, Hermione decided it had to stop.

,,Would you like a cup of tea? I think I want one." she said suddenly, making Draco jump with surprise.

,,W-what? Oh, yes, yes please." he stuttered, rubbing the back of his head.

She hurried towards the kitchen with Draco following her at a distance. He took a sit at the table and watched Hermione bustling around the teapot. A few minutes later the tea was ready and both of them were sitting facing each other, holding a big mug in their hands.

Draco stole a few glances at Hermione, watching her sipping her tea quietly. He shifted into his chair, fumbling with the handle of his own cup.

,,What happened between you and Weasley?" he blurted out, surprising both himself and Hermione.

She looked up at him, surprise evident all over her face.

What the bloody hell is wrong with me? I can't even make proper conversation. He berated himself inwardly, avoiding looking straight into Hermione's eyes. Instead he sipped his tea, in all appearance calm as anything.

,,Well, we're friends." Hermione stated simply.

,,Yes, I knew that already, Granger. I meant what happened with your relationship. Weren't you two together at some point?" he drawled.

Alright. That's good. Keep yourself detached and unaffected. After all, what do you care what she does with the Weasel?

Hermione thought for a moment before answering his question.

,,Not really. I did like him in the earlier years of school, but at some point, I guess I grew out of it. That is why, in the end, we decided our friendship was more important."

,,I see." Draco said quietly, clutching his cup tighter between his fingers. ,,And... have you two ever... uhm, kissed?" he finally asked awkwardly.

You're getting better and better at making a fool out of yourself, Draco Malfoy.

Groaning inwardly and thinking surely Hermione would be upset with his straightforward question, Draco was surprised to see her looking at him rather puzzled than offended. For some unknown reason she was taking his stupid questions seriously and seeing how she was about to answer his last one, he braced himself. He tried hard to keep his pale complexion from blushing but failed miserably. A delicate shade of pink was rising in his cheeks. Luckily Hermione didn't seem to notice, too absorbed in her own thoughts.

,,Yes, actually." she said calmly, oblivious at how Draco caught his breath. ,,During the Battle of Hogwarts, while we were in the Chamber of Secrets to destroy one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.''

,,That awful battle was raging in the castle and you two felt like snogging each other?" Draco said in disbelief.

,,I guess it was the adrenaline, the spur of the moment, you know." Hermione said, smiling sheepishly. It was her turn now to feel awkward and fumble with her cup.

Draco snorted and shook his head. They both remained quiet, silently enjoying their tea. For a moment, Draco peered at her. She had talked calmly about her seven-year crush and she seemed at peace with the outcome. But what did he feel about it? He couldn't decide whether he felt relieved or annoyed, while the reasonable part of him said he shouldn't be feeling anything at all.

***

The next day, Hermione met Caleb in a small coffee shop near the Leaky Cauldron. Draco and Harry stood watch not far from them, both disguised as someone else, while the rest of the team wore invisibility cloaks or disillusionment charms.

The session went well and after an hour and a half they were ready to go. Harry took his leave as soon as he saw Hermione approaching. The others disappeared as well, leaving Draco to take Hermione back to the flat. But, for some reason, Draco felt as though she'd rather stay out a bit longer. She refused to Apparate back at the flat and was walking in slow strides.

Then, with a shock of realization, he remembered it was Friday. She had always gone out on Fridays but had stopped in the past few weeks.

,,Granger?" he asked, mulling over his thoughts, trying to figure out the best way to ask her without seeming too nosy.

,,Hm?" she said looking straight ahead, unaware of Draco's thoughts.

,,What were you doing on Fridays? You always went out and came back at the same hours. Where were you going?"

Hermione stopped walking and looked over at Draco.

Should I just show him? Would he understand? she thought while carefully regarding the man in front of her.

Feeling her scrutinizing eyes on him, Draco stirred and suddenly felt foolish. Surely, he'd been rude to ask and she was now thinking of a way to tell him off.

,,It's alright, Granger. I understand if you don't want to tell me. It's..." he said quickly, but to his surprise she smiled.

,,I can show you, if you want." she said quietly.

He simply nodded in response, too unsure to speak.

They walked further down the street and at the first intersection they took a right. There, they were assaulted by a bustle of people and cars. Draco drew closer to Hermione, making sure they were not separated. A few feet further ahead, a small alley opened from the main street. They took the alley and after a few minutes walking Hermione halted to a stop. She took Draco's arm and disappeared.

A second later they arrived in a quiet neighborhood, with houses that looked almost the same. Draco glanced at Hermione. She was catching her breath, looking up ahead with a longing expression on her face.

,,Granger, what's wrong? Where are we?" Draco asked, curious as to what had made her feel so emotional.

,,That, over there" she told him, pointing at a house near the end of the street, ,,that was my house." she finished with a nervous gulp. She looked up at him, her eyes barely holding back the tears that were forming.

Draco stared at her, then at the house. He was feeling nervous tinglings all over his body, as a thought crossed his mind.

,,Are they..." he started to ask but couldn't bring himself to finish.

,,They are still alive." Hermione said, a small smile forming on her lips. Draco breathed out in relief. ,,But they're gone." Hermione continued, looking away from Draco, her eyes settling again on the house.

,,Gone?" Draco asked confused.

,,Before I went on the run with Harry and Ron, I..." she stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath. ,,I wiped their memories. They are alive and well, living in Australia, but they don't remember anything about me or the life they had here with me."

Draco froze. He looked at Hermione as if she had hit him with a stunning spell. He kept thinking about what she must have gone through, having to do that to her own parents, to herself. How much despair and loneliness she must have felt to come here and remind herself of a past she alone was the sole witness.

Without realizing what he was doing, Draco raised an arm and gently brought Hermione closer to him, giving her a gentle hug. She didn't protest and willingly leaned against him for support. After so much time she had finally told someone of her grief. She couldn't bring herself to tell Harry, for she knew just how much he would suffer. She had done that to protect her family while she went on the run with him, to help him. She had given up the warmth and safety of her family to become like him, an orphan, in a way.

Hermione never regretted having made that choice, she knew it was the right one. But she knew Harry would suffer and that would make her suffer even more in return. Therefore, she kept silent about her visits to her former home and the pain that those visits brought her.

It felt strange though, having never told Harry about this, but now sharing it with the one man she never thought possible, Draco Malfoy. His quiet and warm embrace made her feel slightly better but confused her all the same. Why was he making her feel that way? Why did his simple touch make her feel warm, and chased away part of the loneliness she had been feeling?

With a gentle push she moved away from him, looking up at his face, their eyes connecting into an intense stare. That seemed to have snapped him back to reality. He recovered his senses and cleared his throat.

,,We'd best be going now. It's not safe to wander about like this." he said in a low voice.

He made a point out of ignoring Hermione's inquiring look, while grabbing her arm and Apparating them to their flat.