Getting Away(Draco)

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione sat in the corner table of the Three Broomsticks. Harry and Ron were suppose to return tomorrow and she really didn't want to be there for the Welcome Home Party. But she had to be there for Harry at least since he was her best friend. She didn't know what to consider Ron though. She hadn't spoken to him in 4 years ever since he left. She sighed, not wanting to think about. She had spend 2 years trying to forget about and it was only starting to pay off.

She took a big swig of her firewhiskey. She rarely drank before but it was something she picked up to ease some of the pain. She didn't get drunk all the time but there were those nights when she come home to her flat alone and just pass out on the floor. Those nights were few though and occurred much less. Once again, she didn't want to think about it. It brought too many memories back, memories she didn't wish to think about. She was here to drink away her sorrows, something Viktor wished that she didn't. Even though he didn't know the full story, Hermione was sure that he had some idea.

She rested her head on the table. She was tired and exhausted from her long day at work, trying to win house-elf rights and now learning that her best friends were returning. And one of them just so happened to be her ex. Not something she wanted to think about but it just kept popping up. She just wished that someone could take her mind away from it. She didn't even care if it was Malfoy coming to pester her so she could retort something back. Anything to ger her mind off of him.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco had been quite pleased with his recent turn of events. He was now the dark lord and while only his followers knew who he was, he still took great pride in the fact that people worshiped him. That and he would be the sole reason that voldemorts plan didn't work for him but would most certainly work for Draco. He had a few other ideas that were sure to lead him to the top.

He walked through Diagon Alley and then Hogsmeade with his head held high. Looking down on anyone less worthy than himself. He turned down to the three broomsticks. It was generally the place he went now adays but he figured that firewhiskey was firewhiskey.

He walked in to see Hermione Granger. The mudblood. He smirked and ordered a bottle of firewhiskey and grabbed a glass before sitting down. " Well if it isn't my favorite mudblood" he sneered as he poured himself a drink from the bottle and set it back down on the table

[Hermione Granger]

Speak of the devil! she thought. Here she was hoping that anyone would come and bother her even Malfoy. And now he's here bothing her and she's wishing that he would just leave. Hermione knew that he wouldn't of course. That just wasn't something that he did. He had a goal in mind and it was too bother her now. Why didn't she just go to the Hog's Head so she could get away from everybody? Because then she would be left alone to her thoughts, thoughts that she didn't want to think about. She hated her stupid thoughts at the moment and Malfoy looked like a welcoming release. Someone she could vent out all her frusturations on.

"Malfoy," she nodded curtly, taking a sip of her firewhiskey. She should really stop drinking so much. Maybe Viktor was right. "What brings you here?" Just act bored for the moment. That might fire him up seeing that he isn't getting a reaction out of her. She wanted to get the reacion out of him first, then she would explode. Well she might just explode first due to her ill-temperment. It wasn't her fault that she was so argumentive. She looked at him expectantly, waiting for an answer.

She looked at his drink. What else could she assume? He seemed like one of those guys who would drink especially after losing the war. And then he had been let free after saying that he had switched sides. That he had been forced to take the Dark Mark by his family and Voldemort. Of course everyone believed him. She had just shook her head that day when she learned about it. They had saved his life twice during the battle and he wasn't even locked up for siding with Voldemort. Well, they might as well hope that he had changed.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco studied her for a few moments. Since when did he need an excuse to sit in the three broomsticks. But no he knew how she worked after knowing her and harassing her for so many year. Ah good years they were up until the war. Sure at that time he really had been on Dumbledore's side. Regardless of what he was sure some people thought about him. But then it happened, one day he snapped.

He had enough. Voldemort was right and he felt guilty for ever letting anything get in the way of the ultimate job that they were there to do. Rid the world of muggles and mudbloods and bloodtraitors alike. It would be a better world with him at the top of it all. Oh was it good to be king. And of course that's exactly where Draco would be seated. But he made no gestures for her to know that.

"Miss granger, the better question would be why are you here? I simply wanted a glass of firewhiskey" he told her. He took a sip of his drink and looked at her pointedly. " And krum leaves a beauty like yourself to your own devices? Foolish" he said flatly. He wasn't going to give her a reason to yell and it would drive her insane. Oh the fun this would be.

[Hermione Granger]

Of course everyone knew she was dating Krum. It was another reason to get away. All that media surrounding him and papparazzi trying to get every picture they can get of her and him. It was annoying. They were just looking for a scandal and she made sure that they never would find one. She didn't need to be splattered across the front page for some ridiculous lie.

"I don't think I should have to answer to you," Hermione said pointedly. She didn't have to but she would explain herself partly...maybe fully. It just depended on how the conversation flowed. "But if you really wish to know, then so be it. I come here every Friday night to drink away my past. Only on Friday's of course and now it is every other Friday." Her boyfriend had made that rule after discovering passed out on her floor. She had been just a little late to their lunch date. It was a complete accident but it had been the night of Ron's birthday. And all those memories came flooding back again. Damn, why did he have to always have to pop up in her mind?

"Viktor can't control me," Hermione snarled. She didn't like how Malfoy thought that Krum could control her. She didn't really listen to no one anymore. She followed her own path now and she was successful. She was making great process in her efforts of giving house-elf rights. She was quite proud of her achievements and she was dating again. So she felt like her life was right back on track. She just would never let another guy take her heart away like Ron had done. She didn't need another heartbreak. "I go here on my own free will without anyone's position. I can take care of myself."

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco smirked when she said that shde didn't think that she should have to answer him. Of course she would say that. The mudblood had nothing to be so high and nobel about. There was no doubt that Hermione was with Vicktor only because of Ron. She was constantly doting on the blood traitor in school. Rather disgusting if you asked any respectable pureblood. Not that there were too many of those left. But one could only see that she wasn't a bad looking witch even if she was less than pure. The Slytherin Prince would never touch her unless heavily intoxicated however it was fun to watch her squirm.

He raised an eyebrow at her. " Then don't" he said simply. He nodded when she began to explain herself anyways. He listened intently. "Why drink at all?" he asked curiously. He personally had never pegged her for one to drink constantly. But perhaps it all tied into the one that was never around to be seen again. Just where did the blood traitor run off to? " You won the war, and walked away just a beautiful" he began. " So why drink?" he asked again. Not fully understanding and Draco was a man who needed all the details. He never acted on impulse. desire perhaps but never impulse.

Draco studied her long and hard for a moment. "I never implied that he could, you are something of a free spirit I suppose" he began and took a sip out of his firewhiskey. " Well Miss Granger, allow me to buy you dinner." he implored. He could tell that something more was bothering her. He had done his homework on everyone that was anyone back during his Hogwarts days. And what with Hermione being in the spot light it was all the easier to do his homework on her. However Harry and Ron where another story. His life long enemy. The two people he needed to keep an eye on. He would just have to find a way to manipulate Ron against Hermione to suit his better needs. He was after all the king of the slytherins. He could do it, but would he?

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione didn't like Malfoy asking her questions. Now he was asking too many questions. She didn't want to answer them and was thinking about refusing. But he was right. Why was she drinking? There was no reason to unless she truly wasn't over him. He thinks I'm drinking because of the war. She was quite happy with the outcome since they had won. Voldemort was dead and she was free. She could become whoever she wanted without worrying about being killed by some dark wizard.

She just shook her head. She didn't wish to tell him that the reason why she was drinking was because of some guy. It sounded so ridiculous in her head but the firewhiskey made her feel better. She may have gained everything in the war but she had lost everything in her own personal battle. As soon as she left, everything came crashing down around her. She was half tempted to move away from England and make a living somewhere else. At the time, she thought it was the best way to forget about him. But now she was drinking away the pain that he had caused.

"I don't drink because of the war. I drink for some other reason. A reason I don't wish to tell you right now," Hermione replied simply. She didn't want to answer his question. She didn't want to talk about him. The only guy who she ever gave her heart to and broke it in a million pieces. It was a tale she didn't wish to recount. Especially not to Draco Malfoy, her worst enemy in school.

She was surprised that he asked her to dinner. She finished her firewhiskey and nodded. "Sure," she shrugged. She couldn't believe she was keeping him around longer. In the beginning, she wanted to get rid of him and now she was pretty much asking for him to stay. He was somewhat of a comfort to her right now. She didn't know why but he was.

[Draco Malfoy]

He nodded understanding that there were more reasons than the end of the war to drink over. He himself had drank himself into a troll state more than once. "Its quite alright Miss Granger, I wouldn't trust me either if I were you" he said simply and took a sip of his firewhiskey. He had been a prat to them most of his life and Hermione had no reason to believe him. Thought it wouldn't stop him from trying.

He poured her another firewhiskey and grinned. " Good, shall we stay here then? Or I could have my staff back at the mansion cook us something good" he offered her. He was above having more than just house elves to do all of his work for him. He had a proper chef.

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione was glad that he didnt't press the issue. He was actually being somewhat tolerable tonight and he had shown understandment. Maybe he had done the same thing after the war. It wasn't the war though. It was all about what happened a year after the war. It was always on her mind, the memory replaying constantly in her head. It replayed while she was work, at her flat, on a date, and even when she was just talking about something else. It was always replaying and she just wished that she could erase that memory. It only caused more pain.

She didn't trust him. He was a known deatheater in their days at Hogwarts especially in their sixth year. He had attemped to kill Dumbledore and Snape had done it for them. Snape had proven to be an ally at the end of the war but Hermione never believed that Draco was. She didn't think that he could be. She took the the glass he gave her. She took a sip.

"Thanks," she said, smiling a bit. It wasn't much but she still smiled. He had somehow brought a smile on her face just by pouring her more firewhiskey, a generous gesture. Oh what would Viktor say? She didn't care. She loved him but not like a boyfriend. Just a friend, something that she had told Ron so many times in the past. He would be in for a surprise when he did come back though. The quidditch star he hated so much was now dating the girl he left behind. He was the reason. But she would never tell.

"Wherever you wish," Hermione answered. "You're the one who offered dinner." She didn't care where they went. She didn't even know why she was still talking to Draco. She would have usually left by now, leaving this prat behind. But usually she would have been with her two best friends. They weren't here and they would have no idea that she had a civil conversation with their worst enemy. So many things changed since the war and since they left.

[Draco Malfoy]

It was no surprise that Hermione Granger wouldn't trust him. It was in her eyes along with her thoughts. One thing she didn't know about him was that despite that he hadn't gone back to Hogwarts to take his N.E.W.T.s, he didn't have to. He knew everything he had to know and it wasn't like he would need it for a job. Besides the minister had given him an open invitation to work in any department he wanted to if the need arose. But he was so well off he couldn't fathom having to NEED money. It wasn't the Malfoy way.

He had learned Occulemency and Legimens all on his own. Along with wandless magic. Of course he had the best teacher, Voldemort when he was alive and then his father. Voldemorts right hand man. It was no wonder her and potter didn't trust him. Hell, they probably feared him. He would fear him if he was them. Luckily aanother part of his reading minds techniques is that he could do it without being caught. The victim was none the better for knowing it.

"Of course" he said and took a sip of his drink. It was good to see her smile. "You know despite everything its good to see you smile." he said with a grin. Just because he was a prat to her all those years didn't mean that he hadn't noticed her smile or her laugh. Quite the contrary. He had noticed it alot. He would never admit it. Not fully at least he would say that it was just that he tormented her and it was hard not to notice it.

"Right well then lets go to my mansion shall we?" he said.. then he thought about the liquor on the table. He tapped his wand to the bottle and sent it back to his place. " I have plenty more where that came from, have you ever had elder wine? Its much.... Sweeter" he said looking at her. He stood up and held his hand out for her. " I have to apparate us together, since I switched sides during the war its for my own protection to have heavy charms on the house, no one can get through them except myself and a few otheers" he told her. Why was he telling her so much? It was unlike him by any means.

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione had no idea that Draco was a skilled Legimens. She didn't think he had the mind occupancy to learn that kind of magic. It was difficult magic and even Harry couldn't succeed at it. Well he did when he threw Voldemort out of his mind at the Ministry Battle in their fifth year. The same year that Sirius died at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange. It had been so sad and it killed Harry even more. He had blamed himself for his godfather's death.

Hermione couldn't help but keep the grin plastered on her face. It seemed that the prat she had known at Hogwarts had changed. Maybe for the better. Maybe he really had switched sides and now was on their's. He hadn't joined the Order though and Hermione was sure that he wouldn't be accepted with welcomed arms. It was unfortunately because of his family's past. They had been well-known deatheaters and he had apparently followed in their footsteps. He had only renounced his loyalties when Voldemort went down. Many of the Order believed that he was doing the same thing like his father so he wouldn't be locked up in Azkaban.

"Well its hard to smile during all the dark times that took place in the past. And its even harder to smile when you're talking to the man you hate," she smirked, amusement lighting up in her eyes. She hadn't had fun teasing Malfoy in a long time. She could still remember the time she had punched him when he was such a git about the whole Buckbeak deal. It was all his fault in the first place why the hippogriff was getting executed. If he had been listening, then he wouldn't have gotten hurt in the first place. But they had saved Buckbeak that night and Sirius Black. It had been a wonderous night.

Hermione nodded, taking hold of his hand. She understood why he had to put up heavy charms. It was still dangerous with wanted deatheaters running about and some might try to kill him since he renounced his loyalties. It was a dangerous world still even after trying to make things right. Hopefully peace would soon come and everything would be back to order. She hoped that that would all come soon.

"A mansion, eh?" she smirked. She should have known that Malfoy would own a mansion. He had all the money he wanted without having to work. "I should have known. You only have the best of everything."

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco nodded. " You know your not the only ones who lost something." he stated honestly. Sure they had won the fight, the order that was, but they had all lost a thing or two along the way. Perhaps if it wasn't instilled into him to hate mudbloods, muggles, and blood traitors for 17 years of his life then he would have gone on the good side completely. However, that was not the case here. He was brought up to hate them and he would have needed a huge intervention to change his mind otherwise. However, he played his role rather well.

" Come now, Miss Granger, you don't hate me. Though its no secret that you use to" he said with a chuckle. They had been on opposite sides of the war before they even stepped foot onto the battle field. " Let me let you in on a little secret" he began as he sipped on his firewhiskey. It wasn't polite or gentlemen like to gulp one right after the other in front of guests or in public. And thats what he was or at least thats how he was brought up.

" You see, I didn' t just switch sides because I might be thrown into jail. Howwever, that does not discredit my father. Its clear thats what his goals were. I could not kill Albus because I didn't want to. If it was my father I wouldn't have hesitated." he told her. " You see, as child I was brought up to hate all muggles, half bloods and blood traitors. I only did the things I did because had I not, the consequences would have been drastic." he explained.

He took another sip of his firewhiskey. " You of all people should know what he was capable of. I would have been dead and selfish as I was, I valued my life and the lives of my loved ones over anything else. I'm sure even you could understand that" he told her. He wanted her to understand why he had done it. He wasn't soft anymore but this was a childhood confession. He just left out the part where he claimed the order side not to get out of jail but rather to claim his throne as the dark lord. She wouldn't know just yet. And he was incredibly good at manipulating people.

She would think that he had changed when he hadn't. Not for he better at least. In his eyes Hermione had too big of a heart and wanted to see the good in people. While Draco was manipulative and cunning. He could fake this other life and she would never know. Not that she wasn't brillant, he just had ways around it. But he wouldn't make the same mistakes as voldemort had. He was above it.

He smiled when she nodded and took his hand. " Come now I don't bite" he said with a smirk. Then he whispered in her ear. " Unless you ask me too" he could help but laugh. She had her way of teasing and he had his. He apparated them to his mansion. "Yes well, a house is still a house is it not?" he asked with a grin. " Your too right though, I do have the best of everything or at least most things. I'll have you know that playing quidditch has helped me a bit in that department" he stated as he lead her into the dinning room.

He now played professional quidditch and while he had money in his savings from his father's inheritance, he never touched a dime of it. He would if he had too but he would have a family one day and that was for them. Til then he would play Quidditch til he no longer could. It was a great cover. " So what would you like to eat. The sky's the limit" he said raising his hands towards the ceiling with a chuckle.

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione nodded. Everyone had lost something in that war. They had lost so many loved ones like Colin Creevey. Even though he had been an irritating boy at times and always taking pictures of Harry, it was so sad seeing his body lifeless that night. It was an image she had hard time getting out of her mind and it haunted her. All those bodies lying there. And then Fred...That was even more heartbreaking.

Fred Weasley died in the war. Hermione remembered crying on Ron's shoulder and she could feel him shuddering. She knew that he was crying too. It was the first time Hermione had ever seen Ron cry. It made her feel even worse and cry even more. She never wanted to see him hurt. It killed her inside and she just wished that she could mend his broken heart. But even though they never fully moved on, they found happier times after the war. It was after the war that they had finally gotten together but he then left. He left her behind.

Hermione sighed. He was right. She didn't hate him anymore. She had put the past behind her and got over that hatred. He may have been a git at Hogwarts but he seemed changed. Maybe the Order was wrong and he had actually switched sides. He was on their side, against all the former deatheaters who were still loose. She hoped that they would round them up soon so the wizarding world would finally live in peace and without fear. It was still the world she was dreaming of.

"I don't hate you Mr. Malfoy," she grinned. "I strongly dislike you." She gave a small laugh as she joked around with her former enemy. She would have never dreamed that she would be joking and talking with Draco Malfoy peacefully while she was at Hogwarts. If someone told her that, she would have laughed. It was just too ridiculous back then but now...it didn't seem like that now. She took another sip of her firewhiskey. It was almost gone again. Oh well, she thought.

She listened to his story and she understood why he had done all those things in the past. It explained many of his actions. He was raised to be that way. She felt sorry for him and wished that she could have helped in some way. But he had been such a git to her that Hermione would have never thought of helping him. Even if he had told her this sad story. She wouldn't have believed it and thought he was lying just to gain some sympathy. So what made her change her mind now and think he was telling the truth?

"You were just like us," Hermione said, finishing off her drink. It was her second glass tonight. Maybe she should stop with the alcohol tonight before she lost herself. "You did it...all of it to save the ones you loved. We did everything to protect our loved ones. If you think about it, we're all not so different." Hermione seemed to understand that unity was needed and it was time to forgive those that had particpated in the war against them. If they wanted to reach peace in this world, then they needed to forget and forgive.

Hermione almost pulled away from him when he whispered in his ear. She was about to scold him and say something but they apparated to his mansion. She quickly forget what she was going to say as she stared up at the large house. This was so much bigger than her measly ol' flat. Well it was only her that was living in it. But Hermione was sure that he was the only one living in it too but with a bunch of servents too. She didn't doubt that.

He followed him into the dining room. "This place is beautiful," she said in amazement. She didn't think that Malfoy would have any tastes in this department. He didn't seem like that kind of guy. "I didn't know you were good at decorating." She turned toward him. He played quidditch. She wondered what team he played for. "Oh really. Who do you play for?" she asked him. She remembered Harry mentioning something about play quidditch when he got back. She didn't know about Ron though since Harry never mentioned him. She was sure that he did it purposely for he knew what had happened that night. Everyone in that whole Weasley house knew what happened. All you had to do was listen to their screaming.

She thought about what she wanted to eat. "Well since you seem to have unlimited food, I will have burger and fries," she stated simply. She would have a nice simple meal. It was something she actually like to eat and she usually had it at least once or twice a week. It was the one meal that Ron was really good at cooking and she was sure that no one could ever cook it better.