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Love and Forgiveness	By : HarryGinny4eva Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 16328 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
Hello
everyone. I am SO VERY SORRY. Somehow my story seems to have been deleted, but I got it all back up. So, we�re back! I really have no idea what happened to make the story simply go poof, but I am glad I had it all saved.

I am only really bummed about all those great reviews I got from you being gone into the ether. To each of you who reviewed, you made my day each time you did and I look forward to more of them. Thank you all. I will update again on Friday as promised.

CHAPTER
1

�I congratulate you, the first class to graduate since, The Fall. The witches and wizards who will bring about the future. The class of 2002. And, now, before you toss those hats and leave
our grounds, for what many of you may be the last time, let�s hear from your
class valedictorian. The first student in over 250 years to graduate with a
4.75 GPA, the pride of the Education department, of American Wizarding
University, of New York City, and indeed the wizarding world, Ms. Hermione Jane
Granger.�

Okay, here we go she thought to herself.

As the applause erupted around her, she stood and slowly made her way to the
podium. Outwardly Hermione was calm, composed, serene
even. But, on the inside she quaked and prayed to not fall apart. She quickly
and nervously tossed her long auburn curls away from her face and allowed her
light brown eyes to glance quickly over the crowd. Then she smiled at the
University officials, shook hands with the President, and turned to search out
the faces of the people who could always ease her fears.

She smiled. It wasn�t hard to find them. On the side of the stadium they sat
together, a small group, with many red heads reflecting the sun, all with faces
shining with tears of pride and love, the people who held her heart. She didn�t
know how they had done it, many she knew couldn�t possibly afford it, but here
they were. For her. It humbled her. She addressed the
crowd, but hoped they knew her words were for them, her family, her friends, her support.

�Esteemed witches, wizards, friends, family, teachers, fellow
graduates and students. I have wracked my brain for the past few weeks
and wondered what to say today. I know many of you may laugh to think the
always talkative, opinionated me would not have
something ready, but there you have it,� she laughed at herself as a soft wave
of laughter slid across the crowd.

�I have thought about this day and planned for this for what seems like my
entire life. But, as the reality has slowly sunk in, and the future that I
dreamed of for so long is now here, all I can think to say is thank you. Thank
each and every one of you for every day of the past twenty two years. Five
years ago I didn�t think it would happen. As we fought for all we held dear,
lost people we loved, and lived in such abject fear, I honestly didn�t believe
I would make it to stand in front of you today and say that. But, here we are.
I know many valedictory speeches are about what the world should expect from
us, and what we should expect from it, but I don�t know what to tell you. I
honestly don�t know what to expect. If I have learned nothing else in the past
twelve years, it is to expect the unexpected.�

Again a ripple of laughter flowed over her and she felt warmed by the radiant
smiles flashed up at her.

�So, here is what I have come up with to commemorate this most important day.
Thank you to our families, be they muggle or magical, for loving and supporting
us to get us to this day. Thank you to our many teachers, professors, and
counselors for educating us and helping us to think and focus on more than just
yesterday or today. For helping us ponder and plan for the future. Thank you to
our comrades in arms. That is, those who struggled, fought, lived or�or,� her
voice hitched a bit with the unshed tears she bravely swallowed, �or died to
get us here, alive and living without fear, to seek a bright new future.�

She took a moment to breathe as she saw the many handkerchiefs dabbing at
fallen tears throughout the crowd. She closed her eyes and allowed the names of
those she had lost flit across her mind. Dumbledore, Snape,
Sirius, Fred, Moody, Remus, Tonks, Bones, Dobby and so many more.

Raising her head she smiled and continued, �And, last, thank you to you, our
friends. It is said that you can�t choose your family, but you can, your
friends. I sometimes wonder if that shouldn�t be changed to you can choose your
family of friends. Because for each of us here today, that is
what you have been. Our family. Thank you for
being there for us in the darkest and happiest of times. For being shoulders to
lean on, study partners, roommates, and fellow miscreants, as needed. So,
before I say my last congratulations to the class of 2002 please allow me one
more personal set of thank yous. I know many of you
would expect it, so it comes as no surprise that I take this time to thank a
few people of my own. Mom and Dad, my cousin Shelley, the entire Weasley
family, Ms. Georgina �Snoop� Handlecark, Minerva, and
finally the three people without whom I wouldn�t be here today, Mr. Ronald B.
Weasley, Ms. Ginevra Weasley Potter, and Mr. Harry
James Potter. For more than I could ever list here today, thank you. I love you all.�

The crowd, upon hearing the names of the people who had led the charge in
freeing them from over thirty years of fear, oppression and pain, erupted in
loud cheers. It was several minutes before the quiet reigned again and most
missed the kiss she blew softly in her friends� direction.

Standing to her full height of five feet five inches and smiling at the crowd,
she said, �So, please stand class of 2002 and grab those tassels.� She waited
until all 172 students were on their feet, their brilliant smiles aimed at her.

�I charge you, my fellow graduates, to keep the last thirty years in mind as we
forge the new history. Keep the pains, prejudices and horrors in the back of
your minds, but in the past, as we all aim for a better tomorrow. Strive for
peace, seek your own excellence and never believe in the impossible.
Congratulations class of 2002. We did it!�

With that, she crossed the tassel of her own cap to her left side and beamed as
her classmates followed suit.

The University President then stepped forward and placing his wand to his
throat to amplify his voice, yelled over the growing thunder of cheering,
�Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the American Wizarding
University class of 2002.
Go forth and make us proud!�

Hermione finally allowed the tears of joy she had held back to fall, as she
watched the caps flying in the air. She had done it. She had survived. She, and
her friends, had beaten every odd and come through. With one last look and wave
to her friends and family she allowed herself to be swept into the throng of
celebratory hugs and congratulations.

�Well roomie, this is it, huh?� Georgina
asked a bit sadly as she broke off the last of piece of tape from the box she
had been filling.

Hermione glanced around the apartment full of boxes and tape and sighed, �Yeah
I guess it is.�

�What time do you have to leave for your graduation party?�

�I have another few minutes,� Hermione said as she sat on the box closest to
her. She looked across the room to her roommate and closest friend of the past
four years and remembered.

�No freakin� way!�

Hermione jumped and fell over the box she had just put down upon hearing the
feminine screech from behind her. Before she could right herself she saw a hand
reach out to help her up and heard the voice continue.

�I can�t believe it. I mean I saw the name on the school forms, but I
honestly didn�t believe it. The one and only, Hermione Granger, my roommate!
Seriously! This is so cool! I wrote so many articles on you and your friends.
It�s like I have known you forever. Things over here weren�t near as bad as
over there in the thick of things, so I had the time to write and research a
lot. I mean, come on, you�re like a living legend! And, now I get to room with
you! This is so un-freakin�-believable.�

Hermione stepped back from the tiny, exuberant woman in front of her and
smiled a little.

�I think legend is a bit much, but whatever. I guess I don�t have to
introduce myself, and uh, I guess you are Georgina?�

�Snoop,� the dark haired girl smiled.

�Huh? I didn�t look through any of your things, I promise!� Hermione quickly
defended herself.

The bright blue eyes flashed with mirth as Georgina
giggled, �No, no, no. That�s my nickname. Snoop. I write articles for
newspapers and magazines. And, I have had quite a few printed in other papers,
even national ones. Nothing you would have read over there in England though. I�m hoping to write
for AWUs, too.�

�Oh,� Hermione laughed with her. �Well, my friends call me��

�Mione, I don�t know where you expect to put all these darn books! This
school of yours has to have less of them in their whole library!� an
exasperated deep voice interrupted them from behind a high mound of books.

�Stop complaining and move, this chair is heavy,
man!� another low voice said from outside the door.

The third more feminine voice reprimanded them both as the three people
entered the tiny apartment, �Like Mione needs to hear you two prats complain all day. Sheesh!
Give it a rest. She�s nervous enough already with a new school, a new damn
country and a roommate she doesn�t even know. Now shut up and move!�

�Hi guys,� Hermione laughed. �Ron just drop them
there and I will get it all straight later. Harry that chair can go over by the
window in my room. And, everyone, allow me to introduce my flatma..er roommate, Georgina
�Snoop� Handlecark. Snoop, these are my friends,
Harry, Ron and Ginny.�

She watched as Harry smiled a quick, �Hi,� as he continued on into
Hermione�s room to put down the huge papasan chair he
held.

Ginny waved from behind Ron and gave a cheery hello.

Ron dropped the books he had been holding and straightened to smile down at
Snoop. He smiled as he held out his hand to shake hers and opened his mouth to say
hello.

But, he was interrupted by her squeak of, �Holy, Moses!�

�Uh, no, Ron,� he blushed.

Thinking back Hermione laughed under her breath as she recalled that day over 4
years ago and how nervous Snoop had been to meet Ron. It had amazed all four of
them a little, that she had had a crush on him and not Harry, the more famous
and traditionally cute of the two men, but she had. And, now, remembering back
on it all, Hermione smiled to herself as she recalled the pale face and round
eyes of Snoop, as she finally touched hands with the man that would now, in
only a week, be her husband.

�So,� she asked bringing herself back to the present, �what�s wrong?�

�I don�t know, HG. I mean, nothing really, I guess.
It�s just so weird, you know. In under a month there�s been so much change, you
know? Just a while ago we were cramming, now we�re graduates. Then, I marry Ron
next week and have to live with a boy forever.� She laughed a little as she
continued, �And, you off to start your summer teaching internship, so far
away!� A tear slid down her face as she began to crumble to the sofa.

Hermione rushed over to her, �Listen, change is good, right? I mean, yeah you
have to live with Ron, how you will and why you would want to I will never
figure out, but whatever,� she laughed. �But, it�s not like any of these
changes are bad ones. And, what do you mean far away? My new place is like 3
blocks, ten minutes, from your new flat, er
apartment, at most. And, we will be working near each other.�

�I know, I�m being silly, it�s just, you know, you�ve been here with me for
what seems like forever. We�ve been through so much together. I don�t know what
I am going to do when I can�t just call you from across the room. I�m going to
miss the, what do I call it, normal, I guess.�

�I know,� Hermione breathed softly, �I will, too. But, it�s not like we can�t
apparate as fast as we can call each other,� she giggled. �And, once you get
back from your honeymoon, we�ll see just as much of each other.�

�You�re right, HG. I just hate change you know,� Snoop laughed.

�Well, if things didn�t continue to change, you would have nothing to write
about,� Hermione laughed as they hugged.

Both women finished their packing and gathered their things to floo to their
respective family celebrations.

�I�ll see you at my parents� house around seven, right?� Hermione asked as she
prepared to step into the flames.

�Yep. My parents and brother just want a little time
with me before we head over there. Phil is so excited. He keeps going on and on
about getting to use his international wizardport for
the first time.�

�Okay, see you then. Have fun.�

With that, Hermione tossed in the floo powder, followed by a pre-stamped page
from her own, well used wizardport and shouted out,
�International, London,
Granger Home.�

With a smile and a wave she was off.

The party had been a smashing success. People she had only corresponded with by
post or owl for the past four years had shown up to congratulate her. And, she
had gotten to spend some extra time with her two godchildren, Teddy, son of
Tonks and Remus, but officially adopted and raised by
Harry and Ginny, along with their own two children. And,
Luna�s daughter, her own partial namesake, Jane. It never ceased to
amaze her how big her family had grown in such a short time.

After all the food was eaten, presents were opened and appreciated, and the
older group of muggles and wizards had left for home, she disappeared to her
old room and sat for a while. She heard the voices of those she loved a floor
below and sent one last thanks up to the powers that be for allowing them all
to make it to this day.

She then stood, looked into the mirror above her dresser and told herself, �Okay, Hermione, here we go. Onto
the future. Time to grow up for real this time.
No more studying, no more hiding. Time to live!�

With that she returned to her friends and the party. It was well past 4 am when
she fell out of her new fireplace in her first New York City new apartment and stumbled over
to her bed to pass out.

��

The following week passed quickly as she set up her new place and prepared for
her friends� wedding. Before she knew it, Friday night had arrived and with it,
the bachelorette party. She and Ginny had planned the night with great care.
Ginny, being married young, a mother and commuting to school, hadn�t had the
luxury of a real college life. Georgina and
Ron had gotten together so quickly and easily that they hadn�t ventured out too
often. With him working at the Ministry in England
and her in school in the US,
they had spent as much of their precious time together time away from others.
And, Hermione, ever the studious one, hadn�t really thought too much about the
partying aspect of being at a large university. She had been more than content
to spend her evenings and other free time reading, watching TV, or spending
time with her friends. It had been a very rare thing for them to venture out to
a bar or club. With that in mind, Ginny had suggested going out dancing and
Hermione had agreed. A night clubbing with friends would be a perfect way to
celebrate their new lives.

They picked out the top three clubs in the area and were going to spend a
couple of hours in each. The plan was to see how many guys they could each get
to dance with them. There were about twenty girls going and they planned to hit
on every male they could reach. Ginny just kept reminding them with a laugh
that Harry didn�t need to know about it. They had gotten together a few weeks
before and made little cards for the night that could be signed by each of the
men they danced with. Then, at the end of the night, the planned to compare
notes and the loser would have to pay for breakfast for everyone.

Not too wild or crazy by most people�s standards, but fun for them. When the
doorbell on her apartment rang, she called out, �Coming!� as she finished
putting on the last of her lipstick.

She flung the door open to see Ginny and Snoop, along with a few other women,
laughingly fall through.

�You ready?� Ginny asked.

�I guess so, what do you think?� Hermione did a quick turn to show off her new
outfit and was rewarded with loud whistles and clapping.

�HG! Are you wearing a miniskirt! My, goodness, you do
have legs!�

Hermione laughed with them and did a small dance, �Yes, ma�am I do. No sweats
tonight. And, I just got this top today at this little muggle secondhand shop.
I can�t believe someone didn�t want it.�

Their friend Beth, a muggle that Hermione and Snoop had worked with at Barnes
and Noble, said, �Well, they knew it would look better on you. I mean, wow
girl, �the girls� look huge in that thing.�

Blushing, Hermione looked down at her very exposed cleavage and asked a bit
nervously, �It�s not too much is it?�

�Oh come on, I wish I had �em to show off,� Beth
laughed. �I mean, all you witches and not one of you
can enhance a friend a little.�

Hermione handed out glasses of champagne as her friends laughed and talked
around her. She heard Ginny remind them all of the rules one last time.

�Okay, so only 3 rules ladies. One, no getting so drunk you spew! Two, no cheating and counting the same guy at a different bar
twice. And, three,� she directed at Hermione
specifically, �no acting shy. No one says no to a dance. Be they muggle
or wizard, no matter how stupid or trollish, unless they
are so drunk they may puke on you, you say yes. Agreed?�

All of them agreed and raised their glasses as Hermione nodded and said, �To
Georgina. May this night be a night you always
remember fondly and may we all have the best time ever!�

Just before their glasses all clinked together she heard Beth laugh, �And, may
Mione finally get some!�

CHAPTER 2

One muggle and one wizard club later, they were all more than a
little bit tipsy as they waited in line to get into the last bar. They all had
rather long lists of men, and not one could remember most of the names. They
had been a sensation in both clubs, as it wasn�t often that twenty pretty girls
descended on a place and tried to work their way through the entire male
population.

�And, did you see that old guy she had to dance with?� Beth laughed with the
group as one of the girls groaned in memory.

�Yeah, but at least he wasn�t a groper like the guy you danced with at the
first club.�

Ginny and Hermione fell into each other laughing as they entered the last club.
Club Wizzaro was one of the hottest spots in Manhattan. From the
outside it looked like an abandoned warehouse to most muggles. But, wizards,
and those muggles with The Sight could see a very happening New York City club. The d�cor was 1980�s
American and the music ranged from the 50s to current top 40 hits. The mix of
muggle and magical was shown not only in the people and the music, but also in
the decorations. It was one of the few places where both sides could relax,
have fun, be accepted and enjoy freely being who they were.

Hermione had already had two more drinks and added 15 more names to her list
when she and Snoop headed to the bar to cool down. The crush of bodies made it
hard to be heard, but they continued their conversation as best as possible.

�Any good prospects?�

Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed, �Oh please. We aren�t here for me. This
is your night, remember?�

�Yeah, but it wouldn�t hurt for you to keep your eyes open. You never know who
you might meet. Your very next dance could be �the one�.�

�Yeah, right, with my past luck, he�ll be a very drunk muggle with a I-wanna-lay-a-witch thing going
on. No, thank you. I don�t need some slobbering idiot all over me the rest of
the night.� Hermione laughed and tried to get the attention of the bartender.

It took a few minutes, but soon she and Snoop both had new drinks and were
about to head back to the dance floor to join the group. Unfortunately, an
unexpected shift in the crowd and an elbow later, and Hermione found herself wearing
both drinks down the front of her sparkly blue top. She screeched as the ice
slid down her chest.

�Cold! Cold! Cold!� Hermione
chanted as she danced in place and tried to shake the drinks from her shirt.

�Oh my goodness Mione! I am so sorry. Crap, where�s a
wand when you need one! Let me get some napkins.�

But, before Snoop could get even a foot away, they heard a very sexy, low,
accented voice say, �Allow me, ladies.�

With a flick of his wand, the drinks disappeared as if it they had never been.
Snoop thanked the man in front of them and said she would get them new drinks.
She drifted back to the bar and never noticed how still Hermione had gone.

Upon hearing that voice, Hermione�s breath had left her body. She barely
registered the noise of the club, much less her friend
stammering and leaving, as she let her eyes slowly slide up the long, lean body
in front of her. Disbelief showed on her face as her eyes took in the narrow
chin, perfect lips, aristocratic nose, halo of almost white hair, and finally
the startling eyes, such a strange shade of blue, they almost appeared grey.

She saw the telltale smirk just before he leaned in to say in her ear, �Hello,
Granger. Long time, no see, huh?�

As their eyes met once more, his cologne enveloped her senses and she heard
herself say in a voice she didn�t recognize, �Malfoy?�

A smile the likes of which she had never seen on his face appeared. But, it was
the sudden darkening of his eyes that captivated her. Wait! Did I just
shiver over Malfoy! Huh? Well, did I? No, I most certainly did not! Well, I
did, but it was NOT a shiver of desire. Desire! Where the heck did that come
from? Man, his eyes are so smoky looking. Did they always do that? It�s so se�I WAS NOT going to say sexy. I wasn�t. I was
going to say sickening. Yeah, that�s it. Were his lips always so�STOP it Hermione! He�s a jerk and a coward, remember? I mean
he wasn�t a Death Eater or anything, but his family wasn�t loyal to anyone or
anything but themselves. He could have at least tried to�to�to what? Yeah, to what? He was a 17 year old kid. What was he
supposed to do? Fight his whole family and Voldemort? Well, we did. Harry did.
But, we had each other and The Order, who did Draco really have? WAIT! Did I
just call him�no, I most certainly did not! And, why is he looking at my lips?
No, he�s looking lower...at my�No way! Should I stand a little straighter or
would that be too obvious? And, why do I care! I should be slapping his face.
But, it�s so nice looking. He really has grown up nicely�HERMIONE, get a grip!
She didn�t know how long she would have stood there transfixed had Snoop not
reappeared by her side.

�Wow. Thanks again, Cutie. I can�t believe that happened. Can we buy you a
drink?� she smiled up at him.

�No, thank you. It was my pleasure,� he replied casually, as his eyes bounced
back and forth between the two pretty women.

Hermione finally came to her senses and stiffened. �Okay. Well, um, thanks.
Bye!� she said as she grabbed Snoop�s hand and made to take off.

�Mione!� her friend admonished. �Forgive my friend, she doesn�t get out much,�
she laughed.

Those eyes settled on Hermione again and she felt a blush rise on her cheeks.
But, before she could defend herself, a guy interrupted them all to say, �Hey,
aren�t you two part of the bridal party that�s supposed to dance with every guy
here?�

�That�s us,� Snoop said with a wide smile. �And, what�s your name?�

�Bill, muggle lawyer and witch lover,� he bowed dramatically and comically
before them.

Draco stiffened a little as he watched Hermione smile and laugh at the guy that
had taken her eyes off of him. He stood beside her and barely registered the
flirting going on around him. He hadn�t planned to go out that night at all.
But, Blaise, his best friend and flat mate for the past 4 years had convinced
him to go out to celebrate their new futures. Both had graduated from USWU, the
United States Wizarding University,
that morning and needed to blow off steam. Draco would have been happier in a
smaller, more cozy bar, Blaise always wanted to party
big. It was like he had to make up for all the time they had spent keeping to themselves and worrying as teens.

He had only been in the bar about ten minutes and had already lost Blaise to a
small group of laughing, flirting women. Draco had planned to aim for the bar
and wait it out, but his heart had slammed into his throat when he heard that
voice.

It can�t be! Hermio�Granger! Here? What�s she
doing here in the US?
Damn, she looks even better now than she did four years ago. And, those legs�wow.
I should leave before she notices me and hexes the crap out of me. No, you
stopped running remember? Coming here was your new start. A
chance to finally be your own person. Maybe she�ll see the real me now,
and not the scared, little hurtful boy that I was. Yeah, right. And, Potter
will be Best Man at my wedding someday. Okay, seriously she needs to stop
hopping up and down like that. Those things are going to bounce out of her
shirt. Not that that would be a bad thing. Heh heh heh Okay, Draco, stop it. Get out of here before she sees you. Okay, must
stop staring and find Blaise. Time to go.

But, instead of listening to his brain he turned just enough to face a
giggling, dripping wet Hermione Granger. The one and only
woman to ever set his blood to boil. In anger, envy
and in lust. The first he was sure she was well aware of, as he�d taken
most of his childhood anger, aggression and pain out on her and her friends.
But, the other two, he was positive she would have laughed herself silly over,
if she had known. Why would she believe the hateful boy he had been would ever
have wanted anything she had, much less everything she was? Despite his better
intentions he had stepped forward.

He brain snapped back into focus as he heard, �..getting
married tomorrow night.�

�Well, then allow me one dance with the bride-to-be,� the guy said and took
Snoop�s hand.

Draco prayed Hermione had not seen the momentary panic on his face when he had
thought it was her, nor the immediate relief when the guy took Snoop�s hand. He
glanced down into her eyes and saw them staring back at him in shock. She had.

He blurted out the first things that came to mind. �Snoop,
what a strange name.� �Seriously, that�s the best you could come up
with? Smooth, man!�

Hermione saw him actually wince and her eyes widened further as she realized
that she wasn�t the only uncomfortable one.

�Um, well, that�s not really her name,� she smiled a little. But, then she
straightened and challenged, �What are you doing here, Malfoy?�

Before he could answer, they were once again interrupted. This
time by Beth.

�Mione!� she yelled over the crowd. �We were waiting for you to�Oh my. Hello,
there. Aren�t you a tall, sexy beast!� Then she seemed
to realize he was standing with her friend and grinned at Hermione. �Well,
young lady, when I tell you to go find yourself a winner, boy, do you ever! Are
you a model hot stuff?�

Draco laughed self-deprecatingly at himself and with the blonde with the
dancer�s body in front of him, �Uh, no, but thanks.�

She whipped around and faced her friend, �Mione, now no forgetting the rules,
did he ask you to dance?� Then before Hermione could answer, she turned to
Draco, �Did you? �Cause she�s not allowed to say no to any man tonight.�

Hermione realized how that must have sounded and squeaked, �Beth!�

Beth laughed, �Oh jeez, calm down! I meant no to dancing!
Of course, maybe you can persuade her to do other things later, model boy.�

Hermione prayed the floor would open up and swallow her then and there. Beth
was still chattering on about them dancing together, and filling Draco in on
what their night entailed. There was no graceful way out of the situation and
Hermione couldn�t bring herself, even after all this time, to be outright rude
to him for no reason. She tried to think of ways to get away from the two of
them.

�Beth, maybe he doesn�t want to dan��

But, she got the biggest shock of the night so far when he took her hand and
said, �The Granger I know would never break the rules. Shall we?�

Hermione let herself be dragged onto the dance floor and with a moment of
hesitation pulled into Draco�s arms. Billy Joel�s �Uptown Girls� blared around
them and she let herself enjoy it a moment before her brain intruded.

�How on earth did this happen?� she wondered unknowingly out loud.

Draco smiled down at her and laughed, �So, you are speaking to me?�

He watched those intelligent brown eyes focus on his face and felt his gut
twist. The music changed to a slower song from the early 90�s and neither
seemed to think about it as they stepped closer to one another and continued to
dance.

�I�m sorry, but you never answered my question, Malfoy. What are you doing
here?� But, before he could answer, her other questions bubbled out, �And, why
are you being so nice to me? What do you want? Where have you been all this
time? Why do you look so damn yummy?� Then realizing what she had said she
closed her eyes and let her head fall forward in embarrassment, �And, why am I
such an idiot?�

Draco barked a laugh at her barrage of questions and then smiled devilishly at
her discomfort. �Well, Hermione, let�s see. Celebrating my
college graduation. Because you�re letting me. Nothing�yet. At USWU studying forensics.
�Cause my parents were pretty people. And,� he paused to out his hand under her
chin to lift her eyes to his, �unless you�ve had a lobotomy in the last four
years, you could never be an idiot.�

He had felt her shiver slightly and almost groaned. Is she cold? Or, was it
because I touched her face? Or said her name? Let�s try the name again. �So, Hermione, my turn. What are you doing here in the US?
Who are these women you�re with? What have you been doing for the past four
years? And, uh, why haven�t you hexed me to oblivion for touching you?�

�What do you mean, yet?� was all she could think to say.

�Huh?�

She stopped dancing and looked up at him, �You said you didn�t want anything,
yet. What did you mean yet?�

I�ve never met a woman like you and now that I have found you again, I won�t
let you go. So, what I want is forever. No, Draco, not a good idea. Okay, how
about, a few dates and let�s see how the wedding plans go from there? Wanna try again �Oh so smooth one? You.
Better!� �I was kidding,� was what actually came out.

�Oh,� she answered and began swaying again to the music. Am I seriously
dancing with Draco Malfoy? Dancing with Draco Malfoy in a
club in the US.
And, he�s being nice to me! Why exactly am I dancing with him? Why haven�t I
hexed him? Even if he does smell delicious and look amazing.
And, man his arms are unbelievable! I guess he still plays Quidditch. I never
thought he would be this warm, I mean he always looked so cold. Oh my goodness,
those lips. Could they be more perfect for kissing? Whoa, girl! What the heck
are you thinking! Stop that! This is Draco Malfoy. The Draco Malfoy! The bane of your existence. Then, why am I still dancing
with him? Because it feels too good to stop and you know it, sister.

Draco smiled as he watched the many emotions flit across her expressive face.
That had always been the problem with Gryffindors,
they wore their hearts on their sleeves for all to see. And, Hermione had
always been the worst liar of them all. The only person who had every believed
any of her farfetched cover up stories was that lump Neville Longbottom. But,
of course he had been so in awe of her that he would have believed her if she
had said Hogwarts was located on the moon. Draco laughed to himself in memory.

�So, you didn�t answer my questions, Hermione,� he interrupted her thoughts. He
was beginning to like that small twist in his stomach each time her eyes
touched him.

�I�m sorry. What?� she asked.

�What are you doing here in the US?
I mean, I get the bridal party thing, but why are you over here?�

Hermione decided to go with the flow for a while and enjoy the feeling of being
held so close. �Well, actually I just graduated from AMU,� she laughed.

�Still rivals then,� he smirked down at her.

�There it is. You are really Draco Malfoy!� she said. Then with a slight blush
continued, �I mean, I thought that smirk was gone for good.�

When he laughed and gave her a quick wink, she tried to control her breathing
and kept up with her explanation, �My friend and roommate, Snoop, who�s real name is Georgina,
is getting married tomorrow to��

�Weasley?� he jumped in.

�How did you know?� she asked in amazement.

�No, coming this way,� he laughed. Then, �Wait, she�s marrying Weasley!�

Before he could get an answer several voices erupted around them.

�Mione, there you are!�

�Still dancing with the hunk?�

�Did you feel him up?�

�Check out that butt!�

�When do I get my turn?�

�Draco Malfoy! What fresh hell is this!�

The last was said loudly enough to be heard over the din and he cringed at the
sound of disgust in Ginny�s voice. All nineteen pairs of eyes turned on him, as
the only ones he cared about slid away from his.

Snoop stopped laughing and looked worriedly at Hermione, �Mione? Where do I
know that name? Malfoy�Malfoy..Wait!
Tell me that�s not��

With a sigh, Hermione stepped back and answered, �Ladies, Draco Malfoy. Drac, uh, Mal
um, uh, my friends.�

Beth finally found her tongue, �That asshole kid from your high school!�

�The same,� sniffed Ginny. �And, what did he do to you to make you dance with
him, Hermione?�

As wands slowly starting to appear around him, Draco stepped back a little more
from Hermione, �Uh, maybe I should, um��

Before he could finish his sentence, Blaise bounded out of the crowd, �Draco,
my man, you found the party! These beautiful ladies need us to dance with each
and every�Ginny Weasley! Hermione! What the hell?�

�How about we take this somewhere else?� Draco sighed heavily.

Hermione was shaky, confused and getting more embarrassed by the moment. People
were starting to stare and she just wanted to disappear. Without thinking
Hermione blurted out, �How about we go to my place, it�s closest.�

CHAPTER 3

Each of the girls nodded and started to apparate away. The men watched
Beth step closer to Hermione and the two of them disappear. Draco looked from
them to Blaise and with a quick nod from the other man, grabbed the girl
closest to each of them before they could pop away. A pull and squeeze later
Draco stood with his arms wrapped around a cute girl with green eyes in the
middle of a living/dining room.

The women in his arms pulled away quickly as if she had been burned and Draco
heard Ginny from across the room, �You two weren�t supposed to follow us!�

He turned to see several of the girls had formed a semi circle around Hermione
and most of them had their wands drawn, pointed at either Blaise or him.

Blaise, ever the ladies� man laughed nervously, �Okay, girls, let�s just relax
here. A minute ago Julie, Tala and I were dancing.
Nothing bad happened, right? Just having some fun and a few drinks, right? So, how about you all put the wands down and let�s talk and drink
some more.�

His smile and wink started doing the trick as a few of the girls, giggled and
lowered their wands.

�I mean I never got to dance with half of you,� he continued. Then, as more
wands lowered, he let out a held breath, leaned back against a bookshelf and
glanced around, �Nice place, Hermione.�

�Shut up, Zabini,� Ginny sneered, her wand moving between the two men. �What
are you two up to?�

Draco shouted, �Dammit, Weasley, nothing!� Just as
Blaise laughed, �About 6 feet four inches.�

The women nearest him giggled, but Ginny, Beth, and Snoop, didn�t crack a
smile.

�Okay, Gin, Snoop, wands away now!� Hermione yelled. �And, what the hell were
you going to do with that, Beth, cook the two of them to death?� She snatched
the spatula out of her friend�s hand and stepped between the men and women.
�Okay first, everyone calm down. And, sit down.�

As people started to drop onto sofas and chairs around her, Hermione closed her
eyes and took a deep breath. �I need a drink. Anyone else?�

A quick glance around showed all the girls with their hands in the air and
Blaise waving a finger at her as he winked and smiled. The only one not sitting
was Malfoy. He stood resolutely by the fireplace, his hands moving restlessly,
indecision on whether to stay or go clear on his face, as his eyes darted to
the floo powder on her mantle.

�Don�t even think it!� Ginny hissed from across the room.

�Okay, stop! Ginny, Blaise, Malfoy, let�s go into the other room and deal with
this. The rest of you get Snoop another drink. I don�t think this is the way
the night was supposed to end. I�m so sorry,� she whispered in her friend�s ear
as she hugged her.

�No worries, HG. Just hurry up, okay?� Snoop smiled at her. �And, I know I am
drunk, but I�m just saying, for a malicious, self-centered, prejudice asshole,
he sure looks like walking sex on a stick!�

Hermione rolled her eyes and pretended to gag as she followed the others into
her kitchen. Before she got out of ear shot though, she heard them all launch
into a discussion of which one had the cuter butt.

When she stepped into the room, both Ginny and Draco had their wands out, while
Blaise lounged in one of her kitchen chairs a smirk on his handsome dark face.

Catching his eye, she smiled softly and saw his dimples flash at her, �Just
like the good old days, huh?�

Neither Ginny nor Draco turned at the sound of her voice, but Draco�s voice
dripped with sarcasm as she said, �Yeah, Granger. Just like �em. Why don�t you call Potter-Dee and Weasel-Dum. Then we can have a real reunion.�

�Nice, Malfoy,� Hermione sighed and added with a small laugh. �Way to endear
yourself to the girl with the wand. Um, Mrs. Potter, please lower your wand.
Gin, please?�

�Only if he does!� Ginny said petulantly. �Ignorant
jerk insults my husband and my brother and expects me to...�

�Okay, enough! Both of you. This is my apartment.
Wands down!� The authority in her voice did the trick. Both arms snapped down
to their sides, and even Blaise sat up a little. Wow! I hope that works on
the students in my class next week.

�Ginny, they were just out for a night of fun. Like us. They were celebrating
their graduation, too.�

�Yeah right! They didn�t go to school with you. And, I know they didn�t go
anywhere in Europe. The Order and The Ministry
would have been all over them!�

�Which,� Blaise put in smoothly, �is precisely why we came
over here to continue our studies. We went to USWU. And, I promise you,
we had no idea you or Hermione were here, so close. We sure as hell didn�t know
you were with that group out there.�

�Okay, then why were you dancing with the ferr��

�Ginny! Look, we need to pick our party out there back up. Trish owes all of us
a big breakfast. And, we still haven�t done the gifts. Why don�t you go out and
get everyone ready to go?�

�And leave you here alone with them!�

Hermione looked between the two men. Blaise still looked rather relaxed, if a
bit annoyed, as he glanced around her kitchen, taking in her many muggle items.
But, it was Draco�s defeated posture, and downcast eyes that made her sigh, �I
think I�ll be okay. You guys are just outside the door, Gin. Just give me a
minute to get rid of them, okay?�

�Okay, but I will be RIGHT OUTSIDE THAT DOOR. Any funny business and I�m coming
back in to hex you two to within an inch of your lives!�

All three watched her back slowly out of the door, and Hermione saw a sea of
curious faces trying to look back into the room. �I�ll be right out guys,� she
smiled and waved.

Before she turned back to her unexpected guests, she heard a shuffling at the
door and knew they were all queued up to listen. With a heavy snort, she
wrenched the door open and stepped back from the flailing arms and legs, as the
women tumbled into the room and hit the floor.

�Honestly!� she admonished as they untangled themselves and hurried back out
each apologizing to her.

�Sorry, Mi.�

�Yeah, sorry Mione.�

�Just checking on you, sheesh!�

�Would you be mad if I gave Blaise my number?�

Hermione hung her head in her hands and tried not to laugh as she heard the
conversation continue behind the door.

�Are you stark raving mad!� � Ginny

�Well, he is hot, Gin.� � Tala

�And, Mione wouldn�t be in there alone if they were really bad guys.� � Trish

�You guys don�t know them!� � Ginny

�But, I would love to get to know that tall, blonde one better.� � Holly

�Ewww!� � Ginny

Finally remembering that she was a witch, Hermione
placed a silencing charm on the room and raised her head to look at the men in
front of her.

Draco spoke softly from his corner of the kitchen, �So, uh, why haven�t you
hexed us to oblivion already, Granger?�

�Come on, D. If she was going to, she wouldn�t have stopped Ginny.� Then, those
eyes that had made girls from all of the houses melt to nothing and agree to
anything turned to her, �By the way, hello and looking good, Hermione.�

She felt a blush creep up her cheeks and allowed the small smile on her lips,
�Yeah, thanks. You, too, Zabini.�

Blaise was one of the few people who everyone had liked. He stayed middle of
the road in almost everything he did. And, he had never engaged in the house
infighting, as it would have seriously cramped his dating life. Blaise had a
knack for getting what he wanted, never getting attached and still leaving a
girl happy as a clam. Hermione couldn�t think of one girl who hadn�t fallen
under his spell, gotten her dream, and then badmouthed him afterward. He was a
marvel.

She glanced at him as he got up and moved to stand in front of her. Okay,
now what is that cologne he�s wearing? Wow. Strippers Are Us? Do Me Daily? Ode de Trying too Hard? I
mean, dude, dial it back a bit. Try something more
manly and subtle like Draco is weari�NO! Bad
Hermione! Stop those thoughts right now! And, it is MALFOY, not Draco. Got it!
Good. Now, where were we? Oh yeah, Blaise looking down my shirt, �Aw come
now, after all this time, you still can�t call me by my name? Come on, just
once, say it.�

She barely contained her own smirk as she said, �Fine. Blaise, my eyes are up
here.�

He lifted his gaze to hers and winked unapologetically, �Sorry,
can�t help myself.�

She laughed with him, but then stepped to the right and addressed them both.
�Look, first, congratulations on your graduation. I hope you both did well.
And, I know you guys didn�t plan this or mean any harm, so I won�t hold it
against you. But, as you can see, you did interrupt a bachelorette party, so I
am going to have to ask you to both leave. It was, um, interesting to see you
again though.�

�So, we can�t stay? Twenty gorgeous women and just the two of
us? Sounds like a great night to me,� Blaise tried as he waggled his
eyebrows.

�Yeah right,� she couldn�t help but giggle. Hermione had never allowed herself
to succumb to him, but that didn�t mean she hadn�t been tempted. The man was
hot! �Sorry, but no go. Now, quickly, go and say your
goodbyes, so we ladies can continue our evening.�

Draco stood and started for the door without a word. Blaise shrugged and turned
to follow and Hermione was left standing there to wonder what she was feeling
and thinking.

Well, Draco could have at least tried to get me to let them stay. Wait! He
barely said a word the whole time. What�s going on in his head? Why do I care?
I don�t, remember? That�s right, I don�t! Draco can fry in�MALFOY! Stop calling
him Draco. It�s like you don�t hate him or something. Or something�man did he
smell and feel good. And, he can dance. I wonder what those lips would feel
like against�WOAH! Get a grip, Hermione! Blaise! That�s right, think of Blaise.
Sexy. Check. Not too full of himself. Check. Funny. Check. Ladies� Man. Check and double check. Not a
bad idea for a date now that things have calmed down from school and all. Hmmm. Maybe I should give him a chance now. He seems like a
lot of fun. But, Ginny might kill me. But, it�s not like anyone else is banging
my door down. And, he seems interested, right? Right.
Ooh those sexy blue grey eyes�WHAT! No. Brown.
Blaise�s eyes are brown. But, you just know Draco would know how to do things
right as your first sha�Holy Hannah! Where did that
come from! Stop! Get out of the kitchen and your own head before you explode!

Fleeing her own mind, Hermione stumbled through the door. She practically fell
on her face, but felt two strong arms grab her to help her right herself. She
glanced down at the pale hands and then quickly up to his eyes. Jeez, they
are beautiful.

�Th�tha�thank you,� she
stuttered.

It was a long moment though before he pulled his hands away from her waist and
finally nodded with a tiny smile.

She felt that darn blush creeping up again and stepped away from him to look at
the rest of the occupants of the room.

�Are you sure you want to marry Weasley tomorrow? Today?
I mean, that takes you completely off the market.�

Snoop nodded, but continued to giggle with the rest of them as he made his way
through the group. It seemed Hermione had missed the introductions, but she got
the gist as several women pressed slips of paper into his hands and pockets. Okay,
ladies, get a grip. There�s only one of him. Margie, you are married!

She caught Ginny�s eye as the younger woman sat with her legs crossed, tapping
her foot impatiently on the side of the sofa. It was time to end it before the
red-head exploded.

�Okay, that�s enough. Time to say good bye to the boys and get on with our
evening Ladies,� she called over the din.

Fifteen minutes, a lot of girlish laughter, a huge amount of flirting with both
men, a couple of �Come on B�s� from Draco, and more than a few �for Merlin�s
sakes!� from Ginny, and they flooed away.

Hermione still stood by the kitchen door she had never left and Ginny still sat
on the sofa in a huff, as silence finally reigned. Hermione flicked her wand at
the fireplace to place a blocking charm on it and let out a pent up breath.

The quiet was finally broken when, Margie, a muggle teacher, said with a
giggle, �I can�t believe I gave my number to a wizard! Frank is going to kill
me if that man calls my house!�

Even Ginny had to laugh.

Hermione took the opportunity to pull the group back together and get them
headed to breakfast. �No worries, Margie, he has some scruples. Not many, but
some. Anyone else hungry?�

With that they left the apartment and went to the diner on the corner to
discuss their very eventful evening.
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Love and Forgiveness