“Draco!” Hermione
screamed, as a group of deatheaters dressed in black poured in. She saw them start firing the unforgivables
at her, and watched as Draco took them down, one at a time.  

Well I
tried

but I had to draw the line

and still this question keeps on spinning in my mind

Hermione relayed the story in
front of the most influential of the wizarding world. Harry Potter, Ginny and Ron Weasley, Katie
Bell, Oliver Wood, to name a few. They
all were leaning in their seats, staring at her in rapt attention. No one had heard this story before, not even
Harry and Ron. All this time Hermione had kept it to herself, all the while
wondering what would have happened if she had been just a little faster at
grabbing for him.

What if I had never let you go

Would you be the man I used to know

If I'd stayed

If you'd tried

If we could onlyn ban back time

But I guess we'll never know

“But that still does not account
for the charges against him.” Katie
Bell’s voice rang out. “Even if he had
been good that day, how can you stand before us and say that the charges should
be dropped? Hermione, you before anyone
should remember that Draco Malfoy was behind one of the muggle attacks that
killed your parents. Surely you haven’t
forgotten?”

Hermione closed her eyes for a
single moment, traveling back to a truly dark past.

It was mid-November.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron had just graduated Hogwarts the previous June
and were undergoing rigorous, emergency Auror training. Hermione could still remember the smell or the
crisp November leaves in the air, the smell of everything getting ready for the
cold that was sure to come any day. But
instead of snow, a grey owl came, bearing the seal of the Minister, and a very
impersonal letter stating the Grangers had been murdered in cold blood, and the
murderer was still at large.

In the present, twenty two year
old Hermione drew a breath and composed herself. “My interests in this case are not to be
effected by personal experiences, Katie.
Sacrifices are made in war, I believe
we all learned something about that.”
Hermione said this with a strong voice, trying to deny any personal
interests in Draco Malfoy, and it took every ounce of what little Slytherin she
had in her to convince the council that this was not a personal case. But of
course it was. Hermione Granger was a
personal woman, but no one knew of the relationship she and Draco had had at
school, and if she was going to save his soul, she needed to keep it that way.

“Draco Malfoy.” Hermione began. “Was a tool in the Dark Lord Voldemorts
plans. Raised by birth to believe only
in what his father had taught him. As
you all know, dark spells and enchantments surrounded the Malfoy Manor, who’s
to say that spells and enchantments did now alter this mans life as well? I remember nearly twenty five years ago when
the Ministry’s justice system was corrupt, and have proven myself time and time
again to have only the future of the wizarding world in my best interests.” Hermione stopped and looked around the
room. Several heads where shaking in
agreement, but others looked like they needed convincing. Hermione then turned on all the knowledge she
had been legend to process.

“There are roads in life.” She stated simply. “Some of us,”
She looked over at Draco, who was returning her gaze, his silver eyes
twinkling, as if he knew what she was going to say. “Some of us, our roads are paved in gold, but
they are also paved in gold just so that we may only follow it. Others have roads that we need to make
ourselves that is what many of us had to do.
Many of you are graduates of Hogwarts, you remember what going to school
there was like.n stn style='mso-spacerun:yes'> You had to make a name
for yourself, show you deserved to be taught in one of the finest schools in
the world, and you all did admiral jobs.
You had hard times, but you had good times as well, but what if you were
doomed to follow a road that lead only to heart-ache and pain? Not too many of
us can relate to that, because we had the good life, but not this man.”

Many roads to take

some to joy

some to heart-ache

anyone can lose their way

and if I said that we could turn it back

Right back to the start

would you take the chance and make the change?

“One day I might have to take a road you don’t agree with,
Hermione.” Draco said, his head resting
on his hand.

Hermione looked back at him, they were both lying in front
of their common room fireplace and talking.

This, aside from Dobby the house
elf giving up clothes, was probably the most unexpected and completely bizarre
thing that could have occurred.

More whispering and muttering was
taking place in the high stands, as the officials debated on how to handle the
Malfoy situation. Hermione could see
Harry and Ron, both with very distorted looks on their faces, as if fighting
with an inner demon. Finally-

“The high ministry hereby assigns
Miss Hermione Granger full probation over Master Draco Malfoy. Hermione, you will show us that Draco Malfoy
can become a changed man, we release him
into your capable custody. Case dismissed.

If only we could turn the hands of time

if I could take you back would you still be mine

Hermione grinned to herself. She knew she would win, no one ever argued
with her when she was dedicated to something, well, except Malfoy. But that was why she liked him so much, he
made her think.

Hermione came down the stands and
shuddered as a disappointed dementor glided away from her, she could swear that
the being now had a vengeance against her, for she had robbed him of a meal.

The ministry guards came over to
Hermione, Draco closely following. One
guard, who’s name was Andy, gave Hermione a long stick, Draco’s wand.

“You may return this to him, when
you deem him ready, Miss Granger.” Andy
said with respect evident in his voice.
He handed over the wand.

As Hermione watched their
retreating backs, Draco walked up to her.

“I never knew you had it in you,
Granger.” He said with a good natured
smirk. Hermione waved her wands and
removed Draco’s binds around his wrists.

“Yes you did.” Hermione said. “But you will never admit that I will always
be one up on you.” She smiled, wishing she could kiss him right there, right in
the open.

“You might be right.” Draco said.
“But I tell no lies. Now, where
is this rehabilitation center you were so avidly talking about?”

Hermione gave him a sly grin. “It is a very secluded place in the heart of
the Caribbean, where there is only sun, water, and a very nice house
built for two people.”

“I missed you, Hermione.” Draco said suddenly. “I hope you can forgive me for all I have put
you through.” He looked at her with
those cool, gray eyes.

“I forgave you the moment I met
you, Draco.” She replied, tears
threatening her eyes. “You gave me life,
now I’m going to show you how to live.”

What if I had never let you go

Would you be the man I used to know

What if I had never walked away

'Cos I still love you more than I can say

If I'd stayed

If you'd tried

If we could only turn back time

But I guess we'll never know

We'll never know

Take
a risk, Dare to Move, Love is a leap of Faith