Hermione could do nothing but cry as he fell in her arms, unconscious. Her wrecked mind could not think of what to do as she slid to the ground, his head in her lap. She looked around frantically, wondering who to call. It was then she snatched his wand from his hand and illuminated its tip, thankful the light was enough for her to work with. With her own hand, she wiped the tears off of her face and pointed the wands at the body that lay in her lap. With every wound she healed a surge of pain erupted in her, she could not bear watching him in such agony. But she beard it, for she knew that dawn was a long time coming, and until then, it was just her and his limp body and the darkness.

•••

Draco felt himself stir to nothingness. He couldn't feel, see or hear anything.

He twitched, eyes moving frantically under his lids, unable to open them. When all attempts seem to be for naught, did not try any longer and instead chose to remember what happened, and where he might be. His mind brought back flashes of multi colored lights, curses ringing in his ear, all related to one newspaper article. At the same moment he was reminded of a girl's scream in the forest, his mind also recalled the tragedy that was the death of his father.

At the very moment his eyes burst open. His eyes, still blurry and dry, He blinked but could not see in the dim lights. He could not move, his senses unawaken by the dreariness that consumed him. Only his mind was racing, nerves fully awake. He closed his eyes once more, taking in a deep breath, calming himself. He rolled his head to the side to see where he might possibly be and opened his eyes once more. It took some seconds of vigorous blinking for his vision to clear. It was all a blur at first, of colors, of shapes and lights. It took him a while to register what was before him. His vision cleared to an image of an all too familiar figure lying opposite to him on a separate bed, eyes closed, hair covering half of her face. Hermione. He saw her hand trailing down the edge of her bed, and saw with astonishment that it was curled tightly with his.

His chest tightened with the sight before him, wondering why she had brought him where ever they were.

He remembered seeing her, remembered her tear stricken face running towards him, he remembered the words she had whispered to him before he fell to her lap, and it hurt him even more to know she had not let go of him, even at his lowest, not even for the sake of her own self. He could only imagine how ill and tired she was, and hence did not try to wake her. He looked away from her features, constricted under the curtain of locks into one of worry and distress, eyebrows knit together and forehead wrinkled.

His chest tightened even more, as he faced the arching ceiling, as he thought more about the newspaper. His vision blurred once more as he thought about it, but this time they had blurred over with tears, thinking of all the pain he would have to go through. How much hermione, his mother would have to go through because of him. He found it harder to breathe and had the sudden urge to sit up, his hands and legs twitching, itching to move.

As he tried to move his hand, he felt a sharp pang of pain run up the length of his arm. He sucked in a deep breath and an involuntary cry of pain escaped his lips.

•••

Hermione was woken from her dreamless sleep by a cry of pain. Immediately alert and senses running wild, she abruptly sat up. Her vision lead her to Draco, lying in a mess of sheets across her, her hand gripping his tightly. His eyes were screwed shut, as if from pain and the sight immediately made her stomach churn.

"You're awake," she said urgently. She crossed the distance between them and sat by his side, still gripping his hand.

He rolled his head to her, squinting. "Does it hurt?" she asked him earnestly.

"A-ar-rm." He mumbled under his breath.

Alarmed, she dropped his bandaged hand and walked over to a shelf at the side, one filled with multi colored bottles. She picked one and went to his side once more, holding it to his mouth.

"I need you to drink this, please." She said as she came and supported his neck a bit higher, urging him to drink.

Draco gulped down the fowl tasting potion. Soon, he felt the pain diminishing and was replaced with only a numb pulsing in his arm.

"Th-thank yo-ou." He stuttered.

Hermione sat back down in beside him and took a good look on his disheveled figure. Face still blood stricken and eyes bloodshot, his entire torso was covered with bandages due to all the curses that had rebounded and struck him. his hair was a mess, and both his arms were bandaged to the shoulders. She had been waiting for him to wake up for so, so long, and now that he had, she didn't know what to say. She was so thankful to the stars above he had opened his eyes.

Hermione did not want to question him on the happenings of that day, she did not want to recall how her crying figure had carried his unconscious body back to the castle, and how a door grew from one of the hallways and revealed a room that contained all that she had needed. She had been there ever since, caring for the boy beside her. She did not know how long it had been since she'd been there, her estimates around a day or two.

The length of her eyes lined with unshed tears as she saw his bandaged torso release a short, pained breath. It hurt her to see him like this, in such agony.

She curled her hands together and placed them on her forehead, breathing heavily as she prevented the tears from falling.

•••

Draco could only gaze at her from his limited vision, a new kind of pain gripping him as he took in her figure. He never had wanted to see her like this, never intended to be the one to make her this sad.

"I'm sorry." he managed to say. It was a measly attempt really, a sorry would never be enough for the amount of pain she had gone through because of him. He wished he could do better for her, he really did, but he knew that even if he tried (which he had over the past few months) the cruel world would never let him forget what he was, what he will always be. He was a fool to think the world would accept him, that it would forgive him, that it would allow him to be what he wanted to be after those years of darkness. You could never be yourself, he thought, only what you're supposed to be. Would have been easier and hurt less if I hadn't tried, if I hadn't hoped. The world would never accept the him he wanted to be anyway, he would always be regarded as the death eater who ran away.

He only wanted to protect her from the ridicule of the world, the rejection, the hate and the pain.

He wanted her to go back to her auror boyfriend, and live the life of happiness she deserved. She did not deserve him.

He loved her, and he would what he thought best to keep her safe, from the cruelty of the world, from himself. From the scar.

She did not answer him, eyes still closed and her hands covering her face. She sniffed and removed her hands, breathing in deeply before answering him.

"Don't-don't ever do this to me again." She managed to mutter.

Draco wished he could say something, give her reasons, explanations, but he found himself at a loss or words. He knew she had figured it out on her own, there was little to say. He opened his mouth to say something when she interrupted him.

"I don't want explanations. What I want," she said, moving closer to him and holding his hands once more, "is for you to understand that you are safe. You are not alone, you are loved. People need you, and nothing, nobody can make you any less important than you are. No scar, no newspaper." The intensity of the gaze she had looked upon him, the emotion her brown eyes held, they spoke miles to him. He found his heart beating faster and eyes dwelling with tears unshed. He closed his eyes once more as he prepared himself for the reply.

"Her-Hermione. No one, can save me, can save you, from this," he said nodding to his right arm. "The world will always see me as the villain, as the one who sided with the enemy. I can never change that. And I don't want you to be judged for my actions and past," he choked.

A lone tear fell at her cheek as she answered, "You're wrong, Draco. The world is still broken, their wounds are still fresh too. They look for the nearest one to blame after the fight is over. All they need is some time. You need to show them, like you showed me during all these months here that you are more than what your scar shows. You are human, and you are forgivable. I know it will be hard to bear all the pain, but I promise you I will be there with you every step of the way. But please, never do this to me again. Please."

"Hermione," he said moving his other hand to hers as well. He waited a few moments before her answered, closing his eyes as the pain of the truth hit in the chest. "All you'll ever get by being with me is ridicule and hatred and-"

"You think I care, Draco?" she retorted, her voice still soft and quiet, yet with an undeniable firmness. "Do you really think I care? The world is a cruel, most horrible place and it will try to bring you down countless of times. It will make you feel worthless, pathetic, make you hate yourself so much, judge you for the very fiber of your being. But when you have a person beside you, constantly rooting for you, lo-" she halted in her words. She gulped and continued, "When you have someone who has promised to be there for you, good or bad, and ask only in exchange is the regularity of your breaths, the beating of your heart. Shouldn't that be enough?" she stared at him with such emotion, such woe and such power, he found himself at a loss of words.

She breathed deeply and continued, "I will be there for you, Draco. Always. Because I know I will be able to face any problem, any obstacle the world throws at me, as long as you're by my side. Isn't that enough for you?" her voice broke by the end. She sniffed as the tears fell more rapidly, letting go of his hands and covering her face.

Draco took in the words she had just said to him. he then realized, that she did truly love him too. Enough to risk her future for him. she had promised to help him, just for the sake of him being beside her all the way.

And then suddenly, it did not seem so difficult anymore.

Draco took in a sharp breath as he tried to sit up. Regaining most of his senses by now, he sat up with slight difficulty wrapped his arms around her. He had no words, none at all to say to her. All those words she had set, he felt something shift inside him. All that he felt towards this girl, the one who sat beneath his arms sobbing silently, he channeled to the tightness of their embrace.

"It is enough for me. Now, and always. It will always be enough." He glanced down at her arms, one bandaged like his own. He knew what she had just said to him she must have repeated a thousand times to her own self a long, long time ago. He promised her, that it will be them against the world, that she will always be enough for him, and that he will always be best for her.

His father was dead, but his mother was still alive. The world was far from forgiving him, but tiny steps will take him far, and with Hermione by his side, he knew nothing would be able to stop them.

They spent God knows how long sitting in that trance, and it was long before they broke apart. Draco stared at her as she wiped away the tears and pushed back her hair. She stared up at him with such fondness, such adoration that he knew, in his bones, that with what they had between them not any one in the entire world could stop them from achieving what they wanted. He knew right then that she could move mountains for him, and that he would do the same. If she was his, than he will gladly face any obstacle thrown at him. She was all he needed, and it would be enough for him if he was all she needed too.

It every bit of power and courage in his bones to bend down and kiss her.

Alas, during that time a thought broke through his stupor and he moved away from her, by his own side. She looked at him quizzically, but then regained her posture, turning to the side.

The Weasley. She still had her boyfriend.

"Do you really think your boyfriend will approve, Granger?" he asked quietly. He had lost the capability of controlling himself, and the potions she had given him might have had their effect.

Hermione had been unable to think as he slowly bent down and pressed his lips against hers. Her mind came to an abrupt halt, and before she had time to reciprocate he pulled away. Which confused and flushed her even more.

And then he asked her of his boyfriend. What?

Hermione looked flustered, she frowned. "My boyfriend? I don't have a boyfriend. What are you talking about?"

Draco stood astonished for a few minutes, blinking. "The Weasley, was he not your boyfriend?"

Hermione's features relaxed as recognition filled her eyes. "Oh Draco, were not together anymore. I think I never told you, it was that night on the stairs, remember?"

Realization fell as he recalled that night on the stairs, and suddenly everything made sense. All those months, everything fit into place perfectly. He laid back down with a smile, once more closing his eyes with a smile playing on his lips. He held her hand tightly in his, and for the first time in his life, he felt like he hadn't a care in the world.

It was when he fell asleep and woke once more, Hermione urging him to sit up so she could change his bandages that he gave into temptation and did something he had wanted to for months.

He kissed her, again and will do for years to come.

•••

Recovery was quicker this time. Hermione told him that after she had healed him she brought him back to the room of requirement, where they had been for two days then. She had found all the medical needs to take care of him efficiently. She had not told any of the teachers, or even the headmistress, and she was sure she was in for a beating when she would actually meet the headmistress.

He only laughed at her banter, knowing no such think would happen. It was when she was sitting beside him, fingering the bandage on his arm that he did something.

He saw her own arm, bandaged and strategically kept out of sight. He did not know what came over him when he reached across and held it. Hermione was startled that he had brought it up. Draco felt guilt wash over him, and looked Hermione in the eyes and said, "no one has the right to call you . It is not who you are. It is not how the world should see you, it is not how I see you, and it is not how you should see yourself."

Hermione's eyes filled with tears once more that evening, and she bent down and hugged him tight.

•••

Again, the months passed as the two once more set foot onto their long remaining journey to recovery. This time, however, it was easier for both knowing that the person they share the journey with will never, ever leave their side. It made them a bit happier, a bit more okay. Eventually they smiled more, laughed more merrily as their scars healed, with no other help than that of each other and that of their own. They still met ad midnight under the stairs, still talked till the stars went out, and still held hands till he bid her farewell each night on the stairs, kissing her goodnight.

They were two whole new beings as the year came to an end.

Draco, as it turned out, had a very quick wit and interesting sense of humor that had more than once caught Hermione off guard and blushing.

Hermione, as it turned out, had the perfect retort to every one of his jokes and muttered them under her breath and left him laughing his head off.

Both turned out, had hearts bigger than they let on.

It was their last night on Hogwarts grounds that they lay on the open grass under the starry night, talking and enjoying the company. She laid on his arm, holding his hand close to her chest, and he laid with his face above hers, lips pressed to her head.

They talked of nothing and everything, enjoying the peace they had craved so much, and making most of their time left together.

Draco had been quiet that long night, and Hermione understood why. She held his hand more tightly and whispered, "It's okay Draco. The manor will be fine. I'll join you in a couple of days, you know that right? You don't have to be afraid."

Draco squeezed her hand and gazed at her with great affection, grateful for her presence. Grateful for her agreeing to stay at the manor until she finds her parents again, until he's not so afraid anymore. He knew none of them were quite ready to depart each other, he was thankful

"Yeah, I know. I couldn't help but think about it. Thank you."

He kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for doing this for me. Coming to the manor, I mean."

She looked up at him with affection. "You would do the same. But are you sure she'll be able to come to terms with me being there? You know, with me not-"

"She'll be fine," he cut her, not wanting her to finish her sentence. "I have told her, and she-she, I'm sure she will understand, eventually."

"Draco, I can't live there if she doesn't want me there, or doesn't like me. It's her house after all-"

"She will like you, and she doesn't not want you to be there. I just meant, she will get used to us. It would come off as a bit of a shock, you know." He said, staring at the stars above, his thoughts wandering to his mother, and how alone she must be feeling then. But she won't be any longer, they were going home tomorrow.

Hermione, having found her parents down in Australia, will travel there and would join him a week or two later. Everything felt like it was working out, piece by piece, and going back to normal. He only wished it would stay like this for years to come.

They stayed quiet for a long time, just lying there enjoying each other's company. But then, Draco had an idea, and recalled something he had been wanting to do.

"Hermione! Get up, I need to show you something." He said.

Hermione, slightly startled and amused, sat up and looked back at him as he tried to do the same.

He had a large smile playing on his lips, and she smiled too. "What is it?" she asked, her voice playful.

He grinned, not answering. He muttered something under his breath, and waited. A few moments in silence and Hermione heard it. A strong whistle. It took her a few moments to figure out that the noise was coming from an object moving through the wind. It took her another few seconds to guess what it could possibly be, just as it shot past her head, startling her, and into Draco's hands.

His beloved broomstick.

Hermione laughed, and so did he.

Draco mounted his broomstick and held out his hand towards her.

"Come on," he said, his eyes twinkling and lips broken into a toothy smile, one anyone rarely ever got to see.

Hermione was flushed, and she suddenly felt her heart beating fast. She got up and walked to him, not taking his hand though.

"Oh Draco, I would love to but I don't quite enjoy the experience. I rode it a few times, once with harry and I can't say I enjoyed. Though we were flying for our lives then." She said smiling as she recalled the memory. It wasn't a good one, but looking back at the horrendous experience, it made her laugh, for now everything was alright.

Draco laughed. "That was because Potter was riding it, and Merlin's beard he's awful. I, on the other hand, am a whole new story. Come on." He pushed his hand onto hers and before she could object pulled her onto it.

Hermione, now on the broom was not ready when it took off. She had only said, "Draco, I love you but I don't think this is a good ide-AAAAAAAHH," her sentence cut short by a scream.

They shot forward as the night sky filled with Draco's laughter. She held onto him for dear life, not opening her eyes. Draco did not seem to mind her arms around him though.

"Open your eyes granger!" he yelled over the whooshing wind.

Hermione, scared and her mind whirring with all the ways she could possibly die, did not want to open her eyes. But she trusted him, trusted that he won't let her fall, and peeked one eye open. She still held onto him as twisted and turned through the night sky, even going as far as flying upside down (which earned a shriek from Hermione as she called out to him to stop being something he would much rather not say out loud). He went up, and around and spun in circles, then slowed down before racing up again.

Even if Hermione wouldn't admit it later, it did feel good. The wind felt amazing against her face as her hair trailed behind her. They were surrounded by the night, and they had gone so high up that the temperature had dropped a notch. Underneath her was a breath taking view of the Hogwarts gardens (which even looked beautiful upside down). The wide expense of greenery stretching out beneath her with flowing fountains and shrubbery, they flew past the giant Ravenclaw tower, went past every pillar and window and roof. He took them higher than before, going past the astronomy tower. In the distance she would see the forbidden forest stretching out to limits unknown. She could see Hogsmead, all the tiny cozy houses still lit in that time of the night.

It was breath taking, to be able to see so much from that spot. He flew and flew, taking her so many places, showing her the Quidditch ground and whipping past the weeping willow. And the best thing was, Draco was by her side.

Draco could tell she was enjoying herself. For one, her shrieks and protests had ceased, and her hold on his waist had loosened the tiniest bit, and he could no longer feel her head against his back. He knew she was staring at the view around her, how the sky opened to infinite degree around him, how he could go anywhere he wanted. There was no ground holding them, he was free to move as he pleased, it was the epitome of freedom.

It had been a long time, and he could tell she was tired. He veered the broomstick around the towers, going towards the Gryffindor one.

Hermione saw him navigating the broomstick to the Gryffindor tower, and was surprised when he stopped before a window that opened up to her room.

It was after they'd slowed down that Hermione said to him, "Blimey, Draco have you been spying on me? How did you know this was my room?"

They stopped moving and Draco turned slightly to face her. "I didn't know it was your room. I only knew it was in this general area, and I knew you would tell me when we got there. You're welcome." He said in humor.

Hermione threw her head back and laughed. "You know me so well, Draco," she kissed his cheek as he lowered her to her window, enough so she could unlatch it with a wandless spell and step in easily. She went in to see all the girls asleep, and turned to bid Draco farewell.

But instead she said, "You know this seems very Aladdin like to me."

Draco frowned. "This feels like what to you?"

She was amused. "Aladdin, you know how he takes the princess on a magic carpet ride at night and then drops her off her castle?"

Draco stared at her, bewildered and utterly astonished at what she had said .she blushed, realizing it must be a muggle thing. "I swear Granger, I can never make sense of half the things you say. Magic carpet? What fun would that be? And princess? I feel like you spend too much time with the Weasleys, you're loosing brain cells."

Hermione blushed even harder and immediately smacked his arm for making fun of her friends. "Shut up Draco. It's a muggle movie. I'll show it to you someday."

"Movie?" he questioned.

"Oh Merlin, Draco. Goodbye, I'll see you tomorrow." She said, moving to close the windows.

"Hey!" he said before she could close them. "Don't I get a kiss good night? I bet Aladdin got one when he dropped the princess off."

"Actually, no he fell off the terrace and got captured by an evil man and was thrown into the sea."

Draco stared at her in silence. "You're killing me, granger."

She laughed and pulled him in for a kiss through the open window.

She smiled when they broke apart and pushed him away. "Goodnight Draco," she said.

"Night granger, I hope you dream of me." He mused with a cheeky grin and rode off into the night before she could say anything. She laughed at his statement and shook her head.

As she closed her window, she could not help but think how the next day would be her last at this castle. She turned and leaned her back against the window, her hands behind her. She took one last great look at her room, filled with sleeping seventh years. How she would miss this place, ever so dearly.

Hogwarts had given her the best years of her life. Yes, they came with an innumerable amount of grief as a token, but comparing herself from the time she had set foot into the castle all those months ago, she knew it was a price she had to pay with the life she had chosen.

She knew her trials and tribulations were far from over, but so were her joys. She had friends waiting for her across the country, parents across half the world, and one beautiful human being flying outside her window. It was all she needed in life. As Hermione thought about Draco, an involuntary smile spread across her lips. She was completely sure, that they were alright. That they were on the right track, and that their future will be absolutely and completely fine. Nothing could beat the Granger and the Malfoy, and it made her chest swell at the thought that they had promised to stay with each other forever.

Draco, as he flew across the grounds back to the dungeon entrance, thought only of the bushy haired girl. How one night, an exchanged jacket and a pocket full of words had broken the restraints of prejudice and progressed into love, it was far beyond him. But if that was what the stars wanted, he did not mind in the least. He knew life was not perfect, and that they had a long way to go, but it seemed perfect for him. He had never much liked Hogwarts before, but now he loved it, for it was the reason he had met the love he never thought he could find.

And for one, powerful, fleeting moment, they could convince themselves: that maybe, just maybe, the world wasn't such a bad place after all.

•••