I've had nothing but formatting issues when posting this, so i apologize. H.x 

"Granger, you can come out now." Malfoy said, with his nose in the air. He was perpetually obnoxious and Hermione found him so infuriating it was tiresome. 

A quick finite incantatem and Hermione smoothly entered into existence. "Malfoy." She cursed. 

Even after the year he had spent cowering under The Dark Lord's wing, Draco Malfoy had not changed. He still held himself like he knew he was better than everyone else. It was obviously a hereditary trait in the Malfoy family. 

He had the fortune of being good looking, though. As a rule, Malfoy men were well bred and very handsome. It was hazardous to the womb. Although the stress of the recent months had clearly taken it's toll on Draco. His flesh was pale and sickly, clinging to his jaw and cheekbones making him look hollow. Regardless, the boy-turned-man looked enticing, if you ignored the manipulative behavior and prejudiced opinions.

The Room of Requirement had taken the form of some kind of den. The room was filled with camp beds and hammocks that were strewn with blankets and pillows of different colors and patterns. It looked like a mix between a muggle charity shop and overly large version of the Divination classroom. It was only missing the masses of china cups and the sickly-sweet incense. On the walls were 4 banners, each of them displaying the crests of the 4 houses of Hogwarts. Hermione was sure that Draco was the only Slytherin who inhabited the room. On the wall was a large portrait frame that was currently empty, showing only a back drop of a countryside landscape.

"Its really rather brilliant. The last time I saw it, the room was a huge dump for rubbish." Draco was following Hermione's eye line. "We tend to gather here instead of the common rooms. Every time someone walks through the door it opens somewhere different in the castle." 

Nodding, Hermione collapsed onto the nearest camp bed that squeaked underneath her. She very much doubted that she would ever be back at Hogwarts, at least whilst Voldemort was still alive. She had been surprised when Professor Snape had suggested she come with him to the school instead of palming her off onto someone else.

"Whats the matter Granger? Not up to your standards?" Malfoy leaned against a stone pillar.  

"You have no idea what you are talking about Draco." Hermione was tired. Her voice lacked energy and overall flair. The weeks of internal grief had been exhausting for her. The poor girl felt like her problems were only piling up. She needed something positive, to make her feel more balanced. 

"Everybody has their own sob story. It's not just you, Potter and Weasleby who have problems, you know?" Draco teased. 

"Yes, your mother and father told me that you're having a hard time getting people to like you. You do understand that you've spent the last 6 years being an obnoxious arsehole, excuse us if we don't welcome you with a marching band and a medal." Hermione said, her voice flooded with sarcasm. 

Draco looked less than impressed. "It may surprise you Granger, but you don't know everything. I know you think that you're so knowledgeable, but I have secrets that would make even you shut your mouth."

He continued. "I know you were living with Snape, but he has gotten off lightly compared to the rest of us. Favorite of Dumbledore. Favorite of The Dark Lord. The rest of us do the dirty work." Draco sat on a hammock and faced Hermione who had her head buried in her hands and was rubbing at her eyes.

"The only thing worse than being tortured is being forced to torture someone. Even under the imperious curse, the guilt is incomprehensible. Your body just does it. You will it to stop but you can't." Draco stared off into the distance. 

Hermione took the bait. "Am I supposed to feel sorry for you? Is that what you want?" Hook. Line and sinker.  

This angered the Slytherin. He stood up and began walking towards Hermione. She placed her hand on her wand that was concealed in her pocket, instinctively. "You call me self centered and obnoxious, I really think you should look in the mirror, Granger. You have no idea how far uncle Severus has gone to protect you. He is not a kind man, you know as well as I do. But he gave you a home and risked his own neck in doing so. He could have left you there, easily, and wiped his hands of you and your little pack of friends."

"You truly are unable to see past your own problems. It is a wonder people don't treat you like they treat me." Draco spat. 

"You know, my parents still face Azkaban for their war crimes. The deal was, mother and father would work with Shaklebolt and then would serve a reduced sentence in prison. Whereas, Potter and his friends will all be hailed heroes. He will receive a wad of cash and maybe a complimentary mansion. He will never have to work again. Even when years have passed, his name will still be in the headlines."

"Meanwhile my family will be left to rot. Our conversion means nothing to The Ministry. "Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater. In the eyes of the court, at least. My father used to tell me 'the law is hard, but it is the law.' I don't think he has ever been more correct. Severus will probably be in the same peril. This is assuming that we all survive of course. Which is getting increasingly more unlikely as we inch ever closer to the day The Dark Lord discovers where our true loyalties lie."  

Draco sat down again and Hermione studied him. He was pale but his skin was slate gray. His eyes were blood shot and tired and his hair was barely kept. She also noticed that he wore his school uniform without a tie. Neutral colors. Hermione recalled Narcissa's motherly panic when she spoke of her son. She recalled Lucius's faith in Draco and the admiration in his eyes.

Hermione wondered what the sorting hat would say now should they all retake the ceremony. Draco had certainly shown bravery like no other, even if it had been squeezed out of him the way one might ring out a wet rag. Ron would certainly not show Hufflepuff loyalty for his disappearing act in the forest. Harry was the exception. He had grown wiser and more cunning over their time hunting Horcruxes. While his bravery had not suffered, neither had his need to look after his friends. 

Suddenly, Hermione understood Draco's point. He had sacrificed almost as much as she had for the war effort and yet he would receive no special treatment. He would not be hailed a hero and given an Order of Merlin. He would be thrown behind bars or be placed under house arrest. Severus would likely get the same treatment. She could see why Snape was so blaise about his own life. 

Death would be welcome, in exchange for a life time with the Dementors. Hermione felt like an arse. The little she had eaten for breakfast was rising up her gullet and was sure to reappear. She ran, panicked and upset, looking around frantically for the nearest bathroom. 

"Granger? You look like you're going to be sick." Draco said, but Hermione didn't register. Instead she was incredibly grateful for the door that opened on the perimeter of the room, showing a pearly white porcelain throne. She could almost hear an angelic choir as she ran to empty her stomach. 

When she returned, Draco was stood leaning against the door frame. "That was something I could have done without seeing." He commented and Hermione ignored him. She wished she could wrap herself in Snape's blanket and disappear.

"Sorry. I don't know what came over me." She apologized, sitting down shakily. 

"No hard feelings." Draco said. "Do you feel any better or do I need to send my patronus to the Headmaster?"

"No." Hermione demanded rather fiercely. Draco regarded her curiously. 

"If you've been as hostile with Snape as you have with me, its no surprise you've been dumped here." Draco jeered. "Why don't you want to see him?"

Chewing on her lip, Hermione took a second to think. "We had an argument and I don't want to admit that i'm in the wrong. Much like how i'm feeling with you right now." 

"Hold on." Draco held his hand out dramatically, with a smirk on his face. "Did Hermione Granger just admit she was in the wrong or are my ears deceiving me?" 

A giggle escaped the witch's lips, and she found that once she started, she couldn't stop. "Remember the occasion. It wont happen often."

Much to her surprise, Draco took a seat next to Hermione and the camp bed creaked. "I can understand why you wont admit that you're wrong to Professor Snape, he would be even more unbearable than me. But trust me, I'm definitely going to remember this."  

"You're the worst" 

"I know." Draco grinned, cockily.

His smile turned my sympathetic as wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulder. "Hold on. Did Draco Malfoy just offer me comfort?" She teased. 

"Don't get used to it Granger. This is the first and only time." He smelt of pine and it was refreshing. He had a warmth that one wouldn't expect from a (previously) cold-hearted prat. 

"So can I make use of the opportunity and ask for a proper hug. Its just that Snape isn't the most psychically affectionate person and-"

Hermione was interrupted by the sudden shifting on the bed and the feeling of strong arms wrapping around her. It only last a few seconds but it was nice. From both perspectives. Draco felt acceptance. Hermione felt comfort. Both were previously alone and isolated, and now there was the possibility of a new friendship. They were both so absorbed in each other, Hermione and Draco failed to hear the opening of the door. 

"Hermione!" A familiar voice shouted. It was followed by the fall of running footsteps, and Hermione managed to turn around just in time before a ginger mass pounced on her and sent her hurtling towards the ground. 

It took her a minute to register that it was Ginny who was now sat on top of her and grinning like a Cheshire Cat. "Merlin Ginny. Give a girl some warning, would you?" Hermione rubbed her head.  

Draco stood watching in amusement as more uniform-clad students trickled into the room with very similar remarks. "Hermione?" "Hermione Granger?" "Shes here?" All the while the young celebrity was still getting mauled by her best friend. 

"I thought you were dead!" Exclaimed Ginny. She had tears tracking down her face and her eyes were puffy. "What happened?" 

Hermione swallowed thickly. She had an uneasy feeling in her stomach and glad that her stomach was empty. "Not now Gin." She warned her friend, as they both picked themselves up off of the floor.

A generous crowd had gathered and Hermione could see her old friends. Luna Lovegood looked radiant as always with her waist length blonde hair. The last time Hermione had seen her, she was escaping Malfoy mansion and leaving her behind. Neville was stood next to Luna with an awestruck expression, as though Hermione was a fallen star. There was also Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas and Lavender Brown who were smiling at her, bearing Gryffindor colors. Cho Chang stood quietly at the rear of the crowd and looked teary eyed. They all looked at her expectantly. 

However it was Draco who spoke. "Alright everyone. Now that we all know Granger is alive i think its best to just leave her alone." He came over and placed a defensive hand on the witch's shoulder, standing between Hermione and Ginny. 

While the crowd went back to their own business, Hermione still felt as though all eyes were on her. She knew that everyone had about two dozen questions that they wanted her to answer, and Hermione just didn't think she could face it. People would want to know about Harry and Ron, what really happened at Malfoy manor, and where she had been since she was pronounced dead. 

How could she tell everyone that she had been living with Snape? Who would believe her if she told them that Severus was actually a spy who 's loyalties lie with Dumbledore, the man he had pitched off the astronomy tower? It made her feel dizzy to no end. 

After everything, Hermione had grown to care for the greasy haired Potions Professor. She couldn't even explain this to herself, let alone a crowd of Snape haters. 

Sweet Merlin, she needed to get her act together. 

--------

The Room of Requirement was almost empty by the time Ginny had managed to wrestle some alone time with Hermione. The older witch had been strategically avoiding talking to anyone all day and had mostly pretended to be sleeping. The night had drawn in, and while some students remained in the room, others had gone to spend the night in their dormitories. It would be suspicious should the Carrows check the students beds and too many were missing. 

Ginny was a force to be reckoned with. Her cute freckles and round face was adorable and highly misleading. They chaser was smart as a whip and had clearly taken a leaf out of the book of her elder twin brothers. She perched on the edge of Hermione's bed. "I know you're awake" she said, sounding slightly offended.

Rolling over, Hermione hid her blush with the blanket. "I'm sorry Gin, i'm just not in the mood to answer a million questions." 

"Well I wont ask any, if you just tell me about whats happening." Ginny flicked her long red hair.

"Please I just want to be-" 

"My brother and my boyfriend are out there, Hermione! Do you really think you'll get away with not telling me anything?" Ginny ranted, sounding very much like her mother. "I'm sure you can talk to me for 5 bloody minutes or so help me Merlin, I will hex you when you least expect it."  

Hermione cringed. "Okay. What do you want to know?"

She continued to relay the events of the last 6 months to her best friend who silently listened and didn't interrupt.  It didn't feel like a weight off of her chest when she had finished. She didn't feel lighter or any better about her situation. It seemed pointless. 

Ginny was itching to ask a million questions. Hermione could see it in her best friend's eyes. "Go ahead. Ask away."

"you've been living with Snape?" Ginny's cheeks were stained red with tears. 

"Yes"

"And you liked it?" 

Hermione was frustrated. "I liked not being dead! I had no where to go. Besides, I really wasn't in the shape to decide where I was going. I couldn't really argue. "

Ginny stuttered. "And Snape really looked after you?" 

"Yes."

"Its difficult to imagine him.. being kind." The ginger looked disturbed. "Its difficult to imagine him having any emotions." 

Sighing, Hermione went on to defend her savior. "Severus isn't what you think. He has emotions, but being a double spy forced him to bury his feelings. You just have to search for them. 

"And I suppose he's allowed you to search him thoroughly?" Ginny quipped. 

Hermione gasped at her best friend. "How can you suggest something like that? After everything that's happened!"

"Okay, that was a little uncalled for. But Snape saves your life and all of a sudden, you're worshiping the ground he walks on and calling him by his first name. Don't you think that he planned this? Get the Gryffindor Princess on his side and then pledge innocent in front of the Wizengamot."

"Snape is innocent! He has been working for Dumbledore this entire time." Hermione almost shouted, enraged.

"He killed Dumbledore!" Ginny cried. 

Hermione was done. She was fed up. She was angry. She wanted to cry. She stood up in a huff and turned to face the younger witch. "You will never understand. You'll never be able to get through you're old perception of him. You'll never be able to realize how much of an amazing, brilliant man he is." 

Ginny commented sarcastically, "If you bloody like him so much, then why don't you marry him?"