Hermione did not spare a thought for Draco after their run-in at Malfoy Manor. She, Harry and Ron had enough to be getting on with, and they were in the thick of the war. They crossed paths briefly during the Battle of Hogwarts, but not afterwards.

Once they had attained peace, though, her thoughts returned to him once more. There had to be a reason, she thought, for why he had wanted to torture her. He had been a bully, that was true, but he had never inflicted physical pain on someone other than during Quidditch matches. He had been a weak bully and an even weaker, fake bully once they had become friends.

Eventually, of course she realised why he had done it. Being confronted by him with his wand pointing at her had reminded her of when he had cast Obliviate. He had known that a similar sight would bring back her memories, and it had. He had done what he had to do in order to get her to remember him again. She wasn't bitter; she was thankful. A few curses in exchange for forgotten memories. She would do it all over again.

*

NINETEEN YEARS LATER

For some reason, Hermione hadn't expected to run into Draco at Kings Cross. She had seen him in passing over the years, but never spoken to him. She knew he had a son, born of his girlfriend Astoria Greengrass. For some reason they had never married. Hermione guessed people could do as they liked now the war was over. Everything had changed, after all. 

However, after she and Ron had waved off Rose, and Ron took Hugo to speak to Harry, Gina and Lily, Hermione found herself face-to-face with Draco.

"Almost two decades, and you look like a true vampire," Hermione smiled sadly. "Even more so than sixth year." 

They shared a secret glance: Draco, while not being a vampire, had his pale complexion due to the unfortunate status of a werewolf.

Draco bared his perfect white teeth. 

"But I do not have the fangs required, with blood dripping from them; however similar to Greyback that sounds. Those dreadful molars of yours, though: they could be fangs." 

She leered at him mockingly.

"I lost those molars after you cursed them to grow like a beaver's," Hermione said reproachfully. "How is Astoria doing? I didn't expect you to be here alone."

"She's ill," he answered, his words void of emotion. "Gravely ill."

"I'm so sorry," Hermione said, shocked. "That's terrible."

He waved it aside, with no wish to dwell on Astoria's poor health. 

"How are you, Granger?" Draco questioned, his eyes searching hers. "How is Weaslebee?"

"Back to surnames, Malfoy?" Hermione stared at him. "Why, Draco? We passed that long ago."

"My apologies," Draco answered a little stiffly. "I hadn't realised on what terms we would be with each other. It's been nineteen years. I didn't even realise we would be on speaking terms."

"We're friends, Draco. Or at least, we were. Even more so, had I not requested you to Obliviate me."

She paused for a moment. It was a difficult memory for the both of them. Then she remembered the second question he asked. 

"The 'Weasel' is fine." 

Somehow the tone in which she uttered the words seemed to prove otherwise.

"What has he done now? Are you not together?" Malfoy raised a curious eyebrow. "I would not expect, in the short time since the first of September, you would have divorced?"

"We have not divorced, Draco!" Hermione glared at him. "He's just... I don't believe he was cut out for an Auror," she said at long last.

"Moody wasn't suggestive of that, was he?" Draco mused. "I suppose he has neither the skill nor the frame of mind."

"Well, it was Bartemius Crouch Jr., wasn't it?" Hermione fired up, slightly protectively. "Telling Harry and I to become Aurors on a whim."

"That man did a surprisingly good show as Moody," Draco said coldly, "regardless of how he wasted his life. I presumed; perhaps I was wrong; that we would greet each other politely, and then hasten to update each other on our lives. Was I wrong? Why are we bickering, and arguing when I wiped your mind to preserve your innocence for your sake, and you, in turn, kept me and my parents, from Azkaban. You only remember now, because I..."

He couldn't form the word.

"Tortured me," Hermione finished. "I thought that was why I remembered. A familiar image."

"My life was empty without you. It was depressing, and miserable. I could barely stop myself from being tempted by the dark side. I knew you could do it: you, Potter and Weasley. I knew you could find the Horcruxes."

"You knew?" Hermione questioned in a tremulous voice. "About the Horcruxes?"

"After I Obliviated you, Professor Snape knew I had no intent of remaining faithful to the Dark Lord. He told me all he knew. Thank Potter for me."

"What for?" Hermione was curious.

Draco's silvery eyes glittered with emotion. 

"For giving my godfather a portrait, as Headmaster. I think it would mean a lot to him. After all, he did everything to save Potter. When he couldn't save Lily Potter, he was asked by Dumbledore to protect Potter, and he did."

"I'm sorry," Hermione whispered. "You were close to him, weren't you?"

"I was, and so were my parents. It gave me more cause to want Voldemort defeated once and for all." 

Though he shivered, it had to be the first time Draco had ever said Voldemort instead of 'the Dark Lord'. 

"I deeply regretted that I never made it up to him. He was trying to save my life, making the Unbreakable Vow, saving my soul. I've always regretted that. I've also regretted that I chose the wrong side. Watching you be hurt like that, by my aunt, it killed me. I felt like my soul had been broken. I'm glad she's dead."

"She won't be missed by me," Hermione laughed bitterly.

She hugged him suddenly.

"I need to tell you: I never, ever, blamed you for that. I never blamed for choosing to save your parents' lives, for Obliviating me. It showed you cared about them, and about me. I'm glad you did it."

Draco leaned into her embrace, craving the warmth. It reminded him of what could've been, and for that, he was sad. He decided to take the plunge.

"Even after all these years, I still love you," he admitted, and Hermione's eyes grew round with surprise. "I've always loved you, but now, saying that, it makes me feel like I'm betraying Astoria."

She was quiet for a moment, and Draco feared he'd crossed a boundary, but then she spoke again.

"I love you," she told him, "although I feel I'm betraying Ron. It could've been but it didn't. But I still love you."

He tightened his grip on her, never wanting to let go.

"I have to get back," Hermione sighed eventually. "Ron will wonder where I am, and don't think he'll rejoice at seeing me talking to you."

"He might have a fit if he saw you hugging me," Draco laughed, withdrawing from her. "Go back to them, to your family."

"I would like to stay in touch," she said tentatively, "if you would like to, that is?"

He smiled.

"I would like that very much."

*****

A.N. Thank you for reading and please comment!