You Found Me

Chapter Two

Draco’s POV
The next morning, he got up early and got dressed in another black tee and some jeans. He combed his hair, washed his face and brushed his teeth. He could see Astoria still asleep as he left to meet Hermione. They had been told to meet at the headmistress’ office. When he got there, he knew he was early, so he sat on the floor and waited for her.

Hermione's POV
Hermione slept surprisingly well considering she had kicked out her fiance the very night they were engaged. Although the engagement was a legal matter and not her choice.
She woke early and took her time getting ready. She wore her light denim jeans, a blue t-shirt and her pink hoodie. She had her hair brushed and straightened into gentle waves, instead of unruly curls, her teeth brushed and face washed, all that jazz, with still an hour before she had to meet Malfoy at McGonagall's office.

Taking this opportunity to walk around a quiet school Hermione decided to head out instead of waiting around. In a way you could say she took the scenic route to the headmisstress' office.
The halls were like haunted memories as Hermione walked through them. Flashbacks of students fighting against death eaters, doing everything they can to survive. Nagini slithering through the corridors striking out at anyone close enough for a kill. Several times Hermione found herself flinching or whirling around convinced that vile snake was about to strike at her.
"Okay maybe this wasn't the best idea," she mumbled to herself as she quickened her pace. "It’s fine that thing died. Neville killed it. It’s fine," she repeatedly told herself as she hurried to the headmistress' office she'd wait there instead. Less chance of flashbacks there, they didn't spend much time in that hallway.
Nearly there Hermione began to feel relief. She turned and sighed leaning against the wall and catching her breath. She hadn’t realised that she had sprinted the last two corridors. This year was not going to be easy.
Hermione hadn’t even noticed the blonde sitting on the floor across from her, beside the statue to the office.

Draco’s POV
One thing he knew was this would be a terribly difficult year for many students. Any that had been there during the war and even during his 6th year. With the Carrows teaching, there was a lot of torture and unnecessary punishments given out, but he had been more traumatised by the tasks he’d had to focus on. He wanted to ask the headmistress about offering help for those students who were having trouble processing and dealing with what had happened. 

He knew at least one person didn’t want him as head boy, although he suspected it was many more, but if he could do something good with the position then so be it. He had no intention of trying to convince anyone to forgive him of course. He didn’t deserve to be forgiven and he wasn’t so dumb that he thought he did. 

When he heard the footsteps, he looked up and saw Hermione. She looked hunted and her eyes were dull as if seeing the past instead of bright like they usually were. He hated the fact that he’d contributed to her pain in any way, starting with all the name calling and putting her down, but most of all for not stopping his deranged aunt. Before he knew what he was doing, the words were out. “I’m sorry. Sorry you got stuck with me. Sorry for my part in the war. Sorry for what happened to your friends. Sorry I didn’t stop Bella from…” He felt his throat get clogged with emotion and buried his face in his hands. 

There had never been a time to cry and he’d always been told Malfoys don’t cry, but he no longer needed his father’s love or approval, so he hid his face and let the tears fall. All he could hear was his father’s voice in his head telling him how pathetic and weak he was, but something in him didn’t let him dwell on that. Instead, he felt a calm that he’d never felt before come over him. Wiping his tears with a frown, he still couldn’t meet Hermione’s eyes, but he stood. “Sh-shall we go?”

He knew she wouldn’t ridicule him for crying. After all, she was the only person who had seen him cry before back during 6th year when he was suffering and slowly killing himself.