A/N: Okay so this is my very first story... its Dramione and will actually have a plot to it so if you're looking for pure fluff and smut, this isn't the right story for you. It's rated M for some language and a few steamy little scenes a bit later in the story.

Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter...otherwise I'd buy me some Draco ;)

"When the future's architectured by a carnival of idiots on show, you'd better lie low. If you love me, why'd you let me go?" - Coldplay

If Hermione's experience with life over the years had taught her one thing, it was that a knock on the door of your flat in the middle of the night was not good. Especially if none of your friends ever bothered to visit you during the daytime anymore, or perhaps didn't even know where you lived nowadays. Didn't even care enough to call every once in a while. Although…if she were being entirely truthful with herself, she'd have to admit that it was her own fault they got tired of her sullenness.

Warily, Hermione sat up in bed…perhaps it was somebody knocking at the door of the wrong flat. Completely innocent, mistakes tend to happen. Yet she could not stop her heart from beating overtime – a remnant of the paranoia that had kept her alive during the war. Very slowly, hardly breathing, she swung her feet over the edge of the bed and shuffled across to her dresser. She threw a light dressing gown over her modest pajamas and silently crept along the dingy wooden floors. She could see her apartment door looming across the living room, especially foreboding in the dark. She had truly hoped to be done with all of this…all she wanted, after all that had happened, was to be left alone. She had suffered quite enough for one lifetime, she was too tired to fight off any more bad guys.

"Enough of this" she muttered to herself and crossed the rest of the living room in a fluid stride. She kept her wand at the ready, however, in case she had to recall her dueling skills from what felt like a decade ago. Taking a deep breath, Hermione leaned her hands against the door and peeped through the keyhole.

The very first thing she noticed was that his hair hung loose around his head, not gelled back. The next thing she noticed was that he wore a solemn, slightly frightened expression… one that she had only seen grace his face one other time. The last thing she noticed was that she had begun to hyperventilate. She couldn't hear anything besides the deafening ringing in her ears. She saw spots and knew that if she didn't sit down immediately she'd faint. She managed to perch herself on the side of the couch as she eyed the door warily. Why was he here? Why now? Why ever? Hadn't he done enough…

He knocked again, this time more forcefully. After a few more moments, Hermione's dizzy spell faded and she found that she was able to think clearly. She had two options…pretend she wasn't home and wait for him to leave or swallow the overwhelming pain spreading across her chest and open the door. She knew she should ignore him. It was prudent…perhaps even necessary for her sanity. Every fiber in her body screamed at her to stay where she was, to ignore the knocking. Yet somehow she found herself standing up, crossing the room once more, and opening the door.

He had been gazing down the hall, but when he heard the door hinge squeak his eyes snapped straight to hers. She gasped…she couldn't breathe again. His pale gray eyes held such sorrow…such humility that she had never seen before. He seemed to be at a loss for words, as though he wasn't even sure himself why he had come here. Minutes passed and still neither spoke…just stared at each other.

Finally, Hermione swallowed painfully and cleared her throat. "Draco Malfoy."

"The one and only," he replied, though his words seemed hollow…lacking the sarcastic bite they used to have. They almost seemed derisive, as though he were marveling at the bitter irony that the name he once revered should have sunk so low.

"What do you want?" Her question sounded icy even to her ears but she couldn't bring herself to care. So what if she hurt his feelings a little? He'd hurt hers first. He pretended to care for her, then turned around and fed her to the wolves, leaving her alone to put herself back together. She still couldn't come within five feet of a man… she couldn't look Harry or Ron in the eyes. She still put silencing charms around her room to keep anybody from hearing her scream in the night. He did this to her, it was his fault. Did he expect a warm welcome and open arms?

Draco cleared his throat uncomfortably and she noted for the first time that he looked like shit. It looked like he hadn't slept for days, he had a hint of stubble on his chin, and dark circles under his eyes.

"I just wanted to talk, Her – Granger."

"We did all our talking two years ago Malfoy. There's nothing left to say…get out."

"Actually there are things we left unsaid… things that need to be said, and I won't leave until we say them"

She stared at him like he had grown an extra head.

"Where are your manners Granger? Aren't you going to invite me into your charming little hovel?" His signature drawl was back but his face still held a hollow expression and his insult was half-hearted.

She had no idea why – perhaps out of pure shock – but she stepped aside, letting him gracefully push past her into her living room.

"Charming," he drawled again, making himself at home on her sofa.

She kept staring at him, part of her refusing to believe that he was actually here…that he'd come back. Finally, she made her way to the armchair farthest away from his sofa. This did not escape Draco's notice, and he chuckled humorlessly.

"There was a time Granger when you'd prefer my lap to any other seat in the house," he softly commented.

Her eyes grew cold.

"I assume you did not disturb me so late at night for a trip down memory lane Malfoy. Say your piece and get out of my house."

He heaved a great sigh at that and theatrically exclaimed, " why such hostility Granger? Is this how you treat all your schoolyard chums?"

However, as soon as he caught sight of her gaze all traces of mockery on his face were replaced with a pained guilt.

His voice got very quiet when he said, "you have a right to be angry with me, of course. But I never meant for this to happen…I never meant for you to get hurt. You may not believe me now, I've told you so many lies. But I didn't lie to you on one thing Hermione…I truly loved you."

If possible, her expression grew even colder and more furious.

He glanced at her, then quickly looked away.

"Believe me, if I had any choice I would have done things so very differently."

There was no mercy in her voice as she stated "there's always a choice. And you made the one that benefited you the most. You claim you loved me…you destroyed me Malfoy." Her voice turned into a deadly hiss, "You have no idea what happened that night."

He looked away again. Then suddenly all the fight seemed to deflate right out of her. Her shoulders slumped, and she ran a hand wearily over her eyes. She realized that the anger she felt towards him was superficial…mostly she felt numb, just like she had for the past two years.

"Please just leave Malfoy," she whispered, " You've said your apology and I don't want anything from you. I just want you to leave me alone, I can't handle this anymore."

Something in her voice told him she was serious and it touched his sense of guilt and remorse even more acutely. She sounded so defeated…as though she had seen much more than her fair share of pain and came out of it bitter and angry with the world. Most likely it was all his fault, but he didn't know if his betrayal had caused all this bitter rage or if there was more to the story. Silently, he rose from his seat and made his way back to the door. How could she think that he would willingly choose the life of a heartless killer over a life spent loving her? He stopped in the doorway, turned around, and looked sadly at her.

"You're wrong Hermione, there was never any choice."

What do you think? any potential? please review!!