SUMMARY: In a Voldemort-free world, Hermione and Draco were two people who admired each other since the first time they met and fell in love in front of their Hogwarts fellow students and professors. Everything was perfect. Until Hermione Granger read Severus Snape's will: "To Hermione Granger, I leave everything."

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1: Pre-Hogwarts Years

"Woman, I will love you always
And I, promise I'll give you the best
My love, you mean more than life to me And I love you more than words can say

You, you'll be the only one
That I'll love for always
Forever to cherish
I want you close to me
And hold you endlessly
And feel you girl in my arms, always

Whisper the words to me
That we will always be
Together, just you and me forever
I want to give all my love
My hear my soul my life
Always."

-Always (Marco Sison)-

Six year-old Hermione Granger opened her hand and was delighted to see the blue camellia. She giggled and picked another flower in her mother's garden and changed its colour. She didn't tell her mum, but she discovered yesterday that she could change the flowers' colours when she held them in her tiny hands and closed her eyes and concentrate on the colour she wanted. She didn't want to upset her mum by knowing that she was picking her flowers and changing their colours, so it was a secret she wished she could tell to someone.

But Hermione didn't have friends here in Kensington. She used to go to a Day Care Center but some children didn't like her. She looked forward to the primary school, but other girls didn't like her either. They called her something because she made her pencils move on its own when she got angry. They teased her with her heavy bag, many books, large front teeth and bushy brown hair. She cried to her mother, but she hushed her, told her that she was special and they were just jealous. Her mother also promised that when she's older, they'd fix her teeth so that she would look more beautiful. She believed her, of course. She loved her mother so much. She only wished that she had a friend whom she could share her secrets with.

"Hermione!" her mother called from the kitchen window.

She carefully placed the flowers in the trash can and ran to the house. "Mummy!" She entered the kitchen and found her mother looking down to her with a smile.

"Let's fix your hair, sweetie," she said affectionately. She led her to the bathroom near the kitchen and she stood on a high chair. Her mother combed her shoulder-length hair and pulled it to a twisted halo. Hermione's mum also straightened her ruffled top and printed bottoms. "There. You're more beautiful," she said and brushed the tip of her nose with hers.

"Thank you, Mummy!" She gave her a hug. Her classmates said that she looked like a beaver because of her front teeth and her hair looked like a bird's nest, but her parents would always say that she was special and beautiful.

"You're welcome, sweetie. Now, let's get going because the party will start in an hour."

She got off the chair carefully and went to the living room where her father was waiting for them. They carried their presents for the children at the orphanage where her parents were volunteer dentists. Today, the benefactor of the orphanage was throwing a birthday party for five children who were celebrating their birthdays in July. Hermione was excited because it would be her first time at the orphanage. Her parents said that the kids were polite and nice. Perhaps she could find friends there.

After half an hour, they pulled in front of a big lawn where children were playing, running and laughing. Several adults were standing while speaking with each other. By the lawn was a large modern looking building. Hermione and her mum left the car and entered the gates. An old stern-looking woman approached them but she smiled warmly, so Hermione wasn't afraid. The woman, introduced as Mrs. Whitehead, encouraged her to go and play with the other children at the playground. Hermione walked towards the playground slowly. Every child had a playmate and she thought it'd rude to just appear beside them and join. She went to the flower box and when nobody was looking, she picked a bluebell. She held it in her hand and closed her eyes.

I want to make it orange! she thought. Then, she opened her eyes and opened her hands. The flower was orange.

She smiled. I did it!

"You can do magic!" came a whisper from behind.

Her eyes widened like saucers and she instantly dropped the flower on the ground before turning to see the person behind her. She saw a boy, a bit taller than her, but seemed like they were of the same age. He had sleek platinum-blonde hair brushed back neatly, heart-haped face with widow's peak, Patrician nose, prominent cheeks and grey eyes. He was wearing a grey t-shirt that matched his eyes and pleated plaid pants with suspenders. He didn't look like the other kids from the orphanage. In fact, Hermione thought that he was a rich kid. He was smiling at her and looked down at the flower on the ground.

"I can do it, too," he whispered.

Hermione froze in shock. "Really?" she asked in a whisper.

He nodded eagerly and picked a bluebell. "Watch," he told her. He closed his hand and counted to five before he opened it, revealing a brown flower.

Hermione looked surprised. "Brown!" she gasped.

"Honey," he corrected. "Just like your eyes."

Hermione giggled and picked a new flower. She closed her hands and eyes and then when she opened them, she revealed a grey flower.

The boy frowned. "Grey?" he asked.

"Just like your eyes," she repeated his words.

He smirked. "You're Honey; I'm Grey."

It was her turn to frown. "Is that supposed to be a nickname?"

"No," he said with a chuckle.

Her expression softened. "I'm Hermione Granger," she introduced, offering her hand.

"Draco. Draco Malfoy," he said, accepting her hand.

She giggled. "Your name means 'dragon'."

He nodded. "Mother said that everyone in the family was named after the stars."

"Constellations," she corrected.

"Draco, darling?" came a woman's worried voice.

Draco turned around. They saw a beautiful woman with long blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes. She was dressed like Princess Diana in her formal yellow shirt and skirt, in Hermione's opinion.

"Mother," said Draco a bit too formal and Hermione wondered if they belonged to the royal family.

"I'm sorry to disturb your conversation with your friend, darling. I was worried where you'd go," she told him and offered Hermione a smile.

"I'm fine, Mother. By the way, this is Hermione Granger," said Draco, gesturing towards Hermione.

"Hello, dear. I'm Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother. Nice to meet you."

Hermione smiled shyly. She never had a friend and has never introduced by someone to their mother. She took Mrs. Malfoy's offered hand. "Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Thank you, dear." She stood back on her full height. "The party will start in ten minutes. Be sure to come and join," she said kindly.

Draco and Hermione nodded. "We will join you shortly, Mother."

Mrs. Malfoy left them and went back inside the building. Draco turned back to her. "You're not one of them, were you?"

She shook her head. "My parents are volunteer dentists. How about you?"

"Father is one of the benefactors," he told her.

"Oh," was all she said. Yeah, he's a rich kid, she thought.

"But it's my first time here. How about you?" he asked.

"It's my first time, too."

"Great! Come on, let's go and mingle with the other children." He offered his arm.

Hermione loved reading books, most especially fairy tales, so she knew perfectly well what to do. She took Draco's arm and pretended in her mind that she was a beautiful princess, entering the castle with her prince.

From that day on, Hermione and Draco became friends. They also mingled with the children at the orphanage, but they preferred each other's company because they were free to show their magic tricks. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were nice people and allowed Draco to meet Hermione at the orphanage on weekends. Hermione would go with her parents at the orphanage and play with Draco while they were working. Hermione's parents were glad that she found a friend at long last; someone whom she could share her books with; someone whom she could read and play with. The two children became even more closer when Draco told his parents that Hermione could do magic. Aside from her colour changing skills, she could also make things move and levitate. Hermione's parents were worried at first, but the Malfoys assured them that there was nothing wrong with her.

"She's special, like our Draco," she remembered Mrs. Malfoy told her parents. Draco also performed a little magic in front of the Grangers.

They also informed them about Hogwarts, the school for magic where Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy went to. During summer vacation, while they were at work, Mrs. Malfoy volunteered to take care of Hermione instead of bringing her to a Day Care like they used to do. Since they found out that the Malfoys were fine people, Hermione's parents did not protest.

"How big is your house, Draco?" she asked while he's helping her pack her things- mostly books and board games- and their parents were speaking downstairs. The Malfoys picked Hermione in their Pembroke Gardens home in Kensington to take her to the Malfoy residence for the first time. She will return home in the evening.

"As big as the castle in your fairy tale book," he replied.

"Really?" she gasped.

Draco chuckled. "Of course, silly. Well, almost. It's called Malfoy Manor. It's very big that sometimes I don't notice our house guests because they would stay in the other wing. I have the east wing for myself; Mother and Father are in the north wing and the south wing is for the guests, mostly."

"What about the west wing?" she asked, still cannot believe that Draco lived in a manor house.

"Library, drawing room and ballroom," he replied.

"Where will I stay?" she asked.

"In the east wing with me, of course, silly," he said with a smirk.

"Hey! That's the second time you've called me silly today!" she protested.

He wrinkled his nose and brushed it against hers. Hermione giggled. She always feel happy when Draco does that. It's actually sweet. "Let's go, princess."

After bidding her parents goodbye, Hermione and the Malfoys rode Mr. Malfoy's Ford Sierra and they drove to his office in Chelsea where they would be using the Floo to get to the Malfoy Manor. Hermione never traveled by Floo before so she was really excited. She only read about it. Draco loaned her books about magical transportation and she read it from cover to cover in just one day. After half an hour, Hermione and Draco finally arrived at Malfoy Manor; Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy decided to go to Diagon Alley for shopping. When they stepped out of the fireplace, a small creature dressed in something like a toga approached them and took her bags. She paid closer attention to the creature. It had ears similar to Santa's elves, pencil-like nose and eyes as big as tennis balls.

"Hello, Miss. I is Dobby. May I takes your things?" The creature bowed.

"Dobby is a free house-elf, Hermione," Draco explained.

"A free house-elf?" she asked, confused.

"House-elves were slaves. No salary, unlike what Muggles called housemaids and servants and if you give them clothes, they're free to go, not bound to any family anymore. But Grandfather Malfoy stopped the slavery before my parents got married. He wanted the house-elves to be paid and have days off," Draco explained.

"Master is right, Miss," quipped Dobby. "Dobby is free but Dobby loves working with Master Lucius and his family. They is kind. Master Lucius offered Dobby a thousand galleons a month, but Dobby is thinking it is too much, Miss. Dobby only asked for ten galleons a month because Dobby likes working... Dobby gets two days off a month."

"That's very kind of Mr. Malfoy," she said.

"Yes, Miss. Master Lucius is a very kind wizard. He and his family treats Dobby very well!"

"Wrong grammar," she whispered.

He chuckled. "I know. That's the way they speak and if you correct them, they might get offended," he whispered back. He turned to Dobby. "Sorry, Dobby. It's Hermione's first time to see a house-elf. You see, she's a Muggle-born witch. Yes please, take her things to the room beside mine."

"Of course, Young Master," the elf happily replied and took Hermione's backpack.

Another house-elf wearing a pink tutu dress appeared. "Can Billy get Master and his guest tea and cookies?"

"Yes Billy, please," replied Draco. "But first, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Hermione Granger. Hermione, this is Billy, my personal elf."

"Hello, Billy. Nice to meet you! Are you also a free house elf?" she asked.

The female elf nodded. "Yes, Miss. It is very nice to meet you, young mistress!"

"But, I am not your mistress," she replied politely.

"Oh. Billy is knowing you is my master's mate," she muttered.

"That's enough, Billy," said Draco but not unkindly.

"Of course, Master," she said with a playful smile.

When the elf disappeared, he led her to the dining room. "Come and sit, Hermione."

They waited for the tea and cookies to be served. After eating their snacks, Draco toured her around second floor east wing. He showed her his playroom where they found a small replica of Hogwarts castle and grounds. Hermione fell in love with Hogwarts, even though it was just a replica. Draco also showed her his miniature of his favourite Quidditch team, the Appleby Arrows. He made them fly and play around Hogwarts Quidditch pitch against another team which was called Puddlemere United.

"My friend, Theo, is a fan of Puddlemere but they're not good," he told her when one of the Chasers of Appleby scored and was missed by the Puddlemere Keeper.

Hermione kept on frowning whenever a miniature player was hit by a bludger. "Why don't you like the same team?"

Draco shrugged. "Of course we have different minds."

"I think I will never like Quidditch," she scowled.

Draco chuckled. "There are girls who like Quidditch."

She looked away and inspected his other toys. "I'll never be one of them."

"Right; you'll be on the stands, cheering for me, not playing with me," he said with a smirk.

"Of course!" she exclaimed. She found something in the corner of the room: a small cauldron with several weird things and a stirrer. "What are these?" she asked.

Draco walked towards her. "Potions kit," he replied. She raised her eyebrows, waiting for more answers. "For kids," he added.

"Are there explosions, too?" she asked curiously.

"Of course, but only minor explosions."

"What can you brew?" she asked.

"Juice; different flavours, different textures. Sometimes I can make jellies. Let me show you." He went behind the work desk and started cutting ingredients which actually looked like candies. No daisy roots or rose petals. No ashwinder eggs or spider legs. Hermione was familiar with some real potions ingredients because Draco loaned her another book about Hogwarts subjects.

After cutting all the ingredients, Draco brewed and later, he handed her a glass of candy-flavoured juice which she gladly took.

.

Weeks turned into months and months turned into years. Hermione and Draco's friendship only got stronger. He would miss her whenever she was at the Muggle school and they'd only see each other on Saturdays. However, though they only met once a week for ten months, Hermione was genuinely happy for having Draco. They shared more secrets, read to each other, brewed more potions together, kissed each other's wounds, comforted each other and she watched him fall from the toy broomstick and cried when he got injured.

"Dear, please calm down. Draco's not severely injured," Mrs. Malfoy told her while Draco was being attended by a wizard doctor they called 'healer' in his rooms.

Hermione was crying hard because she saw him fall on the ground from his stupid toy broomstick. He was showing off to her while she was reading a book she borrowed from the Malfoy family library called Tales of Beedle the Bard under the tree in the back garden of the manor.

"He will be all right?" she asked.

Mrs. Malfoy smiled and sat beside her. "Of course, my Draco will be all right. We got the best healer from St. Mungo's and Lucius's friend can brew the strongest potion for bone injuries. He'll have to wear a sling, though, the healer said."

"He won't be able to eat properly," she said sadly.

"Yes. I'm afraid you won't be able to play outside for few days. Draco's activities will be limited."

"I'll take care of him, Mrs. Malfoy," she said, looking to her blue eyes. "I'll help you take care of him!"

She gave him the sweet smile she would always give to Draco and ran a hand on her wild hair. "Thank you, dear. Draco's very lucky to have you."

"I'm lucky to have him, too. He's my only friend; my best friend," she said sincerely.

After few minutes, the healer said that they could see Draco in his room. Hermione was allowed to enter and she saw him leaning on the headboard of his huge bed, his right arm on a sling.

"Hey, silly girl," he greeted with a smirk.

She rolled her eyes at his manner of greeting. She sat at the edge of his bed. "How are you?"

"Hungry. Like I haven't eaten for a whole day," he said.

"Then I shall tell Billy to bring you food," said Mrs. Malfoy. "Would you like me to assist you?" she asked, looking at his sling.

Draco frowned. "Mother, I'm not a baby anymore," he said with a hint of complain.

"But dear, your right hand..."

"Hermione can help me, Mother, I assure you; and she won't mollycoddle me."

Mrs. Malfoy sighed. "Mrs. Malfoy, I will do my best to help Draco, I promise," she said solemnly.

"You're such a dear. All right, sweetheart. Please make sure he eats well," she said in defeat.

Mrs. Malfoy left the room and soon, Billy returned with a tray of food and placed it on Draco's lap. Since Draco couldn't move, Hermione moved beside him on the bed and fed him.

"Have you been crying?" he asked while eating.

Her honey eyes met his grey ones. "No," she lied.

"You're a terrible liar, Hermione," he whispered and chuckled.

"Fine," she snapped. "Did you expect me to laugh at you?"

"Get used to it. When we're older, I'll tryout for the Slytherin Quidditch team."

She snorted and handed him a glass of pumpkin juice. "Bottoms up," she demanded.

Draco smiled at her expression and took the glass and handed it to her empty. He yawned. "I'm sleepy," he said.

"Sleep. The healer said it's the effect of the potion," she said, cleaning up the dishes.

"Thank you for being here, 'Mynee. You're the best," he said sleepily but with a smile.

Hermione's face flushed and took the tray as she left Draco's room to the kitchen, wondering if they would stay like that until they grow old and meet new people.

.

Edited on March 7, 2018