Ghost in the Manor
By Icy-Alie
Chapter 1: The Favour

Draco looked out a window he was in the book store when he finally came across her, he'd been waiting for about three hours hoping soon she would come, she was late today which was odd, but he couldn't stay hidden anymore, after his seventh year he's been needing somebody who could help him, and he had no one else to turn too, his father was finally in Azkaban and that's the way he hopped it stayed. His mother was killed and so was Albus Dumbledore, the Ministry didn't trust Draco not after he tried to kill Albus Dumbledore, but thanks to the fact that he was under the imperious curse he got let go of going to Azkaban, but now he needed help and finally that help was just coming threw the door.

Hermione Granger.

He got up and followed her upstairs, she was staying here in the leaky cauldron he was shocked when Tom had told him that, but Hermione couldn't afford to live here in the wizarding world, she was still looking for work, according to Tom Hermione had moved from the muggle world just recently she changed all her muggle money in for wizard money and now she was looking for a job and was staying here until she was stable.

Draco walked up stairs and waited for her to stop at her door before he tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned around he was shocked how much she changed over the months after school. Her hair was short and straight, and it matched her face. She still didn't wear make-up but Draco was still shocked that she looked somewhat pretty.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked with attitude.

"Easy can I come in?" Draco asked. Hermione looked at him with an 'excuse me' look on her face and in her eyes.

"Come again?" She asked.

"Look I just need to talk to you, can I….can I please come in?" Draco asked. Hermione looked at him with shock.

"You're lucky I'm not in school and I have grown up, let's hope you've done the same," she said, she turned around and unlocked the door she opened it and stood on the side offering for him to go in first. He looked at her then walked in. He had to admit for these places looking like crap she sure fixed it up. She walked into the kitchen and put some water in a kettle. "Do you want tea?" She asked, taking down a mug for the shelf.

"Ahh sure, thanks," He sat down on a chair and waited for her to come back in, she passed him his mug and poured him tea before she too sat down taking her mug. She grabbed her wand and lit the fireplace.

"This is my daily routine so don't think I'm doing this to impress you," She took a sip and looked at him. "So what do you want?"

"The truth is…I need your help," Draco said, sipping his own tea. Hermione starred at him.

"Excuse me?" She asked.

"Look this is the last thing I ever wanted from someone like you but since Dumbledore is dead and the ministry doesn't trust me you're the only person I can think of that's strong enough to help me," Draco explained.

"And what makes you think I'll trust you?" Hermione asked.

"I know you don't trust me and that's fine, but why else would I come here?"

"To kill me for helping put your father away,"

"Are you kidding I'm glad he's put away, I hate my father, especially after he killed my mother, I hope he rotes in hell for what he did," Hermione stared at him with shock.

"Your serious aren't you?" Hermione asked.

"Look I really need your help, I wouldn't be here asking if I wanted to kill you, I would have done it when I was following you up the stairs with your back turned,"

"How did you know I was here?" Hermione asked.

"A lot of following and asking around, you're hard to track down you know that,"

"So you're stocking me now?" Hermione crossed her arms.

"No it's not like that, look" Draco stood up and faced the fire. "I can't tell you a lot, I would if I could but your just going to have to trust me, I need your help, I'll even pay you,"

"You want me to trust you when you can't tell me anything, now call me stupid but doesn't that sound a little crazy to you? Although it must be serious, you asking help from a mudblood and all,"

"Don't call- never mind will you do it?" Hermione looked at him then took a few minutes to stare off into her own world, he really needed help she could tell, and he was willing to pay her, and he had a lot of money.

"Well seeing as to how I'm powerful and all and I know I could have your head on a silver platter any moment I suppose I'll help you out, what is it you want?"

"I want you to move in with me," Draco answered.

/Alie\\\\