A/N : Harry Potter belongs to the one and only JKR! This is a Dramione fic written as a part of a lost bet. For my friend Prutha!
Chapter 1 : One Where They Became Friends
Hermione was sitting near the Black Lake as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't believe Ron. Why would he have problem with her going out with Victor Krum? And of course, trust Ron to ruin one of the most enjoyable and pleasant night for her. The tears continued streaming down her face as she remembered all the accusations that he had made towards her. Fraternising with the enemy…. Well, he didn't remember that when he had stopped speaking to Harry after the Goblet had pulled out his name, did he? She had been the only one to stick through with Harry when he needed the support of his friends. She had helped him get through the first task. And he had the galls to call her a traitor? Well, he hadn't exactly called her a traitor, but it had been close enough. And it had hurt.
Lost in her reverie, she didn't notice someone approach her. And thus jumped in surprise when a soft voice called out, "Granger." She looked up to see Malfoy looking down at her. And a scowl formed on her face. Of course, I can't even cry peacefully, she thought. She hissed at him, "What do you want Malfoy?" "Why, is it wrong to offer comfort to friends now, Granger?" Hermione glowered at him and growled, "Last I checked you weren't my friend. And I think that's going to be the same, ferret." Malfoy faked a hurt expression and said, "Well, Mudblood, I'm hurt at your declaration. And after what that Weasley brat did in the Great Hall…." Hermione glared at him. Malfoy sighed and said, "Come on, Granger, you know I don't mean it." "Do I?", Hermione hissed. A tired expression replaced her scowl. She sighed and said in a defeated tone, "Malfoy, even you can't be that insensitive. Can you just leave me alone and not mock me for one night? I really don't need this right now." She ended in a whisper as the events of the night began replaying in her mind. Ron was one of her best friends and she really didn't expect him to be so condescending towards her for going to the Yule Ball with Victor Krum. And now, as if that wasn't enough, Malfoy had come to mock her.
She was quite surprised when she felt Malfoy sitting down beside her. She sighed, feeling that she couldn't get rid of Malfoy and buried her face in her knees. But she was in for quite a shock, when she felt a hand rubbing her back, soothing her. She froze and looked up to see that it was Malfoy, Draco-bloody-Malfoy who was doing that. She looked at him with wide eyes and asked, "What are you doing, Malfoy?" He rolled his eyes at her and replied easily, "I believe it is called comforting, but I thought you might be aware of it, what with your surprisingly enormous brain-power and Weasley and Potter as your best friends." Hermione moved out of his reach even as she narrowed her eyes. She said in an angry tone, "Why are you doing this, Malfoy? Is it for some stupid bet? And continue like this and I might just pull in a kick for you. You know, upgrade from a punch…." Malfoy looked at her and said, "Believe it or not, Granger, I am capable of comforting people. And is it really so hard to believe that I might really want to help you?" Hermione let out a laugh at this and said, "Well, given our history…. Malfoy, you have always mocked me and my best friends. Why should I believe that you genuinely want to help? How do I know that you are not just going to use this against me afterwards?" Malfoy winced at that but replied, "Granger, at least give me a chance. I am trying not to be a stuck-up bigot and you are making it difficult at the moment." Hermione looked at him as if he was speaking in a foreign language and nodded stiffly. He held out his arm for her, signing her to come closer. But before taking it, Hermione whispered in a silent and deadly voice, "If you use me or if I find that you were just here to mock me or anything like that…. Believe me when I say, that you won't be having babies in the future. Is that clear?" Malfoy gulped, his eyes looking alarmed, nodded and muttered, "Crystal."
Hermione sighed as Malfoy put his arm around her. She leaned against his shoulder and closed her eyes in a tired fashion. For her, it was one of her dreams come true. She had always had a crush on Malfoy. Only Harry and Ginny knew about that, but they never brought it up with her, knowing that they would be on receiving end of the hex that would come through Hermione's wand, if they did. But they knew that at a point of time, she had fantasised about the blond-haired boy who currently had her in his arms and was comforting her. She knew that he was doing it just in the capacity of a…..friend. It felt odd, calling Malfoy friend. But she guessed that they could be.
Hermione felt that she should head back to the Common Room. She sighed and released herself from Malfoy's embrace. She got up and gave him a small smile. She had just turned to go away when he said, "Hey, Mudblood! Friends?" She turned towards him and said, "Sure ferret!", as a big smile formed its way on her face. Malfoy retuned her smile with an equally big one on his face. Then Hermione made her way towards the Gryffindor Common Room, content.
As she entered the Common Room, a very familiar face came into her view – Harry's! she looked at him and smiled. Harry looked relieved that she wasn't crying or angry. Hermione approached him and said in an excited voice, "You won't believe what happened today, Harry…." And she told him everything, a smile on her face all the time. Harry was a bit worried about her, but he knew that if Hermione had decided to make friends with Malfoy, then he wouldn't stop her. Especially, if Malfoy meant what he had said about turning over a new leaf. And he knew that Hermione could take care of herself. But he also knew that he would personally take care that Malfoy was disembowelled and shredded to pieces properly, if he hurt Hermione. Because, he knew that she deserved to be happy. Also, it wouldn't hurt to have one less enemy, would it?
As for Hermione, she went to sleep happily that day, with the thoughts of her newfound friendship with Malfoy running through her head.