Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characaters…

The Confrontation…

Sitting in the library when the wind was blowing outside is one of Hermione's favourite things to do. Now, if you add in her favourite book, Romeo and Juliet, you could pretty much guarantee that she was in her own little world in her head.

Ron and Harry were outside on the Quidditch pitch, having a bit of practise before 'the big game' the following week. The sport never really entertained Hermione so she had declined watching them this time.

Whilst she was reading, nothing seemed to bother her. She could block out the outside world and settle for the amazing story that as going on in her head. She didn't even look up when someone knocked down a pile of thick, heavy books, causing a very loud thud on the floor.

The person that had knocked the books down was in fact, the amazing bouncing ferret. He ignored the books completely when he noticed the bushy haired witch. Even though he had to admit that her hair was no longer bushy, but smooth and wavy.

He smirked, walked forward with a grace no one should be capable of, and snatched the book away from Hermione. This made her jump and she stood up quickly.

"Give that back Malfoy!" She all but growled through clenched teeth. His smirk only deepened.

"Hmm… what you gonna do if I don't?" He said, his eyes blank but his voice dripping sarcasm.

Hermione shot him a glare, and as the saying goes… If looks could kill…

"Give it."

Draco shook his head, "You know what mudblood? I don't think I will." He looked at the cover and then stated flipping through the pages. "Romance? What, Weasel and Potter not enough?" He sneered.

He was shocked when Hermione barrelled into him, because of this shock, and the fact that he had clearly not been expecting it, she managed to shove him right into a bookshelf. She stood before him almost menacingly. And even though she was a lot shorter and lighter than Draco, she still looked terrifying.

"Look here Malfoy! I've put up with you for 7 years! Your snide remarks against Harry and Ron. Your cruelty. Guess what Malfoy! I am a mudblood! And I am proud of it because if I wasn't then I would probably be like you. A stuck up rich kid with far too much spare time! You make fun of me and my friends and I've had enough! Stop acting like a pompous prat and get a hobby! Annoying me and criticising me because of my birth rights and blood status just makes you a pathetic excuse of a man! So what if you were born into a pureblood family! Look at you know! People are scared of you and people worship you but in the end it's obviously not enough because you still come to me to piss me off!"

She took a breath.

"You have money. You have looks. You have what you would call, 'a high status' in society because of that but you are lacking something important! A conscience! If you had one of them then you would stop talking the minute you see me! You almost made me ashamed of what I am! But when you think about it, I'm a mudblood and you a pureblood but who comes out on top? Me. Oh and another thing…"

She got her wand, pointed it at her arm, muttered a spell and a cut appeared on her arm. The blood that followed was, shiny and red. She now spoke in a whisper.

"My blood is the same as yours. You are just too shallow to see that."

She spun around and left the library quickly. Draco stood in shock. That was completely unexpected. What had gotten into her? He gulped and looked at his hands. In them was her book. Romeo and Juliet.

He went and sat in the same spot that Hermione had before and started reading the muggle book.

A few hours past and Draco sat in the library, all alone. Thinking. Finishing the book he had come to realise something. Everything Hermione had said, was true. She had pointed out everything. He shook his head.

He got a quill and parchment and started writing. It was strange… but he thought he actually felt guilty. He stood up and made his way to the Gryffindor common room.

He started knocking on the very disgruntled fat lady portrait and watched as it swung open, revealing the one person he wanted to see. She just glared.

He lifted his hand and gave the book to Hermione, "Page 13." He said, surprisingly soft before turning and stalking away.

She continued glaring and went back into the common room. She sat down on the sofa and turned to page 13 taking out a piece of folded up parchment in it. She unfolded it and started reading…

…Hermione… Everything you said, is true. That much you knew already but because of my 'shallow mind' I didn't.

I'm not going to make up excuses and I'm not going to apologize in this point in time. Malfoy's don't do that. You put things in perspective. I read your book. Muggle I know. But, we're not that different from the characters in the book, you and me.

Your blood, my blood, there are the same. In my head I knew this already. But my delusional beliefs thought otherwise. Not a Mudblood. Simply a muggle born witch striving to fit into the wizard world. You have put so much effort into proving yourself and I learnt that first hand in classes, third year with that punch, and again today.

Meet me outside at the edge of the lake in an hour so I can formerly apologize. Please.

Hermione was surprised. Even more surprised when she decided she would go. This ought to be interesting...

R&R