Draco rounded the corner, his feet leading his way back to his dormitory. Then he noticed her walking toward him. Her bushy hair almost bobbing as she walked. She had a book in her left hand, reading as she walked and hiding her face from view.
They were almost next to each other now. He wondered if she even realized he was there, or if she was pretending to read so she had an excuse to ignore him.
They were level now. He couldn't stop himself, and reached out and grabbed her right hand with his own, but only by the fingertips, as she stepped past him seemingly unaware of his presence.
She stopped dead. Her left arm fell by her side, the book still being held open by her fingers.
"What are you doing Malfoy?" she asked him in a nervous voice.
She hadn't spoken to him once since returning to Hogwarts to complete their final year.
He took a step backwards so they were level again and turned her gently towards him so they were facing each other. She stood ridged, looking up into his steely grey eyes. He realized he was still holding her fingertips.
"I know it probably won't mean anything to you or that you won't believe me, but, I have to tell you something."
Her face softened slightly at his gentle tone, nothing at all like what she was used to.
"I just wanted to apologies for not saving you from my Auntie Bella. I froze, and you paid the price."
She didn't know what to do, or say, so she just stood there. Not making a sound. She would have never expected this from Malfoy. He stood there looking down at her his eyes filled with remorse, holding her fingertips so gently. She was completely frozen from shock and couldn't think.
He nodded awkwardly and released her hand. Turned on his heel and started to walk back down the corridor. He felt a small hand close around his wrist. He stopped. She rested her head into the middle of his back.
"Thank you Draco" she whispered, her voice barely audible. He turned around and hugged her. She wrapped her hands around his waist and rested her head on his chest.