Sat in the library, at the back of the study tables, pouring over another text he couldn't comprehend. He hadn't even noticed when she had walked towards him, not until she'd placed a hand on his shoulder. He'd jerked away but she held him steady

"Granger! What the…" He'd snapped, slamming the old tomb shut.

"Malfoy, Come with me," She'd said, barely above a whisper

"And why should I?"

"Because of these," She'd said, bringing a hand up and pointing at his cheeks. He brushed his hand across them and found them damp. He'd been …crying. And Granger was doing what?

"Attempting to be the next Mother Teresa are we Granger? I don't need your help," He'd said sharply, still attempting to shrug off her hand; she was a lot stronger than she looked.

"Get up Malfoy, the second years will hear you," She'd said, pulling him to his feet and shoving his book at him so he was forced to hold it with one hand. The other hand she'd taken, dragging him through the maze of shelves to that place: A window seat barely big enough for two, far out of the pat of any lower years students. She drew him over to it but didn't make him sit, though she did, letting go of his hand.

"I could just walk away Granger,"

"I want to talk to you Malfoy, not curse you,"

"And what would the magnificent Granger want with me?"

"We could help each other Malfoy,"

"I don't think so,"

"I told those second years that if I even heard a rumour of you crying in the library they'd have detentions all through next term,"

"And pray tell why you did that?"

"Because not even an evil git deserves to have no-one looking out for them."

"And you think you're that person for me do you?"

"We could be friends Malfoy. I just thought you might need someone,"

"I don't need you Granger." He said, turning on the spot but not walking away; sadistically hoping he might hear her sniffle or cry herself after she had witnessed him doing much the same. However he felt another tear run down him own cheek. Suddenly he felt warm arms brush against his own and looking down he saw that Granger had looped her arms around his waist. He also felt her head rest on his back.

Before any smart comment came to his mind Draco was overcome with an unstoppable sob that shook his whole body. If Hermione hadn't been stood with her arms around him he may have ended up bent double or curled in a heap at her feet.