A/n: Set during HBP. Text in Italics are from page 530 of Chapter 24. From Scholastic Books. Hard Bound Just so you know.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to the ingenius Ms. Rowling.
Harry and Ron stared. Hermione and Ginny, who had always got on together very well, were now sitting with their arms folded, glaring in oppoite directions.
Within a few minutes, the bushy haired witch left in a huff, unable to take the tension in the common room. However, once she reached outside she had no idea where to go. Instead, she decided to aimlessley walk around the castle with absolutely no destination in mind. As she was doing so, she couldn't help but wonder about Malfoy. How is he? What was he doing in Myrtyle's bathroom? Thoughts such as those were running back and forth in her mind. Being the person that she is, hungry for more information all the time, she needed to find out the answer. It was then she decided to pay Malfoy a little visit.
She approached the infimary with much caution, careful to not let anyone see her. Poking her head in, she was relieved to find Malfoy, who was staring blankly at the cracked ceiling, to be without company. She silently walked in and approached the the side of his bed.
"What do you want, Granger? Have you come to get your revenge? Because I'd appreciate it more if you just killed me now." He said dryly, his gaze not leaving the ceiling.
"Just so you know, Malfoy, I came here because for once I am siding with you. Earlier, I was having a row with my friends and Ginny snapped at me for defending you."
"Ha. Right. I do believe you came for something else."
"Correct. I just wanted to know what exactly you were doing in Myrtyle's bathroom?"
"What? Didn't Potter tell you?"
She shook her head.
"Hmm. Surprising," he scoffed. "I was crying, Hermione." He faced her and looked her dead in the eye, as he said those words.
This took her by surprise. For one, he never called her by her first name. It was usually Granger or Mudblood and never Hermione. And for the first time, he looked at her without any hatred or malice. She could see it in his eyes the confusion. He was lost.
She held her tongue, deciding not to say anything.
"I was crying because I have been asked to do something inhuman. I can't. But if I fail him saying that everything will go awry would be a huge understatement." he smirked slightly but faded just as quickly as it appeared. "It's a matter of life or death for a lot of people to say the least. Help me. Please." he begged.
Hermione sighed. She never knew what a predicament Malfoy was in. It was horrifying.
"Just... Just do what you think is right. Do what's in your heart. Malfoy, for the first time in you life, actually be what you make yourself appear to be: strong and in control. In control of your actions. In control of yourself." with that statement, she turned her heel. But before she could leave, she felt a cold hand on her wrist.
"Thanks, Granger."
"Anytime." she smiled and continued on her exit.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Malfoy murmured the next to most unlikely thing he could say to (or about) the muggleborn.
"If I didn't hate you so much, Hermione, I'd love you."
He knew she didn't hear that. And he knew what was to be done when that moment came. He was still terrified, however getting a new perspective on things helps very much.
A/n: Hoped you all liked it. Not much romance, though. How unusual of me. Anyway... this story suggests why Draco didn't kill Dumbledore. Well, one of the reasons anyway why he was hesitating ang never got through with it. Please review! Thanks!