A/N – Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter, any of the characters, places, etc etc it all belongs to J.K Rowling.
A light breeze played across the lake, sending ripples over to the bank on the other side. A small group of first years were gathered on the lawn, playing Gobstones and enthusing about the Chudley Cannons while several irate sixth years complained about their revision – the O.W.L's were drawing near.
Hermione was sat in the shade of a birch tree by the waters edge, leafing through her Charms notes.
"Fancy a game of chess?" said Ron
"What?" said Hermione impatiently
"Chess" Ron repeated, opening a Chocolate Frog, stuffing it in his mouth and discarding the wrapper
Hermione raised her eyebrows "you do realise that we will be sitting our N.E.W.T exams in the next few months, don't you?"
"Yeah?" said Ron, unconcerned
Hermione sighed and stuffed her notes back in her bag "Harry will play chess with you. I actually care about my grades, so if you don't mind, I'd rather concentrate on my revision" she leant against the tree trunk and took out The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7
"I have been studying, you know" said Ron defensively "I'm just taking a break"
"Mhmm" said Hermione, running her finger down the index "where is Harry, anyway?"
"Dunno. With Ginny, probably. Hey, look who's just turned up"
Hermione followed Ron's gaze across the lawn and her eyes fell upon a tall, blond figure wearing Slytherin robes. They walked across the grass, not quite meeting anyone's eye and settled themselves several feet away from a crowd of chattering Ravenclaw girls who stopped their conversation abruptly to stare at the newcomer. Hermione had not seen Draco Malfoy for quite some time. She assumed he had been hiding in his dormitory and to be honest, she couldn't blame him.
The Daily Prophet had reported, two months ago, that Lucius Malfoy had been found dead, presumably murdered by Voldemort before his downfall a month previously. The reason why was still unclear but the Death Eater had obviously done something to upset his master. Narcissa Malfoy, meanwhile, had been given a life sentence in Azkaban. Malfoy, who had already been given the Dark Mark and well on his way to becoming a Death Eater himself, joined the Order shortly after his father's demise and the Order accepted him into their ranks. Professor McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, had arranged for him to come back to school to finish seventh year.
Hermione had heard that Malfoy had abandoned the Death Eaters, many of whom were still at large and decided to join those fighting against them. She believed it; she knew that Malfoy was telling the truth. Why, she didn't know. Perhaps because she had seen the change in him. There was no more sneering or snide comments, no more striding down the corridors like he owned the place – he was quiet, reserved and seemed genuinely sorry. Unfortunately, the rest of the students did not appear to have forgiven him yet.
Now, Malfoy was the one who was scowled at, bullied and left out. Pupils would hiss "Death Eater" at him in the hallways, sit far away from him in the Great Hall, skirt around him in the corridors. And Hermione had not seen Malfoy say anything back, not even attempt to defend himself.
She watched him take out his books as the Ravenclaw girls scuttled away. He spread his notes out on the grass and took out a quill, twisting it around his fingers apparently deep in thought. It was several moments before Hermione realised Ron was speaking.
"…bottom of the league again, I can't believe it. You'd think they had a chance against the Tornados, they've not been playing up to standard since they lost their Seeker, you know, whatshisname, left for the Wimbourne Wasps, I think"
"Ron," Hermione began exasperatedly "because I care about your grades almost as much as you care about Quidditch, I'm going to suggest that you put that magazine down and look at your notes!" she grabbed Quidditch Today from Ron's grasp and threw it to the side.
"Alright! Blimey, Hermione calm down. They're in my dormitory I'll be back in a sec"
Hermione watched Ron disappear into the castle and turned her attention back to Malfoy, who was frowning over what appeared to be an Astronomy chart. She watched him angrily scribble out one the moons, pressing the quill down so forcefully on the parchment that it snapped. She saw him search through his bag for another one.
Hermione was not quite sure what made her do it. She might have felt sorry for him, perhaps, seeing him alone and friendless, struggling with the piles of revision which lay out before him. She walked tentatively over, a quill grasped in her hand.
"What do you want, Granger?" snapped Malfoy
Hermione hesitated "I saw you break your quill" she said, handing over her own
Malfoy snorted "been watching me, have you?"
"No" she lied
"So let me get this straight, you came all the way over here, dragged yourself away from your precious homework, just to give me a stupid quill? I'm quite capable of going back into school and getting another one, you know"
"If you don't want it, I won't force you" she turned away
"Wait Granger"
She stopped and faced him again "yes?"
"Thanks" said Malfoy grudgingly "for the quill"
Hermione handed it over "no problem, Malfoy"
He returned to his chart. Hermione watched him label the moon again and bit her lip. She had already seen several mistakes and before she could stop herself… "You've got that bit wrong"
"What?" said Malfoy
"You've erm, labelled several of the planets incorrectly" Hermione went on, already regretting not holding her tongue and returning to the birch tree and her own revision. Seeing Malfoy's glare, a glare that told her clearly to shove off, she quickly added "never mind, see you around" and hurried back to the birch tree where she spent the next hour correcting Ron's abysmal History of Magic essay.
"I was sure I got those dates right" Ron told her as they walked together to the Great Hall "I made loads of notes in Binns' class, didn't fall asleep once"
"That must be a record for you, I'm impressed" said Hermione, heading for the Gryffindor table where Harry and Ginny were already eating lunch
"Studying hard?" said Harry who had a stack of potions essays piled up next his plate.
Ginny was immersed in her own homework. She set it down and sighed wearily "I certainly am" she said, resting her head on Harry's shoulder "N.E.W.T's must be tough though" she added sympathetically
"You have no idea" said Ron, reaching for a jacket potato and spooning copious amounts of butter onto it.
Hermione wasn't really listening. Malfoy had just entered the Great Hall. He seated himself at the end of the Slytherin table, which was emptier than usual. Many of the Slytherins had left after their parents were arrested for Death Eater activity. Malfoy was one of the only members of the house who remained.
They had potions with Professor Slughorn after lunch. Hermione, Harry and Ron said farewell to Ginny by the staircase as she departed for Divination, and they headed towards the dungeons.
"Granger" Hermione whirled around. Malfoy was standing by the doors to the Great Hall "can I have a word?"
Harry and Ron looked at her, surprised "want us to wait?" said Ron, his eyes on Malfoy
"No" said Hermione "I'll only be a moment" she waited until Harry and Ron were out of sight before approaching Malfoy "yes?"
"You said I'd made mistakes on my Astronomy chart"
Hermione nodded "yes, there were several"
Malfoy looked awkward, something Hermione could not recall seeing before "I was wondering if you would give me a hand with it"
"Erm," said Hermione "of course"
"I was thinking you could check some of my essays and things too?"
"I'll check my timetable" Hermione replied, astounded at Malfoy's politeness
"Right, well…"
"Yes, I'll get back to you. I've got potions, I can't really be late" and she hurried towards the dungeons, without looking back, a little red in the face.
