Disclaimer: Once again, all recognizable characters and property belong to J.K. Rowlings. I make no money off this what so ever. The only thing I own is the plot.

Chapter Two – Can People Change?

*Draco*

I awoke the next morning with some slight back pain from sleeping against the wall between mine and Hermione's room. I wrestled with myself all night on whether or not to go over there. When I finally did get the strength to do it, she was passed out in the fetal position, clutching a piece of parchment.

I pulled out my wand and levitated her, pulling out the sheets and covers on her bed before magically changing her into a pair of pajamas she had lying out at the foot of her bed. After tucking her in, I placed a small kiss on her forehead and slipped back into my room, taking up my post against the wall in case she cried again.

I heard her scuffling around in her room. I knew she would have questions about how she got into her pajamas. I grabbed my stuff and walked into the bathroom just as her bedroom door opened.

I showered quickly and walked into my room, taking a seat on my bed. Today was the first day of classes. That meant seeing all those old faces that I hadn't seen since the war. Before I could easily escape if I tired of facing the world but that was no longer an option.

I looked in the mirror above my dresser and reminded myself that I was a Malfoy. I would walk down the halls and hold my head high; not letting anyone or anything disparages me.

*Hermione*

The first thing I noticed when I woke up, I was tucked into my bed. I threw back the covers, noticing someone had changed me into my pajamas.

I didn't remember putting them on. As a matter of fact the last thing I remembered was reading the letter and passing out.

I opened my door and walked out just as Draco ran into the bathroom. I walked back into my room and waved my wand, successfully unpacking everything. I sorted through my closet and pulled out my journal.

Journaling was something I started after the war. I found myself experiencing so many nightmares. Writing them all out helped get them off my mind and allowed me to slowly heal. I turned to a new page and dipped my quill in the ink before writing out the date and my thoughts.

Today is going to be a good day. Despite being back here, walking through the halls that were flooded with bad memories of yesterday, it's time to move on. It is time for a change.

Speaking of changes, on the train I think I experienced a major one.

Draco Malfoy, my school tormentor, actually apologized for the way he treated me all those years ago. Things hadn't been as easy for him as they once were.

We are all so caught up in how the war affected us but I never stopped to realize how it would affect the other side. Draco's family lost the respect of almost everyone in the wizarding community and everyone blames him for killing Dumbledore even though he wasn't the one who fired the curse.

I think that he is trying to make amends for his past transgressions and for some reason he has decided to start with me. On the train after he apologized, he gave me a sincere kiss on my cheek.

During the prefects meeting, I couldn't help but to steal fleeting glances at him. He looked like the Draco I remembered before the war started but something was different. He didn't have his usual attitude or walked with such high authority.

Is it possible that Draco truly has changed?

I lifted my quill from the page and thought about the last statement I wrote. Had Draco changed or was he putting on some kind of an act? I poised my quill on the page to write more but I heard the bathroom door open and knew he had finished. I packed my journal away and grabbed my things, heading into the bathroom.

"Welcome 7th and 8th years to greenhouse 3. Today we will be working with Nightshade. But before we get into that, I would you to be the first to know that this will sadly be my last year at Hogwarts."

A few of the students expressed their sadness over Professor Sprout's announcement, mostly by the students in her house, Hufflepuff.

"Oh, don't worry. I will be leaving my classes in more than capable hands. I am proud to introduce my replacement. While he isn't from my house, when I first met him, I saw his aptitude for Herbology and was reminded of a younger me. I am proud to introduce Professor Neville Longbottom."

The Gryffindors cheered as Neville entered while the Hufflepuffs clapped tastefully. Neville walked out and shook hands with Professor Sprout before blushing at being the center of attention once again.

"Well, Neville…" Professor Sprout gestured to the class.

Neville nodded and pulled out his wand. "As Professor Sprout said, we'll be working with Nightshade. Now Nightshade is very poisonous to humans so please use caution when handling the plants and do not ingest anything. Even touching the plants with your bare hands can cause hallucinations, paralysis, comas and in severe cases death."

Neville went on to explain that despite the poisonous nature of the plant, they were used to breed and harvest tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants.

"What we are going to be doing with them today is extracting the venom from the leaves and bottling it for the Potions supply closet."

After I collected the oil and was careful not to get it on my skin, I repotted my nightshade and placed it up.

Neville and Professor Sprout wandered throughout the class, assisting if needed. When Neville got to me, he wasn't surprised that I was finished already. So we caught each other up on what was going on in our lives.

"It feels weird being back but it feels like this is where I'm supposed to be." He smiled looking out.

I nodded my agreement, happy to see he was moving on. I asked him about Luna, who he had begun dating after the war.

"We aren't together anymore but we're still pretty good friends. She's got a shop in Diagon Alley with some Magizoologist she met while looking for wild odenghouls. She sells charms and trinkets that are supposed to ward off all kinds of creatures." He laughed.

We both knew that that sounded exactly like Luna but I was happy to hear that she was enjoying life despite losing her family.

"So how are things between you and Ron?" Neville asked, effectively ruining my good mood. I looked over at him, struggling with his nightshade bottling.

"Things could be better. He's still having a hard time dealing with Fred's death and the war has changed him so much."

"Give him some time, Mione. I'm sure he'll become around." He patted my shoulder before walking off to help someone.

*Draco*

By the time lunch arrived, I was tired of the furtive glances and stares everyone in the halls was giving me.

In Charms class, I met up with Theodore Nott, whose family's name was tarnished by the war and Blaise Zabini who deserted before the war even began. Although he and his mother didn't approve of muggle born and blood traitors, they didn't support Lord Voldemort either.

"So I hear that mudblood prude is Head Girl. No shock there. She always was a goody two shoes. It's like my father said, 'a mudblood is only good for one thing. Bent over a table, taking a good paddling." He chuckled darkly.

"Let it go, Nott. The war is over and your side lost. Besides I'm sure Draco here has no interest in the like of Know It All Granger." Blaise elbowed me, jarring me out of my thoughts.

I would be lying if I said I hadn't thought about Granger in a more intimate manner but they didn't need to know that.

"Yeah, the only reason why McGonagall appointed us Head Boy and Girl was to boost morale among everyone. To show them that now that the war is over, we should focus on repairing the friendship between houses or something." I shrugged it off and followed them into the Great Hall.

We took our usual seats at the Slytherin table with Pansy practically sliding into my lap once I sat down.

"Drakie, why weren't you in the commons last night? I waited up for you." She purred.

I rolled my eyes and pushed her off, focusing my attention on the trouble that was brewing at the Gryffindor table. The weasel was grilling Granger about something that happened in their Herbology class. She looked to be on the edge of tears when he grabbed her roughly and swiftly dragged her out of the Great Hall.

"Draco man, are you okay?" I heard Nott asked, nodding towards my knuckles.

I had such a tight grip on the table; I broke off a small piece and splintered it in my hand. I dropped them on the floor and went back to poking at my lunch.

Just then a first year, came over and handed me a note from McGonagall.

Mr. Malfoy,

I need to speak with you and Ms. Granger later this afternoon. Please be in my office promptly at 1pm.

I slipped the note into my pocket and rose to my feet, looking for Granger. She still wasn't back at the table and neither was the weasel. I quickly left the hall looking for them both when I heard someone shouting, "I won't be known as the idiot who is dating the school whore."

I hid behind the door the sound was coming from, shocked that Weasley emerged from the classroom. I waited until he disappeared around the corner before walking in. Granger was sitting in the floor, sniffling and letting her tears fall freely.

"Are you okay?" I asked, walking towards her.

She looked up, shocked it was me. "Why are you in here?"

"You know you shouldn't let him treat you like that. Just because you're his girlfriend doesn't mean that he can push you around." I told her offering her my handkerchief and my hand.

She took both, wincing a bit as I grabbed her by the wrist to pull her up.

"What happened to your wrist?" I asked her, pulling it closer so I could examine it. Before she jerked it away, I saw the outline of a hand wrapped around it.

She threw her hand over it and questioned why I was in there again.

"I came looking for you because Professor McGonagall sent me a note. She wants to see us in her office." I said, monotone.

"I'll meet you there. I just need to grab my bag from the Great Hall." She mumbled before running out the door.

*Hermione*

"I thought you said McGonagall wanted to see us?"

"I have the note right here if you don't want to believe me." Draco said, reaching into his pocket.

Before I could answer him, McGonagall entered, a folder tucked under her arms.

"Sorry I am late. I had to deal with Peeves hiding in the suits of armor, making them move whenever the first years came past." She explained, taking her seat behind the desk.

"Now I know that classes have just started but I wanted to remind you two of your other Head Boy and Girl responsibilities. Now this upcoming Sunday is your first night doing patrols. You two will be monitoring the seventh floor. Ms. Granger you will be responsible for the classrooms, the north wing, and the fat lady's corridor. She's been having some problems with prefects from other houses doing their patrols in as she puts it, "Gryffindor territory".

"Mr. Malfoy, your patrol area is the corridors, the room of requirement, the hall of hexes and the disused bathroom. Oh and if you can also check the dark tower. Professor Trelawney has been advising me that something that will shake a rocky foundation will be seen one of these nights."

We both wrote out our routes and the areas we were to pay close attention to before she went on to the subject of the Fall Harvest Dance.

"We want all the students to dress in costume but make sure they know their costumes should be tasteful. The prefects will be made available to help out with the decorations on the day of the dance. You two will be responsible for making sure everything goes off without a hitch.

"And in the spirit of inter-house mingling, I expect to see the two of you in coordinating costumes. Remember you're an example for the rest of the students."

I wanted to object but I kept my mouth shut. Knowing Malfoy, he would pick something so out of line, just to humiliate me. So I decided to take charge of everything to prevent it from happening.

As soon as we left from McGonagall's office, I made a bee line for our room, eager to get the planning done. Since our only afternoon class, Potions was halfway through, she excused us from the class and said she would collect whatever work we missed from Slughorn.

"So do you want to start planning now? I was thinking we could have a…" I started before he cut me off.

"Can we do that this weekend? Today was our first day back in case you hadn't noticed. Some of us would like to relax." He rolled his eyes and plopped down on the couch.

"Fine! You come up with some ideas and I'll do the same." I told him storming out of the portrait hole.

I didn't understand why I was taking my anger out on Malfoy. I was really angry at myself. Ron saw how long I was talking to Neville and got jealous, thinking I was giving him too much of my attention.

I didn't think I was but maybe I did. I was making my way to the Gryffindor common room to apologize when someone pulled me into an empty class room.

As my eyes adjusted to the dark, Ron came forward.

"Why weren't you in potions? I sat there, waiting for you like an idiot!" he screamed, staggering a bit. He had been drinking again.

"Professor McGonagall needed to see me. Well actually she needed to see me and Draco." As soon as I said it, I knew it was a bad idea.

Ron's face twisted into a mask of fury and his eyes were ablaze. He raised his hand and slapped me clear across my face with enough force to send me to the floor. I threw my hands out and braced myself for the fall.

I fell hard on my right wrist and heard a light snap. Ron reached down and grabbed me roughly by the shoulder, shoving me into the wall.

"Don't you dare say that ferret's name! I don't care who wanted you, you tell me first if you are going to miss a class." His hand shot out and caught me by the throat.

"Are we clear on that, Hermione?" he asked through clenched teeth.

I couldn't speak so I simply nodded my head and whimpered. Once he had his answer, his face softened and he removed his hand from my throat.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you today." He cooed, sliding his hand down my side and under my skirt.

"Ron, no. I've told you I'm not ready." I croaked out.

He scoffed at me and violently shoved two fingers into my center. I wasn't prepared for that. I let off a soft sob and tried to get away but the more I squirmed, the more turned on Ron got.

"I'm getting tired of waiting. The next time you better be ready or I will take it." he then pulled his fingers out and sauntered out of the classroom. The minute I heard his feet retreating down the hall, I slid down onto the floor and cried.

"Where is the person I fell in love with?" I pondered aloud.

I didn't know how long I sat there, crying and contemplating the status of everything in my life. I was getting ready to leave when I heard someone rattling the doorknob. I quickly picked myself up and retreated into the shadows.

After they realized the door was locked, they moved on down the hall. I pulled out my wand and waved it over myself, covering all the marks and bruises I was sure were there and made my way back to my room.

"My dear, are you all right?" I heard Henry ask me as I approached.

"Yes, just a bit stressed out Henry."

"Whatever it is that is stressing you, my dear, it must not be worth it to make you cry like this."

"You should listen to him Hermione. My Henry wasn't Head Boy for nothing." Amanda beamed up at him.

I returned their smile with a weak one of my own and mumbled my password, gaining entrance.

I climbed through the hole and noticed Draco quickly sat up on the couch under the pretense that he was reading.

"Were you waiting up for me?"

"What? No, I was sitting here reading this book for my Muggle Studies class." He closed it and placed it to the side.

I shook my head and walked off, holding my wrist in place. Malfoy must have noticed because he was at my side in a flash.

"What happened to your wrist?" He asked, looking it over, prying my fingers off it.

"Nothing, I was upset and I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and I fell on it." I told him, trying to pull my wrist out of his grasp.

"Stop trying to get away before you make it worst." He scolded, never taking his eyes off my wrist.

I did what he said but pouted as he doted on me. After he examined it from every possible angle, he guided me towards his room.

"Sit." He told me, nodding his head towards his bed. I did as he said and looked around. Although his room had the same furniture as mine, his bed was decorated in green and black sheets with silver pillows.

His walls held posters of his favorite Quidditch team, The Holyhead Harpies, riding their brooms in scantily clad clothing.

I scoffed and turned my attention back to him. "You don't like my handy work?" He smirked in reference to the posters.

"Typical male." Was all I could say.

He chuckled and pulled out his wand. He tapped my wrist once, his wand emitting yellow sparks. I rotated my wrist, surprised it was no longer fractured.

"Thanks. How did you learn to do that?"

Draco didn't say anything but his eyes spilled it all. He was used to dealing with injuries like these.

"The Dark Lord put me through excruciating pain when I was training. After a while you learn how to heal all your wounds."

"If you want to talk about it…" I began but he shook his head no.

"It's in the past. And I'd rather not live there. I want to know what is going on with you and Weasley. Why are you with him?"

I sighed and looked at my hands.

"In the beginning it was because we loved each other. And then I couldn't leave because Ron was in too much pain over Fred's death. Now I guess it's out of convenience. I've been with him for so long, I don't know if I want anything else." I stated, shocked I could be so honest with Draco.

He scooted closer to me and lifted my head up. "You should be with someone who is deserving of someone as amazing as you." He murmured, kissing me full on the lips.

I was stunned. Draco Malfoy was kissing me and it wasn't because of a prank or to humiliate me. He had genuine feelings for me. Draco Malfoy was feeling something for me, poor mudblood Granger.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed it for a second before realizing what I was doing. I quickly pushed him away and ran towards the door. Draco was a bit faster than me and waved his wand at the door, making it disappear.

*Draco*

"Draco, please." I heard her beg me.

"I don't understand why you don't see what I do. You're so beautiful Hermione. You deserve someone who will tell you that every day." I told her in a voice barely above a whisper.

She looked so innocent standing against the wall, looking at me. Fear was present in her eyes. I slowly approached her, hoping she would see she didn't have any reason to be afraid.

I was within arm's length when she said, "Since when do you think mudbloods are beautiful?"

I faltered for a second and processed what she said. Because of how I teased her, she only saw herself as a mudblood. Someone inferior or beneath a pureblood like me.

"It's your fault that she's still with that weasel." I thought. I was feeling a bit angry that I shouted at her, "Don't call yourself that." In my haste to comfort her, I rushed towards her frightening her even more.

"You may not be from a wizarding family but your blood is no different than mine. I always thought that mudbloods were homely and dirty disgusting people. But then I met you and everything changed." I raised my hand to stroke her face and she flinched as if it was second nature.

She was afraid…of me? I took a step back and processed it all. The bruises, the constant tears, the lack of confidence. I thought she was just upset being back here but it wasn't that at all.

"He hits you. That pathetic little arse hits you, doesn't he?" I asked. She couldn't even look at me so I knew I had it right.

I waved my wand at the wall, making the door reappear. She couldn't get through it fast enough.

I took a seat on my bed, the look of fear on her face running through my mind. I wondered if that was how she looked when he got angry with her. How long had this been going on? Did Potty and weaselette know? Doubtful. She was a Gryffindor after all. They were a proud bunch.

I had so many questions and I was determined to get all the answers.

AN: So Draco has not only acknowledged that he has feelings for Hermione but he's figured out her dark little secret. How will he get his answers. If any of you have any ideas on how the next chapter should go, send me a message.