Hello! I had written this chapter with the prologue, in kind of a one shot, hehehe, so anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this it. If it's too sudden or anything it might be because it just poured out of me, but tell me if you would like to have the other chapters reveal and grow a bit more slowly. :D

Change in the most reliable.

Chapter 1

I remembered that time in sixth year when he turned... Nicer, his arguments and remarks didn't sting so much anymore; like he lost heart in our never-ending battle. It was truly starting to irritate me, it's like he couldn't even be bothered to bite back to my mean words. He still called me Mudblood, but the vile, disgusted sneer from his face was gone, he seemed... So distant.

Then that time Slughorn had made us work together; I wanted to die. To-to work with Draco Malfoy was a highly depressing thought, I hated the ferret; he on the other hand seemed like he didn't care. I had the impression he hated me most, that even Harry couldn't win Malfoy's hatred of me. Oh how wrong I was. One boring autumn evening I accidentally walked into the boys toilets...

- You couldn't imagine how mortified I was-

... and saw no-one else but Malfoy himself. He didn't seem cool and nonchalant though, bent over one of the grotesque sinks his shoulders were shaking and sobs echoed around the room.

"Are you crying?!" I exclaimed without thinking, taken aback by the image. This wasn't right. MALFOY wasn't capable of crying. He was MALFOY! A hollow shell of a human, only existing to bully and gloat. He couldn't feel emotions other than hate and mockery. Yet there he was, so fragile... So delicate. He whirled around, wand in hand. His face was grimaced with- what was it? Anger? He wiped his face with his sleeve and scowled,

"What are you doing here?!" His expression sent shivers down my back.

"I-I was only-It was an accident.." He shut his eyes and leaned on the wall next to him, sighing as he did, like he was tired.

We stayed like this for some time; him frozen, and me, fidgeting with the hem of my jumper.

"S-so... Are you alright?" I asked uncertainly. He laughed, in the way a mother laughs at a child when it does something it doesn't understand, and then scuffed,

"Alright? Of course I'm alright, Granger. That's exactly why I'm crying in a bathroom like a cissy girl."

He said, sarcastically. I bit my lip. Usually I would've laughed, I would've felt victorious and gloat at his misfortune,
but this year I just couldn't. "Mmmm... So what's wrong?" I muttered. His face contorted involuntary, the corner of his mouth twitching, then he laughed again, this time without the sneer. It quickly turned into desperate sobs and Malfoy started shrinking into a kneeling position, where his head ended up in his hands; the image of a desperate man. I ran over to him and kneeled , putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He winced as I touched him,

"Get away from me, Mudblood." He said vehemently, sitting back and away from me.

I sunk into a lotus position, suprisedly (?) not feeling even a twinge of irritation or sadness at the word. Then I waited. My mind was going crazy, crazy at me, at the whole situation, and a number of thoughts raciced through my head:

-This is Malfoy! What are you doing reassuring the idiot?!- Asked my, ekhem, logical side of me.

-I-I don't know. He just seems so sad and in need.- I answered, noticing how cliché that sounded.

-Yeah. But don't you remember this IS the boy who has bullied, mocked and made yours and your best-friend's lives living hell for the past 6 years?- It reasoned, clearly not understanding me.

-This year it's been different, though, he hasn't, I dunno, had his heart in it.- I defended, thinking it was odd.

-SO WHO cares he hasn't had heart in bullying you!- Replied me, still outraged by the whole situation.

I commonly have these conversations with myself, I'm not crazy, when stuck in a difficult situation. My thoughts were interrupted by Malfoy leaning his head on the stone wall behind him, swallowing hard; again looking extremely exhausted.

"Everything." I scanned his face, his grey eyes were staring at the ceiling, his body resigned;his back sunken completely onto the wall, one leg laying flat on the floor, the other was bent at the knee propping his arm onto it. He looked at me, not even a small trace of hatred we shared on his features. Seeing my troubled expression, he went on,

"Everything, Granger. Every little damn thing in my life." he sighed in exparation, switching his gaze to a pillar behind me.

I nodded,so I could give some kind of sign that I understood.

"It's going to be alright, Malfoy." I gave him a hint of a smile.

"Now I was actually looking for you about our project on the living draught potion."

He didn't move, although at my previous comment the usual smirk played on his lips.

"So, you're not going to make some smart-ass remark? Anything that would be mean or evil?" This time I sighed,

"I, unlike you, am not a heartless grub."

Tsking and shaking my head with an amusing motion, I stood up. He smiled, looking as if he was silently chuckling to himself. I started towards the door, feeling weirdly light and happy.

"Wait," I turned around to find him standing up, dusting himself off.

"So about that project, what are we supposed to do?"

He said it while straightening his uniform, which looked really creased.

"Well, firstly find out what the potion does, then write about different results in taking it. Make it and then try it on something. Have you not been listening to ANYTHING in class?" He smirked,

"Seriously Granger, education hasn't been on my mind lately." He drawled. Ahhh. there was the usual Malfoy. He passed me, not even glancing back.

"I'm not doing the work for you." That grabbed his attention, he stopped by the door, just turning his head slightly to the side.

" Didn't expect you to." With that he stormed off, and I was alone in the bathroom. Did I mention it was the MALE bathroom? Well I quickly stormed out too, heading towards the Gryffindor tower. I've just had one of the biggest chances in the world to humiliate Malfoy, who was a evil creature. He was wasn't he? Well...He wasn't anymore, at least not to me.; seeing him vulnerable like that made me think of all the misfortunes he had encountered this year.

-His father had been caught and taken away to Azkaban, he was hated and even the Dark side found him distasteful.-

It was sad to think how his life was. He looked sick and tired lately, also seeming to grow very thin.

"Fidelio Mementom" I said to the fat lady, who was starting to sing again. Her previous hobby, painting, was abandoned. The portrait hole swung open and I climbed through , feeling rather down and worried. I saw Harry sitting in the corner, over a pile of books with Seamus, who he had been partnered up with by Slughorn. I smiled wickedly, even Harry's AMAZING book (Which seemed to me evil and treacherous) wouldn't (and couldn't) help him with his disastrous partner. Harry looked up and waved for me to come over. I muttered a 'Hi' to Ginny and Lavender who were giggling over a photo of Victor Krum in the Daily Prophet. Sure, he was handsome, but inside? Boring emptiness, except girls and Quidditch, Quidditch isn't even that ruddy amazing! I slumped into a big chair, putting my book bag at the side.

"So, did you find Malfoy, Hermione?" Harry was mocking me at every turn that I got such a partner, as if his was ANY better.

"Mmmmhmmm." I absently stared at the wall, mowing over all that happened.

"And?" Harry was almost beside himself, still having something stuck in his mind that Malfoy was up to something, something bad and evil.

"Nothing, usual exchange of remarks. Also it turns out he wants to do some of the work too."

Harry groaned.

"What was Slughorn thinking making you two work together? Oh, Hermione would you be kind enough to tell me what the potion does?" He had an almost hopeful expression, paired with a cheesy grin. I scowled,

"Harry, that's your part of research. Especially now you've got that book you should be just fine." Emphasizing on 'that book' with a cold and mocking voice, I walked off to the my dormitory.

Next day I dressed into my robes and rushed down to the Gryffindor table in the dining hall. There was barely anyone there, like usual. A couple of girls from Ravenclaw, some Hufflepuffs, and an almost always emptiness on Gryffindor and Slytherin. Well, actually at the corner of the grand Slytherin table, there was a pale head stuck behind the Daily Prophet, -Imperius still hard to go-, so I walked over to him, grabbing a toast with raspberry jam on my way.

"So what's new in the Prophet?" I asked as I sat down opposite him. He flicked the paper down so he could see me.

"Excuse me, Granger, but what the hell are you doing?" Malfoy's face was positively shocked.

"What does it look like? Eating breakfast."

"Yes I can see that, but why, on Merlin's beard, on my table? CLOSE to me?" He sneered. I shrugged. His act didn't work on me anymore. Finishing my toast I stood up,

"Well I was thinking we could make a start on the project tonight at 6, in the library."

"Fine." said Malfoy as I walked off to the red and gold table, waiting for Ron and Harry, who miraculously appeared a second later. My knees were shaking as I sat down..

-I just talked to Malfoy. And it seemed like a civil conversation, not once he called me Mudblood.-

I opened my copy of the Daily Prophet, Fenrir Greyback was staring at me from the page, grinning evilly. The boys started eating sausages and eggs, so I had another helping of toast, entranced in the News. Harry was just saying how Malfoy walked off when Ron looked over my shoulder, frowning at the werewolf, "Crikey. They should put him in Azkaban fast." I nodded.

The clock chimed and the room started filling out. I gathered my books and my leather bag to walk to Potions with the Slytherins. Ron and Harry caught up to me on the stairs and we were discussing how stupid Rita Skeeter seemed on the back page, with her stupid Pink quills and such, when we walked into class. Nobody was sat down, still gathered in their friendship groups.

"Settle down, Settle down. Ah, well, actually before you do, I would like you to sit next to your partners." The professor said.

There were groans everywhere; nobody had a partner they liked. Looking around I couldn't find Malfoy.
The stupid git left me, so I clambered over to the back of the class, grumbling under my breath, hoping it wouldn't be a too much of a partner involved task.

"You all know about what the Potion does now, that task was set individually. Today we shall be working on the presentation of information you will gather over the next two weeks." Slughorn smiled, his gaze lingering on Harry for the most part.

I huffed, irritated that Malfoy would behave as such, this was a very important part of the whole thing! I got a bleak, cream piece of parchment out, and my Quill and Ink, to start drawing ideas.

"Starting without me, Granger?" Came a cold voice from beside me. I almost did a pirouette from the shock.

"What the hell Malfoy?"I demanded.

"I believe I asked you the same question earlier today." Malfoy smirked. He put his things down and got comfortable on the stool.

"Well fine, whatever. Just help me put the presentation together." He nodded and the next hour it was silent between us, take away the casual sneers and insults. We made a really cool, pop up thing, were we would later jot down information and pictures.

I walked off to lunch alone; Ron and Harry had Quidditch, and the rest of the day was free. Malfoy caught up to me on the stairs leading up to the Astronomy tower, (where I was going since I wasn't really hungry at the moment.)

"Hey, Granger, since we have the whole day off,why not start on the research now?" I stopped to look at him. Nope he was still the usual annoying bugger, with his hands in his pockets he looked at me expectantly.

"Well, sure." I agreed, but we carried on walking to the top.
I sat down on the carved wooden bench, and he walked over to the balcony area.

"How come you're not eating?" I asked him.

" Not hungry." Malfoy said. He then turned around, walking over to me and sat down.

"Oh. Me too." I started fidgeting with the end of my sleeve. I turned around to look at him, he was leaning on the back of the bench completely relaxed, I wondered what was on his mind, but then Malfoy sat up,shortening the distance between us. I noticed, but I doubted that he did, looking over at the rainy day ahead of us.

" Why were you cryi- Sad yesterday? " I bluntly asked,it just kind of popped out; I've been thinking about it over and over. The question took him by surprise.

"Not your problem, Granger." His evil sneer was back, the one I hadn't seen for ages.

He was staring at me in a weird way, but all I could think about were his lips, the grey eyes scanning my face.
Then we both leant in and kissed. It was soft and innocent at first, but after a moment he opened his mouth and his tongue slid over my lips, not being able to resist, I opened them, letting our tongues dance.I bit his lower lip gently and he groaned. I didn't realise my hand went all the way to the back of his head, but I couldn't stop entwirling my fingers in his soft, luscious hair. His hands were around me, pulling me closer, grabbing the back of my neck to deepen the kiss even more. Now we were laying on the bench, I was on top of him, hugging him tight. We pulled apart for air and realised what we were doing, who we were. We sat back, gasping, both bewildered. I glanced up at Malfoy, he was flushed and his lips were bright pink from kissing, his jumper was creased, his tie undone and shirt untucked. The blonde sleek hair was messy.
God, he was sexy.

I saw him look up at me, and something seemed to click. He stood up trying to straighten himself, whirled around and plainly said,

"This didn't happen. It can't be." his eyes were huge, and then he ran down, leaving me alone. I stayed in place, too shocked to register what had happened, all I could think about was how it felt to be kissed by him, how good he was of a kisser. I sighed, wishing I had gone down to the Quidditch pitch with the guys and avoided this mess.

The feelings inside my stomach made me cry, they were uncomfortable, but- nice, somehow. I cried and cried until looking at my watch it was suddenly 4. I gathered my things, cleaned up best I could and walked down to the hall, where there were deliciously smelling chicken wings and mashed potatoes with peas. I didn't even dare to look at the Slytherins. Unfortunately, the only seat available close to my friends was facing their table; I sat down, taking great care to cast my eyes down, avoiding any chance of view. Harry, who was sitting next to me, was staring in that direction.

-Great-

He smelled nice, of lavender and honey. Must've had a shower then. I could also hear snogging noises from Ron and Lavender, which brought me right back to my thinking; how Malfoy's soft, delicious lips moved over mine, how the contact sent shivers down my back, and how kissable he looked after we stopped. Harry nudged me in the side, 'Ouch!' his elbow really hurt.

I looked up, having been bent down and playing with my food. I froze,the grey stare paralyzing me; it electrified me and I could tell that he had been thinking about the same thing.

"Hermione? Malfoy seems to be staring at you the whole time we've been here." Harry whispered, pretending to drink his pumpkin juice.

"Really?" He just did a slight nod, that could've been mistaken for anything.

"Huh. That's so weird." But all I felt was satisfaction and happiness, considering I had kissed my 'worst enemy' and now I was happy he couldn't keep his eyes off me, I was quite amused. In a moment of weakness, I let a small smile to creep upon my lips, while I looked down again.

"Hermione? Whats so funny?" Harry asked, this time not trying to hide anything. I shook my head,

"Oh nothing." I started eating, finding that my appetite has come back to me.

At 5 me, Harry,Ron,Lavender,Ginny and Dean walked up to our common room. Ron had been partnered with Dean, the whole sister-dating thing made their working together really awkward. Crabbe had Lavender, and Goyle had Blaise. I doubted any of their projects would turn out good. Relaxing in front of the fire, we laughed and enjoyed the Butterbeer Dean smuggled in for us.

Suddenly it was half past.
Then quarter to.
Then five to.

I had an uneasy feeling that I've forgotten something, but surely I didn't. Seamus walked over to Harry with some parchments. OH!
I had to meet him at the library in 5 minutes! I grabbed my bag and ran out without an explanation. He would probably be late, but how awful would it be if he didn't show up? Ha, Hermione Granger,
the girl who was stood up.

-Stood up?! This wasn't a date!-

Opening the door I saw Malfoy smugly sitting in an armchair in the corner.

"Wow. I seriously thought you were never late, Mudblood." He didn't try to conceal his smile of satisfaction at being here before me, which added to my already desperate emotions of hurt at being called that vile name.

"Oh, you know, had a lot of things on my mind." I tried to sound convincing, I mean, I couldn't just say I've forgotten.

"Mmhm." He agreed, obviously not believing me, which I could tell by his tone of mockery. It seemed there was a brand new passion of hatred towards me, even worse than all those previous years. He stood up, gallantly, and walked over to the book aisles.

"What books would speed up this meeting? I tire of your vile presence" He drawled, amusing himself.

"Umm." I was starting to feel anger welling inside me, I had no idea what happened to him, but I hid it and walked over to stand next to him, highly aware of the amazing scent filling my nose. I cursed at myself inwardly, obviously we were back to our, 'I hate you, you hate me, we're a happy family' so I couldn't allow myself to think thoughts as these!

-How was it that I never noticed it before?-

I brushed lightly against his chest to reach a book on his left. "Moste Potente Potions." ( This was the book I had used to brew the Polyjuice Potion in our Second year, which, ironically, was used to spy on Malfoy) I looked back at his face once I grabbed it. He had a sort of, revulsion/shock expression on his face. Regaining his composure he stepped back, dusting himself off. Rolling my eyes, I turned around and tried to reach a book on a high shelf.

"Erm, Magical Drafts and Potions." I pointed to the book, looking over my shoulder so he'd get it. He was standing there, a bored expression on his face, his gaze averted to somewhere at the side. I cleared my throat, expecting him to maybe get the hint, but no. He looked at me, smirking and arching his brow.

"Something you want Granger?"

I put my hand down and slowly balled my fists, I gritted my teeth, shutting my eyes from pure irritation.

-Seems some people never grow up.-

I sighed as I climbed onto the table, taking care to not let my skirt flay around, because, god, how embarrassing would that be. With the leather bound book in my palm, I trotted over to a chair opposite Malfoy's. No way I am giving him more reason to gloat or mock me, or whatever he feels like doing.

He held the book I had earlier withdrawn from the bookshelf, Moste Potente Potions, which described the detailed effects it had on different organisms. Plants, it merely killed, shrivelling them up until they dried out and turned into nothing, just like Professor Slughorn gladly presented using a leaf on Harry's potion.

I sighed under my breath, the irritation how Harry was cheating was literally vibrating off me every time we merely walked into potions class. I mean sure, it was good to sometimes improvise but rules and guidelines were there for a reason! I furrowed my brow in worry.

-What if the guidelines written by the Prince would do damage? Cause Harry's potion to erupt or explode and harm him or worse?-

I didn't think I should be worrying about that just yet, the essay-project was far more important and worry-free. That is if you didn't count Malfoy, who, by the way, actually looked like he was doing the work. His parchment was filled with various pieces of information and I awkwardly stared at mine, disappointed and ashamed how little I had done. He seemed to notice this and looked at me in an superior way, smirking. He started gathering his things,
I felt a little relieved that he was going, it was so tiring to have to be conscious about someone watching you at all times.

"Granger, please do try to do at least something, I can't be bothered to have Weasel or Potty beat me because of your Mudblood laziness." He rolled his eyes at the word laziness, looking as if he was infuriated that I had done so little. I could see it was an act though, because he had a sneer on his lips, he wanted me to know that he was simply taunting me.

"Yeah, whatever." I answered back, switching my gaze to my book, but I was only thinking how he could be so casual and his old-self (the one I had known since first year) when we had-
No way was I going to think of that. It had never happened, really.

Hehe, sorry if it's too short for you people!

As you probably guessed, I'm going to remove the part about Hermione fancying Ron for now, although his jealousy could come useful later. I don't know. Oh, he still madly fancies her of course. xD

I'll get to writing the next Chapter soon, curious what'll happen next?
I hope my writing style is alright? No? Tell me, if you want.

Reviews would be awesome.

Nox