DISCLAIMER: I do not own any Harry Potter characters that you recognize from the series

hello all. . . .i promise itll get more exciting lol. this is my first fanfic and criticisms are welcome!! sorry if it takes me a lil bit to update stories. . . busy summer with horse shows and wrkin at the barn and camping. . .hope u enjoy

Iorhael-nin - thank you for reviewing!!!! of course ill put draco in! how could i not i mean a harry potter story aint a harry potter story with out a hot bratty malfoy lol and i definitely agree on the whole sirius thing-he was also one of th kik ass characters

aiight bak to th story

Chapter 2-He's Changed-a lot

"Well I can see Fudge has had a little change of heart hasn't he?" Ron finally broke the silence that was creeping up on them.

"I think this is more of Dumbledore's doing than Fudge's. I think I know why too." Said Harry glancing at his friends' questioning looks. "We don't exactly know a lot of magic do we? Hermione don't even say it, I know we all know a considerable amount for our age but what I mean is we don't know a lot compared to how much there is out there. Now we can study AND practice magic outside of school".

"Well I guess that makes sense but-" Hermione got interrupted.

"Kids breakfast is ready!!!" came Mrs. Weasly's shrill voice, "Harry dear you can come and sit in between Ron and Remus." Harry simply nodded, he had way to much on his mind to talk a lot. They all sat down to breakfast and were all unsurprisingly quiet (A/N it would take too long to go over all the details, basically it was a good meal and they were quiet cuz they are sad)

"So how are we getting to the funeral anyways?" asked Harry.

"Now Harry please don't overreact but-" Hermione started.

"He's really changed a lot since his dad was sacked-" Ron put in.

"Oh bloody hell Harry Malfoy is taking us there" Fred finally concluded.

"Fred no more swear-" Mrs. Weasley began to scold.

"WHAT, who in the right mind would let Malfoy take us ANYWHERE!?!?!?" Harry bursted out, "That's like walking up to Voldemort, tapping him on the shoulder and saying 'excuse me I'm lost, I'm trying to find the path towards my death' have you all lost your bloody minds!!!".

"Harry!! Just shut up and listen, Malfoy-" Hermione tried to explain.

"NO! I refuse to-" Harry stormed but Hermione cut him off again.

"Silencio! Harry, I know this is really hard to accept right now, Malfoy was put under a curse to think like his father until he was eleven, then he was threatend by his father to keep up the uhh. . . . 'family tradition' so to speak. He really is a nice guy, and it will be a benefit to us to have a slytherin as an ally. Malfoy may still act a bit snobby but he really is much, much better. I know this because I went to Diagon Ally right after school ended to get some books and he was there, and he started to talk to me all friendly like and he explained everything. I told this to Professor Dumbledore and he had Malfoy repeat it after taking Veratasium (the truth potion-not sure how to spell it :-/ too lazy to search book) and he was telling the truth. Harry just give him a chance, if after this you still think hes an annoying git so be it but please, give him a chance." Hermione begged, then muttered the countercurse so Harry could reply.

"Whatever, everything seems to be against me now so I mine as well try. Blimey, if Sirius was still here-" Harry started

"Harry, Sirius would have wanted you to give him a chance-ok sure if Malfoy blew this chance Sirius would curse him to bloody hell but still." Lupin added softly. Just then there was a knock on the door and Dumbledore walked in with Malfoy behind him.

"Draco!" Hermione squealed as she rushed over to give him a hug, "please be careful around Harry, this is a very hard day for him you know" she whispered in his ear, and he winked in reply.

"Harry, Ron, Professors (to Moody and Lupin), Weasleys" he nodded to each of them in greeting.

"How can you prove that you have really changed?" Harry asked Malfoy.

"By telling you that I love Hermione-yes, I, Draco Malfoy am in love with Hermione Granger, a muggle born witch" He said solemnly. Harry thought about this for a few minutes Well I spose it won't hurt to give him a chance he decided.

"You had better mean what you say Malfoy, if you hurt her in any way I will blast you into bloody hell." Stated Harry. Hermione had just been standing there with her mouth open since Draco had said he loved her.

"Draco, I. . .I. . .I love you too" she gushed. She ran over to him to be swept up into a big hug. (A/N I know I know not one of my most brilliant ideas. . . i get major writers block sumtimes. and im gonna have them all refer to eachother by first names now that they're all buddy buddy).

"Now that this whole thing is over may we get going?" Came Lupin's impatient voice breaking the silence.

"Of course," Draco replied, " the thestrals are waiting outside-will everyone be able to see them?" he asked catiously. When they all nodded he led them outside.

Just over a dozen Thestrals were outside, they all had cushy looking saddles on them. "Each saddle is enchanted to be comfortable and the rider cannot fall off" Draco quickly explained seeing everyone's questioning looks towards the funky looking saddles. He then helped all of the females up except for Ginny-who Harry helped up-and took a specially long time with Hermione. After every one was ready he told the thestrals to go to the Black Family Graveyard and swiftly mounted his thestral.