"You really want our opinions on you don't you?" Ginny asked, already knowing the answer, glancing towards Hermione with a questioning look after seeing the nods and smiles on the boys' faces. Hermione gave a small, imperceptible nod, agreeing to tell them the truth.

"Honestly," Hermione started, missing the happy look on Draco's face because they chose to be honest with them. "I don't really know you Blaise. I know you are Mal- sorry, Draco's best friend, and that you are in fact attractive, but that is about all I can say. We will have to work on that it seems." She smiled softly at the ebony haired boy who smiled back and nodded.

"Draco," Ginny said in a confident voice. "I can say the same thing for you. I know that you have made my friends' and brothers' lives hell for the last 5 years, yet you are known as one of the most attractive males in your year. Other than that, I know nothing about you. If you are serious about this change in who you are, then we will definitely need to change that, because you don't seem like a bad person." Draco nodded in agreement, a small smile on his face before he turned to face Hermione.

"Blaise," Ginny started again, her voice less confident than before. "We have worked against each other for the last year in Quidditch, and have argued back and forth because of it. To be honest, I thought you were a complete bastard before today." Blaise smirked at that, nodding gently, gesturing for her to continue. "Despite that, I couldn't help the attraction that I felt for you. There was this force pulling me towards you. It was like I argued with you just so that we could interact," as Ginny finished this statement, she flushed scarlet and looked down to her lap. Blaise remained silent, waiting for Hermione to speak again.

"Draco," Hermione started in a soft voice, so that the three in the compartment would be the only ones that were able to hear her. "Our past is rough. We've had arguments, duels, and I've even struck you. I am willing to move past all of this." Her eyes locked with his, seeing the happiness and surprise in his eyes. "I believe you when you tell me that you were only acting that way because of your father. That man is cruel, and I respect the fact that you were able to act like an ass to protect others and yourself."

"Now with all that said, you are really waiting for my opinion of you, not the situation." Draco sat up straighter, nodding slightly. "I only act like I hate you for the sake of Ron and Harry and for the rivalry between our houses. I have absolutely nothing against you, and if it weren't for our shady past, we would be in an entirely different situation today. You and I have had a connection since 1st year, and I've been attracted to you since the first day we met. My crush has just gotten worse since then. You have been and always will be the bane of my existence. For the good, the bad, and the ugly."

The boys stayed silent, gazing at the blushing girls in front of them, waiting for the question.

"Are you going to just let us sit here and stew?" Ginny demanded, glancing up at the boys. "Or are you actually going to tell us your feelings as well?"

"We were just waiting for you guys to recover enough to look at us again, and to ask what our opinions were," Blaise responded. "Would you like to go first Draco, or should I?"

"You go Blaise," the arrogant blonde said, locking eyes once again with the brown depths of the girl across from him, unable to speak.

"The truth is," the Italian began in a smooth voice. "I've been drawn to you, Ginny, since you started school here. I agree with you on the fact that arguing was the only way for us to have any sort of interaction due to our houses, your brothers, and my mother. I hate the fact that I had to be an asshole to you for so long. I am sorry for that. If you are willing to give me the chance, I would love to be able to try and make up for it. And Hermione, I agree with your assessment of our situation as well."

Ginny just stared at Blaise with a smile on her face. She reached down and squeezed Hermione's hand in a symbol of solidarity.

"My turn then," Draco drawled, keeping his eyes locked on Hermione's. "Everything you have said is true. You are the bane of my existence, and I was an absolute bastard to you. My father is truly the devil, and made everything so much harder. Yes, we have had a rough history, but to be honest, if we didn't, we wouldn't be here. I loved the fact that you actually had the guts to stand up to me. You striking me…. Was hot!" Blaise started snickering, causing Hermione to blush. "I was shocked that you were willing to stand up to me despite my name, and I respected you for it. I tried to ignore the way I felt for you until then."

"After that day, you were all I talked about. Blaise just about killed me. If I wasn't talking about you, he was talking about Ginny. We were obsessed, and rightfully so. Then we had the Yule Ball. Gods you were gorgeous. I almost hexed Krum to keep him away from you. Stupid git. My father ordered me to date you because he wanted me to 'distract' you from paying attention to your schooling so that I could become first in our year."

Hermione gasped, attempting to interrupt him. "No interruptions Hermione. I'm talking, you are listening, so just wait." Her mouth snapped shut, shocked that he called her by her first name.

"I was glad that my father gave me this order. He gave me the freedom I needed in order to be able to try and get close to you. I've wanted to for years, and now I don't have to worry about my father interfering or threatening either of us. I love the fact that you are better than me in school, and I want your focus to stay on your studies. I just want to be in your life in a positive manner instead of in it as an asshole. This is the real me, and this is who I get to actually be this year."

"And Ginny, yes. I am serious about this change, and I look forward to getting to know you better as well."

Draco and Hermione smiled at each other as Blaise stood up. "Hermione, will you switch me seats?" She nodded, getting up and moving to sit next to Draco.

The four young people sat in silence with happy smiles on their faces. Draco reached out and grasped Hermione's hand, placing their joined hands on top of his thigh.

"So," Hermione broke the silence. "What do we do now?"

"Hermione, will you be my girlfriend?" Draco asked, smirking at her blush as she nodded.

"Ginerva, will you do me the honor of becoming the center of my universe?" Blaise questioned with a flourish and exaggerated enthusiasm making her giggle and nod.

"Is that what you meant Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"Well, in part. I want to know more about you two," she responded while gesturing to the boys. "And I know you would like to know more about us. And I would like to know what we are going to tell everyone. Your friends and ours are probably not going to take this well."

"We will learn things about each other in time," Ginny said as the boys agreed.

"And all people need to know is that we are together and that we are happy being together," Blaise said as he fielded the next question.

"As for our friends," Draco began. "If they don't support us, then they aren't really our friends. We are all happy with this situation, and they should want us to be happy." He squeezed Hermione's hand gently, smiling at her. Blaise had put his arm around Ginny and they were resting comfortably in their seats.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE?" a pair of voices screeched out, bouncing off the walls and surrounding them.