A/N: Hmmmm… Maybe this won't have as much hate in as I'd like it to… But I have an idea and it includes hate! So anyway, I don't own anything.
Hermione crashed into the Head's common room, throwing herself onto the sofa. As the cushions engulfed her, she scowled at the ceiling.
"Why did I get stuck with Malfoy for a whole year?" she questioned it. "Do they intend to kill me slowly?"
"I'm guessing they're trying to force you into suicide," came a low voice from the doorway.
Hermione sat up and looked around. Draco was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Hermione huffed and slumped backwards to her original position.
"By the way, Dumbledore wants to see you," Draco said, walking past the sofa and to the heavy oak door that lead to his bedroom.
Hermione sat up again and scowled at him as he crossed the room. Once he was in his room, she took the opportunity to study the common room, the way she studied everything. The room was circular and the walls were a dark red with several portraits hanging in various places. The fire was lit in the hearth and there was a clock on the mantle piece. There was the big sofa, which was a deep, near-black, green, that she was sitting on and two matching armchairs. She looked to the two doors that led to their separate bedrooms. They were both made of oak and had gold fixtures. There were charms on the doors to only let the Heads into the room, but Hermione's door had locks.
Dumbledore wants to see you.
Draco's words sprang back to her mind and she stood up suddenly. She hurried out of the common room and ran to the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office.
"Damn, I don't know the password," she muttered to herself.
"Liquorish wands," came a voice from behind her.
Hermione looked around to see Dumbledore standing behind her smiling. The gargoyle jumped into action as she turned back around and they both climbed onto the spiralling stairs. Dumbledore opened the large oak door that greeted them at the top of the stairs and invited Hermione to sit in one of the chairs infront of his desk.
"I gather Mr Malfoy passed the message on," he said pleasantly.
"Yes Professor," Hermione replied.
"I suppose you're wondering why you're here," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling at her.
"Yes Professor," Hermione replied.
"We have one last chance to turn Draco good," Dumbledore said shortly.
Hermione was confused. Turning him good?
"I shall explain," Dumbledore went on, seeing the confused expression on Hermione's face. "Draco's father, Lucias, is on the other side. He is trying to make Draco turn to the other side as well, and so far, Draco has refused. But this year, we fear he will give in to his father. He has already been practising Unforgivable Curses on the family's slaves and servants. We have one last chance to turn Draco good."
"Why are you telling me this, Professor?" Hermione asked, still slightly confused.
"We need your help, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, rising from his chair and turning to look out of the large window behind his desk. "We need you to learn to trust Draco and to convince him to stay on this side."
"You need me to befriend him?" Hermione asked, her temper rising.
"No, Miss Granger, not befriend him. To learn to love him as a friend, the same way you love Mr Potter and Mr Weasley." Dumbledore turned and looked at her with sorrow in his eyes.
Hermione breathed in deeply as these words washed over her.
"Okay," she whispered. "I'll do it."
