Disclaimer:I dreamed I was J K Rowling last night...than I woke up. Guess you could say I don't own Harry Potter.

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His heart nearly ceased to beat when he realized what lay before his eyes. There she was, lying broken and still. He crawled toward her slowly, his vision obscured by the blur of his tears.

Shakily his hand reached out to caress her cold cheek. She was gone, her amber eyes staring out sightlessly.

His body began to shake uncontrollably as he crumbled and fell upon her. An anguished cry seemed to come from his very soul as he gathered her close to him, holding her tightly.

"Well, well. Never thought I would see you mourn a Mudblood."

Draco felt his blood run cold.

The memories just continued to come. It was almost a good thing, as it strengthened his resolve to work on young Draco changing his life. It was also hell and he felt haunted. Could this be his penance for the mistakes he had made?

Professor Madigan walked among the desks in his class, observing people as they worked on the assignment he had set for them. Everyone was working quietly, the only sounds were the scratching of quills as they wrote notes from the texts before them.

His observations brought a smile to his lips as he noticed Hermione watching Draco from the corner of her eye. She had been doing that ever since his talk with her a week before. What she didn't know was that Draco had been watching her too. The professor had seen it in the Great Hall.

Draco had come to him for advice just this morning on how to approached the Gryffindor girl. He was afraid she wouldn't talk to him if he tried, but the professor had assured him that Hermione would give him a chance.

Professor Madigan noted the time and told the class to gather their things, as class would be ending in five minutes. As the students did as told he stepped up to Hermione and whispered in her ear to remain after class. She nodded her head in compliance.

She sat primly in her seat, her eyes watching Draco as he stood and headed for the door, following the other students out.

When the last student had filed out, the professor closed the door behind them and turned his attention toward Hermione. "Draco came to me this morning and asked me for advice on how to approach you. Has he done this yet?"

Hermione shook her head no in response.

"When he does, do you plan to hear him out?"

"Of course, Professor. I made a promise to you, and to myself, to help him in any way I can. It isn't fair the way he is treated by his father. He needs someone to show him kindness and maybe even a bit of love. I feel as though it is me he needs. I may be wrong, but I have to try."

Professor Madigan stepped up to her desk and gave her a warm smile. "You are the most selfless witch I have ever met. If anyone can turn him around, it would be you. I think though that you may have to make the first move."

Hermione swallowed nervously, then straightened her shoulders and gathered her things. She had a determined glint in her eye that made him chuckle.

Hermione was on a mission

Draco was almost to the Great Hall when Hermione caught up to him. She was panting and gripping her side. He raised an eyebrow in question, but would not say a word. "Didn't think…I would catch you…in time," she said between gasps for air. "In time for what Granger," Draco asked. It was habit for him to speak to her hatefully and he cringed inwardly when his words came out thusly. He was supposed to be forming a friendship with her, not trying to make an even bigger enemy of her.

Hermione frowned at his tone, but she chose not to comment on it. "I need to speak to you for a moment," she said as calmly as possible. She was a nervous wreck inside, but she didn't want him to see that. Ever since the professor had talked to her, all she could do was think of him. She knew they could only ever form a friendship, but she wanted more.

Draco was thinking the same thing. He wanted to pursue her, but he knew it would be impossible. If only they could get on the same page, things would go a lot more smoothly. As it was, it was going to take time for the plan to work.

"So, Granger. Are you going to get to the point of why you chased me here? Or do I just stand here and try to read your mind?" Draco thought this comment witty and couldn't help but smirk. Hermione smirked right back. "If you could read my mind Draco, it would curl your hair," she said this in a sultry tone and felt satisfaction when he swallowed hard and pulled at his collar. "Well, just get to your point. I'm quit famished," he had to remember in the future to control his emotions. It wouldn't do to let her know he fancied her. Yes, he had agreed to be nice to her, but he wasn't ready to go all out and defy his father.

Hermione stood, waiting for his inner dialogue to cease before she spoke. When she was sure he was ready to listen, she began. "You know the potions project Professor Snape set?" Draco nodded. "Well, Ron is my partner, but I don't trust him to help me get the grade I want. I spoke to the Professor and he has agreed to let me switch partners. I was hoping you would be my partner from now on. Your marks are the same as mine and I know we could come up with something brilliant." She watched his face for signs of agreement, but sometimes he was hard to read.

Draco thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I guess that would be OK, Granger. Pansy is my partner and I trust her as much as you do Weasley."

Hermione gave him a bright smile that warmed his insides. She really was beautiful when she did that and he hoped for more moments when she would grace him with it. Even if they could only be friends, it would be worth it just to be in her company.

Professor Madigan stood in the shadows, watching the interaction between Hermione and Draco. He felt a rush of relief flood through him. He knew Hermione would not let him down. She had done brilliantly at getting to the young Malfoy. He was certain Draco would soon not be able to resist letting go and following his heart.

He watched as they walked into the hall and discreetly stepped from his hiding spot to make his own way inside. He glanced toward the Slytherin table and saw Draco's eyes find Hermione as soon as he sat at the table. She had definitely gotten under his skin and this pleased the professor no end. His plan would work and he only had to do a bit more prodding. Hermione would take care of the rest.