The next day, Draco got up early and started to get ready. By the time he went downstairs for breakfast it was 11:45.

"Good morning Draco. Are you ok?" Mrs. Malfoy asked worryingly.

"Yeah, I'm fine. What makes you say that?" He asked, taking a piece of toast.

"No reason. So what do you have planned today?" She asked.

"I was actually planning on going to Hudson Park." He said.

"Oh, ok." She sounded kind of disappointed.

"Why? Did you have anything planned?" Draco asked, watching his mother carefully.

"Oh no, no." She said quickly.

12:58 noon.

Draco was at the Park, waiting for Hermione.

"Malfoy." A voice said. Draco turned around and saw Hermione making her way over to him. Hermione stopped in front of him. He smirked.

"Hello Granger. How's your summer been?" He asked in what he hoped was a polite voice. Hermione was eyeing suspiciously.

"Fine." She replied.

"That's good. I just-" Draco began.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione asked, folding her arms.

"I just wanted to say sorry." He said, looking straight into her eyes.

"For what?" She asked confused.

"For these past few years I've known you. For tormenting you, and calling you a m-" Draco had difficulty saying the word.

"A mud-blood?" Hermione finished for him.

"Yeah." He said. There was a moment of silence.

"Why?" Hermione asked. Draco looked at her.

"Why what?" He asked.

"Why are you apologizing? And why did you only want to meet me, and not Harry or Ron? Or did you already owl them?" Hermione asked.

"No. I didn't owl them. And the reason why I am apologizing to you is because I gave you a hard time because you're muggle-born." Draco hesitated for a moment. " I'm a muggle-born as well." Draco didn't look at Hermione. Hermione was really confused now.

"What? No, that's impossible. The only way you can be muggle-born is if you had muggle parents. And everyone knows that the Malfoys are the most pure-blooded family." Hermione said.

"Well, you got one out of two right. The Malfoys are the most pure-blooded family. But Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy aren't my real parents." Draco said.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"I found out yesterday that I was adopted." Draco said.

"Ouch."

"Yeah."

"So what's the story?" Hermione asked. They sat down on a bench and Draco told her what his parents told him.

"Damn. I actually feel bad for you. How did you take it?" She asked.

"I admit I was really surprised. But what really got me angry was the fact that all these years, my father has turned me against muggle-borns and has made me treat them like shit. After my parents told me I was adopted, I instantly thought of you." He said.

"That was really sweet." She said, smiling at him.

"Yeah. I just felt horrible about treating you that way I did just because you are what you are." He said.

"Hey. You know what I just noticed?" Hermione asked.

"What?"

"We're actually getting along." She smiled.

"Yeah. I guess we are." There was another long silence.

"Hey Hermione? C-could I ask you a question?" Draco asked.

"Sure." Hermione said.

"Do you think we could ever be friends?" He asked.

"Yeah. I think we would make great friends. But don't you care about your reputation at school?" She asked.

"No, not anymore. Not since I found out that I was adopted. What do you think Potter and Weasley would do when they find out we're friends?" Draco asked.

"Well, Ron would probably die of shock, and Harry would be probably be lost for words. But it doesn't matter, I don't care what they think. Besides, it's my life, I can choose my own friends." Hermione said. She checked her watch.

"Oh man. I have to go. I promised my mother I'd be home by now." Hermione said, getting up.

"Oh. W-wait. When will I see you again?" Draco asked. Hermione was thinking.

"Sunday, the day before we go back to school, at 2:00 p.m., at Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Ally. See you then. Bye." Hermione waved good-bye and left.