1A/N: Thank you for the reviews! :) I'm glad you like the story so far. I apologize for the delay between updates, but the combination of family issues and my computer deciding to eat half the chapter put a hold on things. I hope to be able to update more frequently now, though!

CHAPTER THREE

A Little Help From My...Friends?

Hermione was excited to return to class after the weekend. She was the first one in the classroom. The other students began to trickle in, and before long Edwin appeared in the seat next to her.

"Have a good weekend, Hermione?" Edwin asked as he took out his book.

"Yes, it was great. How was yours?"

"Good. Played some Quidditch with a couple of friends. D'you and Potter play Quidditch often? He was a brilliant Seeker at school."

Hermione laughed. "Harry plays with Ron and some of the other Weasleys. But I'm a dreadful player. I've only played a few times when they desperately needed someone."

Edwin smiled. "I'm sure you're not that bad. I could teach you sometime..."

Hermione bit her lip. He sounded hopeful and Hermione hated to hurt his feelings, but she didn't want to encourage him. Luckily, Hermione was saved from making an awkward response by Healer Blarney entering the classroom and immediately putting notes on the board.

Healer Blarney's no-nonsense attitude reminded Hermione a lot of Professor McGonagall, which she admired greatly.

"Let's get started. Today we begin diagnostic practice. You will be splitting into groups of two. Feel free to choose your own partners. Once you have done so, please take turns describing symptoms to one another and discerning the afflictions. We will do this for approximately a half an hour to get warmed up. You may begin."

Hermione looked around the classroom. Most people paired up with the people they were sitting next to.

"Hermione?"

She turned back to face Edwin.

"Want to be partners?" he asked hopefully.

Hermione had expected this, but she didn't see any real reason not to pair up with him. He was a competent student, and they got along.

"Sure," Hermione replied.

Edwin looked ecstatic. Hermione smiled, and looked around the room again. Everyone was paired off, except for Draco Malfoy. He looked impassive, but Hermione wondered if the fact that no one had asked him to be their partner bothered him.

Draco cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Healer Blarney." The instructor turned to face him. "It seems I'm the odd man out."

Healer Blarney made a brief survey of the room. "Yes, it appears we have an odd number of students. Join one of the other groups, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco groaned inwardly. No one would want to be his partner. He was about to object and say that he was perfectly capable of working alone, when Hermione Granger turned around to face him.

"Malfoy, would you like to join our group?"

Hermione wasn't sure what had made her ask, but she felt it was the right thing to do. Malfoy hadn't done anything specifically to earn the scorn of his classmates, and she felt bad that they treated him so coldly. She also recognized his academic prowess and knew he would be an asset to their group.

Draco was momentarily stunned. He glanced over at Chambers, who looked distressed. He looked back to Granger's questioning face.

"Sure Granger, I'll help you out," he said with every ounce of arrogance he could summon. He didn't want anyone to be under the impression that Granger was doing him a favor.

"That's settled then," Healer Blarney said simply, and started in on his own work.

Hermione scowled. She had a momentary feeling of regret, but suppressed it. It was Malfoy she was dealing with, and she decided she should expect some resistance.

"Well, let's begin, shall we?" Hermione said in a very business-like tone.

Edwin nodded and opened his book.

Draco stood up and dragged his chair over next to Granger. He opened his book and looked over at his two partners with an eyebrow raised.

"I'll start," Hermione said in response to his silent question.

She flipped through her book until she found an illness to describe. She looked over it briefly, then shut the book so that her partners wouldn't see what she had chosen.

"What would you say if my symptoms include a series of freckle-like blemishes on my skin, and a fatigue that often renders me bedridden."

Edwin looked like he was about to speak when Malfoy cut him off.

"I'd say you've shagged Weasley one too many times and he's starting to rub off on you," Draco said with a smirk.

Hermione flushed red. "Malfoy! That's none of your business!" She was wondering if she had expected too much of Malfoy assuming that he had grown up some.

Draco chuckled. He knew that wasn't the way to appear like a changed man, but he still couldn't bite back some of his more flippant remarks.

"Cool it Granger, I was only joking. What you and Weasley do in your spare time is of no concern to me."

Her brown eyes flashed with anger. "I should hope not, otherwise your life must be awfully dull," she said sharply.

She looked furious, so Draco decided he should probably take it easy. He glanced over at Chambers, who looked hurt. Draco resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Chambers clearly had some sort of crush on Granger. Draco decided to move on and spare them all from arguing five minutes into their first assignment.

"In all seriousness, you've got spattergroit, Granger. The spots, the fatigue. If the spots turned into angry purple pustules you'd be on your way to a very ugly death."

Hermione was surprised, and his accurate response served to quell her anger some. She was annoyed, but also noted a difference in this teasing as opposed to the cruelty she experience in school. It seemed more light-hearted, somehow. She huffed and decided to move on. "Correct, Malfoy," she said curtly.

Draco smiled briefly. "Chambers, how about you next?"

He looked put out, but he flipped through the book until he appeared to find something that satisfied him.

"I was bitten by some sort of bug," Chambers began. "I can no longer see my arm and–"

"Vanishing Sickness," Hermione and Draco said in unison.

They looked at each other and Hermione couldn't suppress a small smile. Perhaps he will be a decent partner, she thought.

Draco was pleased to see the anger vanish from her features. He truly didn't want to make a bad impression, but it was hard to break certain habits. And he had always had a sharp tongue. Bantering with Granger seemed a natural behavior.

The trio continued this for another twenty minutes before Healer Blarney called the class to a halt. He lectured them for the rest of the time before their hour-long lunch break.

Hermione bid a good lunch to Edwin and Malfoy. Before Edwin could question her, she explained, "I'm going to the library to get some work done."

"Some things never change, eh Granger?" Draco asked with a smirk.

Hermione stuck her chin out defiantly. "Some things don't need to. One would hope, however, that some things do."

With that, she left the classroom. Draco's smirk vanished. Her statement and tone of voice told him a lot; she may have put up with his teasing, but she was definitely going to be wary of him.

Chambers looked confused. Draco clapped him on the back. "Don't worry Chambers, you'll understand women someday. Maybe."

He scowled and left the room in a hurry. Draco laughed to himself and headed down to the cafeteria to eat lunch alone.

*****

"Now Malfoy's your partner?" Ron exclaimed. "What're they trying to torture you or something?"

Hermione once again found herself seated at Ron and Harry's kitchen table, and had just finished telling the two of them about the most recent events of her Healer classes.

"Well, everyone needed a partner. I suppose it was just my luck."

Hermione had decided not to mention the fact that she had asked Malfoy to work with her and Edwin Chambers. She felt that this would not go over well with Ron. It was best to avoid an unnecessary argument about something so trivial.

"At least you have that Chambers guy too. You won't have to be alone with Malfoy," Ron added.

Hermione nodded absently. For some reason, she wasn't really worried about it. Malfoy's teasing hadn't really been insults, and lacked the usual venom with which he jibed her. She would tread carefully, but she didn't anticipate any real problems. If she was honest with herself, she considered Edwin and his apparent crush on her to be more of an issue.

"Anyway," Harry began. He didn't really seem too concerned about Malfoy either. Hermione suspected that the two of them had come to some kind of unspoken truce, but she never brought it up. "Ginny wants you to go shopping with her on Saturday."

Hermione groaned. She didn't really enjoy shopping. Ginny was the type to wander around for hours, trying things on, debating endlessly about which pair of shoes she liked better, then never buying anything. Hermione only went shopping when she had a specific goal in mind. But she hadn't spent much quality time with her friend lately, so she reluctantly agreed.

"I know you don't much fancy shopping, but Ginny will be glad to see you," Harry said.

"I could use some new sneakers, I suppose," Hermione said.

Ron laughed. "You're the least girly girl I've ever met. Well, aside from Millicent Bulstrode,"

The three of them laughed and laughed, and it was just like sitting around the fire in the Gryffindor common room again.

*****

Friday rolled around before Hermione knew it. She was still enthralled with her class, and was eager for the weekend to fly by so that she could come back for more. Working with Malfoy hadn't even been bothersome. He was very bright and extremely serious about their work, which continued to surprise Hermione even though she had come to expect it over the course of the week.

Hermione anticipated that Edwin would try and ask her out for the weekend again, so she had been sure to bring up the fact that she had a shopping excursion with Ginny planned. At this point, she wasn't sure why she continued to reject the notion of dating Edwin, even casually. She hadn't been on a date in quite some time, and Edwin was a nice guy. But she couldn't fake an interest that just wasn't there.

He had, of course, seemed disheartened when she had mentioned the shopping trip. He had asked her how long it would take, and Hermione was sure to tell him that it was likely to be a weekend-long engagement.

Draco couldn't help but overhear Granger's not-so-subtle rejection of Chambers' renewed offer for a date. Chambers probably didn't pick up on it, but Draco could tell that Granger was not interested. He felt bad for the poor bloke; he didn't have a clue.

Draco waited until Chambers had left the room to address Granger.

"That Chambers can't take a hint, huh?"

Hermione rolled her eyes before turning to face Malfoy. She had somewhat gotten used to his banter, and tried not to let it get a rise out of her.

"I don't know what you mean, Malfoy," Hermione said, scooping up her textbook.

Draco scoffed, but there was a playful glint in his gray eyes. "Come off it, Granger. You're no idiot. You know that guy is dying for the chance to take you out."

Hermione sighed. "Well, I think he'll catch on eventually."

Draco shrugged. "Subtlety doesn't seem to be his strong suit. Why don't you just tell him you're shagging Weasley and get it over with?"

Hermione knew her cheeks were reddening. That Malfoy smirked at this made her blush even further. "I don't know why you keep mentioning that, but Ron and I are not shagging."

"Waiting until marriage then? That's admirable Granger, though not exactly the most fun..."

"Ron Weasley and I are not dating, if you must know," Hermione said tersely.

"Oh," was all Draco managed to say. He was nothing if not surprised; he'd assumed that Weasley and Granger were basically married by this point. Although the thought of anyone being attracted to Weasley made him almost laugh out loud. He regained his composure shortly thereafter. "Congratulations, then. At least now you won't catch spattergroit."

"Yes I'm so relieved," she said dryly. Though Hermione couldn't help but smile. She felt a small victory in rendering Malfoy speechless for a moment. She shouldered her bag and made for the door.

"See you Monday, Granger," Draco called after her.

Hermione stopped and turned back towards Malfoy. "Bye," she said rather awkwardly, and hurried out of the room.

*****

"Hermione, you need to buy that dress!" Ginny exclaimed.

Hermione had stepped out of the dressing room in a black dress that Ginny had urged her to try on. It was a bit short for Hermione's taste, and rather low-cut. She looked at herself in the mirror and immediately felt like she should cover up.

Though she had to admit, it did look rather nice. "And just when would I have the occasion to wear this?" Hermione asked pointedly.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Must you be so practical all the time? Perhaps you'll have a date soon. And what are you going to wear then? That?" She pointed at Hermione's outfit lying on the bench in the dressing room–a pair of jeans and a gray t-shirt.

"What's wrong with that outfit?" Hermione asked defensively.

"Well nothing really, just that it wouldn't do for a date," Ginny replied.

Hermione narrowed her eyes briefly then looked at her reflection in the mirror once more. She didn't know when she would next have a date, but she did like the way the dress looked on her. She sighed resignedly and returned to the dressing room, noting Ginny's triumphant expression as she turned.

After she changed into her normal clothes, Hermione exited the dressing room and followed Ginny to the register. Ginny bought a pair of shoes and some shirts, then Hermione paid for her dress. She cringed slightly, thinking that her allowance from her parents was paying for something so frivolous. They had agreed to pay her expenses while in Healer training, since she had gotten a full scholarship to the program, but Hermione still felt guilty spending money on things she didn't really need.

"Shall we do lunch then?" Hermione questioned as they left the store.

Ginny rubbed her stomach. "Yes! But let's go back to Diagon Alley. I'm craving a butterbeer."

Hermione agreed and they made their way back through Muggle London to the Diagon Alley entrance. Once inside, they settled on a café called Circe's Cauldron. The hostess led them to a small table by the window, simply decorated with a vase of orchids.

They flipped through their menus until the waitress arrived to take their drink orders. When she asked, "What can I get you to drink?" the voice that Hermione heard caused her to snap her head up from the menu with an undisguised look of shock.

The voice belonged to Pansy Parkinson.

As soon as Pansy realized who she was serving, a sneer twisted her lip. Ginny smirked, and Hermione was worried that the younger girl might do something brash.

"I'll have a butterbeer," Ginny said snootily.

Hermione didn't want any trouble. As much as Pansy had tormented her in the past, Hermione wasn't particularly vindictive. "A gillywater, please," Hermione said.

Pansy nodded, her teeth visibly clenched. She spun on her heel and hurried away.

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other for a moment, both clearly in disbelief that Pansy Parkinson was their waitress. Ginny, however, seemed to delight in this fact.

"Oh this is too perfect," Ginny said excitedly. "Finally, Parkinson put in her place. I can't wait to tell Ron!"

Hermione didn't want to admit that she did feel a tiny victory in having the former Slytherin princess serving her, the "Mudblood" who Pansy never even considered a real person. But she didn't want to encourage Ginny.

"C'mon Ginny, let's not make this any worse for her. I can't imagine this is where she envisioned herself after graduation."

"She doesn't deserve any better," Ginny said bitterly.

Hermione didn't feel like arguing. Ginny certainly didn't believe that Pansy and the other Death Eater children deserved second chances, but Hermione didn't consider them villains. They were capable of change, or so she hoped, for their sakes and the rest of the world.

Pansy returned with their drinks and practically slammed them down on the table. Ginny suppressed a laugh and Hermione tried her best to keep her face impassive.

"Can I take your order?" Pansy asked, forcing a smile for what, Hermione assumed, was the benefit of Pansy's manager.

"I'll have the chicken sandwich. No tomatoes. And make sure that's all white meat," Ginny said in the haughtiest tone Hermione had ever heard her use.

Pansy gritted her teeth and looked to Hermione.

"Just the fish and chips for me," Hermione said simply.

Pansy nodded and darted away once again.

Ginny laughed and took a long sip from her butterbeer. Hermione wondered why she wasn't enjoying this as much as Ginny seemed to be. She had been picked on just as much, if not more, than Ginny had. She supposed that she was just more mature than her redheaded friend. It seemed to be a thoroughly Weasley trait to hold grudges for so long.

Once Ginny had gotten over the majority of her amusement, the two young women chatted amiably and enjoyed their meals once they arrived. Pansy returned only twice after brining their meals; once to refill their drinks, and then again to bring the check.

"I have to run to the loo," Ginny said, putting down a few sickles for her half of the bill as she stood up.

Hermione paid her half, then headed towards the door to wait for Ginny. Unexpectedly, she felt someone tug at her elbow. She turned to find herself face to face with Pansy, who looked grave.

"Er–can I help you with something?" Hermione asked nervously. She wondered if Pansy was going to punch her.

"You're in Healer training," Pansy said. It wasn't a question.

"Yes..."

"Draco Malfoy is in your class."

"Yes, but what–"

Pansy cut her off. "I need you to give him a message for me, Granger," Pansy said solemnly.

"Well we don't exactly chat all–"

Pansy cut her off again. "Regardless," she said with an impatient wave of her arm. "You must tell Draco that he needs to respond to my letters, or else he will seriously regret it."

Hermione blinked, unsure what to say. Pansy looked at her intently.

"Well, Granger? Will you tell him that?" Pansy demanded.

"Er–well, I suppose I could," Hermione answered. She couldn't really think of a reason to refuse.

Pansy looked relieved. "Thank you," she said quietly, before hurrying away.

Hermione stared after her for a moment until Ginny appeared. Ginny glanced briefly between Hermione and Pansy.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Oh–nothing," Hermione lied. "I forgot my bag at the table. Pansy was just returning it to me." For some reason, she felt it best not to tell Ginny about her and Pansy's brief exchange.

Ginny looked suspicious, but let it pass. "Right. Back to shopping then?"

Hermione suppressed a groan. "Oh all right."

Ginny smirked and the two of them headed back out to the bustling streets of Diagon Alley.

*****

Draco stood rigidly, the cold sea spray battering his cloak and stinging his exposed skin. He faced the rough-hewn stone archway that led into perhaps the most desolate place on earth–Azkaban prison. As always, Draco hesitated before entering, steeling himself for the brief yet emotionally draining experience of visiting his parents. Though he only came every few months, a short trip to Azkaban was enough to depress him for days.

"Going in or what?" the Ministry official that accompanied Draco asked gruffly.

Draco resisted the urge to snap at the man. He merely nodded and strode purposefully into the gloomy prison interior. He reflexively reached for his wand, momentarily forgetting that he was required to leave it with the Ministry official. That coward won't even come in with me, like he's supposed to, Draco thought with a scoff.

The presence of the Dementors was already beginning to wear on Draco. He focused on his singular purpose of visiting his parents, and did his best to keep his thoughts from wandering anywhere but the path he must follow to find their cells. His spirits were slightly lifted knowing that he had adequate skills in wandless magic.

Before long, Draco had arrived at the group of cells that contained his parents. He was careful to avoid the cells he knew to contain other Death Eaters. The Ministry had made sure that none of them would be placed near one another (save for Lucius and Narcissa) to avoid scheming.

Draco stopped and cleared his throat. He steeled himself for what was to come.

"Draco?" came a weak voice from the darkness of the cell.

"Hello, Mother," Draco replied.

Narcissa emerged from the shadows, a smile stretching the papery skin of her cheeks. Draco summoned all of his strength to keep from cringing at the sight of his mother, worn bone-thin by the rigors of a prisoner's lifestyle. He forced a smile, for her sake.

"Oh Draco, you're looking well. So handsome."

She reached her thin, frail hands through the bars and Draco clasped them. Her hands felt cold as ice, and Draco hoped that some of his warmth would transfer to his ailing mother.

"You look lovely, as always, Mother," Draco said evenly. He had to control the tone of his voice to keep the sadness out. It broke his heart to see his mother this way, despite knowing that she deserved to be in here. These conflicting emotions clawed at his insides and all he could do to suppress it was to focus on each moment as it passed.

Narcissa managed a rasping laugh. "You're a good boy, Draco. I love you very much."

"Draco?"

Draco turned his head toward the sound of his father's voice. Lucius had appeared at the bars of the adjacent cell. He looked to be faring better than Narcissa, though his bones were more prominent under his skin, and dark circles sat under his cold eyes.

"Father," Draco said simply. He did not hold the same sympathy for his father that he did for his mother.

Lucius stuck a bony hand through the bars. Draco let go of his mother's hands to shake hands with his father.

"How are things at home?" Lucius asked.

"Fine, thank you. Gertie takes good care of the Manor."

Lucius nodded. "And you? What are you doing with yourself?"

Draco hesitated for a moment before replying, "I've enrolled in Healer training."

As Draco anticipated, Lucius looked displeased. And despite everything, Draco still hated to disappoint his father.

"Well, that may not be the path I would have chosen for you, but whatever must be done to restore the Malfoy name," Lucius sneered. Draco knew that he was keeping from saying several choice things, and he was glad. Lucius wouldn't want to upset Narcissa during the brief time Draco was there.

"Yes, Father. That is my ultimate goal."

"Very good."

"We're proud of you, Draco," Narcissa interjected. "Your father and I," she said with a pointed look at her husband.

Lucius merely nodded. "Are you still on good terms with Theodore Nott?"

Draco froze at the mention of Nott's name. "Why do you ask?" he questioned cautiously.

"He is a valuable ally," Lucius said, a hard edge coming to his voice.

"Indeed, he is," Draco responded, not really answering the question. He thought it best to avoid the subject of Theodore Nott. His father would not be happy to learn about their altercation the previous week. It seemed it was time to end his visit, lest any uncomfortable questions arise.

"I must be going," Draco said. He shook hands with his father, meeting the older Malfoy's penetrating gaze with a defiant expression. Draco was the patriarch of the Malfoy family now, and he would not allow Lucius to intimidate him as he once had. Lucius seemed to recognize something of this, and his stern countenance wavered only slightly; none but Draco would have noticed. Draco felt a surge of victory, but allowed none of it to register on his face.

Narcissa was not aware of the subtle exchange, and simply reached for her son's hands, pressing her cracked lips to his knuckles. Draco bent forward and placed a tender kiss on his mother's forehead.

"Goodbye, Mother," he said softly.

Narcissa smiled and bid Draco goodbye. With one last look at his mother, Draco turned and walked resolutely towards the entranceway.

As he walked, his thoughts consumed him. He couldn't believe his father's nerve; he was imprisoned for life in Azkaban, yet he still had the nerve to criticize. And the sight of his mother wasting away was almost too much to bear. With these dark thoughts invading his consciousness, Draco became acutely aware of the Dementors' presence. Quite suddenly, the rattling breaths were all around him. Dark shapes appeared to be oozing from every shadow.

Draco's breath quickened. He found himself gasping for air. He began to hear voices...Severus, please...

"No..." Draco croaked. He couldn't bear to relive that night. The night he was supposed to kill Dumbledore.

He saw light ahead. The entrance wasn't far off, but making it there seemed near impossible. Are you content living alone at Malfoy Manor with your house-elf?

Draco was remotely aware of the sharp pain shooting up his legs as he sank to his knees on the cold stone. The rotting stench of death surrounded him. He searched his mind for something, anything, that could give him the strength to get up, or even call out to the Ministry official. He swayed on the spot, his vision wavering, when the image of Hermione Granger asking him to join her work group came unbidden into his mind.

The feeble image was enough to allow Draco to rise to his feet. He clung to it, the idea that someone had invited him to be a part of something, no matter how small, to stumble toward the entranceway.

The Ministry official turned when he heard footsteps approaching. He seemed unfazed by Draco's disheveled appearance. He thrust Draco's wand out roughly, and Draco snatched it with a look of pure loathing on his face. Draco straightened and smoothed out his cloak, trying to shake off the feeling of the Dementors surrounding him.

"Let's go," the official said curtly.

The two of them walked outside, back into the stinging spray of the sea, and Apparated far away from the godforsaken piece of rock.

*****

Back at Malfoy Manor, Draco sank into an armchair with his face in his hands.

"Gertie!" he called.

The house-elf appeared immediately. "Yes Master Draco?"

"Get me a drink."

A/N: I know things might seem slow right now, but I promise it will pick up soon. The next chapter will have a lot more Draco/Hermione interaction. So don't you fret. ;)