Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

31 September 1994. Fourth Year.

Hermione's Room.

"What do you want to know?" Draco said agreeing.

"I want to know... if what you said... three years ago... if you.. meant it?"

"What did I say three years ago?" he asked, playing 'dumb'. He perfectly remembered what he said, Pansy even reminded him a few moments ago with her outburst.

"... that you hated me."

"I meant it." he watched Hermione look down and it looked like she was holding back tears. He hated to see her cry, he hasn't seen her in years but even thinking about her crying made him feel uneasy. She cried because of him...

"... during the time... I was twelve! What could you expect?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe some sort of y'know... care?" her voice sounded angry.

"Granger, you knew perfectly that I cared for you."

"Exacly. I knew you cared about me, but hearing those words on the train, it hurt – like the person I cared for the most, didn't even give two fucks about me." Hermione sat down on the couch and he followed. She rested her face into her hands and she was on the verge of crying again. She admitted to herself that she was weak in terms of emotion, but she would only become emotional if there was a huge impact.

Draco opened his mouth, wanting to say something but he just didn't know what to say.

"It's okay. I guess, I should tell you about me..." she lifted her head out of her hands and wiped away some of the tears that was wanting to cry.

"... that would be good."

"I got tired of being nice. I got tired of being fucked over countless of times, I got tired of people walking all over me. I was deemed 'too nice' and I got fucken sick of it – I got sick because, I did so much for other people, and I didn't get any appreciation for it. So, I was like... fuck being nice, because all ever people do is take advantage of you..."

Draco looked down, not able to say anything. Hermione really has changed. She wasn't the weakling anymore, she wasn't the little Gryffindor girl, yeah she still might be brave and speak her mind but she still had that fire that showed her that she was a Slytherin. She had intentions and ambitions and she didn't want anyone to stand in her way.

"... yeah, I'm a bitch. But you know why? Because I let some jerk turn me into this."

He knew that when she said jerk, she meant him. He sighed and tried to talk but he couldn't.

"And so... I did some things that I shouldn't have done and I don't regret it. And that is why, I am here. That is why, I am back to the place where I wanted to avoid. It's my punishment..."

"Well I'm sorry that your punishment includes that you have to see me."

"That is my punishment – I have to see you." Hermione spat bitterly, folding her arms and she got up and moved towards her bed.

"Look, you don't have to be like this. I'm... sorry. It's just that..."

"... you're a pureblood? And you hate me?"

"its just that, I can't..."

"Like me? Care about me? Give a fuck about me?"

"No. I do, I do, I do."

"Then what?"

"I can't look at you without getting the feel of regret."

"So what? You regret me now?"

They started to raise their voices, Draco walked closer to Hermione which she kept moving away from.

"No. You little ignorant girl. Maybe if you just listen..."

"I'm not in the mood. Just go." Hermione looked at the door and it magically opened without her even saying anything or using her wand. Draco sighed and knew what it meant. She wanted him gone, she didn't want to see him.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

31 September 1994. Fourth Year.

Potions (Double Period)

Draco, Blaise and Theodore were discussing their holidays plans while they were walking into their potions class a few minutes early before the class began and they noticed Lavender Brown and a few other girls crowded around the front desk. The boys' conversation soon came to a close as soon as they heard the girls squeal happily.

"What the bloody hell is going on here?" Theodore ran up to the front desk as he remembered that is where Hermione liked to sit, he saw her sitting there by herself with the girls surrounding her, leaning in with listening eyes. Theodore stood behind Hermione's back and he questioned the girls again, staring straight at Lavender.

"We were just asking Hermione if she knew someone... Viktor Krum to be exact." Lavender squealed once more which annoyed Blaise and Draco from behind. Viktor Krum was no stranger to the boys of Slytherin, they often knew how strong he was, how smart he was and how athletic he was too – especially in Quidditch. Basically they were overall jealous of Viktor Krum because he was overall more superior than they were.

"But Hermione told us here that... Viktor Krum was her boyfriend back at Beauxbatons!" Lavender squealed happily again.

Theodore, Blaise and Draco looked at Hermione and she didn't even bother to turn around to see them. "Yes he was my boyfriend, but not anymore..."

"Viktor Krum! He's a Quidditch legend!" Blaise said to Theodore with excitement in his voice. "Hermione, why didn't you tell us that you and him were together?"

"It was none of anyones business so I didn't feel as if I should just say it spontaneou-"

"EVERYONE, SIT DOWN. AT YOUR SEATS. OR DETENTIONS WILL BE FALLING ONTO YOUR LAPS!" screamed Snape as he entered the classroom noticing the bundle of students. Everyone ran to their spots and Theodore sat quickly next to Hermione before any girl could have the chance too (incase they wanted to question some more).

The class went slow, too slow. Snape was going through the importance of making sure the right amount of mistletoe berries was inserted into potions in relation to changing emotions. It was practical time, finally.

"Can you get the berries, Theo?" Hermione pointed at the cupboard and he silently walked over to it. Hermione could feel a set of eyes on her, grey-steel eyes to be exact. She could feel him come closer to her then back away. She hated it. She hated him.

Theodore came back to her and together they created the perfect potion of Emotion Elixir and in front of everyone they hugged tightly. Hermione swore she could feel the accleration of Theodores heart increase and she could feel him hugging her nervously. She found him cute, charming and smart. Something that she wanted in most guys. Hermione kept hugging him, she only did this because she felt those grey eyes on her again. "Oh Theo, we're so amazing together!" she exclaimed loud enough for the whole class to hear.

"Yeah, both nerdy and both unable to attract the opposite sex!" Draco laughed bitterly nudging a frozen Blaise. Blaise stood there unable to take his eyes off what he just saw in front of him. Theodore and Hermione. He shook his head slightly and went back to work on the potion. "What's wrong with you?" Draco asked as Blaise didn't comment like he did before.

"Nothing..." Blaise mumbled. Draco shrugged it off and went back to looking at the two across him again.

Hermione linked arms with Theodore as she looked at the potion book with enthusiasm at the next potion they are going to do in class. "Why don't you guys just go out already!" Draco said with a hint of anger in his voice. He hated 'lovey-dovey' scenes and he hated her much more. His statement led to Hermione unlinking with Theodore and glared straight at Draco.

"Don't tell me what to do, Malfoy. Can't you just mind your own business, and care about what is yours because clearly-"

"She is going out with me, Draco..." Theodore interrupted, Hermione looked up at him in confusion and back at Draco who had a small smile on his face with his arms crossed. Blaise looked up a bit but back down again.

"... She's coming with me to Hogsmeade this weekend." Theodore continued and looked at Hermione. She nodded, pretending that she always knew about the plan. Draco snorted and went back to his work and Blaise.

"Can you believe he would scoop that low, to go out with her?" Draco said to Blaise whilst adding ingredients into the potion. Blaise nodded, "Yeah.. kinda shocking... that he was interested.. in her.."

"My thoughts exactly." Draco didn't sense the tone of Blaise' answer as his eyes were still slightly focused on Theodore swing his arm around Hermione's waist, pulling her closer to him.

"Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend too, Zabini?"

"Yea, going to get some Quidditch stuff. You should come.."

"Of course I'll go. I'll never pass a chance to go to Hogsmeade and ruin peoples fun."

Blaise gave a small laugh and headed over to the cupboard at the back to attain a little glass bottle to put the potion in. Draco on the other hand gave his attention back to Theodore and Hermione, who were now whispering things into each others ears in a friendly manner, they were laughing. Draco hated what he saw, he thought it was wrong. Absolutely wrong.

"She deserves someone... better..."