Hermione wasn't sure how to behave around Malfoy anymore, how could she after that thing in the bathroom? She had never seen Malfoy that fragile and… human. She hadn't realized until that day that Malfoy actually had feelings, that he wasn't just an empty shell without emotions. How could she have been so stupid and not noticed? She wanted to hit herself on the head for being so stupid. This changed things, maybe not a major change but at least she couldn't bring herself to hate him anymore.

It had gone three days now since the incident in the bathroom, three days and she hadn't spoken to either Harry, Ron or Malfoy. Not that she expected Malfoy of everyone to speak to her. She knew that Harry wanted to speak to her but Hermione kind of avoided him. She didn't feel like dealing with anyone for the moment.

Harry had been right about Malfoy, he was a Death eater. Hermione hadn't actually seen the mark but she didn't have to. It was too obvious and Malfoy had even told her that he had a mission. But he didn't do it because he wanted to, he did say that his mother was being threatened and he had cried about it. So he was a Death eater against his will which made Hermione unsure about what she would do. If something went wrong his mother would get killed, there was no doubt about that.

Hermione felt a bit shaken when she thought about Malfoy's mission, what could be so important that they had to threaten his mother to make him do it?

"Do you ever stop thinking?" Came a sneering voice.

Speaking – or in this case thinking of the devil.

"Malfoy", Hermione gave him a short nod.

Malfoy didn't ask for permission or anything he just assumed – or just didn't care about what Hermione thought which was more likely – and plopped down on the chair opposite her. Neither of them said anything they just observed each other for a moment. Hermione felt confused about Malfoy's behavior, she was sure that he would keep ignoring her, afraid that she would tell anyone about their little encounter.

Malfoy did look better today, the bags under his eyes were less visible and his hair looked neatly done as it used to. His eyes were silver and there was no trace that he had ever cried, if she hadn't seen it herself she wouldn't believe it. His lips were formed in a smirk which made Hermione scowl on the inside, she hated that smirk. She knew that it was just a mask he wore for the outside world. She wondered if he broke down often or if that was just a onetime thing.

"Looking at something you like, eh Granger?"

"Oh, shut up", Hermione snapped, she wasn't in the mood for his little act.

Malfoy looked smugly at her.

"But why should I? It's so fun to annoy you", he said.

It was just too obvious that he wanted her to forget about the thing that happened in the bathroom but it was too late. Hermione had seen the real him, there was no going back now. He could try to make everything seem as normal but she wouldn't play along.

"Why do you do this?" She paused a minute to look at his puzzled look. "I won't forget about the things you said in the bathroom. I won't forget that you actually are a human with feelings like everyone else. And I promise that I will help you get out of this mess, not matter how much it takes"

Malfoy looked at her for a minute or two with his mouth slightly opened and then he tilted his head backwards and let out a loud laugh. Hermione gave him an odd look, she didn't understand what he laughed at.

"What is so funny?" She asked after awhile.

"Don't you get it Granger, you can't help me" He stood up. "No one can"

He started to walk away and he almost didn't catch the soft voice that said;

"But I will"

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A/N: Sorry for making it so short but I hope that you liked it, I will try to put some more time into the next chapter and if I'm in the mood I will finish it today.

Love you all, thanks for reading!