A/N-This is by far my favorite chapter in all my stories...I hope you agree because I loved writing it!

Chapter Four

Mistakes

Hermione decided to skip dinner and head back to her dormitory to read her book. She couldn't bear these visions any longer. As she sat on her bed and opened the book she began to read the second page of Making Memories Remain. It talked about using a pensieve when memories are extracted for safe keeping. Hermione shook her head and moved on as she didn't own a pensieve. The next section talked about memory charms and how to repel them.

Hermione sighed in frustration. This book is useless! I don't need to repel a memory charm! I need to find out why I'm having these visions! As if her question was being answered she noticed her handwriting again at the bottom of the page. She had written: Page 73! Hermione took a deep breath and turned to that page entitled Visions of Inquiry.

As she began to read she heard the book shelf slam shut in the common room. She heard Draco fling his bag onto the table and plop himself on the couch. Hermione peeked her head out of her doorway finding him leaning his head against the back of the couch with his hands covering his face. That same guilt she had felt earlier returned as she walked to the couch and sat next to him. She placed her hand on his knee and whispered. "Are you alright?"

Draco pulled his knee away and looked at her in shock. "What did you say?"

"I asked if you were alright." She whispered again.

"I'd be a lot better if I knew you would never touch me again. I'd be even better than that if I knew you would stay the hell away from me! God you're such a stupid filthy mudblood!" Draco stood and stomped into his room slamming the door hard. Hermione sat back uncomfortably wondering why he was so angry. Is he upset about what I said earlier? Why would he care what I think? As she was standing to return to her room Draco burst through his door screaming. "How do you know what makes someone horrible mudblood? You don't know anything about me!"

Hermione backed up at his threatening demeanor. He looked as if he was fighting every urge to strangle her. "I didn't mean what I said Malfoy. I'm sorry."

That seemed to infuriate him further as he backed her against the wall. "Don't you ever apologize to me! I don't care what you think of me! And don't look at me like that Granger! Don't you dare take pity on me!"

Hermione's eyes started to water for an unknown reason. She couldn't ignore the sudden feeling inside her that was urging her to wrap her arms around him. His eyes were filled with hurt, sadness, and anger. She wanted to take it all away. Draco shook his head and whispered. "You know nothing of horrible people."

Hermione didn't know what came over her. She suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his chest. She could feel his heart pounding furiously as he tried to pull her arms off him. "Get off me Granger! Have you gone insane? I could kill you right now!"

"But you won't." She whispered. What in the hell am I talking about? He's probably planning on where to bury me at this very moment!

"I'm warning you Granger. Let go before you get hurt." Draco said as he pulled at her tightly clinging arms. Hermione moved her head up so that her chin was now resting on his chest. Hermione couldn't ignore how wonderful it felt to be holding on to him. Even if he wasn't holding on to her.

Draco froze in his spot as she looked into his eyes. He whispered in confusion. "Stop Granger. Let go."

Hermione shook her head with a serious expression. "Please don't Malfoy. Don't make me let go. I'm not ready." Holy hell I've lost my mind. The look on Draco's face seemed to confirm that he would have agreed with her last thought. Hermione shook her head and released him. She walked into her room and sat on the bed. He watched her walk away with a gaping mouth. He stood there and looked at her as she stared back at him from her bed.

After a very long minute Draco looked away and sat back on the couch. Hermione stayed on the bed and stared through her doorway. Why on earth did I just hug Draco Malfoy? Why did I feel as if I needed to take away any hurt I had caused? Oh God why did it feel so good to hold him? And why do I suddenly feel as if he's scolding me about it right now? Hermione stood and crept to the doorway and looked at him staring at the wall in deep thought.

She slid down against the door jam and sat on the floor as she watched him thinking. Her mind was so clouded with all of her visions and all of reality. She was having a tough time deciphering between the two. After about an hour Draco stood and turned in her direction but stopped quickly. "Oh….I was coming to talk to you. What were you doing?"

Hermione stood nervously. "Just watching you. I don't really know why to be honest."

Draco nodded and gestured for her to sit on the couch. He sat down on the table in front of her. He placed his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his hands. "I don't understand why you did that."

Hermione shrugged. "I don't either Malfoy. I just felt like doing it. I know I shouldn't have and I'm sorry."

Draco sighed. "I told you not to apologize to me….You say you know you shouldn't have done it?"

Hermione nodded. "Something in my head made me feel like you were scolding me for it."

Draco chuckled. "What are you a Legilimens now?"

Hermione laughed embarrassedly. "No…I just know better I guess. I shouldn't have done that Malfoy. I had no right. I'll never do it again…..I almost forgot how much we hated each other for a moment."

"Yeah well I didn't Granger." He said but then quickly followed up with a smirk. "You reminded me so eloquently just a short time ago."

"Sorry about that-I mean you're right I did. And don't you forget it. You evil little ferret." Hermione said with an evil grin.

"I won't mudblood….I'll never forget it." He said and began to stand but Hermione pulled him back down with her hand.

"You're different Malfoy." She said as he gently pulled his arm out of her grasp.

Draco sat back down and resumed his position. "How so?"

Hermione waved her hand between them. "You're having a conversation with me. A civilized conversation."

Draco smiled. "Well who ever said I wasn't civilized?"

"Well no one but…There is something different about the way you treat me this year."

Draco shifted nervously. "Are you mad? I've been treating you exactly the same…It's just harder to torment you since we share a common room. I can't hex you every minute of the day. What's the fun in that? You'll just be expecting it and eventually you'll get me back. Not to burst your bubble Granger, but you're not the only witch in my life."

Hermione laughed loudly and joked. "But I thought I was the only mudblood you've ever loved!"

Draco scowled then stood furiously. "Purebloods can't love mudbloods!"

Hermione sat back in shock. "I know Malfoy. It was a joke."

He walked towards his room and yelled. "You've never had a sense of humor before Granger! Don't start now!" He slammed his door behind him leaving Hermione once again in confusion. She shook it off and returned to her own room and fell asleep.

The next few days were bombarded with homework and studying. Hermione eventually started to forget about her awkward conversation with Draco. She had other things to worry about. This year was by far the toughest in her eyes. She had never really been one to complain about homework but she thought she may have finally reached her threshold.

After two weeks Hermione was starting to feel as if she had finally gotten ahead in her studies. She had forced herself to skip several meals in order to recheck her homework repeatedly. A huge weight lifted off her chest as she closed her transfiguration homework late that Saturday night. I'm starving!

She ignored the fact that she was in her pajamas and her hair was braided in pigtails. She was too hungry to care and decided to go down to the kitchens for a snack as her stomach rumbled. As she stepped in she was approached by several house-elves eagerly offering her food. Hermione smiled. "Thank you." She sat down as they served her a five course meal.

As she dug into her roast she sighed happily in relief. "It's about time you started eating." A familiar voice drawled from by the sinks.

Hermione looked up in fright but then softened as Draco stepped into the light. "Oh, hello."

He sat down in front of her with a cup of coffee. "Why haven't you been eating?"

"I have been." Hermione said indifferently.

"No you haven't." Draco said as he sipped his coffee.

"Yes I have."

"You haven't been at most of the meals and you're losing weight….Not to mention the fainting." Draco said more sternly.

"Well excuse me for trying to get ahead in my studies. And I haven't fainted in weeks." Hermione said as she took a bite of her potatoes.

Draco smirked. "Ah yes, you and your studies. Do you have a learning disability or are you just extremely slow?"

"What?"

Draco tugged at her pigtails as he spoke slowly and arrogantly. "I-said-do-you-have-a-learning-"

"I heard what you sad you prat!" She yelled as she smacked his hand away.

Draco chuckled as he took a piece of her bread and bit into it. "Well then, which one is it?"

"Neither you idiot! I just happen to take school very seriously. I don't like to make mistakes if I can help it." Hermione said and ripped the remaining piece of her bread from his hands and shoved it into her mouth.

Draco nodded. "I don't like to make mistakes either. And if they're bad enough, they're a mess to fix afterwards. It's best just to do things right the first time."

Hermione looked at him in shock and set down her fork. "I absolutely agree!"

"I figured you would." Draco said as he picked up her fork and speared a carrot and ate it.

Hermione watched as he casually shared her plate of food with her. Her mouth must have been wide open in shock since he shoved a piece of carrot in her mouth. "Don't get lazy on me Granger. You can feed yourself." Hermione chewed the carrot slowly and did not remove her gaze from his. "What Granger?" He said as he handed her fork back.

Hermione shook her head as she took it. "Nothing….Ahem…You were saying something about fixing mistakes."

"Oh yes. But some mistakes should just be left alone you know. Some mistakes make us who we are today wouldn't you say?"

"Yes I would Malfoy. I've definitely done some things in my past that I'm not proud of but I'm happy with the result all the same." Hermione said.

"But would you really consider those mistakes or just choosing a different path then what you laid out for yourself?" Draco chewed his food as he watched her ponder his question.

This conversation is important! Is he trying to tell me something? Or maybe he's trying to find something out from me. Answer carefully! "I would have to say that I've definitely changed paths several times throughout life. I've definitely done some things that would shame the Head Girl name-"

Draco perked up in excitement. "Oh really? What did you do Granger?"

Hermione winced. Should I tell him? What the hell! She whispered and gave a terrified expression as she spoke. "I interfered with Quidditch tryouts last year!" She covered her face with her napkin. "I'm a horrible person!"

Draco started laughing loudly and pulled her hands off her face. "And? What happened Granger?"

Hermione shut her eyes tightly and started twisting her napkin as she yelled. "I used the confundus charm on Cormac McLaggen so that Ron would be keeper! I told you I'm just terrible!"

Draco laughed again and pushed the back of his chair against the wall. "I wondered how Weasley actually landed the position. I must say Granger….I'm impressed." He crossed his arms as he raised an eyebrow.

Hermione opened her eyes slowly. "You are? You're not going to tell Professor Dumbledore?"

Draco chuckled. "No Granger, I'm not. By the way, I think its dead."

"What's dead?"

"You're napkin."

Hermione smiled as she looked down at it. "Oh. I guess I was nervous. No one but Harry knows about that." Suddenly Hermione's stomach dropped. "Oh my God! You can't use this against Ron Malfoy! You just can't!"

Draco pressed his lips together as he stroked his chin. "Hmmmm. I didn't even think about that. Looks like I've got my hands on some valuable information Granger. What's it worth to you?"

"Anything! Ron can't find out! It will devastate him!"

Draco raised his hands in the air. "Calm down Granger! I was only kidding. I won't tell your precious Weasley….What exactly would you have done though?"

"I told you, anything! Ron's feelings are worth more than anything!"

Draco nodded. "I knew you had a thing for the Weasel."

Hermione shook her head. "No I don't. I do love Ron but not like that. He's my best friend. I'd do anything for my friends."

Draco leaned forward with a smirk. "And for your enemies? All I got was a hug?"

Hermione leaned back uncomfortably. "Why would you even bring that up? You were so angry that day."

Draco waved his hand in the air. "I wasn't angry. A little confused but not angry."

"Well if it makes you feel any better…I was confused too. I still don't know what came over me."

Draco smiled smugly. "Oh please, you know you just wanted to wrap your arms around my body."

Hermione gasped in humiliation. "I did not! I just felt bad for hurting your feelings! I wanted to make you feel better."

"Ah yes, what's a way to make a Malfoy feel better? By getting a hug from a mudblood I always say!"

Hermione hung her head. "Well it made me feel better."

Draco perked up again. "It did?"

She looked at him as unexplainable tears started to form in her eyes. "I should go." Hermione stood and pushed in her chair.

Just as she was about to reach the portrait she felt Draco's hand wrap around her wrist gently. Her eyes locked on his hand but then traveled slowly up to his face. He suddenly released her as if he had done something extremely inappropriate. He crossed his arms uncomfortably as he spoke. "What happened? Why did that upset you?"

"It didn't. You pulled away."

Draco stifled a grin and slightly bat his eyes. "I was talking about what you said. Why would a hug making you feel better upset you so much?"

Hermione blushed. "Oh. It's because I found comfort in hugging someone who can't stand me. And I really shouldn't be able to stand you either. But the truth is Malfoy, I don't hate you anymore. And I don't like you either. I'm somewhere in between I think."

Draco shrugged. "Well it has been seven years. I'm sure the name calling doesn't sting as much as it first did. Maybe I should get more creative?"

"Don't you dare!" Hermione chuckled. "You're different Malfoy. What's happened to you?"

Draco ran his hand through his hair. "Nothing. I'm not different. Maybe you've changed."

"Oh really? You haven't changed? Then why are you having a conversation with me?" Hermione crossed her arms triumphantly.

Draco smiled. "Because you're letting me?"

Hermione felt a jolt push her back into the portrait. Her eyes suddenly felt heavy. No! Not now! Fight it Hermione! But he said that in the last vision!

Draco looked at her worriedly. "What was that? You almost fell through the portrait."

Hermione shrugged as she breathed deeply. "I guess I'm tired. I'm going back….Are you coming?"

"Might as well. Let's go." They walked down the corridor as Hermione desperately fought to keep herself from fainting. As they stepped into their common room Hermione quickly plopped down on the couch and yawned. Draco pointed towards her room. "You're bed's that way Granger."

Hermione yawned again. "I know, I just can't make it. I think I'll sleep on the sofa. It's so comfortable."

Draco shrugged as he grabbed the golden ball from his pocket. He threw it against the wall and caught it repeatedly around the room. Hermione smiled at the sound. "You do that a lot don't you?"

"What?"

"Play with that thing. I've never seen one before."

Draco caught it and handed it to her. He spoke casually as Hermione inspected it. "It's a practice ball. It enhances hand and eye coordination."

Hermione sniggered. "But all you do is throw it against the wall and it bounces back. You could do that with any kind of ball."

Draco grabbed it out of her hands. "Oh really? You try it then."

Draco threw it against the wall directly above her and Hermione reached out to catch it. It went right through her fingers. Draco chuckled as he picked it up and threw it for her again. She missed it once more and stomped her feet as Draco clapped his hands and cheered. "Whoa you got a hold of that one Granger!"

"It's because you're throwing it Malfoy! Give it to me so I can shut you up!"

He handed her the ball and Hermione threw it against the wall. She missed it again and again. He makes it look so easy. Hermione threw it in the air yet again and just as she was certain she would catch it, Draco dove in front of her and wrapped his fingers around it. "Woops! Don't mind my impressive reflexes Granger! Try again." He said as he tossed it gently to her.

She threw it furiously and he caught it with ease. He hooted and hollered. "Now here this! The evil little mudblood is paying dearly for her days as a confundus charmer!" He threw the ball up again and caught it just as she reached her hand out. Hermione grunted in protest. Draco was beginning to sweat so he took of his button down shirt. He began jogging around the room in his tank top as he continued. "It's amazing folks! It's as if Granger's going to catch it but then OH NO! Suddenly the sexy pureblood Draco Malfoy swoops in and robs the glory from her! He is devishly handsome isn't he? Ah yes, that must be what's distracting her!"

Hermione placed her hands on her hips and started tapping her foot in frustration as she had just missed again. "Oh dear folks! It looks as if Granger's going to murder the young sexy Slytherin. I could be wrong but whoa if looks could kill all the girls in the world would have their hearts broken at this very moment. Folks I can't be sure but it looks as if Granger wants another go at this. What do you say? Should our favorite Slytherin give her one more try?" Draco cupped his hand around his ear and extended his arm out as if addressing the invisible spectators. "Alright Granger, this is it. This is your moment. Focus on nothing else. You can do it."

Draco threw the ball up and Hermione reached out just in time as her fingers grasped the tiny ball. She started to lose her balance and toppled into Draco and they both went crashing to the floor. Hermione screamed out happily as she waved the ball in the air. She crawled away panting and leaned against the couch. Draco sat up and panted along with her. They were silent, breathing deeply, and staring at each other with huge grins.

Hermione started giggling and felt her face grow hot as he continued to stare into her eyes. Draco crawled over and leaned against the couch next to her. Hermione practically stopped breathing as he held his gaze but from a closer range now. He took one of her pigtails in his hand and smiled. Hermione definitely wasn't breathing now. He bit his lip and tugged on her pony tail forcing her lips on his. Hermione felt her lips tingle and her stomach flip. Draco let go of her hair and gripped the back of her neck gently as they kissed slowly and softly. Hermione felt his other hand caressing her cheek.

Hermione parted her lips slowly allowing his tongue inside. She felt his grip on her neck tighten as his other hand trailed down her arm and finally grasped her hand. He interlaced their fingers as he kissed her deeply. Oh my God! I am kissing Draco Malfoy!

Hermione stroked his forearm with her free hand causing Draco to slightly tremble. She felt him smile although he continued to kiss her. Minutes went by as Draco kissed her and tugged again at her pigtails. He suddenly grasped Hermione's hips and pulled her onto his lap so that she was straddling him. She whimpered slightly from shock and she felt him smile again. He mumbled. "I'm sorry." But, he continued to kiss her. He stroked her back, her arms, and thighs. It seemed as if he couldn't help but touch her.

Hermione was completely entranced by his kisses but a thought crept into her mind. Should I? Why not? Her hands slowly snuck up to his hair and she ran her fingers through it with a happy moan. I knew it. His hair is perfect. Draco chuckled at her moan and broke away as his hands cupped her face. Oh no, are we finished? He stared into her eyes with a smile and then kissed her again. Good, I don't want to be done yet. After about an hour, Hermione leaned away slightly to catch her breath. Draco kept staring at her lips and pecking them softly as Hermione stared at the handsome Slytherin. His hands were still cupped around her face. Hermione tried to move his hands away gently but he wouldn't allow it and mumbled as he kissed her. "I'm not done."

Those words made Hermione's thighs, back, legs, mouth, arms, and ankles, feel a burst of fire flow through them. He likes kissing me and he doesn't want to stop? This made her kiss him more strongly and her hands touch him less timidlythan before. After another hour, Hermione was sure she would faint from pure exhaustion. But thankfully for her, things hadn't progressed much further than kissing. Draco pulled away and smiled widely as he sighed. Hermione leaned back and looked at him shyly. This caused Draco to quickly pull her back for one long last kiss. Hermione moved herself off him and leaned back up against the couch. What happens now?