Chapter 4:

Such a strange, fascinating sight to see the Gryffindor golden girl in the arms of the Slytherin prince. Enemies held in a consoling embrace. Warm brunette hair cascading over the taut shoulders capped with platinum locks. To witness this would soften the hearts of many, although not the hearts that would matter to either soul.

After quite some time, Hermione pulled away, looking at Draco with eyes full of gratitude. She couldn't believe how much better she could feel while wrapped in his arms- it was slightly unnerving. She wiped away the trails left by her warm tears, noticing that his shirt was thoroughly soaked with them.

"Oh, Draco, your shirt is sodden. I'm so sorry." She blushed, not realizing she had cried that much.

"It's alright." He glanced down at the tearstains. "Do you feel some better though? I mean you did nearly cry the Black Lake."

She smiled at him and her blush deepened. "So now that I spilled my stupid problems… are you going to let me in?"

Let her in? She truly wants to know what is wrong with my lame life. Does she really care or is she just being polite? He sighed at his own internal battle. "For starters, your problems aren't stupid. They make mine look like the troubles of a first year." He thought of all the adventures she had had in their first year and suppressed a laugh at the analogy. "But, like yours, they involve my father." He rubbed his temples. Why was he even telling her this? Wouldn't she just run off and tell Potter, who would then tell his precious Order? He sighed again. He wasn't winning the war inside his head.

His nerves relaxed to his surprised pleasure. He looked up and saw that Hermione had laid a hand on his shoulder. He hid the smile that tempted to escape. Maybe she does care. I mean, I did just let her blub all over my expensive shirt. She should care.

"I haven't really told anyone about this either, so if this gets out…" he looked at her in a warning sort of way.

"Oh come on, who am I going to tell?" she laughed. "Yeah, I'm going to run up to Ron and say, 'You know Malfoy and I had the loveliest chat the other day. I told him how that my father beat me and hey, he shared his father troubles with me! Yes, what a great conversation that would be." She laughed again and he joined her.

"He'd probably blow up, claim you're under the Imperious Curse, and then try to start a fight with me." They laughed and Hermione nodded, knowing that did indeed sound like Ron.

"So anyway, what about Lucius?"

Draco looked down at his hands. He knew she was waiting for an answer and would be patient. He thought over his reply well, hoping not to divulge too much information. "In pureblood families, the son is to follow in the footsteps in of the father. It's not too big of a secret what my father's occupation is." He sighed. "I shouldn't be telling you this."

"Draco, you can be honest with me. I mean, I told you about my abusive, alcoholic father and my slutty, drug abusing mother. You can tell me your stories about your parents." She slid her arm around his lean back and rubbed soothing circles on it.

He looked up at her, shocked at the harsh terms she used for her own parents. "I have never really been very close to my mother. That's how my father wanted it. As soon as I didn't need nursing anymore, he separated us. Even though we lived together we only had contact when he saw fit."

Hermione was astounded. "You didn't talk to your mom, ever?"

"Well, she would sneak and read me stories before I slept, or bring me my favorite snacks. She really is a caring woman. She's a great mum." His eyes were reflective. Then he changed back to his normal, emotionless façade. "Any time you might have saw her though, she was under my father's influence and so wasn't herself." He met her eyes. "She wasn't allowed to show any compassion, much like I am not to either."

Hermione thought of all that he had just said. So, he basically didn't have a mother through growing up because she wasn't to be around him. That is insane! Death Eater's parenting is very odd. They should make a book on it. She kept her humorous thoughts to herself.

"Anyway, back to the real problem. Following in his footsteps in an 'honor'. He's a highly ranked official and I would be his second. 'The Dark Lord only excepts the best.' It's the kind of thing I have been told as far back as I can remember." He scoffed. "As my birthday is fast approaching, my father sees no better time than that for my induction." He looked away from her, not wanting to see her surprised yet sympathetic look.

"And don't give me that, 'you don't have to do it' junk. 'You can go to the light side!' Please! I can't change what's in store for me anymore than Weasley can change the red mop he calls hair!" he didn't mean to insult her friend but he couldn't stand to hear what he knew she was about to say.

"Then I won't." she simply said. She wrapped both arms around him. He nearly jerked out of her reach.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Shut up Draco. I'm hugging you and you like it, don't ruin it." She told him sharply. He wanted to laugh, this was the old bossy Hermione. He slowly let his arms creep around her, enjoying the feel and warmth of her compassion. She truly is one caring person, even to her enemies. She is indeed a Gryffindor, but admittedly my favorite one. He couldn't completely conceal his blush at that thought and was rather angry with himself, though thanking Merlin that she didn't see it.

"Do you expect me to cry?" he asked sarcastically.

She smacked him playfully on the head. "No, just to enjoy a hug." She pulled away and looked at him. She was smiling and even he had a crooked, half smile on him. "You know you don't look half-bad when you smile."

"Wha-was that a compliment Granger?" he quirked an eyebrow. She tittered and shrugged. "Well, then I might have to retort that I like your hair that way."

"Why thank you Draco dearest. It was done for you especially." She said with false formality.

"Oh really now?"

"Nope." She grinned, standing up in front of him.

"You're insufferable." He rolled his eyes dramatically as they both started laughing. This sort of childish flirting became the basis of their friendship.

((heart))

The next day Hermione was feeling so much better. She had finally got out all of the repressed feelings. She couldn't believe that it was the one person who usually made her feel worse, that had helped her from a major break down.

She walked down to the Great Hall early, only to see Draco already there. She made a small smile in his direction and she nearly giggled as he gave her a slight wink. Thankfully, no one saw this exchange.

Harry was sitting in his usual seat and Hermione took hers across from him. He smiled at the pleasant surprise of having their Hermione back. He asked her what the change in her had been. She swiftly glanced Draco's way and back, then shrugged to the dark haired boy. He didn't care that she wasn't telling him the whole truth, because he knew if she wanted and needed to, she would. He didn't press the matter further and instead began talk of the summer.

Draco's breakfast went smoothly as well, but he couldn't help himself, he kept glancing at the Gryffindor table. No one seemed to notice, either that or they were too afraid to mention it to the temperamental blonde.

The entire week went by like this, every morning the two would share a moment of silent conversation with their eyes and then go on about their day. That is until the last night. Hermione heard a tapping at her window. All of the other girls were already asleep, but Hermione was making sure that she had everything packed before she went to bed.

She saw a lovely, black eagle at her window. She quickly let it in, wondering who would be getting a letter at this hour. It flew over toher bedside table and deposited the letter. She walked over to it and picked up the letter. It had her name neatly written on it. She opened it and read:

Hermione,

I know we haven't spoken since that evening, but this is the last night… Would you be opposed to joining me by the lake one last time, you know before we go off? If you'd rather sleep so you could dream about me… that's fine too.

Draco

He had drawn a smiling face and transfigured it so that it smirked and winked up at her. She giggled at it and rummaged through her trunk for a piece of parchment. As she found one, her purple ink and quill, she came back to her table. The bird looked up at her and ruffled its feathers. She laughed at its impatience. "So much like your owner, aren't you?" she smiled and petted it on the head. It cooed and waited for her to finish her short reply. It simply read, "How about both?" with a small smile that she too enchanted to wink.

After sending the bird off, she quickly threw on a pair of dark jeans and a green tank top. She checked herself in the bathroom mirror to make sure she looked acceptable. Merlin! I'm just going to see Draco for a bit before we leave, not going to meet Edward Cullen! She laughed at the analogy as she headed out into the common room. Thankfully, it was unoccupied. She snuck through the halls, taking some of the hidden passageways they had learned over the years. She was out on the grounds in no time, but he had still beaten her to the lake.

He smiled as she approached him. "Good evening, Miss Granger." He bowed his head to her as she stopped in front of him.

She curtsied, "It is now, Master Malfoy." They both laughed at their silly behavior. This friendship was becoming a very pleasant one. "So, why did you bring me out of my nightmares, Draco?"

"Nightmares?" he looked shocked.

"Well, I said I was dreaming of you didn't I?" she laughed and ran over to the rock. He rolled his eyes and followed suit.

"Bad joke, Granger." He said with a quirked smile.

"Yeah, I know, but you still didn't answer my question." She looked out unto the beautiful lake. The waning moon reflected in the smooth water.

"Eh, I just wanted to know if the lake water was warm at this time of the year."

She looked at him quickly, but didn't react quick enough. Picked her up easily and was carrying her towards the water. "Draco!" she shouted in protest. "No! Don't you dare!" she threatened, while attempting to kick him in the stomach. He easily thwarted her attacks by grabbing her flailing legs. "I mean it, Draco! If you-" but the warm water cut her off.

When she resurfaced, she saw him laughed whole-heartedly. And, even though he looked really dreamy, she was furious. "Draco Malfoy! You are an-" But she was cut off again by the splash made by his body hitting the water.

She felt something grab her around the waist, her scream was cut off by the water. Hermione opened her eyes to see Draco pulling on her waist. She kicked at him but missed. Finally, they both resurfaced.

"Draco! What the bloody Hell?!" she yelled.

He simply smiled. "I just wanted to go for a swim."

"Fully clothed?!" she asked astounded.

He shrugged. "It was one of those on a whim kind of things." She rolled her eyes at him.

"You're really something, you know that?" she was still angry with him, but the water did feel rather nice. He made a pouting face at her. It was one of the first times she saw him give up that cleverly crafted visage. She giggled. "Cute..." she paused, thinking over her anger. "Fine! Have it your way! We'll swim."

"See? I always have my way." he smirked. Again, she rolled her eyes and swam away from him. "Hey, where are you going?" he swam after her. She was a fine swimmer and so he had to do some catching up.

"What? Too fast for Ickle Drackie?" she teased.

"Pansy calls me that." He groaned. Hermione stopped and laid on her back, laughing. "Haha. Yeah I know, she is insane." He said as he swam up next to her.

"I thought she was your girlfriend." She paused in her laughter.

Again, Draco groaned. "No chance in Hell." She creased up again, he joined her. When they stopped laughing he said, "It's the way father would have it, but I can't stand her. I'm so glad that she finally stopping pining for me."

"Has she really?" Hermione asked incredulously. "I didn't she would give you up. What'd you do to her?"

"Yeah, she says she's over me. Though it could be another ruse. I truly hope it isn't. I detest her, but I hope she finds someone else." Hermione smiled at his statement. There really is a good guy behind that prat image.

They threaded in a comfortable silence for a few moments. She looked over the blonde as he glanced up at the moon. He looked like a different person from the one she used to loathe. He defiantly seemed happier. He was indeed nice to be around. She often found herself longing to be in his company. As she looked at him now, she saw why.

He gazed back down at her. "I just wanted to talk to you one last time before the summer started." He suddenly said. She frowned at the thought of the next day and what it brought for her.

She sighed. "I'm not looking forward to it."

"I know," He grimaced. "nor am I." She swam closer to him and hugged him. He had half expected it this time and was braced for it. With a of bit difficulty, they threaded water as they held each other.

Whether it was the water or the twilight, something was different about this embrace. The feelings behind it seemed to be intensified. Electricity was flowing through them at each place their bodies touched. As they pulled away, Draco saw something in Hermione's eyes. The exact thing that he was feeling. He…

A/N: Easy way to get the reviews I want.. isn't it? Post up a bunch of reviews and I'll post you're next chapter in TWO days. Promise! BUT if I don't get at least 5 more reviews by then, then I'll postpone the update another day… or two! evil giggles See ya lovelies!