Draco walked into the Great Hall, his heart and soul pulsing uncomfortably

Draco walked into the Great Hall, his heart and soul pulsing uncomfortably. Guilt flowed through his veins, and he wanted nothing more than to run back to his friend and apologize like there was no tomorrow. He knew it wasn't possible though. His father would kill them both if he ever found any proof. His father had told him last night already that he had heard rumors that they were studying together, but he had denied it fervently, claiming that he would rather die than ever associate with anyone less than a pureblood. He was lying to his gut, but he had to make it true. From now on the only people he would associate with would be fellow Slytherins.

Draco had to make a plan, every time he saw a Gryffindor, especially Potter, Weasley, and Her- Granger; he would have to ridicule them with every breath in his body. Sitting down at his table, he smirked at Crabbe and Goyle before digging into his breakfast, occasionally and surreptitiously looking over at the Gryffindor table to search for a familiar pair of brown eyes. Surely she should be back by now. His eyes glazed over, remembering the sob. Maybe not. . .

Sighing, he spread blueberry jam on a piece of toast and just as he was about to eat it a piece of parchment fell on his bread. "Bloody hell! Can't you get better aim?" Yelling up at the snow white owl above him, he looked down at the paper that had a bluish tinge due to the jam. Sliding it open, Draco immediately recognized the font. Eyes widening, he slid it in his cloak and stood up, excusing himself. Draco looked down at the floor as he walked, so he didn't notice when he crashed into someone. Not paying attention to who it was, he helped them up and continued on his way to the dungeons.

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Hermione finally decided to come to breakfast after staying in her dormitory for half an hour crying and trying to figure out why her first friend at this school had been so cruel to her. When she had finally figured it out, she sent him a note, borrowing Harry's owl. She understood why, but she didn't agree with his reasons. Not paying attention to where she was walking, she crashed into someone while walking through the doorway to the Great Hall and fell once again. Sighing with exasperation, she looked up as a pale white hand flew down to help her up. Gratefully accepting the hand, she allowed Draco to pull her up. After dusting herself up, she turned to thank him, but he had already disappeared. Shaking her head sorrowfully, she slowly walked over to where Ron and Harry were sitting.

"ronee hair brsf ooo ben?" Ron was talking once again with his mouth full.

Hermione grimaced in disgust and swiftly replied, "Ron chew and swallow first and then talk. You know I can never understand a word you are saying, even when your mouth ISN'T full." Smirking, she bit into a piece of toast that she had spread blueberry jam on.

Harry laughed as he speared a fork into a small sausage. He too was concerned about Hermione. Her face seemed troubled, but Ron of course was too daft to see it.

Ron quickly swallowed, but since he hadn't chewed his food well enough, he immediately began to choke. Hermione simply rolled her eyes, and pointed her wand to his throat and muttered the charm that would clear his throat. "I said CHEW and then swallow, Ron. Honestly, sometimes I feel like your mother. Now, what was it that you were saying before?" Taking another bite of her toast, she watched as Hedwig dropped a letter onto her lap. Draco's handwriting. Tucking the letter in her cloak, she ignored Harry's confused expression and looked expectantly at Ron.

"I said, 'Hermione where have you been?' We went to Madame Pompfrey earlier and she said you had left an hour before."

"I was in my dormitory Ron. I didn't realize you had to know my exact whereabouts at every moment. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go to the library before class starts. I am very behind" Dropping her piece of toast, Hermione stood up and headed towards the doors. She heard footsteps behind her, but she chose to ignore them until her arm was grabbed and she was pulled to a stop. Turning on her heel, her brown eyes met green. "What do you want , Harry?"

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Hermione. . ." Changing his mind, he decided to ask another question, "Why did my owl deliver you a letter?"

"Um. . . Well, you see, I, um. . .borrowed her and sent off a letter. I guess they decided to reply using her. I'm sorry, next time I'll ask, it was wrong of me to just use her." Hermione looked apologetically into his eyes. 'Already, you got your answer now let me go!' Wincing at her thoughts, Hermione gently pulled her arm out of her friends grasp.

Harry frowned, "No. It's ok, feel free to borrow Hedwig at anytime, I was just curious. Are you ok, though? You seem . . ." Trailing off, he looked deeply into her eyes, trying to find the truth and not just the brush off the he was sure she would use.

She simply laughed, and looked away as she replied, "Nothing is wrong Harry. I feel much better now. I think this last potion really did work." Smiling at him, she quickly said, "I really must go to the library now. I really am behind." Turning around once more, she rushed off towards the library.

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Draco sighed as he pulled himself onto his bed and pulled out the note from Hermione. He knew he shouldn't read it, but curiosity got the better of him and he opened it.

Dear Draco,

For the past half hour, I have been trying figure out why you decided to show me such animosity in the hall way. After all, I though we were friends, and normally you only treat me as a lower being when someone else is around, and the halls were empty save for us. Then I remembered. I know that you are scared of your father and if he showed any sign that he knew of our friendship he would do his worst to you. Possibly kill both you and me. I guess that is why you looked worse than ever last night in hospital wing, and also why you were so quick to change the subject.

I guess what I am trying to say is, I don't care. Your father can do whatever he wants to me, and as long as I am your friend it will be worth it. I know that you would never give up our friendship just because you were afraid for your own life. You might say it is so, but I know you too well Draco. I know you.

If you honestly feel that we would be better off as enemies, I will respect your wishes and act as I normally do in the halls. However, I sincerely hope that you will change your mind, and allow us to be friends.

With Love,

Hermione J. Granger

Draco groaned, had he been that obvious? Crumpling up the paper, he through it into the fire and watched as it curled up and slowly disappeared. Right now he wanted nothing more than to reply to her and apologize over and over again, and beg that she take him back as a friend. He groaned again and turned over on his stomach and pressed his head into the pillow. He was eleven years old, he shouldn't have to think of this and be apart of such complicated matters! Sighing, he rolled over on his back and looked up at the ceiling. Counting the dots, he struggled with himself. She knew the truth, so why couldn't they just try to remain friends. No! His father would find out and she would be killed. He would be killed as well. . .

Perhaps they could work harder to keep it a secret, if they stopped going to such a public place as the library it would be harder for people to find them. His father had spies everywhere though and would quickly be notified if they were together anywhere, even if it was private.

If he were to take her back as a friend he would be everything his father claimed him to be. Selfish, weak, and definitely not worth living. Groaning again, Draco stood up and walked over to his desk pulling out a sheet of parchment, a quill, and some ink. Dipping the quill tip into the ink, he quickly scrawled his heart against the parchment and sealed the paper shut.

He then rushed to the tower where the owls were kept and looked for that blasted, white owl. He quickly spotted it perched among all of the other barn owns and frowned when he saw the name plate below the perch. Hedwig Owned by Harry Potter. Just bloody typical. Clucking towards the owl, he ignored the impertinent look it gave him and yelled when it clawed him pulling his letter. "Bloody owl. . . That goes to Hermione!" Feeling like a fool as he yelled out the window, he left the tower and walked to the library to wait.

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Hermione sighed as she sat down at one of the tables in the library and pulled out the letter. It was the moment of truth. This was the letter that would decide her future. Holding her breath, she quickly pulled open the seal and dropped her eyes down to the familiar writing.

Dear Hermione,

I have been arguing with myself ever since reading your letter. It stunned me to find out that that you were able to read me like a book. Right now, I am not necessarily sure if that is a good thing or not. I have decided to go ahead and remain your friend, if you will have me that is. This decision is selfish, and it just shows how weak I am, but I don't think I could survive without you in my life. Right now you are the only good and pure think I have in my life. So, I ask of you now, please allow me to remain friends with you. If you wish it to be so, I will do anything I can to protect you from my father.

Please meet me in the library as soon as you read this to notify me of your choice.

Your humble servant,

Draconis L. Malfoy

Hermione bounced up and down in her seat joyously and looked around the dusty library to see if she could see her friend. Frowning with impatience, she ran to the fire that was in the library for Madame Pince's use and threw the letter in, knowing that it would be best to confiscate all proof of their communication. She flew around as the door to the library creaked in, and saw a familiar blond walk in. Grinning, she looked around to make sure that they were alone and rushed over to him, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug.

Draco chuckled and replied to her actions, "I guess I know your decision."

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Ugh, another short and sucky one. . . .sorry guys. I know I'm not a very good writer :(

I just wanted to say thank you to all of my reviewers especially elvenatheart. (Name by memorization, sorry if it is wrong). For every story I have done and almost every chapter you have made sure to review and keep me smiling. Thank you.