"I swear, I spend more of my time in this library then I do in classrooms or my own room," complained Draco one evening as he sat down across from Hermione again.
"You could always just do your homework in your room, you know," Hermione quipped, not glancing up.
Draco shrugged, "It's too quiet in there. Plus, most of the books I need are in the library."
Hermione nodded absently as she read her text textbook, her chin propped up by her fist.
She looked over at him when she heard Draco crunching on something. She glared at him and whispered, "Are you thick? If Madam Pince sees you eating in here, she'll hang you by your ears."
"She hasn't seen me so far, and it's been about a month now," he said, popping another cookie into his mouth. He took another out of his pocket and offered it to Hermione, "Want one?" he asked, almost daringly.
"No, thank you. I respect the rules, unlike you," she said hotly, as she returned her nose to her book.
Draco just snorted as he opened up his own textbook and began reading.
Later, after Madam Pince left the library, Draco glanced at his watch and cursed under his breath. "My turn for rounds," he explained at Hermione's questioning glance.
"Have fun," she said in mockingly cheerful voice.
"Bite me, Granger," said Draco. Hermione could have sworn she saw a hint of a smile on his face when he said it.
"Do you want me to come with you?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Draco stopped, his back still turned to her, "If you think I'm so irresponsible doing my duties, by all means, assist me."
"That's not what I meant-"
"I know, Granger," he said, sighing. "Are you coming or what?" he said, as he strolled towards the double doors.
She quickly gathered her things and caught up with him outside the library. She locked the doors behind her then made her way to her dorm. "I just need to drop off my bookbag," she said, as she neared the door.
Draco nodded his head, heading for his own room.
"I'll be two minutes," said Hermione, as she slipped inside her room, not waiting for him to respond.
She dropped her book bag onto her small couch, gave Crookshanks a few scratches on his belly, then went into the bathroom to use the facilities. When she was done, she was looking into the mirror and started fiddling with her hair. She stopped when she realized she was trying to make herself look presentable for Malfoy… 'Malfoy, of all people!' She stopped fiddling with her hair and stuck it into a messy bun at the base of her neck, then went to her door and found Draco there, about to knock.
"Sorry," she said automatically, "I'm ready now."
"What took so long?" he grumbled, as he stuck his hands in his pockets and started to walk.
"Not that it's any of your business, but I had to use the facilities," she said.
They walked in silence for a little while, roaming the halls and listening for any students out of bed after hours. Draco took his hand from of his pocket and a handful of gingersnaps were in his grasp. He looked at Hermione and said, "Would you like one now?"
"Fine," she said, trying to hide a smirk. She took one offered and popped it into her mouth. "Not bad. I prefer chocolate chip though," she stated.
"So predictable and boring," said Draco, eating two cookies at a time.
"You know, you're going to get a stomach ache eating those all the time," she said, watching him.
Draco scowled at her, "Don't mother me."
She glared back, crossing her arms, "Well it's true."
"You sound like my mother," he mumbled, shaking his head.
Hermione wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not, being compared to his mother. She was about to ask when her foot tripped over a cobblestone that was uneven with the ground and she fell, landing on her knees, her wand flying out of her hand.
"Ow," she grunted, as she turned and sat on her bottom, inspecting her knees. There was blood trickling from both where she scraped them.
"Malfoy, can you get my wand so I can heal myself," she asked. When she noticed he didn't move or say anything, she looked up at him. He had gone pale, paler than normal.
"Malfoy, are you ok?" she asked, frowning.
He finally shook himself out of the haze and said "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting that much... uh, blood," he said, not looking at her.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "It's just blood. Anyways, can you get me my wand? It rolled over there," she said, indicating ahead of her.
He walked quickly and retrieved the wand, then handed it to her without making eye contact, causing her to almost drop the her wand again.
"I wouldn't think someone like you would be affected by blood," she commented, using a simple healing spell to close the tiny wounds.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he grumbled.
"Nothing… I've just never noticed you get nervous around blood before… " then she looked up at him and frowned, "Or is just mine?"
He didn't say anything, but he still wouldn't look at her.
She shook her head and muttered, "Unbelievable."
"What?" he snapped, keeping his eyes averted.
"You still believe that my blood is, well, tainted or something. Just because I'm a muggleborn," she said angrily, finishing up her healing and began cleaning herself up.
"That's not it," he said quietly.
"Then what is it?" she asked, finally standing, her hands on her hips.
When he didn't say anything, she took a step away from him, shaking her head. "I can't believe you," she said, turning around and walking away.
He followed her "Granger!...Wait," he said, catching up.
"Don't talk to me Malfoy," she said, quickening her steps.
"It' not because of your blood status alright, it's because of what she did!" he said, nearly running into her as she stopped suddenly.
She turned and looked at him, "What who did?"
"My Aunt... Bellatrix. What she did to you. I… wouldn't… couldn't stop her… she carved into your skin, your blood was everywhere… " he said, his cheeks flush with anger and he still averted his eyes from hers.
"You.. you acted like that because you felt guilty for what your aunt did to me?" she asked, shocked.
His jaw clenched, still looking away from her, he nodded once.
Confusion swept over her… and something else too that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
She walked over to him and said quietly, "Malfoy, don't blame-"
"And that's another thing," he said, finally looking at her, "I have a name you know."
She looked at him, confused, "I know you have a name, Malfoy.."
"No, not my surname. My actual name; Draco," he said.
"What's wrong with using your surname?" she asked, still confused.
He began to pace, "All my life, the name Malfoy meant so many things; Power, wealth, fear, authority…. now do you know what people think when they hear that name? Greed, pity, …traitor."
Hermione watched him as his pacing slowed.
"I don't know if I can call you by your first name," she said hesitantly.
He looked up at her, "Why not?"
"Because, wouldn't that imply that we're…. well… friends?"
He looked at her and frowned, contemplating what she said.
"Are we friends?" she asked him quietly.
Still frowning, he shook his head and said, "I honestly don't know."
Hermione nodded, understanding that they both had to think about it and didn't press into the issue any further. They began to walk again, finishing their round of the castle in silence.
As they returned to their chambers, Hermione looked over her shoulder as Draco started to open his door.
"Goodnight… Draco," she said, before slipping inside her room.