Compromise

Draco's POV:

I ran towards the source of the scream. It had come from the corridor I had just walked through. I ran around the corner and came to a halt at the huge crater. It was then that I realised what had happened.

Granger was hanging from the edge of the crater by what seemed like a rope. She seemed barely conscious and her hair had dust on it. She clenched her wand in the other hand. It looked like she had tried to conjure ropes to avoid falling. But the rope would not hold her for long.

I carefully stepped closer to the crater where the floor was very weak. I tried to reach for her, but couldn't do it without stepping closer if I got any closer, the floor would cave. I pointed my wand at her and conjured ropes to bind her securely. I hoisted her up to place her gently on the stronger section of the floor. By the looks of the swelling, she had hit her head pretty hard. She was unconscious and breathed laboriously.

"Rennervate" I said, pointing my wand at her. She slowly opened her eyes and winced, clutching her head.

"Granger? You alright? Does it hurt?"

"Just my head," she uttered in a feeble voice, eyes fluttering to me.

"Are you aware of what happened? Can you remember?"

"Yes. I walked down the corridor and tripped. I didn't notice the hole in the floor. I conjured ropes to stop myself from falling but hit my head on the edge. After that I blacked out."

"OK, try sitting up slowly. Do you feel nauseas or anything? Do we need to go to the Hospital Wing?" I asked putting an arm around her and gently helping her up.

"Um... no" She sat up, rubbing her head, "It's not that bad."

She looked up at me and at my hand which was around her shoulder. I withdrew it quickly and stared down at the floor. Footsteps echoed across the empty corridor and Professor Waltham, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher came hurrying towards us.

"What is happening here? I heard a scream. Are you two alright?"

"Yes, professor. I almost fell off the crater," Granger spoke trying to stand up. "Malfoy here was helping me."

"Oh, dear, don't get up," Waltham said kneeling down beside her. "How is she?" She asked me.

"She seems alright, professor. I checked for signs of concussion but nothing so far. Maybe Madame Pomfrey should take a look at her just in case."

"No, it is OK. I am fine," Granger said, slowly standing up, aided by Professor Waltham, "I think I'll be okay if I rest."

"You both should. Your patrol time is almost up. Why don't you both return to your rooms? Ms. Granger, if you don't feel well, go to the Hospital Wing at once. Mr. Malfoy, I suggest you accompany her."

"Yes Professor," we said in unison and I flinched internally. How did I get into the position of helping Granger?

We walked to our common room in silence. She walked slower, trailing behind me. I reached the gargoyle and uttered the password. I threw myself on the armchair by the fireplace and closed my eyes. I heard Granger walk into the bathroom. I didn't realise she was standing next to me till she cleared her throat.

"Um, Malfoy..."

I looked up at her, frowning. She is talking to me?

"I want to say this now since I might not admit to saying this ever. And maybe I do have concussion so here..." She took a deep breath, "Thanks for helping me out."

My eyes probably popped out from my skull. However, before I could reply, she turned and went into her room, slamming the door shut. That was probably the longest conversation we had ever had, without snapping at each other. Should I take that as an improvement?

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Hermione's POV:

I woke up to a slight throbbing at the side of my head. I ran my fingers over the swelling to see it had considerably reduced. Stupid hole in the floor! I had been so furious with Malfoy and had walked straight into the hole without noticing. I conjured ropes but I hit my head pretty hard on the edge. The next thing I knew was that I was staring into a pair of stormy grey eyes that were wide with anxiety. When the shock of the fall wore off, all I could do was think of how gentle he had been. Since when had Malfoy become so gentle with me?

I sighed and got off the bed. I felt completely alright except for the faint pain which seemed to be fading. I stretched and picked out my clothes for the day. I had free hours from the second hour till after lunch and so did Ginny. We had decided to go to Hagrid's hut and spend some time there. I got dressed and headed down to the Great Hall. Ginny was not there yet. I let my eyes wander till they reached the Slytherin table and landed on a certain blond-haired person. Something about him was different. Had he changed? No way in hell was that possible.

"Hermy!" Ginny called out and I looked at her. She hopped on to the seat opposite to me. "What is up?"

"A little bit of headache. I hit my head yesterday."

"Oh my God! What happened?"

"It was patrol time and I walked down the seventh floor around that crater. I lost my balance and fell down. I hit my head. Malfoy helped me out."

"Oh dear, are you ok? Does it hurt? Wait- Malfoy helped you?"

"Yeah I don't know how that happened either. I was shocked yesterday. For one moment last night, I thought I was imagining things. I have never seen him be so kind and gentle."

"Do you think he is changing?"

I hesitated to answer that question. Did I believe when I say he did not change? The Malfoy I was exposed to in the last six years had no prospect of changing. But the battle did a lot of things to a lot of people. Maybe Malfoy is actually changing.

"Well, I don't know about that," I said. "And I don't plan on dwelling on that. Right now, my main worry is to get to Charms on time. Come on!"

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My headache was almost gone by the end of the day and I returned to the common room, rather tired. I decided to take a short nap before I started off with my homework. I was about to go into my room when the door swung open and Malfoy walked in. Our eyes briefly met before he plopped on the armchair. Did I want to talk to him? I still could not believe I told him a 'thank you' last night. Maybe he was not that much of a cold-hearted ferret that he portrays himself as.

"Malfoy? Could I talk to you for a moment?" I said walking towards him.

He looked up, his eyes full of surprise, the same expression I had seen last night. But it quickly morphed into a sneer.

"What is it? Are you here to thank me again? Don't worry about it. It is not going to happen again."

I took a deep breath to control my rage. That obnoxious bastard! "Look, I just wanted to propose a deal. Just so we can work without trying to kill each other. So don't provoke me to kill you before I get the chance to tell you."

"And what is this deal?"

"A compromise."

He frowned, "Compromise?"

"Yes. Look whatever happened before the battle is in the past. And we might have a lot of differences, but that does not mean we should bring it into school matters. McGonagall has entrusted us with duties. For whatever reasons, she thinks you are trustworthy and I have to respect her choices. So, I suggest that we bury the hatchet right here and be normal."

"So you want us to be friends?" he said, smirking.

"No. This deal does not mean we are friends or that I have forgotten what you have put me and my friends through. But I believe that there is a scope for cooperation between us, at least for this year, for the school's sake. Just so we do not concentrate on hacking each other up, but on actually getting some work done."

He shrugged nonchalantly, "Sounds plausible to me."

"So deal?" I asked, extending a hand.

"Deal," he said shaking my hand.

I nodded once and turned to leave when he spoke again.

"How is your head?"

I looked at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips, "Much better."

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