Draco was still in the infirmary on Halloween. Madam Pomfrey had insisted on keeping him there until he was eating and sleeping a little more normally. After a week he had read 17 books, written 5 barely coherent essays on random topics, and slept approximately 11 hours. Madam Pomfrey was beginning to regret her decision and her dwindling supply of dreamless sleep potion. But he had been eating regularly, and for that she was grateful.
Hermione had come to visit every day; in fact, she was the one bringing books from the library. But it was something special that she brought with her on Halloween night.
"It's a classic," Hermione insisted as she held the book out. "And I think you'll really enjoy it. There are some wizards in it, though they aren't anything like the real ones. Think of it as a chance to learn."
Draco eyed the stack of books that she placed onto the bed beside him. "It's so long," he protested half-heartedly. "Even if it's the best story ever, I don't think I could stomach something a muggle wrote that had to be published in three separate books."
"I went to a lot of work to get this for you, and you are going to read it," Hermione said. "I won't bring you any more books until you do. And you know Madam Pomfrey won't give you any. So either you read it, or you lie here and stare at the ceiling. At least then you might get some sleep."
Draco huffed. "Fine. What's it about, anyways?"
"A quest to destroy a magical ring."
Draco grimaced. "That sounds awful. I doubt I'll make it two chapters, nevermind-" he picked up one of the books, "-two towers. How did you get these anyways? There aren't any muggle bookstores in Hogsmeade."
"Harry brought them with him. I spent the day with him and Ron."
Draco looked away when Hermione mentioned her friends. He seemed to be thinking. Then, hesitantly, he asked, "Do they know? That we're-" he stopped.
"Friends." Hermione finished his sentence. "We're friends, Draco. And yes, they do. Ron's a little touchy about it, but he'll be okay. Harry… Harry's actually glad, a little. That's why he agreed to bring the books." She noticed the confused glance he cast at her. "Like I said at the lake- you have more in common than you realize."
When Hermione visited the next day Draco looked strangely refreshed. The shadows beneath his eyes were several shades lighter, and a healthy glow was returning to his skin. He claimed not to have touched her muggle books a single time during the night, but when he grabbed a glass from beside his bed, his hand bumped the stack, and Hermione saw a bookmark resting far into the first of the series.
