Chapter 9

Draco's POV

I was very relaxed as I ate breakfast, more relaxed than I had been in a long time. Hermione and I were on good terms, maybe even friends, and, after watching her at dinner last night, I'd realised she didn't know I liked her. I was also on reasonably good terms with a few other Gryffindors, and was surprisingly happy about that. Once I'd realised I liked Hermione, part of me wondered if that was the only reasoned I'd wanted a fresh start with her friends.

Blaise interrupted my thoughts, "I think I can guess who you're thinking so hard about." He seemed to find my interest in Hermione very amusing.

"Shut up," I told him, "What's so funny about it anyway?"

"Just that it took you so long to realise."

That surprised me, "How long have you known?"

"Since you told me what your aunt did to her."

"What? That was months ago! Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well because it was during the war, so it would've gotten you killed. If you didn't realise it, you were safe." I was kinda touched that Blaise had protected me like that, not that I'd ever admit it. "And after you were distracted, what with everything about your parents going on, and you hadn't seen or spoken to her so I forgot about it."

I didn't like thinking about my parents much. My father was still in jail, but he was getting out soon. My mum hadn't been sent to jail because, apparently, Po-Harry had defended her. I hadn't been able to ask my mother about that though. It was an unspoken rule at home that we didn't speak about the war. Part of me was glad my father wasn't around. Things were bad enough without him around. My mother wasn't coping with her guilt and grief very well. She put on a brave face around me, though. But one of the reasons I wanted to come back to Hogwarts was to get out of that house. It was depressing and had bad memories. Mother wanted to sell it but it was in father's name so she had to wait until he was released.

Blaise had noticed the sudden drop in my mood and changed the subject. He knew my family was a touchy subject. "I never imagined you falling for Hermione Granger, of all people."

I smiled slightly, but it hadn't been the best distraction. "She's pretty different now, anyway."

"I know!" Blaise said "She looks so different! She looks good, though."

That was the understatement of the century, in my opinion. Hermione had changed her appearance a lot over the summer. I almost didn't recognize her when I ran into her on the train. Her hair was no longer bushy, but rather straight with a few waves. There was more to it than that but girl's hairstyles weren't my area of expertise. I also noticed that she seemed to wear some make-up now but it looked natural. None of the fake stuff Pansy used. Her clothes had changed too. She now wore things that compliment her body instead of covering it up. Now that she didn't wear so many layers I'd noticed she had a great body. But even though also these changes made her look drop-dead gorgeous, I'd finally realised, now that I was past my former prejudices that had clouded my vision, that she'd always been good-looking.

But instead of saying all that I told Blaise, "Yeah she looks great."

He laughed, "You've gotta be careful though."

"What? Why?" I asked, confused.

"Well you're not the only one who's noticed. You've got a lot of competition."

My expression darkened, "Like who?"

Blaise shrugged, "No one specific, just notice that a lot of guys are checking her out nowadays. That Hufflepuf guy, especially. What's his name? MacMillan?"

"Ernie Macmillan?" It took me a while to remember his first name.

"Yeah him." When I didn't say anything Blaise added, "What, no "He's no competition for Draco Malfoy"?

"He didn't make her life hell for seven years." I pointed out.

"Yeah, but he doesn't seem like the type to ask her out when this many guys are into her and when she's not giving him any special attention." He gave me a meaningful look as he said the last part.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"I mean even if she hasn't realised yet, people are gunna notice with all the time you spend staring at her when you're not actually with her." I groaned to myself, was I that obvious? "It'd be better for your reputation if you asked her out before everyone figures it out."

I looked down at my plate, "I don't really care about my reputation anymore, man. Not that there's anything good left."

Blaise tried a new angle, "Well it's the manly thing to do."

I sighed, "Just let me get to know her a bit first, okay?"

"Okay." He said.

"Thanks, I gotta go to class. I'll see ya later."

I got up and left the table as I walked away I heard Blaise mutter to himself, "I'll try a new tactic then."

He obviously hadn't meant me to hear that. I turned back around slowly and followed his gaze. He was looking to where Ginny and Parvati were sitting at the Gryffindor table.

Oh shit.