Disclaimer: All JKR's!

Draco was surprised by her. What was up with this girl? First she had pestered him with questions, then sealed the door when he didn't answer, refusing to let him out... and now she had smirked at him!

''Bloody Hell Granger! What is wrong with you?! Let me out alright?'' Draco said trying to hide his frustration and the little amount of nervousness that had started lately when he was around her.

''I will. But you need to answer me first.'' she said.

He just looked at her for some time, before saying, ''Then I will stay with you in here until Potter or one of the Weasleys try opening the door and see its locked. Let them wonder what we both are upto..'' It was his turn to smirk at her as he added ''...in a bedroom.''

Hermione quickly hid her shock with an indifferent expression. ''Oh, it doesn't matter! I am sure they won't think anything like that. Maybe they'll just leave us aloneup here until you decide to answer Me.'' she smiled back evilly, though on the inside she was afraid of what they all might really think!

So they both stayed like that, sillent, staring out into nothing, for a full quarter of an hour. Draco stood thinking about her questions. Although he had never had a heart to heart with anyone, for some reason he wanted to tell her. He wanted her to know, to see that he wasn't an evil Slytherin. He didn't want her to loathe him. In fact, he wanted her to like him.

He had moved to the window, with his back to her, when he started speaking. ''I was born and raised in a pureblood family with the strictest of rules for blood status and also an attraction for dark magic. It was my Grandmother who finally put a stop to the old world thinking. But that was only after Grandfather died, shortly after my 1st birthday. Till then, my father had already been directed into his old way of thinking. Grandmother tried in vain to change my father's mind. But she was only able to influence Mother. Me? I had always feared Dark Magic, from the beginning. And so I used to fear my father a bit too. I didn't know then exactly who the Dark Lord was, because he had disappeared, but I would notice how my Father would always fear his return. That's why, when Mother and Grandmother would tell me that Dark Magic wasn't safe and that Muggle-borns weren't mudbloods like my Father said, I would happily agree. But I somehow knew, never to mention all this in front of Father. So I didn't. By the age of 7, I was convinced that Muggle-borns were as good as Purebloods and I respected them. But Father didn't know. After Grandmother's death, I knew I would have to behave like the aristocrat my Father thought I was. So though I had different ideologies, I behaved like Lucius II in front of the world. Mother feared what Father would do if he came to know that I didn't think like my forefathers and so she let me continue. It would be only during the vacations and breaks, when I would be home alone with my Mother that I could be me.

Later, in our summer break after 5th year, the Dark Lord decided that the appropriate punishment to Father would be to brand me a death eater and give me the task of killing Dumbledore, which he was sure I would fail and then he could easily do away with me for it. It was then, that Father realized how wrong he had been all his life. He saw that in his quest for power, he had given up his only son. That made my Father change. And I was free, to be me. But I had already created an image. You all hated me. I was the rich, arrogant, spoilt snob, who didn't care about anyone. So I continued with my old ways. Seeing that no one would notice, or care, that I had changed indeed.''

He turned to look at her. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. He pointed at Hedwig's cage. ''That was my life until recently. I was caged within my own self. I wasn't allowed to live freely. I hated you three. Ron Weasley especially, since he had a huge happy family who were pureblood too but could live like they wanted. Thats maybe why I always picked at him. Potter was someone I admired, but didn't like. I knew how terrible the Dark Lord was, so I admired him that he could stand against him. But I disliked him because he didn't have a family, yet he had such loyal friends, something I craved for. I was jealous of all the love he received, because I didn't have any.''

''I understand Draco. But why me? Why hate me if you didn't hate muggleborns?'' She had moved forward to stand next to him. Putting a hand on his shoulder, she asked him to continue. ''I didn't hate you either Granger. I was intrigued by you. You were a muggleborn, yet you were cleverer than any pureblood I knew. I respected that. But that wasn't it. You were loyal and brave and friends with Harry Potter. You didn't care even though you knew that his friendship would be the most harmful to you. I tried in my own way, to tell you, show you that you were in danger. But you never understood. All that frustrated me. How could you be so free of all the bounds and do what you thought was right while I was forced to live a lie?'' he said.

Hermione nodded, not trusting her voice to say anything. She now understood. She was amazed how he had hidden this side of him from the world. As she looked at him, she noticed that the grey in his eyes was not cold or stormy, but a cool deep pool, filled with emotions that had been hidden long. His blonde hair were beautiful, with the moonlight falling over them. He was staring at her. Waiting for her to say something, but she just looked back. Her brown eyes, a dark chocolate deep in thought. Moving closer, she moved her hand from his shoulder, across his back and around his neck and hugged him while her other hand was wrapped around his other shoulder. He was shocked into stillness. She smelled amazing, of fresh apples and roses. He stood there with his arms weirdly hanging by his sides, when she whispered in his ear, ''I am sorry Draco, for everything that you had to go through. And I forgive you, I forgive every single time you cursed me or called me a mudblood. So stop letting all the past ruin you. Live now, in this present, and I promise I'll be your friend forever... if you want me to.''

He closed his eyes, as a wave of emotions washed over him and he felt alive. Lifting up his hands, he put them around her waist and hugged her back. They stood there, locked in their hug for some time, each one grateful for the other's presence, lost in their own thoughts.

Hermione was touched, by Draco's story. She felt her heart go out to him. Never had she dreamt that this boy, who had had everything, was actually all alone. She decided then and there, that she would be his friend. True and Loyal. She would help him; pull him through this self created darkness of his. He had a beautiful soul, and she wouldnt let him suffer forever. As she stood there hugging him, she couldn't help but think how incredible he smelled. His smell was a mix of mint and freshly rained on grass. She realized that she actually liked hugging him and was a little surprised when he suddenly put his arms around her too. Smiling at him, she stood there, stuck in that moment thinking how perfect this hug seemed.

It was when Pigwidgeon flew into the room twittering madly ten minutes later, that they broke up. He dropped the letter in front of her and flew back out. Before she could, Draco bent down and picked it up then handed it to her silently. Opening it, she saw it was a short note.

My Dear 'Mione,

As much as I enjoy all the PDA you are engaging in, I hate to tell you that Harry and Ron arrived awhile ago and they might be up as soon as they are done talking to Mum.

Ciao ;)
Gin

Hermione burnt the paper with her wand and moved across to unlock the door. Draco was right behind her. ''Whats up?'' he asked. ''Harry and Ron are back.'' said Hermione.

Turning around she went and sat back on the bed and asked him to do the same. Once he sat, she stretched out her arm and said, ''I would love to have a friend like you Draco. You are a good person even if you don't think so, and I really want to be there for you. What do you say?''

He smiled a bit awkwardly, before shaking her hand. ''I think I really should go now. Mother will be waiting. Aunt Andromeda was supposed to be coming over today.'' Draco said.

They both got up, and went down the stairs where they met Harry and Ron halfway up already.

''Hi. You are leaving?'' Harry asked Draco.

''Yeah. We did enough today, I think.'' Hermione smiled, and looked at Draco.

''Oh. Alright then. Well, bye Malfoy.'' Draco nodded once and went down, followed by Hermione while they both went up to their room.

''Bye Draco.'' Hermione smiled at him.

He looked at her, then said, ''See you, Granger.'' and moved out to apparate.

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews Morcelu, DZAuthor and Goldie! I appreciate it very much. :)
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