A/N:: Once again I'd like to say everything besides the plot is owned by the lovely J.K.R.! Similarities to any other story, movie, or real life occurrence, are completely coincidental unless stated otherwise (:

Chapter Ten || the Truce.

Hermione's POV::

I shook, the tears carving blackened mascara paths down my cheeks. I hate Draco Malfoy. Once I began to think he's a half decent person, he goes back to his arse self.

I was still shaking when I walked past Pansy and Harry seated in the grass. I could feel two pairs of eyes on me on my way to the castle, and I didn't feel like reacting to either.

I walked inside Hogwarts, turning in a stone hallway. I leaned against the first wall, tilting my head back as I let the tears come. I regained composure within seconds when I heard laughter from around the corner. I stepped away from the wall and looked around the bend. Shadows from other teens were visible.

"Draconus Hermonia." I mumbled. Dumbledore eyed me suspiciously before opening up. My eyes fell on a blonde head on the couch. He was drinking something and promptly choked when I surprised him by entering almost silently.

"Bloody helll, Hermione," Draco grimaced, setting his cup down. I realized it was a clear crystal glass with an inch of amber colored liquid in it.

Without hesitation I left him, taking the steps two at a time to my room. I slammed the door, taking a running dive onto my bed. The lavender comforter sank under my weight, soft against my damp face. I straightened up, pulling my curly locks into a ponytail and went to my dresser. Pouring makeup remover onto a cotton ball, I messily toke off the remaining mascara I hadn't cried off. I tore off my shoes and jeans, pulling on comfy cotton pants.

I glanced at the clock. It was only four thirty. So what? I was in the mood for a nap. Girls get like that.

|| Midnight ||

I rolled over, checking my clock. It was only a few minutes past twelve. I looked up at the slate gray ceiling. My room was totally black except for a safety light for night in the corner. Tugging off the comforter, I rolled out of bed and stepped into slippers.

Carefully walking one step at a time, I made my way downstairs. All of Hogwarts was most likely asleep. It was just me.

In a huge castle filled with adults and teens, at this moment I have never felt so alone. I sat on my couch, slowly pulling a blanket over my body. Tears fell from my eyes that I didn't try to stop. Every year at Hogwarts I felt like this :: that no one knew who I really was. Everyone saw the bookworm, the prude princess, the mudblood.

At this moment I have never felt so alone. I curled up on the couch, pulling the blanket tighter. Feeling incredibly sorry for myself, I let out a bitter laugh. If only Draco could see me now. He'd think I was the most pathetic person ever. I straightened up, smoothing my hair. I wasn't about to let Draco win this. If it took a truce, it was worth it. Either I could let Draco make my life helll, or I could fight him, or I could come to a peaceful agreement.

Who am I kidding? I'm a lover, not a fighter. I began to draft our truce in my mind as I rested my head on the arm of the couch.

Draco's POV::

The next morning I felt like helll. Well, I feel like helll most every morning. After the usual morning routine, I came downstairs to see Hermione asleep on the couch. I shook her gently, not bothering to be there when she opened her eyes. I made coffee and from the corner of my eye I watched her trudge upstairs.

I was almost done my coffee when Hermione appeared from the steps. She looked as horrible as I felt. Her face was tinged the slightest shade of green and she was wobbly. Morning sickness.

"Um, you alright Granger?" I posed the question tentatively, not wanting too many details. Her eyes drifted over me lazily. Hermione walked out of the room without a word. I left my mug on the table and followed.

"Hermione, wait up," I jogged to catch up to her. Her brown eyes stayed focused. "I know you hate me. And I'm now fond of you either. But um …" I trailed off. What was my point again?

Hermione turned to me. Her eyes reflected a feeling I couldn't put my finger on. "Don't give up now. I thought you were this tough guy, Draco. You hide under your insults, and your arrogance, and your fake friendships. You pretend to be this Slytherin sex god, but in reality girls only get with you to up their status. Or she's Pansy Parkinson and just crazy." Hermione's eyes were as cold as ice when she finished her rant.

I froze. No witty comment or sarcastic comment came to mind. She took a shaky breath and continued. "But we don't have to stay that way. Draco Malfoy, I am proposing a truce."

I lifted an eyebrow, half expecting her to start laughing in my face, not serious at all. But she remained there, right there, only two feet away from me.

"Alright. Are there terms to this truce?" I spoke slowly, testing the waters, keeping my guard up for any hidden traps she had. She might be a filthy mudblood but she could be a plotting kind of girl.

"I just want to get along. You want a good grade, I want a good grade, and I'm sure none of us want to watch our kid grow up to be this evil person. She'd inherit that from you, you know." Hermione flashed a smile. "And after vomiting this morning I just want to be a good mother. Or all this morning sickness episodes will /not/ be worth it."

"I can do that." I answered her. "This project is gonna be harder on you, let's face it. So I guess I can pull my weight."

Hermione actually gave a full smile this time. She extended her arms a little before returning them to her sides. "I thought I was going to hug you for a second but I'm nauseas again."

She walked away without a word after that, clutching her stomach as she slowly entered the Great Hall, leaving me in the hallway.

We still were assigned to sit in the special fifth table. This time Ron and Astoria sat across from Hermione and me at breakfast. The bad news continued :: potions was next, with Gryffindor and Slytherin. I felt a little better knowing that Blaise was suffering with Luna right now, and he would be in potions as well as I.

The meal ended and we migrated to the dungeons. It was only the third day at Hogwarts so each professor was still pondering the great decision that is seating charts. Snape was muttering to himself and scratching furiously on parchment as we walked in.

"Line up along the back wall." Snape ordered in his trademark slow, monotone drawl. A few more mutters and another couple cross outs and he began shouting the arrangements.

"Today's partners are as followed :: Lovegood and Potter, Zabini and Parkinson, Crabb and Patil, Goyle and Greengrass, Weasley and Brown, Malfoy and Granger, Finnegan and Tolipan, …"