Hermione climbed through the entrance of the Gryffindor common room after shoveling down some food in the Great Hall to see Ginny, Ron and Harry looking quite serious all talking quietly in the corner. She walked straight over and plonked herself next to the 3.
"Gryffindor training not go as well as expected?" She smiled at them.
"Hermione!" Ginny beamed up at her. "I didn't think you would actually stop by!"
"Ouch, Gin," Hermione was offended. "I said I would so of course I'm here."
"I meant it in a happy to see you kinda way," Ginny grumbled. "And no, we're not talking about practice, which went amazing by the way, we are going to flatten Ravenclaw-"
"What's wrong with you guys then?" Hermione interrupted. "Did something happen to something in the order?"
"No nothing like that!" Harry assured her quickly. "Dumbledore came to see me after practice. He wants me to start meeting with him again."
Hermione lowered her voice. "Well, I can't say that I'm surprised, it make sense that you would keep on learning about voldemort with him." She forced out his name.
"Hermione's right Harry," Ron nodded in agreement. "We need to know as much as we can if we are going to be of any help to the order and Dumbledore next year."
"It's a bit surreal really, isn't it?" Ginny shook her head. "Everything is going to change so much next year, more then it already has."
"Not for you it won't," Harry frowned at her. "You'll still be here, safe and sound."
Ginny scoffed. "As if, like I'm going to wait around here while all my favourite people put their lives on the line, I would go crazy!"
"There is no way in hell you'll be adding yourself to that list!" Harry growled at her.
"Ugh you sound like Mum!" She glared back. "I'll be 17 soon, so it will be my choice! I can take care of myself just as well as you can!"
"Enough guys!" Hermione held up her hand. "Let's worry about it when we have to. Come on, it's no use going over this again, let's just get started on our homework."
Both Ginny and Harry grabbed their books with out another word looking extremely sullen. Ron and Hermione exchange uncomfortable glaces and hastened to follow them. The rest of the evening they made quiet conversation whilst working on their essays with Harry and Ginny uncharacteristically acting icy to one another. After a while Hermione had had enough small talk for one evening.
"Well, I might head back to my common room." She held her hands up in a fake stretch and yawn, trying to ignore Ron gesturing at her desperately not to leave him with the others.
"I might head off to bed too. Goodnight Hermione, Ron." Ginny shot one last glare at Harry and stomped off to the stairs to her bedroom.
"See you at breakfast guys." Hermione gave Harry a sympathetic glance and with a wave to Ron headed back to the common room.
Evon smiled at her as she approached the portrait hole. "Early night for you then tonight My lady?"
"Yes, I couldn't look at another book if you paid me." She sighed. "Actually, do you know if I have the common room to myself...?" She trailed off looking hopeful.
"No. I believe Mr Malfoy should be inside." He grinned at her a little too knowingly for her liking.
Hermione couldn't decide whether she was happy or annoyed about that. "Venomous Tentacula, thanks Evon!." She waved good bye as he swung forward to admit her.
She walked in to find Draco sitting on the couch, deciding to try something different she walked over and plonked herself across from him. To her surprise, he didn't tell her to bugger off but instead looked at her with interest.
"Why do you talk to the portrait?" He looked slightly perplexed.
"Why did you run away earlier in the library?" She raised her eyebrow at him.
"Answer my question."
"You never answer mine."
He paused for a second and then sighed. "I had places to be. I didn't think I owed you an explanation for what I do with my day. Why do you talk to the portrait?" He repeated himself.
"Well, why not? He must get lonely sitting in a portrait on his own and he is perfectly nice person." She looked at him as if she couldn't believe he hadn't worked this out for himself. "You know, it wouldn't hurt you to have some manners, they are free."
"Painting, Hermione." Draco corrected "He is a painting. And I do have manners... well when I want to." He looked at her sheepishly.
"Yes his is a painting, a painting who was once a person." Hermione looked at him shyly. "Actually, He went to school with your Great Great Grandfather you know."
"Oh really?" Draco's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "And what did he have to say about my Great Great Grandfather, only good things I hope?"
"Oh who would have anything bad to say about the Malfoy family." Hermione giggled whilst Draco looked at her half amused.
"Yes well, I'm sure I could imagine a few people. Having the name Malfoy can be a blessing or a curse at times." He admitted.
"Hmmm, I can imagine." Hermione said thoughtfully, surprised at Draco's admission that his name was not always a good thing. "You know, that's my favourite thing about being muggle born I think. The name I make for myself is my own, no pre-conceived notions, no prejudices... Well other then the obvious one." She braced herself for the inevitable mudblood comments which to her surprise, didn't come.
"I'll admit, some days that is an enticing thought." He looked uncomfortable and quickly changed tack. "Not that I would change the noble Malfoy name for anything."
"I think you and I have different definitions of noble." She looked at him sadly, and was surprised when she saw a flash of something in his eyes, was it anger? Pain? "I'm sorry, that was a bit tackless of me."
"No it wasn't, it was honest." He smiled at her wryly. "If there is one thing we are to each other it's honest."
"We are honest?" She questioned, him feeling her heart start to race. "Then answer me one question, if you are brave enough."
"Alright, one question. Honest answer. I'm sure I can take it." He grinned at her arrogantly.
She slid across the couch till she was sitting right next to him, her face in close proximity to his.
"Why did you kiss me the other night?"