Hermione tried to wait patiently for a response, figuring it was her best chance at a real answer. In fact, all four of them were completely silent in anticipation of what Draco would say.
After several moments he seemed to pull his thoughts together and began to speak. "The sponsorship, you can change your mind any time and it's back to Azkaban."
"I told you, you're stuck with me, I'm not giving you back." She wanted so badly for him to understand. She really wanted to help him. Despite all her arguments to the contrary she still thought of him as her friend.
"But I deserve to pay. I know you think it. Clearly you didn't intend to get me such a light sentence with your testimony so the only other option was to sacrifice and take me in to make sure justice was served."
Was this really what he thought? He really didn't believe she was trying to help him? Why is he still using present tense?
"What kills me the most though is that you're not even being subtle about it. Conspiring with your enemies about it, right in front of me," he continued. "Make me think I have a chance and then rip it away. I never knew you could be this cruel, but the evidence is all here."
Were his eyes starting to water? She'd been furious he still doubted her, but his sincerity was beginning to turn that anger to concern. Instead of responding to Draco she turned to the rest of the group. "I think Draco and I need to discuss some things, do you mind if we pick the rest of this up later?"
Pansy and Theo were quick to agree, since they hadn't come over seeking this confrontation. Ron seemed a bit hesitant to leave the two of them alone so Hermione gave him a small smile to reassure him this was what she wanted.
After the others had left her flat Hermione finally turned her attention back to Draco. "Please tell me you don't actually believe that."
He looked incredibly meek as he gave her a shy glance, probably trying to determine his best course of action. "I have to. If I let myself hopeā¦"
When he didn't continue she tried to prompt him along. "What's wrong with hope?"
If I let myself believe you really want to help me, something I would have been crazy to have ever hoped for even in ways you already have, then I'll start hoping for all sorts of other crazy things. Things that, I really could never have."
"Like what?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Draco, look at me." When he does Hermione places her hand on his. "I think it might."
"There are a lot of things I'd like. A shot at a life after this, maybe? One where people see me for who I've become and not just the sins of my past. But how could anyone overlook that? Azkaban, your flat, it makes no difference in the end. In ten years I will be completely alone."
"You don't have to be."
"Is that why you're trying so hard to repair my friendships? Shouldn't you be introducing me to better quality people, you know, boring me into doing the right thing instead? I guess even you see it though. Decent people would never want to sully themselves with the likes of me. And that brings us back to my original concern, why are you?"
"Oh, Draco." She wasn't sure where to begin. It was easy to see this was a deep seeded issue that probably dated back to the end of the war before being compounded by his time in Azkaban.
"Stop calling me Draco."
"Why, it's your name?"
"It makes me hope."
Now she was the one close to tears. Hope for what? That she doesn't blame him for the crimes of his father? That she doesn't think they're the same? Or is it something else, something more? She's not sure how she feels about that, so she doesn't ask, afraid of the answer. "I'm trying to mend your friendship because all three of you are my friends."
"What?!"
The shock was evident on his face. She was really going to need to get used to this new expressive side of him. "I still consider you my friend."
"How?"
"Once, always, it's all the same. Friendship is forever. Fights happen, but in case you haven't noticed you're not the only stubborn one here. I tend to hold on to the friendships I make.
"A fight? We're calling it a fight? It's been six years of absolute hate!"
"I never hated you. Not really. Are you saying you hated me?"
"I wanted to," was all he said.
"Truce?"
He nodded before asking, "You befriended my friends?"
"Theo and Pansy are great. I wish things could have been different at school."
"Yeah, that whole Voldemort thing really got in the way."
"You said his name."
"Isn't that a thing your lot do?"
"You want to be part of my lot?"
She loved this banter; it reminded her of the old Draco. That wasn't to say he was being a prat. He was being someone with the will to live, someone who hadn't entirely given up on himself. In fact, she swore she even saw a glisten in his eye at her question."
"If you'll have me."
The sincerity was back again. "Of course. We're all willing to give you that chance actually. You just have to be brave enough to take it."
"I never was a lion."
"You've never lacked ambition though. Don't start now."
"So friends?"
Hermione felt the stupid grin spread over her face with his words but she didn't care. This could actually work. "Friends."
Disclaimer: As always I unfortunately do not own HP. I just imagine them in my own scenarios.
Author's Note: Oh my god, is that actually a chapter? I feel terrible for making you wait so long. I'm not sure where all the hours in the day go. The worst part is I really do post the chapters as soon as I finish them. I'm going to try to multitask while watching the Olympics and start the next chapter tonight so the wait isn't nearly two months again. I promise I do try to keep on top of this for all of you. You're reviews mean the world to me, and each follow and favorite light up my day. Thank you all so very much.
