A/N: A huge thanks to Redshadow43 for being an awesome beta. I hope you all enjoy.

Disclaimer: JKR owns the Harry Potter world, not me. I am making no money from the posting of this story.

Chapter 11

By the next morning Hermione's mood had soured considerably. Tonight was Narcissa's big ball, and the woman was driving her up the wall with it. Sure, Hermione was slightly excited that she'd get to see other people, but at the same time it also pissed her off that Narcissa kept sending her on errands when all she wanted to do was explore Tom's room some more.

The more she saw, the more normal he seemed. He became more and more interesting, and Hermione found she wanted to know everything. Instead, here she was with a list of preparations for the ball that she was expected to take care of.

She glanced down at her list, and headed to the garden to make sure all the fountains and all the lights were set up and working. Check. Next she had to go to the kitchen and check on the food preparations. Check.

The last thing she was expected to do before she could go back to her room was check up on the preparations in the ballroom. Hermione really didn't want to do this one, especially since Narcissa would already be there, helping the workers.

Plus, I saw Bellatrix down there earlier, she added silently. If she could, Hermione wanted to avoid that woman at all costs. She was crazy—literally. Even Narcissa had said that her sister was not all there.

Hermione descended the stairs, heading towards the ballroom, when she suddenly ran into Draco. Without warning, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into a spare room, saying, "Hermione, would you please help me out with something?"

She watched, confused, as her former nemesis began to pace around, muttering and shaking his head. Why is he acting so strangely? He's sweating bullets.

"Malfoy, what's wrong?" she eventually asked, unable to take his pacing anymore.

Draco shook his head again. "Hermione, I—" he began.

"Just tell me already, Draco," she grumbled. "Why are you so worked up?"

"Because of you!" he finally shouted.

Surprised by the outburst, Hermione took a step away from him. "Me? What on earth do you mean?"

"I don't know how to say this, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything," he said, still shaking his head. "I've always been such a git to you, especially about the whole blood thing, but now you've become so important. I am afraid that if the Dark Lord finds out what I've done to you over the years he'd kill me for sure. I've been walking on eggshells, waiting for you to tell him."

Now Hermione shook her head.

"But you haven't done it, have you?" he said. "So what is your deal? Do you enjoy killing me with the anticipation, or what? Because I don't want this—not any of it. Please, just tell me what you want from me."

Hermione stood there in shock as he turned around, refusing to look at her. She knew that Draco had always struggled with everything in his life, wanting to please his parents, Pansy, and Tom, as well as himself. But now he appeared to be beating himself up for fear that she was going to tattle on him.

Hermione stepped forward and said, "Draco Malfoy, you look at me right now."

Draco turned to face her very slowly. His eyes were red and puffy, as if he'd been crying. He barely managed to hold her gaze.

"Malfoy, I would never get you into trouble on purpose. I'm not that kind of a person," she told him. "Sure, I think you're a total arse, but I would never try to get you hurt. You're practically my brother now, according to your mother. So please, please don't get yourself all worked up over this."

Malfoy shook his head and stared at her with grey eyes devoid of emotion. "I'm sorry for everything, Granger," he said again.

Taking his hands in hers, she said, "It's fine, Draco. All is forgiven. But that doesn't mean I like you. It does mean I'm willing to look out for you, and hopefully you will do the same for me."

"I will," he agreed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she answered, surprised at the turn of events. She certainly hadn't expected making a truce with Draco Malfoy to be on the day's checklist.

"Well, I suppose I'd better go find Pansy, then," he said gruffly, quickly leaving the room.

Hermione finally entered the ballroom and looked around in awe. It was beautiful. Green banners hung everywhere, and the floors and tables were covered with silver confetti. Off to one side of the room the band was setting up, and they had a few instruments she'd never even seen before.

"Narcissa, it's amazing," she called to the woman as she approached her. "Very impressive

"I'm so glad you like it," Narcissa gushed as she hugged her. "I always love the chance to throw a good party. I guess you'd say it brings out my creative side."

Suddenly they heard a loud bang, and looked over to see a fuming Bellatrix. She had dropped whatever it was that she'd been carrying, but that wasn't why the woman looked as mad as she did. No, it was much more than that. She was glaring at Hermione with so much hatred she could practically feel the daggers piercing her flesh. Bellatrix then turned and stormed off.

"Did I do something wrong?" Hermione wanted to know.

The older woman shook her head. "No," she answered. "Bellatrix just has some issues that she needs to work through without getting the rest of the family involved. Don't trouble yourself on her account."

"Hmph," Hermione grumbled, and turned to help Narcissa hang decorations. Soon it was time to get ready for the ball, and now Hermione was feeling kind of excited. She hated to admit it, but she missed Tom, and was looking forward to his return.

Hermione thought about that as she headed for his bedroom. Sure, the man may look like a monster, but deep down she felt there was something more human within him. She wished she could know what he truly was like.

Curiosity killed the cat, Hermione, she reminded herself. With a shake of her head, she climbed into the hot bath she'd just drawn and sighed in contentment. It was a substantial amount of time later before she felt the need to get out again, and even then she did so only with great reluctance.

Narcissa came in to help her get into her dress and style her hair. She put it up into a loose bun, letting some of the curls fall graciously onto Hermione's shoulders. When she was done, she pat Hermione on the back.

"You look lovely, Hermione," she told her. "You really do."

Hermione was shocked to see the young woman who stared out at her as she looked into the mirror. She couldn't believe how utterly beautiful she was.

"Thank you so much, Narcissa," she said as the woman turned to leave.

"You're very welcome, darling," she replied, and then left her to wait for Tom so she could go get ready herself.

Hermione paced for what seemed like hours before she heard a knock on the door. She walked over and turned the knob. Let's just get this over with, she thought, and then opened the door.

Hermione Jean Granger almost fainted when she saw the man who stood before her. How was this even possible?