Chapter Thirteen
Night seemed to glisten with the stars out side. Hermione sighed again as she made her way to the astrology tower. It had been shut off after the war when death eaters had trapped students in there.
Hermione shuddered when memories of screams echoed around her mind… she had been in the corridor below when she heard those screams and se felt the guilt rip into her when she knew she couldn't even venture up there and had to make a retreat.
Hermione pushed all memories of the war away from her with a firm shake of her head and crept into the large round room, a large portion of the outer wall was missing and the night sky was enlightened by the quarter moon. She paused a moment when she heard howls from the forbidden forest; not even daring to guess what could be down there.
As she closed the heavy door behind her she tried to hush her soft footsteps as she headed to the only large window left in the tower. She needed peace tonight, though lessons had started the day before and Harry and Ron were already putting off their homework she found the hardest part was the looks she received.
When she awoke after the final battle she never received those looks but now she received looks of sorrow and sadness.
It was finally annoying her that everyone was walking around on egg shells.
Hermione made her way to the window and slumped down on the sill glancing out to the night enjoying the silence. Until there was rustling, spinning around so fast that she half stumbled off the sill and half stood only to see Draco staring at her from the back of the room.
Hermione quickly straightened her self and gave Draco her best glare folding her arms while trying to fend off the blush dying to cross her features.
"What are you doing here" Hermione snapped causing Draco to scrub at the back of his neck.
"I wanted to think by myself… plus those darn Weasel twins keep trying to take points away from me" Draco explained with an almost down trodden expression. Hermione allowed her arms to drop before softening her expression "they can't take any points really" Hermione offered smiling at him, Draco seemed confused by this but he simply nodded and looked at the floor.
"I was going to leave you alone but you" "its fine Draco, you were here first…but why are you here really?" Hermione asked as Draco avoided her gaze and for a moment Hermione swore she saw a blush creep across his face.
"I was thinking about….Ginny" Draco admitted in a whisper brining a smile to Hermione's lips. Draco lifted his eyes and was surprised to see Hermione smiling at him. Another blush hit Draco and he avoided Hermione's eyes once more.
"It's just I was mean to her… and now she's treating me so kindly" Draco stammered as he wrung his hands. Hermione sighed and patted the sill beside her and Draco quietly made his way over to her and sat down looking intently at the floor.
"Draco once you explained why you had to and what you did for her during the battle Ginny understands that she can't base her feelings for you on what happened… we all agreed that once the war ended, when Voldermort was destroyed we all agreed that we needed to focus on the future and that anything that passed between all of us in the past" Hermione told him softly causing Draco to duck his head and a small smile lit his thin lips.
"Anyway… you said far worser things to me and you don't seem to be dwelling on it too much even if I have forgiven you" Hermione pointed out a half smile tugging at her mouth. Draco glanced at her then directly away muttering something under his breath.
Hermione lent forward and stared at him "I didn't catch that Draco" Hermione said as Draco clenched his jaw and flickered his eyes to her "IkindalikeGinny" it came out all at once but Hermione understood and simply nodded her head sitting back "just like I guessed" she admitted causing Draco to snap his head back and stare at her.
"If you guessed then why did you make me say it out loud" Draco demanded as Hermione gave him a graceful smile and rolled her eyes.
"The way you act around her… you're bashful plus the biggest indicator was the fact that you were willing to die for Ginny" Hermione pointed out as Draco smiled to himself before clearing his throat and looked sternly at Hermione.
"It doesn't matter… even if she could somehow see her way to being my friend she would never accept me as her boyfriend nor would her family. I've done too much for that much bad karma to be ignored" Draco stated before looking towards the night sky taking a deep breath and waited a few moments before he exhaled.
"Why are you here" Draco asked not looking to Hermione who instantly looked away and sighed.
"Just wanted to think… I wanted to be alone" Hermione muttered gaining Draco's gaze, she glanced back and didn't see pity or sorrow instead she saw understandment.
"I heard what happened… I… well I hope… I know what it feels like not to know your parents, to be lied to by them. It's funny you spend your life trying to impress them but in the end they always turned out to be different from what you thought" Draco admitted causing Hermione to nod silently and sigh.
She wrung her hands and allowed a quivering breath escape her lungs "I just… I just don't understand how they could lie to me for all those years… my father, he stayed despite knowing I was not his daughter… and my mother, she just allowed my father carry on, she carried on with this lie and expects me to talk to them about it" Hermione exclaimed before standing and began pacing the floor.
Draco watched her before leaning back against the wall "you can't talk to them because for the past nineteen years you've been one person and now you're trying to figure out who this new person is" Draco offered causing Hermione to stop and stare at him then slowly nod.
"I'm lucky in a way… I knew what my parents were from the start, I was given that choice between wanting to be my father's heir or to do what was right. There was times when I wanted to tell everyone the truth… I guess I never truly discovered who Draco Malfor is… because there were always two. The pretence who my father should have been proud of or the one who Dumbledore saw and gave a chance too" Draco lowered his head as his face turned solemn as he remembered the last moments of the only man who ever believed in him.
"I'm sure Dumbledore knew you could never get out of that situation… he had faith in you Draco and he would have gladly given his life for yours" Hermione pointed out as Draco looked to her his grey eyes boring into her as he searched for the truth of her words. After a few seconds he nodded glumly and looked away.
"How are you holding up… after the war you, Potter and Weasel were inseparable I thought you would be telling all your problems to them" Draco offered as Hermione smiled lightly and shook her head "they found some sort of peace… Ron has Luna to worry over I have no right to demand any extra attention when they have to focus on their future and Harry… it isn't fair to tell him about my problems with my parents when he didn't even have a chance to get to know his" Hermione stated as Draco studied her before chuckling.
"You're just as bad as potter thinking you have to take on burdens by yourself… they are your friends for a reason Granger… I mean Hermione, and besides if potter knew you were here talking to me he would flip" Draco admitted as Hermione blushed looking away.
"Harry is just worried" Hermione snapped her head up when Draco snorted then looked at her.
"All I'm saying is that maybe Potter wants to hear your problems and he wants to help rescue you from them because you're more then a friend" Draco said slowly so that Hermione would understand. But before she could question him the door opened and an exhausted Harry stood with his wand held high to lighten his way.
"HERMIONE" he exclaimed between gasps for breath before his eyes narrowed on Draco who stood and sighed. Hermione glanced at Draco then back at Harry before stepping in front of Draco "HARRY" she said sternly folding her arms.
"Why are you out of bed… your breaking curfew" Hermione pointed out as Harry stared at her as though she was mad.
"So are you and with… with him" Harry spluttered pointing to Draco who lowered his head and avoided looking to either Hermione or Harry.
"I think you would find that Draco was here first… we were discussing some potions work when you stalked in here… Draco was trying to get some peace and was very kind to allow me to stay and think" Hermione declared as Harry lowered his wand but stilled glared at Draco.
"Now if you will excuse me… I have to get to bed and Harry you need to be nice to Draco… he is a fellow student" Hermione ordered before she looked at Draco who was staring in shock at her.
"goodnight Draco… thank you for your help and you shouldn't worry so much about your problem it's clear that you have a chance" and with that Hermione turned and walked towards the door rolling her eyes at Harry.
"Goodnight Harry" she mumbled before walking out leaving two confused boys. They looked to each other with the same confused look before they remembered who each other was and Draco lowered his eyes and Harry narrowed his.
"What were you two talking about exactly" Harry demanded as Draco swallowed and looked to him squaring his shoulders.
"Hermione was telling me about her worries about her parents… and her need to protect you, she felt bad that she spoke of her problems with her parents to you when you lost yours" Draco pointed out as Harry lowered his eyes and guilt stole over his face.
"Look Potter I know you won't take my advice and you probably think I should be the last one to give any on Hermione but maybe you should doing this little dance you when your with her and give her something happy to look forward to… admit what you really feel" Draco ordered as Harry snapped his eyes back to the blonde and stared at him.
"What is that suppose to mean" Harry demanded his voice a little higher then it needed to be.
"it means that this 'just friends' dance you do is getting a little tiresome and frankly I think Hermione needs more then a friend at the moment" Draco explained causing Harry to blush and look away muttering something about there was no dance and that they were friends.
"you can deny it all you like but the truth is you know the things I had to do, you know the real reason and you know deep down that I'm good and it kills you that Hermione talked to me instead of falling into your arms… where you no doubt think she belongs" Draco pointed out with an air of smugness… he didn't hate Harry but it was hard to get over eight years of dislike.
Harry spluttered for a few moments before he looked Draco square in the eyes and went to argue more but he knew Draco was telling the truth.
"She doesn't need me to tell her that… not at a time like this…I'm happy just being her friend" Harry ordered as Draco nodded then slowly made his way over to the door "maybe she needs more then just a friend… something that can protect her a lot better then just a friend could" Draco ordered but then stopped and sighed.
"Look Potter never repeat my words to anyone… ever… but I should know better then anyone that you and Hermione, well you deserve happiness and I think you can find it with each other because no matter what, even when you two fought or you demanded she stay away from battle it's always been you two… you for her and her for you" Draco offered before Harry thought.
Draco went to walk out when Harry looked up "Malfor" Harry called causing the blonde to stop and look at him.
"You can stay in our dorm tonight… the twins have been pacing outside your dorms with some pranks and the hope they could deduct some points" Harry told him causing Draco to gape for a few moments before he smiled slightly and nodded.
"There is a spare bed in the boys room" "what about the others" Draco asked as Harry offered him a small smile and shrug "they will be fine… just expect to wake up with a few things painted on you or shaved from you… it will take time" Harry ordered as Draco grinned then tilted his head.
"Maybe I should take my chances with the twins" Draco thought out loud causing Harry to chuckle before walking to the door shaking his head.
"All I heard was the twin's mention it should change back and you feel like a man in at least five days" Harry muttered before heading out the door leaving Draco to stare after him then rush out exclaiming "POTTER".
Hope you like this little part... I wanted Draco to be likeable, but I also wanted to show that Draco would understand Hermione's problem a bit better and that if he was good then he would want to make friends with them. Thank you for the reviews... there are so many.