I know. I deserve to be hung. My deepest apologies for the delay, I've just been so busy trying to make ends meet. Ugh, money … But I'll try updating again this weekend to make up for some of it. Afterwards updates should be at least biweekly, perhaps sooner. Seems my punishment is less reviews :(

Nonetheless, here is a new chapter, some Ginny&Draco interaction that some of you may find interesting. I thank you all for your support, it really means the world to me and is what keeps me writing.

I do not own any of J.K. Rowling's work, solely the plot to this story.

"Hello, Ms. Granger, how are you feeling today?"

It took a moment for the blurriness to withdraw, at which Hermione realized the Durmstrang Headmaster standing a ways from her hospital bed. She frowned. "Better than yesterday, thank you."

The portly man beamed, though it seemed strained. "Excellent, that's excellent then!" He shuffled a small step closer, eyes darting for a split second. And then in a lower voice, as if the castle might overhear him—which Hermione suspected was very possible—he continued. "You have my deepest and most sincere apology, Ms. Granger. As you're aware, before my time here, Durmstrang has been somewhat partial to er, certain types of wizards and witches."

"Purebloods."

He grimaced with her interruption, though it was not out of annoyance. Rather, because she was absolutely right. "Yes. It appears the stigma remains quite vivid for some of our current students. I have my staff investigating the situation as we speak, though I will be frank, Ms. Granger. Chances of finding the persons responsible are slim."

Hermione was pointedly avoiding his gaze at this point. When he remained silent she asked, still without looking at him. "Has this happened before? To any other muggle-borns?"

"Twice, I'm afraid. Though the last time took place over six months ago. My staff and I believed the matter to be done with." His forehead wrinkled. "Unfortunately we were wrong. But rest assured, Ms. Granger. It will not happen again."

Hermione didn't respond, though she did cast him a weary glance, taking note of how his eyes flickered towards the door every several seconds, and his hands wrung themselves of their own accord. Why is he so nervous?

She didn't get a chance to further speculate, though. Suddenly a fiery redhead poked her head through the door.

"Hermione, are you awak—Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't know—"

"Oh, do come in, dear girl. I was just leaving." A look of relief seemed to wash over the Headmaster, his shoulders sagging and his head thrown back as if with renewed energy. He turned to Hermione and spoke quickly. "If there's anything you need, do not hesitate to bring it to my attention. Again, my deepest apologies, we will do everything we can."

Hermione gave a curt nod of acknowledgement. "Yes, Headmaster—" She stopped, realizing he had never formally introduced himself, not even in his 'speech' earlier.

"Hasaan. Headmaster Hasaan." He offered, bowing simultaneously.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Ginny burst into the room. "Hermione! Oh thank goodness, I was so worried! I know the doctor said the poison had been contained but—"

"Ginny, what happened?"

Ginny stopped a hand movement in midair. She tilted her head in confusion. "You mean, you don't remember?"

"Well, I only woke up for a few seconds, if my memory serves me right. And you said something about Malfoy …" She laughed darkly. "I must've been hallucinating though; Malfoy would never save me from a bunch of fellow pureblooded hotheads."

Ginny didn't respond.

Hermione cast her an incredulous look. "Right?"

Avoiding her glance, Ginny cleared her throat. "Well, actually he did."

Hermione's eyes shifted onto the other girls face. "He did?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I don't understand it either. I just remember seeing him running out of dinner with you in his arms—"

"He was carrying me?"

"—and of course I thought the worse so I followed him, yelling at Krum on the way—"

"Malfoy was carrying me?"

"And when we got outside he said something about you fainting, and then just took off—"

"In his arms?"

Ginny stopped, frowning. "Yes in his arms. How else would a person carry someone?"

Hermione shrugged, though her mind seemed to be drifting elsewhere. "I just figured he would've dragged me out of there. Literally. I mean, this is Malfoy we're talking about."

Ginny gave Hermione a strange look, though it was brief. "Well, believe it or not he handled you pretty gently. Even I was impressed. Until he took off, anyway." Weird, she hasn't even asked about the poison …

"You don't want to know about the poison you were given?"

Hermione came out of her trance-like state. "Oh! Yes, of course. What kind of—"

"A basilisk clover."

Hermione's eyes widened. She knew exactly what kind of clover that was. "A basil—But I could've died!"

Ginny nodded sadly. "You could've. In fact, if Malfoy hadn't sprinted you out of there as fast as he did, you would have."

Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "When they told me it was a poison, I had no idea—how could they allow something like that to—" She gulped when she realized something.

Draco hadn't just saved her from falling from a faint. Whether intentional or not, he had saved her life.

"To the left we have the Ragmaz Mountains. They are very tall and very old …"

Draco rolled his eyes and groaned. If he would've known he was going to be stuck following a half-wit oaf pointing out the obvious—seriously, all mountains were tall!—he would've feinted a bad headache. Hell, he would've pretended caring enough to go see how his roommate was doing.

A bitter snort elicited the blond teen. Right, like I care about that stupid mudblood … He shook his head. For some reason, Hermione had been on his mind since the incident the night before. Or to be more exact: why didn't I just push her off me when I had the chance? Why did I help her? Again!

He had hoped today's agenda might distract him at least somewhat.

"…dangerous creatures. So we try to avoid those paths when hunting."

Of course, such things were impossible when idiots like Viktor 'Dum' led the tour.

"So, why did you do it?"

Draco started, irritated with the sudden intrusion and even more with himself for not sensing the insufferable Weasel girl. He shot her a scowl. "You're taking up my breathing space. Shuffle along to the back like a good peasant."

His insults were brushed off like water along a duck's feathers. "Why did you help Hermione?"

"She fell on top of my robes. I had to get her off before they were ruined forever."

"You're being stupid. Answer the question."

"And you're polluting the environment. Say it with me, Weasley: 'shower.'"

"That poison, it was a basilisk clover. You saved her life."

"Seems you're just as stupid as—what?"

Ginny's eyes focused intently on the Slytherin's altered expression. Draco's usual mocking demeanor suddenly reflected one of shock and—horror?—though Ginny couldn't be sure. It was gone within a couple of seconds as Draco schooled his features back into his signature smirk. He shrugged. "Pity. I should've just pushed her off like I wanted to."

"But you didn't."

Draco stopped, catching the different tone in the Gryffindor's voice. It wasn't malice, or anything even remotely close to their usual exchange in degrading conversation. It was … insightful.

It was confusing.

His lips pulled back into a sneer. "No. I didn't. So shouldn't you be worshipping at my feet in thanks instead of pestering me?"

"I am grateful. But that doesn't mean I trust you."

Draco laughed bitterly, noticing they had somehow ended up at the back of the tour. "Is it always trust and cookies and rainbows with you Gryffindors?"

"Well what do you expect, Malfoy? You're a git. So I'm going to ask you again: why did you do it?"

Draco glared at her. "Why do you care? She's alive, isn't she? And contrary to your analysis, we Slytherins are not completely heartless."

The group was a good ten feet away from them at this point, leaving the pair behind in isolation. It was the closest they'd ever been without attempting to kill each other. Needless to say, the realization was unsettling, particularly when Ginny remained silent.

Draco may have been the king at masking his emotions, but that didn't mean he was comfortable standing alongside the Weasel girl whilst she stared at him pensively. He chuckled darkly, taking a step away from her and towards the moving group of students. "Plus it wouldn't have been worth the suspension. Too bad. She'd be better off dead for all the trouble she's worth."

"Tell me, Malfoy." Ginny replied calmly, her eyes following his retreating form. She seemed unperturbed that he continued his stride away from her. "When did you start caring about someone besides yourself?"

Draco froze. For about two seconds. He whirled around with wide eyes. "I don't give a troll's arse what happens to Granger, I—"

"Who said I meant Hermione?"

Draco sputtered, silver flashing "Well, it's obvious you meant—"

Ginny cut him off nonchalantly. "When Hermione told me you'd gotten Head Boy I was sure it wouldn't last. I mean," she laughed softly, "a Gryffindor and a Slytherin working together? Impossible. Not even Salazaar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor could do it."

Draco had yet to say another word, surprisingly. Ginny went on. "But Christmas is almost here, you've already kissed more than once—"

"That was a bloody dare!"

"The second time, too? Really?"

"You couldn't even know about that unless—"

"I found out." She responded curtly. "And aside from that there are the more subtle changes. You guys have worked together more than you ever have in all your time at Hogwarts. Put together a wonderful Seventh Year ball, organized successful tutoring sessions as a team," she paused. Then she smiled. "And despite how much you 'hate' each other, both of you are still alive."

Draco remained stony-faced.

Her gaze altered, a mask of soft emotion Ginny Weasley rarely showed with having to grow up around a bunch of brothers. "Last night," she continued in a quiet voice, "I saw the strangest thing. You. Carrying her like a bride over the threshold. Scared silly, might I add." She laughed humorlessly. "Imagine that. Hermione saved, literally, thanks to you."

Draco took a dangerous step closer, his nostrils flaring. "That's enough."

Ginny stopped with her mouth open, closing it slowly. The intuitive gleam in her eyes, however, remained bright. She smirked. "What's the matter, Malfoy? Still scared?"

"I said enough, Weasley."

"So, I'm right?"

"I said shut the fuck up!"

"You don't deny it, then."

Wands were pulled out suddenly, both pointing towards each other's jugular. Silver-blue depths pierced like daggers of ice. And then—

"What is going on over here? Mr. Malfoy! Ms. Weasley! Put your wands down before I hex you myself!"

Neither Ginny nor Draco moved.

Krum took a meaningful step forward. "Malfoy, drop it."

"Go learn something, genius."

"Expelliarmus!"

Draco's wand flew out of his reach and into Krum's free hand. Draco turned to him in outrage.

"When my father finds out about—"

"Ms. Weasley, I don't want to have to ask you again." Krum ignored Draco, turning an almost pleading look towards Ginny.

Fortunately, Ginny did just that. With a final knowing glance she sauntered away, leaving a fuming Draco alone with Krum. Behind them the group of students watched curiously.

Krum took a hesitant step towards Draco. "Now, listen up, Malfoy. I—"

"Why the hell did you take my wand and not hers?"

"I just wanted to—"

"Give me my wand back."

"Malfoy, listen. You do not understand. I wanted to—"

"No, you don't understand, you stupid moron. Now give me back my wand."

Krum sighed, tossing the wand towards him. Then, in a much softer voice: "I just wanted to thank you for saving her life."

Draco caught his wand, a nasty leer appearing on his face almost immediately. "Yeah well good riddance. Should've just let her die."

"Draco, please. I think it would be best if—"

"I'm going to my room."

Krum paused. "Yes, I agree."

The blond teen rolled his eyes. "Finally, Witch Weekly's Moron of the year says something intelligent."

Krum didn't respond, just watched sadly as he stalked away towards the Seventh year block. He sighed. You deny something that could very possibly be the best thing you will ever have … and you think I am stupid.

Note: I made up the basilisk clover. I figured anything related to a basilisk might be strenuous in some aspect—most likely in a lethal way—and of course most potions/poisons are derived from exotic plants. Plus, it just kind of had a ring to it lol.

Review please :)