Disclaimer: Spoilers - I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter 21

When Ginny had come back from rounds, she'd told Harry that she'd run into Ron and Pansy and they'd proposed all of them going to The Hog's Head for a bit. With the war over and security tightened around the school and village of Hogsmeade, it was allowed for seventh years to go out on weekends until midnight. Harry had agreed that it was a good idea and added that they should see if anyone else wanted to come along. Ginny had mentioned Parvati and Theo, and he had added that they should find Hermione to see if she wanted to join them. He hadn't even considered Malfoy in the equation.

He was planning a fun evening with his friends after a long week of studying and stress. One minute he had been walking down the corridor with Ginny, smiling and laughing at her story of her and Blaise's rounds that evening. And, the next he saw red. Hermione, his innocent, sweet friend, was being pinned to the wall and mauled by the blonde, ferret, death-eater-wannabe.

"Hermione!" Harry called sharply, despite Ginny's nails digging into his hand.

He shook off Ginny's restraining hand and lunged forward. He grabbed Malfoy by the back of his robes and pulled him back as hard as he could. Then, before the man could straighten, Harry punched him in the stomach.

"Get off of her!"

"Harry!" both Hermione and Ginny screeched at him, but he didn't have time to react before he was thrown back from Draco's punch to his face.

They both froze when a wand appeared between their panting faces.

"Don't make me do it," Ron's said softly from the side.

"That evil git was mauling our best friend!" Harry shouted.

Draco sniffed derisively, but before he could comment Hermione shouted back, "Do I look mauled to you, Harry James Potter?!"

Harry took in her reddened lips, messy hair, and shirt that needed adjusting and almost said yes. But, he also noted that Draco looked much the same. Harry had to admit to himself that, as much as he wanted it to be otherwise, they simply looked like two people who'd had a good snog.

"No, not now," he conceded.

With a tsk, Hermione moved to Draco's side. Ron, Pansy, Theo and Parvati all looked at Harry with varying degrees of disappointment, and the look on Ginny's face made Harry wince.

He flexed his sore jaw, "Gin, I…"

She stepped back, "Don't!"

He watched as she shook her head at him and then straightened her shoulders and looked past him.

"Draco, are you okay?" she asked to Harry's consternation.

"Yeah," he answered. "No, tha…"

But, whatever he was going to say was stopped by Hermione's outburst as she rounded on her best friend.

"What the hell was that?! What were you thinking? WERE you thinking?!" she shouted at him as she poked her finger repeatedly in his chest.

He stepped back to avoid her finger and ended up against the wall they had previously been leaning on, "Hermione, I…"

"Apologize now, Harry!" she demanded.

"What? No!" he answered; shocked that she would ask that of him.

But, then he saw something he hadn't seen since the middle of the war. Hermione's eyes actually flashed in her anger. But, unlike when it had been directed at their enemies and he had been almost happy to see it, this time it was directed at him and it scared him stiff.

"I mean, um, okay, Hermione, no problem. I will," he placated, his hands raised in defense.

"Now!" she snarled.

He flicked his eyes in Malfoy's general direction, "Sorry."

"Like you mean it, dammit," she hissed as she punched him on the arm.

He flinched and held back a grunt as he fully faced Malfoy and looked into his face. The smirk and raised eyebrow on the blonde man's face were almost enough to make him punch him again. But, one glance at Hermione's face and he swallowed his bile, "Sorry, Malfoy."

Draco nodded once, but continued to smirk as he watched Harry's pride squashed under the foot of the tiny witch at his side. That is until Hermione turned her anger on him.

"Now you!" she demanded.

Harry had the minute pleasure of seeing the smirk fall away as Malfoy looked down at Hermione. "What? Why?"

"You hit him, too, Draco. Apologize!"

"But, he…"

"Now!"

Harry was pretty sure her eyes must have flashed again, when he saw the pale man grow a bit lighter and his eyes bulge slightly.

"Um, okay, Hermione. Okay." Then his eyes lifted and he looked into Harry's face, "Sorry to have punched you after you punched me, Potter."

"Draco!"

"What? I did it," he answered.

She shook her head him and turned to Ginny, "How about we make this a girl's night? I don't think I can take anymore testosterone tonight!"

Ginny nodded and turned to the others, "How about you two gentlemen take these to jerks and talk to them about what it means to be a grown up? Pansy, Vati, let's go."

Harry started to call her name as she turned and walked towards the doors, but she stopped and faced them once again.

"Oh, and ten points from Gryffindor because their Head Girl is dating a hotheaded pain in the ass! And, ten from Slytherin for fighting in the halls!"

Draco harrumphed. Theo and Ron both sighed. And, Harry stepped forward to say something to her. Ron stopped him, with a hand on his arm, "Let her go, Harry."

Harry sighed and looked at Hermione apologetically, "Hermione, I…"

"Uh uh." She said as she walked away from him. It stung and it wasn't helped by the twin looks of disdain thrown at him by Pansy and Parvati before they kissed their boyfriends and hurried after the other two.

Harry was left standing with two ticked off Slytherins who looked ready to beat him to a bloody heap, and a best friend who looked ready to join them. He stepped back a little and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Way to go, Potter," Draco snarled at him.

"Shut it, Malfoy!" he snapped back. "If you hadn't been…"

"Been what? Snogging my witch? What? Jealous? Sorry, Potter, I don't swing that way."

"Why you…" Harry lunged at him.

Ron and Theo each grabbed one of them to stop them from hurtling at each other once again. And, they all grunted at the impact as they fell into each other.

"Um, guys?" Greg's voice interrupted them from the hall on the side.

They turned to see him holding hands with Millicent and staring at them like they were exotic zoo animals.

Theo was the first to pull back and straighten, "Hello, Greg. Millicent."

"What's up?" Millie asked. "You guys about to fight?"

"Not anymore," Ron answered for them. "Right you two?"

Harry saw Draco nod and did the same as they all stood straight and pulled away from one another. Greg and Millicent walked closer and then she looked up and down the hall.

"So, where are all the girls?"

"They went to The Hog's Head for a while," Theo answered. But, the look he shot Draco and Harry spoke volumes.

Greg shuffled his feet uncomfortably, but Millicent dropped his hand and stepped forward.

"So, let me see if I've got this. You guys are all here about to knock heads and the girls are gone. And, the only two with any real issues still are Draco and Potter. So, I'm guessing Potter finally grew a set and started a fight over Granger. So, what Draco, did you finally do her?"

Everyone blinked at her uncanny recount of events she hadn't been there to see happen, even if she had overshot things a bit.

When no one spoke, she fisted her hands on her hips, "Okay, if none of you have the balls to say it, I will. Hell, I'm sick and tired of hearing Pansy bitch about it anyway. Draco, you need to get over yourself. That damn chip on your shoulder is starting to take the place of your head. Which, by the way, is stuck up your ass. Granger likes you. A lot. Be a man and make a move, but don't dick around with her. The chick's got enough self-esteem issues without you adding to it. And, you Potter, take a page from your own damn book. You keep telling everyone that will listen, even those that don't want to, that Blaise needs to grow up and get over the past, as if that isn't the pot calling the cauldron black. Draco was a shit; it's not new news. Neither is you being a hotheaded ass who jumps to conclusions about every damn thing, Theo being a geeky ponce, or Weasley being a dumbass. And, you know what? None of you are the catches you think you are. You should be on your knees thanking the fates that anyone gives you the time of day. But, all you can think about is your stupid petty pasts and your egos. Well, get over yourselves and each other. Potter, grow up! Draco's not going away and he wants to be with Granger, Merlin only knows why. Whether you want to admit it or not he's changed and you need to accept it. And, you, Draco. Potter's her friend and he ain't going anywhere either. You want to get in Granger's knickers, you need to accept that they're guarded by Potter and Weasley. That means you need to learn to make nice with them or you lose your shot."

Everyone just stood staring at her in shock and in the extended silence she got angry.

"You're all wankers!" she growled. "Come on, Greg, let's go get you that drink at Madam Puddifoot's."

Greg's face reddened, but he nodded and followed her down the hall away from the others.

Theo finally broke the silence to mutter, "I'm not a geek."

"But, you are a bit of a ponce," Draco laughed a little.

"Well, that's better than being a shit," Theo retorted, but not angrily.

"Or, a dumbass," Ron mumbled irritably. "I'm not stupid, you know."

Draco crossed his arms and laughed a little more, "No, you aren't Weasley, you just act like it."

"That's rich coming from Mr. Chip on his shoulder," Ron rejoined.

They all turned to Harry and saw that he didn't share their little bit of mirth. Draco sighed and relaxed his arms.

"Look, Potter, Millie did get at least one thing right in her little tirade. Hermione and I are going to see each other, whether you like it or not."

Harry grunted and stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from pulling his wand and hexing Draco into a pile of bat poop.

Ron, who was not happy to have had his night out with his girlfriend cancelled due to Harry's anger issues, looked at Draco, "I just want her happy and she seems to be." Then, he turned to Theo, "Come on, Theo; let's go get some butterbeer in the all-common room."

Harry sputtered at Ron's retreating back, but didn't know what he would have said if he called him back, so he didn't. Then, he turned to see Draco laugh at him and head in the opposite direction towards the dungeons. Left standing alone, Harry frowned and moved to stand near the tall windows as he tried to understand the last fifteen minutes of his life.

"What the hell happened?" he asked out loud.

"Well, it seems you've finally achieved complete idiocy, as you seem to be talking to a window pane."

Harry looked into the reflection of the window and saw Professor Snape sneering at him from a few feet away. He didn't move; he didn't make a sound as he stared at the reflection of the man who he'd felt so many things for most of his school life. For the majority of the time he'd known Severus Snape he had feared him and suspected him of being pure evil. Each time the man had been proven innocent, Harry had stamped down his shame or forgiveness because of the hawk-nosed man's abrasive personality. Later when the greasy-haired, bat-like man had killed the former headmaster, Harry had known hatred the likes of which rivaled his feelings for only Tom Riddle himself. He'd dreamt of dismembering his potions teacher slowly and painfully for his betrayal. And, he'd felt fully justified for every mean thought he'd ever had of the traitor.

But, then, in the midst of the war, at a time when he wanted nothing more than to see the awful Death Eater pay for every crime he'd committed, he'd seen the memories of a young man whose life had been torturous and never his own. He'd seen the miserable loneliness of the child; the painful, unrequited love for Harry's own mother, and the abuse at the hands of his father. Harry had learned that things had rarely been what they'd seemed. And, while the feelings of betrayal lingered, he no longer felt the hatred he'd once carried around like a banner.

He wondered what life would have been like had his mother returned Snape's affections. Would he even be there? Would the war have turned out differently? Would Snape have become a nicer person? Would they have learned to lean on and trust one another?

"Not bloody likely, Mr. Potter!" his potion's teacher interrupted his thoughts. He'd forgotten the man was a skilled legilimens and had apparently been hearing his every thought.

Harry turned to face him, "Stop that!"

"Five points from Gryffindor for disrespecting a teacher," Snape hissed.

Harry's face reddened in anger, but the dark man before him continued, his voice low but without its normal derision, "How dare you speculate about MY life! You're just a rash, foolhardy, proud, ego-driven child, just like your father." Then, he took a breath to calm himself further and continued, "But, you are also a loyal, brave, strong young man whose eyes have seen too much suffering in their time. You will never understand me, you foolish boy. Don't try! You will never truly know the things I've done or why. But, I will allow you this. When all one is isn't good enough, and all one knows is proven wrong, a person will cling to whatever or whoever shows them approval, even if that approval comes at the cost to their very soul. Add this to your list of unending, useless questions, Potter. What might a little understanding have changed?"

With that, Snape turned and strode away, his robes billowing around him, leaving Harry to stare in silence after him. He heard the man mutter to himself, "Old Fool and his new beginnings! Some will never let go of the past!" as he turned the corner.

Harry turned back to the window feeling the same shame he'd fought against all summer creep up again as he thought on Snape's words. Had he ever been fair to the man? Had he even once given him the benefit of the doubt? Even when Hermione had pointed out to him time and again that Snape was on their side, had he, Harry, ever given quarter? Did he even try to believe there could be good in him? Would a little understanding on his part have made things any different? Would Snape have looked at him differently? Would they have been friends now if Harry had… Friends? Hell, no. But, maybe more friendly. Should he approach the prickly wizard and thank him for his role in the war? Maybe if he did, it would open the door to finding out more about his mother; what she had been like as a young girl. Was it too late now? Had he lost the chance? Should he go to Snape and apologize?

Harry sighed heavily as he turned to go back to the Gryffindor tower talking to himself as he walked, "Well, Gin, that little chat may not have been what you had in mind, but at least it happened. It's a start, I guess. But, he's still an ass. I mean, seriously, what was that about my eyes? Was it a compliment? The Severus Snape version of an olive branch? A backhanded, slapping olive branch, but one nonetheless?"

xxxxxx

"But, what started it?" Parvati asked once again, her voice tinged in exasperation, as it was the fourth time she'd asked.

The trip to The Hog's Head had been completed in near silence as Hermione and Ginny each silently fumed, and Parvati and Pansy tried to figure out quietly between them what could have happened to start everything. Then when they arrived at bar and took a table in the back corner, Aberforth Dumbledore noticed them and bustled over to say hello and catch up on things.

His actions during the war and Rita Skeeter's tell-all book had changed him and his establishment. Where before he and his bar had been a dirty, scary, and unapproachable, the slight fame he received from the book, as well as for helping Harry, Ron and Hermione had turned him around completely. It had started with him revamping the bar to make it brighter, cleaner and more inviting. He'd also taken to shaving and making himself more like the man he had been when he and his brother were younger.

The reemergence of Albus into his life had been the final spark to light his previously dark life and he had turned into the complete opposite of his former self. Post-war Aberforth was a talkative, attentive barkeep, dependable friend and neighborhood busybody. Things had changed so much that The Hog's Head was almost an unofficial auror headquarters, as well as the place to go to for the latest gossip in the wizarding world.

As such, it had taken the four of them almost half an hour to get the man to leave the table, so they could talk. And, the moment he'd gone to get their drinks Hermione had launched into her list of frustrations with Harry, Draco and Blaise, and Ginny had chimed in accordingly. Unfortunately, this left Pansy and Parvati still not knowing what had caused the most recent fisticuffs.

Finally, Ginny answered, "Harry saw them kissing and lost it!"

"Ah!" Parvati exclaimed, her face a mix of understanding and curiosity.

Pansy surprised them all by laughing, "Finally."

"Huh?!" Ginny asked in surprise.

"What I meant was," Pansy answered, "it's about time for things to come to a head. They were going to fight it out at some point anyway. It's what boys do. The two of them have been holding back for years."

Parvati nodded, "True. But, I'm surprised Ron wasn't in the mix."

Pansy shook her head after taking a sip of her drink, "Nah, he wouldn't be, would he? I mean, he and Draco have always shouted, insulted each other and fought. They got their aggression out when they were upset about it. And, this year, they…" her eyes flicked to Hermione's for a moment before she continued with a slight blush, "…they seem to have come to an understanding. But, Harry always held it in and Draco always held back with him."

"But, why do I have to be the catalyst?" Hermione sighed as she put her drink down.

Parvati answered, "Probably because they have nothing really left to fight over, but they still need to get it out."

Hermione huffed and took another sip of her drink as she muttered, "Boys are stupid!"

Ginny nodded around her glass and when she put it down added, "And hotheaded! I mean, what is wrong with him?!"

"Which one?" Parvati joked.

"Harry," Ginny answered seriously. "Why can't he really let go of all this anger he carries around? And, why is it so focused on Draco?"

Hermione swallowed her bite of chicken wing and sighed heavily, "Because he can't let loose on the people he's really angry with."

"What? Who?" Ginny and Pansy both asked, as Parvati tried to around her bite of hamburger.

Hermione looked thoughtful as she lowered her voice and answered, "I would think Professors Snape and Dumbledore. I mean, he hasn't really talked to either since they came back. I know I still have issues with some of the things Professor Dumbledore put us through last year when he could have just told us or Harry that… well, I can only imagine what Harry is keeping inside every class. And, it can't help that he knows the truth of Professor Snape's past with his mother, but the man still treats him like dirt."

Ginny pushed her food away dejectedly and took a long pull from her drink. "Am I being too hard on him? I keep pushing him and fighting with him and stuff. Am I making it worse, do you think? I…I asked him to go talk to Professor Snape."

Pansy shook her head, "No, Gin. You're doing fine. You're treating him like he's a person, not a hero or demi-god. He needs you to balance out all the others out there."

"And, as for the Snape thing," Parvati added, "Harry just needs to learn to be more understanding sometimes, and not jump to conclusions about people. I mean, I've heard Harry complain about him and suspect him of stuff since we were little."

Hermione shook her head, "No. I mean, yes, Harry could learn to be more understanding, BUT Professor Snape did always act suspiciously. And, he was mean to us, plain and simple. He treated Harry like the disgusting goo at the bottom of an overused cauldron from the start. He was the adult. Harry was an 11 year old, scared child who was hated by Professor Snape at first sight. And, he didn't give a reason until just last year; and that was only when he thought he was dying. There were legitimate reasons for Harry to be suspicious of Professor Snape each time... just as he had real ones to distrust Draco back then. The only difference is Draco was a scared child then, too."

Parvati nodded her agreement and added, "And, that Draco has since apologized and tried to change."

Ginny sighed, "I'm sorry, but I don't much feel like a girl's night anymore. I think I'm going to head back and make sure he's okay. See if he wants to talk."

The others nodded their understanding and Pansy offered to go back with her. She wanted to spend more time with Ron anyway. Hermione said she would go, but Parvati said she would stay with her, so she could at least finish her food.

When the other two had left, Hermione noticed the sparkle in her friend's eye and warily asked what that look was for all of a sudden.

"Now that the drama's over, at least for the time being, it's time for you to spill!" Parvati giggled.

"Spill what?"

"You finally kissed the oh-so-hot, Draco Malfoy! How was it?"

xxxxxx

"How was what?" Draco asked. He sat on the sofa with his eyes closed and his legs stretched out in front of him, ankles crossed. A forgotten full glass of firewhiskey rested in his hands.

Greg came in and sat down in the chair nearest the fire. Meanwhile, Theo closed the door and joined them, sitting on the sofa next to Draco.

He then reached over and took the glass from Draco's hand and swallowed a large gulp.

"Hey!"

"What? You weren't drinking it," Theo chuckled.

Draco reached out and took it back, "Well, maybe I was going to…"

"Can we stay on topic?" Greg interrupted.

Theo sighed heavily and crossed his arms and legs as she sat back against the sofa. "I don't see where it is any of our business, Greg. And, it isn't appropriate to ask Draco…"

"Appropriate?" Greg laughed. "Who was it that interrogated Blaise last year for an hour after his date with Tracey?"

Theo had the grace to flush a little, "Well, that was then."

Greg raised an eyebrow and laughed, "Then, as in before you were dating Parvati and decided not to give up any details?"

"Yes, well," Theo muttered.

Draco finally stepped into the conversation, "May I ask what you two dimwits are talking about?"

Greg turned to him, "Kissing Hermione!"

"Gregory," Theo admonished.

"Belt up Nott, you know you want to know, too," Greg laughed.

Theo rolled his eyes and looked at the fire. "Why do you want to know? I thought you were over her? What are you doing with Millie, if you…"

"I am. Over her, that is. And, I like Millie. But, that doesn't mean I can't still be curious."

"How about I help you girls out a bit?" Draco laughed. "She is fantastic. The witch can kiss! I hate to think of her practicing on Weasley, but I can't deny the results."

"Is that all you did?"

"Greg!"

"What?!"

"No matter, Theo," Draco smirked. Then he turned his head to Greg, "That's all you're getting anyway."

"Spoilsport," Greg grumbled as he reached out and swiped Draco's drink. He downed it in one gulp and laughed at the look on Draco's face. "Sorry, mate, but no story, no drink!"

Draco laughed, "It's my room, remember? Accio bottle."

"Accio glass," both Theo and Greg added.

When all three had their drinks, Greg leaned back and said, "So, what were you planning to do tonight?"

Draco shrugged and then grimaced. He had been able to heal himself well enough, from Harry's punch, to avoid a bruise, but he still felt the twinges of pain in his ribs when he moved. He admitted to himself, though he would never say it aloud, that the dark-haired freak had a good right arm.

"I was going to hang out with Hermione and relax, but Potter messed that up well and good, didn't he?" Draco sneered.

Greg nodded and said to Theo, "You shoulda let him hit Harry again."

"And, that would have solved what?" Theo sniffed.

"I would feel better," Draco sulked.

"Oh yeah? And, what do you think Hermione would have thought of you trying to beat the shit out of her best friend?" Theo asked.

"Try?" Draco asked, affronted.

Greg shrugged, "He's not so scrawny any more, you know."

"I could have taken him," Draco almost pouted.

"Well, that's neither here nor there, as we shall never know," Theo said philosophically. "At least now Hermione will not hold any of it against you."

"True," Draco sighed as he took a sip of his drink.

"Why do you hate him so much anyway?" Greg asked softly. "I mean, looking back, I don't remember him doing anything to you. To us. At least not at first. But, we…well, I guess we just followed you."

"He never did anything?! He flaunted his scar around here like a damn badge of honor." Draco jumped up and began pacing as he spoke. "He lorded his 'poor-me' act all over the damn school. He acted the martyr every chance he got! And, he never got caught and punished, no matter what he did wrong!"

Theo softly interrupted, "It's not like he had it all that easy either, Draco."

"Are you siding with that asshole?!"

Theo threw his hands in up a sign of peace, "No, of course not! I'm just saying, now that I've gotten to know him, he never asked for any of what happened to him. I'm not saying it makes him a paragon of virtue or anything, because he surely is not, but I do think he deserves a modicum of, I don't know, understanding, I guess."

"Give me a break!" Draco laughed harshly and then threw back his drink. "He's a self-righteous, self-important, jerk! And, he won't keep his nose out of my business!"

"Same was said of you many times," Theo mumbled around his glass.

Draco harrumphed, but couldn't truly deny it.

Greg took a sip of his drink and asked, "But, what started it?"

"Started what?" Draco asked.

"Us hating Harry, Ron, and Hermione?"

Draco closed his eyes for a moment. He knew his instilled beliefs about muggleborns had tainted his feelings toward Hermione before she'd ever said a word to him. His family's history with the Weasleys had been enough reason to look down on Ron. But, Draco knew in his heart that his intense dislike of Ron and Hermione was born mostly from his anger at Harry. He thought back to the moment he'd offered his hand in friendship to Harry and had been turned away. He rationally knew that it was petty to still harbor so much anger over something that happened when he was only eleven years old, but it was something that had always galled him. As the years had gone by and he had suffered, paid and lost, Harry had succeeded, been awarded and even lauded. He wasn't willing to admit, even to himself too often, that it was jealousy, so he stuck to the only argument he could acknowledge. "He tried to kill me, remember?"

Greg began, "But, before that we…" only to be cut off by a quick shake of Theo's head behind Draco's back.

"What?" Draco asked.

Greg shrugged and looked down into his empty glass, "Nothing. I guess it's just weird that everyone can get along, but you two."

"Well, get over it! I will have Weasley eating dinner at my house off my own plate with my damn fork, before I would ever befriend Potter!" Draco snapped.

For a few moments after Draco's statement all that could be heard was the crackling of the fireplace. Then Theo cleared his throat and asked, "So, either of you know what Blaise is up to tonight?"

Draco, thankful to have the subject changed sat back down heavily, "Moping in his rooms, as per usual."

"Maybe we should go visit," Theo suggested. "It'll be a while before the girls come back anyway."

Greg, upset with himself for upsetting Draco, and frustrated with Draco for not answering the questions, pushed off the sofa, "Yeah, let's go."

xxxxxx

"And, then he left."

"Oh, Harry," Ginny said as she leaned over and hugged him.

She had left The Hog's Head and hurried with Pansy back to the school. They'd made their way up to Gryffindor Tower where Pansy and Ron immediately disappeared into his room; door shut and wards up. Ginny had taken a deep breath before knocking on Harry's door, asking if they could talk.

Twenty minutes later, she sat next to him on his bed and wanted to cry for him. She'd listen to his rendition of his meeting with Professor Snape and knew he was riddled with confusion. But, she didn't know how to help him, or, if she even should. There were some things in life that people needed to figure out for themselves in order for the lesson to stick.

"So, what are you going to do?" she asked as she leaned back.

"I don't know, Gin," he shook his head. "I feel like I should apologize, I guess. But, I don't really feel I did anything wrong. I mean, yes, he was on our side the whole time, and he apparently loved my mum, but he also treated me like dung on his shoe every day of my life here. Why should I all of a sudden start acting like I respect him or something?"

"You only have to do what you feel is right, Harry," she answered.

"I know," he sighed.

After a moment of quiet she tried to lighten things up with a joke, "Maybe you don't have to ever apologize. Someday we can just name a child after him or something and he'll get the idea."

He laughed a little, "Yeah right. Like I would saddle our child with the name Severus."

"True. Well, maybe as a middle name then," she laughed.

He joined her for a minute and then sobered. "What do I do about Hermione, Gin?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?! She's dating Draco bloody Malfoy!" he exploded as he surged off the bed. "I mean, it's Malfoy! For all of our lives here he's been a complete asshole to me, Ron and Hermione. He fought with Voldemort. He called her the foulest of names, wished her dead, among other thoughtless, cruel things. And, now, he's had a little therapy and we're all supposed to believe he's to be forgiven? I don't think so! How Hermione can abide to let him talk to her, much less touch her, I just can't understand!"

"People do change," Ginny almost whispered.

"I know that," he answered. Then he ran his hands through his messy hair and sat down, his head in his hands, elbows on his knees. "Don't you think I know that?"

Ginny rubbed his lower back, "I know you do. And, I know what he did to all of you. Who he was. But, Hermione has forgiven him. She truly believes he's changed; that he's sorry for the things he did. And, hon, as long as Hermione sees something in him, he's going to be a part of our lives."

"Ugh!" Harry moaned as he fell back across the bed.

"You can't keep starting fights with him, Harry," she added. Before he could answer she continued, "As your girlfriend I am telling you that holding on to the anger you have for Draco isn't good for you. And, he's not worth it. As Hermione's friend I'm telling you to stop before you drive a wedge between the two of you that can't be repaired. Because again, Draco Malfoy isn't worth losing her over. And, as your Head Girl, I am telling you to stop before you get in trouble. I can't keep turning away and pretending it's not happening, Harry."

"I'm sorry," he said as he looked up into her face. "I didn't mean to put you in a bad position."

"I know. But, I think it's time for you to show some of that maturity I know you have. Just walk away when it gets to be too much. You haven't seemed to notice, Harry, but he really has stopped antagonizing you and Ron since he started seeing Hermione. He's still a git sometimes, I admit, but he hasn't really done all that much."

"God, I hate him," Harry moaned. "No matter how much he might have changed, he's still a snarky bastard."

"I know," she smiled down at him. "But, the man I love is too good and strong to let a few rude comments get to him, isn't he?"

xxxxxx

"Yes, he is," Hermione giggled from her seat two weeks later. "He's funny."

"Does he treat you well?" he asked with a smile.

"He does," she answered with a matching one.

"And, he's smart, right?" Draco pressed.

She nodded and smiled, "He is."

"I've also heard he's a pretty nice looking chap," he said.

"Chap?" she giggled.

"Just answer the question, Granger," he rolled his eyes playfully.

"Yes, he's rather nice looking, I suppose," she giggled.

Draco leaned over the cauldron they shared and asked quietly, "Would you say he's a great kisser?"

Hermione had to stifle her laughter as they were in the middle of class. Their potion was almost done and needed only to be stirred twice more in the next ten minutes. They had finished ahead of time due to both knowing what to do and how to do it. Their partnership had reached a point where each knew the other's moves before they'd done it, and it allowed them to often finish before the other students. They also had the added benefit of sitting in the back of the class in the corner, so they could get their work done and talk quietly without getting into trouble.

"He's okay, I guess," she answered with a smirk.

"Just okay?" he asked in shock. "What's wrong with him?"

"Now now, Malfoy, I think we should stop. My boyfr…"

She paused, startled by the word about to slip from her lips, and looked at him. He could read the embarrassment and insecurity on her face.

His heart beat quickly in his chest, and he realized he wanted to hear her say the word. They hadn't discussed it, as neither was secure enough in him or her self to broach the topic. But, he knew he already thought of her that way; as his girl. And, he wanted to hear her admit she felt the same.

He took a breath and said, "Your boyfriend what? You think he would be upset that we were talking about him and his techniques?"

He wanted to laugh at the quick flicker of emotions across her face, but he didn't as he noticed the most prominent ones seemed to be relief and joy. He felt the same.

"Yes," she smiled widely at him, "My boyfriend would not like it at all. He's a rather private person."

"Is he now? Sounds like the possessive type to me," Draco grinned. Then his grin turned to a smirk as he said, "Well, my girlfriend wouldn't mind. She's the secure type. She knows she's amazing and that I would have nothing but great things to say about her anyway. She knows how I feel about her no matter who she talks to about me."

Hermione's smile slipped a bit, "Does she?"

Draco felt his stomach drop. He hadn't planned for things to get that far. He knew how he felt about Hermione, but he wasn't sure if it was the right time to say anything. They were in the middle of class, surrounded by cauldrons and smoke, a bunch of other people, and a stalking Professor Snape. And, on top of it all, he wasn't quite sure she felt the same yet.

He settled for being positive but slightly vague to protect himself, "Yes, of course she does."

He looked into her eyes and saw the disappointment in them before she looked away from him and started to clean up around them. "Oh. Well, good then."

He realized she really didn't know. And, she looked upset by it. He wondered if maybe he should take more of a chance. He grabbed her hand to stop her nervous movements, but didn't look her in the eye as he spoke for fear of her laughing at him, or worse.

"I mean, she should know."

Her voice was a whisper, "Have you told her?"

"No, do you think I should?"

Hermione nodded, her eyes wide as he finally looked at her.

He smiled softly and to stall a bit longer asked, "Has your boyfriend told you how he feels about you?"

In silence, she continued to stare at him as she shook her head.

His voice was soft but sure as he rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand, "Well, he should. He should tell you that he loves the way your hair changes colors in the sun; the way your eyes reflect your every thought; the way your smile brightens his darkest days. He should tell you that he looks forward to getting up each morning knowing he'll soon get to see your gorgeous face. He should say that having you in his life is like having a dream. That through all of the years of his stupidity and bigotry and pain, he must have done at least one thing right to have earned the right to have you stand by his side. He should tell you that he lo…that he's in love with you."

He watched her eyes well with tears and saw her take a shuddered breath, but rushed on, "He should tell you that every moment of every day. Because a beautiful, brilliant, powerful witch like you shouldn't ever have to wonder how he feels."

The tears coursed down her reddened cheeks in complete opposition to the smile that bloomed across her face. He saw her take a breath and felt her hand squeeze his as she wiped at her eyes with her other hand.

"Oh Draco," she sighed. "That was beautiful."

"So's my girlfriend," he answered with a soft smile. Then he cleared his throat nervously and asked, "But, um, if I told her all of that, what do you think her reaction might be?"

Hermione leaned closer and answered, "She would say that she's lucky to have found you; the real you. That she's never had anyone say anything so perfect to her in all her life. And, that she loves you, too."

Tired of the game and wanting to hear her say it directly he asked, "Do you really?"

"Yes." She reached out the hand not held in his and slid it down his cheek. "I love you, Draco."

"Thank you," he answered sincerely pausing to kiss her palm as it passed his lips. "Thank you, Hermione, for forgiving me, for becoming my friend, and for loving me despite myself."

She smiled and nodded, but then prompted with a tiny smirk, "And?"

"And, what?" he teased.

"Come on, Draco. I said it," she encouraged.

"Said what?" he asked with a laugh. When she smacked his arm he grinned. "I love you, too, Hermione Jean Granger."

"Thank you for that sickening declaration, Mr. Malfoy. But, if you kiss her in my class I will be forced to take points from my own house for public displays of private affection," Snape's voice drawled from the front of the classroom.

Both Hermione and Draco's heads whipped to the front to see the entire class staring at them. Most of the girls had dreamy looks on their faces, while the majority of the boys looked like they were ready to laugh or vomit. Only two looked angry, and as Hermione and Draco were both too embarrassed to look into the faces of their classmates any longer, neither acknowledged Harry or Blaise's feelings on the matter.

Snape once again got everyone's attention, "Now, before this continues and we all become too ill to enjoy our upcoming lunches, I suggest you bring your potions to the front and clean your areas. And, let me remind those of you who think this weekend's Halloween ball is an excuse to not study, you will have a two foot scroll due to me on the positive and negative uses of the Caudex root on Monday."

Thankfully, the moans and groans of that news helped alleviate some of the attention Hermione and Draco had gained and they were able to clean up quickly and hurry out of class without a lot of fuss. Neither wanted to be questioned or harassed by their friends, so they hurriedly decided to grab some food from the all-house common room and find a spot to themselves to talk.

xxxxxx