Since it's summer and I have absolutely nothing to occupy my time, here's another chapter. And to answer a few questions: the wedding was only a week ago. Chapter 24 starts on the first day of classes. This is still the first day of school. Hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter Twenty Five: Dueling in the Dormitory

There was something wrong. Even before Draco had opened his eyes, he knew that the dull pounding that had been resonating in his head was gone. Instead there was calming clarity in its place. With that came the memories from last night.

He quietly groaned as he remembered what he'd done. He was a bloody moron. How could he have done that-and to Blaise no less? The guilt was building until he thought he'd be sick. No wonder his best mate wouldn't even look him in the eyes.

Draco had reached a new level of low. Especially after all that Blaise had done for him after the wedding. When Hermione had blasted him through that damn door, Blaise had been the one waiting on him, sneaking him firewhiskey when the pain came back. Although Hermione had been repentant, it was Blaise who had managed to reconcile the two. After all that, Draco had to go and do something as stupid and foolish as make out with Daphne Greengrass. The girl Blaise was half in love with.

Opening his eyes, Draco became aware he wasn't in his dormitory room. And sitting next to him was none other than Hermione Granger. It was Malfoy now, but Draco was still struggling with the fact. Other than when he was teasing Hermione, Draco couldn't really think of the Gryffindor as a Malfoy. The idea! Hermione must be the first Malfoy to be in Gryffindor. The thought made him smile. He wondered if it had ever crossed his father's mind.

"Oh good, you're awake."

Hermione looked up from her book, squinting at his face in the dim lighting of the Infirmary. She pushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. It looked as if she wanted to say something.

"Pretty eventful first day back, isn't it?" She had clearly decided not to voice her thoughts. For some reason, Draco felt oddly relieved. No doubt she still remembered the disastrous night he kissed Daphne. He didn't want to hear what a bloody idiot he'd been. His conscience was already doing enough on its own.

"Tell me about it," he sighed.

They descended into silence. Draco waited for Hermione to say something. When the silence threatened on awkward, he cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry, Hermione."

Draco was as surprised as Hermione to hear the words come out of his mouth. But he didn't take it back because it was true. He had hurt her. He had seen it in her eyes this morning when they'd bumped into each other. The disappointment that clouded her face was visible.

"You have nothing to apologize for. You don't owe me anything."

For some reason he didn't want to think about at the moment, Hermione's words sent a pang through him.

"No, you're wrong," Draco stated, looking at her directly. "I owe you. Not just because we're married but because we're friends as well. I should have never kissed Daphne Greengrass. It was a mistake."

That was the first time Draco had honestly acknowledged they were friends. Hermione's mouth was hanging open. It was obvious she'd been shocked by what he'd said. But Draco had meant every word.

"So a fresh start?"

Hermione smiled. "That's what you said the day Blaise made you apologize."

Had the wedding occurred only a week ago? It had seemed so long ago, almost as if it were another lifetime.

"Alright, a fresh start," Hermione repeated. She suddenly stood up, brushing off her robes. "It's almost closing time and Madam Pomfrey will be here any second now to shoo me out."

She gathered her books, shoving them into a worn brown bag. By the time she slung it onto her arm, it was bugling heavily.

"Oh, before I forget, Blaise dropped by earlier. I don't think he'd have wanted me to tell you, but I think the two of you need to talk this out."

"Hermione, wait," Draco called out. "Thank you."

The last words were a whisper, but Draco had a feeling Hermione had heard them so he settled into the mattress waiting for sleep to claim him.

The next morning dawned early and Draco felt better than ever except for his conscience which had been eating away at him since Hermione's visit. He needed to speak with Blaise, preferably in the Slytherin dormitory where they wouldn't have an audience. By the time he reached the dungeon, Draco was out of breath.

Hoping Blaise hadn't already left for breakfast, Draco ducked into the dormitory as two Slytherin girls exited. Nott was standing a few feet off probably waiting for Blaise.

"Zabini's still not down?"

Nott raised a brow. "Came to apologize?"

Draco opened his mouth but then shut it quickly. That was, in fact, what he was going to do.

Nott smirked; he was enjoying this far more than he ought to but it wasn't every day Draco Malfoy apologized to someone. It was going to prove entertaining watching the blonde squirm in discomfort as he tried to find the words to convey his apology. Blaise will sure as hell get a kick out of this, Nott thought to himself.

It was a while before Zabini showed up. His face turned dour at the sight of Malfoy.

"Malfoy," he glared.

"Zabini," returned Draco until he reminded himself he was standing there for a reason. "I actually wanted to speak to you."

"So you do. Can't say I'm surprised. I guess Hermione told you." He shook his head. "I wonder how she even agreed to marry you."

Draco clenched his fists, holding back a sneer. He knew Zabini was only upset and he had every right to but it didn't mean he had to like the words coming out of the guy's mouth. "I know you're angry."

"Oh that's an understatement," Zabini scoffed. "I'm bloody well pissed off and you know it!"

It was quiet in the common room. Everyone else was already in the Great Hall for breakfast. But Draco wasn't leaving until he cleared matters with Blaise no matter how much his stomach protested.

"We're going to miss breakfast," Nott unnecessarily reminded the two boys. He was standing against the wall, looking quite amused. Draco had half a mind to break the glasses perched on that long nose. Maybe that would wipe the stupid grin right off Nott's face.

"Let's go, Nott." Zabini was already walking away.

Without thinking, Draco grabbed his arm. That's when it happened. Zabini's fist came out of nowhere, slamming into the side of Draco's head. Draco was knocked backwards, his vision shifting. He scrambled up, wand drawn in anger and shouted a hex.

Zabini had anticipated it and blocked it, sending out a counter curse. Draco cursed as the spell narrowly missed him.

"Flipendo."

A shout came from Nott as Zabini was flung onto him. With Nott having cushioned Zabini against injury, Zabini rose quickly barely taking time to think of his next spell.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The next thing Draco knew, he was lying on the floor without the use of his arms or legs. He couldn't move a single muscle, his entire body stiff. It was humiliating as Zabini laughed and Nott joined in. They both looked down at him for quite some time before a spark lit in Zabini's eyes and a wicked grin spread across his face.

If it were possible, Draco would have groaned. He knew that look and it didn't promise anything good.

"Evanesco . . . have fun Malfoy."

And just like that Nott and Zabini left. Draco wasn't discovered until a few hours later when a third year girl returned for her book. It was in vain Draco prayed that the girl would not turn around. As luck would have it, before the girl bent to pick up her book she met grey eyes. Her shriek of surprise nearly deafened Draco.

It was then that her group of friends entered in panic only to find an immobile Draco Malfoy without a single article of clothing.

As promised this chapter was slightly longer than the previous chap (but only by 400 words). I wish it could have been longer, but I like stopping at certain scenes. Oh and the whole messy scene with Draco and Daphne will be explained in a later chapter.