Hello everyone, it has been a while since I've written anything so I may be a little rusty that said this is a submission for the reserve league over on the QLFC. Thank you to the amazing TheOnlyCeeCeeJ for betaing this. I do not own any rights to Harry Potter; the rights belong J.K. Rowling.

Word count: 1013

Draco watched the bushy-haired young witch run out of the courtyard, tears streaming down her face. He watched Potter and Weasley glare at him as they came over to where he was sat with Crabbe and Goyle, who went to stand up but he stopped them with his raised hand. Weasley cast a charm at him that backfired miserably. After they had left, his two lackeys - as that's all they were good for, given that he couldn't have an educated conversation with them - were still laughing at the scene they had just been witness to, saying Granger was indeed a good-for-nothing mudblood and did he see Weasley puke up the slugs and how brilliant it was. He simply nodded that he had, before getting up to leave, feeling guilt flood his body like a wave, the tears he'd seen in Granger's eyes hurting him more than he cared to ever admit. He knew he had to put things right with her, but how?

A week had passed since he'd called her that despicable name, a week in which he had wished he could take it back but he knew that he couldn't. He decided to go to the library for some peace and quiet as the Potions assignment he needed to complete wasn't going to write itself.

He went to the quiet section of study cubicles only stopping in his tracks when he saw a head of familiar bushy hair turn, the piercing nut-brown eyes scorching him with utter hatred and loathing. He knew then that he could turn around and look for somewhere else to sit but instead, he took the look like a bullet to the chest, keeping her gaze. He deserved it and he in no way blamed her at all. Draco watched almost in slow motion as she began to pack her things away.

Stop her and apologise! His conscience yelled.

Taking a breath, he stepped forward and sat in the chair next to her, placing a hand over a book on her desk.

"Don't leave on my account, Granger."

"Get your hand off that book, Malfoy," she snarled.

"No, not until you let me apologise, Gra… Hermione. I'm sorry for calling you that name, I've regretted it ever since. I've wished that I could take it back but I can't. So, I'm sorry."

Hermione searched his face thinking that this had to be some sort of joke, but looking in his grey eyes and listening to his voice, she found that he was being sincere. "Why did you say it?" she asked, her voice cold yet inquisitive.

"I don't know, I guess because I'm jealous and selfish and wanted to show off. But it was wrong, I know that. You're clever, Hermione, a complete know-it-all, and I'm truly sorry, though if you want to leave, I won't stop you," he said, removing his hand from the book.

Hermione put the items she'd put in her bag back on the desk. "For someone who shows off with a group around him, you're different when it's just you."

"Is that a compliment?" he asked, smirking.

"Don't push it, Malfoy," she replied, fighting a smile when he raised his hands up in defence, then offered her his hand.

"Can we start again?" he asked.

Hermione nodded and took his hand in hers, shaking it. "Hello, I'm Hermione."

"Hello, Hermione, I'm Draco," he replied, smiling.

That afternoon, a friendship had started slowly with Hermione and Draco working on their assignments in companionable silence, now and then talking to ask each other a question or to check something on their assignment. To Draco, it felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders now that he'd been able to start again with the bushy-haired witch who he felt comfortable being around.

As the weeks passed, Hermione enjoyed their library meetings and getting to know the real Draco, even if it was still surreal that they had become friends.

When Draco heard the news that Hermione had become the latest victim of the Basilisk, his blood had run cold. He'd gone to the Hospital Wing as soon as he was able to see her, hiding in the shadows when Potter and Weasley went by. If they found out that he was visiting her, they'd be asking questions which frankly he didn't want or need to answer. Once the coast was clear, he went inside and stood by her bed.

"Can I help you, Mr Malfoy?" Madam Pomfrey asked, walking over from Colin Creevey's bedside, yet another petrified victim.

"Will she be alright?" he asked.

"Yes, Professors Sprout and Snape are working on the antidote as we speak."

"I see, can I sit with her please?"

"For a short while, then you must go, alright?" she replied.

Draco nodded his acceptance and sat by Hermione's bedside, talking to her about anything and nothing, just wanting to keep her company.

When it was time for him to go, he decided that he'd do his best to visit her every day and he did.

The day that the petrified victims were given the antidote, Draco paced up and down outside the entrance to the Hospital Wing until he was allowed inside to see his friend.

"You can come in now, Draco," Madam Pomfrey said, opening the door and letting him inside.

He followed her into the wing and went straight to Hermione's bedside, to find her sat up and smiling. "Hello, Draco."

"Hermione, you're alright," he said, leaning over to hug her gently.

She smiled at the embrace; it had been something she'd needed.

"Madam Pomfrey said you visited as much as you could," she said.

"Yes, I did. I didn't want you to be by yourself even if you couldn't hear me," he said, a soft smile gracing his features.

"I'm glad you did, Draco, I'm glad that we are friends, even if you can be a nightmare at times."

"That's just part of my charm, Granger," he replied, smirking then added, "I'm glad we're friends too, Hermione, I really am."

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I'll see you all soon,

S. Lowelle x