Hermione

I was reading in the library a few days after school started when something very unexpected happened.

I was on page 403 when someone sat at my table. I looked up only to see Draco Malfoy. The boy who calls me names, relentlessly picks on Harry, and always goes on about how he's so much better than Ron, me, and Harry. The boy I also slapped last year after him wishing Buckbeak dead then trying to watch it happen.

So of course I wasn't nice. "Go away Malfoy," I hissed even though I was intrigued by his sudden willingness to sit beside what he likes to call a "Mudblood."

"No, Granger. I have to tell you something," he drawled.

"Get on with it then, Malfoy," I rolled my eyes.

"Well," he retorted, "First you have to promise to not let a single soul hear about this or I will hurt you."

"Why should I do anything for-" I started but he cut me off.

"Stop before you even start. Just tell me you will... please?" he choked on the last word. HE was telling ME please? Now this was strange.

"Okay," I mumbled because what else could I do?

"Okay then," he gulped in a very Non-Draco-Malfoy way, "I've just been thinking a lot about last year and how much of a prat I was-"

"And on the train and at the Quidditch World cup," I put in.

He continued, "and on the train and I think you were right for slapping me. I also think your right for hating me and every little stupid thing I do, just like I do myself, and I just wanted to say I think I'll stop with the negative comments about you. And Ron and Harry I guess."

I gasped, "Is Draco Malfoy apologizing to me?"

"Yes. I guess I am," he chuckled lightly.

"Are you alright?" I frowned.

"Yeah. I'm actually a lot better now," He smiled.

"Are you being imperiused or something?" I asked, now genuinely concerned.

"No. Now if you'll excuse me I have things to do," He stood up.

"Wait. Do you actually mean this or is it just one of your horrible jokes?" I demanded.

"I promise I don't plan on letting anyone know. If it were a joke I'd be bragging to the people I hang out with." He smirked.

He turned and walked a couple of steps away before I called, "Draco! I forgot to tell you something!"

He turned and frowned, "What?"

"I promise I won't let anyone know that your actually a good person on the inside," I teased.

"Oh no! We can't let that happen!" He smiled and walked off leaving me to wonder what brought this on.

Draco

I wasn't expecting that. I was planning on stubborn Hermione Granger to deny my wish for her to not tell anyone what I did so she could save me the embarrassment of having to actually face Harry Potter and tell him that I'm sorry. Or beg Ronald Weasley to forgive me. It was embarrassing enough as it is to finally learn that my way of thinking was completely screwed up and that my parents were complete and total gits.

Well, my Mom isn't a complete git. She's just nearly there.

I also wasn't planning on her to take it so coolly. I was expecting Feisty Hermione Granger to yell that I could never be forgiven and for her to give me a list of reasons why she hated me and why it would never ever change. And maybe for her to even slap me again.

Well I wasn't just expecting that, I wanted it because she would have been right in every way.

I also wasn't thinking that I would see her smile. But part of me knew that kind Hermione Granger would have to at least let out one. She always did even when no one else did.

I still thought I didn't deserve it.

I thought she wouldn't let me have a time of day. But curious Hermione Granger let me tell her what I been needing to say for a while. She actually gave me a chance.

Unlike everybody else.

I wasn't expecting her to bring out the good in me. But beautiful Hermione Granger could do that to anyone she unleashed her smile on. I'd seen her do it on Ron many times before.

The only thing was that she didn't know.

The one thing I expected out of her was to not care about where I was at right now. Brilliant Hermione Granger has much more important things to worry about than her former bully's hatred for himself. She didn't even acknowledge it when I told her and right she was for that.

But part of me wished she had.