A/N: I hope this update makes ya'll happy! Don't hate me for the end of this chapter. If I get some positive reviews and know you like this story I'll try to get the next update up sooner rather than later. I'm not sure if this story is any good or not so feedback would be awesome! Enjoy
Draco made his way to the office of his godfather. His godfather didn't do social calls, so he wondered what this was about. He approached the door and knocked. A call of 'enter' was heard and Draco walked into the office. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, sit down, Draco. Tea?" At Draco's nod, Snape poured him a cup of tea. "I wanted to ask you why you chose to sit where you did for class this morning." He watched to see if Draco got nervous at his question, but surprisingly Draco was steady and looking him in the eye.
"I felt like a change of scenery. Why, are you jealous?" Draco asked sarcastically. Snape narrowed his eyes. Draco rolled his. "Obviously, I heard the exchange between Granger and Weasley this morning and felt like being a friend. I've been told I need to find better company. I thought Granger could use some support this morning since her so called friends abandoned her. Does that answer your question?"
Snape considered for a moment. "This better not be one of your tricks to humiliate her. I will not tolerate that nonsense from my house any longer." He said.
Draco huffed. "Please. That is the last thing I want to do. I'm trying to change, Uncle. I've learned a lot of lessons the hard way during the war. Hermione wants to hang out with me. After everything I did to her. I wouldn't ruin that for anything. It'll be nice to have a friend that doesn't have an ulterior motive." Draco looked up at Severus and the sincerity in his eyes was enough to convince Severus of his telling the truth.
"Very well, Draco. I believe you. Just don't do to her what her friends have done." Snape said.
"Never." Draco left to go to the Great Hall.
Meanwhile, Hermione decided to tell her friends about her decision over lunch. Ron was happiest when he was eating, so maybe he wouldn't get as angry. She waited until Ron's plate was full before speaking. "I've decided to accept Professor Snape's apprenticeship." She decided not to sugar coat it. "It is the best decision for me and my future."
Ron glared at her. "Hermione, how could you separate us like that? We've been a team for seven years! Why ruin that for some stupid dream of yours! And with the dungeon bat of all people! Have you forgotten how to think? You're ruining your life!"
"Ronald! This isn't some stupid dream! I want to be a potions mistress! I'm tired of fighting bad wizards and witches! I've had enough! Professor Snape is not a horrible person! You can't stop seeing him as a bad guy no matter how much proof we put in front of your face! It is time I stop letting you deter me from what I want to do! I'm taking this apprenticeship and if you have a problem with that then…then…you can just leave me alone!" Hermione stopped yelling and just glared at him while taking heaving breaths. A hand on her arm caught her attention. It was Draco.
"Hey, Granger, would you like to accompany me to the Slytherin table? I assure you you'll be in better company there." He said with a wink.
"Yes, that would be nice." She began gathering her books.
Ron became outraged. "You're going to go sit with the traitors and former death eaters? Really? How low can you get, Hermione? Let me guess, you're going to start dating this death eater. You're such a disappointment, Hermione. What's happened to you?"
Hermione began to tear up. She felt hurt. She didn't even notice Draco punching Ron in the face. Surprisingly, no faculty came to stop him. Draco led Hermione to the Slytherin table and sat next to her. A few of his housemates were staring at her. He looked at them all with an air of authority. "Do you have a problem with my friend sitting here?" Everyone shook their heads no and mumbled apologies. Draco nodded in approval and began to speak to Hermione as they ate.
Snape sat at the head table in surprise. Draco had just disrupted the divided nature of the Hogwarts Houses. No one had ever dared do that. Let alone Slytherins and Gryffindors. Perhaps Draco really was changing. He would have to deal with a certain Gryffindor and his lack of manners. He had the perfect way of doing so without Ronald Weasley knowing that he did it. He heard Mcgonagal give Weasley a detention for being rude. He smirked when he realized Draco's assault was going unpunished. Things really were changing. Hopefully for the best.
"Ron, you really shouldn't have said that stuff to Hermione." Harry said. "I think you really hurt her feelings."
"Well, she shouldn't have decided to betray us like that. I can't believe you aren't more upset about this. I mean we've been a team for so long. Why can't she just come to the Ministry with us?" Ron grumbled.
"Maybe because she has no desire to be an Auror. You also know how she feels about the Ministry. Why would you force her to work in a place that makes her uncomfortable? You do remember that she was seriously injured there right?" Harry replied. "I think you should be a little more supportive of what she wants to do."
"Harry, you can't tell me that you are siding with her too! It's Snape for crying out loud! Don't you remember how cruel he was to you? He was the reason your parents died remember!" Ron yelled.
Harry glared at him. "I don't think I know who you are anymore, Ron. It's not like you to throw someone's failures out like that. You've changed. Until you realize that how much you are hurting your friends, stay away from me." He stood and sat at the Ravenclaw table with Luna leaving Ron by himself fuming. For the rest of the day, Harry and Hermione stayed away from Ron. Neither of them wanted to hear is negative attitude. Harry made a point to catch Hermione in the common room for a talk. "Hermione, can I say something?"
"Sure, Harry. Are you here to make me rethink my decision too?" Hermione said bitterly.
"No, actually. I'm here to say I'm sorry I didn't defend you earlier to Ron. I think you should do this. We all know Ron and I were the ones rubbish at potions, and you were amazing. I mean, let's face it, I needed Snape's old textbook to be better than you, so who better to train you than him? I just want you to know that I support you in this. I hope you and I can stay friends despite Ron's attitude."
Hermione smiled and hugged Harry. "Thank you, Harry! So, does this mean you won't yell at me for hanging out with Draco?"
"Nah, he's alright. I don't think he and I will ever be anything more than civil with each other, but if you want to be his friend, I won't condemn you. We all made mistakes during the war. Draco just needed a nudge in the right direction."
Hermione released the breath she was holding. "Oh Harry, I'm so happy I still have you!"
"Of course! You've saved my arse so many times in seven years. I owe you so much. Besides, if you become a potions mistress I have connections to get potions." Harry smirked.
"Harry! You could just learn to brew them yourself." Hermione giggled.
"I'll leave it to the professionals." Harry teased. Hermione gave him a hug. They made plans to study for NEWTS in the evenings before Hermione headed to the library.
She sat looking through books on potions again when a throat cleared behind her. She turned to see Professor Snape standing there. "That book is beneath you. Read this one instead." He handed her an old worn out tome that Hermione knew for a fact had not come from the shelves of the library she practically lived in for seven years. As if reading her mind, Snape continued. "It is from my own potions texts. No need to ask where I acquired it because I will not tell you."
Hermione smiled to herself. She was just about to ask. "Thank you, Professor. I'm sure I will enjoy reading it."
Snape smirked. "Do try not to accost me with constant questions about the material or I will be forced to ban you from ever reading these books again." He said with a hint of amusement.
"Yes, Sir. I will try to restrain myself." Hermione replied.
"I shall leave you to your books but be sure you are in the Great Hall for dinner this evening. You will not want to skip it by studying tonight." And with that enigmatic statement, he was gone leaving Hermione to wonder what was going to happen at dinner.
Hermione didn't have to wonder for too long. The atmosphere in the Great Hall was somewhat more relaxed than normal. The usual separated houses were no more. There were Gryffindors at Ravenclaw tables, Hufflepuffs at Gryffindor tables, and even Slytherins at Hufflepuff tables. The colored robes seemed to blend together nicely. Hermione made her way to the Slytherin table where Draco had saved her a spot. The glare she received from Ron was not missed by her as she sat down. The Slytherins were already warming up to Hermione. All chatter ceased, however, when an owl flew into the Great Hall carrying a red envelope. Everyone watched as it fell to the table in front of the one and only Ronald Weasley. All eyes fell on the red head as he gulped nervously. Snape smirked in satisfaction at the boy's nervousness. The envelope burst open and the loud screech echoed through the Great Hall.
RONALD WEASLEY—!