Thank you all for the many views! I'm glad that you all are enjoying the story! Here, Draco and Hermione have a fruitful conversation =)

Chapter 8

Draco waited outside the library three days after Hermione thanked him by the staircases for rescuing her. Thankfully, he has seen her walking with at least one person to classes and other times he's seen her walk about the castle. And it wasn't just with Potter or Weasley, it was with her other friends. Finally—she's heeding his advice about not being alone. And whenever Crabbe and Goyle would come around, and Hermione was in sight, they wouldn't do anything because she's with another person or two.

He stood there for about ten minutes, leaning against the cold stone wall, waiting. In all honesty, he was waiting for her to come out because he knew she would be alone. He saw her enter the library alone six hours before, and knew she would be in there for that long. He surmised that she worked in the library after classes. He huffed through his nose in irritation. Hopefully she'll walk out with someone and they'll walk back to her common room together.

Some time passed, and was starting to nod off. She's late getting out—it was already getting close to curfew. He heard footsteps and he immediately jerked awake. It wasn't her. He closed his eyes for a few minutes again, and heard footsteps again. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that it was indeed her who just walked out of the library. Alone. Of course. He pushed himself off the wall and followed her for a bit. It was when she rounded the first corner that he heard a "Hey, mudblood!"

Heart pounding like a hammer in fear that she came across Crabbe and Goyle again, he ran down the corridor and around the corner where she had just turned. As he expected, he saw her facing Crabb and Goyle, grinning evilly at her. She had her wand pointed at them.

"Give us your best shot, mudblood!" Crabbe shouted.

"No way am I going to let her fight them," Draco muttered and came out from behind the corner. Crabbe and Goyle shouted his name, but he ignored it and grabbed Hermione by the arm and started briskly walking down the corridor with her.

"Draco!" she complained. "Let go! I can duel them!"

"No, don't even think about it," he growled as he cantered on with her. "I'm getting you away from them, not the other way around."

She stopped, but he still held her arm. She shook it free. "But with the both of us fighting them, we can win. Obviously you're not on their side anymore."

He stepped up to her and looked her dead in the eyes, and he didn't want to think of how close he got to her face. "I'm not going to take anymore chances. I've been driving myself mad with trying to protect you!"

"Then don't!"

That stung. She doesn't want him to protect her, after he rescued her from being dangled in the air? "And why not?!"

"Because I can deal with them on my own!"

"You say that after being held upside-down in the air?!"

She pursed her lips and was about to retort when they both heard from behind them, "Let's get 'em!" Goyle shouted. "We're so done with you, Draco! You're getting it now!"

"And you, too, mudblood!" Crabbe yelled.

"We're going," Draco said and grabbed her arm and ran. She tried to yank it free, but he held fast. "Draco, I can run on my own, you know!"

He didn't say anything to that as he spotted a door in the corner of a corridor. He looked behind him, and saw that those two oafs were a ways behind them since they were not even seen, but he heard them around the last corner he and Hermione rounded. He quickly opened the door and pulled her in. The torches in the room lit up on their own accord, lighting the room that was pitch dark when they entered it. The two stared at the empty desks and chairs. This was an unused dusty classroom, and it smelled old and musty.

Draco realized he still had a hold of Hermione's arm, and he let go. He turned his back to her as they both heard Crabbe and Goyle run past the closed door, shouting, and their steps and shouts eventually dissipated. He ran a hand through his very blonde hair and let out a massive sigh. His back faced her.

"Blymee, Granger, would it kill you to not walk alone?"

She stayed silent for a moment, then, "I thought taking that rout would be the safest, but I was obviously mistaken."

"Obviously." He folded his arms and stood there, facing the dusty room that had rows of tables, and a few books dotted a few of them. There were also cobwebs connecting the tables and chairs and other things in the room. "Let's just wait until they're far enough away."

"You're not going to allow me to leave, so I guess I have to agree," she said snidely.

He turned and saw her leaning against a table. She picked at her nails, a frown on her face. She's clearly not liking this situation, but if it means keeping her out of harms way, then so be it.

"Granger."

She looked up at him with a glare, and the torches' flickering reflected in her hazel eyes. She gripped the table as she leaned against it. "What?"

"When are you ever going to learn that you're not safe out on your own? Crabbe and Goyle are like blood hounds out for your blood. They won't stop at anything to torture you."

She looked down at the floor. "I know that."

Draco's brows pushed together in confusion. "Then why risk intentionally going out alone?"

"Because I think I can handle it," she snapped, but Draco didn't flinch. "And I do, at least... most of the time."

"It's about time you realize it." He came up to her and leaned against the same table she was leaning against, but on the other side of it as to not make things more uncomfortable than they already are. "You're too bloody proud and arrogant for your own good, and not with just the fact that you think you can walk alone and can handle whatever comes in your way. You've always thought yourself above everyone else, with your knowledge of spells and books and whatnot."

She gave him an incredulous look. "I've been too proud an arrogant? Who's the one who though himself above everyone else since year one? Who was it that always wanted to be at least one step up from Harry and everyone else? Who was the one who bullied everyone to no end, forcing me to punch you in the nose since I couldn't take any more of it?!"

His chest started to constrict at her harsh, yet true, words. He gave her a sharp look. "Well it looks like we both are proud and arrogant, but I least I learned my lesson. I don't go around bullying people anymore, and it case you haven't noticed already, I saved you from a few mishaps." He gave her a daring look. "Now, have you learned your lesson? Obviously not, since we're in here hiding from those two idiots."

"I told you that I could have taken them, Draco. We both could have!"

"Yes, but I didn't want to risk you getting hurt again!"

Their voices echoed in the large room, then all became silent for a minute as they both glared at each other from either end of the two-meter-long table. He looked away from her, at the floor, his mouth pulled into a frown. She really drives him mad, for more than one reason. In the corner of his eye, he noticed that she was still staring at him, with a question in her eyes.

"What, Granger?"

"I just... I guess I'm still curious about why you suddenly changed. I mean, you're very protective of me now, and we talk like normal human beings when that wasn't possible before because of your view of me. And you have excellent grades, at least that is what I gathered from seeing your name at the top of the honors list. It's just... shocking."

He knew she thought this whole situation with them is shocking. It really is. And she's again fishing for an answer that he doesn't want to tell her. "I'm not responding to that."

"Why not? I just want to know how you went from a mean, arrogant bully who couldn't care less about school, to caring about it, and passing me up on the honors list. And... caring about me period."

He looked over at her and saw her looking down at her lap. Should he tell her? Should he reveal his secret to her? He's revealed enough to her already. He folded his arms and looked down at the dusty stone floor again. "I... admit that I care, but... it's just because I hated how I was in the past. I'm turning over a new leaf."

"I see. Good for you."

"And that's all you're going to get. There's nothing more to tell."

Of course that was a lie. He's definitely not going to say that he fancies her and because of a vision from a thousand-year-old ghost.

"Fine," Hermione said. "But tell me this. Why the sudden desire to get good grades?"

It wouldn't hurt to tell her this also. "Well... I suppose I just decided one day that I would use the smarts that I have. Use them, get good grades, and impress my parents and others who thought that I would have no hope." He gave her a pointed look. "You and your friends are some of those people. I want to prove you all wrong."

She nodded to his explanation. "I see. Aiming to impress is good motivation. So... what are your study habits, then? Someone who does excellently in school has got to have good study habits. Like I said before, I was rather impressed with that essay."

He let air out of his nose as he thought of this one. "I suppose I just focus on one thing at a time and I don't stop until I get it done. Also... I do it when I want to get away from everything."

"What do you mean?"

He glared at her and said sharply, "When I try not think about what goes on in my rotten life, I study. And considering tons of things are rotten in my life at the moment, I study all the time. Hence, good grades."

Hermione didn't seemed fazed by the edginess in his voice. "So... doing homework and studying is like a coping mechanism for you?"

He kicked a small pebble on the stone floor. He hasn't thought about that before. "Yes. In a way."

She smiled, and let out a giggle, and he gave her a surprised look. She explained, "I just never knew that you would be so keen on studying. No wonder I was surprised when I saw you in the library."

"Like I said before, Granger, you learn something every day."

Silence passed again, and Draco thought that now would be a good time to ask her what she thinks about him. She already started anyway. He opened his mouth to begin his question, one that was causing his heart to pound in anticipation for her answer, but then her voice penetrated the silence in the torch-lit room before his voice could.

"For me, I guess I just like doing it—homework, studying... it's fun."

"Well, not everyone's like you, Granger. Studying isn't fun."

"It is for me." She looked at him and happened to meet his blue eyes, which the torches were also glimmering in. Her features turned serious. "I'm sorry you have a rotten life at the moment. I have noticed that you hadn't seemed well lately."

He frowned. She noticed that he wasn't doing so well? He shouldn't be surprised. He doesn't really do well at hiding his feelings, at least not anymore. "Do you pity me?"

"A little."

Of course. "Don't sugarcoat it, will you?" he said dryly.

"I could be more honest, you know. I could say that I think your life is..."

"I don't want to hear it," he cut her off, now regretting wanting to ask her what she thought about him. He basically has his answer anyway. She thinks he's a sad git who has a terrible life.

"You must be going through something horrible if you had the motivation to study enough to get perfect marks on one of Snape's hardest essays. Didn't you say before that you witnessed someone being killed right in front of you? Is that why..."

"Shut it!"

That made Hermione's eyes widen, and Draco's own to sting with tears. He didn't want to recall Professor Burbage's death, but it came back to his memory anyway. He should just obliviate his mind of it. Why hasn't he done that yet?

"Alright, sorry," Hermione said as Draco glared at the floor. "I won't ask that again..." she said more to herself.

"I think they're gone."

"What?"

He needs to change the subject. "Crabbe and Goyle, Granger. I think they're gone. We should head out."

She nodded and leaned off the table. "Alright."

They both went to the door and Draco poked his head out and saw that there wasn't a single person out in the corridor. But that didn't mean those thugs weren't hiding somewhere. He tuned to Hermione, and he noticed just how close the two of them were. She smelled that flowery perfume, which made is pulse rise. Being this close to her did that also. She noticed how close they were as well and stepped away from him, and he hoped that the pink appearing in her cheeks was from being close to him.

"C'mon," he said, and motioned Hermione out. She looked around as well, then turned to him when she saw that there wasn't a student in sight. It had to be almost curfew, or passed it, even.

"Well, thank you again for rescuing me, but I should be on me way," she said.

"Not alone, you're not."

He gave her a hard glare, hoping that she'll allow it this time. "Fine."

Draco smirked, liking that she agreed. He ended up walking beside her this time, not behind. Who would see them anyway since it was late and no one was around?

"So..." Hermione started as they walked, and Draco had his hands in his pockets, "why have you all of a sudden lost the desire to bully people?"

He let out an agitated huff through his nose. "I told you that already. There isn't anymore to discuss."

"Are you sure? There has to be more to it."

"There isn't," he lied tersely. "Stop asking, will you?"

"Fine, fine, I won't ask, golly." They rounded a corner. "But I can understand, I guess."

"Understand what?"

"You don't want to be like whoever killed that person that you spoke of before." She looked at him, and he felt his chest tighten at that memory again. "It was The Dark Lord, wasn't it?"

He stopped and clenched his teeth together, and those tears that stung his eyes started to appear, and his vision became blurred. He knew that she knew who he was talking about. He remained silent, not wanting to tell her the answer, even though she knew.

"I suppose... that I suspected something," she revealed. "As well as Harry and Ron." She looked up at him, at his current state. She asked gently, "You're a Death Eater, aren't you, Draco?"

His pulse rose, and he tried with all his might to not let the tears fall, but he knew that Hermione could see them wanting to. He could also feel his Dark Mark tattoo burn on his left arm, reminding him of what he has to do and who he has to do it for.

"I've noticed it before," she confessed. "Like I said, you've seemed ill, and not yourself. I suppose this what's going on with you. I'm so sorry, Draco."

His limbs felt weak, and he had a hard time keeping control of his emotions. She's already certain of what he is, so he might as well confirm it. "Yes," he said weakly, and he knew she was staring up at him. "Yes, I'm a Death Eater. But not by choice. Thanks to what your bloody friends did at The Ministry last year, my father was punished. And as punishment, they branded the Dark Mark on me. It was also a chance for me to prove myself, and see what I am capable of."

Complete silence followed, silence so thick, he could almost hear Hermione's heart pound. "I'm... I'm so sorry..." she said in a small voice.

"So am I," he bit out. "Let's just not talk about anymore, and don't repeat it to anyone. Not even your friends, got it?"

She was silent for a moment, but then she nodded. It was moot, anyway. He knew she would tell Potter and Weasley.

They walked on in silence, and Draco left Hermione once they reached the moving staircases. She turned to him. "Wait, Draco." He stopped, his back to her. "Thank you again for rescuing me." He turned his head and saw a ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. "I'll try not to make it a habit and walk with Ron and Harry everywhere I go."

"That's the most sensible thing you've said in weeks. Or ever."

She let off a smile, and he was relieved for the lighter atmosphere, even though they were leaving each other. "Yeah. And um... I promise not to tell anyone about, well, you know..."

He nodded.

"Well, goodnight," she said.

She left up the staircase, and it started moving. He saw her side profile as the staircase reverted to another angle. He gulped at her attractiveness, and then walked away.

He couldn't believe the conversation he had with her. Well, can't take it back now. Plus, she basically knew, anyway. He just hopes that she won't blab to her friends. She promised, but still. Potter has already suspected, so Hermione would naturally want to confirm it for him.

He really needs to stop telling that girl his innermost secrets. What are hers? He now is intensely wanting to know more about that muggle-born girl. How did she come to a wizarding school after growing up a muggle, and how did she even find out about the wizarding world? What are her study habits? Does she really fancy Ronald Weasley as much as everyone thinks? Maybe in time he'll find out, if Annabelle's vision comes to pass completely. Does he want it to come to pass completely? Be in a romantic relationship with Hermione Granger?

He recalled her laughter, her pretty eyes, that intoxicating perfume, that slender figure, her hot-headedness and pride, her sympathetic eyes, even that bushy hair of hers...

Maybe he does.