Warning for mild language

This was bad. This was so very, very bad. It hadn't started off that way: no, it had started off as a Butterbeer, then a glass of Firewhiskey, and then suddenly Blaise was invisible, pointing his wand at some innocent first year he happened to come by. A muggle born first year, apparently.

"Go on, Draco. Do it. Hit him. Or have you really gone soft like they all say? What would dear old dad say if he could see you now, his precious heir fraternizing with Mudblood scum, defending them? And as if that wasn't vile enough, you had to go and pick Granger, of all people," Zabini taunted.

Pansy and Daphne cackled with mirth. Theo just stood there, not moving. He wasn't like the rest of them, but he just didn't have the courage to say no. Then because the universe existed only for the sole purpose of torturing him, Hermione Granger had to come his way. She looked nice, pretty even, in her white wool coat and purple-pink jumper, relaxed and at ease as she so rarely was. But when she saw him, oh how her face crumbled. Like looking at a flower just as it is about to die.

"Malfoy, what is this?" she whispered.

"Granger, please, let me explain," he tried.

"Good luck with that one, Drakes," Zabini chortled.

In a flash she crossed the distance and wrenched him from the boy, whose face was white as a sheet and trembling uncontrollably. Her wand was at his throat as she howled "Malfoy, what are you doing!" Not Draco, perhaps never again.

"Hermione, this isn't what it looks like."

"Oh yeah? Because it seems to me that you and your cadre here got wasted and decided to hurt some poor boy, just because you could. Is he Muggle-born, is that it? Are you back to your bastard ways, or have the last week's been an act at my expense? Befriend the Mudblood and then break her trust for kicks?"

Theo oohed dramatically.

Draco opened his mouth but it was too late.

"I will escort you to Headmistress McGonagall myself. Hopefully she will be able to see through your lies better than I evidently could."

And with that Hermione hauled him away, his friends laughing as they started the long trip back up the hill.

She was furious. She dragged him around corners, feet stomping with the thunderous beat of her heart. How had he done this? How had he gotten so close, closer than all the rest, so quickly? How could the brightest witch be so blind?

Yes, she was furious. Furious at herself. Furious that she had thought that just because they talked and debated and argued and comforted that he had changed, metamorphosed into a better, gentler, more real Draco Malfoy, not the sneering prick he'd been for so long.

"Scottish Shortbread," she murmured, and the entrance parted for their admission.

At Draco's raised brow she replied, "Headmistress McGonagall wanted to continue Professor Dumbledore's password theme."

As she ascended the stairs, she conjured a piece of parchment and a fresh quill, recounting the incident whilst still gripping Draco's arm. By the time they were at the door she had finished her report. Her knock was brisk and efficient.

"You may enter," McGonagall called softly.

Hermione opened the door and practically slammed the parchment onto the desk. "I think it's best if Mr Malfoy explain, Headmistress."

She turned to Draco and dipped her chin. "Mr Malfoy."

Hermione spun on her heel and was out the door. Only when she was leaning against the stone, wool coat pulled around her, did Hermione Jean Granger finally allow herself to cry.

"Miss Granger reports there was an altercation with a first year student and yourself, Mr Malfoy."

"Yes, Headmistress."

"She says that you had your wand pointed at him."

"Yes, Headmistress."

"Miss Granger advises that you should be sanctioned and have supervision outside the castle."

"I can see why she would say that, Headmistress."

McGonagall put down her glasses. "What really happened, Draco?"

Draco considered his options. If he ratted out Blaise, he may retaliate, and he knew just were to strike first. Or, more importantly, who. And a Slytherin never tattled on one of their own in such a fashion. But if he did nothing, everyone would think he was back to who he was before. Opting for most of the truth, Draco said, "I would never have hurt that boy, Muggle-born or not. There was an altercation, but not on my part. I did my best to remedy the situation and chose the course of action were no physical harm was done."

"I see."

"I'm sure it's already in Miss Granger's report, but Mr Zabini was not present at the time."

"It was noted."

"He has an affinity for Disillusionment Charms, just so you are aware, Headmistress."

She understood him perfectly. "I'll keep that in mind in future, Mr Malfoy. But you will have detention for the next four nights, as a formality. You can help Miss Granger with her comitee preparations."

"I was going to say yes, Headmistress, to your offer. But I think it would be more prudent for me to wait a short while, to let the proverbial dust settle."

"Indeed, Mr Malfoy. Now, I believe you have some explaining to do."

Luckily, he didn't have to look far. Hermione was right outside, as he knew she would be, staring at him like she'd never seen him before. He'd barely take a step when she found her arms around him, holding tight. He smiled and hugged her back, stroking her hair off her face.

"Now, now, it's not becoming for a lady to eavesdrop on private conversations. Whatever would people say?"

"Since when do I care about the trivial opinions of others and being seen as a lady? I'm sorry, Draco. I'm so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. You were perfect. You had every right to feel hurt, betrayed. But you have to know, Hermione, that you are my best friend. You make me laugh, you make me cry, you challenge me and berate me, especially since I don't carry around a myriad of bookmarks like you do. You listen, and you're incredibly kind, generous and understanding, and you make me want to be all those things. But I'm not always going to get it right. I don't know why I agreed to hang out with them. I guess I just wanted to see if I could help change their minds, help them be better people, if given the chance to. I worry what could happen later down the line, if they don't have someone there for them now."

Hermione drew away, chocolate and amber eyes staring into his own silver grey. "While that's a noble and honest pursuit, Draco, and I'm beyond happy that you feel that way about helping your old friends, it's not solely your job to fix everything. And it's not solely my job, either. It won't be easy by an sense of the word, but we'll get there. Tomorrow. For now, I just want to get out of this wet coat, go to the library and finish my homework."

"Of course you do," he grumbled.

She thwacked him on the arm. "Oi! I heard that. I thought you admired my thirst for knowledge."

"Of course. But one can't drink water all the time. You need to spice it up. Don't you want to finish your girly excursions with Ginny and Luna? It's important that you spend time with your friends."

"I just spent the day with them, and I'll explain later tonight. But for now, I want to hear you tell me about that time you got apple juice all over your mother's favorite book and tried to hide it from her."

"She told you about that?"

"Your applemania has been noted by all for quite some time, Draco."

"Ha-ha, Granger. Honestly, with you two ganging up on me, my childhood embarrassments will never be safe again. Well, it was a Friday evening, and my father was away in Paris, so it was just me, my mother, and Dobby, and I was bored out of my mind..."

Author's Note: Hello, everyone. I'm so sorry for the delay, but I was in hospital because of my diabetes and am still recovering. I hope you enjoyed this one. The next one will be a little darker and have a sweet moment between Luna and Draco. I hope you enjoyed and look forward to you reading the next installment. Thank you so much for going on this journey with me.

All my love, Temperance