**The Superior Quality**

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Chapter two:

"My lips run on its own..

my mind taking it hostage..

my heart cowers away."

Sincerity of a boy; will she forgive?

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Today is our first day visiting Hogsmeade, of the whole year. Being both HeadGirl/Boy, Hermione and I have been paired to escort the third years for their very first visit. She didn't look too happy about it, not as happy as other girls would be, paired up with me.

I was delighted to know that I may have a chance to converse with her. So as we stepped onto the cobblestones of Hogsmeade, I strode along with her, trying to think up a good topic to talk about. The weather maybe? Nah, too boring. After the rain yesterday, it was still a little misty around the low grounds, and the breeze was fresh and cool.

Hmm.. how about those little critters Hagrid brought for Care for Magical Creatures class? Nah, she'd probably think I was trying to say something bad about Hagrid and turn our conversation into something I wouldn't like.

Then what?

I turn to my side, where she was walking at; she was pointing to the numerous shops around the sidewalks, telling the herd of kids behind us what the stores hold and contain inside them. The kids of course, couldn't wait to be freed so they could check them out. I noticed, as I looked behind me, that there was a certain young man following closely behind her, a wicked look in his face.

After glancing back in front of me, I heard a loud yelp from Hermione. I quickly turned my neck to see why, only to spot her rubbing her ankle furiously and eyeing the boy (who was behind her) as he ran to the back of the crowd.

"What's wrong?" I asked her, seeing that we had stopped our walking. She looked up at me, softening her face.

"That stupid git! He did it again!" she sounded as she was bellowing it out; and it turned a couple of heads to us,"First, it was before we got here! Now, he's doing it again!" After her raves, she forced herself through the herd and grabbed the boy. He was short for his age, a little skinny, with hair almost like the Weasel's.

Angrily, she pushed him up to the front, where I stood, and glared down to him, "Listen you annoying little rat! Do that again and I'll turn you into the little booger that you are!" I was aghast at her threat. I looked down at the boy, who looked as if he wasn't easily scared with her, and stomped on her foot with one quick blow.

Hermione shot up in pain, her eyes burning more in rage. Annoyed with the boy's manners, I pulled him aside by the collar of his sweater. I looked down at him coldly, "Little devil, aren't you? Listen here, twit, apologize now."

The boy cowered a bit, but stiffened, "No! I won't apologize to that!"

That? Who the hell does he think he is, calling her a 'that'?!

"She is HeadGirl, you little twit, in case you haven't noticed. What House are you held in?" I spat venomously to him.

"Slytherin." the boy quivered; maybe he was beginning to take me seriously?

"Apologize now, or I will take 50 points off of Slytherin."

"You wouldn't!! I-It's your House also!" the boy said quickly.

I shook my head and chuckled, "Of course it is, but it's not going to be my fault when they find out who lost 50 points off his own House." The boy held his breath and hesitated. He looked up at Hermione then back at me.

"I won't apologize to that Mudblood!" he shouted stiffly. Right then, it looked as if everyone in Hogsmeade stopped and gasped. I looked down the boy in anger, then looked up to Hermione; her face holding shock and disbelief. I scrambled up in front of her; she was looking as if she was ready to cry.

Her eyes were rimming with tears, desperately wanting to be freed, "Granger?" I asked her cautiously. She looked up at me at the sound of her name, her face kneeding with hurt. I furrowed my brows at the boy, who was now looking up at me with guilt.



Hermione was going to cry, I knew it. Everybody in my year knows that she could easily breakdown when pushed to the limit. I guess being refused to be apologized because she was Muggle, from a little kid no less, was too much for her to bare. So immediately, I took control.

I noticed that the Three Broomsticks was nearby, "Everyone, we're going to take a short break over there." I pointed to it and began walking. A hand behind Hermione, I urged her to start walking again. When we reached the Three Broomsticks, I gave the bartender enough Galleons to pay for the whole third years' butterbeer.

After that, I lead Hermione to corner table near the window. I ushered her to a seat, while I sat across from her; she was still looking depressed.

She was looking dark, hopeless, as she stared down at the table, trying not to make eye contact with me. Why? I stared at her with compassion, doesn't she see that I actually care about what she may be feeling? I opened my mouth, only to find them close again. What was I going to say? I didn't know but I had to say something.

"Listen, that kid back there," I started softly, "He's just a kid, don't even bother with him."

I didn't seem to help, as soon as I finished saying that, tears started fall down her eyes. She wiped them quickly though, I guess to save her the embarrassment from me. I stood up, and slid myself beside her, shielding her from eyes that followed her in from the outside. This was all my fault, I knew it from deep down. Who else had made the trend of calling her Mudblood?

Nothing I could do as I sat beside her, except watch her weep in silence. She kept her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking at every muffled sob. I reached a hand on her back, grateful that she did not move away, and began to slowly reassure her. She whispered something, something I couldn't hear but wanted to.

With my other hand, I took a hold of hers and slowly pulled them away from her face. She reluctantly moved them away, still avoiding eye contact. Her eyes had began to grow red and puffy, and her cheeks were flushed warmly in pink. Streaks of her tears made noticeable marks down her chin. She gave a deep breath.

"You okay?" I asked her carefully; my other hand still caressing her back. She nodded, wiped her face with the sleeve of her dress-something like a six year old would do. I smiled at her softly, "Listen, don't take that boy seriously. That little ass is getting detention from me, okay?"

She looked at me wondrously and skeptically, I could tell she wanted to say some kind of harsh come-back. Probably something about me, the name Mudblood, and the Slytherin House. But she kept her mouth shut, still looking at me with those eyes. I held my breath, waiting for her to say something, anything.

It was rather nice though, the silence between us that time. It gave me an opportunity to admire her face, her eyes, her lips, closely. I reached up to her face and smoothed out one tear-stricken cheek with a thumb. She closed her eyes faintly, then they fluttered open to me again. Her hazel eyes, they were gorgeous, and slowly I was getting drowned by them.

I'm not sure how much time had passed, but I did the most unthinkable. After taking her face in one of my hands, I bent down slowly to her face. Our eyes still locked together, they began their descent. She drew in a ragged breath as my lips were falling to hers. I opened my lips partly, and swear I saw her do the same. She closed her eyes, I followed suit, as our lips touched.

My lips burning with pleasure, my mouth watering for more that just lips. I slipped my tongue, licking her lips hungrily; she was sweet. I forced my tongue inside through her lips gently. For a minute-maybe more-I was kissing her until I slowly pulled away.

I gazed at her, she was red-faced as I was, and speechless. I didn't realize I was actually kissing her until after I kissed her. Trying to catch my breath from that electrifying kiss, I struggled to say an apology. An apology for doing it. I knew I had invaded her. She was going to go ballistic on me any minute now.

Her shocked eyes dimmed at me; she mouthed some words, I couldn't understand what she said. I shook my head and frowned, I didn't know what she was trying to tell me. She frowned also, moved away from my presence, and huddled near the window. She was upset.. her face showed it.

I violated her.

Now, here I was sitting a fair distance away, watching her stare blankly out the window. I combed my hair back, feeling its smoothness between my fingers, and sighed. I had done a dumb thing. I had followed behind lust. More over, she was now upset at me. I knew it, from the feeling I got when I kissed her. She did not kiss me back, one measly move, that was all she did.

Was she afraid? Or did she hate? I turned forward on my seat, and looked around trying to think hard about what I had just done. I spotted the orange-headed boy who had called Hermione, Mudblood, and refused to apologize. He was still looking at me with guilt. I directed him to come over, and he nervously did. I told him to sit across from me. He did, occasionally peering over where Hermione sat, he was looking more guilty.

I spoke to him softly, "Apologizing yet?" my voice was a bit rusty but I cleared my throat. The boy bowed his head in shame, and nodded.



"Um.." he was beginning to say, turning his head towards Hermione. She looked up to him, "I'm sorry for.. calling you M-Mudblood, Ms. Granger." he was a bit shaky, but I was glad that it brought a smile to Hermione's lips.

"It's okay, usually I wouldn't cry all over it like that.." she spoke directly, not a fault in her voice. The boy turned red and nodded again. He stood up swiftly and left the table.

I almost had a heart attack when her voice spoke to me.

"Why did you do that?" she asked.

I turned to her blankly, "The boy needed to apologize."

"No, no not that. I meant why did you.. did you.." she was stuttering, but I knew what she meant.

I gave her a shrug, "To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure why." I lied; with good reason. I wasn't going to go blurt about my feelings for her right now. Remember, I'm still in thought.

She gestured her mouth, saying 'Oh' silently. There was a momentary pause before she said something else, that made me want to laugh; "Don't do that ever again, or I'll take points off of your House."

So I did laugh, since it was a really odd response. I laughed hard, and I saw her join me. Both of us laughing our asses over something we couldn't quite explain. Now their were eyes at the two of us again; they probably think we were mad.

We stopped, after a while, and looked at each other smiling. She eyed me sternly, and I noticed she was waiting for my answer, "Okay, I won't do it again." I held my hands in front of me, and smirked, "Unless, you know, if you wanted to."

I could see her smirk back at me, her eyes glittering still with laughter, "Whatever..." she said back with a grin. She looked above the seat for a minute then turned back to me, "Are you sure you don't know why you kissed me?" her voice was playful, teasing. Was she trying to get me flushed?

I grinned back at her, "There's got to be a reason... I just don't know it.. yet."

She rolled her eyes at me and bit her lower lip, "Do you want to be friends.. Malfoy?" she asked slowly.

I was shocked to hear her call out my name; but forget that, was she asking me if I wanted to be friends with her?

I searched her eyes; she was serious. Because of my cold-hearted attitude, I responded, "Befriend a Muggle? Ha!" I knew what I was doing, I was trying to deny all this. In fear that today would be the day I would be defamed and humiliated. Really, who would ever think that she and I were to be good friends? I had made the reputation of hating all Muggles, especially her. She was always higher than me in grades; father would lecture me on why me, a pureblood, can't get higher than her, a Muggle.

Now I was given the choice to be her friend. The whole Slytherin House would laugh at me, nevertheless, shun me from them. Then who am I to be friends with? The Weasel and Potty?

I noticed her whole facade change into bitterness; she gave me a cold stare, "You're such a stuck-up bastard, aren't you?" Our once enjoying little chat was now turning into a battle of sarcasm and spite.

"Bastard? Oooh, I didn't know you've already passed this stage. You've grown out of your mother's womb, eh?" I had to admit, starting this was childishly stupid, but that's me.. I guess.

"If you were smart," she was now propped up in front of me, "which you aren't by the way, you'd know that I had grown out of my mother's womb years ago. It's humanly impossible not to." she was fighting back with her bookish snapbacks. She was tampering with my last nerve; I snapped.

"Read that in a book, did you? How about this.. why don't you read a book that actually helps you become popular, Granger, so you won't be such a looser at school?" I figured this ought to do it, but her tone annoyed me more.

"You know," she taunted as she looked up thoughtfully, "I haven't seen a book like that at Hogwarts, but if I do, I'll be sure to lend it to you next."

"Listen, I take it back! You deserved that name, 'Mudblood', and I think it was un-just for that boy to have to apologize to you!"

It was silent after that. She eyed me in hate, "Fine! Be the bastard you are!" she stood up in a huff, her eyes rimming with a new fresh of tears, "I asked you nicely if you'd like to maybe form a truce, a friendship, because I thought you had changed!

"You comforted me, and I actually thought that it was plain nice of you to do!! You-you even..... agh, I'm just going to skip that!" she was enraged and yelling at me now. She was standing in front of me; once again, eavesdropping eyes at us. I looked up at her, almost ready to interrupt and just say sorry.

"But I forgot you're Mr. Draco Malfoy, all high and mighty; I forgot you're impossible! I forgot that you'll soon be killing Muggles for a living!! I forgot that you're insane, cold, evil, vile, cruel, crude of a man!!" her face was red, her eyes were slit, the corners of her mouth quivering. Without giving me a chance to speak back, without saying one more word, she ran out of the Three Broomsticks, heading towards Hogwarts.

Being the 'bastard' I was, I sat still in my seat, trying to ignore the harsh whispers that the room now carried around. Even the herd of third years bustled out of the place, some I saw heading back to Hogwarts, some running deeper in Hogsmeade, ready to tell the nearest person about what they saw Draco Malfoy do to Hermione Granger.

Today was supposed be good, and for a while it was.... what the hell happened?

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It was a strain, having to put up with the whole mess earlier today, during dinner. I looked up from my seat and noticed that Hermione wasn't in her usual spot between Wonder-Boy and Poor-Weasel. Although I did catch them staring at me in disgust; that just made me smirk at them, triumphantly.

Of course, by this time, everyone knew about the little incident down in The Three Broomsticks. Everyone was eyeing me with pure hate; everyone except the whole Slytherin table of course. Which, by the way, threw a celebration for me; hollering shouts of favorism, rewards, admiration, I had to accept them with a proud face.

Though, I knew I had been cruel, just as all the others knew. I noticed that I wasn't eating much, my plate was still a bit full. I couldn't eat; not when all this guilt was choking my throat. I blew it, the chance to prove that I wasn't such a bad guy. Why do I always expose the side I would rather not, to her? Is it some kind of sick ego-boost I get from making her breakdown and fear me? Is it some kind of rush that I get whenever I spit in her face and humiliate her?



I stopped thinking of the reason because.. they made me feel like a sick, abusive, psycho. I disappointingly prodded my steak, I'm beginning to worry. Worry of how I should face her tonight. I did share a dorm with her, and that's where she was probably at. Unless Parvati and Lavender had already asked her to stay with them; thinking it would be best to stay away from me as far away as possible.

Still, even if she wasn't there tonight, she'll still be around Hogwarts. I'll eventually see her in class on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, et cetera.

I began to think, what if I hadn't fallen for her? I wouldn't be stressing over this; instead I'd be planning for my next attack. So much easier it would be if I was still the little Slytherin with no spine. Maybe I'll make myself turn back to my old self? After all, I'd still have power, and I don't have to bother with apologies to any threats and sneers I say to anybody.

No! I can't do that.. I can't turn back now. Feeling things like this was something new to me, I can't give up, because I know I could do this. I can handle anything.

.... I can handle this..

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In front of me.. her door.

She was inside, I had heard Lavender say that she had refused the offer to stay with her, answering that she was able to handle it herself.

So now I'm paused, not moving-actually hesitating-to knock. It was silent, nothing made a sound except the crackling of the fireplace. Staring at her mahogany door-the only thing blocking my contact with her-I lifted my knuckle to it and rapped twice.

Nothing happened, she didn't respond. I tried again, harder than before, and this time I heard shuffling of feet; she was moving towards the door.

"Go away." said a soft voice through the smooth wood before me.

"I," I paused, "I want to talk to you."



"Why? Just so you could tell me off again? Just go away!" she was now demanding it. I scoffed; here I was, trying to have a decent talk, and she refuses. So what this means is that I actually have to 'beg'.. to her. Can my life get any worse?



"Hey, I just want to talk, all right? Now get out here," I took a deep breath; I can't believe I'm actually going to get use this word, "please?"



Instantly the door clicked open, and out peered Hermione from a darkened room. She looked pale, almost ill; red-eyed, she gazed at me, "'Please'? That's a new one. Did it hurt to say?"



"If I said yes, would you come out?" I eyed her in warning, she nodded; I said yes. Slowly, she went through her door, brushed pass me, and sat herself down on the nearby sofa. I followed her and sat on the sofa, across from hers.



She was wasn't as paled as I thought she looked in the darkness, which was good; but she held a begrudging face. She kept her eyes at her knees, her lips together, and her hands in front of her. Suddenly, I got nervous; feeling like this can wait for another day or two. I grumbled to myself and had brought her eyes to mine as I did.



"What?" she asked hurriedly, "Why was it you dragged me out here?"



Well, there's no turning back now, "I'm.. sorry." she seemed shocked but I continued on, "I'm sorry for what happened in Hogsmeade today, I didn't mean it. I am to blame, I agree. I'm very sorry, and I hope I can take your offer to befriend you." I said that a little fast, and waited there, eager for her response. Instead, she just sat there, bewildered and possibly confused.



"Did you hear me?" I asked softly; she nodded.



"I wasn't sure if it was real, though." she said bluntly, "Why change now? Why take the blame now? Are you finished basking in your glories, or is this another prank to get Mudblood-Granger?"



I shook my head and glared at her, "Can't you just take my apology? Stop asking questions. Don't you trust anyone?"



"Of course, there are those who I trust!" she waved her hand up in the air with her words, "But you? I have reasons why I can't trust you!"



"What? Because I'm the son of a Death Eater? Because I happen to come from a family who hates Muggles?" I looked at her angrily, not like I had done the past years, this time it was caring and soft, "Okay, sorry for being the son of a Death Eater! Sorry that my family hates Muggles! There, are you happy? I've already apologized about them!"



Cautiously, she studied my face, "That's not my reasons, because those reasons, you haven't the power to alter. It isn't your fault that you are that way."



Her words struck me like a brick; waves of admiration passed me. Why? Because she read me like an open book! But I shook that away for later, right now I was curious to what 'reasons' she was referring to, "So.. what is it about me that makes you not trust me?"



I watched her mouth open to speak, "My reasons are this; you've never, once in the whole time I have known you, told anyone off when they called me Mudblood." she paused a minute and frowned, "Except this morning, with that boy. I actually thought you were really nice, which you have to be grateful of because usually I wouldn't say you were 'really nice' at your first sign of kindness. Anyways, that little gesture backfired didn't it?"



"Yes. But now, I am offering you another gesture. Pleading, almost; so take it." I crossed my arms in front of me, "Take it forget what has happened in the past, and I will forget it also." she dropped her jaws in disbelief.



"Forget that you 'honored' me with the nickname Mudblood?! Forget that you try and try to kill my friends?! Forget that you constantly teased me because of my background?!" she stood up and scoffed, "Tell me, how would I sit here, accept your apology, and forget all those things that made me feel like a damned nobody?" she looked at me with blazing eyes.



I stood up also, my voice wavering a bit of anger and guilt, "If I could, I would go back in time to change all that! Under the influence of my father, it was the only kind of treatment I knew to give to a Muggle! I've grown out of my father's grasp, because he's too busy kissing Lord Voldemort's ass, and I realized that maybe it wasn't such a good idea to be like that to you; to Muggles! Believe it or not, I have a sub-conscience!"



We were looking at each other, without our eyes moving to anything else in the room except the others'. I gave a sigh and calmed my breathing down, "And what were you thinking, Granger? Asking me to befriend you, like you were ready to give me a second chance, that I realized I'd like to take."



"Before I even think about letting you be my friend," I held my breath as I patiently listened to her voice speaking again, "be honest and tell me if this is another sick joke, right now. There's too much things in my life right now, that I'm trying to handle, so if you're just going to 'play me around' for laughs, just tell me now and I'll brush it off like it never happened."





I looked at her with sincerity, "I'm not toying with you... Hermione. I want to be a friend."



It was a staggering five minutes before my heart leaped at her answer. She was going to give me a second chance. Smiling foolishly, I moved to sit beside her; enjoying the odd gaze she was giving me, "You hungry?" I asked politely. Hehe... didn't think I could do that, did you?



She thought for a minute, still skeptical, but smiled lightly at me; her pink lips curving at the corners, "Yeah..."



I smiled back, stood up and offered a hand, and she took it without a moment to even think. Her palm burning in mine, she looked at me kindly,



"Okay."

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Author's Notes:

Thanks to all who reviewed the previous chapter! I'm sorry, I didn't get time to list the names down but I'll make sure I do that in the next chapter ^_^. Anyways, this is the beginning of Hermione and Draco's friendship, and will start getting deeper in the plot. We are now leaving the Draco P.O.V. and will now be directed to 3rd person view, starting with chapter 3. I promised darkness, and the story is getting there. Hope you enjoyed this really long chapter!

Also, sorry I kinda slipped up with the Hogwarts and Hogswart... er butterfingers.. won't happen again ^_^;