Author's Note: Hello there! I appreciate all of the reviews you've all given me! I love you all! Anyway, here's chapter two!Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but if I did, I would be rolling on money!! Ha ha! I'm so greedy!!

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MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

By Rage

CHAPTER TWO: AN ACQUAINTANCE

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"Please pray for one of your schoolmates who has lost both his parents this previous summer."

There was a moment of silence. Everyone in the Great Hall had closed their eyes and had uttered a silent prayer. Hermione, right after saying hers, opened her eyes and looked around.

Who could it be? She asked herself, observing everyone closely. Most of the students were still muttering silent words for the person, as well as the teachers. It could be anyone, anyone at all! I don't mean to be nosy, but—

She looked at Draco Malfoy. He was staring at his food, his face blank and expressionless.

Hermione blinked. What the—she thought angrily. How INDIFFERENT could that ferret get?

Though she didn't know who the person was, as a human being, she felt sorry for the person. Hermione wanted to go over to him and strangle him to death.

And that was what she almost did. Subconciously, she felt herself get ready to stand up and stroll over to the Slytherin table. Her fists were clenched with anger, and she was ready to pummel Malfoy to the other world.

However, she noticed something different with him. He didn't have that usual glint of malice in his eyes, and he wasn't wearing his famous smirk. "Weird…" Hermione muttered, narrowing her eyes.

"What are you saying?"

Hermione turned around and faced her best friends. "What? Oh—nothing, I was just… er… talking to myself."

"Okaayy…" Ron said, his eyebrow raised. "You should get yourself checked, Hermione."

"Who do you think the person is?" Harry whispered, leaning in closer to the two.

Ron shrugged. "I dunno… but I pity that kid."

"What do you think, Hermione?" Harry asked.

However, Hermione wasn't listening. She was gazing at Draco intently, as if trying to figure out a problem.

And she got a solution. It's him…

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"Malfoy and Granger!"

Hermione looked up. She glanced at Draco, who was walking towards her. She gulped and looked down at the plant in front of her.

They were in Herbology, and Professor Sprout had paired each one with someone from the opposite House. The Gryffindors weren't with the Hufflepuffs anymore; their course schedule was changed since they were now in sixth year.

"What are we supposed to do?" he asked quietly.

Hermione turned to him. "Weren't you listening to what Professor Sprout had said?"

He shook his head.

"We're supposed to prune them." She said irritably. She grabbed her shears and handed it to Draco. "Here."

She took an extra pair and started on the plant. Draco, watching her for a while, began as well.

~

They worked in silence at first. Every now and then, Draco would ask if what he was doing was correct and Hermione would answer yes. Finally, she broke the silence.

"Malfoy."

He grunted in reply as he continued working on the plant.

Hermione put her shears down. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing."

"What happened last summer?"

"It's none of your business."

Hermione put her hand on his arm. "It's you… isn't it?" she said sympathetically. "You're the student who lost his parents…"

Draco stopped pruning. He turned to her angrily. "Why do you even care?"

"Because I want the old Draco Malfoy back and… I feel sorry for you."

"What?" he exclaimed. "I don't need your pity."

Hermione glared at him. "Yes you do. And I want the ferret boy that I once knew who was a sneering, smirking, annoying and unbelievably arrogant prat. But don't use the word care. Because I don't CARE about you, got it? I just feel sorry."

"Well, don't feel sorry for me."

He turned to the plant and began pruning once again. Hermione looked at him, feeling very stupid. Of course, she thought. This IS Draco Malfoy. He'll never let his pride down, even when he's already alone…

With that, she picked her shears up and started working on the plant.

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A/N: Finally! I'm done with my exams and I've got enough time to write this fanfic! Plus, it's just graduation practice next week! Yes, I'm graduating! I'm starting high school next schoolyear!

Anyway…

Yes, about the story. You might think that Hermione's totally into Draco, but she's not. Well, not yet. She just thinks that Draco's acting a bit too weirdly lately and she has a hunch that something happened to him last summer and being a very kind person, she feels sorry for him.

Anyway, I hope you all liked my story, and I'm sure you all did. That's why you have to REVIEW!!

See ya!