Chapter 6: I Can Be Nice (but I won't tell you why)

A/n: Thanks so much for your reviews, I luv them. And, I'm especially sorry about giving you a headache.

Ack, this chapter annoys me. She is always running from Harry and Ron, but I suppose that this is necessary. So don't hex me, okay?

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"Now why would you want to do that?" Some one said behind me.

"Why not?" I whirled around.

"Because the game is already over," Ron answered impishly, striding over to where I was standing.

"Oh." Today just seemed to be my day, and the only good thing about it was that Malfoy had yet to make another stunning appearance. I wrinkled my nose. "I'm sorry that I missed it.

"Don't be. We lost." He shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing.

"What?! B-but we can't lose!"

"Oh yes we can-"

"But how?" I interrupted.

"Well for one, Harry wasn't even on the team today, and for another," he lowered his voice, "I have reason to believe that Malfoy is on some sort of steroid -like medication."

I waited for him to go on, but he didn't. "Care to explain yourself?"

"What is there to explain?" he shrugged again. "You'll see for yourself later."

"Ron," I clenched my fists. "I have to know what was going on with Malfoy earlier today!"

"Why?" he asked in shock.

"Just- tell- me."

He gaped. "What is wrong with you? Your little obsession with Malfoy is getting just a tad bit out of hand, you know. Don't you even care why Harry wasn't on the team today?"

"I don't have time to care!" I blurted. Immediately, my hands shot over my mouth. What a terrible thing to say. "I mean, I have to go! Give my regards to Harry!" I yelled as I flew (figuratively =P) down the hall. At the end of the second corridor on the left hand side near the west end of the castle, I saw through a window to the outside. Blurs and blobs of green clad students were jumping, screaming, and yelling, although I assumed it wasn't because they were sick.

So we truly did lose. I found this very hard to take; we never lost, save one game in third year. Harry is going to be terribly upset, I thought to myself. I leaned back against the wall and sighed. I was not in the mood for surprises, why couldn't Ron have just told me what happened to Malfoy? The suspense was killing me. Sort of. How could a person go through 'whatever' it was Ron noticed just by taking steroids, overnight? Hold on, how would Ron know about steroids?! Unless they had wizard steroids- oy, the world is a strange and demeaning place.

Perhaps he had returned to the clinic by now. Yes, my thoughts spoke. He returned to the clinic to celebrate a Slytherin victory. Sounds like a blast. But you did never know with him. Maybe he really is on steroids. That would give him reason to return to the clinic. I frowned. Lack of breakfast, lack of brain.

Not waiting another moment, and with the hopes that I would not bump into Ron again, I headed for the clinic. By the time I reached the all too familiar scene, the quidditch stands had filed out and students crowded the hallways. I heard several of the paintings complaining in anguish- 'Hey- watch the varnish!'

I looked for Malfoy above the crowd, but he was nowhere to be seen. Alone, I headed into the clinic. More empty beds bombarded the room, except for one. I rushed over to the bed, worry apparent on my face.

"Harry?" I asked softly, staring at the boy asleep in the bed. My mind screamed with bewilderment. It was near the beginning of the year, Voldemort almost never attacked until the end. Goodness, you think you know a wizard. "Madame Pomfrey?"

A strained face looked over at me. "What happened?" I asked.

She laughed lightly. "Nothing too terrible. Stomachache, I do believe. Its amazing how much sugar that boy can hold, we nearly had to drain him." I heard Harry hiccup loudly in his sleep. I never knew Harry and sugar to mix. Perhaps I was neglecting my friends a wee too much.

"And, er, what happened to Malfoy?"

Her lips thinned. "I don't know what it is that you did, but he finally shut up. Strolled out of here this morning as if nothing was wrong."

"He didn't say anything about me, did he?" I asked slowly. If he were back to normal, there would be no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't have hesitated insulting me, regardless of my absence.

The old woman tried to smile knowingly. "No dear, he didn't happen to mention your name." She strolled over and put a hand on my shoulder. "But don't worry, there's still hope for you."

"What?!" I asked, exasperated.

"It's obvious that, dare I say it?- Mr. Malfoy tickles your fancy?" She giggled, I wanted to wretch.

"Oh no, you have it all wrong. I am definitely not interested in him, of all people." I shook her hand off of my shoulder.

"Of course you don't," she said fakely. "Now run along, I have work to do."

"What work? The only person in here is Harry and he's well asleep! I have more questions-"

"No more questions. Run along," she repeated.

"But-"

"Go."

"Yes Ma'am," I resigned as my shoulders fell. Adults had me all wrong, especially this nurse of ours. The last thing that I felt for Malfoy was any sort of like- ness. That boy got under my skin easier than Ron. Which is saying a lot, considering how often we end up fighting.

I stared blankly ahead at the now empty halls. Exactly when would I be meeting this Malfoy to give reason to hope that he was finally back to normal? I was almost afraid to step outside. Looking back at the sleeping Harry, I took a leap of faith back out into the hall, just waiting for Mr. Weird to pop out at some obscene moment.

"Do you suppose anyone is still out there?" I asked a portrait of a young girl, pointing to the way outside. She shook her head 'no'. "Thanks," I said, smiling gratefully. Almost giddy, I walked outside and took a deep breath of the fresh air. It felt wonderful to be outside again, free of worry and conflict. The stands were almost bare, but you could still feel the exhilarating rush of quidditch in the air. It was apparent that they had just played, although the air of loss hung over the Gryffindor stands. Regardless, I grinned.

I made my way past the dead stands, heading for my spot under a tree where I spent some of my free time. The view was fantastic, loaded with mountains, a glimmering lake and, my favorite, tranquillity. I nestled beneath the gnarled tree, resting my head for a moment. My wand found its way to my hand, where I toyed with it mindlessly, counting the minutes that passed me by.

Twenty minutes into my glory, he wandered by.

"Hullo Hermione," Draco greeted.

"Hullo." I nodded. He bent down to pick up a smooth, flat rock, already changed from his quidditch robes into his conventional black cape. "So, are you done being weird yet?"

He smiled. "No, not yet. But I will be the moment that I figure all of this out."

"So who are you now? Mother Teresa? Fabio? Michael Jackson?" I asked sarcastically.

He threw the rock against the water, a perfect skipping shadowed in ripples. "I don't really know who those people are, so I suppose that the answer would be a 'no'."

I chewed on my lip for a moment. "Now you remember everything?"

"I don't know about everything. There are a couple of foggy memories, several unclear moments. But I have figured out that this is not who I am supposed to be."

"And how did you manage that?"

"Magic. Wands are so useful."

"I'm still lost," I said. "You're normal Malfoy?"

"I do not believe so."

"Uh-huh. You are here because-?" I continued.

"Aren't you my friend?" He cocked his blond head to the side. "I remember you, trying to help me."

"Hardly. My helping you was necessary, I needed to protect the other students here at this school," I said wholly. Better that he knew now that I was not his friend, and with persona 'Justin' being gone, it wasn't truly breaking my promise.

"Oh." He skipped another rock. "Pity."

I tried not to look interested in what he said, what this 'pity' meant. "What's your name?"

"Draco." He looked back over his shoulder at me. "I don't think that I should be bothering you any longer here, so I'll be on my way. See you around."

I watched him walk away, completely in shock. I sat up straight, almost ready to get back up on my feet and chase after the boy. Where was my grief? Wasn't I supposed to be dealing with some bizarre personality of his? He owed me something unfamiliar and avidly insane, damnit!

He can't have just walked away from me, pretending to be nice. It wasn't the Draco, this person was far too humane. Its bothersome to think about him being humane, I never got the post that hell had already frozen over.

A part of me was upset, where were the steroids? I was so wrapped up in my dilemma, I hardly took this new personality as a blessing. It felt so wrong, watching Malfoy actually being right for once. Normal. Average. Standard.

I was at a loss for action. I didn't know what to do, I wasn't expecting this. Do I help him figure out what is going on or do I stay clear of his way? It wasn't truly my problem... but he seemed so nice. I sighed, it wasn't like he asked for my specific help. But it was rather flattering to know that he came to me of all people- out of everyone in the school.

Feeling high and mighty, I stood up and made my way after Draco Malfoy. Hopefully, this was for the last time.

A/n: Wadja think? Was I being clear enough? Just to let you know, the end is not near, we still have a ways to go. That's right, I'm not done playing around with Malfoy just yet... By the way, today is my BIRTHDAY! So review, and make me happy!

~* Special thanks to my three reviewers, you guys ROCK!*~