A/N: Wow, it's been ages since I've last posted. A dear friend of mine inspired me to keep writing, so well, here I am. Thanks for editing it Nim! Thanks to those people who enjoyed the story so far. Please R/R, flames are welcomed (as long as their educated flames). Comments, Questions, Criticism whatever. Oh yeah…. I said before that this was set in their 5th book, it's actually in their 6th. Sorry! And the end of the last chapter was cut off, so I'm beginning from where it cut it off.

Chapter 5

Harry and Ron ate their food, listening to Fred and George's jokes. Seamus and Neville were busy talking about Ireland's chances of winning the Quidditch World cup, while Dean tried to finish the lesson chapter for Transfiguration. The enchanted ceiling was dark and gloomy, looking as if October rain was going to start soon.

Harry and Ron were nearly done with their dinner, when they noticed that Hermione still wasn't back from the library.

"Isn't she planning to eat at all?" Harry asked as he drained the last of his pumpkin juice. Ron responded with a shrug, poking at the last of his mashed potatoes.

"I'm gonna go take her a plate of food, I'll meet you back in the Common Room." Harry said, picking up one of the gold plates on the table and putting a mixture of food on it. He grabbed a goblet and poured pumpkin juice into it. As he picked them up, he nodded a good-bye to everyone then disappeared out the doors in the Great Hall.

Hermione sat at the farthest table of the library, pretending to be reading but really just flipping through the pages of her Charms textbook. She was remembering when she realized that Draco wasn't really bad.

It was after their 4th year, she was at Diagon Alley, doing her school shopping. Her parents had dropped her off, so she was alone, which she didn't mind much. Walking into Flourish and Blotts she groaned at the sight that awaited her. Draco Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy were there, also getting Draco's books. Sadly, the only clerk there was helping them and she was forced to stand by and wait. As Lucius said thank you and paid, he and Draco turned around, stopping at the site of Hermione.

"Well, well, well…if it isn't Miss Hermione Granger…the Muggle-Born witch." Lucius sneered. "Your parents aren't here am I correct"

Hermione nodded, keeping her eyes locked on Lucius'.

"Serves them right actually. They don't belong here. The same way you don't belong at Hogwarts."

SMACK. The sound echoed through out the book store and the few other people in the store all looked, in stunned silence, as Lucius' cheek turned red from the impact of Hermione's hand.

"I belong at Hogwarts, and in this world. It's evil wizards that have no dignity and no respect for others that don't belong here. That sounds an awful lot like you, Mr. Malfoy." Her face was burning with anger as she glances at Draco and thought she saw a slight smirk, but couldn't tell since she quickly set her eyes back to Lucius. But by the time her eyes met his, a wand was already pointed at her.

"You silly, foolish girl," he said in a cold, cruel voice. "No one insults me that way." The words come out slowly, and icily as his wrist begin to flick.

"No! Leave her alone!" Draco suddenly shouted, pushing past his father and pulling Hermione down.

Lucius' aim moved with the push, and shot to the side, over and away from Hermione. The spell hit the B on the store sign on the window, causing a hole to appear. Draco pulled himself and Hermione up, holding her by the arm.

"You have no right to talk to her that way then try to attack her. You--" Draco tried to continue but couldn't finish because he was cut off.

"We are leaving now. Let us go." Lucius mumbled as he grabbed Draco's arm, pushing him forward and forcing him to let go of Hermione. He poked him in the back with his stick, pushing him forward to start walking. Hermione watched in shock, as Draco gave her a small smile. "See you at school."

Hermione didn't respond, as she watched Lucius push his son out the door, causing him to nearly stumble.

"I'm so sorry," she said to the clerk, and took out her wand, pointing it to the window. "Venano Repero," and the window restored it's self to perfection. She handed the clerk the list of books she needed and he quickly retrieved the books.

"Now, now, don't you go letting wizards like that get to you," the clerk said as he gave her her change back.

"Thank you, but I won't." She smiled at the clerk and he smiled back. She hadn't been thinking of Mr. Malfoy, but instead of Draco.

Hermione mindlessly turn a page in the book, as she sighed.

"Hermione?"

She jumped at the sound of her named and looked up.

"Hello Harry," she said, smiling at him.

"I brought you dinner."

"Oh, thank you. That's sweet of you," she said as Harry sat the plate and goblet on the table, in front of her, sliding onto the bench to sit down beside her.

"How are you doing?"

"Okay, thanks. Is Ron okay?"

"Yeah, he's just been a bit angry lately, but he'll be fine."

"I feel so bad," she took a long drink of her pumpkin juice. "Are you happy Draco and I ended it?"

"What. Yes. No. Yes and no." Harry said as Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"You were happy when you were with him, but you always seemed torn in two. Slytherins and even some Gryffindors mocked you, but you and Malfoy ignored it. It's been almost a year and you've lived through it. I know what it's like to have half of the school talk about me behind my back, and I know it's not easy. You were stronger than anyone could have guessed, but now that the two of you aren't together, you can't let that stop you from being strong, and living life like you did before. I want both of my best friends to be happy, and you were happy with Draco, and even though it pained Ron to see you two together, he still wants to see you happy. I honestly think, even if it might take awhile, that Ron will be able to move on. And you need to too." Harry stood up and pulled Hermione into his embrace.

"I'll see you at the common room," he said as he pulled away and turned around.

"Wait, Harry."

"Yeah?" He responded as he stopped and turned around.

"Thank you."

"Anytime Hermione, anytime."