It was the next morning when we were in the shower as Malfoy turned around to grab the soap. I looked closely and noticed tiny cuts and scars placed over his shoulders and backs. Not even realizing what I was doing I reached out a hand and traced the scars with my fingers. Instantly Malfoy whirled around and looked at me intensely.
"What happened?" I whispered still staring at the spots where his scars used to be, which was now his chest.
"Nothing." He muttered through clenched teeth and reached around me to grab the washcloth he brought in with him.
"That doesn't look like nothing Malfoy, what happened?" I asked once more when he began to wash his chest.
"Do you want this when I'm done?" He asked holding up the red cloth.
I shook my head and lowered it with my own hand impatiently.
"What happened Malfoy?" I asked once more and could tell it was a mistake as he instantly tensed up.
"DROP IT GRANGER!" He bellowed silencing me instantly.
The tone he used wasn't one I was familiar with; it was full of anger, sadness, bitterness, and most of all contempt. I snapped my mouth shut and turned around so he wouldn't see my fearful eyes becoming filled with sadness.
I didn't think of what I was doing as I lifted my left hand to begin washing myself, but with Malfoy behind me, his right arm came up around me, making me warm even with the water cascading down my body.
I stopped what I was doing and was about to turn around when I felt his grip on my waist tighten for a moment, and then loosen.
"I didn't mean to pry, I'm sorry." I whispered looking down.
I let my hand drop so he didn't have to keep his arm around me any longer then needed.
"It's fine, let's just get out and get down to breakfast." He said in a forced tone.
I nodded my head in agreement.
We walked down to the Great Hall in silence, which was a complete first for the two of us. We entered into the friendly chattering and made our way towards the Gryffindor Table where Ron and Harry were already saving our seats.
"Good Morning Hermione, been a while since we've seen you." Ron said patting the spot next to him.
I smiled softly at him and took my spot to Malfoy's disgruntlement, as he had to sit next to Harry.
"How are you doing Hermione?" Harry asked with obvious intentions.
I watched Malfoy narrow his eyes at me and level his gaze as I squeaked out,
"Fine thanks."
Harry gave me a peculiar look but went back to his breakfast. We were almost halfway through the silence when someone tapped me on the shoulder. All four of us turned around and saw Dean grinning at me.
I couldn't help but smile happily back at his obvious enthusiasm, instantly putting me in a better mood.
"Hullo Dean." I said cheerily.
"What do you do if someone asks you to the upcoming Hogsmead trip yet you're handcuffed to someone else?" He asked grinning wider.
I smiled back slightly, not even understanding why I was in such a good mood, probably just happy to see a friendly face after Malfoy.
"I have no idea."
"Well I do hope you come up with a solution soon because I would like you to go with me."
I could feel Malfoy tense up next to me as he slowly turned to face Dean with blazing eyes. I blushed under the attention of four males, all of which were extremely handsome in their own ways.
"That's awfully nice…" I began but Malfoy cut me off.
"If you think you're going to take Granger to Hogsmead with you while I am supposed to be drug along, you are completely mistaken."
"I believe I was asking Hermione, not you." Dean muttered as snickers arose from the table.
"And I thought I could only be blessed so much. Listen here Thomas, while Granger and I are cuffed together, there will be no romantic outings. Wait until the key shows up."
"Says who?" Dean challenged narrowing his eyes.
I watched with wide eyes as Malfoy slowly stood up to his full height, showing he was rather taller then Dean. For further prevention of bloodshed I stood up as well and placed a hand on Dean's arm.
"Malfoy's right, I would feel too awkward having him there. But the weekend I'm free oh these cuffs, how about we go to Hogsmead?" I offered.
I could feel Malfoy tense next to me as Dean grinned happily and walked away with some friends.
"You could have been a little more polite Malfoy, I'm always civil to your friends!" I said turning around to glare at him.
"You're civil because you're weak and a Gryffindor. If someone is nice to you then you automatically assume you have to be nice back to that person." He said staring at me.
"It's called manners, something that has surely died along with your chivalry." I spat back out.
"It's called stupidity Granger." He said stepping forward so we were a mere inch apart.
"You're such a greasy prat Malfoy." I said shaking my head.
"And you're an uptight chit." He countered.
"At least I know what being human means." I muttered loud enough to hear him.
It was then that his eyes changed from annoyance to contempt.
"You wouldn't know what human was Granger, filth like you aren't human."
The area around us went silent and I stared at him with disbelief and shock as Harry held Ron back.
I slowly shut my mouth and looked away from the staring eyes, picked up my bag, and without waiting walked away with Malfoy behind me.
The rest of the day I remained completely silent as Malfoy made no move to try and communicate with me. We were sitting at the Slytherin table not muttering a word when Blaise sat down next to me.
"You two seem awfully quiet for what I've seen of your tempers." He commented.
I lifted my head up slightly and gave him a weak smile before going back to pushing some peas around on my plate.
"Why so glum?" He asked in a soft voice.
I shook my head slowly without looking at him and remained silent while Malfoy sighed in irritation next to me.
"Let me guess, Malfoy said something rather crude to you…yet again?" He asked.
I was so shocked that I looked up at him with surprise, which he returned with a knowing smile. I smiled back slightly and enjoyed the feeling of comfort I was receiving from him.
"I'm tired." Malfoy said and stood up taking me with him.
The only thing giving off noise was the clattering of our feet against the stone as we made our way to the infirmary.
We walked to our corner, dressed back to back, and turned towards the bed. Without offering a word I crawled in and felt him crawl in next to me.
"Hand me that pillow." He said.
Rolling my eyes I picked it up and threw it roughly over my shoulder.
"OOF!" He cried out as it hit him square in the face to my delight.
"What was that for?" He asked angrily but I wouldn't answer him.
"Granger." He said in a warning voice.
I answered by pulling away farther from him and curling up in a ball.
"GRANGER!" He bellowed.
"WHAT?" I yelled turning around.
"What's the matter with you tonight." He asked innocently.
I narrowed my eyes at him and replied,
"Make this far more easy on the both of us and don't talk to me…EVER."
I threw myself back onto my side of the bed and felt a hand lay on my arm.
"Granger, what's wrong?" He asked frustrated.
"If you have no inkling of a clue as to why I am in this right mood, then you are even more of a prat then I thought."
"Merlin is this about the comment I made earlier?" He asked.
"You think?" I asked sarcastically.
He sighed and I felt the bed lower as he laid back against his pillows.
"I didn't mean it." He whispered in an honest tone.
I slowly turned on my side to look at him and asked sadly,
"Then why did you say it?"
He closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose before replying,
"I don't know, I was just mad and it just came out. I didn't mean it."
I could tell that this was the closest to an apology I would receive from Malfoy so I smiled weakly and nodded my head.
"Okay." I whispered.
"Night Granger."
"Good night Malfoy."
(I KNOW IT'S SHORT AND DIDN'T HAVE MUCH D/Hr ACTION BUT THIS CHAPTER WAS NEEDED)