When Hermione awoke the next morning, Harry wasn't there. Probably at
breakfast, she thought. What's new? She quickly got pretty and ran
downstairs with her books. She spotted Harry talking to Ron. That's odd,
she thought. She sat down next to Harry. "What happened overnight?" she
asked.
"We made up," said Ron. "You have to know; I'm really sorry."
"Apology accepted. Now I'm so glad I have another person to talk to," said Hermione happily. "Harry, we have Potions next. Expect detention and nothing less."
"Oh, shit," swore Harry. Hermione glared at him. "Malfoy and Snape," he groaned.
"I feel sorry for you, mate," sympathized Ron. "At least I was there Wednesday."
"Just do what he says and you'll be fine," advised Hermione.
"No, I won't," said Harry. "You'll be fine. He doesn't hate you as much as me. At least you're good at Potions. I suck."
"You do not," she said. He just grades to a very high standard."
"Well, we'd better get going," pointed out Ron. "The class starts in five minutes. If you don't want two detentions, we'd better be there on time."
"Let's go," agreed Hermione. They exited the Great Hall to the Entrance Hall and took a door that led down to the dungeons.
Waiting for Snape outside the Potions room door, Harry said, "The last time I was dreading seeing Snape this much was Occlumency."
"That sounded awful," said Ron. "I mean, when you told us what he did to you."
"It was awful," agreed Harry.
There were footsteps approaching, and Snape appeared. He unlocked the classroom door.
"Get in," he said. He gave Harry a glare that told him he was in for torture. Malfoy, who had just arrived, smirked at Harry.
Draco mouthed, "Granger."
Harry whispered, "Shut the hell up," right back.
Snape caught Harry talking. "Five points from Gryffindor for talking and an additional ten for using profanity." Hermione stared at him. Harry pointed to Malfoy. "Settle down," Snape hissed. "Get into groups of three." Harry automatically moved towards Ron and Hermione. "No, Potter. Draco, come here. And you, Granger, I'll let you stay with Potter and Draco. Weasley, go with Crabbe and Goyle. Parkinson, stop whimpering. Go with Patil and Brown."
Harry couldn't believe his ears. Well, to look at the bright side, he was with Hermione. No, he thought, there is no bright side to working with Malfoy. Hermione shrugged at him and dragged her books over, as did Malfoy.
"Good morning," Draco said happily. "Isn't this your favorite class?"
Before Harry could retort, Hermione replied, "Go to hell, Malfoy." Both boys looked at her. Malfoy recovered from shock first.
"Well, I like a feisty woman," he said. Now Harry and Hermione both fixed him with death glares.
"Settle down, settle down," said Snape. "Now, today we'll be brewing the Polyjuice Potion." Harry, Hermione, and Ron all caught each other's eyes and grinned. "This is a very difficult potion and should not be attempted before seventh year." The trio smiled again. Each one wished they would be working together because they'd get full score. "Now one person from each group will get lacewing flies, leeches, fluxweed, knotgrass, powdered horn of bicorn, and shredded skin of boomslang." Once Hermione had brought the ingredients back to the table, Snape continued. "This potion takes about a month to complete. You learned about this potion during your fifth year. You should remember that it lets you transform into whomever you want for an hour. Directions are on the board. Start!"
Harry and Draco both slouched back in their seats. Hermione stared at them. "Aren't you going to help?"
"You're perfectly capable of making a potion by yourself," said Draco.
"This is probably the only time in my life that I'll agree with Malfoy, but I'm doing it," stated Harry.
"Malfoy, you don't have to help," said Hermione. "In fact, it'll be better if you don't. But Harry, you weren't here on Wednesday. If you don't at least look like you're helping, Snape will give you two detentions."
"Yes, Saint Potter," mimicked Malfoy. "Be a good boy and help."
"I don't recall asking you to join this conversation," snapped Hermione.
"Why do you use such big sentences?" asked Malfoy, unperturbed. "Wouldn't it be easier to just say, 'Shut the hell up?'"
"All right then, if you prefer swearing, you bastard, I'll curse the shit out of you and kick your ass if you don't shut the fuck and hell up."
Malfoy gazed at her in awe. "Whatever."
"Hermione," said Harry weakly. "I think the swearing thing is getting to you now."
"Yes, Hermione," Draco imitated again. "I believe Saint Potter is too holy to hear that kind of language."
"That will be baby talk compared to what I'll say to you if you don't shut up," said Harry threateningly.
"Why don't we all pitch in and help," suggested Draco. "Before we all hurt ourselves."
"Only if you actually help," said Hermione.
"Oh, trust me, I will," assured Draco.
"Trust you?" laughed Hermione. "That'll happen."
Once Hermione had picked up the first ingredient, she was deeply immersed in the potion.
"Okay, Harry," she directed. "You take the knotgrass and put it in. Malfoy, you take the leeches. "Take turns stirring for five minutes. I'll be measuring the other ingredients until then."
Harry and Draco obediently dumped in their ingredients. While Harry stirred first, Draco stared inconspicuously at Hermione measuring. When she was concentrating, she furrowed her brow and her perfectly curved nose was accented even more. She was hott and off limits. Draco felt like cursing Potter. Can I deny that I like her? He asked himself. Hermione looked up to check their progress and caught Draco's eye. He gave her as sweet and genuine a smile as he could muster. She blushed furiously and dropped her powdered horn of bicorn.
"All right, Malfoy, you stir now," she said. She picked up her spilled powder. "Harry!" she whispered. He looked over.
"What?"
"Stand right here." She moved him in front of her.
"Malfoy?" he mouthed. She nodded. Harry glared at Draco and stood blocking Hermione.
Two minutes later, Hermione said, "All right. Each of you take two of the remaining ingredients and dump them in."
She picked up the fluxweed and flies to give to Harry. He took them and dumped them in.
She reached to pick up the powder and shredded skin to give to Harry to give to Malfoy, but apparently Draco felt he could get it for himself. His hand closed on top of hers. Hermione gasped at the feel of his hand but did not pull it away. She rather closed her eyes as if to feel the full effect of Draco's touch. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and warmly smiled at Draco, who grinned back. Harry, meanwhile, was adding ingredients and did not see this whole episode.
When the bell rang, Draco slid Hermione a note and left. She slit it open. It read:
Hermione,
I am truly sorry for anything I've ever done that hurt you. I wanted to make up before we go our separate ways after school. I don't know what I'll have to do to apologize. Will you forgive me? Meet me at break before lunch in my room. I want to talk. No one will be there. See you.
Draco
Hermione sighed and looked up, but Draco wasn't there. Did she dare believe that he was trying to be nice? Harry would be furious if he found out, she thought. Am I only going because he's hot? No, who said I was going at all? Well, I suppose I'll hear him out.
"Hermione, let's go," urged Harry. "What is that?"
"This?" asked Hermione. "Oh, a note from Lavender. Let's go."
"You will not go," said Snape from a corner. Both had forgotten he was there, and, looking around, realized that everybody had already left. "You two need to explain why you weren't here Wednesday."
"Umm." started Hermione. "Well, I was in the hospital wing with a headache."
"Very well," snapped Snape, clearly angry that he couldn't give her a detention, though Hermione didn't think he believed her. "And where were you, Potter?"
"I was."
"Exactly what I thought, Potter. Skiving off classes. Detention, my office. Five o'clock this evening."
"But, Professor," complained Harry. "I was going to Hogsmeade."
"Exactly. You 'were' going. Goodbye."
Harry and Hermione both swept from the classroom, but Hermione wasn't nearly as mad as Harry.
"Can you believe it?" he asked. "I didn't even have to answer before the bastard gave me detention. And tonight was our date!"
"I know, Harry," said Hermione. "But we've still got Truth or Dare!"
"Yeah, but are you going to Hogsmeade alone, then?"
"Maybe with Ron," replied Hermione. "I have some shopping to do anyway."
"Even if that's settled," said Harry. "What the hell was Malfoy trying to do to you?"
"That's how he usually is, Harry," said Hermione. "Just ignore him."
"Oh, it's really easy to ignore him when he's mouthing you name and dissing me," said Harry sarcastically.
"He's probably just trying to get attention," replied Hermione.
"Mione, babies try to get attention. He's up to something, and I wish I knew what it was."
"Me too, Harry," sighed Hermione. "Me too."
Charms passed with no further disruptions. Harry and Hermione only got extra homework, Professor Flitwick being the nice teacher he was.
"Are you going to start homework during break?" Ron asked Hermione as they were leaving the classroom.
"No," replied Hermione. "Professor McGonagall asked me to meet her. I'll see you at lunch in about 25 minutes, all right?"
"Sure," said Harry. "Be careful. You, know, Malfoy."
"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
"I only wish I could believe that," muttered Harry so only Ron could hear him.
* * * *
Draco quickly left his second hour class and hurried to his room. He made the bed because, sadly, the house elf hadn't come yet.
He wasn't going to get her in bed yet, not today. He'd talk to her, get her to trust him, maybe kiss some more..
He sat waiting, dreading and yet anticipating the knock that came on his door.
* * * *
Hermione walked slowly to the Slytherin part of the castle. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing, lying to her best friends and fraternizing with the enemy. Am I being stupid and naïve? She thought. Believing a Slytherin, not just any, Draco Malfoy, because he touched my hand and gave me a note? After all he did this week? Am I stupid?
She reached the solid bit of wall between two statues where the Slytherin common room was hidden.
Breathing quite fast, she whispered the password. She walked in stealthily, not quite sure if anyone was there. Maybe it was a trick of Malfoy's to lure her into the common room where the whole of Slytherin was waiting.
Hermione cautiously walked up the staircase. She didn't know where Draco's room was, but at the top was a plate on the first door that read: Seventh Years. She walked in and found a girls' corridor and a boys' corridor. The last room down the boys' corridor was Draco's, according to the nameplate.
Swallowing because of her dry throat, she knocked on the door.
* * * *
Draco took a deep breath and said, "Come in."
Hermione walked in nervously and whispered, "Hello."
Draco took time to realized how easy it was to diss her in a large group of people but how hard it was to talk to her one-on-one. "You can, um, sit down," he said, pushing away all fears and gesturing to the spot on the bed next to him.
Hermione frowned suspiciously and sat down at the very end of the bed, as far from him as possible. Did he really know how to be a gentleman?
They both sat in silence for a minute. Draco broke the calm and said, "This is really weird."
"Well, you said you were apologizing," said Hermione, grasping the conversation. "So apologize."
"Sorry," he said. "I don't know what else to say."
"Oh, so now 'sorry' is supposed to make up for all you've done?" snapped Hermione.
"Don't get mad," said Draco softly. "This is hard to do."
"What you can do," stated Hermione, "is tell me all the times you remember that you insulted me or my friends, and maybe I'll consider."
"How the hell am I supposed to remember all the times I've dissed Potter? That's probably more times than I've said the word 'I' and that's saying something."
"It is saying something," agreed Hermione. "I want to know if you remember or feel bad about making fun of other people. So start with first year."
"I'm not going by year," stated Draco stubbornly. "I'll just say them as I remember."
"Okay, so say them."
"Okay. Damn, this is hard. Let's see; I've called you a mudblood millions of times; I joined the 'Inquisitorial Squad' with Umbridge."
"I remember that," cut in Hermione. "You held us for Umbridge and took Harry's wand."
"Potter deserved it."
"He did not. Keep going."
"I made 'Weasley is our King.' God, that was a great song." Hermione frowned.
"That's not apologizing," she said.
"Sorry," he said. He moved closer to Hermione. "Anyway, I dissed Weasley's parents and his 'financial status,' if that's what you want to call it; I dissed Potter's parents. Remember those 'Support Cedric Diggory' badges? They said 'Potter stinks,' too."
"I remember perfectly well," she said coldly.
"Well, anyway," he said, scooting a little closer to her. She noticed but didn't move away. "Um, I made fun of your giant friend Hagrid."
"I slapped you one time and you deserved it," said Hermione.
"No, I didn't, but anyway, all the other times I made fun of Hagrid. All the stuff I did to Potter during the Triwizard; what I did to you this week.. I can't remember anything else."
"I'm sure there's tons more, but that'll do," said Hermione. "And you're truly sorry for all of this?"
She took control of this conversation, thought Draco. She's so bossy. He sighed. "I'm sorry for all the stuff I said to you, but definitely not Weasley, Potter, or Hagrid.."
"Why are you apologizing then?" asked Hermione. "Why did you call me up here?"
"Well, I only like you," he confessed.
"Like I said," she returned, "why would I believe you?" Draco was now inches from her.
"I apologized," whispered Draco. "And I like you." He kissed her. Hermione was in emotional heaven, but she realized that she was doing something wrong. She pulled away after a few seconds.
"I can't," she said. "I'm still not sure about you, and I like Harry."
"Who cares about Potter?" he said, though he did care if she loved Potter. He attempted to kiss her again, but she didn't let him.
"No, really, Draco," she said. "I can't. This started off well; keep it that way; let's be friends."
"Do you love him?" Draco asked randomly.
"Excuse me?" she asked. "That's my private life!"
"I'm asking you," he repeated stubbornly. "Do you?"
"If I do?"
"He loves you," said Draco.
"What do you know about love?" asked Hermione aggressively.
Silence. "That stings," said Draco. "Just because I'm not your Saint Potter doesn't mean I hate everyone."
"How do you know he loves me?" repeated Hermione.
"He told me."
"He just told you?" asked Hermione incredulously.
"No," replied Draco. "I forced it out of him."
"What do you care anyway?" inquired Hermione.
"Just wondering," said Draco.
"Look," said Hermione. "I have to go. I didn't tell Harry where I was going."
"Good."
"But I need to go now. I had fun, Draco, making you apologize. I felt like I was changing you from the bastard you've been."
"I feel good now, too, Hermione. See you tonight."
"Oh, you're going to Truth or Dare?" she asked.
"Yeah," answered Draco. "Are you going to Hogsmeade?"
"Yes."
"Is Potter going?"
"He has detention from Snape," replied Hermione.
"I'll see you there, then," he grinned.
"Ron's going too, thought," said Hermione. "So don't try anything."
"Oh, well," said Draco. "I'll still see you tonight. Bye, Hermione."
"Wow. Coming in I was Granger, and now I'm Hermione."
"We're friends now, thought," he said. "Right?"
"I think so, Draco. But I'm still watching you. Harry and Ron just can't k now. Bye!"
"Bye!" said Draco. Hermione left, and he collapsed on his bed. Success! He thought. She believes me!
* * * *
Hermione left his room with her heart racing. Did she believe him? Did he have it in him to be a nice person? He did call her Hermione, and that was a first. But she had a guaranteed guy: Harry. Why was she fooling around with Draco anyway? Because he's dead sexy, she thought. And he kisses like a god. Am I being unfaithful to Harry? He loves me so much; he even told Draco. And I repay him by cheating on him? I wasn't cheating on him, though; Draco kissed me. I didn't start it. But I did hold it for a few seconds. It was so good. He tastes so great, and he's so passionate and gentle and- No! Hermione, stop thinking like that. You're going to go tell Harry what Malfoy's been doing so Harry knows you haven't been cheating on him. But I can't! I want to see Draco again. I do? Yeah! I like him. No, I don't. How do I know he's not lying?
While she was confused in her thoughts, her feet had taken her to the Great Hall.
She sat down next to Harry and Ron but did not serve herself food.
"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Ron.
"I'm not really hungry," she said. Ron blinked at he.
"How can you not be hungry?"
"I'm just not." She leaned back in her chair and tried to sort out her feelings while Harry and Ron yapped on about the latest Quidditch game that the Chudley Cannons had won.
* * * *
Draco smiled and got up. This was too easy; she was too trusting. She may be booksmart, he thought, but she's socially stupid. How could I actually be sorry? I'm not sorry. I'll never be sorry about Potter or Weasley. Maybe not even her. Well, yes, I guess her. If I like her, I have to be sorry. I did agree that I like her then? Damn, that wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to go about my job, but now I like her? And she called me Draco.. And she kissed me! Well, actually I kissed her, but still. That's not to say that she didn't push me away the second time, though. We'll see about Potter. I swear, by the time this is done, she'll think twice before saying that she loves him.
What Draco didn't know is that his oath would come true.
"We made up," said Ron. "You have to know; I'm really sorry."
"Apology accepted. Now I'm so glad I have another person to talk to," said Hermione happily. "Harry, we have Potions next. Expect detention and nothing less."
"Oh, shit," swore Harry. Hermione glared at him. "Malfoy and Snape," he groaned.
"I feel sorry for you, mate," sympathized Ron. "At least I was there Wednesday."
"Just do what he says and you'll be fine," advised Hermione.
"No, I won't," said Harry. "You'll be fine. He doesn't hate you as much as me. At least you're good at Potions. I suck."
"You do not," she said. He just grades to a very high standard."
"Well, we'd better get going," pointed out Ron. "The class starts in five minutes. If you don't want two detentions, we'd better be there on time."
"Let's go," agreed Hermione. They exited the Great Hall to the Entrance Hall and took a door that led down to the dungeons.
Waiting for Snape outside the Potions room door, Harry said, "The last time I was dreading seeing Snape this much was Occlumency."
"That sounded awful," said Ron. "I mean, when you told us what he did to you."
"It was awful," agreed Harry.
There were footsteps approaching, and Snape appeared. He unlocked the classroom door.
"Get in," he said. He gave Harry a glare that told him he was in for torture. Malfoy, who had just arrived, smirked at Harry.
Draco mouthed, "Granger."
Harry whispered, "Shut the hell up," right back.
Snape caught Harry talking. "Five points from Gryffindor for talking and an additional ten for using profanity." Hermione stared at him. Harry pointed to Malfoy. "Settle down," Snape hissed. "Get into groups of three." Harry automatically moved towards Ron and Hermione. "No, Potter. Draco, come here. And you, Granger, I'll let you stay with Potter and Draco. Weasley, go with Crabbe and Goyle. Parkinson, stop whimpering. Go with Patil and Brown."
Harry couldn't believe his ears. Well, to look at the bright side, he was with Hermione. No, he thought, there is no bright side to working with Malfoy. Hermione shrugged at him and dragged her books over, as did Malfoy.
"Good morning," Draco said happily. "Isn't this your favorite class?"
Before Harry could retort, Hermione replied, "Go to hell, Malfoy." Both boys looked at her. Malfoy recovered from shock first.
"Well, I like a feisty woman," he said. Now Harry and Hermione both fixed him with death glares.
"Settle down, settle down," said Snape. "Now, today we'll be brewing the Polyjuice Potion." Harry, Hermione, and Ron all caught each other's eyes and grinned. "This is a very difficult potion and should not be attempted before seventh year." The trio smiled again. Each one wished they would be working together because they'd get full score. "Now one person from each group will get lacewing flies, leeches, fluxweed, knotgrass, powdered horn of bicorn, and shredded skin of boomslang." Once Hermione had brought the ingredients back to the table, Snape continued. "This potion takes about a month to complete. You learned about this potion during your fifth year. You should remember that it lets you transform into whomever you want for an hour. Directions are on the board. Start!"
Harry and Draco both slouched back in their seats. Hermione stared at them. "Aren't you going to help?"
"You're perfectly capable of making a potion by yourself," said Draco.
"This is probably the only time in my life that I'll agree with Malfoy, but I'm doing it," stated Harry.
"Malfoy, you don't have to help," said Hermione. "In fact, it'll be better if you don't. But Harry, you weren't here on Wednesday. If you don't at least look like you're helping, Snape will give you two detentions."
"Yes, Saint Potter," mimicked Malfoy. "Be a good boy and help."
"I don't recall asking you to join this conversation," snapped Hermione.
"Why do you use such big sentences?" asked Malfoy, unperturbed. "Wouldn't it be easier to just say, 'Shut the hell up?'"
"All right then, if you prefer swearing, you bastard, I'll curse the shit out of you and kick your ass if you don't shut the fuck and hell up."
Malfoy gazed at her in awe. "Whatever."
"Hermione," said Harry weakly. "I think the swearing thing is getting to you now."
"Yes, Hermione," Draco imitated again. "I believe Saint Potter is too holy to hear that kind of language."
"That will be baby talk compared to what I'll say to you if you don't shut up," said Harry threateningly.
"Why don't we all pitch in and help," suggested Draco. "Before we all hurt ourselves."
"Only if you actually help," said Hermione.
"Oh, trust me, I will," assured Draco.
"Trust you?" laughed Hermione. "That'll happen."
Once Hermione had picked up the first ingredient, she was deeply immersed in the potion.
"Okay, Harry," she directed. "You take the knotgrass and put it in. Malfoy, you take the leeches. "Take turns stirring for five minutes. I'll be measuring the other ingredients until then."
Harry and Draco obediently dumped in their ingredients. While Harry stirred first, Draco stared inconspicuously at Hermione measuring. When she was concentrating, she furrowed her brow and her perfectly curved nose was accented even more. She was hott and off limits. Draco felt like cursing Potter. Can I deny that I like her? He asked himself. Hermione looked up to check their progress and caught Draco's eye. He gave her as sweet and genuine a smile as he could muster. She blushed furiously and dropped her powdered horn of bicorn.
"All right, Malfoy, you stir now," she said. She picked up her spilled powder. "Harry!" she whispered. He looked over.
"What?"
"Stand right here." She moved him in front of her.
"Malfoy?" he mouthed. She nodded. Harry glared at Draco and stood blocking Hermione.
Two minutes later, Hermione said, "All right. Each of you take two of the remaining ingredients and dump them in."
She picked up the fluxweed and flies to give to Harry. He took them and dumped them in.
She reached to pick up the powder and shredded skin to give to Harry to give to Malfoy, but apparently Draco felt he could get it for himself. His hand closed on top of hers. Hermione gasped at the feel of his hand but did not pull it away. She rather closed her eyes as if to feel the full effect of Draco's touch. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and warmly smiled at Draco, who grinned back. Harry, meanwhile, was adding ingredients and did not see this whole episode.
When the bell rang, Draco slid Hermione a note and left. She slit it open. It read:
Hermione,
I am truly sorry for anything I've ever done that hurt you. I wanted to make up before we go our separate ways after school. I don't know what I'll have to do to apologize. Will you forgive me? Meet me at break before lunch in my room. I want to talk. No one will be there. See you.
Draco
Hermione sighed and looked up, but Draco wasn't there. Did she dare believe that he was trying to be nice? Harry would be furious if he found out, she thought. Am I only going because he's hot? No, who said I was going at all? Well, I suppose I'll hear him out.
"Hermione, let's go," urged Harry. "What is that?"
"This?" asked Hermione. "Oh, a note from Lavender. Let's go."
"You will not go," said Snape from a corner. Both had forgotten he was there, and, looking around, realized that everybody had already left. "You two need to explain why you weren't here Wednesday."
"Umm." started Hermione. "Well, I was in the hospital wing with a headache."
"Very well," snapped Snape, clearly angry that he couldn't give her a detention, though Hermione didn't think he believed her. "And where were you, Potter?"
"I was."
"Exactly what I thought, Potter. Skiving off classes. Detention, my office. Five o'clock this evening."
"But, Professor," complained Harry. "I was going to Hogsmeade."
"Exactly. You 'were' going. Goodbye."
Harry and Hermione both swept from the classroom, but Hermione wasn't nearly as mad as Harry.
"Can you believe it?" he asked. "I didn't even have to answer before the bastard gave me detention. And tonight was our date!"
"I know, Harry," said Hermione. "But we've still got Truth or Dare!"
"Yeah, but are you going to Hogsmeade alone, then?"
"Maybe with Ron," replied Hermione. "I have some shopping to do anyway."
"Even if that's settled," said Harry. "What the hell was Malfoy trying to do to you?"
"That's how he usually is, Harry," said Hermione. "Just ignore him."
"Oh, it's really easy to ignore him when he's mouthing you name and dissing me," said Harry sarcastically.
"He's probably just trying to get attention," replied Hermione.
"Mione, babies try to get attention. He's up to something, and I wish I knew what it was."
"Me too, Harry," sighed Hermione. "Me too."
Charms passed with no further disruptions. Harry and Hermione only got extra homework, Professor Flitwick being the nice teacher he was.
"Are you going to start homework during break?" Ron asked Hermione as they were leaving the classroom.
"No," replied Hermione. "Professor McGonagall asked me to meet her. I'll see you at lunch in about 25 minutes, all right?"
"Sure," said Harry. "Be careful. You, know, Malfoy."
"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
"I only wish I could believe that," muttered Harry so only Ron could hear him.
* * * *
Draco quickly left his second hour class and hurried to his room. He made the bed because, sadly, the house elf hadn't come yet.
He wasn't going to get her in bed yet, not today. He'd talk to her, get her to trust him, maybe kiss some more..
He sat waiting, dreading and yet anticipating the knock that came on his door.
* * * *
Hermione walked slowly to the Slytherin part of the castle. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing, lying to her best friends and fraternizing with the enemy. Am I being stupid and naïve? She thought. Believing a Slytherin, not just any, Draco Malfoy, because he touched my hand and gave me a note? After all he did this week? Am I stupid?
She reached the solid bit of wall between two statues where the Slytherin common room was hidden.
Breathing quite fast, she whispered the password. She walked in stealthily, not quite sure if anyone was there. Maybe it was a trick of Malfoy's to lure her into the common room where the whole of Slytherin was waiting.
Hermione cautiously walked up the staircase. She didn't know where Draco's room was, but at the top was a plate on the first door that read: Seventh Years. She walked in and found a girls' corridor and a boys' corridor. The last room down the boys' corridor was Draco's, according to the nameplate.
Swallowing because of her dry throat, she knocked on the door.
* * * *
Draco took a deep breath and said, "Come in."
Hermione walked in nervously and whispered, "Hello."
Draco took time to realized how easy it was to diss her in a large group of people but how hard it was to talk to her one-on-one. "You can, um, sit down," he said, pushing away all fears and gesturing to the spot on the bed next to him.
Hermione frowned suspiciously and sat down at the very end of the bed, as far from him as possible. Did he really know how to be a gentleman?
They both sat in silence for a minute. Draco broke the calm and said, "This is really weird."
"Well, you said you were apologizing," said Hermione, grasping the conversation. "So apologize."
"Sorry," he said. "I don't know what else to say."
"Oh, so now 'sorry' is supposed to make up for all you've done?" snapped Hermione.
"Don't get mad," said Draco softly. "This is hard to do."
"What you can do," stated Hermione, "is tell me all the times you remember that you insulted me or my friends, and maybe I'll consider."
"How the hell am I supposed to remember all the times I've dissed Potter? That's probably more times than I've said the word 'I' and that's saying something."
"It is saying something," agreed Hermione. "I want to know if you remember or feel bad about making fun of other people. So start with first year."
"I'm not going by year," stated Draco stubbornly. "I'll just say them as I remember."
"Okay, so say them."
"Okay. Damn, this is hard. Let's see; I've called you a mudblood millions of times; I joined the 'Inquisitorial Squad' with Umbridge."
"I remember that," cut in Hermione. "You held us for Umbridge and took Harry's wand."
"Potter deserved it."
"He did not. Keep going."
"I made 'Weasley is our King.' God, that was a great song." Hermione frowned.
"That's not apologizing," she said.
"Sorry," he said. He moved closer to Hermione. "Anyway, I dissed Weasley's parents and his 'financial status,' if that's what you want to call it; I dissed Potter's parents. Remember those 'Support Cedric Diggory' badges? They said 'Potter stinks,' too."
"I remember perfectly well," she said coldly.
"Well, anyway," he said, scooting a little closer to her. She noticed but didn't move away. "Um, I made fun of your giant friend Hagrid."
"I slapped you one time and you deserved it," said Hermione.
"No, I didn't, but anyway, all the other times I made fun of Hagrid. All the stuff I did to Potter during the Triwizard; what I did to you this week.. I can't remember anything else."
"I'm sure there's tons more, but that'll do," said Hermione. "And you're truly sorry for all of this?"
She took control of this conversation, thought Draco. She's so bossy. He sighed. "I'm sorry for all the stuff I said to you, but definitely not Weasley, Potter, or Hagrid.."
"Why are you apologizing then?" asked Hermione. "Why did you call me up here?"
"Well, I only like you," he confessed.
"Like I said," she returned, "why would I believe you?" Draco was now inches from her.
"I apologized," whispered Draco. "And I like you." He kissed her. Hermione was in emotional heaven, but she realized that she was doing something wrong. She pulled away after a few seconds.
"I can't," she said. "I'm still not sure about you, and I like Harry."
"Who cares about Potter?" he said, though he did care if she loved Potter. He attempted to kiss her again, but she didn't let him.
"No, really, Draco," she said. "I can't. This started off well; keep it that way; let's be friends."
"Do you love him?" Draco asked randomly.
"Excuse me?" she asked. "That's my private life!"
"I'm asking you," he repeated stubbornly. "Do you?"
"If I do?"
"He loves you," said Draco.
"What do you know about love?" asked Hermione aggressively.
Silence. "That stings," said Draco. "Just because I'm not your Saint Potter doesn't mean I hate everyone."
"How do you know he loves me?" repeated Hermione.
"He told me."
"He just told you?" asked Hermione incredulously.
"No," replied Draco. "I forced it out of him."
"What do you care anyway?" inquired Hermione.
"Just wondering," said Draco.
"Look," said Hermione. "I have to go. I didn't tell Harry where I was going."
"Good."
"But I need to go now. I had fun, Draco, making you apologize. I felt like I was changing you from the bastard you've been."
"I feel good now, too, Hermione. See you tonight."
"Oh, you're going to Truth or Dare?" she asked.
"Yeah," answered Draco. "Are you going to Hogsmeade?"
"Yes."
"Is Potter going?"
"He has detention from Snape," replied Hermione.
"I'll see you there, then," he grinned.
"Ron's going too, thought," said Hermione. "So don't try anything."
"Oh, well," said Draco. "I'll still see you tonight. Bye, Hermione."
"Wow. Coming in I was Granger, and now I'm Hermione."
"We're friends now, thought," he said. "Right?"
"I think so, Draco. But I'm still watching you. Harry and Ron just can't k now. Bye!"
"Bye!" said Draco. Hermione left, and he collapsed on his bed. Success! He thought. She believes me!
* * * *
Hermione left his room with her heart racing. Did she believe him? Did he have it in him to be a nice person? He did call her Hermione, and that was a first. But she had a guaranteed guy: Harry. Why was she fooling around with Draco anyway? Because he's dead sexy, she thought. And he kisses like a god. Am I being unfaithful to Harry? He loves me so much; he even told Draco. And I repay him by cheating on him? I wasn't cheating on him, though; Draco kissed me. I didn't start it. But I did hold it for a few seconds. It was so good. He tastes so great, and he's so passionate and gentle and- No! Hermione, stop thinking like that. You're going to go tell Harry what Malfoy's been doing so Harry knows you haven't been cheating on him. But I can't! I want to see Draco again. I do? Yeah! I like him. No, I don't. How do I know he's not lying?
While she was confused in her thoughts, her feet had taken her to the Great Hall.
She sat down next to Harry and Ron but did not serve herself food.
"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Ron.
"I'm not really hungry," she said. Ron blinked at he.
"How can you not be hungry?"
"I'm just not." She leaned back in her chair and tried to sort out her feelings while Harry and Ron yapped on about the latest Quidditch game that the Chudley Cannons had won.
* * * *
Draco smiled and got up. This was too easy; she was too trusting. She may be booksmart, he thought, but she's socially stupid. How could I actually be sorry? I'm not sorry. I'll never be sorry about Potter or Weasley. Maybe not even her. Well, yes, I guess her. If I like her, I have to be sorry. I did agree that I like her then? Damn, that wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to go about my job, but now I like her? And she called me Draco.. And she kissed me! Well, actually I kissed her, but still. That's not to say that she didn't push me away the second time, though. We'll see about Potter. I swear, by the time this is done, she'll think twice before saying that she loves him.
What Draco didn't know is that his oath would come true.