DISCLAIMER: I am NOT J.K. Rowling. Therefore, I don't own Harry or his friends. But I'm guessing you already knew that.

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"Draco. Draco. DRACO!"

"Hum," replied Draco, shaken out of his daydream.

"Pass the Pumpkin Juice," Pansy answered, looking disgustedly at her crush. "What's with you, Drakie? You've been acting rather...odd lately."

"No I haven't. Now shut your jabbering trap and pass me some Shepards' Pie."

"Same old Draco," Pansy muttered under her breath.

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Later that day in Potions class, Draco seized his opportunity talk her.

"Granger, can I talk to you in the hall for a second?"

"I guess. But make it quick, Harry and Ron are waiting for me," she replied startled.

Hermione looked at Harry and Ron as she passed them and shrugged at their questioning faces. Draco and Hermione walked down the hall receiving glances of utter confusion.

"Listen, I was just going to ask you if...,"

"Look, Draco. I don't let Harry and Ron copy my homework, and you're not going to either."

"I don't want to copy your homework, Granger. Besides, why would I copy you? I have marks to maintain."

"Well then, what do you want?"

"I just want to spend some time with you. You know, without Potty and Weasel."

"Why?"

"I don't know...can't I just want to get to know a person better without getting the third degree?"

"Draco, I know you're up to something. Whatever it is, just get it out of your system so that we can go on hating each other, like normal."

"Granger, just meet me at the Three Broomsticks at 3 o'clock on Saturday."

And with that, Draco walked away leaving Hermione dumbfounded.

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"Professor, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a second," Hermione asked shyly.

"Ah, Ms. Granger. Yes, of course you may. Just have a seat."

Hermione did as she was instructed. Professor Dumbledore knew by the look on her face that something was troubling her, so he cut to the chase.

"What can I help you with, Ms. Granger?"

"Well, Professor, Draco Malfoy had been acting rather...well, strange lately."

Professor Dumbledore sat and listened intently as Hermione told him all about her situation.

"Professor, I don't know what to do. The whole situation is...well, scary. What do you think could have caused this change in Draco's character?"

Professor Dumbledore sat in deep thought for a moment before finally answering her question.

"Ms. Granger, maybe there's another side of Draco that we haven't seen before. Now that his father is in Azkaban, Draco can make his own decisions. Before, his father told him what to think. Maybe now, he's realising that his father's way isn't always the right way."

Hermione had never looked at it that way before. She had never realised that Draco's opinions were so heavily influenced by his father.

"Thank you for your help, Professor." Hermione said, obviously busy thinking of many other things.

"That's what I'm here for, Ms. Granger."

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Draco sat at the Three Broomsticks waiting for Hermione. He felt like an idiot. What made him think that she'd want to be caught dead with him?

"Malfoy?" asked Hermione trying to get his attention.

Draco turned at the sound of the familiar voice.

"Hermione! I was just waiting for you!"

"I figured. Um, Draco? I'm confused. Why did you want me to meet you here?"

"Granger, I just want to get to know you."

"Malfoy, will you listen to yourself? You're acting like you're in love with me or something! You are starting to scare me Draco. This is so unlike you to even talk to me, and now all of a sudden you want to get to know me for no apparent reason, and I'm just supposed to accept it and not wonder why you have this sudden interest in me?"

"Gran...Hermione, it's not like that. I just..."

"You just what?"

Draco sat speechless on his barstool.

"That's what I thought. I'll see you around Draco."

"Hermione, wait! Please, don't go!"

"Draco, why do you want to spend time with me?"

"Beacuse, Granger, I like you. I know I like you because I've never expressed that horrid emotion before. And I know you like me too. We owe it ourselves to explore that."

"Draco, be realistic. Harry, and Ron will not tolerate it, and neither will the Slytherins."

"We don't have to tell them. It could be our secret."

"Draco, again, be realistic. We can't have a relationship when we're ashamed of each other. Besides, it'll come out sooner or later, and then what will we do? We can't keep running from everyone. It'll never work out."

And with that Hermione left the Three Broomsticks ignoring Draco's calls.