AN: I dedicate this chapter to Jolene who very nicely betaed it for me. And thanks to all who are reviewing my stories.

13. Friday

Hermione.

When she woke up a huge grin was still on her face, she took a long shower and then after putting on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, she entered her living-room.

One of her best friends, the one and only Harry Potter was sitting on the sofa with two cups of coffee and two nice scones with strawberry jam.

Hermione smiled, after realising that he had prepared her favourite breakfast, she wondered what her friend wanted. She took the cup that he was offering and she sat in the armchair in front of Harry.

He smiled at her, "Good morning Hermione, how are you? You look really happy today."

She grinned, "I look happy because I am happy. And before you ask me why, I had a really good evening with Draco."

He nodded and the said, "Hermione, I wanted to talk to you about Malfoy. It's obvious that you are taking this thing a bit too seriously. I mean, it looks like you really enjoy being with him. Is there anything you want to tell me?"

She seemed to hesitate and then said, "Well Harry, I think I may like Draco. I mean I still don't know for sure that I do. It's just that I' m really starting to know him and I like what I'm discovering."

He smiled at her, "And do you think that he likes you back?"

She blushed, "Sometimes I do. Others, well, I guess we both aren't really two simple people. We've never really thought about a serious relationship. You know me, I get tired very easily of people. It's just for five days that I've known, really known, him. I cannot be certain of anything at this moment."

Harry sighed, "Hermione when are you going to leave yourself open up to love?"

She looked at him and he saw the hurt in her eyes. She stood up and walked toward the window. Looking out in the street she could see the early-rising people walking around.

She was still looking out when she said, "Harry you know why I don't let people closer to me. I mean I rejected even Ron, the guy I had a crush since second year and our best friend."

Harry came behind her and embraced her, "Hermione it was a long time ago. And I had been wrong all along. When we had that talk I had just lost Sirius and you had been dumped by Krum. We made that silly promise that we would never love anyone. But we were kids."

She turned in his arms and she was now looking straight in his eyes, "Well Harry, it's not just that. I realise that for as much as I like to like guys, my life is still much better when I'm alone. I can be free to do as I please without having to consider other people's feelings."

Harry looked at her and seriously said, "Hermione, I don't like Malfoy and you know it. But he is apparently making you happy. I rarely see you so happy and bright. So, I'm here just asking to give yourself a chance, to let someone into your heart."

She hugged him, "I promise you that I will think about it."

He nodded, he had done his part, now he was preying that Draco would manage to get through Ron and make him take his side too.

Draco.

He woke up happy. The previous night in the muggle world had been a disaster from his part. He had never felt so embarrassed in his whole life but at least he understood Hermione's feelings a bit better.

She seemed to have had a good time too and he felt a little bit of hope rising in his heart that maybe she liked him quite a lot. She didn't refuse the second kiss. He grinned.

Then, he remembered that today was going to be tough, first he had to meet the Weasel. Correction Weasley. Scratch that R-ron. Here, he had said it. The third part of the Golden Trio.

Moreover, that night he and Hermione would be going to Pansy's party and he was dreading that almost as much as the meeting with the temperamental red- haired wizard.

He arrived at his office and sat at his chair. He was nervous, when the heard the knock at the door he almost jumped.

'Clam down Draco, it's only Ron Weasley the guy you insulted even more that Potter and Granger. And you are just going to ask him to give you the go- ahead to court his supposed love-interest.'

He gulped and then said, "Come in."

Ron entered the office with a very serious and annoyed look but Draco could see that he was curious about this invitation too.

Draco cleared his throat and then said, "Please, Ron have a seat."

Ron was shocked about the kindness in Draco's voice but what made him seat was the use of his first name. "You wanted to see me, Malfoy. Harry said that it was important and that I should listen to you. But I wanted to make it clear that I'm doing it because my best friend asked me."

Draco grimaced, the Golden Trio had definitely spent too much time together. Harry doing it only for Hermione, Ron doing it only for Harry. This people loved each other very much.

Draco thought that it didn't look like Ron was ever going to accept him. He sighed and then decided that he had to try it anyway.

"All right Ron. I know that we don't like each other. I had insulted your family since the first time I saw you when we were eleven. Regarding that, my only excuse is that I had a very bastard of a father. And I wanted to please him, so when he instructed me to insult you, I just thought that I would go along with it."

Ron was looking at him intently but remained silent.

Draco went on, "I didn't invite you here to apologise my previous behaviour. Obviously, I hope that one day you may forgive me but the real reason is Hermione. You know how we decided to play a trick on my mother."

Ron nodded and Draco said, "Well, I thought that at the end of this week I would just say good-bye to her and forget about it. But the more I know her and the more I don't want to let her go. I'm here now asking not for your support in my pursuing a relationship with Hermione. I'm here asking you to not oppose it."

Ron was so shocked that words were failing him. He thought about what Draco said and then he realised that Draco was telling him he liked Hermione and he wanted her for real!

Ron said, "Did I just hear that you want Hermione to be your girlfriend?"

Draco was starting to sweat, he could take an angry Weasley but a silent one was more deadly dangerous. Draco said, "Yes, I want you to know that I really like her and I want to try to make her happy."

Ron snorted, "Why do you think that you could make her happier than me?"

Draco sighed, this was not good, Ron still liked Hermione. "I didn't say that I could do it better than you. Hermione told me that she loves you like a brother. I assumed that you got over her."

Ron stood up and started to pace around Draco's office. "So basically you are saying that because she loves me in that way she would never change her mind on that. And then, you are arrive with your white horse loaded with money and you think that she would be, oh so much happier with you."

Draco looked at him, "You know as well as me that she doesn't want people for their money. Hermione is a beautiful and intelligent woman and she choose with her heart not with her pocket."

Ron sarcastically replied, "And you know her very well after five days in her company."

Draco shook his head, Ron was tough and he loved Hermione. "Ron, I know I have been an ass to you and your friends. But people change, she and Harry offered me a chance and I'm just asking for you to offer me one too. Just try to see what's better for her, Ron."

Ron stopped pacing and looked at him, "I need to think Malfoy and you are talking far too much. I know what's best for Hermione and it's to stay as farther away from you as possible."

He run a hand through his red hair, "But Harry seems convinced that you may be what she needs. So, I will think about it and I will definitely have a talk with Hermione. And don't worry I won't mention you and Harry sneaking behind her back!"

With that he stormed off from the office and Draco relaxed a bit.

'Well, Ron will need a bit of time but Harry seems convinced that he will come around sooner or later.' Draco hoped that Harry was right.

He was sure that he had detected a lot of jealousy from Ron and not only about Hermione. He had been jealous that Draco and Harry were getting along.

AN: Thanks for reading.