Authors note: ok, chapter six is now up. And with summer coming, I am
hoping to get a lot more chapters done and posted quicker. I hope. Thank
you for the reviews, they are really appreciated.
Chapter 6
Hermione impatiently sat in her dorm room, waiting for dinner to come. Thirty minutes to go. She hoped Draco was ok, last time he was in pretty bad shape. She shuddered as she thought about Voldemort doing those awful things to him.
Crookshanks meowed and jumped up onto the bed and curled up in her lap, purring madly. Hermione smiled and patted the cat on the head before glancing once more at her clock, twenty seven more minutes. She groaned and fell back onto her pillows. Crookshanks moaned and jumped down from the bed and headed out the door.
"Sorry Crook," Hermione whispered to her cat as he left the room. She grabbed her pillow from under her head and hugged it, "please be careful Draco," she closed her eyes.
"Remember Draco, bring the girl to me," Lucius said as his son grabbed his cloak from off the chair in the sitting room, preparing to leave.
"I know Father," Draco said coldly, "but for the millionth time, Granger and Potter are in a fight, he wouldn't care." He hoped his father would believe him this time and realize that this was a waste of time.
"He would do anything for the girl, besides, saving people his practically his job." Lucius said, a dark and evil grin spreading across his face, "just go with the plan we made, right?"
Draco turned and rolled his eyes, "I am leaving," he said, but Lucius grabbed his son's arm and gripped it tightly, Draco flinched as his father's fingers dug into his skin.
"If she is not here, The Dark Lord will personally kill you, and I will not stop him." He voice as slow and icy, it sent chills down Draco's spine. Draco yanked his arm away and disappeared.
"Hermione,"
Hermione sat up in bed and turned to the door where her caller, Ginny, was standing. "Yes," she asked through a yawn. Then she gasped, she had fallen asleep, had she missed dinner? Where was Draco? She turned to her clock, ten pm; she had missed it by three hours. She moaned and fell back.
"Hermione, you missed dinner, I brought you something, in case you were still hungry," Ginny whispered and brought over a little wrapped bundle.
"Thank you Ginny," Hermione said sadly. Ginny was really the only one that would even look at her anymore. With everything that had been going on, Ginny still stayed on her side, even with the protests from Ron.
"I think you should know something Hermione," Ginny said still quieter.
Hermione looked over at the red haired girl sitting next to her, "what is it?" she asked nervously.
"It's Draco,"
Hermione felt her heart stop, he was in trouble, they found him outside the school half dead, she knew it, "Is he alright, where is he?" She asked franticly.
Ginny shook her head, "It isn't that at all, I think he ok, but, Hermione," she stopped.
Hermione sat patiently, "what is it Ginny?"
"You know how you were saying that he had changed, that he was actually civil," she paused, "I don't know, but I think he has changed again."
"Was he at dinner?" Hermione asked, Ginny nodded, "he usually still holds his prince like posture when he is around other people, he really is only nice around me,"
Ginny cut her off, "I am telling you, something isn't right, I think you need to see it for yourself though."
"What did he do?"
"Well, for one thing, all the Slytherins have forgiven him, or what looks like it anyways, they were all buddy, buddy again at their table, laughing, and having a good time, and throwing nasty comments to passing students, just like they used to." She paused, "I'm not blind, and I noticed for a fact that he had stopped doing that stuff around the time that you two really started spending time together." She looked down into her lap.
Hermione thought a moment, then smiled, "I'm sure it's nothing, maybe he just wants to be on good terms with them," she doubted this a little though in her mind.
Ginny looked up and smiled, "Probably, hey, I have to get going to bed now," she got up and headed for the door, "Good night Hermione," she said as she exited the room.
Hermione waited until she could no longer hear Ginny's footsteps, and then quickly hurried out the room herself. Draco had to be there.
She ran through the darkened halls, dodging moving shadows as she went, until she reached the library, which had a closed sign hanging from the door. She pulled out her wand and whispered, "Alohamora," at the lock, it clicked and she pushed open the large wooden door. She made her way down the long lines of shelves full of books and reached the farthest corner where she and Draco always were. She went into the section and sat down by the shelf, and waited.
"I was wondering when you would show up,"
Hermione jumped at the voice, but calmed when she saw Draco immerging from the shadows, "You scared me," she smiled. Draco said nothing, his cold eyes just dug into her, making her a bit more nervous than she had hoped, "Draco, umm...how was the training?"
Draco's eyes flickered, "fine, never been better," he said.
Hermione furrowed her brow, "it went alright then?" this was a little strange.
"Why would you even care?" Draco asked coldly.
Hermione was speechless she opened her mouth to talk, but words failed her, Draco hadn't used that tone with her since they were enemies.
"I will tell you why," Draco sneered answering his question for her, "it's because you care about me, isn't it?" he asked in a mock tone voice.
"Yes," Hermione whispered, "Draco-"
He cut her off, "You can speak when I am done speaking Granger," he spat.
Hermione's eyes widened; Granger, what was he playing at?
"I am finished," he said, "I don't want to play anymore mind games with you, so, as of now, I don't want you to ever speak to me again, I don't even want you to look at me."
Hermione bit her lip, "That is not what you want," she said.
Draco laughed, "How could you possibly know what I want, you don't know anything about me, you couldn't comprehend it."
"Draco, what happened?" Hermione asked sadly, her eyes began to burn as she pushed back tears.
"I am finally seeing the mistake I made," Draco whispered.
The words cut into Hermione like a knife, and looked away, "I was not playing mind games," she cried.
Draco rolled his eyes, "What were you doing then, some kind of service project for a class of yours, what was it extra credit?" "Twenty points extra on your N.E.W.T's exams for anyone who can find a person and befriend them, make them feel wanted," Draco said mocking a professor.
"It wasn't for a class project Draco!" Hermione yelled more tears streaming down her cheeks.
Draco was silent for a moment and watched Hermione cry and burry her face in her hands, "Then why would you do it?" he asked harshly.
Hermione sniffed and wiped at her eyes, "I really do care about you," she sobbed.
"No you don't."
Draco turned to leave, but stopped as Hermione whispered, "Because I love you," he clenched his jaw and looked at the ground, "The feeling isn't mutual." He said darkly and swept out of the library.
Hermione sank to her knees and cried, what was the matter with him? She thought that maybe he was changing, but she was wrong.
She looked up at the dark halls surrounding her, no, he had to doing this because he was in some kind of trouble, he wouldn't just change like that, not after, well, everything. She stood up and brushed away at her tear stained face. Something had to be wrong, and she wanted to find out.
"What did you think of your new boyfriend?" Ron asked Hermione as he was walking down the hall trying to catch up with Hermione that morning after breakfast, Harry closely following. Draco had once again shown signs of his old self that morning.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, but continued to concentrate on her book as she made her way through the not so very crowded halls. Harry grabbed her arm stopping her and turned her around to face them, but she refused to look up from her pages.
"Hermione," Ron hesitated, and sounded like he was regretting this immensely, "We understand that you may think Malfoy can change, but he doesn't seem to be showing any signs of it right now,"
Harry cut him off before he could say anymore however, "Hermione, what Ron is trying to say, is that we would like it if bygones became bygones." He smiled at her.
Hermione looked up from her book, her eyes watering as she stared at her friends, "You really mean it?" she asked.
Harry nodded, and then nudged Ron in the ribs, who then also nodded.
Hermione dropped her books and wrapped her arms around her friends and cried, "thank you so much, I have been so miserable without you guys."
Ron smiled at Harry who gave him the thumbs up. Hermione pulled away, beaming. Ron reached down and picked up her book for her. Then they continued down to the Gryffindor common room together.
Draco looked out from the corner he was standing by and watched the dynamic due walk away, his eyes were narrowed and his fists were balled and white as they shook with furry. "It's your fault, you let her go." His mind kept saying, but he wouldn't believe it.
"I am protecting her, its better that she has her perfect friends again, now she won't even think about me." He told himself. He looked down at the ground and headed off the other way.
"So, why were you being nice to Malfoy?" Harry asked as they reached the portrait of the fat lady.
"I told you, I thought he could change," Hermione said, she turned to the portrait, "Pig snout." The picture swung forward and the three scrambled in.
"But why, what did you see in him?" Ron asked sitting down on a comfy chair, by the empty fire place.
"I don't know," Hermione chose the seat next to him, "I just thought he could change, he seemed like he was getting tired of the proud and stuck up act, you know?"
Harry shook his head, "No, proud and stuck up is what he is, his father spoils him rotten, he is practically worse then Dudley, and that is saying something."
"No, you don't understand some things about him, he is spoiled, but maybe he is for a bad reason, maybe he doesn't like his father at all, but puts it on to try and be better than others."
Ron stared at her, "you are saying that Malfoy really has a heart of gold, and doesn't like his father?" He bit his lip trying to hold in a laugh.
"No, well, I don't know some things myself, but I am going to find out," Hermione said not wanting to spill Draco's secrets.
"Don't tell me you are still on his side?" Harry said incredulously.
"Yes, that is exactly what I am saying," Hermione nodded.
"What does Dumbledore think of this, surely the Order will not be too happy," Ron stated.
"Dumbledore won't mind, I think he would like the idea of me helping out a fellow student."
Harry sighed, "Well, I don't think you can change him, but I won't stand in your way if you really want to."
"Yeah, but I refuse to spend my free time in his presence," Ron said sharply, and then immediately changed his tone, "If you two make friends." He said quietly.
Hermione smiled, "Thank you guys, I am really glad we are on speaking terms again."
"Yeah, well, homework has been piling up, and we have no clue how do to it." Harry smiled
Hermione laughed and was joined by Ron and Harry.
Hermione decided, that coming Monday, that she would not let Draco ruin her working day, school was way more important than someone who thought that she was once again, lower than dirt, besides, she had Harry and Ron back, and that was all that mattered.
She walked down the hall after breakfast with her friends. They were discussing upcoming Quidditch practices. She wasn't really into that sport, so she kept to herself, but enjoyed their company more than anything.
It wasn't until Ron fell down in front of her and she nearly tripped over him, that she paid attention to her surroundings. She looked up to see Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle standing there in front of them.
Harry helped Ron up to his feet. Draco laughed, "Watch your step Weasley." He said mocking Ron.
Ron narrowed his eyes at Draco, but since they were so close to Potions class, he didn't dare try and hit him. His face was bright red with anger as he cursed Draco.
"Shove off Malfoy," Harry said glaring at him.
"Tempers boys, we wouldn't want you two to get detention now." Draco laughed.
Hermione flushed, half with anger, and half with remembering when she had detention with him, and it wasn't as bad as she would have thought.
Harry looked at Hermione and decided that this could get worse if they weren't careful; he silently nudged Ron to make him walk away. The three turned to leave, but Draco hadn't finished yet.
"Running away?" he put on a very convincing shocked voice, "Has the mighty trio finally met their match, I thought I would never see the day when famous Harry Potter turned tail and ran." He laughed.
"You would know all about running away from your problems, wouldn't you?"
Harry and Ron turned wide eyed at Hermione who had spoken this time; she was still flushed in the face. Draco turned his gaze slowly on her, "What did you say?" he asked quietly.
"I said you would know all about running away," She said triumphantly, "That was all you ever did, when things got bad, you just ran and hid, didn't you?"
"Shut your mouth you filthy mudblood," Draco spat glaring at Hermione.
Hermione glared back, not caring anymore about what they did have, because it clearly wasn't there anymore. Her eyes narrowed, "But there was a time when you didn't run, and you faced the world like a true wizard, but I guess you realized that you couldn't fight it anymore,"
Draco's hands clenched into fists and shook violently with anger, "Do not speak of things you have no idea about," his voice also shook with anger.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, clueless as to what was happening. But just then, Professor Snape walked out of his classroom and ushered all the children inside. Draco gave one more glare of hatred to the trio and swept into the dungeon followed closely by Crabbe and Goyle.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked as they too made their way in after everyone else.
"Nothing, I was just hitting him where it hurt most," Hermione answered, in a crankier mood than she would have hoped for that morning.
"Where, his ego?" Ron sniggered. Harry smiled
"No, his pride," Hermione responded.
Harry shrugged and pulled out his supplies ready to work.
Hermione sighed; this was going to be a long lesson.
Hermione went into the library during lunch time the next day since Ron and Harry had Quidditch practice, she couldn't think of a better time to spend by herself reading.
She went through isle after isle looking for a good book. She picked one out, Witch Burning in the 1700's, Cordillea Burrling's story. This one sounded interesting. She smiled and took it from the shelf and walked over to sit at a table.
She had just started reading when a shadow appeared over her. She rolled her eyes and looked up, it was Ginny. She smiled thankful it wasn't-"Don't think about him," she told herself. "Hey Gin, what's up?"
"Oh nothing, I just thought I would come and say hi is all." She smiled and sat down next to Hermione.
"Hi then," Hermione put down her book thinking it very rude to continue reading when her friend wanted to talk to her.
"Is that book good?" Ginny asked after an awkward silence.
Hermione smiled, "Well, I haven't really gotten to read it yet, but it seems good."
"I could leave then," Ginny said standing up, but Hermione stopped her.
"I really do enjoy your company actually," she said.
Ginny smiled, "ok then," she hesitated, "actually, I did want to know something,"
Hermione nodded her head, "What is it, you know you can ask me anything,"
"Well, I was just wondering, if you had seen Draco today at all," she paused, "and if you two had made up yet,"
Hermione sat silent having the thoughts penetrate through her head, "have I what?" she asked finally.
"Have you two made up?"
"Ginny, why would you-"
"I know what I am asking you Hermione," Ginny cut in, "I saw you when you were with him, you were happy, in fact, I don't think I have ever seen you happier, not with Ron, or Harry, you were one hundred percent happy, and it was nice seeing that."
"Ginny, Draco is a rude spoiled brat, I wasn't happy with him," Hermione tried to defend herself, but with the look on Ginny's face, she knew she was doing a horrible job, "Why do you want me to be with him anyways, I mean he has been nothing but awful to you and your family."
Ginny shook her head, "Yes, but if what you told me about him was true, then I think he could change if you helped him."
Hermione looked at the table sadly, "He won't change, and I have tried that."
"But don't you see Mione', he did change, you changed him, and you can do it again." Ginny put a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"How, he wants nothing to do with me anymore,"
Ginny thought, "Why don't you just work backwards, I mean, he has always not wanted anything to do with you to begin with, right?"
Hermione considered this and nodded, "you are absolutely right Ginny, thank you." She stood up and hugged her, "I have to go now, I will see you later," she waved goodbye and left the library.
The weekend came much too quickly once again for Draco. His father had written Dumbledore earlier that week and requested that he come home this weekend. Draco figured that he was in a big hurry to get Hermione and finally be accepted as a loyal servant with his master once he had gotten Potter as well.
He had waited all through Friday not paying attention in class and blowing off doing his work, he was much too distracted now. Not only that, but he had seen Hermione smile at him in the hall today, and it made him sick to think of what his father could do to her, she wasn't really all that bad, and she was- "Don't think about her," he scolded himself.
He rolled over on his four poster green bed. The curtains were drawn all around him, and he sat in an eerie green darkness. He put his hand on his forehead and sighed, why did she have to be his weakness, of all things it had to be her that his father found out about. Now, if he didn't give her to him, he would be killed. This wasn't fair. He heard a clock somewhere chime nine am, which meant his father would be wondering where he was when the train pulls out of the station.
Suddenly, the curtains flew back and the silvery head of Blaise became clear. Draco shied away from the blinding light that now illuminated his bed, "what the bloody-"
But Blaise cut him off and pulled Draco to his feet, "I need to talk to you," he said.
Draco glared into Blaise's bright yellow eyes, "what is it?" he grumbled, this wasn't the first time Blaise had violently dragged him away from his bed, but the other time was for watching a prank being pulled on Mrs. Norris.
"It's about your Gryffindor girl," Blaise was always the Slytherin to cut straight to the chase; he always did things his way, and didn't care if it made his house mad or not, this was one of those times.
"She isn't my girl, and that's all there is to it." Draco said and tried to get back into bed, but Blaise grabbed him by the shirt collar.
"You need to see her again," Draco looked bewildered at him, was he actually speaking about a Slytherin hanging out with a Gryffindor? Not that it was never unheard of, but this coming from a true pure hearted Slytherin himself.
"I don't need to see anyone if do not wish it," Draco said with his cocky attitude.
"Why not, I know you miss her, you have been miserable with out her ever since last week," Blaise wasn't much the talker either, but Draco figured if her had something to say he could say it better than anyone else he knew.
"I don't miss her," Draco stated.
Blaise glared into Draco's dark grey eyes, "you're lying," he said.
Draco laughed, "Maybe you don't understand that I just don't want to be with her."
"Why not, you two seemed happier when you were with each other."
Draco was getting annoyed now, "why do you care anyways, she is a Gryffindor does that ring a bell in your thick skull?"
"No, it doesn't, why should it matter what she is, if you love her-"
"I do not love her!" Draco yelled.
"Well, you certainly don't hate her anymore, because if you do, you are doing a bad job at showing it, always moping around, grumpy all the time; that must be pure hatred for someone." Blaise said.
"You don't understand anything at all," Draco said angrily.
"I understand that you care for this girl so much, that you wont even see her anymore, incase your reputation will be ruined, am I right?" Blaise asked.
Draco lost it all, "She will die if she is around me, do you get it now?" he yelled.
Blaise looked quietly at him, "Why?" he asked.
Draco clenched his jaw, "because it is my job to give her to the Death Eaters,"
"You have to tell her then,"
Draco laughed, "Oh yeah, I am going to tell her that" he put on a fake smile and a sarcastic voice, "Hey Hermione, just wanted to tell you that my father and his Death Eater friends want me to capture you and possibly kill you, would you like to go get a butterbeer tonight?" He looked seriously back at Blaise, "How do you think she would like me then?"
"A lot better than how she likes you now, I can tell you." Blaise said.
"How could you know that?" Draco asked cocking an eyebrow.
"I have my ways," Blaise smiled secretively, "The point is, she has to know why you won't give her the time of day, at least explain it to her, she would be a lot happier, and so would you."
Draco really hated Blaise, not only was he right, but he made him feel bad about everything even worse than he already did, "I don't know." He mumbled and pushed past him out the door.
Blaise sighed and ran a hand through his hair. This might take some more work than he thought. He didn't bother going after Draco, no; the kid would realize soon enough just how important Hermione was to him.
"Well, how did it go?" Ginny asked Blaise as he emerged from the Slytherin common room.
"Are you always just standing there?" Blaise asked a smile creeping on his face.
Ginny looked at him with the look that could make him tell her anything. He laughed quietly, "I don't know exactly how it went, but I think he is starting to understand though."
"Yeah, I think I got Hermione, she seems to realize just what she is missing, its only a matter of time before she tries to get him back, wouldn't that be nice?" Ginny smiled up at him.
Blaise looked down at the sweet red haired Weasley, "Of course, everything will be back to normal," he wrapped his arms around her waist. He was always one for breaking the Slytherin hating Gryffindor code; it just wasn't his style to pass an opportunity with a pretty girl, no matter the house.
Well, that is all for now. Thank you everyone for the reviews! I love each of them a lot! LPI3
Chapter 6
Hermione impatiently sat in her dorm room, waiting for dinner to come. Thirty minutes to go. She hoped Draco was ok, last time he was in pretty bad shape. She shuddered as she thought about Voldemort doing those awful things to him.
Crookshanks meowed and jumped up onto the bed and curled up in her lap, purring madly. Hermione smiled and patted the cat on the head before glancing once more at her clock, twenty seven more minutes. She groaned and fell back onto her pillows. Crookshanks moaned and jumped down from the bed and headed out the door.
"Sorry Crook," Hermione whispered to her cat as he left the room. She grabbed her pillow from under her head and hugged it, "please be careful Draco," she closed her eyes.
"Remember Draco, bring the girl to me," Lucius said as his son grabbed his cloak from off the chair in the sitting room, preparing to leave.
"I know Father," Draco said coldly, "but for the millionth time, Granger and Potter are in a fight, he wouldn't care." He hoped his father would believe him this time and realize that this was a waste of time.
"He would do anything for the girl, besides, saving people his practically his job." Lucius said, a dark and evil grin spreading across his face, "just go with the plan we made, right?"
Draco turned and rolled his eyes, "I am leaving," he said, but Lucius grabbed his son's arm and gripped it tightly, Draco flinched as his father's fingers dug into his skin.
"If she is not here, The Dark Lord will personally kill you, and I will not stop him." He voice as slow and icy, it sent chills down Draco's spine. Draco yanked his arm away and disappeared.
"Hermione,"
Hermione sat up in bed and turned to the door where her caller, Ginny, was standing. "Yes," she asked through a yawn. Then she gasped, she had fallen asleep, had she missed dinner? Where was Draco? She turned to her clock, ten pm; she had missed it by three hours. She moaned and fell back.
"Hermione, you missed dinner, I brought you something, in case you were still hungry," Ginny whispered and brought over a little wrapped bundle.
"Thank you Ginny," Hermione said sadly. Ginny was really the only one that would even look at her anymore. With everything that had been going on, Ginny still stayed on her side, even with the protests from Ron.
"I think you should know something Hermione," Ginny said still quieter.
Hermione looked over at the red haired girl sitting next to her, "what is it?" she asked nervously.
"It's Draco,"
Hermione felt her heart stop, he was in trouble, they found him outside the school half dead, she knew it, "Is he alright, where is he?" She asked franticly.
Ginny shook her head, "It isn't that at all, I think he ok, but, Hermione," she stopped.
Hermione sat patiently, "what is it Ginny?"
"You know how you were saying that he had changed, that he was actually civil," she paused, "I don't know, but I think he has changed again."
"Was he at dinner?" Hermione asked, Ginny nodded, "he usually still holds his prince like posture when he is around other people, he really is only nice around me,"
Ginny cut her off, "I am telling you, something isn't right, I think you need to see it for yourself though."
"What did he do?"
"Well, for one thing, all the Slytherins have forgiven him, or what looks like it anyways, they were all buddy, buddy again at their table, laughing, and having a good time, and throwing nasty comments to passing students, just like they used to." She paused, "I'm not blind, and I noticed for a fact that he had stopped doing that stuff around the time that you two really started spending time together." She looked down into her lap.
Hermione thought a moment, then smiled, "I'm sure it's nothing, maybe he just wants to be on good terms with them," she doubted this a little though in her mind.
Ginny looked up and smiled, "Probably, hey, I have to get going to bed now," she got up and headed for the door, "Good night Hermione," she said as she exited the room.
Hermione waited until she could no longer hear Ginny's footsteps, and then quickly hurried out the room herself. Draco had to be there.
She ran through the darkened halls, dodging moving shadows as she went, until she reached the library, which had a closed sign hanging from the door. She pulled out her wand and whispered, "Alohamora," at the lock, it clicked and she pushed open the large wooden door. She made her way down the long lines of shelves full of books and reached the farthest corner where she and Draco always were. She went into the section and sat down by the shelf, and waited.
"I was wondering when you would show up,"
Hermione jumped at the voice, but calmed when she saw Draco immerging from the shadows, "You scared me," she smiled. Draco said nothing, his cold eyes just dug into her, making her a bit more nervous than she had hoped, "Draco, umm...how was the training?"
Draco's eyes flickered, "fine, never been better," he said.
Hermione furrowed her brow, "it went alright then?" this was a little strange.
"Why would you even care?" Draco asked coldly.
Hermione was speechless she opened her mouth to talk, but words failed her, Draco hadn't used that tone with her since they were enemies.
"I will tell you why," Draco sneered answering his question for her, "it's because you care about me, isn't it?" he asked in a mock tone voice.
"Yes," Hermione whispered, "Draco-"
He cut her off, "You can speak when I am done speaking Granger," he spat.
Hermione's eyes widened; Granger, what was he playing at?
"I am finished," he said, "I don't want to play anymore mind games with you, so, as of now, I don't want you to ever speak to me again, I don't even want you to look at me."
Hermione bit her lip, "That is not what you want," she said.
Draco laughed, "How could you possibly know what I want, you don't know anything about me, you couldn't comprehend it."
"Draco, what happened?" Hermione asked sadly, her eyes began to burn as she pushed back tears.
"I am finally seeing the mistake I made," Draco whispered.
The words cut into Hermione like a knife, and looked away, "I was not playing mind games," she cried.
Draco rolled his eyes, "What were you doing then, some kind of service project for a class of yours, what was it extra credit?" "Twenty points extra on your N.E.W.T's exams for anyone who can find a person and befriend them, make them feel wanted," Draco said mocking a professor.
"It wasn't for a class project Draco!" Hermione yelled more tears streaming down her cheeks.
Draco was silent for a moment and watched Hermione cry and burry her face in her hands, "Then why would you do it?" he asked harshly.
Hermione sniffed and wiped at her eyes, "I really do care about you," she sobbed.
"No you don't."
Draco turned to leave, but stopped as Hermione whispered, "Because I love you," he clenched his jaw and looked at the ground, "The feeling isn't mutual." He said darkly and swept out of the library.
Hermione sank to her knees and cried, what was the matter with him? She thought that maybe he was changing, but she was wrong.
She looked up at the dark halls surrounding her, no, he had to doing this because he was in some kind of trouble, he wouldn't just change like that, not after, well, everything. She stood up and brushed away at her tear stained face. Something had to be wrong, and she wanted to find out.
"What did you think of your new boyfriend?" Ron asked Hermione as he was walking down the hall trying to catch up with Hermione that morning after breakfast, Harry closely following. Draco had once again shown signs of his old self that morning.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, but continued to concentrate on her book as she made her way through the not so very crowded halls. Harry grabbed her arm stopping her and turned her around to face them, but she refused to look up from her pages.
"Hermione," Ron hesitated, and sounded like he was regretting this immensely, "We understand that you may think Malfoy can change, but he doesn't seem to be showing any signs of it right now,"
Harry cut him off before he could say anymore however, "Hermione, what Ron is trying to say, is that we would like it if bygones became bygones." He smiled at her.
Hermione looked up from her book, her eyes watering as she stared at her friends, "You really mean it?" she asked.
Harry nodded, and then nudged Ron in the ribs, who then also nodded.
Hermione dropped her books and wrapped her arms around her friends and cried, "thank you so much, I have been so miserable without you guys."
Ron smiled at Harry who gave him the thumbs up. Hermione pulled away, beaming. Ron reached down and picked up her book for her. Then they continued down to the Gryffindor common room together.
Draco looked out from the corner he was standing by and watched the dynamic due walk away, his eyes were narrowed and his fists were balled and white as they shook with furry. "It's your fault, you let her go." His mind kept saying, but he wouldn't believe it.
"I am protecting her, its better that she has her perfect friends again, now she won't even think about me." He told himself. He looked down at the ground and headed off the other way.
"So, why were you being nice to Malfoy?" Harry asked as they reached the portrait of the fat lady.
"I told you, I thought he could change," Hermione said, she turned to the portrait, "Pig snout." The picture swung forward and the three scrambled in.
"But why, what did you see in him?" Ron asked sitting down on a comfy chair, by the empty fire place.
"I don't know," Hermione chose the seat next to him, "I just thought he could change, he seemed like he was getting tired of the proud and stuck up act, you know?"
Harry shook his head, "No, proud and stuck up is what he is, his father spoils him rotten, he is practically worse then Dudley, and that is saying something."
"No, you don't understand some things about him, he is spoiled, but maybe he is for a bad reason, maybe he doesn't like his father at all, but puts it on to try and be better than others."
Ron stared at her, "you are saying that Malfoy really has a heart of gold, and doesn't like his father?" He bit his lip trying to hold in a laugh.
"No, well, I don't know some things myself, but I am going to find out," Hermione said not wanting to spill Draco's secrets.
"Don't tell me you are still on his side?" Harry said incredulously.
"Yes, that is exactly what I am saying," Hermione nodded.
"What does Dumbledore think of this, surely the Order will not be too happy," Ron stated.
"Dumbledore won't mind, I think he would like the idea of me helping out a fellow student."
Harry sighed, "Well, I don't think you can change him, but I won't stand in your way if you really want to."
"Yeah, but I refuse to spend my free time in his presence," Ron said sharply, and then immediately changed his tone, "If you two make friends." He said quietly.
Hermione smiled, "Thank you guys, I am really glad we are on speaking terms again."
"Yeah, well, homework has been piling up, and we have no clue how do to it." Harry smiled
Hermione laughed and was joined by Ron and Harry.
Hermione decided, that coming Monday, that she would not let Draco ruin her working day, school was way more important than someone who thought that she was once again, lower than dirt, besides, she had Harry and Ron back, and that was all that mattered.
She walked down the hall after breakfast with her friends. They were discussing upcoming Quidditch practices. She wasn't really into that sport, so she kept to herself, but enjoyed their company more than anything.
It wasn't until Ron fell down in front of her and she nearly tripped over him, that she paid attention to her surroundings. She looked up to see Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle standing there in front of them.
Harry helped Ron up to his feet. Draco laughed, "Watch your step Weasley." He said mocking Ron.
Ron narrowed his eyes at Draco, but since they were so close to Potions class, he didn't dare try and hit him. His face was bright red with anger as he cursed Draco.
"Shove off Malfoy," Harry said glaring at him.
"Tempers boys, we wouldn't want you two to get detention now." Draco laughed.
Hermione flushed, half with anger, and half with remembering when she had detention with him, and it wasn't as bad as she would have thought.
Harry looked at Hermione and decided that this could get worse if they weren't careful; he silently nudged Ron to make him walk away. The three turned to leave, but Draco hadn't finished yet.
"Running away?" he put on a very convincing shocked voice, "Has the mighty trio finally met their match, I thought I would never see the day when famous Harry Potter turned tail and ran." He laughed.
"You would know all about running away from your problems, wouldn't you?"
Harry and Ron turned wide eyed at Hermione who had spoken this time; she was still flushed in the face. Draco turned his gaze slowly on her, "What did you say?" he asked quietly.
"I said you would know all about running away," She said triumphantly, "That was all you ever did, when things got bad, you just ran and hid, didn't you?"
"Shut your mouth you filthy mudblood," Draco spat glaring at Hermione.
Hermione glared back, not caring anymore about what they did have, because it clearly wasn't there anymore. Her eyes narrowed, "But there was a time when you didn't run, and you faced the world like a true wizard, but I guess you realized that you couldn't fight it anymore,"
Draco's hands clenched into fists and shook violently with anger, "Do not speak of things you have no idea about," his voice also shook with anger.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, clueless as to what was happening. But just then, Professor Snape walked out of his classroom and ushered all the children inside. Draco gave one more glare of hatred to the trio and swept into the dungeon followed closely by Crabbe and Goyle.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked as they too made their way in after everyone else.
"Nothing, I was just hitting him where it hurt most," Hermione answered, in a crankier mood than she would have hoped for that morning.
"Where, his ego?" Ron sniggered. Harry smiled
"No, his pride," Hermione responded.
Harry shrugged and pulled out his supplies ready to work.
Hermione sighed; this was going to be a long lesson.
Hermione went into the library during lunch time the next day since Ron and Harry had Quidditch practice, she couldn't think of a better time to spend by herself reading.
She went through isle after isle looking for a good book. She picked one out, Witch Burning in the 1700's, Cordillea Burrling's story. This one sounded interesting. She smiled and took it from the shelf and walked over to sit at a table.
She had just started reading when a shadow appeared over her. She rolled her eyes and looked up, it was Ginny. She smiled thankful it wasn't-"Don't think about him," she told herself. "Hey Gin, what's up?"
"Oh nothing, I just thought I would come and say hi is all." She smiled and sat down next to Hermione.
"Hi then," Hermione put down her book thinking it very rude to continue reading when her friend wanted to talk to her.
"Is that book good?" Ginny asked after an awkward silence.
Hermione smiled, "Well, I haven't really gotten to read it yet, but it seems good."
"I could leave then," Ginny said standing up, but Hermione stopped her.
"I really do enjoy your company actually," she said.
Ginny smiled, "ok then," she hesitated, "actually, I did want to know something,"
Hermione nodded her head, "What is it, you know you can ask me anything,"
"Well, I was just wondering, if you had seen Draco today at all," she paused, "and if you two had made up yet,"
Hermione sat silent having the thoughts penetrate through her head, "have I what?" she asked finally.
"Have you two made up?"
"Ginny, why would you-"
"I know what I am asking you Hermione," Ginny cut in, "I saw you when you were with him, you were happy, in fact, I don't think I have ever seen you happier, not with Ron, or Harry, you were one hundred percent happy, and it was nice seeing that."
"Ginny, Draco is a rude spoiled brat, I wasn't happy with him," Hermione tried to defend herself, but with the look on Ginny's face, she knew she was doing a horrible job, "Why do you want me to be with him anyways, I mean he has been nothing but awful to you and your family."
Ginny shook her head, "Yes, but if what you told me about him was true, then I think he could change if you helped him."
Hermione looked at the table sadly, "He won't change, and I have tried that."
"But don't you see Mione', he did change, you changed him, and you can do it again." Ginny put a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"How, he wants nothing to do with me anymore,"
Ginny thought, "Why don't you just work backwards, I mean, he has always not wanted anything to do with you to begin with, right?"
Hermione considered this and nodded, "you are absolutely right Ginny, thank you." She stood up and hugged her, "I have to go now, I will see you later," she waved goodbye and left the library.
The weekend came much too quickly once again for Draco. His father had written Dumbledore earlier that week and requested that he come home this weekend. Draco figured that he was in a big hurry to get Hermione and finally be accepted as a loyal servant with his master once he had gotten Potter as well.
He had waited all through Friday not paying attention in class and blowing off doing his work, he was much too distracted now. Not only that, but he had seen Hermione smile at him in the hall today, and it made him sick to think of what his father could do to her, she wasn't really all that bad, and she was- "Don't think about her," he scolded himself.
He rolled over on his four poster green bed. The curtains were drawn all around him, and he sat in an eerie green darkness. He put his hand on his forehead and sighed, why did she have to be his weakness, of all things it had to be her that his father found out about. Now, if he didn't give her to him, he would be killed. This wasn't fair. He heard a clock somewhere chime nine am, which meant his father would be wondering where he was when the train pulls out of the station.
Suddenly, the curtains flew back and the silvery head of Blaise became clear. Draco shied away from the blinding light that now illuminated his bed, "what the bloody-"
But Blaise cut him off and pulled Draco to his feet, "I need to talk to you," he said.
Draco glared into Blaise's bright yellow eyes, "what is it?" he grumbled, this wasn't the first time Blaise had violently dragged him away from his bed, but the other time was for watching a prank being pulled on Mrs. Norris.
"It's about your Gryffindor girl," Blaise was always the Slytherin to cut straight to the chase; he always did things his way, and didn't care if it made his house mad or not, this was one of those times.
"She isn't my girl, and that's all there is to it." Draco said and tried to get back into bed, but Blaise grabbed him by the shirt collar.
"You need to see her again," Draco looked bewildered at him, was he actually speaking about a Slytherin hanging out with a Gryffindor? Not that it was never unheard of, but this coming from a true pure hearted Slytherin himself.
"I don't need to see anyone if do not wish it," Draco said with his cocky attitude.
"Why not, I know you miss her, you have been miserable with out her ever since last week," Blaise wasn't much the talker either, but Draco figured if her had something to say he could say it better than anyone else he knew.
"I don't miss her," Draco stated.
Blaise glared into Draco's dark grey eyes, "you're lying," he said.
Draco laughed, "Maybe you don't understand that I just don't want to be with her."
"Why not, you two seemed happier when you were with each other."
Draco was getting annoyed now, "why do you care anyways, she is a Gryffindor does that ring a bell in your thick skull?"
"No, it doesn't, why should it matter what she is, if you love her-"
"I do not love her!" Draco yelled.
"Well, you certainly don't hate her anymore, because if you do, you are doing a bad job at showing it, always moping around, grumpy all the time; that must be pure hatred for someone." Blaise said.
"You don't understand anything at all," Draco said angrily.
"I understand that you care for this girl so much, that you wont even see her anymore, incase your reputation will be ruined, am I right?" Blaise asked.
Draco lost it all, "She will die if she is around me, do you get it now?" he yelled.
Blaise looked quietly at him, "Why?" he asked.
Draco clenched his jaw, "because it is my job to give her to the Death Eaters,"
"You have to tell her then,"
Draco laughed, "Oh yeah, I am going to tell her that" he put on a fake smile and a sarcastic voice, "Hey Hermione, just wanted to tell you that my father and his Death Eater friends want me to capture you and possibly kill you, would you like to go get a butterbeer tonight?" He looked seriously back at Blaise, "How do you think she would like me then?"
"A lot better than how she likes you now, I can tell you." Blaise said.
"How could you know that?" Draco asked cocking an eyebrow.
"I have my ways," Blaise smiled secretively, "The point is, she has to know why you won't give her the time of day, at least explain it to her, she would be a lot happier, and so would you."
Draco really hated Blaise, not only was he right, but he made him feel bad about everything even worse than he already did, "I don't know." He mumbled and pushed past him out the door.
Blaise sighed and ran a hand through his hair. This might take some more work than he thought. He didn't bother going after Draco, no; the kid would realize soon enough just how important Hermione was to him.
"Well, how did it go?" Ginny asked Blaise as he emerged from the Slytherin common room.
"Are you always just standing there?" Blaise asked a smile creeping on his face.
Ginny looked at him with the look that could make him tell her anything. He laughed quietly, "I don't know exactly how it went, but I think he is starting to understand though."
"Yeah, I think I got Hermione, she seems to realize just what she is missing, its only a matter of time before she tries to get him back, wouldn't that be nice?" Ginny smiled up at him.
Blaise looked down at the sweet red haired Weasley, "Of course, everything will be back to normal," he wrapped his arms around her waist. He was always one for breaking the Slytherin hating Gryffindor code; it just wasn't his style to pass an opportunity with a pretty girl, no matter the house.
Well, that is all for now. Thank you everyone for the reviews! I love each of them a lot! LPI3