Disclaimer: I am NOT the owner of anything in this except my dreams of Draco…and perhaps those don't even belong to me… which is rather depressing…Meh.
Lay It DownI've always been with youHere and nowGive all that's within youBe my saviourAnd I'll be your downfall-Matchbox 20Draco's POV
I let go of Granger's arm, which I was leaning quite heavily on, and let myself fall onto the sofa. By now, the Prefects had all gone to bed. It had taken quite a while to get here and, despite my misery, the day had passed quickly. You know that saying – time flies when you're having fun- well, I was an exception. As soon as I hit the cushions, I passed out again for a moment. But Hermione soon had me cleaned up with some good Charm work (I did NOT just compliment her!) and, once again, we fell asleep together under completely innocent circumstances, although our position may have suggested otherwise to an unweary Prefect.
Once again, I woke alone, but this time Granger had stayed nearby. It was still early, and there was time to get to breakfast in time. So, once I had gotten changed into clean robes and deposited my blood soaked ones from the night before in my cauldron, which I filled with hot water and some kind of muggle powder Granger gave me (I did this to stop any suspicion arising amongst the House Elves or teachers), we left for the Great Hall together.
Hermione's POV
Once we had finally made it to the prefect's common room, it took only a few minutes to heal Malfoy and – quite by accident – we fell asleep together on the couch, which would probably look suspicious to Colin Creevey. I shudder at the thought of Creevey reporting to Harry my every move.
I woke before Malfoy, so, being careful not to wake him (despite the fact that his wounds had been healed, he still had quite a concussion) I got up, showered and changed into a new pair of robes for breakfast. He woke earlier than I expected. I gave him some washing powder that I brought from home- for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to wash my clothes by magic- and he filled his cauldron with a mix of hot water and the powder, in which he deposited his blood-soaked robes. Once he had changed into a pair of black velvet robes emblazoned with the Slytherin emblem, we left for breakfast in the Great Hall.
We were slightly late for breakfast, although there wasn't really a set time and students could skip the meal if they had a valid reason for their absence. As we swung open the huge doors, any noise in the room ceased and every head turned around to stare. I hadn't thought of this – Draco and I had entered together, hadn't bothered to come in separately to avoid the stares and gossip that was now inevitable…
The stares had now transformed into laughter. My eyes fell on Harry, who turned his head away. Ron was gaping openly beside him, making no effort at all to hide his astonishment, a mouthful of what looked like porridge in his wide open mouth. I looked at Draco, who, in Harry-like embarrassment, had taken to staring at the floor. I turned and walked with what I hoped was nonchalance to my seat between Ron and Harry at the Gryffindor table. Harry bent low over his toast, devoting undivided attention to slice on his plate slathered in strawberry jam. His favourite, I thought absently then snapped back to the situation at hand. Hang on! You're supposed to be furious with him. Don't think about him. Don't speak to him. Don't even look at him. Ignore him completely.
"Ron," I said anxiously. "Really, I can explain-"
"You and MALFOY?" He spluttered, before I could finish. "Hermione, he called you a Mudblood in second year. He made your front teeth grow to your toes-"
"Honestly, Ron, there is nothing like…that going on between Draco and I," I interrupted, fighting the urge to slap my hand over my mouth when Ron gaped at my use of Draco's first name. "I mean, his mother was murdered, after all, and he really isn't that bad once you actually talk to him-"
"It's OK, 'Mione! I believe you. You don't have to go for ages, really…" Ron trailed off and burst into laughter. Blushing with embarrassment, I realised that I had explained myself enough and that I had kept talking about it, proving an already emphasized point. Ron and I both laughed for a while but then noticed that Harry still stirred his porridge gloomily. Ron patted him gingerly on the back and glanced at me knowingly.
"You know, 'Mione, maybe you are being too hard on him…"
A/N: Sorry for how long this chapter took…I wasn't in the mood to write. A crappy excuse, I know, but I hope it was all you anticipated. Please, Please review!! Even if there are heaps (which there aren't anyway) EVERY review counts ;)