Chapter 5: The truth of Draco

Hermione hated the Floo Network more than she hated heights. She spun faster and faster, feeling slightly queasy. It didn't help that the owl was digging his talons into her shoulder also. After what felt like an eternity, she started slowing down and threw her hands out when she came to a sudden halt. She stepped into the room, the owl immediately flying through an open window, and looked around.

She seemed to be in a bed room. It was done in a baby blue and silver décor. The ceiling high windows had shimmery blue-silver curtains on them. A high canopy bed was against one wall, with all sorts of different shaped pillows. There were huge French doors on one wall, leading to a garden, Hermione guessed. There was a desk, an armoire, and a door against one of the other walls, and in front of her were a cluster of comfy looking chairs and a couch, grouped around a table in front of the fire place.

"You like it, I take it?"

Hermione spun around and saw Professor Dumbledore standing next to the fire place. "Oh, professor, I didn't see you there, sorry. Yes I like it. Its got a homely feel to it."

"Yes, I thought so too. All the rooms are like this one," he said sweeping his hand across the room, but with different color schemes." He walked over and sat in one of the chairs, gesturing to one across from him. Taking his cue, she walked over and sank into it. Oh, it is comfortable! She thought.

He leaned forward resting his head on the tips of his fingers. "Now, Miss Granger, I know why you are here. You left your house because your two best friends showed up and you didn't want them to see you...wild side, shall we put it? But you see, they will find out eventually, Miss Granger, the sooner the better. And if I do say so myself, Miss Granger, I was beginning to wonder if studying was all you did. Not that I'm discouraging studying by any means, but, Miss Granger, all work and no play, makes for a very boring day."

"Yes, Professor," Hermione said, smiling. "But all work and no play keeps failure at bay."

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling merrily. "However, this is not why I asked you here, to talk about rooms and studies. I asked you here on the behalf of Draco Malfoy. He is very worried about his mother and I..."

"How is she?" Hermione interrupted.

"Ah, well, as well as she could be at this point. She has been abused for quite some time and was never healed from any of it. Her body is very battered, but I believe she will be fine. She will have scars, as does Draco, but I think she will be fine."

"And yet again we are off subject. Draco needs someone to be there for him and..."

"But what about Crabbe, Goyle and Parkinson?" she interrupted again.

"Miss Granger, are you ever going to let me finish?" Dumbledore said, amusingly.

Hermione blushed. "Sorry, professor."

"No need for an apology, Miss Granger. Misters Crabbe and Goyle, and Miss Parkinson are not close friends with Draco. They were chosen to be his friends by his father. He had no choice on the matter. His father's enemies were made Draco's enemies. His father hated Harry so of course Draco was forced to hate him too, along with you and Mr. Weasly. Draco's mother tried, when he was younger, to get him to see the light, and not follow her husbands footsteps. But when his father found out, he was banned from seeing her if he wasn't in the room. So with no one to stop Lucias, he was forced into doing many things. Secretly, Draco was envious of you and your best friends. Of you brilliance of your studies, of Ron's caring supportive family, but most of all, of Harry, who defeated Voldemort and his Death Eaters time and time again, something he couldn't do. Of the fact you three are best friends and always watch out for each other. Not only each other, but also others. Miss. Granger, all Mr. Malfoy wants...all he's asking for...is that. A chance to change how you three think about him. A chance to be friends with the people he wants to be friends with."

Hermione looked at him, tears in her eyes. "oh, professor, we should of known that it wasn't Draco. We've been so horrible to him. He'll never forgive us, will he?"

"Miss Granger, he is wondering the same thing. I you, Harry, and Ron could ever forgive him."

Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but Dumbledore stood, cutting off her words.

"I believe, Miss Granger, that it is time for you and Mr. Malfoy to have a nice long talk."

Hermione nodded and stood. Dumbledore led her through various hallways and down various stairs, to Draco's room. He opened the door and Hermione walked in, hesitantly. Draco was sitting with his back to the door, in a chair by the fire, and Hermione knew that he hadn't heard her come in.