Disclaimer: I own nothing...All belongs to J.K. Rowling
Chapter Five: Past Ways Return
The day passed by fairly uneventful. Hermione received very little homework from her classes, all of which she managed to get done during lunch. Everything was going to plan. Draco would lurk behind her until she entered her classes, there she would be with Harry and Ron.
But now, the class she most dreaded was upon her; Potions with the Slytherin's. As she entered the classroom it was completely full. She was the last person to arrive, other then the Professor. As she turned her head to look towards the Slytherin side of the room she noticed Draco giving her a small smile completely unnoticed by his fellow Slytherin's. She knew what was coming next and she prepared herself for the insult.
"Why look, if it isn't bookworm Granger. Why isn't your head in a book Granger, where it belongs?" He yelled this across the classroom making especially sure the Slytherin's heard him. "Just ignore him," were the comments said from Harry and Ron.
Tears began to well up in her eyes. No one saw these except of course the only one who would be paying close attention for signs such as these. Once he saw the tears that she did such a good job of hiding he was furious with himself.
Why did that comment affect her so, he thought. He quickly realized his mistake. Oh god damn it, her first father's insults. Why the hell didn't I think of that?
Hermione tried to think of something she could shout out to him so that he would pick up how he was hurting her. Images of her blood related father flashed through her mind. 'Why are you such a know it all Granger? Go back to reading those god damn books of yours.' Oh how many times she was told that. Instantly she thought of something. So easy, so clear, "Oh lighten up Malfoy."
The message was immediately clear to him, he had gone too far. As he opened his mouth to repair the damage done he was saved by the arrival of Professor Snape. He would no longer have to insult her farther, at least not today.
"Today class you will be reading through chapter seventeen, I expect you take adequate notes for studying, for tomorrow you will have a test on it."
Class went by much quicker then expected. As soon as they were dismissed she walked with Harry and Ron talking freely like she used to be able to do. As far as she could tell they noticed nothing different. She was glad they noticed nothing and yet it also hurt her. Draco had noticed, he knew when she wasn't telling him the whole story, why couldn't they? Her friends of six years couldn't even notice when her enemy had.
As she entered her common room she threw her bag in the corner and plopped down on the couch burying her head in the pillow. The pillow soon became dotted with little tears as they continued to fall from her face.
"Out of everything he could have said he had to pick something like that. Even calling me a mudblood would have been better." As she said this she was completely unaware of who was standing behind her. "I'll keep that in mind. I'm sorry Hermione." "Draco how could you have said that? After all that I told you."
"Hermione I...I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean any of it. I...I just..." For once the famed Draco Malfoy was at a loss for words. "Draco, I...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have taken it so badly." She stood up and ran across to him. She buried her head in his robes allowing herself to be held. "Hermione, you don't have to apologize, it's my fault. I'm sorry, please forgive me."
She couldn't believe it, the famous Draco Malfoy who was above everyone was asking for her forgiveness. Of course she was going to forgive him and yet class just showed her it was the same Malfoy. Everyday since Malfoy found out the truth she had a battle going on in her head. She wanted to be able to trust him and yet look at their past. Could she really trust him not to hurt her? Well for now, she had to try. "Of course I forgive you, if I didn't who would I have to keep me safe?" Draco had to suppress a laugh; he was keeping a mudblood safe. Oh what would his father say...? He could see it now 'Draco I am thoroughly disappointed in you. Hanging around with a mudblood could you seek no lower?' He laughed imaging the scene in his mind.
"Draco, why are you laughing?" Hermione asked curiously. "Oh it's nothing, I was just thinking of my father." Surprisingly to him Hermione jumped away from him looking startled. "Oh Draco, I'm sorry. I forgot about your father. You will be in so much trouble with him if he finds out." He took a step closer to her pulling her close to him. "So what? I don't care. I've been in trouble with him before, it's nothing new. Don't worry about me; now you are in much more danger."
A/N: I just wanted to let all my fans and readers know that on July 18th till August 6th I will be gone at camp, unable to update. (While I'm gone keep those reviews coming)
I should be able to update a few more chapters before I leave. Once I return I promise I will update with longer chapters and such for the three week wait.
Thanks for reviewing; any and all questions can be emailed to hyperthought17yahoo.com