The next few days Hermione and Draco avoided each other whenever possible outside of their dormitory. Inside however, they opened up. While Hermione and Draco both kept quiet about news from the warfront, they had many other things they could discuss. Secret adventures and trips outside and in the castle, stories about manor life from Draco's perspective, and the muggle world from Hermione's. Draco was fascinated by how her parents managed their lives without magic of any kind, while Hermione was amazed by just how much magic could work in a wizard's.
They skirted the topic of mutual friends. Hermione knew that Harry was a touchy subject for Draco, and some of Draco's friends weren't exactly high on Hermione's list either. So mostly they shared about themselves. And while Ron's early caricature of their friendship was a bit exaggerated, they found themselves spending more time together, and sharing deeper emotions as time went by.
When things were slow in the common room, she'd excuse herself, saying she was tired, and then rush upstairs to talk to Draco instead. Sometimes they'd have lunch together in the tower instead of eating with everyone else in the hall. They'd work on homework together, too. Hermione and Draco both struggled in different areas. In advanced arithmancy Hermione was brilliant, but Draco often lacked focus, whereas in defense against the dark arts, while Hermione could memorize facts easily enough, she wasn't the best when it came to actually dueling, and there, Draco excelled. So they worked with each other. More than once Draco had stormed out, frustrated and ranting that he'd never understand arithmancy, but he always returned meekly and got back to work. On several occasions Hermione had her robes catch fire or was knocked out by a stunning spell, but always got back up on shaky knees and would try again.
One day, on the way down the stairs to Hagrid's hut for care of magical creatures Draco was walking behind her and she tripped, her books slipping out of her bag and spilling down the stone steps. She stooped to pick them up, with Ron and Harry helping her. Pansy Parkinson cackled harshly and Crabbe and Goyle also guffawed stupidly. "Nice work Granger." Pansy said, "You walk much?"
Hermione looked up at Draco, who in his eyes seemed torn as to if he should comment. Goyle however, had stopped laughing and now looked at Draco expectantly. Hermione looked him in the eye and nodded a fraction of an inch. His eyes flashed apologetically and then a wicked grin spread on his face. "It's one foot in front of the other Granger. Surely muggles could have taught you to walk at least….well…Maybe not." He sneered.
"Can it, Malfoy." Ron said, taking a step forward.
"Ignore him Ron." Hermione said, her eyes narrowed. "He's not worth your time."
As soon as they returned to their dormitory that evening Draco wouldn't stop apologizing. "It's okay!" Hermione said for the hundredth time, as she slid her socks off. "Plus, now that we know it's okay if we have a little bit of confrontation. It's sort of like play-acting."
Me: oooh la la. Looks like friendship is really blossoming between draco and hermione…cackles knowingly
Readers: whaaa?
Me: ohh…you'll just have to REVIEW and find out…