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AN; Thanks for all the reviews. Sorry this took a while.

Chapter Three - Change Of Heart

Wednesday evening cam quickly and soon Hermione found herself heading to Jaide's office for her first meeting. She had wondered if it was too much responsibility, on top of her Head Girl duties, but decided to give it a try. If it was too much she could always change her mind. When she reached Jaide's office she took a deep breath and knocked softly on the door. Jaide immediately flung it open and beamed down at Hermione.

"Good evening 'Mione!" she exclaimed, "I was just getting some notes ready for our meeting."

Hermione nervously walked into the office and sat down. Jaide seemed to be in an extremely good mood and her sunny attitude quickly helped Hermione to relax.

"So," she began, "Where are we going to start Jaide?"

"Well, we need to find something fun but still educational," She stated, "The curriculum requires that you study some of the more dangerous magical creatures first up."

"Most of the students don't find learning fun." Hermione informed her.

Jaide thought for a moment, then smiled, "I've got it! We'll do a project. Each student will be paired up and given a specific creature to do a presentation on."

"That sounds interesting." Hermione agreed, "But we'd have to make sure it is productive and not just show."

"Of course," She nodded, "We need to write up marking criteria which can be given to the students so they know what's important."

The swiftly got to work planning the details of the project, and it was very late before Hermione noticed the time.

"Oh no!." she exclaimed when she saw it was ten to midnight, "I've got to hurry back to do patrol in ten minutes."

"Okay, I'll see you next Wednesday. Thanks for your help Hermione."

Hermione raced out the door and reached to dorm just as the clock ticked over to twelve. Draco was standing in their common room waiting for her.

"It's about time." he said, "I nearly thought you were going to skip patrol."

"Sorry. I was in a meeting with Jaide." She gasped, still catching her breath.

"That's okay. Lets go."

They walked in silence through the dark corridors, each deep in thought.

'What am I going to do after I graduate. Father is going to make me take the Dark Mark and serve Voldemort.' Draco thought, 'And there's no one I can turn to for help. I have no real friends here. But perhaps Jaide can help me. She managed to get away from the family so maybe she'll help me do it too.' He looked over to Hermione, 'Well, if I'm going to commit to this change then I'd better start now.'

He coughed loudly and Hermione looked up, startled by the sudden noise.

"Are you okay Malfoy?" she asked, not really caring.

"Um, well no actually. I need to talk to you about something really important."

"I'm listening." She said curiously.

"Before I start I just want you to promise not to interrupt." He told her.

"Fine. Now what is it?"

"Well, I've been realising a lot of things lately. One of them is that I'm not really sure who I am anymore." He began, "For years my father has been controlling what I say, do and even think with torture and threats. This has led me to do things, nasty things that I now deeply regret. I know nothing could ever make up for what I have done to you and your friends but I want you to know that I am truly sorry, for everything."

Hermione was shocked at how sincere he sounded, but she wasn't ready to believe him straight away.

"How do I know you're telling the truth Draco?"

"What do I have to do to convince you?"

She thought for a moment, "There's only one thing you can do that'll convince me your telling the truth."

"What?" he asked worriedly.

"You have to apologise to Harry as well."

Draco was silent for the rest of the night, once again deep in thought.

'I could apologise to Potter.' He told himself, 'But I really don't want to. Of all the people in the school she had to pick him. Then again, apologising to Potter is a real test, the best way to see if I'm serious about changing. I'd better do it, I only really hated him in the first place because of father anyway.'

They patrolled the corridors until three in the morning, both of them completely exhausted and wishing for their beds. Hermione crawled into her bed and was asleep before she had the chance to think.

AN; Sorry its short, I'll make the next one longer. Oh and daniel-radcliffes-girl, I promise this story will have a point. It's just slow getting to it.