A/N: Hey everyone. Now I have new for you all. This, along with A New Day Has Come will be my last Draco/Hermione stories. I will write more FanFiction, but possibly not Harry Potter ones. So yeah. I'm leaning towards writing The OC fanfic's, maybe even a Wrestling one. Anyway, thankyou all for your reviews!

DISCLAIMER: J.K ROWLING'S. NOT MINE.

Chapter Five: Progress

Angrily Draco slammed his fist into the wall. Okay, so he over reacted, but he was mad. Who the hell did that feral little… witch think she was? She didn't know him! Yet she was saying he was ashamed of there 'truce? What did she know?

Draco looked up from the ground breathing hard, watching her shadow disappear into the darkness of the corridor. Annoyed, Draco turned and headed back to the Slytherin Chamber's. Screw it all, screw her. He gave up on this life. He didn't need her, or anyone for that matter. All he needed was himself and well… he didn't know what else, because he knew he had nothing else, no one else.

"What the hell did I do to wind up with this life?" he muttered.

!D!

Wednesday arrived with no happy feelings for Draco. He'd gone to bed in a foul mood and he woke with one. The chattering voices outside his door had woken him and if anything and if it was even possible, had put him in a fouler mood.

Muttering many indecent things under his breath, Draco dressed, did his hair and teeth, packed his bag with that day's books and headed to the Great Hall, avoiding any form of contact, physical and verbal, with anyone. He entered the Great Hall and immediately noticed Granger sitting alone. Silently he watched her as he walked to the Slytherin table and sat down. He scooped food onto his plate and watched as she read through what looked to be homework from some lesson.

"Mr Malfoy."

Draco shook his head and looked up to his left to see his head of house looking at him, slightly amused.

"Yes, Professor?" he asked in a calm tone.

"Tomorrow night you shall perform the detention from Monday night. And seeing as you are very intrigued with Miss Granger you shall inform her to arrive at my office tonight at 7pm sharp."

Before Draco could protest Snape strobe out of the Great Hall, his robes billowing out behind him. Draco sighed and shoved a forkful of scrambled eggs into his mouth, chewing the food angrily.

Great, like last night wasn't enough, he had to inform Granger of the detention they had scored thanks to her. Not only that, but her boyfriends would be glued to her side, like they always were… bloody Golden Trio.

Just as Blaise entered the Hall, Draco stood up. Confronting Granger at the moment looked more pleasant than coping with any of Blaise's crap.

With a deep breath, Draco grabbed his bag, hooking it over his shoulder, and walked around the table towards Granger, who was now chatting with the two Weasley's and Potter, oh and that Longbottom boy.

"Granger," drawled Draco lazily.

Granger turned in her chair, looking at him as if he were something she never wanted to see again.

"What, Malfoy?" came her short reply.

"Snape requested that I inform you, much to my disgust, that the detention you got us out of will be done tomorrow night."

"What time and where?"

"7pm, Snape's office."

Granger nodded and turned back away. Draco didn't move. For some reason he just starred at her, like a moron.

"Do you have a problem, Malfoy?" snapped Potter glaring at him.

"I was just wondering what in the world Granger was," came Draco's quick automatic reply, mainly out of reflex.

Granger turned around again and stood up, before slapping Malfoy hard across the face.

"Never speak to me again," came her cold words before leaving the Great Hall.

Draco lifted a hand to his face, ignoring the laughter coming to him from everyone, including the Slytherin's. Without looking at anyone, Draco walked quickly out of the Great Hall, with what dignity he had left.

That was twice; twice Granger had slapped him good. He knew she had managed to leave, yet another red mark on his face. Though deep down, he knew that one had been a long time coming.

!D!

Lesson one of Wednesday was Advanced Care of Magical Creatures. Just like it was on Tuesday. Draco headed towards Hagrid's cabin early, his cheek still stinging, but he was fuming. Fuming about Granger and how she turned his whole life into a complete mess.

Draco kicked a stone as he walked, looking up from the ground to spot the one and only Granger sitting under a tree near Hagrid's cabin. Joy for Draco… not.

Still he wasn't going to go on a detour trip for the next Fifthteen minutes because of her. No way. He would not let her make him do that.

Instead Draco walked right towards her. This needed to be sorted and it needed to be sorted out now.

"Granger," he barked out angrily, "I need to bloody talk to you now!"

Granger jumped up from the ground, her hand reaching into her pocket in case she needed to defend herself.

"Merlin Granger, if there is one decent thing I was taught by my father, it was to never harm a women in anyway, no matter what the circumstances be."

"Obviously he didn't teach you well enough," snapped back Granger coolly.

"What do you mean?"

"You said he taught you to never harm a women in any form. You may not harm me physically Malfoy, but do you realize your nasty comments hurt me emotionally?"

Draco went quiet. Okay, that was one thing he had never thought of. Right then, no wonder she slapped him extremely hard.

"If that is the case Granger," drawled Draco, "Didn't your mother or father ever tell you it is wrong to hit people?"

"They did Malfoy. But you aren't a person."

"What am I?"

"There is no creature who hurts other people like you do. I really had thought we had gotten past all this nonsense, but obviously you can't. I mean you can't even call a truce with me, let alone stop saying low and degrading things about me! How old must you be to outgrow your childish ways?"

"You should talk!" cried Draco.

"What have I done this year that makes me as low as you are?"

"Well gee Granger, just mere days ago you called me a rat."

"One time. One measly time compared to all the things you have done this year."

Draco glared at her and stepped towards her, "Do you know what you have done to my life! Without putting a major input into it!"

Granger stepped back, glaring at him, "Oh, what?"

"All those things I said to you the other day were true! I don't hate muggleborns! I can't call you a mudblood. I don't hate you! And now everybody knows. Everybody knows, the Great Evil Draco Malfoy doesn't hate muggleborns!"

"That is not my fault," said Granger defensively.

"It Merlin damn is!"

"How so? Tell me, Malfoy, how am I to blame for all of your troubles?"

"Just by existing! This year you have affected me for some reason. Something about you just made me realize a few things about myself. Don't ask me what or how, it just happened."

"What makes you think I will believe you, Malfoy? You still act like a pig around me."

"Granger, I don't care if you don't believe me."

"Than why are you telling me all of this?"

Draco went quiet. Why was he telling her everything? It's not like she wanted to know. He sighed and looked at her, not with the same arrogant and hateful looks either.

"I don't know."

Granger just nodded and walked past him.

"Where are you going?" he asked suddenly.

"To class Malfoy."

Draco swore right then and there he saw a flicker of a smile cross her face, but put it down to the trick of the light. With a shake of his head he followed her, walking somewhat ten meters behind her.

!D!

All through the lesson, his argument slash sort of conversation with Granger played through his mind. He vaguely heard Hagrid going on about some weird animal and it was at the end of the lesson he heard Hagrid ask for him to stay behind.

"Yes Professor?" asked Draco in a calm neutral tone.

"Malfoy, can yer tell me wha' today's lesson was about?" asked Hagrid looking down at him.

"Err… something to do with flame."

"Incendaony. It's a horse made of fire. Now, I want yer to study it and tell me next lesson wha' it does. And no more slakin' off."

"Yes, Professor. Sorry," mumbled Draco before hurrying away to his next lesson.

!D!

The day passed just like any other, except for the fact he'd reclaimed the truce between him and Granger and none of the Slytherin's were on speaking term with him. Okay, so perhaps it wasn't a normal day. Draco wasn't really caring anyway. Draco looked at his watch as he left his final lesson for that day. He could go to the library, studying up for Care of Magical Creatures, have dinner and relax for the rest of that evening.

Or so he thought…

Draco entered the library and made his way to the back, away from any distraction. He set everything out in a decent order, he grabbed his text book and flicked it to the correct page and began reading and summarizing, until a school owl flew in the library window and over to him, which was odd, considering mail normally arrived in the mornings at breakfast.

The owl landed in front of Draco with a thump and looked at Draco bewildered. It was a school owl, but it was obviously old, with it's ruffled feathers and also the fact its eyes were looking rather dull.

Draco united the letter, but the owl was obviously instructed to wait for a reply. He opened the letter, to reveal Granger's neat cursive writing.

Malfoy,

I just received a letter from Professor Dumbledore asking for us too plan a Halloween ball, or dance, which ever pleases us the most. I was wondering if tonight in the meeting room we could begin plans that way we are ahead of ourselves and less stressed. Write back A.S.A.P to let me know if you can and a time to meet.

-H. Granger.

So much for a relaxing night was the thought that crossed his mind. But she did have a point. The less stress the better.

Draco ripped a blank page from his schoolbook and wrote back to Granger that he would and what time to meet. He tied the letter back on the owl's leg and sent it on its way, though it nearly collided with a bookshelf on its way out.

Now… back to learning…

!D!

Draco pushed his empty, dirty plate away and stood up, feeling rather full and slightly tight around the waist. Granger was still eating and talking, but noticed Draco rise and look her way. He gave her a discreet nod, indicating he would meet her there, which she replied with a nod of her own.

Hurriedly Draco left, wishing to avoid any confrontations from Pansy who was getting released that day – he did not want her hanging of his arm at all. He was enjoying not having nightmares of her pug face and squawky voice.

But Lady Luck must not be on his side at all these days because as Draco was heading towards the Entrance Hall staircase, Pansy was coming down them, beaming at him.

"Drakie!" she cried running down to him and hugging him happily, "I'm so glad to see you! It's been so long. Pompfrey reckons I'm allergic to your clothes, but I don't believe her – how could I be? I reckon it was something I ate – so does Millicent- how have you been? You look so good!"

Now Draco was brewing a headache, her chatter was constant! A never-ending fire of comments – she could talk Voldemort to death!

"Malfoy, there you are. I was looking for you."

Draco spun around to see Granger walking towards him and Pansy, who was glaring to the Gryffindor girl. But never in his life had Draco been so glad to see Granger.

"What do you want Granger?" snarled Pansy, "Here to try and brainwash my Drakie again?"

Granger rolled her eyes, "Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore wishes for us to have a meeting about a certain matter affecting the school – now."

"Gee Pansy, it must be urgent," said Draco as coolly as he could, prying her hands off his robes, "See you later."

Pansy smiled sweetly at Draco and left, not before elbowing Granger in the ribs.

Granger just shrugged it off and headed up the stairs, with Draco following. Both walked in what seemed to be a comfortable silence – which was only recently developed.

Once inside the meeting room, Granger sat in her normal chair and Draco sat in his.

"Err… thanks... back there – with Pansy," mumbled Draco awkwardly.

Granger smiled a little, "You looked like you were about to strangle her. It was all I could do."

Draco just nodded, this was different. Never had they conversed like neutral people. He had to admit it was better than arguing.

"So… this Halloween thing," said Draco after a short silence.

Granger nodded, "Yes. Well I think we should have something simple – nothing elegant, that way you don't have to go with a date, only if you really want too. You guys don't really like getting all done up like us girls do."

"True," nodded Draco, "So a dance… disco type thing then?"

Granger nodded and wrote it down.

"Umm, what else?"

"We need to plan a band to play… or some way to have music, decorations, food, drinks, years allowed, the time, supervision. All of those things."

Draco just nodded slowly; at least Granger knew what to do. He was clueless!

"Years allowed… what do you think?" asked Granger looking at him expectantly.

"Fourth year and up, perhaps? We could allow the younger years to have like… a little party in there common room from 7 to 9:30 – 10pm?" he suggested.

Granger beamed at him, a look he'd never seen direction at him, let alone a Slytherin.

"That is actually a good idea, Malfoy. That way the younger years won't feel left out."

"Okay."

The next hour was spent drumming over bands and decorations. As weird as it seemed, they never once got into a full-blown argument. Yes there were a few small disagreements, which led to glaring.

But what did you expect from them? It was only natural that they wouldn't become best buddies in one night, but it was progress and what more could people possibly ask for?

A/N: Not long I know and I'm sorry. I've been busy with school and having English tutoring. So yeah. Anyway hope you all enjoy!

Bye for now!

Love yas!

Love Coz!