((Need I say it?))

Chapter 6

Pride Lost

I left my Grand Opening day with no sales. Aside from Hermione's entrance, the bell above my door remained silent. Perhaps it was my location, so close to Knockturn Alley. Most likely, it was the name on the sign above my door. Needless to say, I returned home slightly more than disappointed.

There was food on the table when I arrived, just something simple. Baked ham and potatoes. I had given up on the fancy foods that my parents were so fond of. There was no sense in impressing anyone with culinary arts anymore. I wasn't expecting to hold any parties soon.

I was in the middle of my meager meal when I heard a rap on the door. Thinking it had to be Snape or someone of that nature, I didn't even bother getting up this time. I looked up only when a house elf approached, belly almost to the floor.

"M . . . Master Malfoy. . . There is someone here to see you," the little wretch stuttered. Slamming down my fork, I turned on the poor creature.

"Tell them to leave me alone, I am in no mood for company tonight," I hissed venomously. The house-elf they called Kamda trembled violently and turned pale. It didn't matter to me. Nothing did, really. I was just so angry at the unfairness of it all, the horrible dreams that haunted me even when I was awake. The visions that floated through my head. Maybe my Father was right, maybe I was a failure. It seemed nothing could save me from my fears and insecurities. But for the second time that day, I was surprised into silence.

"You should learn to control your temper, Draco. Kamda did nothing but deliver a message," a soft voice admonished from the dining room entrance. Startled, I looked up to the speaker. Hermione, of course. Who else would have the courage to enter the home of the dreaded "Malfoy spawn?" I gave her my best smirk.

"Well its message was delivered and you heard my reply." Of course I wanted her to stay, but I was still working on the old habits problem. Damn my pride, but it was all I had left to depend on.

Thankfully, Hermione could see right through me.

"Since when did I ever do what you said, Draco?" she scoffed. Mentally, I laughed. I couldn't think of one single instance when she did what I wanted her to do. Unless, of course, she was going to do it anyway. Outwardly, though, there was no change. I kept my smirk.

"You had better make this the first time then, Hermione." I was done playing with her. I didn't want her to leave, but it was better than admitting I needed the presence of a friend. More specifically, her presence.

She ignored me like I knew, or hoped, she would and took a seat near mine. Surprised, I watched her for a moment, her movements graceful and quite feminine. Catching my eye, she smiled and I looked down, intent upon my meal.

And we stayed that way, silent and thoughtful, until there was nothing left on my plate. I realized too late that I had offered her nothing, but, before I could open my mouth to correct this folly, I remembered that I didn't want her there.

"Why are you here, Hermione?" I asked as an unnamed house elf took my plate and cup.

"To check up on you, I suppose," she answered quietly, looking down. I knew that look well. She was lying. It seemed as if even she didn't even know why she was seated at my dining room table.

"I'm fine. You have no need to worry about me." That was also a lie, but I hid mine better than she had. She looked confused for a moment, her intelligent eyes flickering to the side once before meeting mine again. She rose, her confidence waning.

"Then I suppose. . . er. . . I will go then." She muttered something I couldn't hear and nervously ran her fingers through her hair. I could only catch the words "stupid" and "shouldn't have thought" before she was walking away. I faltered in my own thoughts. Oh God, I don't even remember what I was thinking. So many unnamed emotions ran through my head, so many unfinished thoughts fought to the front. I stood up as well, my legs betraying my head and following my heart.

"Hermione. Wait. . ." I called out. She stopped near the archway where I had first laid eyes upon her at my house and looked down, never turning around.

"I'm tired of waiting, Draco. I'm tired of waiting for you to figure out that I am not your enemy. That I am trying to help you. You are so quick to judge what you don't want to believe."

That stopped me in my tracks. She mirrored my own thoughts. My pride had forced me to think of her as an enemy. She looked so regal just then. Even with her hair trailing down her back in wild curls. Even with her sophisticated dress, hemmed to perfection. Something about the way she stood commanded attention. She was a long ways away from the invisible teenager that I once hated. I resumed my paces, catching up to her still form within a few strides.

"You're right." Two words. It took me a lifetime to say them, but it caught her attention. She looked up, her eyes locking with mine. Embarrassed to the point of shame, I broke the gaze and looked to the door. "Did you drive?"

She shook her head.

"No. I Apperated. I would have gotten closer to the grounds, but you seem to have some sort of shield around your house." I smiled.

"Yes. Father, in one of his bouts of paranoia, put it up." Looking back up, I touched her arm lightly. "If you don't want to walk, you can leave from here. The spell to lift the shield is easy, though only a Malfoy can do it." I was proud of myself at those words. There was nothing by information in them. They did not betray my feelings, nor did they show my overwhelming pride. She seemed to flinch a little at my touch, but only because it looked as if she wasn't expecting it. I muttered a spell under my breath, closing my eyes. "It's done."

"Thank you."

There we stood for countless moments, a horrid debate running through my mind. She was in front of me, barely a foot from my face. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence. I could only imagine the thoughts raging there. Her perfectly formed lips trembled a little, but I forced my gaze back to her eyes. She looked down, and I made my choice. I leaned in a little, my heart throbbing painfully. I met only air and I had to take a step forward to catch myself. My foot landed right where she had been before she Disapperated…half a second before our lips would have met.

A/N: Sorry guys! I had to. Review for my please?