Apologies and Unspoken Attractions

Disclaimer: Don't own it, never will.

They boarded the train and sat in their usual compartment at the back. They had just settled in and were beginning a conversation about Quidditch when the door opened and the most unexpected person walked in.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Ron spat.

"Um…can I sit with you guys?" he asked quietly.

"Oh…"Hermione said, "Sure, that'd be- okay I guess…" she looked closer and saw that his face and shoulders were covered in bruises. She stood up and walked over to where he had sat, taking the seat next to him. She took out her wand and said, "Take off your shirt."

Ron and Draco fell out of their seats while Harry gaped and Ginny grinned, mischievously. "Excuse me?" Draco and Ron both screamed.

"You heard me…" Hermione said, "Take it off. Now."

"Um… may I inquire as to why?" Draco said, taking his seat again.

Hermione growled and began unbuttoning it for him, noticing even more bruises on his chest. "Just as I thought…" she muttered.

Draco merely sat there, absolutely dumbfounded, while Harry and Ron looked as though they wished to hex him into oblivion. Hermione finally got his shirt off and muttered a healing spell. The bruises immediately vanished, and Draco examined himself in awe.

"How did you know that spell?" Draco asked, putting his shirt back on.

"Um… let's see… I read," Hermione said, bluntly.

"Well, so do I, but… uh… yeah," Draco said, sounding incredibly ineloquent.

Hermione giggled (yes she giggles!), and Ron and Harry's jaws dropped. Was she flirting… WITH MALFOY?

"So… what exactly happened?" Hermione asked.

"I got ambushed by about seventy Slytherins," he said as though it was a daily occurrence.

"Why? Aren't you like their prince?" Ginny asked.

"Well, not anymore," Draco said, sighing, "Not since I refused to be a Death Eater…" everyone gaped at this, "Oh yeah, and joined the Order of the Phoenix."

"Oh, well that probably would caused some hostility toward…" Hermione stopped, realizing what he had just said, "Wait- WHAT?"

"I joined the Order… is that- bad or something?" Draco asked. Harry and Ron were officially face down on the compartment floor.

"No… it's- it's good, but-well it's a little unexpected," she said.

"Yeah, well, I heard that you and Potter and Weasley had joined, so I figured I was old enough… and…" Draco trailed off.

"And…" Ginny urged.

"Nothing," he said quickly, "Never mind."

"Nope. You brought it up, so now you have to tell us," Hermione said.

Draco smirked. "Well, I just wanted to be close to you, Hermione…" he purred in a seductive voice.

Hermione blushed and nearly fainted until she realized that he must be teasing her, and laughed. Draco smiled, genuinely. It wasn't a lie…

"Anyways… I know the past years I've given you all a whole lot of crap," Draco said, "And I just wanted to say…. I'm sorry… I guess."

Hermione and Ginny both smiled at him and Harry shook his hand, welcoming him 'into the light', while Ron scowled.

They arrived at Hogwarts and watched the sorting as usual. They ate, talked, and were merry, until the feast ended and they were required to return to their dorms. Hermione walked up to where Professor McGonnagal had told her the Head Boy and Girl's Common Room was. She walked in and to her left she saw a red door with the letters HG written across it in gold. She didn't think to look at the door to her right to see what house the Head Boy was in, because at the moment she didn't make the connection.

She entered her bedroom to find it lavishly decorated in reds and golds. She had a cozy red plush couch before a brick fireplace. Her bed was a pillow top with red silk sheets and gold silk pillow cases. She had a cherry wood dresser and matching vanity. She walked through the door that apparently led to the bathroom and gasped. The floor was white marble, as were the sink, toilet and bath. The faucets were gold and there was a large mirror spanning one wall. She walked back out into the Common Room just as the Head Boy walked in.

They both stopped and pointed at the other, crying, "It's YOU!"

Draco Malfoy stood in the doorway and Hermione gaped. "How did you end up being Head Boy?"

"Good grades…. And I thought you were smart," he teased.

He walked into his room and Hermione followed him. His bedroom was almost exactly like hers but it was decorated in green and silver and there was no vanity. He jumped onto the bed and looked at her.

"Care to join me?" he said, patting the bed suggestively.

Hermione grinned, and Draco decided that he did not like the unusual twinkle in her eyes. "Sure," she purred crawling toward him on the bed.

Draco swallowed air. What the hell does she think she's doing? Draco thought. Hermione laid down next to him and he stared at her with wide eyes.

"You know something… your bed is much more comfortable than mine… maybe I'll sleep here," she said, winking at him.

"Um… uh… er…." Draco stuttered.

"Well, I'm here. What now?" she asked turning to look at him.

Suddenly, a great many 'thoughts' began flying through his mind. He settled with the one that would scare her the least, and bent low to capture her lips in a tender kiss.

Well… this chapter is finished… on to the next! Please REVIEW, and I shall give you much praise at the final chapter! Thanks!