Ok.. First thing I want to say is that I know that Hermione seemed pretty accepting of Draco. And, well, I'm writing this and I don't like conflict, so if I want everyone to be friends, then that's my decision. So there. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this story. You are welcome to tell me, nicely, if you don't.

Chapter 7

The girls returned to the boy's room. Draco and Ron stopped talking and looked up suddenly so it was quite obvious whom they were talking about. Hermione sat down next to Ron who blushed ever so slightly and Ginny sat next to Draco. Ron wasn't too happy about that at all. "Ginny, there's room over here for you. Come sit by me."

"You're kidding, right?" Ron suddenly realized how stupid he must sound.

"Well, whatever. Stay there then, See if I care." By the look in his eyes though, you could definitely see that he cared. To distract him, Hermione gave him a hug. "What was that for?" he asked her.

"Just because." Hermione wasn't about to let him know how much she'd wanted to do that.

It was too much for Draco to handle. He started laughing and couldn't stop. Pretty soon, everyone was laughing with him. His laugh is surprisingly nice and light, thought Ginny.

"So, Draco, I hear you're in Gryffindor now. How are you going to handle being around all of us muggleborns and half bloods?" Hermione asked with a grim look on her face.

"Hermione!" gasped Ginny. "I can't believe you!"

"It's ok, Ginny, honest" said Draco touching her arm with his hand. Her skin feels really soft. I wonder if she'd notice if I didn't let go? "Hermione, I don't have a problem with muggles or half bloods. That was all an act so my dad wouldn't find out the truth. I don't want to be anything like him and Dumbledore's giving me the chance to start from scratch, so why can't you?" Ok, I really need to move my hand now; I just don't want to. I could just touch her skin forever. Ron cleared his throat and Draco jumped. He immediately moved his hand off of Ginny's arm, much to Ginny's dismay.

"I think that's the first time you didn't call me Granger, Draco. Maybe you are different."

Just then, the doorbell rang again. "Ooh, it must be Harry," squealed Hermione. She jumped up and raced to the door. "I see the top of his head. Quick let's go down to meet him." Ginny followed Hermione out the door. Ron suddenly looked very sullen, but Draco was the only one to notice.

"Come on, mate, this will be interesting" he said to Ron. "Don't worry about it. Ginny told me that Hermione likes you."

"Yeah, whatever you say, but don't talk to my sister unless I'm around, ok?"

"Hey, she's a big girl and if she happens to seek me out as a friend or more he thought I'm certainly not going to stop her." I may conveniently pop up whenever she's alone, actually.

The boys entered the kitchen in time to see both girls tackle Harry with hugs. No one noticed the looks on either Draco or Ron's faces, luckily. Once Harry managed to escape from the pile, he stood up and walked over to Ron and Draco. Totally ignoring Draco, Harry asked Ron "What's new? Anything I missed lately?"

"Uh, just one thing, mate. Draco's mum is...um... in the Order so...um... they are staying here. He'll be...um... sharing our room. You did get my letter, didn't you? I know you...um... didn't respond, but I, well, we thought you might be too busy packing to send a note back, or something." Ron seemed to be fumbling for words.

"Yes, but I thought it was a joke. I can't believe that you actually expected me to think that Malfoy was really here! I mean honestly. We've hated him since first year, Ron." Harry just seemed to realize that Draco, Mrs. Malfoy and Mrs. Weasley were all looking at him very nervously.

Draco gave a little cough, held his hand out to Harry and said "Hi. I'm really hoping that we can put the past behind us and start fresh. After all, I am living here now. And I'm in Gryffindor."

"You're what? How could you possibly be in Gryffindor? How is that humanly possible?" Draco's hand dropped back to his side. His eyes darted nervously around the room.

Mrs. Weasley was worried that a fight might break out in the middle of the kitchen, so she said "Come now boys, let's all sit down and have a nice dinner. Then we can talk afterwards. Well, you can talk, the grown ups have another Order meeting to attend."

Ron sat down between Harry and Draco and the girls sat across the table from them. Dinner had all of Harry's favorite foods and the only one, who ate more helpings than Harry, was Draco. Harry couldn't help himself. He kept shooting daggers with his eyes at Draco. Ginny noticed, but she was too busy trying not to stare at Draco herself. Look at his eyes. They look like pools that I just want to get lost in. Maybe if I ask him to pass me something our hands will touch again.

"Draco, would you pass me the rolls, please?" Ginny batted her eyelashes a little when she asked.

Draco obliged and their hands touched for maybe a second longer than necessary. Harry noticed and raised an eyebrow at Ron who was too busy scowling at his plate to notice.

"Mrs. Weasley, This is delicious!" Draco exclaimed. I haven't eaten food this tasty since I left Hogwarts. Narcissa gave her son a look. "Well, sorry Mum, but it's true!" Everyone laughed including Harry.

After a delicious dessert of treacle tart, Mrs. Weasley ushered all the children upstairs. "It's a very important meeting were having tonight and we don't need you poking your noses in. Now get upstairs." She tried to sound fierce, but there was a hint of a smile playing around her mouth. After all, she had Harry and Hermione here safe and sound. She always felt better when she could keep an eye on them.

Once outside the boy's door, the girls decided to head up to their room. "Girl talk, you know", said Ginny with a twinkle in her eye.