Okay, so, based on some of the reviews I received, I revamped the last half of the chapter. I'm glad that I didn't post it now. I think some of you would have been like "wtf, mate?" So thank you for reviewing! Now, onward!

Chapter 4: Cleaning up the Aftermath

On Sunday morning, Hermione did not even want to open her eyes. Yesterday had been a disaster. This entire situation seemed hopeless. Her friends were angry with her, she was angry with them, and the only person who might tolerate her at the moment probably wouldn't be caught dead talking to her in front of the entire school. She hadn't even thought of the effect her "mediation" would have on Draco's ego.

"Hermione, are you awake yet?"

Lavender. She brushed her hair as she sat, looking at Hermione, on her own bed.

"What do you want?"

"Look, Hermione, I want to say sorry. I was going to say something to you last night, but you were asleep by the time I got back to the room. Ron said I should apologize because you were really upset."

"I wasn't upset." But Ron said she was? Hermione thought for sure that he'd take Lavender's side.

"Right. Well, I'm sorry. I did not mean to start a rumor about you," she said almost mechanically. "But, if you don't mind my asking, what were you and Malfoy talking about yesterday morning? You both seemed rather cozy there."

"We were sitting in chairs at a table in the library. How does that constitute as cozy?" Hermione asked, wiping her eyes.

"Well, it was more the way you were looking at each other."

"I don't know what you're talking about," just a peek at her thoughts? No. Please? NO! Hermione argued the moral issues of Legilimency.

"Oh, come on Hermione. You know what I mean. You guys looked like you were sharing a secret joke. Come on, you can tell me. Girl to girl."

"Wow, Lavender. You must have been watching us really closely. You know, some people tend to find that extremely rude. Like me. Now, girl to girl, how could I possibly tell you anything? I mean, you talk about me enough when I say nothing to you."

"You know what?" Lavender stood up. "I was only apologizing because Ron said I should. If you ask me, there really is something going on between you and Malfoy. If there is, don't think you can hide it for long, Hermione. I will know about it."

"Knock yourself out," Hermione yawned and got up to get ready for the day. The girls ignored each other until Lavender finally stormed down to breakfast. Hermione rolled her eyes before noticing an owl outside her window. She opened it and took the piece of parchment from the bird's leg.

G.

Thank you. See you soon.

-M.

Hermione felt an enormous weight lift from her shoulders. Draco actually thanked her. She began walking down to the Great Hall with a smile when she saw Harry and Ron, obviously waiting for her. They both looked up when she came down the steps.

"Mornin'," Harry greeted her. She nodded to them. "So, how are you?" He continued.

"I'm doing better," Hermione replied.

"So then Lavender did apologize?" Ron asked hopefully. "The way she stomped out of here I thought for sure you two had gotten into a row or something."

"Oh, we did," Hermione admitted. "Just a small one, though. Even after she muttered the worst apology I've ever heard, she insisted going on about Malfoy," she was starting to soften toward her friends again. "Believe me when I say this, if I there was anything I could tell you about what's going on between us, I would. But there's nothing to tell," that, at least, was a half-truth. She couldn't very well tell them the truth after she promised Dumbledore she would not.

Harry and Ron smiled. "We figured as much," Harry said.

"We also think that what you did was-"

"What Ron means to say is that when you stood up for Malfoy-"

"Or didn't stand up for Malfoy, because we realize that you didn't take sides. Well, we thought that was very, er, prefect-like and-"

"Noble," Harry finished.

Hermione pulled each of them into a hug.

"Besides," Ron began. "We figured that if you and Malfoy were talking to each other in the library, you were more than likely talking about school. Why else would he talk to you? I mean, other to insult you?"

"Yeah, I-I didn't want to admit it, but Malfoy's been helping me with school. As it turns out, he needs help with something too. So, we've made a sort of deal. Please don't tell anybody. I know, Malfoy and I are supposed to hate each other, I'm a "lowly" muggleborn and he's a prick of a pureblood and all that, but... well, we can recognize each others' intelligence."

"Sounds like our Hermione's growing up," Harry teased. "She can tolerate our worst enemy in order to help and be helped."

"Does that mean Malfoy's growing up too?" Ron asked, more jokingly than not. They all began walking down to breakfast.

Hermione said nothing but thought about Ron's words. She smiled to herself. Yes, in fact, Draco Malfoy had also matured. He was no longer the spoiled little brat who would go out of his way to humiliate Harry. Hermione wasn't so arrogant as to think that she'd been the spark to ignite the change, especially because he'd been acting differently since the beginning of the school year. So what was the change?

Oh well. Right now, Hermione walked to the Great Hall with her two best friends. Could this day possibly get any better?

xxxx

"Could this day possibly get any worse?"

Draco and Hermione stood looking at each other, Hermione rubbing her arm where Draco had unwittingly cast a stinging hex.

"You're not staying focused," Hermione said gently.

"Granger. I have not been able to properly resist any of your... mental intrusions."

"Something's bothering you, or distracting you. What's on your mind?" Hermione, trying to help, asked. Draco said nothing. "You know I can always try to find out."

"And risk getting stung again?"

"Do you remember what we read last Wednesday? About resisting physically and resisting mentally? You're being too physical about it. Any Legilimens will know that you're trying to hide something if you do that. You've got to focus more. Control your emotions, and defend your thoughts with your mind."

Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Ready?"

Looking up, clearly frustrated, Draco shook his head.

"Then maybe we should talk," Hermione sat down on the couch and helped herself to some pumpkin juice. Draco came to sit next to her. "What's troubling you? I can feel that there's something there. Do you want to talk about it, or would you rather try to put that memory into the Pensieve?"

"No, it's not the memory that's bothering me. It's how I feel about it."

Hermione waited for an explanation that did not come. "Go on," she urged. "I haven't seen the actual memory yet, but I did feel your confusion about it. What happened?"

Draco laughed. "Well, you see, yesterday, after lunch, I was walking along minding my own business when some hot-tempered Gryffindor came up to me and started threatening me and telling me I'd better stay away from his friend. That part didn't confuse me. What happened next did. I heard another Gryffindor yell a curse. I didn't have the time to respond, but I didn't need to because, magically, there was a shield charm in front of me. Now, don't get me wrong because I am grateful, but why, Granger? Why did you do that? Why didn't you take Weasley's side?"

"Hey, I didn't take your side either," Hermione defended herself. "I've had this conversation enough," she added to herself.

"I know, but you didn't have to. Just the fact that you weren't going to choose one of us over the other made me feel... worth something, I guess. I mean, you defended me against your two best friends. I can't honestly say that I know anybody else would ever do that for me. Anyway, I'm glad that I have you as a... well, I mean to say that I consider you a..." Draco looked away from Hermione. "An ally," he finally said.

So she'd gained his trust. And it only took a week? That seemed almost too easy until Hermione reminded herself of the past few days. Though they had their secrets, Draco and Hermione shared a lot with each other in a short amount of time. But she knew he could be shrewd and manipulative. He could be trying to lure her into a false sense of security. But to what purpose? Surely she meant nothing to his plans. Hermione's own deceitfulness had her doubting Draco's intentions. Perhaps she was safer that way.

"Draco Malfoy, are you saying that, after five years of being enemies, you don't hate me anymore?" Hermione teased.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. In a... round-about sort of way."

"I hadn't really thought about it before now but I think I feel the same way. I don't hate you either. You've changed, I think. We both have, really. You're definitely more mature now. I mean, you rarely even try to pick fights with Harry anymore. I can tell you feel more comfortable around me now, too. And isn't that something? You and I, allies. Do you think that could possibly be one of the signs of the apocolypse?"

Draco laughed softly as he ran his fingers through his hair. "You know, I thought about that too."

"Think you're ready to try again?" Hermione asked after a few minutes of silence.

For an answer, Draco stood up and offered a hand to Hermione. Unnecessary, but a sweet gesture, nonetheless. She stood up.

"Hey, Malfoy?"

"Hmm?"

"You never actually told me why you want to learn Occlumency. I didn't think it was really any of my business, but... well, I didn't want to ask before."

Draco's face hardened as his right hand moved to rub his left forearm. "I wish I could tell you. In short, I need to protect myself. I don't really want to say anymore than that."

Hermione carefully put her right hand on his left shoulder. "It's fine. Just... promise me that you'll tell me someday."

"Sure. I promise," he grabbed her right hand with his own. They momentarily gazed into each other's eyes.

"You know," Hermione began. "It's easier to resist if you don't make eye contact."

Draco smirked at her words that, to him, were loaded. Of course Hermione referred to resisting her use of Legilimency. Draco, however, also thought about resisting her... charm. Somehow, in the past week, she had bewitched him. He trusted her more than he ever wanted to trust another soul.

"It would be easier to resist, but I prefer a challenge."

xxxx

Sing with me! Can you feel the love tonight? (In this case, love equals sexual tension. A common mistake.)

So, toodles for now! Hope you enjoyed this update and I hope you don't have to wait too long for the next!

Thanks for reviewing! Slytherin Girl seVen, (I'm glad you liked the fight scene. I had a lot of fun writing it.) Emi-Bum, (Thanks!) JessieBear16, (Haha, you remind me of my ex and his obsession with Metallica. And of course Ron would be fuming. What else does that kid do? I couldn't keep him mad for long, though lol. Thanks for all the song suggestions!) Desi Zephyr, (Hey, I'm glad you gave my story a chance. Yeah, Hermione was a little harsh, but they're in the middle of a fight, and then Ron went and pulled that stunt... I think she was well-deserving to be a little pissed, lol.) and Carly. (Aww, you adore it? lol I'm glad.)