A/N:

Hello! I can't believe that I have a new long chapter ready and made for all of you… so... I leave you to enjoy it now... Hope you do…

Disclaimer: Harry Potter… all its characters, places, events and other related things belong to the ever-wonderful and inspiring J.K. Rowling… Let us all never forget that:-D

Who Knows

By: Carla P.

Chapter 11- An Unlikely Morning

As she swung the portrait of the Fat Lady, closing the entrance of the common room and blocking the view of the outside from those inside, the tears that had begun as scant stubborn teardrops suddenly started falling errantly down her cheeks. In about a minute after her exit, she succeeded in creating a miniature waterfall right in the discomfort of her very own face.

Afraid that her tears would attract the attention of the few students that had chosen to stay for the Christmas holidays, she covered her eyes with her two hands and in a burst of panic and adrenaline ran to the nearest bathroom, causing her to attract the attention she hadn't wanted in the first place. Lucky for her there weren't any students present that early in the morning to witness the interesting the scene she had no trouble creating.

Pushing open the door of the first bathroom she came upon, she was relieved that no curious eyes were turned upon her at her entry. She thanked her lucky stars that there was no one vibrant or stupid enough to be in a bathroom so early on a vacation day. After all, they were only three days into the well-earned two-week break.

She swiftly entered the cubicle farthest from the entrance, which also happened to be the last place anybody could possibly disturb her. Let alone Harry or Ron. Yet, she locked the door in case anyone had the gall to bother her, sat on the toilet seat and prepared herself for a good cry.

Seated, she noticed that her tears were silently rolling down her cheeks and they didn't matter a bit. She started to assure herself that a good half hour or so of crying would surely ease her pain and would totally leave her feeling wonderful again making her forget of that morning's events. That was when she realized that she was trying to convince herself, rather pathetically may I add and without any luck, so she just buried her face in her hands letting everything out and not caring about what could possibly happen later.

With a sniff, a half hour later, she proclaimed herself graduated from crying. And, as primordial as it may sound, her stomach made a grumbling sound, which suddenly made her remember that she had not broken her fast yet. Peering at her timepiece and at the same time consulting her mental schedule, she realized that it was way past the time when she usually had her morning meal.

Shrugging off this fact, she figured breakfast would go on for some time yet what with the scarcity of people and the general air of relaxation pervading the whole castle. She unfastened the lock of the cubicle door and made her way out until she was in front of the faucets and mirrors lining one side of the room.

She happily welcomed the cool liquid she splashed on her face upon opening the faucet before her. Whilst experiencing the benefits of the icy water in contact with her aching face, she thought about going to the Great Hall for even a bite of toast contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of such a course of action.

She knew that if she were to go down, even for a sip of pumpkin juice, it would replenish the energy she had used up crying. But then, if she did go down there was a chance that she was going to see Harry and Ron and she didn't think that she was ready to face them just yet.

And anyway, she chided herself, how could she think of food at such a tragic time in her life. Suddenly, she straightened and whatever appetite she had vanished when she realized that she regarded fighting with Harry (and Ron?) tragic. 'What could possibly be more pathetic?' she asked her pitiable self.

Out of the blue, she became conscious of the fact that she had been staring at her pitiful reflection in the mirror. She noted the red, puffy eyes that fortunately been cooled by water. Her cheeks that contained slight evidence of tearstains if you looked closely enough.

But what captured her utmost attention were her chocolate-colored orbs. She saw that they had lost that deliciously joyful sparkle it had before when she and Harry had become closer.

At these traitorous thoughts, she reproved herself for thinking that her happiness depended on a single person. She hated herself for allowing herself to become so reliant on someone else for her personal elation. 'It's just not fair! I was perfectly capable of being happy before they (he) came into my life! What gives them (him) the right to come barging into my satisfied life then leaving just to make me search for them (him) all the more? She hated herself for such weakness that she wanted to cry again. Gladly, she stopped herself in time.

After about an hour she finally vacated the bathroom that had become her solace after a major friend-between-friends fight. She threw away the notion of going to the Great Hall, as she could never hope to avoid the two boys, who would surely be there. And, she couldn't bear to make any sort of scandal by ignoring them, which would unquestionably not remain unnoticed. And, she thought, even if they were in a fight, she couldn't intentionally hurt the two people, who were her first true friends in Hogwarts.

With these thoughts she bypassed the hallway heading to the Great Hall and, instead, took the familiar path to her comfort zone— the library. 'Besides', she thought, 'nobody would be there at this time and today of all days.'

At long last, Hermione reached the well-known heavy, ornate, wooden door of the library, which was closed, a fact that annoyed Hermione as it was usually wide open and welcoming save when it was nighttime and she was supposed to be doing her Head Girl duties.

Pushing hard at the door finally resulted in its opening and Hermione welcomed the sight of the early morning sunlight resting on some of her dearest friends— books. She almost heaved a huge sigh of relief when she thought that the room was unoccupied besides Madame Pince and herself. But she suddenly stopped herself when she noticed a blond, rather unwelcome, person seated at one of the tables.

She didn't like that she didn't have the place to herself. And the fact that she had to share it with such an irksome individual didn't help matters at all. She just wasn't up to any teasing remarks on the hackneyed "Mudblood" and she wasn't in the mood for anymore frustrating males in her life, even if Malfoy wasn't such an important part of her life. Still…

She bid Madame Pince good morning, who answered her with a bemused smile, much to her confusion. But still, she didn't turn her head towards Malfoy's direction though she knew that he became aware of her arrival from the way he suddenly sat up, something she saw in her peripheral vision.

Hermione sincerely wished that he would ignore her completely for she was sure that he would not be able to keep himself from commenting on the fact that she looked like she just cried, which she, in fact, did.

First, if he did, she was sure to shout at him, which will surely end up in them cursing one another and Madame Pince chasing them out of the library with a detention to boot. Or, she just might break down and cry, which was worse, seeing that Malfoy, her worst enemy, would be able to see her vulnerable.

Just as she was about to carry out her plan of avoiding said git, she up and realized that, as she hadn't brought any books with her, the book she needed and wanted was on the shelf that was nearest to the table Malfoy was sitting at.

With no other choice but to get the book from the shelf, she took a deep breath and approached the shelf an action Malfoy must have sensed for her suddenly became all tensed-up.

Reaching the bookshelf, he looked up at her and she answered this with an "I dare you" look as though daring him to taunt her. To this, Malfoy gave an indifferent stare, which was immediately followed by a defeated sigh as though he had been expecting her to act the way she had and he didn't blame her.

Hermione hadn't been expecting this so she did a double take. Thinking abruptly that she had nothing to lose and hoping she had not misinterpreted anything, she said bravely, "Good morning. Quiet, isn't it?"

Not expecting such a bold but brilliant and kind act from Hermione, it was Malfoy's turn to do a double take, but he answered her, "Hmmm… It is quiet, but I like it that way… been here since six…" He looked at her blandly; gave his attention back to what he just been reading when, as though on afterthought, he added, "Good morning to you too, Hermione."

Hermione smiled her relief even if she was a bit shaken at being called "Hermione" by Malfoy, her sworn mortal enemy; she easily took the needed book from the shelf. Tucking it in the crook of her arm, she turned her back to Malfoy and started to walk over to a different table when suddenly a voice spoke up, a hesitant voice, from the only occupant in the silent room, "Ummm… Hermione?"

Hermione looked back, tilted her head to the side with her eyes full of surprise as Malfoy had called her by her first name for the second time in the day and what would be the second time in her life. "Yes?" she inquired.

He answered, "Well, seeing that we're the only two persons in the library and it's obvious that no one's going to come when we're a few days into Christmas vacation then it would be stupid to waste space. So would it be okay for you to sit here with me? The company would be wonderful, too… I mean it's okay if you don't want to…" and with that last sentence he tried so much to maintain his dignity in the event that Hermione would scoff or turn the tables on him.

She raised an eyebrow in question and almost called his bluff and ignore him to head over to her preferred table when she unexpectedly came to the conclusion that it was time to change and take risks and chances. So, she turned again, this time to face him, gave him the brightest smile she can manage despite what had happened and said in her cheeriest voice, " Sure Malfoy. I'd love to."

As she took the across from him, he said uncertainly, "Hermione?" She looked at him to affirm that she was listening and he continued, "Since I'm taking the liberty of calling you by your given name, a fact I am thankful you didn't make such a big issue, I'd like it very much if you would call me by my first name. Would that be okay with you?"

Hermione almost shook her head, not because she wanted to say no but because she couldn't believe that those words had come from Malfoy's mouth, the person she considered her no. 1 enemy. Instead, she answered him, saying, "I'd love that… Draco." To her, saying the name was so wonderful because she never thought she'd come to that point that she would be able or allowed to.

She liked that they had arrived at an unspoken agreement to let bygones be bygones, and especially considering that she had had a fight with her two closest friends that morning, it was nice that something else in her life was going right or going well, even though it came as such a surprise.

After hearing her say his name, he gave her a wide smile and nodded his head in satisfaction and went back to pouring over what he had been reading. Being close enough to see, Hermione noted that he was midway to completely reading a letter that had obviously taken refuge in the pages of the book he had with him.

Seeing as there was no more need for words, they both lapsed into a comfortable silence, each of them drawing back into their work, easing into the contentment of each others company, which was really a total surprise.

A few minutes into reading and after perusing the introductory paragraph at least eight times without success, Hermione knew that she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and had to ask, "Malfoy, I mean, Draco, why are you so nice today? And to me too… The person you call Mudblood and torment every chance you get." At these words, Malfoy winced guiltily and flashed an embarrassed smile, which Hermione returned with a forgiving and easy one. Still, she was not to be deterred, "Really, I have to ask: Why?"

Draco looked up and Hermione saw that his eyes were very serious and that he was gravely contemplating what to tell Hermione. He turned and gazed into her eyes; his hands palm down on the table and said…

8-8-8

A/N:

Every wonderful grammar correction is thanks to my amazing beta Janelle who has always been there for me all through all my inconstancies and inconsistencies…

Hey! I was a bit surprised when I made chapter 11 because, as an author, I never know how my story will end or progress unless I'm in front of my computer typing it and when I made this, it was totally unexpected. Anyway, I was wondering what you think of my incorporating Draco into the blend: cool? Stupid? Unnecessary?

Do you think that they forgave each other too fast and so unrealistically? I know, I think that too… Oh, well, anything you say would be welcome and cool… I'm open for anything as long as you voice it out… Thanks!