Chapter Three
Desicions

"Well… I don't really know what a friend is. I haven't had one. It's not what Slytherins do. We make political allegiances, they work to our advantage," Draco stated simply.

"A friend is someone you generally get along with, and will have your back when you need it. They also are the ones you trust with anything really," Hermione explained.

Draco had to think about this one. He didn't really get along with anyone or could stand to be in the same room for long periods of time. The only person he could think of was Blaise. Blaise and Draco knew that they would be the stronghold of Slytherin in their year. With that they did what Hermione called 'trusted' each other. But were they friends? I guess so, thought the Slytherin Prince.

"Well Blaise is kinda like a friend."

"So is that what you want to be with me? For I don't make allegiances only friendships," Hermione stated.

"Well if that's what it takes then yes I do."

"Well you don't really want to be friends then why do you need the allegiance? Maybe you are better off without anyone. Your time here will be over soon enough and then you will have to make a new decision. Stay here or go back. You would be safe here, but not well liked. Think about this Draco, as your future depends on it."

Hermione left the room wondering what she saw in Draco's eyes. It was very similar to the look back in the courtroom only a couple months ago. What was it? Hermione could only wonder.

Draco was back in his room watching the witch as she walked away. For once he didn't know what he wanted. He was so used to decisions being easy, or made for him. Plus there was the new feeling he was having towards the muggle-born. Was it caring? No it couldn't be Draco thought. A Malfoy doesn't care for anyone but themselves. Even in marriage! What his parents had wasn't love. It wasn't like how Mr. and Mrs. Weasley behaved. That was love. And for the first time Draco started to understand what it was. He thought about this for a long time and far into the night he finally slept with thoughts dancing around the idea of friendship and with Hermione.

Breakfast the next morning could be defined as awkward. Ginny was well hung over and Mrs. Weasley could only glare at her only daughter. Ron was also glaring at Ginny but his was because of Dean. He couldn't figure out why his sister had to date everyone in his year. Harry was staring blankly for who knows why and Hermione and Draco just stared at each other. They just couldn't find the right words to say. Draco still didn't know what to feel or what to do after the situation the previous night.

"Well Harry did you enjoy your party?" said Mrs. Weasley trying to sound cheerful.

"Well yes I did. It was such a nice thing for you to do for me Mrs. Weasley." Harry made sure not to mention what he heard from Hermione but he struggled to keep it in. Hermione sent a look that was told him that she would say something eventually and he held it to be true.

"Shall I pick up the dishes Mrs. Weasley?" Draco asked in a polite manner. The table full of teenagers was surprised by his friendly and polite tone. And Ron had to say something about it.

"Never thought I would see the day Malfoy was polite to anyone."

"Please use manners Mr. Weasley." Draco bantered back.

"Oh really, I am the one that needs lessons in manners. HA." Ron laughed. Everyone else just stared at the red head as he made a fool of himself.

"Ronald Weasley behave yourself. Draco is just trying to help with the dishes, something I have never seen you do," Mrs. Weasley said. She had taken a liking to the blonde boy. Molly Weasley was the type to see the best in everyone and saw Draco as the nice boy he was. Or at least she thought.

Soon the meal was finished and Hermione and Ginny were working on the dishes. Really they were just making sure their spell didn't wear off on them.

"So how was the conversion with Malfoy?" Ginny asked.

"He wants to be allies with me. What a silly thing," Hermione stated.

"You said yes didn't you? He is quite a cute friend to have you know..." Ginny told her bushy haired friend.

"Of course I told him that he had to think things through first. In my mind he will always be the mean bully that made fun of me in school. But if he's serious I will give it a shot."

"I think that he is. I mean he knows what awaits him when his time is up. He is going to be tortured and even killed and all because he came to work for us for the summer. He needs to join us. He isn't as dumb as you think," Ginny explained.

"I will give him that. Maybe I will go and 'make friends,'" Hermione answered. The dishes were done so the curly-haired girl left the room. She didn't know exactly where to find it so she started to wander. She found him in the office for the headquarters, filing papers.

"So this is what you do," she said while standing in the doorway. Draco hadn't noticed her entrance and jumped at the sound of her soothing voice.

"Well… umm… yeah." Draco was skipping for words. For some reason he didn't want her to see him like this, working to remain alive. He didn't mind it around other people. He stopped working and turned to the petite girl.

"So did you um… make a decision about us?" Hermione asked.

"US! WHAT US! HERMIONE! THIS IS WHY YOU DID THIS SO YOU CAN BE WITH HIM!" Ron had entered the room without notice and has now made his presence known. "That's why you went all emo or whatever. So I would stop liking you and you could crawl to him!"

"Ron its not like that!"

"Listen to the girl Weasley. I came to her to make an alligence not anything more then that," Draco said in a calm tone. He didn't want to anger the Weasley any more then he already was.

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES!" Ron stormed from the room. Hermione didn't even seem fazed by the whole encounter. She just got back to where she left off.

"Did you decide yet?"

"Yes. I will become friends, but it will ruin that relationship with Weasley."

"I don't even care anymore. Friends it is," she went and shook the cold hand of Draco's and knew it was a new starting point in her life.