Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Warnings: Mild Slash, Mild language.
Author's Note: I just want to say thanks to the great response I've gotten from this story. And something else I've been forgetting, this story takes place in Harry's 7th year. But the Events at the end of OotP and all of HBP have been ignored completly.
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Draco's POV
-The Day before Winter Holidays-
It was a new day, and I had a good feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was a new feeling, but it made me happy to say the least. A looked out a window as the sun shined happily, it was early, but I had potions first. Professor Snape, there was an interesting character. He was a bit surly, but a pretty good guy when it came down to it, plus I knew I could go to him about anything. I made my way to breakfast with Blaise; his spirits seemed to be even higher than mine…
"Draco…Draco…Draco!" Blaise called, I jolted back to reality
"Huh?"
"Have you heard a word I've said?" He asked, I shook my head truthfully, he chuckled "That's what I thought…"
"Sorry…" I apologized as we entered the great hall. I noticed dismally that all of the Slytherins were already there…I heard Blaise curse next to me, and nodded
"Draco!" I heard a voice call, I turned, Hermione was walking towards us with a smile, "Having a little trouble no?" she asked, looking past us at the Slytherins, I nodded grimly
"Any notion of a good mood I had going is ruined." I admitted, she laughed slightly
"Would you and Blaise like to sit with us?" she asked, looking at me carefully, I was startled to say the least
"Well, of course we would!" Blaise answered for me, Hermione smiled at him, but looked back at me. I nodded slightly to show I was ok with it
"Great." She smiled, leading us over to the Gryffindor table, I didn't know if inter-house seating was against the rules, but no one else seemed to mind…much.
"Oi, Hermione what do you think you're doing, bringing those prats over here?" Dean Thomas asked in a curious and slightly annoyed voice, Hermione gave him a dangerous look.
"They are our guests Thomas. Be polite." She ordered, gesturing to Weasley and Harry. Dean looked between Harry and the other two with confusion; I figure he let it go though, seeing as how he inquired no further. Hermione sat down across from Harry and Weasley, gesturing for me to sit next to her right, I did so, and Blaise sat to my right with a smug smile. The Gryffindors scoffed and turned back to their conversations or food. Hermione and I laughed quietly, Blaise turned to us, his fake conceit disappearing. It was probably this time that I noticed I was directly across from Harry. I sent a glare in Hermione's direction, she smiled at me innocently. I turned to Weasley and Harry and nodded in greeting. Blaise smiled cheekily
"That's his way of saying good morning." He explained, I gave him a look and the table drifted into an awkward silence. Hermione smiled
"Draco, how did your History of Magic homework go?" She asked, Hermione, Blaise and I were three of the five people in advanced History of Magic…the two others were Ravenclaws. Now that at I think about Hermione is in all of my classes, advanced or not.
"Well." I stated quietly, and I knew she wouldn't be satisfied with it…
"I couldn't find who Borso defeated in ancient Rome." Blaise stated, sipping orange juice. Harry and Weasley looked on with bored curiosity.
"Oh yes….hmm who was that…?" Hermione furrowed her brow in concentration. I sighed
"It was Nort. Montgomery Nort. Borso defeated him with a simple Gonorto hex." I told them softly, Hermione gaped at me as Blaise pulled out a parchment and scribbled furiously with his quill
"Thanks Dray!" he said happily as he looked over now finished History of magic essay. Hermione was still staring at me, I noticed Harry was too. Ron was immersed in his eggs…thank god.
"What?" I asked, begging to feel uncomfortable under their gazes
"That's amazing." Harry stated in awe, Hermione nodded
"What is?" I asked,
"That is the first time someone has ever known something Hermione didn't." Harry explained, I shrugged and stared down at my plate, which was still devoid of food. I couldn't look at Harry anymore…it was too painful. I could tell Hermione was frowning, and I didn't want to disappoint her…but…I just couldn't. I stood and turned to Blaise
"I'm going to class." he gave me a confused look, but nodded. I noticed Hermione started to get up to follow me, but stopped at the look Blaise gave her. I left the Great hall and made my way to the dungeons, the door to Severus' office was open so I stepped in. My godfather hadn't been at breakfast so I assumed he was again immersed in a potion…I was right. Severus Snape was bent over a steaming cauldron, stirring it meticulously, staring into as if he could see the future. I smiled softly and stepped forward towards the potions master, he looked up at the movement and smiled slightly
"Draco." He nodded, putting the cauldron aside to simmer,
"Good morning professor." I greeted, Severus gave me a look
"Alright what's wrong?" I sighed and sat in an armchair near his desk
"Just having a bad morning." I admitted, he nodded and sat in the chair behind his desk
"Anything to do with Miss Granger?" He asked with a perked eyebrow, I sighed
"No, she didn't do anything intentionally." I stated, Severus nodded...it seems he heard about our truce…
"Yes Draco, I know. I woke this morning and found my house lacking 120 points that it had when I went to bed." He said in a dry voice, I laughed quietly. But the dark mood I had been in quickly came back; Severus noticed and fixed me with a stare
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, I sighed again
"Father always beat it into my head, a Malfoy must never feel, a Malfoy must never love, only hate, a Malfoy must always be the best. When I was smaller…I believed him, thinking I was better, worth more. But the older I got…the more I doubted more and more of what he told me. I couldn't think of a possible reason why I was better, or why I should hate everyone. And I still felt, though I hide it well…every time Father yelled, or mother cried…it hurt. But no one cared. Draco Malfoy was a heart-less bastard, so deep in the dark that no one could touch him. Some where along the way…I lost contact with all intelligent and caring people in my life, well…except for you and Blaise. And now…Hermione and her friends are showing an interest in me. And I don't know how to react. You and Blaise were always there, I don't even remember when I first became real friends with Blaise…" As I rambled on, Severus sat quietly. When my voice finally faded, he nodded in understanding
"Little Dragon…it sounds to me…like you're scared." He said in a slightly teasing tone, I smiled slightly
"I guess I am." I admitted, Severus nodded
"Then my advice, take some chances, be friends with the Granger girl. She could be good for you." He stated in a drawling voice, I couldn't help but stare
"Yes, I did just compliment a Gryffindor." He clarified as he stood "But I stand by my position. Take chances…or you might end up a bitter potions master teaching idiots that shouldn't be trusted with a quill, never mind a wand or cauldron. Now, I believe it is time for class."
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Hermione's POV
Draco. I watched him leave the Great hall and my mind could only focus in why he had left. I scooted closer to Blaise. I was going to get an explanation. As if reading my mind Blaise sighed
"Draco went to see Severus." He stated, I stared at him
"And why would he do that?"
"Because Severus is his godfather." Blaise said, raising a dark eyebrow "Why are you so worried about him?"
"I would like to be his friend…and yours for that matter." I stated defensively, Blaise laughed
"Calm down Hermione. I was only kidding." He muttered, I frowned at him and he laughed harder, so I couldn't help but smile. Turning back to Harry and Ron I sighed. Ron was eating as if there was no tomorrow and Harry was staring down at his plate…deep in thought.
"Harry, something wrong?" I asked quietly, he looked up and gave me a strained smile
"No 'Mione." He said quietly, I gave him a look that clearly stated I wanted to talk to him later and he nodded in understanding.
"Ronald did you do your homework?"
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Yay! Another chapter. Please Review!
Anyways, I had a question for those of you that review, should there be Hermione / Blaise...Hermione / Ron, or just Harry / Draco in this fic? Thanks in advance for your input!