(This is first fanfic and I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The chapters are short, and the storyline isn't brilliant but it is okay for a first attempt I suppose.

I don't own the characters; they belong to JK Rowling and her fabulous imagination. The plotline is mine though, unfortunately.)

Chapter 11

Hermione sat silently throughout dinner. Ron and Harry had both apologised for laughing but she was ignoring them none-the-less. She looked away from them as they shovelled food into their mouths and talked about quidditch. She glanced around the hall. Her eyes met Lucius's and she smiled warmly, the anger etched into her face melting away instantly. Lucius immediately smiled back, feeling elated. She grinned, winked and turned away. Lucius's eyes widened. Only a wink, but could it mean something. His mind span with ideas.

Hermione turned her attention away from Lucius. Oh god, had she just winked at him. She hadn't meant to do that. Stupid teenage hormonal impulses. If she didn't watch herself, he'd know she likes him before long. Hermione looked at Ron and Harry. She needed conformation.

"Harry. Ron. What do you think of Lucius Malfoy?" She asked tentatively. The boys stopped talking and eating, well Harry stopped eating.

"Why?" Harry asked, one of his eyebrows raised.

"Yeah" Ron said, his mouth full of food, "Why?"

"I just wondered. You know, he's come over to the good side. He's changed. He…I…What do you think?" she asked her question again after she couldn't find the words to describe him, although she could think of many.

Both Harry and Ron looked in Lucius's direction. Thankfully Lucius wasn't looking at Hermione as he was talking to Professor Hewitt.

"Personally I don't trust him. Once a death eater always a death eater. If he turns out anything like Snape…" Harry said without turning to face Hermione, his eyes intensely focused on Lucius. Harry gave a shudder as he spoke Snape's name. "No, sorry Hermione. I don't think he's changed. He's still a cold, dark, evil man with no feelings."

Hermione gasped, but they didn't hear.

"I agree with Harry. All the Malfoy's are scum, with their high and mighty pure-bloodedness. Draco was an asshole, so his father must be one too." Ron added.

"Draco is dead Ron. You shouldn't be so disrespectful." Hermione said "You wouldn't talk about Dumbledore or Sirius that way."

Harry and Ron gasped this time, and Harry's hands tightened on his knife and fork so much that his knuckles were turning white.

"I just think maybe you should have faith in Lucius. His son's untimely death, and the death of his wife, brought him over to the right side. He deserves our faith. Besides….I think he feels." Hermione told them as she stood up. She nodded her head at them as a form of goodbye and then strode out of the Great Hall. She'd defended Lucius's honour, and all she had to do now is tell him.