"Granger," Draco said, clearing his throat. "You've been a constant thorn in my side, far more than an annoyance, for as long as I've known you." Draco's grey eyes flashed the color of a storm. "I've said some things that I didn't truly mean, some things that were more uncouth than was warranted. As a child, I angered easily."

Harry Potter cut in, "You wished her dead! In front of the entire school!"

Draco Malfoy smirked, "I did say that, didn't I?" He adjusted his pose, into more of a casual slouch. "That was a warning - as direct as I could make it." His mouth turned bitterly down, the curve of a smirk turning into a scowl. "Any normal girl would have run for the hills."

Pansy spoke up, speaking in her most snotty tone, "You really should have expected that, you know? Gryffindors!"

Harry softly smiled at that.

"I've done enough that I'm not proud of." Draco Malfoy said, "Some of it out of jealousy, some of it out of anger."

"Why are you acting this way, now?" Harry asked, "What's changed?"

Draco Malfoy said somberly, "I fell in love." Gathering himself, he straightened, and said, "I fell in love with a girl with an exceptional mind, abundant passion, and -"

Pansy cut him off smoothly, "And other things that Potter will faint if you mention."

"Hey, I'm not that young!" Harry said crossly, crossing his arms.

"Sure you aren't," Malfoy said, "Virgin."

Harry was about to say something, but Hermione cut him off, "Boys."

As one, everyone in the room turned to listen to her.

"We are here to discuss the negotiation with the goblins, not Malfoy's feelings." Hermione said, and Potter smirked. Pansy raised her eyebrows at Potter, and smiled a "can you believe that" smile.

"Hey, I've got feelings about that too!" Malfoy contributed brightly. He then looked at Harry and said, "You poor proverbial lamb, you've been told absolute shite about this whole shenanigan."

"Lucky for you, we've got the real scoop." Pansy said, and Harry's brow unfurrowed.*

Hermione had her pen out, and said, "We're waiting."

Malfoy cocked his head,and said, "Welcome to storytime!" Taking a deep breath, he continued, "The first thing, Potty, you should have asked - was why wasn't Dumbledore handling this negotiation himself?"

Harry rocked back on his heels, crossing his arms. "And?"

"The last time Dumbledore treated with the goblins, it was with my father, Lucius Malfoy, at his side. They were there as a united front, explaining to the goblins that the tide had turned against their pawn - Lord Voldemort, and that they would not be receiving anything that they were promised." Draco Malfoy said.

"I'll bet that went over well," Pansy snarked.

"They aren't in good standing there, no," Draco Malfoy said.

"So, he's pushing me out in his stead, so that he doesn't enrage them?" Harry asked.

"Exactly," Draco said.

"So, what should I expect?" Harry said firmly.

*Harry's not used to more than two-syllable words. Sometimes he has trouble understanding.

[a/n: Yes, of course Malfoy's teasing Harry about that. Malfoy's not admitting that before That Night, he hadn't done more than kiss Pansy, who doesn't count. Leave a review!]