Despite the fact that I have been fairly faithful to alternating between the perspectives, I'm starting the chapter with Hermione. Hope no one is too terribly bothered by this... I personally prefer Draco's point of view but really this just worked out better... read, review, and enjoy!
"Hermione Granger, please come up to deliver your Valedictorian speech" proclaimed Dumbledore from the front of the grand hall as the entirety of the graduating class stood up to cheer for her. She walked up, head held high, relishing in the moment of acceptance by her peers and recognition for her achievements. Not even Harry Potter could out-shadow her in a day like this. Speaking of which, she spared a glance at her closest friends: Harry, Ron, and Ginny, who cheered exuberantly from the crowd. She was pleasantly surprise to spot Malfoy standing by them, cheering in unison, a rare smile in his face. 'He looks quite ... handso..."
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" The noise of a scream startled her from her pleasant dreams. Grabbing her wand from her night stand, she rushed out of the room, crossed the common room, and stopped before Draco Malfoy's bedroom entrance. She knew it had been him and though every ounce of her rational mind screamed at her to return to more pleasant dreams, she felt she had to know what had happened and, more importantly, if he was alright. Quickly unlocking the door with a simple 'Alohamora', she ran into the room to find her nemesis sitting up in bed with a look that can only be described as pure terror. She looked around the room to try to find the cause of his condition but found it to be empty.
"I believe the door was locked, Granger" he managed, pushing his sweat filled locks of hair away from his face and forcing a scowl back onto his features.
"I believe you should stop being such a prat considering I came in worried for you!" she snapped back, only to regret it instantly. She had been worried? Shrugging these thoughts aside, she continued: "Don't mind me though, I'll return to my pleasant Malfoy-free dreams. If you'll excuse me,...". She turned to leave only to be stopped by his hand snapping out and grabbing her fiercely by the arm. She looked at him but he avoided eye contact as golden strands of hair fell over his face to cover his eyes.
"I do not deserve your forgiveness". He mumbled. "Nor do I want your pity" He then let go, pushed himself back onto his bed, and pulled the covers over his head. 'I guess that means he wants me to leave' she thought stupidly, too shocked by his words to form any thought beyond the obvious.
"Good night, Malfoy" she muttered before she closed the door behind her, feeling numb and confused. What in Merlin's name had just happened? Knowing fully well that she would not get any sleep after that particular encounter, she retrieved her journal from her room and, finding a comfy stop near the fireplace, began to write. After many minutes of staring at the blank page before her, she wrote:
He has nightmares. What demons could possibly haunt a man who terrorizes those around him, revels in the title of the Prince of Slytherin, and lives with the right hand man of Lord Voldemort? For someone who has seen so much to fear so greatly, I cannot help but fear myself. Or perhaps, it is because of what he has seen, what he knows, that he is wise to fear.
She let herself continue on speculating as to his inner demons and nightmares, of the many secretsthat bound him to his identity, or at least that which other perceived. It was then that another thought occurred to her, one that bothered her more than the blood chilling scream that had interrupted her dreams.
I hate knowing that he fears. I wish to have never known him to have pride, to have strength, to have feelings. I wish to have never seen him as human. Because in acknowledging his humanity, there is the inevitable danger of sympathizing, and through empathy comes a deeper understanding that bond the souls of men. And when all is said and done, I cannot help but fear for me.
She closed her journal and cuddled up on the large armchair, holding her knees to her body as she sought comfort from her thoughts. Eventually, merciful sleep took over, but not before she made a final realization. Right before the startling scream had torn her from her fantasies, her dreams had included non other than Draco Malfoy.
