Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay updating but this weekend was pretty hectic (in a good way though!). I'm currently home for thanksgiving break so I'll update tomorrow or Tuesday with the next chapter! Thanks for all your reviews! Hopefully I can break the 100 mark soon! Anyway, enjoy!

Hermione's Point of View

"That one" said Ginny decisively, pointing excitedly at the inviting beach cover of a Californian tourist packet. "If I had to work anywhere, that would be it. Sunshine, dazzling ocean view, probably some major eye-candy... every girl's fantasy really!"

"Unfortunately, I have to make my decisions on just a little bit more than just location" replied Hermione, though she did give the ocean picture one last longing view before discarding it. "But as nice as the place might be, that job doesn't pay me half as much as the rest of the offers. And, besides, why would I want to start as a lowly secretary when I can be the head of an entire department for the US Ministry of Magic?"

"Because that department happens to be located in Montana!" snapped the red head, exasperated. "Look Hermione, we've been going over these for over an hour, not to mention countless other times during the summer. You're sleepy, I'm sleepy, let's just call it a night. You still have the entire year to make up your mind". The muggle born nodded, though she kept eyeing the many possibilities she had laid out before her. Picking up her bags, Ginny smiled at her friend and headed out of the common room. It was only then that Draco Malfoy dared slip out of his room and, curiosity getting the best of him, peered over Hermione's shoulder onto the many papers displayed over the coffee table.

"That one" he remarked with the same decisive tone the youngest Weasley had used in a slightly more enthusiastic voice but a few minutes before. He was pointing at the only job she had requested in England.

"As great of a job might be on a professional level" she explained, having already discarded that particular option since day one. "I don't think I want to stay in England. Starting from scratch has its perks, if you don't mind me saying so".

"So you are going to run away for the sake of not having to deal with everything you've created?" He told her, his eyes colder than she'd seen them in days. "You don't think that the persona you've created hasn't already followed you to America through these applications? Because the person they are expecting seems to be the one you are trying to avoid". She stared at him in shock, noting that not only was he having a civilized conversation beyond the friendly bickering routine they'd established, but that he was also completely reading her like an open book.

"I am not running away" she defended herself, though she could feel herself blushing at his accusations. 'Could he be right?'

"Whatever Granger" he snarled, deciding it best to let go of the subject before he lost his cool. However, as he was leaving, she heard him mumble to himself in a whisper so low she thought it might not have been intended for her to hear: "At least I don't deny why I'd want to get this hell out of this country". She watched him walk out, probably heading for his rounds by the looks of his overtly visible head boy badge. Tossing all her acceptance letters aside, she pulled out her journal and wrote.

There is a reason for all these vapid pleasantries with which we amuse ourselves. There is a reason behind the friendly bickering we have cultivated, the clever comments we toss to each other. Fact is, now that he has spoken without the levels of routine we have created to protect ourselves, I find myself at risk.

Was I really running away all this time? Is that all that I have really been seeking? Have I deceived myself into believing some grander cause in my pursuits when all I've ever wanted was to hide from myself? Because when all the pleasant poetry is torn down and we are left with who we are, he sees a coward in me.

Thinking nothing more of it, she pulled her notebook closed and settled in for a nap. It might have been an hour, or maybe nothing more than a few minutes later, but she was awoken by the soft movement of a blanket falling over her. Opening her eyes, she stared at what looked to be a gentler version of Malfoy though, upon seeing her awake, his cold facade returned.

"Figured I'd return the favor" he added, as if to cover his act. She smiled, mumbling a small thanks only to watch him turn away.

"Wait" she called out, barely thinking as she spoke. "I think you were right. Maybe I am just running away. But is there something so terrible in wanting to rid myself of everything that bothers me here?" He stared into her eyes, his eyes burning with... anger?

"Can I ask you something Granger?" he asked, taking a seat in front of her so that they were at eye level. She wanted nothing more than to look away from the fury that was blazing in his blue eyes. "Does your family love you?" she nodded instantly, glad the question helped her snap out of her daze only to be replaced with doubts towards his line of questioning. "Do you have friends? Do you do well at school? Do you have many career options and future prospects? Do you have the choice to pick your own destiny? Do people treat you kindly and respect you because of what you have achieved and not because of what you've been defined as?" She continued nodding, only to have the questions turn all too serious. "Do people loathe you? Fear you? Judge you to be evil? Do your own parents beat you like an animal to bend to their means? Are you no more than an annoyance in the lives of most of your classmates?" He stopped for a moment, standing up, clenching his fists by his side. "Because how I see, I can't see what is so worth running away from. Because, unless you see me running away first, I don't think you have any right to run away yourself". With that, he stormed of the room, slamming the door to his bedchamber, and leaving her with some very troubled thoughts.

Draco's Point of View:

'What in Merlin's name possessed me to say that?' he wondered as he paced up and down his room. However much he was enjoying the new relaxed atmosphere with Hermione, he did not appreciate his opening up to her this way. 'We were just supposed to be civil!' Though the idea had occurred to him that Blaise might be right, letting more of himself seen might actually be beneficial in the end. But he doubted she could handle that and he sure as hell would prefer to avoid it. It was then that someone knocked on the door and he heard Hermione's soft voice from the other side.

"Draco" she whispered and he chose not to answer the door, no matter how much he liked hearing his first name on her lips. "I know... well, I think you aren't sleeping. Don't blame you for choosing to ignore me. But, just hear me out". He heard her hesitating and he couldn't help but hope she'd go away, feeling as if every moment got him closer to the point of no return. "You were right Draco. I am running away, and I have no right to be. So just... know that I'm here if it all becomes too much for you. Because I'm holding you to your word, as a Malfoy. Don't you dare run away otherwise I might not have much of a choice but to follow". He struggled to make sense of his emotions as he heard her footsteps move away from his door. He ran his fingers through his hair, wondering what he'd done to deserve her words, her trust, and what he could only explain as her friendship.

Author's Note: I couldn't help but add a small Draco part in this chapter but, don't worry! The next chapter will still be from Draco's point of view, as planned. Anyway, keep sending in any reviews, suggestions, or criticism. I'm always glad to hear from you guys!