Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the Wizarding World belongs to J.K. Rowling. I should've said this in the first chap, sorry! Title does not belong to me. It is the song "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith.

Chapter 2: Friends

Draco

The day after I asked if she was okay, Granger interrupted me when I was enjoying Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream. She threw down a piece of parchment. I brought my face up to meet hers. She was wearing a brown button down dress and black heels. Her hair was in delicate curls that fell over her shoulders. She had on natural makeup. What the fucking hell? I seriously need to get laid.

"What do you need, Granger?" I asked, meaning to sound rude. But it didn't come out that way.

"Read what such an arse Ron is!" she yelled.

I smirked at her and picked up the parchment. It was a note from Weasley.

"'This is for the best,'" I started, "'I'm in Ireland with she-Weasley-'"

"Draco," Granger scolded.

"I'm not reading it word for word, Granger," I said and continued, "'The Harpies are playing against them for a few weeks. I don't know when I'll be back in England. Like I said, you'll be okay. All the best, Weasley.'"

I stared at the letter for a second longer before I tossed it over my shoulder.

"He can't even write a good greeting or signature."

Granger looked at me angrily. "That's all you have to say?"

"What do you want me to say?" I retorted. "What's even happening with us, Granger? Why are you coming to me with this problem? Don't you have other friends?"

She looked like she was about to argue my last question, but decided against it. She sighed heavily before she calmed her anger and looked at me.

"I can't go to Harry or Ginny. They'd overreact and probably murder Ron-"

"Isn't that what the world needs?" I joked.

"Draco, listen," she snapped. "I can't really go to anyone else. Besides, you already know what happened. You heard our conversation."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "I dunno, Granger. What do we consider us, then? Friends? Partners in crime?"

"Crime?" she laughed. "What crime?"

"We're not planning revenge on Weaselbee?"

"No," she said, still laughing. "That wasn't my idea. So, no. We aren't going to be 'partners in crime.' I think we can be friends. What do you think?"

I looked away from her and back at my bowl of ice cream. Did I want to be her friend? Maybe. Did I want to plan revenge on Weasley? That was an obvious yes. I looked back at her. Into her eyes. Hazel.

"We could try."

She smiled brightly, which made her eyes squint. "Thank you."

Hermione

I sat down across from Draco. Florean came out and asked for my order. I gave it to him and he left happily. Draco and I were silent until Florean came back with a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Draco took one look at my bowl and made a face.

"What?" I asked.

"Vanilla? So boring, Granger."

"Why are you infuriating?"

He laughed. "That's who I am. If you want to be friends with me, you'll have to get used to it."

I rubbed the bridge of my nose and sighed. "Don't make me regret this, Draco."

He cocked his head and looked as though he was deep in thought. I snapped my fingers in front of his face.

"Hello? Draco?"

His face met mine. Draco smiled. That was… odd.

"Are you already so comfortable around me to the point that you're already calling me by my first name?" he asked very suddenly.

I frowned. Had I called him by his first name? I hadn't noticed. I guess I did.

"It's just natural, I suppose," I replied. I cringed at my answer. It wasn't much of an explanation. But I continued. "You aren't going to judge me for that, are you?"

"No, I was just curious," he said quickly.

We sat in silence, eating Florean's ice cream, when I thought about my friends. My other friends. I stood up. Draco stood up when he saw me.

"Granger, are you okay?"

I looked at him. I really looked at him. He wore a simple dark green collared shirt with the top button undone. He wore black trousers. His hair was combed back.

"What are Harry and Ginny going to say about us being friends?" I asked. Maybe a little too loudly. People from nearby shops were starting to stare.

Draco's ghostly pale eyes widened. Then they narrowed. His entire face contracted. He slammed his open palms down onto the small circular table.

"Who the fuck cares what anybody else says?" he yelled, evidently furious. "You never seemed to give a damn at Hogwarts! What the hell changed now?"

I felt tears swarm my eyes when he swore. But I knew he was right. I never cared about anyone's opinion at Hogwarts. So, why was I worrying what my other friends would say?

"I don't know," I mumbled.

That answer seemed to piss Draco off more. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him.

"Talk to me, Granger," he hissed. "And talk like the brave arse Gryffindor you are. Or are you telling me that you're weak because of Weasley?"

I felt my face burn with anger at his comment. I was a brave arse Gryffindor! I would not let Ronald Weasley take over my emotions!
"I don't know what to think, Draco!" I screamed, more people stopping to stare. "I'm so confused! Harry and Ginny are going to be so mad! But, I just feel like we need to be friends!"

Draco smirked. He wanted me to get hysterical and emotional. He let go of my wrist.

"If they were truly your friends, Granger, they'd understand you. You're the brightest witch of the age. They should trust your judgement by now."

That made me feel a lot better.

Draco

I don't know why I tempted Granger like that. She needed to get her feelings out, and as her friend, I felt the need to make her share them with me.

We Apparated to Hogsmeade and were walking along the street together. My hand was in my jeans pocket, trying to avoid touch. She still seemed shaky from her outburst, and I had an idea when we walked straight by Honeydukes.

I nudged my companion with my elbow. "Want something?" I asked, nodding my head to the chocolate shop.

"I spent all my Sickles on Fortescue's Ice Cream," she replied. "Why?"

I took a deep breath. "Usually, when a girl goes through heartbreak, chocolate is a good way to cheer them up."

I looked at her to see how she'd react. Granger was smiling.

"You want me to be happy?"

"We're friends now, aren't we? You are getting chocolate. Go pick what you want."

"Thanks, Draco!"

Granger took off running into the sweet shop. I smiled after her as I walked in. I leaned against the front counter, waiting for her to come so I could pay.

She came back with five Chocolate Frogs and a few Peppermint Flossers in her hands. She set them on the counter. As the sales lady was calculating the cost, I turned to my frizzy-haired friend.

"You bought that much?"

She shrugged. "You said I could get what I wanted," she said innocently, using my own words against me.

"Oh, how dare you," I said sarcastically.

"A Galleon," the sales lady said.

I took out my green satin bag of currency and dropped a golden coin on the counter. Granger picked up the candy that was now in a bag and we walked out of the store.

"Satisfied?" I asked angrily.

"Yes, thank you," she said. Then Granger turned and must have caught the frustration in my tone. "Is something wrong?"

I dropped my tense shoulders. "Sorry. I'm just trying to save money. The inheritance got cut off after the war and my parents were sent to Azkaban."

She nodded and took my hand. I hesitantly allowed my fingers to crawl over hers. Her hands were soft. They felt… soothing.

"So you're stuck with the money you have."

I nodded. "Pretty much. I get a few hundred Galleons here and there from the Ministry, but I still like to be careful with it."

She let go of my hand. For some strange reason, I longed for it to be holding mine again. But Granger dug through her bag of chocolates and held out a Chocolate Frog.

"You need one too, Draco."

I took it from her and stuck it in my pocket. I'd have it later. "Thanks, Granger."