Chapter III
Madam Pomfrey wasn`t too delighted to see us again, I mean, to see me again. She and Granger were talking as if they had not seen each other for some time, and I`m almost sure that Pomfrey gave me a curious glance, before turning her head so I couldn`t see the smile that had formed on her lips, or tried to.
She stopped the bleeding like it was the most normal thing in the world, and for her I must admit that it may be, and told me to wash my face. While I was doing so, I could overhear what she and Granger were speaking.
-That was a good punch my dear, what had he done this time? I expect that it has nothing to do with that horrible name he used to call you.
-No, it wasn`t that. We were just saying some things that needed to be said and I got carried away. But it seems like he isn`t so much of a jerk like in the past, or so I hope. We were speaking with the headmistress before.
-Oh…So it was quite a serious talk, I see.
At that moment they stopped talking when I appeared. It is quite boring to listen to people speak about you. The thing is that, after some time, all they do is repeat the same thing again, and I was annoyed of hearing people talk about my family, and how I was a spoiled jerk and all.
It`s not that I don`t think that too, because I know that I was, still am one. But the fact that you know don´t turn it a good thing to hear. In the end, the truth is that everybody wants to hear good things about themselves.
-Thank you Madam Pomfrey, I`m going to my dorm now.
I could see her surprised face when I thanked her. It was beginning to really get me mad how people always appear surprised when I am polite to them. Granger was pleased, her whole face was showing it. I passed for the two and was more than relieved to get out of the hospital wing.
I remembered that I had nothing to do in the dorm, so instead of going there, I tried to get back to the Quidditch field. The students weren`t returning in two hours or so. When I was already in my broom, passing the east wing of the castle, I spotted Granger outside, reading a book.
That was when something occurred to me, why wasn´t she in Hogsmead ? Sure thing Potter and Weasley weren`t there, but I think it is better to go alone than be here with nothing to do.
After remembering that I was staring for same time I decided to get back to the field. It was pretty cold, my robes were soaked and all I wanted was something warm to drink. But it was good, the cold and the fly. I really like flying, and when it`s cold you are more focused on the weather, and how you can`t feel your feet, and the memories don`t came back.
When I arrived at the Slytherin common room the place was almost emptied, save for Zabini. I wanted to go and sit next to the fireplace. That room is freaking cold. But Zabini was just there, so I opted to go to my room.
-Wait! You don`t have to go Draco. No one speaks here, and this place is getting on my nerves. It`s like people are afraid to talk or something. Lot of idiots.
It`s not that Blaise is bad company, I may have had some things against him in the past, but that was because of the war. I was cold, he didn`t mind me, so why not?
- So are you going to stay there or what?
-It`s not that they don't want to talk, the problem is that no one seems to want to hear. I don`t blame then. Too much scared to speak with Death Eaters.
I stopped next to the fireplace, and sited on the chair in front of Blaise. He was looking at me and trying to figure out the meaning of my worlds.
-I saw you and Granger on the stairs earlier. It seems like you two can speak normally, or almost. How`s your nose?
I knew he was going to say something about it the moment he spoke Granger`s name.
-Back to normal. I swear, if she does it one more time I think even Pomfrey won`t know how to fix it. That girl can punch.
He was with the same curious look Madam Pomfrey gave me earlier. What is it with these people?
-What?
-Nothing. It`s just that it is the first time I see you talking about Granger that way.
-What way?
-Without contempt. Like she is just another normal girl, nothing more, or better, nothing less.
After saying that he looked at the fire, and we were silent. The problem with speaking with someone that knows you for some time is this. They don`t have to talk much to say something important. It´s just like that.
-I am trying, ok? You can`t change all about a person in a day. She is still infuriating, and likes to get in other people's business but…
-She is not a mudblood.
I didn`t knew that name could make me so uncomfortable, but it did. And the fact that Blaise was looking directly at my eyes wasn`t helping either.
-Yes, she is not.
I think that was all he wanted to hear from the beginning. He almost smiled, I am quite sure.
-It`s good to know that you are trying. Because I wouldn`t endure another year of you being a pompous jerk.
This time he smirked, and I couldn`t help but do the same.
-You weren`t a gold one too Blaise.
-Not did I wanted too. That is for Potter.
That was when he got up and headed to the rooms. But before disappearing, he stopped and turned to me, with a serious face this time.
-She is a good person Draco, a really good one. She can do some good to you, if you let her. Just remember not to lost another one, because if you keep trying to put people away, you will only have the memories. And I know yours aren`t the best ones.
And I was alone another time. That is, until the few slytherins that we still have returned. So I decided that I could do with a bath and some sleep.
Later that day I was heading to the Great Hall for dinner when I spotted Granger. She was talking to some Ravenclaw at the end of the staircase, and didn`t notice me coming. Granger didn`t, but the girl she was talking to was looking in my direction, and the moment she spotted me, she stopped talking.
Granger must have not understood why she suddenly came to a halt, and turned. That was the moment when I was almost next to her, and to my amazement she didn`t grimace or anything like that.
-Night Draco.
The poor girl she was talking to made such a face, that I couldn`t resist but to smirk. That is when I remembered that Granger had greeted me, and I myself was quite astonished.
-Night.
The Ravenclaw was quick to say goodbye, and we were alone.
-You have to stop this thing with people.
-What thing? I didn`t did anything.
-Of course you did. You were looking at the poor girl with a face that could kill someone. Don`t be like that, or people won`t even get close to you.
-It`s not like I care.
-Yes, you do. And don`t even try to pretend otherwise.
-I don`t have to listen to you Granger.
-Hermione.
-What?
-I expected that you would be a little more intelligent Draco, stop calling me Granger. I told you it gets on my nerves. Besides I call you for your first name, it`s not like I don`t know you or something.
I know that wars can change people, I am a good example of that. But she was kind of making me unease. It`s not normal for her to be so friendly, and I really don`t want to get back to calling her names or so, but it is still strange.
-Why the face?
-Hum? Nothing, I was just thinking.
-It`s still creep that we can have a civil conversation, no?
-A little…
-I am just trying to get past old childish things, but if you want me to stop speaking just say, and I will.
It`s not that I dislike speaking with her, it is just….How can I put it? It just don`t feels right.
-No. I don`t mind. It`s just that I really think I shouldn`t be talking to you like I have done nothing to hurt you before. I know you are trying to get past things, but it just don`t feels right.
She paused for a moment and then looked at my face. We were a meter apart or so, and she is almost one head smaller than me. That is the first time I really have noticed her. She is not bad looking, I can even say that she is a little pretty. Slim with some curves, not so pale as me and dark eyes. Simple but still pretty.
-You don`t have to feel like that, but it is good that you do. I would hate if you weren`t feeling guilty. That would prove that you`re a heartless bastard. But the fact that you are proves the contrary. It`s not as if I have forgotten all the years and the names, but if you can prove that you want to change, I can think about forgiving you.
I wasn`t expecting for she to just forgot everything. I wasn`t even expecting that she could even think about forgiving me. I wouldn´t dare ask for it, not after everything I have done. But if she can forgive, and all I have to do is change, so be it. I think I owe it to her.
-Right Granger I-
-Hermione.
-Ok, Hermione. I will try. And what, may I ask, do you have in mind for me to do first?
-Say "yes" tomorrow.