Chapter Two: Repetition

The school year had felt incredibly long this time. There had been much to do for many students but perhaps none more than Draco Malfoy. As if doing school work, maintaining grades and playing quidditch wasn't enough, he had been given even more work by his father. Well, that's not quite right, but the work did stem from having an incompetent and utterly foolish father. Although from the outside many wouldn't realise it.

If he was completely honest he couldn't wait for all the other students to go home for summer. The stares and whispering were getting on his nerve, just how did Potter put up with this. Only a few more days and he would have the whole school to himself, more or less.

"Did you hear… about… what he... you know?"

" He doesn't look like ... "

A sigh left Draco as he walked through the halls. He didn't regret what he did, no absolutely not, but he did wish people would just get over it already. Although it could be worse if he considered how some other Slytherins were treating him. Hell he even had to be moved out of the dorms to a private quarter.
He made his way outside and found a spot by the lake. Leaning up against a tree he pulled his guitar out of its case and started to tune it. An easy task but honestly he just wanted something to do with his hands, it made him feel better to be physically doing something.

He gently strummed through a few songs before just playing whatever his hands felt like. Unfortunately he only got about a hours' peace before someone came to disturb him.

" Since when could you play the guitar?" It took all of Draco's will power not to sigh and roll his eyes. He stopped playing, setting his guitar aside, mentally preparing himself for whatever this would be.

" Why do you care Potter?" He didn't bother looking up.

"I don't." There was a slight huff in Harry's voice before he sat himself next to Draco. There goes his peace and quiet. Harry didn't say anything for a while just sort of stared at Draco, occasionally shifting his sight elsewhere.

"Is there something particularly interesting about my face?"

"No!" Again Harry sounded annoyed, as if he were forcing himself to be there.

" Then what is it that you want? If you're not here to stare at me."

" I want to ask you something." He stated, still staring. Draco lifted his hand in a 'go on then' sort of gesture. "What... Why did you change your mind?"

Draco sighed. Resting his head against the tree, looking up through the leaves, he mulled over what to say. It's not like Potter will believe him anyway no matter what he said, so he might as well tell the truth.

"Who said I changed my mind?"

" What?" A deep frown appeared on Harry's face.

" I've never wanted to be a Death Eater or have anything to do with Voldemort. That was all my father." He didn't bother elaborating further nor did he look away from the leaves. Harry's face twisted in confusion for a moment before relaxing just a little. There was a lull in the conversation both boys deep in their own thoughts.

" So… It was all forced onto you…" Harry's voice was unusually quiet, making Draco turn to look at him. Much to Draco's surprise Potter looked almost sad? No maybe regretful? Silence took over again with both boys lost in thought again.

"Thanks Draco..." Harry muttered as he got up. Draco watched him walk away seeing the other boy look back once before heading back into the building.

He went back to mindlessly playing his guitar for a while, hoping that he would only have the one weird encounter today. Just a few more days. He could cope. Once everyone left he'd have all the peace and quiet anyone could hope for. He'd have the whole library to himself, the whole dormitories and common room. Just a few more days.

Dinner didn't seem all that interesting, eating became particularly uncomfortable with people watching your every move, so instead he got up and stretched. Leaving his things by the tree he moved closer to the lake. Staring down into the water he could just about make out the creatures living in there.

Maybe he could just transform himself into a fish for a while and just stay in the lake. He had no idea how much time had passed when footsteps approached him again, it took all his will power to not jump into the lake.

"What are you doing?" Draco shut his eyes momentarily and took a deep breath.

" What's it to you Granger?"

"I was just wondering!" She defended herself, crossing her arms over her chest with a slight huff. Draco stayed silent. He could hear Granger shuffling around obviously uncomfortable.

"Can I ask you a question?" Great. Didn't he just have this conversation? Did Potter and his friends not discuss this at dinner? Surely Potter would've immediately told them what he had said.

"Isn't that what you just did? Don't let me stop you." Bitterness edge it's way into his voice. It wasn't really anything to do with Potter and his friends. It really wasn't. It's just he was so tired. A bone deep worn out feeling had seeped into him and no matter what it never left him. It was as if he had been running his entire life and had suddenly come to a stop.

"What exactly made you do it?" There was that tone she always had. As if she knew what he was going to say or that she would force him to answer. A deep sigh left his lungs. He dipped the tips of his fingers into the lake and lazily swirled the water around. There was no energy left for him to deal with this. Was there truly any point in the conversation?
It's not like anyone in the world is going to believe him. Then there would be the consequences if someone went around telling people how Draco had truly felt all these years. Especially if his father found out, the mere thought of it sent a shiver down his spine.

"Does it matter?" He just gazed at the water. Watching as it caressed his fingers and gliding between them.

"Of course it does!" She half shouted causing Draco to jumped slightly. "How can you be... you know a supporter of you-know-who this whole time and then suddenly change one night!?"

She already had her opinion of him and nothing he said now was going to change it. Did he even care? He'd done what he thought was right. What he wanted to do.
Shaking the water off his hand, he got up and walked back towards the tree. Hermione kept watching him, arms crossed, waiting for an answer. Just as he started placing his guitar back in its case he heard a huff.
He rolled his eyes and looked over his shoulder at her. Oh and did she look pissed off.

"What? You're not even going to answer?" Definitely pissed. Head tilted backwards a little, praying to whoever was out there for the will to live, Draco got up and looked at her.

"I never said I was a supporter." He watched as the gears in Granger's head started whirlling. He could've sworn he could see smoke escaping through her ears.

"Wha- yes you did!"

"When?" He challenged her, eyebrow raised.

"Uh- you uh..." Granger stammered for a moment. "But you called me a mudblood!"

He looked down, feeling ashamed and a slight embrassed blush rushing across his cheeks. Honestly he wasn't sure what to say. He could tell her that he felt like he had to. He had to keep up the image, to be his father's son. He could tell her this until he was blue in the face, but what good would it do? He still said it. He still caused harm.

"I'm sorry" Barely a whisper escaped him. He couldn't bring himself to look at her, so he quickly went back to collecting up his things.

Too stunned to say anything or stop him, Hermione watched the boy leave.
"He's sorry?"