Chapter 9

"I hope you have all started researching and taking notes. Remember, you are to turn this in this Thursday. I am generously giving you this time to continue your work with your partner, so use it well." Professor Binns retreated to his desk and plopped down. There was the usual bustle of chairs scraping and students calling to their partners. Hermione felt the same uncertainty she had felt the day they started the project. Draco was making no indication to move from his seat so she headed to his desk. This time she didn't hover over it awkwardly and proceeded to sit herself down next to him. "Right well, we finished everything yesterday," she said. Yeah, he was there you dumb twat. "Yeah, I know." He certainly wasn't making this any easier. "We should probably tell him then." Draco nodded. Again, he didn't look like he thought he was the one to get up. "Alright, I'll go tell him." She scoffed. He was really unbelievable sometimes. She walked to the front of the room."Professor Binns?" she asked nervously, trying to get his attention. He jumped and turned to face her. "Yes?..er..."

"Hermione Granger, sir" Professor Binns had a very hard time with names. "Draco and I have already finished the assignment. We've written everything down and read it through and there's nothing to add." He looked up at her with a slightly impressed, slightly annoyed expression. "Very well, you can sit in your seats and chat or do your homework." He yawned and settled back in his seat. Hermione didn't move and continued staring at him. After a few seconds he cracked one eye open and peered at her. "Can I help you with anything else?" She shook her head dumbly and turned to face the class. She walked extra slowly, stalling the arrival at Draco's desk. She could easily predict what would happen when she got there. They would sit awkwardly next to each other just like last time, not talking and feeling conscious to every little move or sound they made. Alas, the classroom wasn't a large one and all too soon Hermione was sitting back down at her seat and Draco was peering at her questionably. "He said we can chat or do our homework," she said. "Merlin, couldn't he let us out of the class?"

"That's what I thought, but I didn't press it."

Draco sighed. Hermione wasn't ready for their conversation to end just yet so she asked: "Hey, did you finish that list we have to write for Potions?" They had to list all the healing potions known to the Wizarding World and their healing properties. "No, obviously I haven't. We were given it yesterday." Hermione flinched at the sharpness of his voice. "I haven't either. Want to work on that?"

"You mean, together?"

Hermione vainly tried to control her blush. "We don't have to if you don't want to," she said defensively. Draco didn't answer and bent down to retrieve some parchment and a book. He opened it and started flipping through until he stopped at a certain page. "Hmm...Skele-Gro, a dreadful-tasting potion which-"

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked irritably.

"You wanted to do the homework, didn't you?"

"I did, but you didn't seem very keen on the idea."

"Do you want to do it or not?"

"I do, but I don't want you to feel like you have to do it out of pity." "She said it more accusingly than kindly.

"I don't pity you!"

Their voices were quite raised now and many of the students were peering at them, bewildered.

"Miss Granger and Mister err... both of you! Would you mind taking your ridiculous bickering outside instead of disturbing the rest of the class?" Hermione's face heated up with shame and anger. She wanted to say she was sorry and ask if they could stay but Draco was already up and halfway to the door so she followed him outside. She carefully closed the door and turned to face Draco. "I don't pity you, okay? That's the last thing I feel towards you, or Potter or the rest of you people," he spat, his face contorted in anger.

"What do you mean 'the rest of you people'?" Hermione didn't even know what they were fighting about anymore. "Oh, you know, the ones everybody worship. The ones who saved the Wizarding World from Evil. The ones who are the exact opposite of me."

"No one worships us. Don't be daft,"Hermione said, scoffing. Draco smirked. "You'd be surprised." They stared at each other in silence. Both eyes were fiery and intense. Hermione felt herself soften. "Why does every conversation between us turn into a fight?" Draco didn't answer. "We used to be able to talk, you know?" Draco looked down. "What happened to us?"

"I'll tell you what happened. You became a hero and I became what I was always destined to be. A slave of the Dark Lord. A coward. Well, I guess I was always one. Too scared to stand up to my father or defend my mother." Hermione felt as if he'd told her something intimate, something he held close to himself and didn't let anyone see. "What happened to them?" she asked quietly, not wanting to address whatever else he'd said just yet. "Your parents, I mean." Draco leaned against the wall and Hermione was left in an awkward uncertainty of what to do with herself. In the end she settled on leaning next to him, kind of turned towards him. "My father was taken to Azkaban along with all the other Death Eaters that survived the war. I don't think he'll be getting out anytime soon." He didn't seem very sad about that. "My mother and I were let off with some hours of charity work to help the families that were most affected by the war. The court said we were forced into the Inner Circle because of my father so they wanted for us to have a 'chance at a new life' or something like that. I think my mother would've rather been sent to Azkaban to be with my father." They were both quiet after that, each with his/her own thoughts. "Do you still live in the Manor?"

"Yeah, for now."

"What do you mean 'for now'? Are you planning to move?" Hermione hoped she wasn't prying to deep but she thought hey, he already hardly talks to me. I have nothing to lose. And anyway, it didn't seem like he was holding anything back at the moment. "Yes, I guess. There's nothing holding me back here, and I've got every reason to leave. And I can't bear being in the Manor, especially not with my mother." She felt a slight pang of sadness for him. He talked as if there was nothing for him in this world, no plans for the future, nothing to look forward to. "What about you?" The question startled her. "You know, your plans for the future." Hermione was pleasantly surprised that he was on the questioning side this time. It meant he wanted to keep the conversation going as well.

"Um, finish school, I guess. And then, well..." Hermione contemplated if to tell him or not. He used to be the one she could always tell these kind of things, because he understood. He understood her want to do something big, to know more and not be satisfied by what was given to her. And he had just told her some things that she was sure he had had no intention of telling her, or anyone for that matter. "Well..." Draco said, looking at her expectantly. "I... I have this kind of plan... well not exactly plan, I guess. More of a far-fetched dream really... of becoming Minister of Magic." Hermione bit her lip, not looking at him. She didn't want to chance seeing a look of amusement or mockery on his face. "I know it probably won't happen. I don't know why I told you," she added quickly. Her curiosity got the best of her and she sneaked a glance at his face. He wasn't looking at her, he was kind of staring into the distance, though the distance was the wall. "I don't think it's so far-fetched, you are the best in our year." Another silence, though this time not as awkward. The opening of the door startled them both. Students streamed out of the classroom and the corridor filled with noise. Hermione felt a sudden panic rise in her chest. They had just started getting to the real stuff. She gathered her courage, took a deep breath and "Hey, we do actually have to do that Potions homework. Want to finish it tomorrow at the library?"

"I'll be there either way. You can come if you want to." It wasn't the answer she was hoping for, but it wasn't a no either. Hermione gave him a small smile and began walking down the corridor, a hopeful sort of happiness filling her mind.