DISCLAIMER: The author does not own any recognizable characters, features, or anything regarding the Harry Potter series.

Chapter 5

Seemingly startled by the use of his full name, Malfoy cocked his head to the side and opened his eyes so they were staring directly into hers. His eyes were a beautiful shade of grey; she could have easily lost herself in the fascinating color of them, but she quickly snapped out of the temptation. They were apparently locked in a silent battle of seeing who would blink first. Hermione didn't back down, and finally Malfoy gave in, sighing as he did so. Keeping his eyes squeezed shut, he replied, "I don't know. All I know is that it was a wizard, who used a spell I'd never heard of. I can't tell you more than that."

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. The way Malfoy was describing himself, the way his eyes were closed and fists clenched, the way he sounded as if he would never get better, she felt sorry for him. Not in a pitiful way, but like it was her fault that he was in the state he was currently in. She was the brightest witch of their age; she should've been able to find something, anything. She was a doctor from both worlds, and she knew that in both, Draco was dying. He didn't have much time. And she didn't know why she cared, but she knew that she did.

Which was why she was going to help him. No matter what happened, she would make him better. She was living an empty life for the past three years, and she needed a change. Draco would be that change. But for him to be her change, she needed to know why she wanted that to be so. Why was it that Draco Malfoy had changed so much? Ever since she had met him, he had not once called her a Mudblood, or even sneered at her, but instead had been kind and caring.

"Malfoy, can I ask you a completely unrelated question?" She timidly asked, not wanting to disturb him after he had almost died. It might have sounded a bit selfish, but she was dying in suspense to know if he had spread the word that he had seen her in Flourish and Botts. It felt like so long since that incident had occurred, when, in fact, it had only been yesterday.

He replied in that same helpless voice he had used before, "Depends on what it is," he answered with a weak smirk. Typical Malfoy behavior.

"Did you tell anyone that you saw me?" Hermione said. "Yesterday, at Flourish and Botts?"

Malfoy's smirk grew wider, and Hermione was afraid the answer he was about to give was not one she would appreciate. She must have looked apprehensive, because he stopped, and gave a little chuckle.

"Relax Granger. I didn't tell anyone. Frankly, I was too much in shock for my mind to register what had happened. After 3 years of your absence, it was a bit absurd to think it was actually you that I saw. I chalked it up to hallucination, but I guess that wasn't the case."

She breathed a sigh of relief, and gave a nervous smile towards his direction. He might have been telling the truth, but somehow, she believed that he didn't want to admit that he let such a good opportunity slip from his hands to embarrass her.

How the times had changed. Three years ago, Malfoy would have tattled on her adventure even if he had never seen her in the bookstore, just to rile her up. She liked this new version of Draco, but she was a bit uneasy at the fact that life was throwing one thing after another at her all at once.

But if she wanted to help him, he would have to help her understand what had happened. This had to be a team effort.

"Malfoy," she started, "You're obviously aware that I couldn't save you from what happened, and yet neither you or I have any idea what's happened to you. And it doesn't take much from my part to know that the curse is permanent. Draco, you're. . ."

"Dying?" He supplied. "Don't you think I've realized that by now that? You're right, I have no idea what happened, and neither do you. Both you and I have already figured that out. What are you trying to say Hermione?"

"I want to help you." She finally spit out. "I know we've never gotten along, in the 14 years we've known each other, but I think that if we work together, we can find something about what happened to you. I don't want you to die; I don't hate you that much." Hermione finished off with. "But for it to work, WE have to do it."

Draco looked into her warm, chocolate brown eyes, and felt a rush of affection for Hermione. Ever since they were young, he had done nothing but be cruel and insensitive towards her, and had once genuinely hated her enough to want her to die. He had watched without helping at all as she was tortured by his aunt Bellatrix over and over with the Cruciatus Curse. Yet here she was, wanting to sacrifice her time for his sake. How could he ask her to do that for him?

"I c-can't ask you to do that for me." He sputtered. "I already owe you my life Hermione. You've done so much for me, and I can't thank you enough for that. How am I to take another favor?" Draco questioned.

"Draco, it's not a favor. I have to do this. It's more so for me than for you, okay? So please, let me do this, not for you, but with you." She pleaded.

Why was she so kind? Didn't she know what was going on inside of him? Ever since she had entered his life again, he didn't know what to think, or expect. His feelings were going crazy; he didn't want to mess them up even more. And what did she mean by it benefiting her more than him? Couldn't she understand it was his life she was saving?

But something about the tone of her voice, how she was almost pleading with him made him hesitate. She seemed to understand what she meant, even if he couldn't. And he didn't want to deny her anything she was absolutely sure of.

Draco sighed, and looked into her eyes once more. "Okay." He nodded.

A/N: Hey guys. So, I'm not entirely sure where I want to go with this (I have some sort of vague idea), and I would love to hear suggestions. If you have any, please tell me; you can DM me, or just reply to the story. But I would love to hear your thoughts on this, and I welcome constructive criticism.

You may have noticed that this chapter is more happy than the past one, and that might have been an abrupt change, but I need to get the story moving. If you don't like it, just tell me, maybe we'll work something out. I would love to read what you guys want to put in the story.

Thanks to all, and please read and review!