Chapter 5; Almost...

The next week passed in a blur, with the Hogwarts' heads working harder than ever. They both found themselves working in silence, but sitting at the same table.

They would never admit it, but they had become an interesting type of... Friends. It wasn't really a conversation, but they could talk about petty things without a huge argument. They found themselves in a lot of the same classes, sitting nowhere near each other, but both paying rapt attention. They had more in common than they thought.

One day, as Hermione and Draco were sitting side by side in the library, though about four chairs apart, a letter arrived for Draco.

Being pureblood as he is, he immediately recognized a howler. Hermione decided to help him out by casting a silent muffliato charm, but she being the caster, couldn't help but overhear.

'MALFOY YOU FOUL ARROGANT GIT HOW DARE YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO COME BACK HERE AFTER THE WAR! I'M WARNING YOU NOW, TRAITOR, STAY AWAY. IF YOU HAVE TO INTERFERE WITH MUDBLOODS, KEEP AWAY FROM YOUR HOUSE DORMITORY. OR ELSE, MOMMY PUREBLOOD WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS, AND SHE WON'T BE HAPPY!'

Shocked, Hermione stared at him. He looked upset, but when he saw her looking, he instantly turned emotionless, cold as a stone. She didn't want to pry, but she couldn't help but wonder if the "mudblood" mentioned was her, and why someone from Slytherin would be so mean to a fellow house mate. Especially Draco Malfoy. Then she remembered. Slytherins. In a daze, she thought to herself; 'is this what he puts up with, daily?' Scowling, she walked over to him.

'Malfoy? I cast a silencing charm so don't worry about Madam Pince. I couldn't help but overhear-'

'Mudblood, I told you to stay away. You don't know me, I'm not your friend. I don't have "friends" here. Don't bother caring.'

Throbbing arm, but Gryffindor courage in her heart, she pointed her wand at him.

'Malfoy, we don't have to be best friends. I need your help, and admit it, you need mine. Just... accept it. A truce, at least, ferret.'

'Don't call me that!'

'Stop calling me a mud-... you know what I mean.'

'Fine. A truce, if it means you'll stop pestering me and calling me that.' He held out his hand, looking slightly revolted, but he held her gaze, firmly.

'Deal, Malfoy.'

The next day, they had their flying lesson. Hermione was still not pleased with this, and Draco... Well... He didn't die of mudblood germs or anything, and to his greatest grief, he found himself comfortable at the idea of having something close to a friend. He enjoyed her company, and found himself doubting his father's pureblood beliefs more and more by the day. Since he was little he was told he's better. Superior. He had values and morals and class – and it was acceptable to fight your way to the top. He still kept a firm grasp on his values, but he found himself wondering why in the world people would judge you because of your heritage...

'Okay, today, you can actually rise into the air. Don't jerk the broom too hard, or you'll go shooting like a rocket. Okay?'

She's so nervous, he noticed...

'Okay...'

Getting on to her broom, her mentor watching her closely, Hermione took a deep breath. Deciding it would be better to just "do it", she took a hard tug upwards. Immediately caught off guard, and shooting into the air, she let out a yelp, and let go of the broom. Hey, she was learning. Unfortunately, she seemed to be about to learn how to... skydive?

Draco, rushed to catch her. Unfortunately (an unfortunate day, all in all), he didn't catch her quite as he expected. In fact, she was in his arms, bridal style, her eyes closed tightly.

'Granger?'

'Am I dead?'

'No, you're fine. But you have to learn to listen to me, and take things slowly, first.'

'Urgh, I can't just "listen" to you! You're waaaay too egotistical, I'll turn into a Slytherin by just looking at you!'

This made him laugh. A softer, gentler laugh than the harsh bark she expected. She couldn't help but giggle with him.

'Let's try that again, okay? Y.'

'Okay...' She eyed her broom sceptically when they reached it, where it lay on the ground, twitching feebly.

Rolling up her sleeves, and bracing herself, she mounted her broom, when-

'What's on your arm, Granger?'

'You.. you mean my bracelet? It was a gift from my father...' She pulled her sleeves down again, embarrassed and self-conscious.

'The left arm.'

'It's nothing.'

'It's the scar my crazy aunt left on your arm, right? The one that says mud-'

'DON'T! Say it... please. We have a deal, remember? Please just leave it. Please.'

'Okay... But for the record, Granger, I'm sorry about that. I know what unwanted scars feel like, and if there was a way I could take yours back, I'd do it without a doubt.'

Touched, she said 'Thanks, Malfoy. It means a lot. It's fine, I'll always have it, but I'm proud of my heritage. I take potions if it gets bad.'

'Wait, it still hurts?'

'Why are we even discussing this? It's not like you care. But yes, when people.. It's a cursed scar, dark magic. There's no cure. So how do I get up in the air properly?' She asked with a smile.

Sighing, but deciding to leave it be, for now, Draco continued with their lesson.

But as he lay in bed that night, he clicked why she didn't like him calling her a mudblood... 'It's got something to do with that scar, I swear... She said it's cursed.'

He also found the word 'mudblood' weird and strange on his tongue. As if it didn't belong there. And silently vowing to make up for his past, he promised himself and Granger, to never call her a mudblood again.

Hey guys! Exactly a thousand words. I know I'm an update behind, but I'm trying! I'll see if I can upload again tomorrow! Thank you for your lovely reviews! Hope you enjoyed it! Carri. xxx