The next day seemed to fly by and Malfoy never appeared in class. She could tell by the Slytherins confused looks when Malfoy didn't show up that they weren't invited to his little party the night before. Ron and Harry kept asking if she had finally cursed him. Hermione laughed and said no, but said nothing else of it. At dinner she was surprised to see him at the Slytherin table. His hair looked less than perfect and his eyes (which kept drooping) were bloodshot. She smiled at the sight of him despite herself. Now Ron and Harry were really wondering what happened.

"Bloody hell 'Mione he looks like shit. What'd you do to him?" Ron questioned still gaping at Malfoy, who now had Pansy tugging on his arm. Harry smiled at Hermione.

"Remind me to never make you mad."

Hermione threw her hands up in exasperation.

"I didn't do anything to him, he came back to the common room last night a little smashed and I helped him to bed. That's all that happened." She exclaimed.

"You actually helped the bastard!?" Ron exclaimed, getting stares from students nearby.

"Yes and watch your language." Ron looked puzzled and glanced at Harry for help before turning back to Hermione.

"Maybe I'm just a bit thick, but why would you help a person who hates you?"

"For your information he doesn't hate me," She began, standing up from the table.

"And of course I helped. I couldn't very well leave him unconscious next to the toilet all night." This time Harry spoke.

"'Mione...He enjoys calling you names and making your life hell. That sounds like hate. Why are you sticking up for him anyway?" Hermione felt her face go red as her mind raced for an answer.

"Excuse me for being humane." She finally sputtered.

"Now if you don't mind, I'm going somewhere where I won't get yelled at for being kind." She spun on her heel and made her way out of the Great hall. Hermione fumed all the way to the common room. She muttered the password (Caput Draconis) and stormed into her room.

"Why are they so thick?!" She moaned throwing herself into her bed.

Nothing I do is ever right with them. Everything I do they made fun of or think I'm crazy for doing.

She lay on the bed for a while, eyes closed, trying to empty herself of her emotions. When that didn't work she flew off the bed and to her vanity table. She pulled open the top drawer and reached in, pulling something out and setting it on the vanity table.

The razor gleamed up at her as if tempting her. Hermione finally groaned and rolled her sleeve up. All the old scars had healed. She slowly picked up the razor and felt tears well up in her eyes. She brought the razor to her wrist when suddenly the bedroom door flew open.

"Hey Granger-" Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks when it fully registered what he was seeing. Dracos face went paler than usual.

"Um...I'm just going to...go..." He stammered quickly backing out of the room. The door slammed shut and Hermione froze. She stared at the doorway, not sure what to think, It still hadn't sunk in.

Malfoy just walked in on me while I was...-Oh God

She dropped the blade and brought her hands to her face, wiping away the tears.

Well she thought bitterly

If he DID like me he certainly doesn't anymore.

She quietly put away the razor and pulled down her sleeve, no damage done to her arm. She got up from the vanity table and made her way to the door. She put her ear to it but heard nothing but the crackling of the fire. She opened the door a few inches and peered out. Draco sat on the floor, a few feet in front of the fire simply watching the flames dance. She crept out of her room and sat on the floor next to him. He glanced at her but said nothing. Hermione mustered up as much courage as she could and finally spoke.

"Did you want something?" he continued to stare at the fire as he spoke in a monotone voice.

"Just wanted to apologize for last night is all." She nodded as she too turned to the fire.

"Well, you're forgiven." The both sat in an awkward silence for what seemed like hours before either spoke.

"Look Malfoy-" Draco cut her off.

"Granger what you do is none of my business. You can do whatever you want. It may not mean much to you but you have my word that I'll keep my mouth shut about this." Hermione sat dumbfounded.

"Well that certainly wasn't the reaction I had expected from you." She muttered. Draco smirked.

"Yeah well what did you expect me to say?" Hermione shrugged and turned to him, surprised to find he was already staring at her.

"I don't really know to be honest." Draco smiled and the two sat in silence once again staring at the fire, both waiting for the other to speak. Finally Draco spoke. The smile on his face had disappeared. He slowly turned towards her and began leaning in slowly. Hermione had no idea what she was doing but she too slowly began to lean towards him and closed her eyes. She felt his warm breath on her neck and his lips on her ear.

"You're far too beautiful to be doing that to yourself." He whispered to her. Hermione opened her eyes as Draco stood up and walked into his room

"Goodnight." He said cheerfully before closing his door. Hermione sat still, stupefied. Finally she started grinning. She thought of his words over and over that night and it seemed she would never stop smiling.

'What's happening to me?' She wondered

'Malfoy calls me beautiful and I'm smiling like Parvati when she has a date to Hogsmeade' She stood up and walked to her room and threw herself carelessly onto her bed, a faint smile still on her lips.