Onwards, to the conversation!

"And well, after I failed to kill the Muggle family, Voldemort planned to have me killed. Luckily for my life, my father convinced the Dark Lord that he was capable of punishing me. And so, he sent me out of his life," Draco continued with a pained expression on his face.

Hermione sat across the couch from him, arms wrapped around her knees, a saddened expression on her face.

Draco, it seemed, was not the arrogant, evil git she had always thought him to be. All his life, his father had threatened to disown him should he ever go against Lucius' training and beliefs.

"And so," he said, "I had nowhere to go. Dumbledore took me in, and told me that I hadn't done wrong. That my own decision to leave that world behind was a fair one. And I suppose that is the case."

"So, do you not believe in it then?" Hermione asked

"Believe in what?"

"All those things you said, all the insults you've tossed my way?" she pressed.

"I don't know…well. No. That's not what I mean. I learned that all those things were true, but to be honest, I've never really seen the point. I don't know. It's all very confusing. I mean, if all those things had been true, the I, a pureblood, should best you in marks, and yet I always struggle to come close to you in ranking."

"Well, if you must know, I struggle to stay ahead," Hermione replied with a small smile.

Draco returned her smile shyly, and then picked up his tale; "Anyways, Dumbledore says that if I'm to be of any help in the War, I need to take up with you and…Potter…And Weasley…" he finished rather miserably.

Hermione looked at him with an unreadable expression.

"Look Granger, I'm asking for your help. Would you…please…help me to make things right?"

Hermione pursed her lips at him, and for a moment Draco thought she was about to laugh, so walk away.

"First of all, we all have first names. I expect that you will address us by them, and we will do the same for you. Second, I will speak with Dumbledore in the morning. I trust his word and judgment above anything else, and if he agrees that helping you is the best path to take for the sake of winning this War, then I will help you." She finally said.

"Thank you Hermione. I know that this all came very quickly at you, and that is must be hard to digest. It's…it's hard for me to believe, and I've lived through it all." Draco said earnestly.

Hermione simply smiled in reply and walked towards the stairs. Halfway up, she turned.

"Draco?"

He turned his head to her from where he had remained on the couch.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight…Hermione" Draco said softly, watching her enter her room and firmly shut the door.

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Hermione left Dmbledore's office in a bit of a daze. Draco's story, it seemed, checked out.

Dumbledore had peered anxiously at her from over his half moon glasses and requested that she, as Head Girl, and most reasonable of the Trio, take responsibility in helping Draco, Harry, and Ron make amends.

As she entered the Great Hall, she immediately heard the rare but raucous laughter of Harry Potter from the Gryffindor House Table.

She walked over with a spring in her step, only to stop, stare, and then laugh aloud at the sight of Ron attempting to fit an entire ladle of porridge in his mouth.

His eyes bulged out, and his ears were red with exertion. She was surprised his jaw hadn't come unhinged.

Shaking her head, she flicked her wand in his direction, and shrunk the ladle to a manageable size.

Ron nodded to her in appreciation as he swallowed the spoonful of porridge.

"Really Ron, what possessed you to try and fit the ladle in your mouth?" Hermione said in an amused voice.

"Couldn't find a spoon, of course."

Hermione turned to Harry, who had busied himself in counting the number of raisins in his bowl.

"Harry Potter…" She reprimanded.

Sheepishly, Harry pulled a spoon out of his robes.

When Hermione continued to stare, he brought out two more handfuls.

Shaking her head at the two boys, Hermione said briskly, "Well, when you two are finished with your antics, I have some important news for you both."

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Harry and Ron looked at Hermione as if she has finally lost her marbles from one too many evenings in the company of Madame Pince.

"Hermione, have you gone mad?" Harry finally managed.

"No Harry! Goodness, I'm being completely serious. If you don't believe me, then you can just ask Dumbledore. Although I would HOPE that you two would choose to believe me, your best friend." She retorted peevishly.

"Well, I dunno, Hermione…it's just difficult to take in…it is Malfoy, you know." Ron said dubiously.

"Ron, it's Draco, please. I've told him that he must use your proper name, and that you will do the same in return, thank you." Hermione quipped bossily.

"Fine. Draco then."

"Harry, Ron, if you still don't believe me that he has changed, then come speak to him yourselves. I promise that he won't hex you. Although I may if you don't stop behaving like children."

A little reluctantly, the two boys trailed after Hermione. She stopped in front of a portrait of a young man boating on a lake, and said "Phoenix feather."

The portrait swung open, and Ron gulped audibly. Hermione rolled her eyes and walked into the Common Room.

Draco was seated at the far table, buried in his Runes text, and Hermione had to say his name several times before looked up.

A look of panic crossed his face briefly when he noticed Harry and Ron standing at the portrait hole.

Hmm...what shall happen next? Review, and maybe you will find out faster!