Hermione sighed as soon as Draco Malfoy had announced that he had been the one that was changing the password to the heads dorm the yelling began.

"Bloody Ferret, you have no right!" Ron glared his hand hovering over his noticed the red heads intent.

"Being head boy gives me every right Weasel." To Hermione dismay Ron pulled out his wand pointing it threateningly at the young Malfoy.

"What game are you playing at Malfoy? Hiding some other Death Eater plot of yours?"

"Ronald! Put you're wand away!"

Hermione couldn't believe that her boyfriend now had her fellow head at wand point in the heads dorm.

"Mione! Why are you standing up for the Ferret?"

His anger turned towards her but his wand stayed directed to Draco. Hermione sighed, if she wasn't behind him shouting her anger with him then she had to be standing up for the other person.

"No Ronald I am not standing up for Malfoy, but you are acting like a child."

"He started it," Hermione couldn't help the dry laugh that escaped. "Ya that makes you sound mature."

"Hermione, he is a Death Eater." Ron hissed under his breath. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Ron the war is over." Hermione placed a hand on his broad shoulder. "As Harry said earlier it is time for us all to learn from past mistakes and move on."

Draco looked at Hermione for a moment he saw nothing but sadness deep in her chocolate orb's. He wondered if she meant she herself had past mistakes and wondered what those mistakes might be. Ron pushed Hermione's hand away.

"Some things can't I can't forget or forgive, like the torture of the girl I love."

Draco closed his eyes. He didn't need reminding of that day, he would live with that day for the rest of his life, Hermione's voice took him out of his thoughts.

"Ron," Her voice was dark, her eyes filled with ice. "I have not forgotten that day," She moved away from him placing a hand over the scar that would forever be. "And Malfoy was not the one who tortured me, that person I well not forget."

"But he, didn't help" Ron pointed his wand with force at Malfoy. "He just stood there while that crazy bitch tortured you, I'm not gonna stand here any longer with that bitch's nephew, he's just like HER!"

Draco looked away, although the words of Ronald Weasley meant nothing to him the pain he saw in others when his aunt was mentioned effected him to no end.

"No, Draco is Draco." Draco looked at Luna, she smiled sweetly for him. "He is a good person."

"What this hell is your problem Luna, He kept you in a dungeon." Ron's eyes where wide with disbelief.

"No, his aunt kept me in a dungeon, but the Malfoy's where very kind to me." She spoke about the situation as if she was talking about a past party, where Bellatrix Lestrange was the only unpleasant guest. Hermione looked at the girl in front of her, a little in disbelief. The girl did not blame the Malfoy's and Hermione realized, she didn't blame them either. All the pain she went through was done in their home, but they did not harm her. In fact in his own way Draco Malfoy had saved them. That day when she was brought to their home Draco had refused to announce who they really were he had given them the time they needed. She herself was the only one tortured and Malfoy's did not cheer during her torture nor did they participate. In fact if she thought clearly she remembered the family perfectly. She remembered Draco, and she remembered his father had his hand on his son's shoulder, as if to stop him from moving, she remembered the fear in Draco's eyes, the fear that he might watch her die, and the relief in his eyes and slight smile on his face when Dobby took them away.

"You are Bloody Loony!"

Luna looked down.

"RONALD!"

"What its true, she is bloody loony you were tortured in that house it wasn't a mistake, mistakes like that can't be..."

Ron's mouth stopped moving. Draco looked on with surprise, he was just about to curse the weasel when all of a sudden his mouth seemed to be magically sewn shut. Ron started to panic. He tried putting his fingers in between his lips but his fingers would not enter his mouth. Ron glared at Draco, wand pointing as red sparks began to spit out of the tip of his wand. Then his wand was flew out of his hands. Everyone looked at Hermione, with Ron's wand hovering over her. The fire that she once had now seemed to be emulating throughout her body, her hair came alive and moved on its own. Hermione felt her anger over take her. She didn't even have to say the spells in her fit of rage, she was able to wordlessly curse Ron, with a spell she had only read about. Ron looked at her with wide confused eyes.

"Now that I have your attention." Her voice shook in her anger. She knew Ron was about to say mistakes can't be forgiven but that was not something she wanted to hear. Although she still had not confessed to him about her own mistake, she knew what it was like to make a mistake and want nothing more than forgiveness. Yes she would completely forgive the Malfoy's, especially Draco Malfoy, something she would tell him later.

"Listen to me carefully Ronald, this is the heads dorm and I well not have you insult any of my fellow heads," she stepped closer to him "I believe for now you have over stayed you're welcome, I suggest you leave." Hermione looked to the light blue door that lead to the 8th year common room and the door opened. Hermione tilted her head to the side to indicate he should start walking. Ronald hesitated at first but as soon as Hermione sent his wand flying into the other room without so much as a flick of her own wand, he retreated quickly. The door snapped shut at his departure.

Draco was in awe of the witch before him. For the past couple of weeks working with Hermione had been a bit boring he had to admit. The witch would request items read and write, she would also answer all the questions her teachers asked of her in class, but he found that she didn't seem the same. He thought that perhaps it was fatigue, she did seem to be up at all hours of the night brewing a base for the potion they where working on. She did all her homework, he started to wonder when did the girl find time to sleep? Perhaps that was the reason for her lack of attitude in classes or the reason she didn't seem to stand up for herself. But no, there had to be something else, something that brought the witch that once had nothing but confidence down a few notch's. Maybe it was something she did, he did notice there where times in the laboratory where she would second guess herself and use another ingredient, this is why they were on their 3rd attempt at making the same base they had been trying to make for a few weeks now.

"Hermione?" Luna smiled as her friend looked at her. "It's good to see you acting like your old self again." Hermione blinked. "What do you mean Luna?" Luna went over to her and grabbed both of her hands in her own small ones. "Well I noticed since we've gotten back to school that you've been different, you've let people say what they want around you and have yet to put anyone in their place like you use to, personally I blame the Wringles but then again there seems that there is something deeper that I just can't put my finger on, I'm worried about you but now I'm glad to see you being you."

Draco couldn't help but smile as Luna pulled Hermione into a warm hug. He had no idea what Wringles were but was glad he was not the only one who thought Granger was behaving strangely. But now it really bothered him, what was Hermione Granger hiding, he really wanted to know. Hermione felt strange she didn't think she was acting differently, but according to Luna she had basically been a door mat. Although Hermione did felt that today was the first time in a long time Hermione felt another emotion besides self loathing. Today Hermione felt energy she hadn't had in a long time she actually felt a little relieved at the moment. Perhaps she wasn't completely dead on the inside as she had thought.

A few hours later a very unhappy Headmistress visited the heads dorm. She had just received a visit from Madam Pomfrey and the news that one of her 8thyear students where cursed by one of the heads did not settle well with her. Hermione had been a bit ashamed of her action's after she did them. It wasn't Ron's fault that she had made a mistake and hurt her family so badly but he didn't need to go hurting Luna, for now that was her excuse when Headmistress McGonagall visited the heads common room. She explained the situation to McGonagall informing her of the actions that lead to her decision to curse Ronald Weasley. Hermione then said she wished to take fifty points from Gryffindor for his actions and another 100 for her own. She also suggested that she received detention but instead McGonagall told Hermione she would be patrolling the castle an extra day of the week. When she asked Hermione to remove the curse from Ronald Weasley as soon as possible, Hermione had to bite her lower lip as she had to inform her mentor that the curse could not be taken off but would wear off in 24 hours.

"Honestly Miss Granger where did you learn such a curse?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, she didn't want to tell McGonagall she had learned it from the Malfoy Libraries.

"You learn things when you are on the run Professor, I do apologize, I lost my temper and I shouldn't have done what I did."

McGonagall sighed.

"Alright then Miss Granger, I'm sure Mr Weasley can go a day without food and water or speaking to anyone," The women sighed. "I shall inform his teachers about his situation, but I do want you to remember you are the head girl and I expect you to act as such, many young students look up to you, please don't forget that."

Hermione looked down, she didn't want to disappoint the women, she wondered if she told McGonagall what she had done to her mother if McGonagall would strip her of her head girl title for her carelessness.

"Oh Professor, I would like to give 50 points to Ravenclaw."

McGonagall had reached the door and turned to look at her young student.

"And why is that Miss Granger?"

Hermione looked at the women with determination this time.

"Because Luna did what I should have done, she used her words to try to get through to Ronald, not her wand.."

McGonagall gave the girl a curt nod with a tight-lipped smile and left the common room.

The next 24 hours proved interesting for Draco. Although the school had no idea what happened in the heads common room the night before, as the day went on the other students started to realize something wasn't right with Ronald Weasley. The morning meal went by uneventful except for Ron watching other's eat with a lust in his eyes that would make a street-walker blush. Draco took note of it and started giving food to people when ever Ronald Weasley was around, causing the young man to glare at him in anger each time. During Charms while holding a piece of very decadent chocolate to his mouth, Draco turned to the ginger head boy and with a large smirk took a small bite, he then looked at the rest of the chocolate.

"I really couldn't eat another bite." His eyes light up with mischief as he looked at his Charms partner. Hermione paid no attention to what was going on around her that day but when her Charms partner Draco Malfoy had asked if she would like a piece of chocolate, Hermione heard a very recognizable groan from behind her.

"Malfoy what are you doing?"

"Asking if you want some of this super rich creamy imported chocolate."

Hermione couldn't help the smile that broke through. Draco Malfoy was torturing Ronald Weasley in the most ridiculous way possible, but having known Ron for as long as she did, she knew this would really be getting under his skin. She turned to look at her boyfriend, she wanted to pity him, but when he looked at her with nothing but hate in his eyes she accepted a piece of chocolate from Draco Malfoy and popped it in her mouth with a smile. The rest of the day went on without any problems, except for Draco Malfoy's sudden need to snack and share with whomever was near him, the day seemed normal. Hermione kept replaying Luna's words in her head, has she really been acting outside the norm? She knew she found no enjoyment in her day-to-day routines not like she used to but did that mean she no longer acted like herself? Hermione shook her head there was one thing she did know for sure, her lack of sleep was driving her crazy.

"Hermione!"

The day was close to ending and Harry Potter had come seeking out his other best friend. Hermione smiled when he reached her just outside the great hall.

"Hello Harry, whats up?" He looked around to make sure no one was watching them.

"Can we talk?"

"Of course lets sit to.." Harry shook his head.

"No, not here let's have dinner in the Astronomy Tower, I already had a house elf set up a nice little picnic for us."

Hermione frowned.

"You could have done that yourself Harry, the elves have enough work to do with out making special meals for everyone."

Harry smiled, but put his head down in mock shame.

"I'm sorry Hermione, but please join me?"

"I guess since the elves went through all that trouble for us, I should go."

Hermione turned and lead the way up to the towers. It took them a few minutes, as the castle had decided at that moment to start moving around, making them have to take 3 different routes to the Astronomy Tower. Once there Hermione was surprised, the tower had a sort of romance to it as the sun was setting turning the sky different colors. There was a picnic basket set on top of a checkered blanket with small orbs that looked like bubbles in Hermione opinion floating around the area.

"Um Harry are you sure you meant to bring me up here?"

Hermione felt uncomfortable with the situation Harry was like a brother to her, not to mention he and she were both seeing people.

"This does look like it's for a date doesn't it?"

Hermione nodded, a bit relieved at the uncomfortable tone in his voice.

"I just want to talk to you Hermione, and I didn't want anyone to interrupt our conversation." Harry looked down at the intimate setting "I thought the Astronomy Tower would be a good place to talk as no one is ever really up here," He shifted uncomfortably. "But now I see perhaps we should have went to your common room or mine everyone is at dinner we can move everything there."

Hermione smiled.

"No, Harry, this is fine we are friends after all, we can sit here and have a conversation." She went over to the basket and pulled out sandwiches for herself and him, then poured them each some pumpkin juice in cups charmed to stay cool to the touch. Hermione smiled inwardly if this was a date, it would have been a nice one. As she thought of it she realized Ron and her had yet to have a date, the thought sadden her.

"You should bring Ginny up here sometime and pack the picnic yourself," she added with a stern look then smiled as she added "She would love it."

"You think so?"

Harry sat down next to her, picking up the juice she had just poured for him.

"Yes, any girl would."

Hermione didn't look at him, although she didn't want to go on a date with Harry Potter, he was like a brother, she did think this was perfect.

"Thanks Mione, I think I'll do it," Harry sighed as the sun began to settle and the floating orbs around them began to glow a soft light. "Hermione?"

Hermione looked at her best friend his bright green eyes filled with concern.

"Is everything alright?"

She looked away for a moment. She hadn't gotten her chance to talk to Ron about her problems, no one knew what was going on with her, and the truth was everything wasn't alright. She looked back at him, she knew she could trust him. He would not judge her on her mistake.

"No Harry, everything is not alright."

She sat there with the sun setting spilling all her secrets, after the sun had long settled she began to cry. As soon as the tears fell his arms warped around her, and she continued her story, she did leave out the part that McGonagall had allowed a part of her room to be connected to the Malfoy Manor but she did tell him everything about working with the Malfoy's. To her relief Harry sat holding her and listened to every word she had to say. Hermione felt lighter then she had in months.

Draco Malfoy had watched as Hermione agreed to go with Harry Potter up the Astronomy Tower to talk, and in the whim of the moment rushed up to the heads dorm. He was now standing inside the Malfoy laboratory looking at the door that lead to her room. After a moment of hesitation he tried the door and to his surprise it opened. Her room was comfortable, and he smelled the sweet scent of cherry blossom's all around him. He actually liked the colors of the room too. The soft cream walls complemented the dark bed sheets although instead of the red swirls and gold trim he would have preferred it to be green and sliver. He noticed that the layout of the room was much like his own except his furniture was a dark mahogany and there was not as many book built-in book shelves, or that many books in his room.

"what are you doing in here?"

He sighed to himself. He had no idea what he was looking for, he just knew that she was hiding something, technically he hadn't been completely honest with her either but it bother him not to know everything. But now being in the room made him feel as if he was invading her space. He was here now he thought, he might as well just take a look. At first he found nothing, the paper's on her desk where all finished homework assignments. The girl had homework done for up to 3 months, he shook his head at her, how did she know what assignments they would be given for the next three months? She most be a seer. Her closet was filled with different muggle clothes some of which he would never had imagined in her wardrobe. He was staring at a particular strapless Slytherin green tight knee-length dress. He would never guess the girl had this type of clothing, and was starting to wonder what she would look like in it. On her bed there was a book, something she was probably reading for fun he thought. He walked around the bed hand softly touching her silk sheets. When Draco got to the head of the bed he picked up her pillow and to his surprise something dropped out from behind it. A light blue book with nothing on the cover had fallen to the floor. Immediately Draco knew what it was, what else do girls hide under their pillows besides personal journals? He took the journal quickly and with large strides walked right back into the Malfoy Manor laboratory.

For a moment he stared at the book as if the book would get up and do something on its own. When nothing happened he opened the first page, in golden letters right center of the page read the words Hermione Jane Granger.

"Draco?"

Draco snapped the book shut as his father walked through the door.

"What are you doing here at this time son?"

Lucius Malfoy eyed his son, his eyes fell on the light blue book he had closed shut as soon as he had walked into the room

"You should be eating dinner with other student's now, not reading" He paused he had never seen a book that size before or in that color. "What are you reading?"

"Notes from Granger."

Lucius Malfoy walked up to his son hand-held out. Draco pushed the book further away from his fathers grasp.

"I've read all of Miss Granger's notes, but I have yet to see that book from her, hand it over son I'd like to give her my opinion on her notes as soon as possible."

Draco hesitated, then shook his head.

"The notes are not about our current project." He felt his face redden under his fathers scrutinizing glare.

"Are you and Miss Granger working on another project without informing me?" Draco shook his head once more. He didn't want to tell his father that he had just stolen a girls private journal but he knew his father would not drop the discussion until he knew what the book was. When Draco said nothing more Lucius Malfoy took another step and snatched the book off the table. As soon as he read the 1stpage he knew it was not something the girl would have willing given his son. He sighed heavily.

"Why?"

He had a headache now, why would his son put all of their hard work in jeopardy over some stupid journal.

"I just wanted to know why she was helping us."

Lucius looked at his son gray eyes meeting gray eyes.

"Did you think of asking the girl first?"

Draco said nothing, of course he thought of asking Granger first but he figured this would be easier.

"No instead you want to put all of our hard work in jeopardy, do you know how much work I had to do to get that damn McGonagall to allow the Manor to be attached to the school for the year." He practically hissed out McGonagall's name. "She had several reason's to deny us our request several." He looked at his son with disappointment. "What about your mother? Did you think what would happen to her if Miss Granger where to find out that you invaded her privacy and abandon the project." Draco closed his eyes, no none of that really did go through his head. "Put. It. Back." Draco gave a curt nod and quickly returned the book to its rightful place. Lucius stood waiting for his son's return.

"Do not do anything foolish like that again, the reason's she has for doing what she is doing is none of our concern."

He turned on his heel to make his way out, when Draco spoke up.

"You don't want to know at all why she comes here? To the house that causes her nightmares every why she is working on a locating charm, you remember that right, the charm she was working on when we received all of her paper work from Mr. Crow. She doesn't work on that with me, but I know she is still working on it, shes even taken a few books from the library about locating charms."

Lucius turned back to his son.

"Draco, it is none of our concern, but give her whatever she wants." Lucius Malfoy left his son alone with his own thoughts, yes Lucius was curious he would be lying if he said otherwise but too much was at stake for him to pray into the young girls personal affairs. He just hoped his son would leave it be.

Draco went the bathroom he shared with Smith and splashed water on his face. Since his father had put a damper on his plan he guessed he would have to get to know Granger the old fashion way. Making his way down to the kitchenette to grab a bite to eat, he heard the portrait door open and in came the little brunette, whom at that moment was consuming his thoughts.

After talking to Harry, Hermione was feeling better than what she had felt in a long time. He didn't judge her, he didn't even say everything would be o.k., he just held her and listened. She went back to her dorm feeling lighter than ever, humming to herself she walked into her dorm room putting away the extra food Harry gave her for later. Turning she saw Draco walking down towards the kitchenette.

"Malfoy, did you check on the potion?"

Malfoy inwardly groaned.

"No, I skipped dinner to finish some homework I had, I'll go check on the potion now."

Hermione smiled at him a sweet genuine smile, a smile he had only ever seen her give to her friends.

"That's o.k. I'll do it."

She threw a package at him. Draco's seeker reflexes caught the squishy package which made Hermione giggle. He looked at her a little confused as to why she throw something soft at him.

"Sandwiches, I have extras, want one that's not squished?"

She placed a second sandwich down on the kitchenette table then walked up to her room humming the way up.

Draco was a little surprised he didn't expect food from Granger but then again he also didn't think she would accept the help of the Malfoy family and yet there she was heading back up to his families laboratory. He grabbed the not squished sandwich then rushed up the stairs. Hoping for a friendly chat.

Ok this chapter is longer then any of my other chapters. I haven't written on here really about my fan fic so I thought that perhaps I should. I hope everyone likes the story and sorry for the slow progress, but it should speed up now. Let me know what you think if you enjoy the story or not and I am going to try to keep the chapters longer ttfn-jenn