Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series is JKR's work of art.

Chapter 3

It had been three days since Draco showed up in the Headmistress' office. He had been very glad to know that he would just be an apprentice to the Potions Master this coming school year. McGonagall realized that he is too young to teach. So therefore, it's pretty much like when he was still a student. He will live in a dormitory. Er… quarters, with the other Professors. But he will assist the Potions Master through his work.

McGonagall had somehow managed to convince Slughorn to stay just for another year.

He is strolling at the Hogwarts' grounds. The silence was deafening. He was nearing the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Memories of the past came back one by one. Then he realized that he wasn't a student anymore.

His Manor still stayed with him. But it was now half-empty. He had sold half of his possessions just to pay for his company's debt which is pretty big, considering the wealth of the Malfoys – or rather of the Malfoy – is halved.

It was getting dark. He stopped near a huge rock and a memory from his third year came back. The one when he was punched by Granger, straight in the face. He won't ever forget that in his life. It was his most humiliating – well, second most humiliating memory, because the most was when he was transfigured by the mad professor that was actually an impostor into a bouncing ferret.

"Malfoy." He jumped at the sound of his name. He turned around, holding his wand firmly. He was shocked when he saw who it was.

"Now, now. I'm not attacking you or something!"

Draco's mouth was still left hanging open. It's as if his mind is working so slowly.

It was Hermione Granger.

Hermione waved her hand at Draco's face. He was left frozen. Draco snapped back into present.

"Merlin Granger! You don't have to scare me like that!" he said.

"Oh. Did I scare you? I'm sorry." She said, looking down and seeming to find interest in her twitching fingers.

"Why are you here?" Draco asked, curious. "Oh sorry. It's none of my concern, I know. I'm going back inside now."

He started walking back to the castle, leaving Hermione behind. When suddenly, he was stopped by Hermione clutching his right arm. He turned around and saw Hermione's shocked expression.

"What?" he snapped. Back to his old Malfoy self.

"W- What did you say?" she said.

"What what?" Draco asked, confused.

"Y- you actually told me you're sorry! Have I heard it right?" Hermione said.

"Crap." He said as he realized it was true. He had apologized again, and this time, to the muggle born, well, it's better than apologizing to a house elf anyway. He turned around again and head towards the castle. Hermione stopped him again by blocking his way.

"Oh. So you really said it Draco!" she said, grinning.

"You happy? C'mon! Laugh! Laugh at me. Draco the coward! Weak! Loner! Death Eater! Miserable! The git who won't just die!"

Hermione was taken aback by his response. "I- I… Why do you think I would laugh at you?! I was actually looking for you all afternoon to talk to you! To thank you! If not for you, I would not be possibly alive now! And if you're dead, I would be dead now too! So why do you think I will wish you to be dead?!" Hermione answered, furious. He really is suicidal now after the defeat of the Dark Lord! He should be happy! He's not a prisoner anymore!

"Now you could wish me to die. Since I've saved your life already. No use for me right?" he said sarcastically.

"Really Draco!" He is such a pessimist.

"Oh, now you're calling me by my first name?"

Hermione blushed. Why is she blushing? Draco asked himself. Then he thought better that this is his escape now. He would be going to back to be castle.

"Draco, can we be friends?" Hermione suddenly said.

Friends?! What is she thinking?! Is she trying to mock me or what?! "Bloody hell Granger! What are you trying to prove?! What are you trying to do?!" he bellowed. Turning around and pulling his hair, messing it up.

"What?! I just asked you if we could be friends! I wanted to be friends with you. Draco, I want to thank you for saving my life! Please don't think that I have some hidden agenda or something for wanting to be friends with you!"

"Please stop calling me Draco! And you know, saving your life was the greatest mistake that I have done in my life. I should be dead now too! I don't want to live anymore! My life is such a living hell! I wanted to die! But whenever I try! I can't! There's always something that comes in the way! Damn! Now leave me alone! Maybe if I hex you, then we're quits now aren't we?" Draco said, furious.

Tears started welling in Hermione's eyes. She ran away, leaving Draco behind.

He's regretting that he had saved my life! And he won't even accept my gratitude. And here I am, always worrying about him! I dream of him every night, alone in the dark. And I just wanted to help him badly. I don't know why I'm even dreaming of him. That should be a nightmare for me! But it isn't. I even broke up with Ron just because he heard me muttering Draco's name in my sleep. I'm such an idiot! I just wanted to help him, that's all, but how can I help him if he won't even help himself! Such a pessimist!

She ran up to the towers to her room. She was also invited by McGonagall to teach Transfiguration. And she had accepted it so gladly. She would be back at Hogwarts! Not a student anymore, but a professor! Er… Apprentice. But still! It's such an honor, she would be learning a lot of things again, considering that she had an access to the restricted section in the library now.

Harry was also invited to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but he declined. And she can understand. Harry was so tired and exhausted about planning and scheming for Voldemort's defeat. He just wanted to have some rest, some time for peace.

She had learned a while ago that her room, and Draco's, and the room for the supposed Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher are side by side each other. They have a common room, just like when they were students still, and a kitchen.

Draco can't hide forever from her. He may have won tonight, but she vowed that she would help Draco live his life again, happy, just to repay him for her life now.

Draco was left standing in the middle of the dark grounds. Right Draco, turn down the only person who wanted to be friends with you. Well, Blaise is a friend, but… it's different because he had been with him since childhood. Some people might think that Crabbe and Goyle are his best buddies, well, they're more of like a guard to him anyway. Crabbe and Goyle just follow him because he is feared, they followed him for power, they might be stupid but they're power-hungry. Blaise is his friend, well, the only friend, the one that is concerned with his matters and always has some opinion on his decisions. He comes to him whenever he has a problem and he doesn't know what to do.

He still haven't told Blaise that he had accepted being a professor, well, not a professor really, just an apprentice to the professor. For one, he can't go to his house anymore because of Daphne in there. He also doesn't know if it is safe to owl him because he's sure that Daphne would find a way to come to Hogwarts if she discovered. He felt so stupid for hiding from a girl. But he just don't want any more complications and Daphne sure is-

But… oh yes! I could use Egda again!

He rushed back to his room to summon Egda in there. He walked past the room in the middle, which is the Transfiguration teacher's room and he was surprise to hear some shuffling. Oh. The Transfiguration Professor might have already arrived. He had no idea who it might be. He's afraid that the professor beside his room is some old person. Ugh, I can't live with some old person. Then he imagined living with McGonagall. He flinched at that the image that formed in his mind.

When he opened the door in his room. He saw Egda beside his bed.

"Master Draco!" the elf squeaked in delight as the sight of her master. "Master Draco has call Egda sir! What can I do for Master Draco?"

"Egda, I need you to summon Blaise. But remember this, come to him when you are sure that he is completely alone. Understood? Don't come near him especially when Daphne is there okay? Wait. Give this to him." He said, grabbing a piece of parchment and a quill. Then he wrote,

Blaise,

I have sent Egda (well, you would notice that before you could open this). I wanted to tell you something. Well, that's if you have nothing to do, and it's not that important really, I just wanted to talk to someone. I can't tell you where I am though in case you-know-what.

Draco

He gave the piece of folded parchment to the creature. "Don't let yourself be seen by Daphne in any case. You be sure." He told her.

"Yes sir!" the elf squeaked as she disapparated with a loud crack.

Crack.

Hermione was left frozen in her room. She was sure that was the sound of someone apparating. And obviously, someone had apparated or disapparated just in the room to her right. Well, Draco's room. But how could that be? Hogwarts: A History says that nobody can apparate or disapparate at the Hogwarts grounds. But they could sure lift the magic, like when we were practicing Apparition back in our sixth year. But who would be apparating here?

Then she just convinced herself that she had just been imagining things.

After five minutes, he heard another crack and it is actually louder than the first one. She started to worry. She was debating with herself whether to check on Draco what was happening or just burst into his room or maybe let him be. He didn't want her company anyways.

After a second thought, she decided to just burst into his room to see what's happening.

BAM!

Both of Draco and Blaise's heads turned towards the door. They saw Hermione Granger standing there. Blaise's face turned into one of a shock, eyes almost bulging out of its sockets.

"W- Whoa! Granger! You're here!" he exclaimed.

Hermione's eyes narrowed into slits when she saw Egda standing at the far corner of the room.

"So, we have a nosy little Gryffindor here?" Draco said.

"And we have some Slytherin git abusing a house elf's powers to sneak his friend into his bedroom, at night? Why, I got the feeling that you're up to something, and that something is really no good." She answered.

Draco glared at her. "What are you doing in here?" he asked.

"Why? I live just beside your room. Hasn't McGonagall told you? I'm the Transfiguration Professor's apprentice now. Next year's Transfiguration Professor. Oh, and yes, the Head of the Gryffindor House…" She surveyed him first. "I guess you're the Slytherin Head then?" she added.

Draco hadn't thought of it. As far as he remembered, Potions Masters were more likely the Slytherin Heads. Could he possibly the Head of Slytherin?! That's just… too much for him to handle. Even though it'll still be next year. He knew that he won't have any allies here at Hogwarts. Slytherins would hate him for saving the life of the Mudblood. And the other houses would still hate him after all he'd done at school, and just like what Hermione said, he's a git, she had just forgotten the adjectives, obnoxious, unworthy, stupid, horrible, hateful, loathsome, repugnant, despicable, abhorrent, unbearable, insufferable bastard!

"Draco, would you mind explaining to me what's happening? I mean – where are we? So… you have decided to accept McGonagall's offer? Or have you not? What is Granger doing here? And most importantly… What am I doing in here? You told me you needed someone to talk to." Blaise said, just recovering from shock.

Draco wasn't able to stop him from saying the last part! Merlin! The last thing he wanted right now is for Granger to know that he needed a friend!

Hermione hadn't missed that. A look of concern crossed her face. "Oh. I'm sorry." She suddenly said, bowing her head. "I… I didn't mean to interfere… It's just that I… I was worried because I heard the sound of someone apparating… It – It actually alarmed me because according to Hogwarts: A History, nobody can apparate or disapparate within the Hogwarts' grounds. I – I'll just be back at my room." she said.

When Draco was positive that the door was firmly shot, he openly glared at Blaise.

"What?!" Blaise asked, surprised by Draco's reaction.

"You know, I would appreciate it if you would learn to keep your mouth shut especially in front of other people Blaise." He snarled.

"Now! What have I said that could have possibly harmed you my friend? And, I'm not to blame! Having me summoned again by your house elf, then a letter telling me that you can't tell me you're whereabouts! Well, I sort of understand that part because of Daphne. And damn! I've experienced hell when she learned that you had already gone without waiting for her! She accused me of scaring you out of your wits to cause you to escape! As if I could ever scare you! I wish I could!" he answered.

He was answered by Draco's reproving glare.

"Now. Would you mind explaining to me what's actually happening? Is this Hogwarts? And… and… you've accepted the offer? Why? And are you telling me that you have to live in the same quarters as Granger?! Merlin, Draco!" he bellowed.

"Now, that's too much of me to answer in one breath." Draco answered coldly. But he's easing up.

"Then explain it to me clearly." Blaise said, sitting on the couch with Draco tailing him.

Draco told him the story, starting from the part where McKinson came to his Manor and told him about the business stuff which had driven him to accept the position of being the Potions Professor, apprentice for now, until what happened before Hermione burst into his room.

"Well, do you think you're the Slytherin Head then? Why hasn't McGonagall told you?" Blaise replied after Draco's long story.

"I don't know. Besides, it would still be next year. I'd rather not be. I am a Slytherin myself, and I know how a Slytherin's mind works… and I don't want to deal with that! You know how… cunning we are."

"But who would be the Head of Slytherin then if not you?" Blaise inquired.

"I don't know. I just don't. And I don't care as long as it's not me."

"Maybe McGonagall told you. But you just haven't remembered."

"What do you think I am?! A dunderhead?! Heaven forbid! I'm not stupid Blaise! It's like you're telling me that Longbottom had actually topped the Potions exams!"

Blaise just rolled his eyes. "But what do you then? You know, you're a complete bastard by snapping at Granger when she actually offered you to become her friend. You know that I know that I'm the only friend that you have Draco – well, I'm not telling you that I'm sick of it already, it's just that… Get a life Draco! C'mon! I'm your friend, best friend even, alright. But I'm not always here for you, not all the time. Get a life!" Blaise said.

"You know. You're not that much of a help."

"What could I do to help you then?"

"You really want to know what could be the greatest help that you could offer me right now?" Draco asked.

"Of course. You just don't know how I wanted to help you so badly. As long as I can do it, I will." Blaise said sincerely.

"I know you can do this. It's so… simple." He said maliciously.

"Well, what is it then?" Blaise answered, fearing that Draco's answer would be the one that he's thinking.

"Kill me." Draco said seriously.

"You must be kidding me, mate." Blaise said, he knew that Draco wasn't kidding. He was right with his assumption.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?! I'm serious! You would do me a great favor if you kill me. Now." Draco said between his bared teeth.

"And what?! You want me to be of guilt forever! Puh-lease! Don't mess with my good records!" Blaise said, obviously joking. He can't stand anymore seriousness in this. And he won't kill Draco! He won't kill his best friend! It's outrageous!

"Right. Because my soul is as stained as yours could ever be. Don't mess with yours, what a fool I am! Of course, even you wouldn't give me the only sanctuary that I can find now. Death. You want me to suffer too right?" Draco said sarcastically.

"Draco! How could you think of me like that! You know I'm joking! Besides, live a life! You calling me here for someone to talk to! And I'm actually here, ever giving you advices that you aren't even giving a second thought!" Blaise is practically shouting now.

"Sorry." Draco muttered, not looking sorry at all. "Now, go. I'm so sorry for having you always see me whining and complaining and all. I didn't mean to share my burden to anybody. Now, leave."

"No Draco." Blaise locked his jaw.

"NOW!" Draco snarled. "Egda! Get him out of here!" he screamed at his house elf.

The poor creature hadn't been able to reply anymore because of fear. She hadn't seen Draco as angry as he is now.

There was a loud crack, then silence.

Author's Note: I've consulted the thesaurus for all the adjectives I've used to describe git. So basically, they all mean the same thing. Or rather, almost. LOL. Sorry about that. What do you guys think? Please tell me! Next chapter is more on Hermione's point of view. And I'm sorry if my changing of point of view confuses you. Do I still have to indicate whose POV is being shown? R&R! :)