CHAPTER 3
A couple of weeks passed without much being said between the two Heads in their common room. . Hermione woke up one day, got dressed and went to the common room to find Draco Malfoy staring in deep concentration at a piece of parchment
Draco looked up to find Hermione looking at him. "Uh.Good morning. What are you doing?"Hermione asked. "Homework. Potions essay," replied Draco. "But Snape didn't give us any homework, did he? Oh Merlin! I haven't done it. Wait I was paying attention. He didn't give us anything," said Hermione. "First of all it's Professor Snape," smirked Draco but continued after noting the look of annoyance on Hermione's face. "Well it's last week's homework. I couldn't do it then so he told me to submit it this week." " But that's not fair. He can't do that. Uh you Slytherins are such annoying pompous arses,"said Hermione. "Hey what did you say about Slytherins? Get back here," said Draco but she was already halfway down the corridor.
Harry and Ron were already down at the Great Hall when Hermione arrived. "Hi! You won't believe what Snape has been doing," said Hermione before telling them of her recent conversation with her roommate. "Don't bother. They're not worth it. Anyway what will you be doing at Hogsmeade when we go this weekend?" asked Ron. "Well Ginny and me were planning to go shopping. Though I can meet you guys after at the Three Broomsticks," said Hermione.
Hermione was returning to her dormitory after Prof. Binns class when Draco caught up with her. "Hermione wait." "Malfoy what is it?" asked Hermione. "Are you still mad at me. Well I'm sorry about Snape.
Wait. No. It's really helpful. I guess sucking up to him actually works", said Draco. "I cannot believe you. Go away. It's bad for my social status to be seen anywhere near you," said Hermione. "No wait. There's something I have to tell you. Were you actually paying attention to Binns? I mean I thought that was physically impossible," said Draco. "Draco you know you can be such an idiot at times," said Hermione laughing. "She's calling me an idiot. Me. A Malfoy and a good looking one at that too," thought Draco.
That evening Draco and Hermione were both sitting in their common room. Hermione was reading 'Hogwarts A History' for the hundredth time and Draco was going through a book about Quidditch. "Draco are you bored? I am. Do you know what a television is?" asked Hermione putting her book down. "A tele what. Is that a muggle contraption?" asked Draco. "Well it is but it's great fun. Wait I'll show you," said Hermione going up to her room and bringing a tiny television out. She plugged it in the common room.
" But muggle stuff isn't allowed in Hogwarts, is it?" asked Draco. Hermione replied, " Well they are but I asked Prof. Dumbledore and he allowed me ." "And someone was complaining of the preferential treatment I get from Snape," said Draco.
Hermione continued ignoring his comment, "Well there are a lot of shows. You can watch practically anything and everything. Well this my favorite show 'The O.C.'" "You know I like this telefusion thing. Hey who's that? She's pretty", said Draco. " It's a television. T.V. for short and that's Mischa Barton," said Hermione giggling. Hermione managed to get popcorn and soda thanks to a spell she had read in a 'Magic for Teens' mag.
The two of them watched the television for a couple of hours. "It's close to midnight. We should probably go to bed since we've got that Hogsmeade trip tomorrow," said Hermione yawning. "You're right we probably should go to bed. Uh…Hermione I'm I'm sorry for being rude and mean to you all these years," said Draco. " Well you know you upset me quite a few times. But I think we can put the past behind us, can't we? Goodnight then," said Hermione. "Goodnight Hermione."
The next morning Hermione got Dressed and went down to the Great Hall to meet her friends before the trip. She found Harry, Ron and Ginny having breakfast.
" Hey good morning!" said Hermione. " I can't wait to go to Hogsmeade. How much did you save up Hermione?" asked Ginny. "Well all of my last two month's allowance. I hope we find good stuff though," said Hermione. " Well Harry and me are going to meet the two of you at the Three Broomsticks at noon. That gives the two of you two hours to shop. That's enough isn't it?" asked Ron. " Of course Ronald. We are not going to buy the whole of Hogsmeade," said Ginny.
The four of them were deep in conversation when a pale blonde haired Slytherin boy came up to them. "Malfoy," said Harry angrily. " Hey there Potty and Weasel," said Draco. " You foul loathsome git," said Ron annoyed. Draco continued to speak ignoring them, " Hermione I really enjoyed the T.V. thing. I hope we can watch again sometime." " Uh. Sure.Yeah.Sure," stuttered Hermione.
After Draco left Harry was the first to speak, " Well you'll are friends now. When did that happen?" " Well he can be really nice sometimes," said Hermione. " Have you forgotten our first five years? He called you a mudblood. Don't you remember any of that?" asked Ron annoyed. " Well of course I remember but I'm living with him now and he's being really sweet and nice and a much better friend than you are right now," said Hermione before walking away. " Great. You guys are so smart. Just the way you should have handled it," said Ginny exasperated before going after Hermione.
Draco witnessed the entire episode from the Slytherin table feeling slightly contented with himself.
Ginny caught up with Hermione and the two of them made their way to Hogsmeade. "I can't believe how irritating those two are. They are so stubborn and bull-headed and…" Hermione sought for a word to describe it "…. And so male" Ginny laughed. "Yes that's it exactly. Like children. That is why you must forgive them for they can't help themselves." They reached Madam Malkins and started to look through the racks of clothes.
" So what is going on between you and Draco?" asked Ginny.
" We're I don't really know. He just went from being evil and mean to being fun and friendly. Last night he actually apologized for being mean to me all these years. Can you believe that?" asked Hermione.
" Oh my god! But that's it, you'll are just friends," said Ginny. "Well of course we're just friends. And don't you get any ideas," laughed Hermione.
After the two of them had finished they thanked Madam Malkin and walked out to find Harry and Ron waiting for them. "We're sorry Hermione. We shouldn't have acted like that before," said Harry. "It's just that being good to Malfoy doesn't come to us that easily. But if your friends with him well that's okay I guess. Though don't expect us to be friendly with him, do you?" asked Ron apprehensively. "No Ron. You can be such a nut at times," said Hermione. "Does that mean our apology is accepted?" asked Harry. " Harry it will be but only after I have had a butterbeer," said Hermione before the four of them made their way to the Three Broomsticks.
The Heads had to patrol the corridors after dinner each night to check any untoward behavior by students in the empty classrooms. After dinner Hermione trudged up to Prof. Mgonagall's office where she met Draco. The two of them then started off.
Hermione was the first one to speak, "Draco what were you thinking? You know they don't like you. And well you haven't really given them a reason to like you anyway." "I know I shouldn't have but it was fun. Did you see the looks on Potty and Weasel's faces," said Draco smirking. "Draco they are my friends," retorted Hermione but Draco interrupted her
"And what am I to you?" asked Draco before moving in to kiss her.
At that instance they heard a sound from a nearby classroom. Hermione gasped when she saw a raven-haired boy with a girl she didn't know. "Harry oh my god!" shrieked Hermione. Draco couldn't keep himself from laughing but stopped when he saw Hermione glaring at him. " I think I'll just wait outside and leave you alone," said Draco before leaving.
" Harry who.. who was that? You're with Ginny. What is wrong with you?" questioned Hermione. " I… I … don't know what to say. Well Hermione things aren't that great between Ginny and me. It's … difficult to explain," stuttered Harry before continuing, " You aren't going to tell her, are you?" " No I will not tell her because I expect you to," said Hermione before going to join Draco outside. The two of them continued in silence.
After a while Draco said chuckling to himself, " You know I didn't think Potter had it in him. And all these years I thought to be gay, He's actually been quite naughty."
" Draco I can't believe you. You know you are soo sensitive to the feelings of others," said Hermione aghast. Draco was about to retort but thought better of it and kept quiet.