Later that night Draco rested on the couch in Slytherin common room. With Blaise right across from him.
"Granger hit you pretty hard. It's starting to turn purple." He confessed.
"Is it really?" He asked.
Blaise chuckled. "Nope."
Draco squeezed his eyes shut then opened them. He punched Blaise in the shoulder in a friendly way.
"So early I saw you stalking little Miss. I have hidden anger issues so you better 'f' off." Blaise asked.
"Haha, yes true but, nah I said something to her and she just burst out crying it was freaky." Draco explained.
"Yeah she has been acting odd ever since this school year started." Blaise confessed.
"So you have been actually paying attention to little Miss…Whatever you said." Draco asked.
"Nope, but I noticed you have." Blaise said.
"What, No!" Draco said defensively.
"Tell you what I'll make you a bet, get Granger to fall in love with you by the end of the year. Then find out what's up with her. If you don't I get to dye your hair red permanently and you have to wear a sign that says 'Draco Weasley' on your back!" Blaise proposed.
Draco chuckled. "Permanently? Deal."
"Time to put that Malfoy charm on." Draco announced.
"If only it worked." Blaise said teasingly.
Meanwhile, Hermione stood at the same spot where Gillwind had beat her last time.
"Hermione." Gillwind hesitated. "I have no words."
He slapped her across the face twice. Each time sending a wave of pain through Hermione.
"Why do you do this to me!" Hermione yelled out as he raised the ruler he had the previous night.
"Because…"He said and stopped.
"Because of what!" Hermione stood up and yelled out.
Gillwind shook his head and continued to hit her.
"Because of the Prophecy!" He yelled out.
"What Prophecy?" Hermione whimpered.
"Never mind that. Just go onto bed before I change my mind about dismissing you." He said.
Hermione hurried out of the room before crashing into Ginny Weasley.
"I was waiting for you." She said while her eyes were brimming with tears.
Hermione couldn't help but start to feel sentimental. Ginny burst out crying and Hermione hugged her tight.
"I found something out." She said.
"What?" Ginny asked calming down.
"He said something about a Prophecy." Hermione asked.
Ginny stood up straight and wiped her tears.
"If only we knew who wrote it." She said and chuckled slightly.
"Yeah if only we knew." Hermione said.
"Oh goodness your face is red!" Ginny stated worried.
Hermione rested her hand on it. The wound felt tender.
"Don't worry next time I'm going to try and find out the name of the Prophecy then, find out who wrote it." Hermione said to comfort her friend.
"So we can give them a big kick in the balls?" Ginny asked hopefully.
Hermione laughed slightly trying not to overdue do it.
"Exactly." Hermione answered.
Ginny laughed along with her and they slowly skipped to the common room. When they arrived Ron and Harry laid Hermione down to tend to her wounds.
"Go get ice!" Ron yelled to Fred.
Fred peaked and looked at Hermione.
"Oh Merlin what happened!" He yelled out.
"I fell down the stairs." Hermione lied.
"Jeez Herms, a little clumsy tonight aren't we?" George added.
"Besides why use Ice when you are a wizard Ron!" Fred obviously pointed out.
"Well what spell do you use Fred and George?" Ron asked sarcastically.
"Ice, Icee, appear, appear, bippty, boppty. I don't know, think Ronald." Fred and George stated in usion.
Ron rolled his eyes.
"Ice, Icee, appear , app-"
"NOT LITERALLY!" Everyone yelled out.
When classes started the next morning, Hermione was in Potions. She was partnered up with Pansy Parkinson.
"It's says you have to chop them into fourteen slices." She complained.
"No it says to cut into sixteen." Hermione said.
Pansy read back over the book.
"Oh never mind I was looking on the wrong page." She announced.
"Please focus on the assignment Parkinson and Granger." Snape said.
"Yes Professor." Hermione said.
Pansy on the other hand rolled her eyes.
Draco had gotten paired with Blaise for the assignment which was a huge relief for him.
"Time." Draco said and stopped the burner.
"Hey Hermione's looking fine today." Blaise pointed out.
"I didn't know you fancied her?" Draco pointed out in a teasing way.
Blaise shook his head. "Only a hint for you to go for it."
"Fine." Draco replied. "Professor, may I be excused?"
"Why do you feel the need to be excused?" Snape asked.
"Um, I have to go to the bathroom." He lied.
"Fine be back soon." Snape replied.
"Um Professor, may I take someone with me?" Draco asked making Snape give him the 'Why?" look.
"I have a fear of walking empty hallways alone, that's why I always report to classes with Pansy Parkinson." He made up.
Really a fear of hallways? Hermione thought.
"Tragic." Snape said not buying it.
"Thank you sir'." He said and ran across the room while grabbing Hermione's wrist making her drop everything in her hands.
Once out of the classroom Hermione started to ask the questions.
"Why would you make up such a ridiculous lie and Why did you take me to go with you anyways? If you think this going to make up for Hogsmeade it isn't going to. Where are you taking me anyways? You know I would classify this as kidnap! That's illegal in the muggle wor-"
"Shh, be quiet and stop shouting please." Draco interrupted holding his hand over her mouth.
Hermione yanked his hand off her face.
"Why should I?" She said more quietly and crossed her arms.
"Because I'm about to tell you something important!" He said.
"I'm listening." Hermione stated.
Draco sighed and put his hands on each wall with Hermione right in front of him. He laid his head low trying to think of what to say.
"Sorry," He said.
"Is this Draco Malfoy apologizing?" Hermione snickered.
"Yes. Please accept my apology." Draco asked.
Hermione sighed. "Why should I?"
"Because, because." Draco repeated. "I really want to try and be friends."
Hermione looked puzzled. Was Draco Malfoy trying to apologize for four years of harassment? Actually I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea.
"Okay, but…we have to be secret friends." Hermione proposed.
"Absolutely Gran- Hermione." Draco agreed.
"Okay, um Draco." Hermione replied.
"We'll meet everyday downstairs. In an empty old Potions room after classes." He suggested.
Hermione thought about it. That's where she had to meet Gillwind everyday. Maybe if they met for only an hour. If she didn't go to Gillwind she would get it twice as bad the next day.
"Okay but only for a little but after classes I usually have um plans." Hermione said.
"Okay Hermione." Draco said.
Hermione laughed.
"What?" Draco asked.
"It feels weird hearing you call me Hermione and not Granger." Hermione confessed.
Draco chuckled.
"I guess it does…"