Disclaimer: No, I still don't own Harry Potter, forever wishing.
Chapter 4
Later that week the Gryffindors had Transfiguration with the Slytherins. Since the war the teachers had been obsessed with inter- house unity, always pairing students of different houses together.
Although none of the students were to pleased with this the teachers had, so far, only paired the students who had nothing against each other except their house together.
It looked like this day would be no different. However, when Professor McGonagall called out Hermione's name after Draco's it was immediately clear that she had overstepped the line. Hermione froze in her chair, various emotions flitting across her face before settling on anger.
"I am sorry Professor but I cannot work with Malfoy" she said in a cold, hard voice.
"And why not Miss Granger?" asked McGonagall. "I do not see any reason for you to be unable to work with him".
At this Hermione snapped. She had been through to much to sit there and let someone tell her that her reasons were invalid.
"Have you forgotten the war?" She shrieked at the teacher. "Have you forgotten how he let the Death Eaters in here to kill as they please? Or how he came back to fight for Voldemort in the last battle?" The rest of the class was cowering as far away from Hermione as they could get and they all flinched when Hermione spat out the former Dark Lord's name.
She continued mercilessly. "Don't you remember that this piece of scum stood by and watched while that vile bitch carved this onto my arm" yanking back her sleeve to reveal that word Mudblood, the silvery scar standing out against her skin.
Mcgonagall opened her mouth and seemed about to reply but Herione turned and stormed out of the classroom, leaving a roomful of shocked people in her wake.
McGonagall looked shaken for a moment after Hermione's dramatic exit but then she turned to the class and snapped.
"Well? You all have your pairs, start completing the steps on the board while I have a word with Mister Malfoy outside"
Draco was still in shock from Hermione's outburst but when she said his name he jumped and looked up at her. She beckoned for him to follow her and once they were both outside she turned and shut the door firmly.
"Malfoy" she said turning to him"I know that that must have been difficult for you. You made bad choices during the war but most of those were due to your situation." She paused before continuing. "I know you want to get Miss Granger to look beyond your past but as we just saw, that is not going to be an easy task. I will help you. First you have to go after her now. Go find her and talk to her".
"But Professor how-"
"You'll know what to say Malfoy, now go; I have a class to teach".
She opened the door and was about to step through when she hesitated and turned back to him.
"And Malfoy" she said with a smirk "do try not to mess up"
With that she shut the door and he was left staring at the space she had occupied moments before.
He set off in search of Hermione, a tight knot of apprehension in his stomach
FF~FF~FF~FF~FF~FF
The minute she left the classroom Hermione had run straight to the 7th floor. The anger was boiling inside her and her vision was tinged with red. She didn't even register what she was asking for when she walked in front of the Room of Requirement but when the door appeared she pushed it open and rushed in.
In one corner hung a punch bag and in another a shelf full of ornaments. Breakable ornaments.
She grabbed the one nearest her and threw it with all her strength at the opposite wall. It shattered and she felt a thrill of satisfaction course through her. One by one the rest of the ceramics joined the first. The smashed pottery formed a pile on the floor and as the pile grew Hermione's rage began to abate. As the last one hit the wall she sank down on the floor, exhausted. A couch appeared on the other side of the room but she ignored it.
She didn't know how long she sat there, staring at the pile of broken clay, but suddenly the door to the room opened and the person she least wanted to see came through.
"How the hell did you get in here Malfoy" her anger was starting to bubble again but she had it under control this time.
He cautiously moved into the room and looked around before he answered her. "I knew what you'd be looking for. You're not the only one who needs to let off steam sometimes"
She looked shocked that he seemed to know her so well.
He crouched down on the floor; to close for her to be comfortable but far enough that she didn't mention it. He looked conflicted, as if he didn't know where to start.
"Just spit it out Malfoy" she snarled. She clearly wasn't getting rid of him until he said what he had come to say so she wanted to get it over with.
He shot her a glare before getting his expression back under control. "Look Granger, I know you hate me, with good reason. I know that you can't accept my apology and I know that the things I did in the war fully justify this. But I. Had. No. Choice." The anger at the unfairness of his situation showed in his voice. "From 6th year on everything I did was to protect my family. The Dark Lord swore to kill my mother if I didn't jump when he commanded; he was living in our fucking house Granger". The pain in Malfoy's voice was apparent and it shocked her.
"So forgive me if my situation didn't allow me to be as heroic as you. I never claimed to be brave and I think this proved that but I'd like to see how anyone else would hold up in my situation". He was breathing heavily and his eyes were bright. It scared her to see the usually calm and collected Draco Malfoy lose control.
He took several deep breaths and then said "Don't say anything now Granger, but remember that it was not only the side of the Light that lost things during the war. My mother was killed after saving Potter's life in the last battle, the one person I wanted to protect above all others". There were tears in his eyes now and he brushed them away roughly.
"So now you know the story. McGonagall is making us stay in the same partners she assigned us in class today so maybe you could find it in yourself to be civil?" this was not said in an accusatory tone but he was genuinely asking. Could she? Could she tolerate working side by side with the boy who had watched her being tortured? His description of what he had gone through had opened her eyes to the fact that she was not the only one hurting. No, she was not ready to forgive but maybe, just maybe, she could pretend that she was getting there. Even if only in McGonagall's classes.
She nodded hesitantly and Malfoy let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you Granger" he said and with that he got up and left the room.
Authors note: So what do you guys think? This chapter is my longest yet and I'd love to hear what ye think of it! Whenever I see those emails in my inbox telling me that someone has followed, favourited or reviewed this story I do a little happy dance:D I must leave it here because I have an Irish essay to write but I'll see ye tomorrow.
ShHpBookworm xxx