A/N: *Revised*

I would like to think these people for reviewing on the last time: TheresNothingInside, Megan Consoer, and Poetsplay.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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Chapter 8

Thursday rolled around. Hermione sat at her desk in defense class, finishing packing her things away. She told Harry and Ron to go on to the next class. They did but not before giving Draco a cautious look. It was then just her, Draco and Snape. Snape moved the tables back together but kept an eye on the pair as they finished packing their bags and left.

Hermione walked a few paces ahead of Draco but at a slow. Draco kept his eyes either on the floor or ahead of him but they kept landing on Hermione. He would stare for a moment then look away incase someone saw. Both of them seemed to want to say something to other but they just couldn't find the words. Hermione glanced back at him to say something but it was too late. They arrived at the dividing point and went their separate ways. Draco went to his left and Hermione to her right. She wanted to turn around and say it but pushed the thought out of her mind. If she took any longer her friends would get worried and think Draco had done something to her.

That night at dinner, Hermione picked at her food and didn't say much. Harry and Ron talked about Quidditch and Ginny would throw her two cents in every now and then.

Ginny noticed something was off about Hermione and leaned over to her, "Is everything alright? You haven't said much since you came to dinner."

"I'm fine."

"How's Malfoy treating you?"

"Better actually. I think what Harry did knock some sense into him." Hermione replied with a chuckle.

"I have a hard time imagining that. It's Malfoy we're talking about!" "I know, but he hasn't been the same. I don't how to explain it. I'm not going to complain because I like going through the day without him insulting me."

"Well, that is an improvement." Ginny said agreeing with Hermione.

Once Hermione was finished, se said good night to her friends and rose from the table. As she walked toward the doors she didn't notice a pair of grey eyes following her. A couple of minutes later, Draco rose from the Slytherin table and exited. Draco saw Hermione ahead of him and sped up. He slowed back down to a walk when he caught up to her. Hermione looked at him questioningly.

"So Granger, have a-uh… good dinner?" as soon as the words left his mouth he felt stupid and mentally cursed himself. He had never said anything stupid to a girl before.

"Um, yeah I guess so." Hermione replied with a confused look.

After that it turned into an awkward silence.

"Why are walking with me?" Hermione asked breaking the silence. It was rude but she couldn't help herself.

"Does it bother you that I'm walking beside you? We are going to the same place so I can't help but walk with you. Unless you want me to walk behind you and make it look like I'm stalking you." He said with a smile, not the smirk he always gives but a true smile that made his face light up.

Hermione had never seen it before and couldn't help but stare. She hadn't realized she was staring at him until he cleared his throat and asked,"Is their something on my face or are you just admiring my good looks?"

Hermione rolled her eyes as she turned her attention to the corridor in front of her. She hoped in the dim lighting he couldn't see her blushing. She was thankful they arrived at the portrait. Draco said the password and Hermione dashed in as soon as the portrait swung open. She was in her room by the time Draco was in the common room.

He just stood there starring at her door wishing she hadn't left so fast. He then walked to his room muttering things under his breath like 'I was so stupid.', 'Why did I say that?', 'I should have asked…'

Draco stood in Defensive class early the next day talking with Snape.

"I don't know what to do! I've never had this much trouble with a girl before. I want to talk to her but I don't what to say that won't sound stupid or offend her."

Snape held in his smile, "So, I see you've taken a liken to Ms. Granger."

"Shh!" Draco said as he quickly looked around the room, which was still empty.

"I just want to be friends. That's all."

"Uh-huh. You Don't have to lie to me. Let me give you my opinion. You seem to really like her. More than you've liked any other girl before. That's why you are having a hard time around her because you just don't want to get in her pants."

"What! I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure. Let's finish this conversation another time."

People began entering the classroom. Draco walked to his seat and sat down. Hermione soon entered the room accompanied by her friends. Snape stood in front of the class to give the day's assignment.

"Today, you will read chapter five and answer these questions." he tapped his wand on the board and fifth teen questions appeared. Some groaned. "This is due at the end of class so start working."

Snape was delighted to hear that Draco wanted to at least be friends with Hermione. It was a big step for him and could move the plan forward a little faster than planned. Maybe Dumbledore could tell them before Christmas Break. He wrote Dumbledore a message and folded into a paper airplane and sent it directly to Dumbledore.

XxX

It was the beginning of December. Harry, Ginny and Hermione spent less time outside and more time by the fire in the common room. Ron wasn't with them but wasn't too far away. Hermione was having a great time with her friends. But as much as Hermione spent time with her friend, she still felt alone. She couldn't explain why but the loneliness was stronger since coming back to school this year and it wasn't just loneliness but incompleteness too. The feelings had always been there as long as she could remember and she never figured out why. Not even dating Ron made the feelings disappear. Hermione never found the words to tell her friends about how she was feeling inside.

Hermione glanced up at the clock about the mantel and saw it was seven o'clock. It was early to leave but for some reason she felt like going back to the Head common room.

"But Hermione, it's Saturday. Why are you leaving so early? You can stay a little bit longer", Harry protested.

"I just remembered I need to make some revisions to Slughorn's essay."

Harry rolled his eyes, "And you can't do it tomorrow?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders.

"Nerd, when are you going to learn life isn't about working 24/7?"

"When I figure that out I'll let you know", Hermione replied with a smile. She rose from the comfy couch and said her goodbyes as he friends continued to protest, "I'll meet you guys in the Great Hall for breakfast." Hermione walked toward the door and exited the Tower.

It was a quiet walk back to her common room as most of the school was in their respective common rooms or playing outside in the snow. This gave her some time to think. She hated lying to her friends about having homework to do but if she was going to feel lonely she rather be alone.

Hermione arrived at her destination, said the password, entered through the portrait hole. She walked toward the staircase but changed her mind and plopped down on the couch instead. She waved her hand and a book flew off the bookcase and landed in her extended hand. She opened the book and was soon lost in Jane Austin.

Draco lied on his side upon his bed reading a book from his mother. He heard the main door swing open. He glanced over at his clock and after seeing it was only ten after seven, he couldn't believe Hermione was back already. He stuck his bookmark in the book and closed the book as he swung his legs off the bed. He dropped the book on his table as he walked toward his bedroom door. Draco slightly opened the door and peered down into the common room.

He was surprised t o see the Gryffindor had indeed returned early from her friends. He quietly exited his room and gently pulled the door shut behind him. Draco descended the stairs and approached the couch. He crossed his arms and rested them on the back of the couch to the left of where Hermione was seated.

"I'm surprised to see you back so early."

"What's that suppose to mean? I live here if you haven't noticed", Hermione asked not taking her eyes off the page.

"I just thought you would be out later tonight since it's Saturday and you normally spend it with your friends in the Gryffindor Tower", Draco replied.

"I'm sorry", she replied with not sympathy, "are you having company tonight and wanted the whole tower to yourself?"

"Well, yes. I am."

Hermione whipped her upper body around and stared at him in surprise, "Who said you could have anyone in here?"

"Who said I couldn't? I didn't tell them the password so they don't know how to get it."

Hermione let a noise of frustration as she closed her book and rose from the couch. She brushed past Draco as she made her way to her bedroom. Hermione knew she should have stayed with her friends tonight instead of coming back early. She slammed the door after entering her room and threw herself on her bed.

Draco watched Hermione storm out of the common room and enter hers. He was shocked by her response. He had no idea Hermione cared that much about other people coming into the tower. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of knocking. Draco pushed himself off the back o the couch and made his way to the door. He pushed it open and leaned against the frame, "Evening, Pansy", he greeted with a smirk.

"Draco", she replied with a smile.

Draco stepped back from the door to allow Pansy to enter.

Hermione heard the portrait door swing open. She sat up on her bed to hear better and listened to figure who had just entered. She heard the laughter of a girl coming up the stairs and Draco's bedroom door open. "Merlin, what a man whore. I should have known it was a girl", Hermione said out loud to herself as she lied back down onto her bed. She began to hear noises coming from the adjacent room and immediately put a silencing charm on the room to block the sounds. As she lied there, tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away but they continued anyway.

"Oh Merlin, why am I so stupid? Am I seriously crying over Malfoy because he's with another girl? This is Draco Malfoy so there's no reason to cry!" Hermione rolled over and buried her face in her pillow and continued to sob, angry and upset with Draco but also herself.

Pansy left the room around ten o'clock. Draco lied in his bed in deep thought looking up at his canopy, staring at nothing in particular. His mind was racing with thoughts of Hermione. He hoped having meaningless sex with Pansy would git rid of the feelings he had for the brunette in the other room but his plan didn't work. The feelings were still there and he still wanted her. But now he had just blown any chances with her, even friendship. He didn't want Hermione to know about Pansy but it was too late now and he felt stupid. He decided her would try and talk to her when he saw her, maybe that would help.

Hermione returned to the common room after breakfast. She hadn't seen Draco at breakfast and figured he was still with Pansy. She decided to sit on the common room couch and read The Daily Prophet.

When Draco heard the portrait swing open he jumped out of bed and threw some clothes on and exited his room. He descended the stairs and walked up behind the couch. He rested his arms on the back of the couch and leaned forward.

"Mornin', Hermione."

Hermione didn't reply and ignored his existence and the fact that he used her first name.

Draco ran his hand through his blond hair, not knowing what to say so he said the first thing that popped in his mind "Is something wrong?"

Hermione glanced at him, "No, why would you think was wrong?" she snapped and then returned to reading.

Draco bit his lip, "I was just wondering since you seemed upset last night since I said I had someone coming over."

"No, I wasn't upset at all about your booty call. Why would that upset me?" she replied quickly, clenching her hands around the paper.

Draco was speechless.

Hermione closed the paper, "What? Are you embarrassed that I know? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." She rose from the couch and turned around so she could face Draco. "Since you aren't saying anything I will and you can just listen. I don't know which is worse about you, the way you play with women's hearts or the way you think you that you can have your way with them then just throw them about like your trash!"

Draco avoided eye contact with Hermione and picked a piece of the carpet to stare at instead until he figured out what to say. "Gosh Granger, you do think you know everything don't you?" he said as he raised his eyes back to hers, "I think someone is just a little jealous that I can get anyone I want while you can't get anyone."

"Oh yeah Malfoy, I'm so jealous that I'm not a whore like you!"

"Or maybe you have done the naughty. Who did you do it with, Potter or Weasley?" Draco said with his smug grin. He watched Hermione's face turn red with embarrassment and anger. He knew he had struck a nerve there and continued, "So, how was it, Granger? How was it sleeping with the Golden Boy?"

"For your information, I never slept with Harry. He is like my brother and Ginny's boyfriend. And I didn't want to sleep with Ron, he forced me!" she imminently covered her mouth with her hands. She didn't mean to say it but it just came out. She ran from the common room and down the corridor.

Draco stood rooted to the floor in total shock. Ron had raped her. As he calmed down he felt horrible for what he had done. He didn't mean what he said; it was just his way of defending himself. He soon became angry with Ron, more than he ever had been. Raping a woman is wrong not matter who she is. That just wasn't right and for Ron to do that to Hermione was horrible. How could you do that to a friend? Draco felt like shit. He should have never said any of that. He wanted to upset her but not like that. He needed to talk to someone. He left the common room and headed for the third floor.

XxX

"You said WHAT?" Snape yelled.

Draco was taken back by Snape's reaction. He looked at him in confusion as Snape paced across his office. "Why does it matter what I said to her?" Draco replied with a raised voice. He soon calmed and sighed as he looked down at his hands. "I didn't mean to say it of go that far. I regret it all, having Pansy come over, the fight this morning. Nothing good has come from any of it. I hoped Pansy would help me get over these feelings for Hermione. I've never felt this way for a girl before and it scares me", he said looking back at Snape.

Snape's expression softened at Draco's confession, "Again, I know how you feel. I said something to a girl once that I liked and it ruined our friendship for life."

"Who was it?" Draco asked curiously.

"It doesn't matter now. But unlike me, you need to try and make up for it. I didn't and I lose her forever, literally. You must do everything in your power to fix this."

Draco didn't see why it was so important. It's not like the fate of the world depended on them. "But how? I doubt she'll even let me speak to her. And she's probably already told her friends so I'll have to worry about them too."

"No, I don't think she told her friends. She's still upset about what happened. She's trying to get over the incident and she's not going to bring it up to her friends."

Draco smiled at his godfather, "Why are you so smart?"

"So I can help you with all of your problems."

Draco rose from his chair to leave, "That's true. If I ever tried talking about this stuff to Lucius that I do with you, I would be the one in the ground."

"Before you go I have some more advice for you. If you want to be with Hermione, stay away from other girls", Snape said with a smile.

"Ok I will. I promise. Well, I better go. I'll see you tomorrow, hopefully things will be better." Draco waved goodbye as he left Snape's room.

Hermione sat in the Room of Requirement curled up on a couch, crying. She hugged a pink fluffy pillow against her chest and wiped her eyes with a tissue. Draco had brought up some memories she had been working on so hard to repress. She wished she could talk to Ginny and let her think that everything was going to be ok. But she couldn't tell her, or Harry. Draco would get hurt for it and for some dumb reason; Hermione didn't want that to happen even though he deserved it.

"Merlin, what is wrong with me!" she screamed.

Just then the door to the Room of Requirement opened. Hermione turned around and saw the one person she didn't want to see right now. Draco Malfoy.

"What do you want?" she hissed at him.

"I just wanted to find a place to be alone..."

"Do you plan on having another shag in here as well?"

Draco closed the door behind him and took a step toward Hermione but she quickly pointed her wand at him. Draco stopped, "No, no. I'm actually glad you're here."

"Why? Did you not insult me enough already?"

"I wanted to apologize about that. I shouldn't have said any of that stuff, especially insinuating that you slept with your two friends. That was uncalled for."

Hermione was thrown off by what he said.

"I'm serious. This isn't a joke or anything. I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing and acting this way? Since when did you start caring about other people's feelings?"

"Because I'm trying to become a different person, I only acted to way I did for the past six years is because of Lucius. Since he's gone, I can be who I want freely."

"I do not believe it."

"You can trust me, I'm trying anything."

"Trust you? TRUST YOU! Why should I trust you after all the stuff you have said and done to me and my friends, along with everyone else you have bullied for the past six years?"

Draco didn't know what to say again. He breathed in and said, "You're right. How can I expect you or anyone to take me seriously? I guess I will leave now."

"Please do." Hermione said turning back around.

Draco opened the door and left. As he walked away, he ran into Ginny.

"Have you seen Hermione?" she asked.

"No, I'm not her keeper."

Ginny rolled her eyes, "When you see her tell her that her friends are wondering where she is."

'So, Hermione hasn't told her friends. That's good', Draco thought as he continued to walking.

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A/N: I'm glad I finally fixed this chapter. Hopefully I won't mess the chapters up again and repeat the chapters.