Sunday arrives and I spend it in the best mood I've had all week. Everything just seems a little bit better and I'm sure it's no coincidence. Speaking to Malfoy yesterday has really done me a lot of good and I find my self eagerly awaiting our next meeting.

Monday dawns and again I'm in high spirits. I've slept better too. My friends notice the small improvement because I'm met with compliments at breakfast about how chipper I appear. I just laugh and shrug it off but I'm secretly relieved—no one said anything but I was sure that my behavior over the past week had not gone unnoticed. It's good that everyone see's me doing better. The last thing want is to worry them or to fight off their inquiries about my state of mind. Or worse yet—for Ginny to owl the boys with concern over me. That would really be too much. In that moment I resolve to try even harder to get back to a good place.

Classes fly by one after the other and I catch Malfoy looking at me surreptitiously during the two that we share and again at meal times. It's all I can do not to burst out laughing. I wonder if he wants to meet again—I haven't owled him yet as promised so during dinner I make sure I catch his eye long enough to indicate that he should follow me as I left my seat and said in a rather loud voice to Ginny that I was going to the library. I look back to see that he is following me at a slight distance. Good.

When we're out of view from prying eyes, I slow down and allow him to catch up with me. We walk all the way to the library in a comfortable silence.

I lead him to a secluded corner at the back of the library where we're sure not to be discovered or overheard—especially since it's diner time—no one is even here at the moment. I take a seat on one of the chairs while he leans back on the bookcase.

"So, what's with all the looks you were giving me today? Did you miss me?" I tease him playfully.

"Hmph. You wish Granger." He retorts but I can tell he's in a playful mood himself.

"Seriously though, are you okay? Did something happen that you want to talk about?" I ask.

"No, I'm fine. Well as fine as I can be considering but everything's alright."

"That's good. I'm happy to hear it."

"It's all because of you anyway. The last two nights have been some of the most peaceful I've had in months. All because I shared my problems with you—all because you listened when no one would—when no one could. I really don't think I would have been able to tell anyone else what I told you. It would hurt and upset my parents, my friends, if I still had any wouldn't understand or want to hear it, I would never talk to a teacher or professional either. Then there's your boy Potter who I'm sure would listen and understand but that would be embarrassing on so many levels—even if I'm grateful that he testified for my parents and I to the Wizengamot and helped cleared us of the charges we were facing—we're never going to be friends or anything close. Which leaves you—the best and only option. You're the only one who I know I can trust completely to help me, no questions asked, no strings and no judging. You are in short, my best bet at getting my life back together and I want to say thank you again, thank you for caring enough to see my need and for not letting me push you away. You fought to help me even though you didn't have to."

Oh my. Who knew Draco Malfoy could be so sincere and to me of all people.

"That's some really nice words about me there,Malfoy. Thank you, I appreciate it."

"You deserve it." He answers and shrugs.

"You still haven't told me why you were looking at me all day for yet buddy so spill it." I demand.

"Well if you insist. Maybe I did miss you. A guy can get lonely with no friends and all."

"Awww, you poor baby." I mock.

"Shut up, Granger." He whines.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry." I say and laugh.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever, Granger."

"Well I guess we'd better get going now." I tell him.

"Okay." He replies

"Oh and Malfoy, tomorrow at 9, meet me in front of the Room of Requirement. It's my turn to unload on you."

"I can hardly wait." Malfoy says and gives me a smirk.

We leave the library together and then part ways to go to our separate common rooms.

"Goodnight,Malfoy."

"Goodnight, Granger." He calls over his shoulder to me.

It's been a good day and I'm smiling from ear to ear by the time I get to the common room.

"What's got you smiling like that, Hermione?" Ginny asks me a bit suspiciously.

For some silly reason blush slightly. If she only knew...

"Nothing, Gin. Just had a really good time in the library. Yo know me and how I get around books."

Thankfully she accepts my answer and doesn't press me further. I don't like lying to her but now is not the right time to tell her about Malfoy. Not everyone is as forgiving as I am—with good reason I should add but one day I'll make them come around.

After that, we both sat together and spread out our home-work and began working in silence.

Finally it was time for bed. I went to sleep, anxious for tomorrow so that I could see Malfoy again.

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