For the first time in her life Hermione had no interest in being in class. It wasn't even lunch time and she was ready to head back to the dorms. She slept barely a wink the night before. After her talk with Draco, her mind was racing. He had brought up something that she had tried to forget. It was the one thing that she had told everyone she'd never talk about. That night at Malfoy Manor was the worst night of her life. It was the only time through the whole ordeal where she really felt like she had given up hope. Hermione closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. She had spent so long trying to bury the memories of that night. She wouldn't let Malfoy sabotage that.
"You look like shit today."
She looked up from her text book to see Draco Malfoy standing before her.
"Yeah, it happens sometimes."
She motioned to the seat next to her and he sat down.
"Who would have thought your normal state actually required preening?"
She shot him a dirty look, "wow, you really know how to compliment a woman."
He let out a chuckle and pushed her shoulder, "oh come on Granger lighten up it was a joke."
She forced out a false laugh. "Oh Malfoy, you are just too funny."
He rolled his eyes at her before grabbing his bag and pulling out his books. He pulled out his wand and whispered, "incendio.". A small spit of flame shot out the end, lighting a fire underneath the cauldron before him.
"I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have brought it up."
He didn't look at her as he spoke. Hermione eyed him carefully. She didn't know what he was working towards.
"Then why did you?"
She waited for him to respond but he said nothing. Instead they sat in silence until Professor Slughorn started class. He lectured on and on about the importance of proper preparation while preparing a draught of peace. He stressed the importance of proper stirring and temperatures but Hermione was far too preoccupied with her own thoughts to worry about anything he said.
After class she quickly gathered her books and ran off. She could have sworn she heard Draco calling her name. She didn't dare to turn and look.
She was eating dinner when she noticed him walk in. Even though he didn't sleep in the Slytherin dormitories, he still continued to sit at their table. Most of them had welcomed him back with open arms; most of them understood the stigma that followed him. All of them had turned their backs when their fellow classmates really needed them.
"Earth to Hermione," Ginny waved her hand in front of Hermione's face.
"I'm sorry. What were you saying?"
Ginny pouted, "Christmas. You're invited, are you going to come?"
Hermione smiled at the idea. She had always loved spending time at the Burrow. It was one of the few places on earth that she could feel at home. Deep down though she knew it was a bad idea. She hadn't spoken to Ron since their break up. She didn't want to be the catalyst for a fight.
"I would love to but I have to say no."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "You can't just cut yourself out of the family. You're still one of us."
"I know," Hermione paused and looked over at the Slytherin table. Draco was staring at her unabashedly. "It just seems like a bad idea. I'm just going to stay here."