Author's Note:

Urggggg! I've done it again! Once more, I am late in posting, and for that I'm incredibly sorry. It's almost like, life is just as busy as it has been, yet it's still getting crazier all the time. Does that make sense? Probably not.

Anyway, I'll make sure to keep this short because I've forgotten to do shoutouts recently and I also want you guys to get reading this chapter! (Note: Look at the chapter title)

Shoutouts to:

- TigerL1ly81 because not only is she an awesome cousin, she's also an awesome writer.

- LeaveItToTheGreeks because she's always so sweet to review and is writing a fabulous Demigod/Zombie Apocalypse that I personally LOVE.

(Just a reminder, those who review do get shoutouts, not as a reward or anything but because helpful and positive reviews let me know that you guys actually LIKE this story. ~ Thx)

Enjoy the chapter! I have a busy weekend but I'm already almost done with the next chapter and will try to find time Sunday afternoon after my LOVELY cousins visit (I'm talking to you, Lily.)

CHAPTER SEVEN

The chapter that will cause much fangirling

"Yes, but what did he say to her after that?" I questioned, slightly irritated at her lack of knowledge on the subject.

Florence squinted her eyes at me as she continued picking at the salad on her plate. "It was a pretty stupid conversation anyway, Pansy is way too annoying and petty for Malfoy to actually be interested in her, anyway. He basically just told her off. Why exactly do you care so much?"

I quickly averted my eyes. "I don't really. I don't know, but I hope they do get together, I mean they're both jerks. They're perfect for each other." I said, not really believing what came out of my own mouth.

"With that, Hermione Granger, I can agree with you on." We both smiled back at each other, and I toke another sip of pumpkin juice.

Lunch in the dining hall that day seemed very loud. It was almost hard to hear anything over all the student's constant chatter.

"I should probably start heading to class. What do you have next?" I asked hopefully. Maybe she had been in some of my classes the whole time and I hadn't noticed.

"Transfiguration. You?"

"Charms." I said, giving a dejected smile.

"They're in the same hallway, let me walk with you," she said, standing up with me.

I looked back and saw Ron and Harry still distracted in their conversation with Seamus. "Maybe I should wait for...eh, they'll be alright." I said, continuing on forward with Florence.

One thing for sure I liked about Florence was that she always wanted to be on time to class, even early, which was definitely a nice change of pace, considering the guys always waited until the last moment to get up and start moving.

The hallway was still pretty empty, except for a few students milling around aimlessly. We started to turn the corner, and I spied Malfoy turning the corner, coming towards us on the opposite side of the hallway. Without even thinking, I ducked inside a dark classroom, but Florence stayed standing outside, looking at me confused, a question on her lips.

It must have appeared she was alone in the corridor.

"Hey, Alistair! Got any more mudblood ideas on how to make Slytherin the 'good' house?" Draco cackled, drawling neaer.

At first, I thought his laugh sounded strange, but I realized what made it sound different was the lack of laughter from his usual companions, meaning it was only him against Florence.

I stormed out into the hall, walking past Florence's confused face, until I was directly between her and Malfoy, my wand ready in my hand. "Don't. You. Dare." I seethed, suddenly even more angry then the time I had punched him. "Draco Malfoy, if you dare call anyone a mudblood in my presence ever again, I will curse you into oblivion. I may have not cared the many times you've called me one, but you will not insult those who are muggle-born just because you think we are lesser. You will never be half the wizard she is, not just because of your lack of skill, but because of your lack of kindness, and compassion, and humanity! " I faltered.I had let all my built up anger at him burst all at once.

He stood there, shocked at my sudden outburst, and he couldn't seem to really do anything but continue to stand there, glaring.

"Hermione? It's okay, really. Let's get to class." Florence said, clasping my hand and tugging the opposite direction.

I was thankful that we had left the dinning hall early, the hallway was still empty from any students that would have normally egged on a fight. I said nothing, but lowering my wand, and finally broke eye-contact with Malfoy. I put my wand in my bag again and turned down the hallway with her, the angry words still lingering on my breath.

In charms that day we talked about many curses that caused damage but we're not illegal. I made sure to take notes on all of them, just in case.

"Harry, may I borrow your invisibility cloak?" I asked, looking at him from the chair across from him and Ron.

"Why do you need it?" He asked, obviously wondering if there was some new adventure that involved creeping around the castle at night.

"I don't know, I just needed a walk and it's too late to do it freely."

"C'mon Hermione. What is it?" Ron asked, not buying it.

But it was the truth. I think.

"It's nothing Ron, I just am tired of everything right now, and honestly, the moonlight shining through the windows of the castle are very peaceful."

Harry shrugged, giving Ron a look to shut him up, and went upstairs, returning in the next minute with the silvery cloth.

"Thank you." I said. I gave them one last smile and turned to the portrait hole, pulling the cloak over my head completely, and plunging into the darkness.

I stepped down the winding staircase, careful to skip the trip step, and to keep the cloak from falling off. When I reached the main hallway, I took a moment to appreciate the lovely white glow the moon cast on everything in it's sight.

I enjoyed being out there, even if it was breaking a few rules.

Suddenly my ears detected whispering not far away. I was about to duck behind a hallway, but I realized that I was, in fact, invisible, and as long as I stayed near the walls, I should be fine.

"I know the tower is somewhere around here, just tell me where it is!" Commanded a boy's voice, almost above a whisper.

"You, young man, should not be out wandering about at this time of night! Some portraits around here are trying to get to sleep!" Replied a reproachful female voice.

"All you stupid pictures ever do is sleep! Never mind, I'll find it myself." Said the angry make voice.

And that's when it clicked.

Draco turned the corner and began shaking at doors and lifting up picture frames, much to the chagrin of the sleeping works of art. He trying to find Gryffendor tower. But why in the world would he do that? And at this time at night!

I made a reckless decision in the blink of an eye.

Pulling off the silver material, I threw it right inside the tower entrance, so that it would remain hidden, and stepped out into the light.

It took him about thirty seconds to notice me, and when he did, his pale body froze. "Granger."

"Malfoy." I replied coldly.

"What are you doing out here?" Draco asked, his green eyes glancing around nervously.

"I think I should be asking that question, considering it's my tower you seem to be searching for."

"I-I was- well I was looking for you." He spurt out, not meeting my gaze.

"And why in the world would you be doing that?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"I'm- well, you see- I- it's a little bit stupid- but I mean- I'm sorry for... You know making fun of your friend.. And you! For making fun of both of you, and-" he cleared his throat.

"Are you apologizing? Is this some sort of trick? Because I swear, I've been learning all sorts of spells in-"

I was cut off by Draco. "No! It's not a trick! I just thought, it was not good for me to- well, you know."

I had never in my life seen Draco Malfoy this out of things to say. Was he really apologizing? I couldn't really bring myself to register what was happening.

He took a deep breath and attempted to regain his usual composer. "I wanted to say that I did the wrong thing by insulting you all these years and all those who are muggle born because it's stupid of me, and I'm an idiot." He said, all his words running together.

"Say those last words again, please?" I said, almost daring a smile to spread on my lips.

"I'm- I'm an idiot. I'm sorry, Hermione."

I didn't really know how to explain what happened after he used my real name again. It was like time had slowed down, yet at the same time it was going at light speed. The next thing I knew, I had stepped closer to him, and pressed my lips against his, only for about two seconds, but yet it meant so much.

I pulled away immediately and turned around, facing the turn up to the steps. "Apology accepted. Goodnight, Draco." I spoke, but I didn't wait for a reply, even though there probably wasn't going to be one, knowing him.

I remembered to grab the invisibility cloak as I hurried up, and tried my best to act to the boys like nothing at all interesting had happened in the unusually short amount of time I had been gone.

That night, my eyes stayed wide open long after everyone else's had closed. My mind raced at faster paces then I could even attempt to keep up with.

Stay Awesome,

ThePondFamily3