A/N: I'll try and make sure this chapter is better than the last one with some comic relief also. Too much seriousness for my taste; Humor keeps the world going. Without it we'd all want to lie in a ditch and die. :)
I hate strep tests with a fiery passion that burns from the debts of hell without any chance of getting out or any chance of redemption. You know the cotton swab in your throat? Blah. The nurse had to pretty much force it in my throat. I jerked back so hard we thought there was a dent in the wall from where my head hit it. Giggle.
Hmmm… Well, there are lyrics from Get out alive by Three Days Grace in this chapter. I luffles that band. There was only like one but the rest I wanted to put in there will show up later.

Draco's P.O.V:

It had been two and a half months and I'd only attempted to kill Dumbledore once. I had paced outside of his office for about half an hour before I took off running the second Professor McGonagall walked by.

It was more stress than I was use to and I think it was showing. I'd stopped eating most of the time, going days without food because I felt too nauseous. I'd even stopped making fun of people. It's not like I enjoyed it, it was just something I was required to do. Now that there were other things my father was expecting of me I didn't have to.

I wouldn't let myself look at Hermione anymore. The few times I did all I saw was pity, worry, and sadness. She'd tried to talk to me a few times, asked how I was doing and I lied every conversation. I'd say I was fine which I wasn't, assure her I wasn't cutting myself anymore which I was, tell her there was nothing for her to worry about which there wasn't. That was the only truthful thing I'd said to her in the past two months.

Granger shouldn't even care about me. I've tormented her for year, did everything I could to make her life miserable with some exceptions, made it out to be that being muggleborn made you worthless and she's anything but worthless. I've been horrible to her but she kept coming back to help. It just didn't make sense. I didn't deserve someone like her in my life; Someone that good, that nice, that caring, that amazing.

Father had sent me a few letters, telling me to make sure I killed him, pouring out his desperation into them, making sure I knew how bad Azkaban was, making sure I knew it was all somehow my fault that he was in there. That bastard. I didn't make him follow some psycho, I didn't make him hate muggles and muggleborns, I didn't make him kill any of those innocent people who had family that cared about them, and I didn't make him be violent. He deserved every hour in Azkaban he got.

Mother had been sending me letters telling me how much she wished I didn't have to get into this, that she'd made the wrong choice and wished there was a way to get out of it, saying how much she missed me and my father, and hoping I was okay. I think she figured out a long time ago about my "habit" to hurt myself but didn't want to say anything since I have some of his temper. She never said anything because she's scared that I'm completely like him. She's afraid of her own son.

The-Boy-Who-Never-Dies seemed to think I was a Death Eater which lead me to believe that Hermione told him until I heard her snapping at him, telling him to stop making accusations against people unless he had enough evidence to back it up and another time telling him it was ridiculous to assume a sixteen year old would ever be made a Death Eater.

Snape had been watching me closely since he and all the other Death Eaters had found out that I cut myself. It was odd knowing that people actually cared about my wellbeing, even if it was only two and a half. I don't completely count my mother in that category since fear prevents her. I was used to going through life being alone only caring for myself.

"Draco, darling, please eat something," Pansy said pulling me out of my train of thought.

"I'm not hungry," I mumbled and pushed things around on my plate.

"Please, you haven't been eating much for a while now and it's worrying," I knew Pansy only cared because her "boyfriend" was seeming like a nut job lately.

"I haven't been hungry, Pansy. I've got a lot on my mind," I was struggling horribly to keep myself calm.

She rolled her eyes, "Like what, Draco? You're father's been put in Azkaban, big deal. He'll be out soon." I narrowed my eyes. He really was and how angry he'd be when he found out I hadn't killed Dumbledore yet.

"That's what I'm worried about," I whispered inaudibly and stood up to leave.

"Where are you going? You have to eat," Pansy snapped.

I picked up a green apple and smirked at her, "I have to ask Snape a question about our lesson from today, Pansy, alright with that? Or do I have to ask your permission before I talk to a teacher?"

She looked taken back slightly, "No, you don't have to ask me –"

"Good, because I wouldn't anyway," I left her staring after me angrily. I couldn't care less. She was infuriatingly annoying. Taking a bite of the apple I felt bile rise in my throat.

No eating today, I thought bitterly as I threw it out the nearest window.

I took the long way to the dungeons so I could think without being interrupted or running into anyone I knew, kind of hoping Snape wasn't in his classroom so I could just sit in there until people actually started wondering what happened to me. So I had a few hours, about four to be exact.

When I reached the door I knocked quietly, so in case he was in a snippy mood he wouldn't go off on me for banging on the door. Snape opened it a few minutes later then walked back over to his desk, "Come in, Draco."

"Well good morning to you too, Sunshine," I said with a smirk as I shut the door behind me.

He didn't reply, just stared at the papers on his desk. My shoulders slumped and I started to get worried, "What? No conditioner for you luscious hair today, Snape?" No answer. "Kneazle got your tongue? Did you lose your bat cape? Are you unable to billow down the stairs? What's wrong, Sev?" I smirked at him and sat on one of the tables.

It was easy to notice that it made him angry when someone called him Sev, "You refer to me as Professor Snape or Snape, Mister Malfoy. Now show me your arm."

Bemused, I started to lift up my left sleeve but he snapped, "No! Your other arm!"

"You know, I could sue for sexual harassment for you telling me to take my clothes off."

He glared at me and I showed him my arm with a sigh.

"Draco, Draco," He said shaking his head, "You must stop."

"Just leave it. It's not a big deal."

"I know it may not seem so, but it is a habit you must break. The Dark Lord will not be happy."

I snorted, "When is he ever?"

"That's not the point. It's a weakness, Draco. You can have none while in his presence."

"I know Occlumency, Snape. I'm quite a good one to be exact. He won't know."

"Fool. He will know."

I knew it, I just didn't want to admit it to myself or him, "I can't stop, Snape. It's the only thing that helps," I admitted with a sigh.

"Find. Something. Else," He was getting close to yelling but was trying to stop himself.

"It's not that easy!" I stood up abruptly and stalked over to him.

He stood in the same manor, "I know that! But it's possible!"

"Really? How might that be, Professor?"

Snape tried to use Legimency but I blocked him with such a force he stumbled back, "No! You're not looking in there!'

"I think you know what would help, Draco," He stared at me, obviously trying to figure out ways he could get into my head.

"I don't really think so," I told him, horribly puzzled.

"For a boy who should have been in Ravenclaw you don't seem to be so bright."

True, if I wasn't a Slytherin I'd defiantly be a Ravenclaw, "Then why don't you explain it to me, Snape?"

"A certain Witch would help you greatly."

My eyes widened, "Do you mean Hermione? I don't care about her, she's a filthy little m –"

He grabbed the collar of my shirt and jerked upwards looking absolutely furious, "Do not use that word in front of me!"

I flailed my feet which had come off the ground slightly, "Why? You hate them don't you?"

With a cold look he dropped me, "It's hard to imagine, but one day you'll end up like me."

I spluttered, "What? Like you?"

"You remind me of myself."

"How?"

"Just think about it, Draco," He sat down at his desk and watched me.

I wasn't the best Legimence, but I attempted it anyway on Snape. I saw flashes of memories; A man who looked remarkably like him screaming and throwing things, that same man hitting Snape with an empty bottle of whiskey on the ground next to him.

It skipped slightly and I saw more memories – ones that seemed happy – with a redheaded girl with pretty green eyes in them; At a park, in the woods, at the Great Hall, by the lake at Hogwarts, in the hallways, and then finally a memory fully. Snape was dangling by his ankle, ugly grey underpants showing with people laughing, a fifth year who looked remarkably like Potter was the one doing the spell.

"Put him down, James!" The redheaded girl yelled from behind him.

"Only if you go on a date with me, Evans," James said cockily.

"I don't need help from a filthy little Mudblood!" Snape yelled as James dropped him.

"Is that what you think of me, Severus?" 'Evans' said coldly.

Snape seemed to have caught himself, "No, Lily! I didn't mean it!"

"Yes you did," She turned and stalked off, tears in her eyes.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" I heard a grown Snape yell as I was jerked out of his memories.

"Who's Lily?" I asked before he could say anything else.

He glared but it didn't affect me so I asked again, "Who is Lily?"

"Lily Evans," He said quietly.

"Is that still her surname?"

"No."

"Then what was it? Because I'll find out one way or the other."

He muttered something but I barley caught it, "Did you say Potter?" I squeaked out.

He nodded and I honestly thought I my head was going to explode, "You loved Harry Potter's mother?"

"Love."

"Love?"

"I still do."

"Really?"

"I always have and I always will," My thoughts instantly went to Hermione. This really was what I was going to end up like. I slumped against a desk and stared at the floor, "Who are you thinking of, Draco?"

"Hermione Granger," I mumbled to where he couldn't hear it.

"Speak up."

"Hermione Granger," I said louder this time.

"Louder again."

It was getting on my nerves, so this time I yelled it, "HERMIONE GRANGER!" It seemed to echo all through the dungeons and my face went so red it could rival a Weasley.

"I've noticed."

I was exasperated, "If you already knew then why did I have to say it?"

"You admitted it," His face twitched into what I'm guessing a smile was for him. It was really quite weird and awkward; Kind of like he was going to be sick. It was so horrifying it might've haunted me in my nightmares for weeks.

We sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes until I broke it, "Ever thought of growing a moustache?"

"No, I haven't."

"Can you even grow facial hair?"

"Of course I can."

"It doesn't really look like it."

"It doesn't look like you do either, Mister Malfoy."

With a loud and dramatic gasp I pointed to my upper lip, "See this? It's there."

"Only in your mind."

"Psh, you see it, you just don't want to admit it because you're jealous."

"Obviously," He said in the same way he had to Umbridge. That woman was quite annoying.

Looking at the clock I saw that I'd already blown about forty minutes in here, "I should get going. I would say it was nice talking to you, but it really wasn't."

"Likewise," He said as I turned and left.

Hermione's P.O.V:

It had been two and a half months and it had taken an entire month for Harry, Ron, and myself to start talking again. Harry was at odds with Ron because Ron didn't really like him back. Ron was uncomfortable around Harry because Harry was gay and in love with him. I wasn't talking to either of them until they made up, which took longer than expected. Much longer.

Harry had started to move on, but I knew it was difficult; something about that redhead was hard to get over. I'm pretty sure he had started to like Seamus and I planned to help move that relationship along because I was convinced Seamus was either gay or bi.

It's not like I was getting into a relationship any time soon. Ron still wouldn't break up with Lavender and Draco was still avoiding me. It's not like I was surprised; who'd want date the hideous know it all?

I was still worried about how Draco was doing. I'd ask him about it occasionally and he'd lie right to my face. He wasn't as good at lying as he thought. When he did his voice would change pitch a smidge and he'd shift his feet slightly. What? I noticed these things about people. Like Ron's voice got higher pitched and Harry would mess with his glasses.

It was a nice Friday afternoon (Chilly since it was fall and a hint of frost, but still nice) so Harry, Ron, and I took a walk outside after a quick dinner. We were walking and talking; they about Quidditch so I wasn't really paying attention when a green apple fell out of the sky and hit me in the head. It must've been thrown because when it hit me I fell onto the ground.

Harry and Ron snapped out of their conversations, "Mione, you alright?" Ron asked.

"No you git! I've just been hit in the head with a falling apple!" I was sitting on my arse and rubbing the spot on my head where it had hit.

"Did you see who threw it?" Ron questioned.

"If I knew, Ronald, I would've gotten out of the way!" I snapped at him.

He put his hands up in defense and Harry chose now to speak, "Do you need to go to Madam Pomfry, Hermione?"

"No, Harry, it's just a bump on the head."

"You're treating it like it was worse," Ron mumbled.

"Well excuse me for being moody after being painfully hit on the head!" I yelled as I stood up.

They both put their hands up and mumbled apologies.

I sighed, "I just haven't been feeling well lately, I'm sorry for yelling."

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Just lots of headaches. It doesn't matter. Harry would you like my help in getting a boyfriend?" I blurted out the last part because it'd come up eventually.

"What?" He spluttered.

"A boyfriend. Would you like my help in getting one?"

"I don't even like anyone, Mione," He told me as he fiddled with his glasses slightly.

"What about Seamus?" I stood up, picking the apple up as I did, and brushed myself off with the other hand.

Harry's face had a pink twinge and Ron had pretended he'd gone temporarily deaf.

"Yes, you do, now come along," I grabbed his wrist and pulled him as I was walking, "We'll be back later, Ron!" I called after him as we made our way to the castle.

"I'm not sure about this…" Harry told me as I was pulling him to the Gryffindor common room.

"It'll be fine, Harry. I'll bring Ron along – wait, scratch that, not Ron. I'll bring someone else so it won't be uncomfortable and you'll have me if he agrees on a date."

"I'm new at this, Hermione."

"Dating?"

"Dating guys."

"It's the same as girls but completely different."

"Comforting," He remarked as we stepped into the common room.

Seamus was conveniently sitting in one of the chairs by the fire, so we didn't have to look for him. Harry decided to stay back and I took the seat in front of Seamus.

"Hello, Seamus, how are you doing?" I asked politely.

"M'good, you?" He asked as he put down his book.

"I was just hit in the head with an apple, but I'm fine," I smiled at his confused look, "So, do you have plans with anyone for Hogsmeade tomorrow?"

He shifted uncomfortably, "I'm not really –"

"It's not for me," I cut him off, "For Harry. He likes you but is much too shy, so I'm being nice and helping."

"Quite straightforward for you, Hermione."

"Must've been the bump on the head. So, what do you say?"

He thought it over for a moment before shrugging, "A date wouldn't hurt anything."

"Excellent," I said before taking a bite out of the apple I was still holding.

A/N: I think this is a nice place to leave off. This chapter has been much longer than any of my others. I've been trying to make each one longer but obviously by the last one that didn't work out very well. I know, I failed in my writing abilities for that chapter but I was sickly when I was writing so don't judge. I'm still sickly and it only took me about an hour to write this one and I sadly think it's one of the favorites I've written. I hope you liked it as much as I liked writing it. I've decided not to kill off Draco *pats self on back for reducing homicidal thoughts*. SO! Hope you're liking the story so far! :D