Chapter 3

Hermione awoke from a deep sleep. She panicked at her unfamiliar surroundings. Realisation of the day's events hit her. She was at the Malfoy's. She'd been in a bath. She'd thought she was going to drown until someone pulled her out. Malfoy pulled her out. Maybe she imagined the last part.

Hermione looked around and saw that she was back in Malfoy's room, in his very nice four poster bed to be precise. She saw Malfoy sat at his desk on the other side of the room reading a book in silence. If she'd been in the bath, did someone dress her? She looked down under the covers to see if she was wearing anything. She had on a pair of boys navy pyjamas. Presumably Malfoy's she thought. If he'd pulled her out of the bath and dressed her, he must of seen her naked. She flushed.

"Granger," Malfoy interrupted her thoughts, "You're awake." Hermione nodded her head unsure as to whether he wanted a reply. "Are you hungry?" he asked gently. This was not the Malfoy she was used to. Why did he care if she was hungry or not? Was it a trick?

"Yes," Hermione answered honestly.

"Elwing," Malfoy called out. A popping sound echoed in the room as a small house elf apparated into the room.

"Yes Sir," said the elf.

"Go and fetch something for myself and Miss Granger to eat and drink", demanded Malfoy. This was far more like the Malfoy which Hermione knew.

The elf bowed lowly to Malfoy and disappeared. Malfoy breezed past Hermione into the bathroom and closed the door. She just stayed sat on the bed and the strange encounter that had taken place. Why had he been so nice to her? Malfoy hated her. It was just a given fact, like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. She didn't understand.

Malfoy came out the bathroom at the same time Elwing arrived carrying a tray of food, and two glasses of red wine. He gestured for Hermione to sit on the floor at the foot of the bed, as he sat down himself. She followed his lead and sat opposite him. Elwing laid down a plate infront of each of them, followed by the wine glasses.

"Is that all sir?" Elwing asked.

"Yes, you may go" Malfoy replied. Elwing left. "Eat then" said Malfoy. Hermione who had been sat staring at her lap did as she was told. She refused to meet his gaze. She took a tentative bite, making sure it wasn't poisoned or tampered with. It was delicious. Beef casserole. Better even than Hermione's mums. The thought of her mum tugged at her heart strings, but she continued to eat, growing more confident that there was nothing wrong with the food. She took a deep drink of the red wine. It filled her with warmth and brought a certain comforting numbness. She enjoyed it very much.

Malfoy had already finished his food by the time Hermione had. She supposed she better look at him. He was looking straight at her and he looked furious. "Thank you for the food," she said meekly. He didn't respond, but continued to glare at her. After what felt like hours, he finally spoke. "How could you be so stupid?" he hissed. Before she had the chance to reply, he was standing above her shouting. "How could you be so stupid! Brightest witch of your age; WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!"

Hot tears streamed down her face. Why was he angry? Was it that he couldn't stand her being here so much? Was she really that horrible?

"I'm sorry!" she chocked. She wanted to curl up and die. Malfoy saw her tears and gradually softened his expression.

"Don't cry," Malfoy pleaded. "I don't want you to cry". He reached over and pulled her into his arms again, like he had when he'd pulled her from the bath earlier. She accepted his embrace, but didn't understand. What's wrong with him? Maybe he'd finally lost it.

After a while Malfoy murmured an "I'm sorry" into Hermione's hair.

"I don't understand" whispered Hermione.

"Why did you let yourself get captured? You're supposed to out saving people with Potter and Weasley. Instead you got you got captured. You should be thankful that you weren't tortured anymore than you were; or worse killed"

Hermione was confused. "I don't understand why you care" said Hermione. "You hate me. You always have. Surely you'd be glad if I was killed"

Malfoy looked as though Hermione has stabbed him. "Of course not. I'm not the person you think I am Hermione."

"But at school," started Hermione. Malfoy stopped her. "At school I had to put on a façade, to protect myself and my family. I may have done bad things in the past, but I'm not a bad person. You'll just have to trust me"

Hermione gazed up into his eyes grey eyes. They were brimming with unfallen tears. She thought she saw truth in them, and maybe regret. She couldn't trust him though. Not yet. There were too many years of bad blood between them. She would have to keep her guard up. She dropped his gaze and enjoyed his embrace. He may or may not be a pureblood arsehole, but either way he sure gave good hugs. She felt tears on her hair which weren't hers. She looked up and saw that Draco Malfoy was crying.