A/N: Wow, finally got this chapter out. Had no idea what I wanted to do with this, so I threw out my old idea and came up with this. I rather like it. Let me know what you think :) Read and Review :) Oh and the chapter title doesn't really have much to do with the chapter. I just didn't want to give anything away in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters! Except one in this chapter, but he's only just a mention, he has no appearance in this chapter so it's not much for me to own sadly :( Everything else belongs to J.K Rowling.

Hermione woke up the next morning rather groggily. She hadn't a very good sleep that night. Her mind kept wandering to her short conversation with Draco Malfoy the previous day. She couldn't shake the image of his morose visage as he sat at the bar. Many times that night she had considered knocking on his door to see if he wanted to talk. One time she almost made it out her door before changing her mind. She reminded herself that he needed time.

She slowly got dressed for the day, not even bothering to attempt to tame her hair. "This is not going to be a good day" she sighed. As she left her room she was hoping maybe her fellow Head was awake yet so she could have a quick word with him to check up. Unfortunately he wasn't anywhere in sight. That's when she noticed a letter addressed to her laying on the coffee table.

She curiously opened it wondering who could have possibly written her a letter this early, and why she hadn't heard an owl.

Her questions were answered as she read the letter.

Granger,

I need to talk to you. Meet me in the astronomy tower tonight. I passed off our rounds to Pritchard and Greengrass for the night so don't worry. I just think we need to clarify a few things about, well, you know. I also have a favour to ask, which I think you know what it is, but I'd rather not say now.

Meet at 11:00

Draco Malfoy.

Hermione furrowed her brow hoping this was not some sort of ploy to embarrass her. She had to shake that thought out of her head, she knew better, especially with everything going on. She made a mental note to bring some research books tonight, for she had a feeling they were going to need as much help as they could get.

Shoving the note in her bag she headed to the Great Hall for breakfast, grateful she it was well enough into the semester she doesn't have to deal with first years anymore. She would never admit it, but being Head Girl was more tiresome than she had thought.

After breakfast the four friends headed to Transfiguration which they had with the Slytherins. This is going to be a long day. She thought to herself, adding to her mental list to find time for a nap seeing as how she would probably be up rather late tonight.

"Good morning class," McGonagall began, "now, seeing as it is almost time for Halloween, I've decided to relieve some of the stress and make this class a little more entertaining for you." She looked at Hermione and then also gave Draco an apologetic smile before continuing with the lesson, "I have recently come to hear that many of you have become stressed and you've all been working very hard. As have I, being headmaster, as well as Transfiguration professor, I think it is time we all have a little reward. Today's lesson will be all about costume transfiguration."

As the words left the professors mouth the ominous mood that once claimed the classroom was suddenly lifted, and the students' spirits began to rise with excitement.

"Now, after today's lesson, you will all have a small test," the class groaned as McGonagall continued, "now, now, don't worry, it isn't going to be a usual test. After today's lesson, I will expect each of you to practice what you have learned and come Halloween, you will all be required to show off your talents at the Halloween feast. There will be house points awarded in three categories including: completion, creativity, and overall effect it has on fellow students." She added that last part with a wicked grin as she looked over at the Weasley siblings, with a look of faint hope that perhaps they would make a tribute to Fred and George.

After showing the class some of the basics of costume transfiguration, McGonagall addressed the class again. Hermione nodded towards Ginny, knowing that this was now the part of the class where they attempt to execute the lesson, while the professor walked around, offering her help when needed.

Almost on cue McGonagall spoke up, "now partner up students, give it a try."

Hermione walked over to where Ginny was sitting. After a few tries of unsuccessfully turning Ginny into a friendly lion, she decided to change tactics. Instead of focusing on turning her all at once, she tried changing just the features first. Starting with her hair, she successfully transfigured the youngest Weasley's red flowing locks into a bushy, thick brown mane.

Ginny chuckled as she lifted her hands to 'pet' her new hair. Finally after about ten minutes, all Hermione had to do was transfigure her friend's legs and feet into paws.

"Good work Miss Granger," McGonagall praised Hermione, placing a hand on her shoulder, "good use of small scale detail. Now Miss Weasley," Minerva turned to the girl, now lion, "how do you feel?" she asked.

"Perfectly fine professor, why do you ask?" the lion answered.

"Well done Hermione. You have not only transformed your partner into a very convincing lion, you had managed to effectively include the costume portion of the lesson." She then turned to the class that had all stopped what they were doing and were watching, mouths agape, by now. "The whole point of this lesson is to make sure that they are still able to communicate as their normal selves. It's similar to regular human transfiguration, in where you change one's physical appearance, but even as an animal, you should be able to speak clearly to others whereas normal human to animal transfiguration leaves you only able to communicate as that animal."

Hermione beamed as she changed her friend back to her normal self, while McGonagall rushed off to help Ron who had ended up turning Harry into nothing but a pile of snow.

Eventually many of the students were successful, Draco especially. Hermione had noticed that shortly after her display with Ginny, the blonde wizard had managed to turn a fellow Slytherin into a very convincing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He would somehow be charmed to transform between the two every two minutes. Hermione chuckled as she saw that most of the class didn't understand the reference. She was also shocked that Draco had even known about that story however.

"I noticed you seem to be awfully distracted by a certain Slytherin," her best girlfriend whispered as they left the class room.

"What? Oh um well I was just trying to work out how a Malfoy could possibly know about that muggle story his costume idea came from," she blushed.

"Yeah, and what about during the first half of the class?" Ginny scoffed, raising an eyebrow at her friend. Hermione kept silent which only lead to Ginny rolling her eyes and snorting at her.

The rest of the day had gone by painfully slow, none of the other teachers having the same ideals as McGonagall unfortunately. So the students had to endure a rather dull afternoon, only the thought of the upcoming Halloween feast and what they were going as. Ginny was finally showing some excitement to dress up after noticing the subtle hint from McGonagall that she had permission to use this assignment to play a few pranks on the school. All Ginny talked about from that day on was all the different possibilities she had and how hard it would be to choose.

Finally, after dinner, Hermione retired to her room to get a couple hours of sleep in before meeting Malfoy in the Astronomy tower later that evening. She didn't even make it to her room before collapsing on the couch, falling into a deep sleep.

Draco wandered the halls for a few hours, constantly checking his watch, it was ten minutes past. Granger wasn't the type to be late, so he had started to fear the worst.

Maybe she refused to come meet me. I mean, I wouldn't if I were her. Not after the way I treated her all those years ago. Draco winced. But she knows I'm different now. She told me herself. His mind began to race thinking of all the other possibilities. Maybe her and Ron got back together? A growl emitted from deep inside his chest. Where the bloody hell did that come from? He was angry at the possibility that the Weasel just might have gotten her back. Why though? It's not as if she belongs to me. If anything, he has every right to want her back. She's bloody remarkable! He shook his head. No. She's amazing, yeah, but she's Hermione Granger. Nothing would ever happen between us beyond friendship. If even that.

Despite popular belief, Draco really had an inferiority complex. All his life he had just wanted to be approved of. By his family, his teachers, his friends. He just wanted respect, but no matter what he always somehow had been a disappointment. He always let down his father, pretty much all the time. He had hoped since starting at Hogwarts he would be able to gain at least some respect from his friends among the school.

Unfortunately Potter of course had to show up, stealing the spotlight, leaving Draco in the shadows of popularity. All throughout school he tried to beat Harry at everything. Hoping that for once, luck would be on his side, and people would be cheering his name instead of Potter's after a quidditch match. Then in his later years, he knew he had to prove himself worthy to Voldemort, but that was only out of pure fear of course. If he didn't prove to be a valid ally, then he and his family would have been murdered on the spot. Draco quivered at the memory.

Now, Draco had to struggle even more than before, this time to prove to the entire Wizarding World that he is indeed reformed. He had to prove himself to his school; he had to prove himself to Granger. Looking back at his watch he realised it was well past half an hour and Hermione had yet to show off. He stormed back to his common room, pissed right off that he had been stood up.

How the hell am I supposed to prove myself to her if she can't even be bothered to make an appointment to give me chance?

He was about to start yelling as he entered the confines of the common room when he stopped in his tracks, bewildered at the sight before him.

There, sprawled across the couch was the Head Girl. One foot was dangling on the floor, and one arm was raised above her head, laying underneath her tangled mess of curls, her book-bag still in her other arm. Her mouth was slightly agape, and her chest rose slowly in steady breaths. Her eyes, he noticed however, were shut tight, as if she were concentrating on something. She let out a low groan. She was dreaming.

He walked around the sofa and slowly removed the book-bag, placing it on the floor. His heart ached as he noticed a scar etched across her skin. He quickly pushed the oncoming memory of that night his aunt had tortured the poor girl now fast asleep to the back of his mind. Not the right time. He mentally told himself as he reached for the blanket against the back of the couch and placed it over top of her.

"Sleep well Hermione, we can talk tomorrow night instead if you wish," he spoke to her softly before standing back up.

He heard a soft voice from behind him, turning around he saw the witch yawn and rub her eyes as she fixed herself, and looked at the clock. "Oh my god Draco!" she screamed, jumping up. "Oh I feel horrid. I am so sorry," she continued as she ran over to him, grabbing his hand. His breath caught at the touch. "I just, I've been so tired, and busy lately that I, well no it is no excuse," she shook her head before looking back up at him through her doe like eyes. "We can talk now if you want."

Draco smiled as he directed her back to the couch she was just previously sleeping on. "Well, how about this, we don't have to do any research tonight, but I do want to tell you something," he said, fixing his sleeves nervously before adding, "if you'll listen of course."

Hermione smiled as she sat down next to him nodding for him to begin. He sighed trying to figure out where to start.

"Well, I guess I start from the beginning huh?" he scratched the back of his head, looking around the room, trying to find something to focus on before he lost his mind. He was panicking. I can't do this. What if she doesn't forgive me? What if she doesn't understand? His heart rate sped up and his eyes again raced across the room, searching for something, anything. He suddenly felt a smooth, soft, hand slide itself on top of his knee. His eyes instantly drew themselves to the hand, following up the owner's arm finally resting in the eyes of the girl sitting beside him. He sighed realising that whatever he said, she would listen with an open mind, no matter what.

"Well, before I start, I want to apologize for everything I did to you all those years. I was young, I didn't know any better, I really didn't think for myself back then, and well, I didn't realise just how badly words could hurt. Especially because I grew up with the notion that muggle-borns were filth, and knew they were such." He mentally slapped himself for saying that, "I don't think that way now of course," he recovered, "in fact, it's quite the opposite." Draco's face began to turn a rosy shade of pink.

"My father always had some very strict opinions when it came to my upbringing. You may not know this actually but I once had an older brother. He was the epitome of the perfect son. He was handsome, well-mannered, smart, athletic, ambitious, cunning, the perfect Slytherin if you will. My father couldn't be more proud of him. My mother on the other hand had always favoured me a little more, simply because I refused to follow my father's footsteps." Hermione's jaw dropped, as she looked at him sceptically, "Yes, there was a time that I rebelled against my father," he laughed. The laugh faded quickly as he began his next point. "That changed one summer however, it was the summer after my brother's third year. As a present for doing so well in school that year he was allowed to spend a week at one of his friend's cottages in Northern Ireland. Sometime during that week though, there was a terrible fire that raged across the countryside and, well" Draco swallowed as his eyes welled up. "That loss had been very hard on my entire family. My father at first took his anger out on my mother after turning to alcohol claiming it was her fault for insisting that he deserved a reward in the first place. I couldn't bare watch my mother go through that much pain so I stepped up against my father. Only to have his anger turned towards me. Making me feel guilty for not being like my brother. From that day on I vowed to change my ways, and start acting like my brother had, to help restore peace within my family."

"Eventually things got better, mother and father had made up. He no longer blamed any of us for his death, finally accepting it was just an accident. We were happy. We were a family. There was always that dreary feeling of knowing someone was missing, but we went about our days the best we could. Taking each day one at a time. The summer before starting my first year at Hogwarts however, things drastically changed once again. Lucius kept placing ridiculous demands upon me that there was no way I could meet, and when I couldn't meet them, he would ridicule me and complain that what I did wasn't good enough, no matter how hard I tried." Hermione just nodded, knowing the feeling. Draco continued, "I had figured that maybe once I start school things will change. I knew that because of my name I wouldn't have a problem making friends. I had half expected to be the most popular boy in my grade. I knew how to fly already; I was rather bright for my age, after studying so hard to fill my brother's shoes. I knew I was a shoe in for popularity. But then of course Potter happens to show up," his tone turning bitter, "no offense," he quickly added.

"None taken," she replied, "I know too well what it's like living in Harry's shadow." Hermione reassured him after remembering in sixth year potions when he beat her on every potion. Granted he cheated, but that was beside the point.

"Well, you know the gist of it really. Year after year, competing with the 'Boy who lived' and falling short every single time. I don't think I need to tell you how disappointed my father was in me. And this is where the story takes a darker turn. Do you want to take a little break? Get some water? Snacks? This next part could be quite lengthy," he asked the witch.

"Some water would be nice yes actually. This is all quite a lot to take in," she replied.

Draco got up to get them both some water. "If you have any questions so far about what I just told you, I'd get them out now."

Hermione hesitated for a bit before asking, "What happened to the relationship with your mother, if-if you don't mind my asking?" she stammered.

He sighed, "That's probably the hardest part. In order to make my family happy, I had to sacrifice the close connection with my mother. She didn't like who I was becoming, she knew it wouldn't come to any good. At the time, I thought she was just being motherly, afraid of letting her son grow up. If had known then what I know now, I knew she was afraid that I would get tangled into the dark mess that my father had participated in. You see, my mother never truly agreed with views of Voldemort and the other Death Eaters. She wasn't quite as accepting as her sister, Andromeda, had been, but she wasn't quite as ruthless as Aunt Bella," Hermione shifted in her seat at the mention of her former torturer, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. He looked into her eyes, "it's okay to still be afraid. I still am to this day. Anyway, where was I? Oh right. Well yes, my mother really only went along with it out of fear of losing her husband or her only son. She couldn't stand to see any of us get hurt. But at the same time, she had also distanced herself from my father and I. She didn't want to be a part of any plans, she didn't want to know what was going to happen, and she would just be there, to protect us when necessary. I should have taken her actions more seriously and given it some thought but by the time I had it figured out, it was too late."

"Once again, I found I had to prove myself. I had to prove to my father I wasn't afraid, I had to prove to my mother that I could protect them as well, and I had to prove to Voldemort I was a reliable follower. Deep down I was more like my mother, on the fence about many things that was required of me, but I was scared. If I didn't take the oath, he was going to kill me. But before he killed me, he was going to use the Imperius curse to force my mother to kill my father as I watched and then use the same curse on me as I killed my own mother." A tear escaped Draco's eyes, this time it was Hermione squeezing his hand.

"During sixth year, you probably recall all those attempts at Dumbledore's life," Hermione nodded, "well; I hadn't really wanted to kill him. I was actually quite fond of the old man, but I knew if I didn't there would be consequences. He had made that clear after I had failed the first time when he left my mother to endure the madness of Fenrir Greyback."

Hermione winced at the mention of the werewolf. She herself was all too familiar with the beast.

"The second time I had failed had been even worse. He had forced me to watch as he used the Cruciatus curse on her," he looked away, unable to make eye contact, knowing Hermione also understood the pain associated with that particular torture as well. She got up and knelt in front of him, lifting his head to he was once again looking into her eyes. Wow she's beautiful, he noticed.

Hermione blushed before saying, "it's okay, and you're doing great. Just take your time."

He nodded and took a sip of water before continuing with is tale. "Well, when I finally failed to complete the task, my godfather, er- Severus took over after making an Unbreakable Vow to my mother." He smiled at the memory of the moment he found out she had done that. He had been angry at the time, but now he knew better. "She always looked out for me, no matter what the consequences. Well anyway, after that I had pretty much blown any faith Voldemort had in my family from then on. We were his servants, no longer his allies. We couldn't even have the safety of our own house anymore as the bastard had transformed it into his own headquarters. He used us and I knew that regardless if he had defeated Potter or not, we would not make it out alive. Voldemort had made it very clear that as soon as he no longer needed us, we would be disposed of. Of course we had to wait to take any action, for we could easily be hunted down. The war was our only chance of making it out alive. At first, I was blind to my mother's suggestions of running. I thought the only way to protect us would be to bring Potter to him. To end it once and for all, the whole time hoping Potter would defeat him, but at the same time hoping that maybe if it was I who brought Harry to him, then he would let my family go free when it was all over. Unfortunately, as soon as I heard Voldemort announce Harry was dead, I knew that wasn't the case. I immediately ran to find my mother, but she told me what she had done. She had lied to Voldemort. I couldn't believe it. I thought for sure we were done for now. We had to get out of there. But that's when I noticed something. Despite Harry being presumed dead, you all kept fighting because you weren't afraid. You would refuse to give up without a fight." Draco took a deep breath and another sip of water.

Clearing his throat he continued, "I knew then that I couldn't go with my parents. I knew that was the only time I could truly redeem myself, and I knew that I was more than willing to die, if it meant that there was a possibility my parents, or at least my mother would make it out alive. I ran inside, and well, that's when I saw you fighting with my aunt," he blushed, "I was in awe at how well you held up against her. She was struggling just as much as you were. In that moment I hated how my aunt treated you. You were clearly proving right then and there that you were far stronger than most pure-blood witches or wizards out there, she had no right to torture you the way she did. She deserved to die," he said coldly. "Ginny and Luna help me up at wand point so I sent them over to help you. Thankfully mother weasel stepped in."

"I-I saw all the faces of the students and teachers and others that had died in the war. I pitied the Death Eater's that lay lifeless on the castle ground. They died fighting because they were afraid they would be killed by the very monster forcing them to fight," he shook his head. "After that I knew I had to do something. I had to fight for the right side for once. Fight for my freedom. Unfortunately that's when I was hit from behind with a stunning spell. I don't know what happened after that because I woke up in a ministry injury ward under close observation."

Hermione stared at him, biting her lip, holding back a question before he gestured her to just let it out. "Why did they release you? Why did you come back to school? How did you get Head Boy?" the latter question seeming most important to her.

Draco just laughed at her eagerness, typical Granger. "Well," he started, "my father made an agreement with the ministry that if he refused the offer of bail, and that my mother remained on house arrest for a minimum of five years on good behaviour in exchange that I be pardoned of my crimes and allowed to attend Hogwarts to finish my education. As for the Head Boy part, well, the ministry had decided they would wipe my records completely clean of all crimes so long as while I attended school I did some form of community service. So they assigned me to be Head Boy." Hermione's jaw dropped. He pushed it back up for her with his hand with a laugh. "What?" he asked, "Suddenly make sense as to why I've actually been doing my duties?"

Hermione rolled her eyes as she playfully hit him on the arm. "Oh, I had my suspicions," she snorted.

The two of them continued to talk on the sofa, this time taking turns, sharing stories of their childhood before Hogwarts. Hermione was surprised to hear of all the crazy things Draco had uncharacteristically gotten himself into. Draco was equally as shocked to find out Hermione wasn't always the outgoing know-it-all either. She told him how she was rather shy as a kid, because any time she opened up, someone would often get hurt by her accidental magic. She just thought that she was a freak.

They laughed together at some funny Hogwarts memories, and cried together at some sad ones. After a while they just sat there in silence, staring at the fire. The pair was completely comfortable with the silence between them for once as they basked in their growing friendship.

The next morning Hermione woke up, confused as to where she was. She put her hand underneath her on her bed to push herself up, hoping her eyes would adjust quickly. As her hand touched her bed however, she felt something different. She felt something hard, and moving, underneath a thin sheet. As her eyes adjusted she jumped, falling off the couch and hitting her head against the coffee table.

"Ow! Bloody hell," she began to mumble and curse under her breath as she rubbed at her head.

Draco woke with a start the moment she fell. "Granger? Are you okay?" he asked, kneeling at her side, wrapping an arm around her to help her to stand. "Do you need to go to the infirmary?"

She shook her head gathering her senses concluding they must have dozed off last night. She blushed as she noticed he was still holding her.

"Er- sorry," he said as he pulled away from her. Running his hand through his golden hair.

He looks flawless even fresh out of bed she thought as she tried to gain composure, failing once her mind travelled to that day she bumped into him outside the bathroom. She blushed at the memory.

"Guess we fell asleep," he said, almost reading her thoughts.

"Yeah," she said as she rocked on her feet. "Well I better go get ready," she quickly told him as she took off up the stairs before he had the chance to say anything else. One more word out of his tempting mouth and my knees would have buckled at the sound of his voice. She stopped in her tracks, surprised she had actually thought that. She shook her head, what am I doing? Besides, he would never go for me. He may not follow the same beliefs he did as a child, but I'm much too plain for his tastes anyway.

Not exactly satisfied with her reasoning, she carried on with her morning ritual anyway, and quickly made her way to breakfast. Hoping no one would bring up the Slytherin, she took her seat. If anyone even mentioned his name, it would be written all over her face what she was feeling and she wasn't ready to explain it to anyone. Hell I can't even explain it to myself. Finally she settled on the reason for her reactions based solely on the fact that they had shared so much last night. It was only natural that she would react somehow. She figured by the end of the week they would go back to being just friends. However, deep in her soul, though she would never admit it to herself, she secretly hoped for more than friendship.

So? What do you think? Interesting take on Draco I think... next chapter will have all the fun that I promised at the end of last chapter. It's just this chapter was way too long already. If I had originially stuck with the idea to have the events of next chapter in this one as well, then I fear you would be afraid of its length (I would be)

But yes. Lot's of fun in the next chapter :) hope to get it up by the weekend.