Okay so... Chapter 3!
By the way I realized that I forgot a Disclaimer so here it is:
I do not own any of the characters, locations, or other Harry Potter elements in this story, JK Rowling does.
Hermiones POV
Hermione woke up to the dim glow of sunlight streaming through her window. She looked at her watch and realized that it was already 6:30. She would have to step up her game and wake up earlier if she wanted to perfect her studying for next months subjects in Arithmacy. She glanced over at her girly and gossipy roommates Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, and Fay Dunbar. Although Hermione enjoyed being in the company of other females in comparison to Harry and Ron, she didn't quite understand what was the fuss with boys, nail polish, and hair.
With a sigh, Hermione rose up from her bed and got dressed. I can probably still finish a few extra essays for Transfiguration before breakfast. As Hermione sat down in front of the flames, she recalled her conversation with Harry from the night before. If Malfoy's mother really was in serious danger, the Ministry would surely know about it, wouldn't they? No, you idiot, the Ministry is completely brainwashed. They wouldn't know if Voldemort walked into Hogsmeade and bought a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. Hermione evaluated the predicament. Why was she even helping Malfoy? She had felt nothing but hatred towards him ever since the beginning of her first year at Hogwarts. Maybe, she thought, it's because you have never seen this side of him before. This side that shows that maybe he actually cares for someone on this planet. Besides himself, that is. Yes, maybe that was it. Maybe she thought that since it had been proved that he could have compassion she wanted to help.
With another glance down at her watch, Hermione realized that she had been in her own thoughts for over half an hour. If she wanted to get at least one essay done before breakfast at 7:00 she would have to gear down. Okaaay, what do we have here? Undetectable extension charm? That sounds interesting, maybe I should write about that. Yes, that would be her topic, yet only the most critical and perceptive writing would be given top marks by Professor McGonagall.
"Oi, Hermione." Ron's loud voice snapped her back to earth. "I was wondering if I could possibly see your notes on the History of Magic lesson from Wednesday."
"Really, Ronald, you didn't bother to take any for yourself even though you were aware that there is an essay due in three days?" Though she would never admit it, Hermione enjoyed the sheepish, unsure expression that made itself present on Ron's face whenever homework or any schoolwork in general made its way into the conversation. "Okay, here they are." Hermione spit out quickly before Ron could make some excuse about bad hearing or something of that sort. As Ron copied down her three pages worth of notes, she regarded him with something that could be characterized as interest. It was true that he wasn't the smartest or the most thoughtful when food came in his way, but he had a kind heart. That's not something people just say when they can't find another good trait is it? No, Ron does have a kind heart. In first year, he sacrificed himself so that Harry and I could get closet to the Sorcerers Stone. In second year he helped Harry get into the Chamber of Secrets. In third year, well, he didn't really do that much in third year. In fourth year he shunned Harry when Harry needed him the most but then they made up. And then he ruined the Yule Ball for me... Hmm... that was a downside. But then in fifth year he helped Harry and the rest of us get to the Ministry. He even did his part in hexing Malfoy. And besides, he has other qualities. He has grown a large amount since last year. I guess that makes him somewhat attractive. It was at this moment that Hermione realized that she had been full on staring at Ron for the whole time. Luckily the red-haired boy was so concentrated on taking notes he hadn't noticed.
During breakfast Hermione found herself once again staring at a boy, but this time it wasn't Ron. Draco Malfoy had never looked so depressed. He wasn't eating anything, his normal group of friends were nowhere to be found, leaving him to sit alone, and he wore an expression of pain disguised by tiredness. Hermione knew that expression of pain more than most people did. In her long friendship with Harry, she had never seen the glimmer of agony in his eyes that could never be removed. For him, the sorrow of losing his parents is permanent. Thinking of Harry's parent problems brought her back to why she was looking at the pale, blond haired boy in the first place. Although the Daily Prophet would most likely not mention anything about a potential death in the Malfoy family, it would surely give her a list of crimes committed. Looking up, she saw one of the Ministry's barn owls swoop down upon her carrying a rolled up paper. She slipped a galleon in the owl's pouch and it gracefully took off.
"Anyone we know dead?" questioned Harry, a look of anticipation on his face. Hermione knew that deep down he was wondering if the Malfoy family had been harmed in any way, but he would never admit that he was interested in his enemy's wellbeing.
"Not that I can see..." replied Hermione slowly "But it does say here that there have been incidents where powerful Cruciatus curses have been administered and have resulted in death." Hermione's brain was working in full overdrive. A powerful cruciatus curse could have definitely harmed Narcissa Malfoy. She was married to a powerful death eater who surrounded himself with other dark wizards. Yes, death by unforgivable curse could have occurred. Again Hermione glanced at Malfoy. She had been expecting the same dull expression on his face, but this time her gaze was met by the boy. She couldn't explain why, but behind the face that she was accustomed to, she could make out a distinct sign of pondering, as if he was thinking about her. Draco Malfoy was indeed looking her over with a sort of fascination. Not a flirty type, but one that would have sent chills through her body if he had not been the one who had called her Mudblood for three years. This sort of fascination stared deep into her soul. It was as if Malfoy was searching for an answer in her mind, one that he himself could not figure out. Even as she tried, Hermione could not break away from his gaze. Not only were his eyes hypnotizing her, she was realizing that she had never really looked at him without disgust. In reality, Draco Malfoy was rather attractive. His blond hair and stunning green eyes were traits that many boys would have died for.
"Hermione? Hermione? HERMIONE!" Draco broke his gaze at her and Hermione looked up at the unidentified person who was calling her name. It turned out to be Harry. "What are you staring at that is so fascinating, Hermione? We are already late to Potions and Professor Slughorn said that we would be learning how to brew Veritaserum." Luckily for Hermione, Harry wasn't looking for an answer to whom she had been staring at. She quickly stood up but before she reached the large doors of the Great Hall she looked back at the spot where Draco had been sitting. The space was now empty.