Hey, here's chapter 12, hope y'all like it.

Disclaimer: I…own…nothing….

Draco didn't see Hermione the next morning as he left to go to class, so he assumed she wasn't ready to talk to him. Regretting his actions more than ever, he walked to Charms, meeting Blaise on the way.

"Hey mate, how ya doing?" Blaise asked, looking at his best friend, "Because judging by your appearance, I'd say horrible…you look like shit."

"Thank," Draco drawled sarcastically, before sighing and running a hand through his hair, "I feel like shit too…"

"She didn't forgive you, huh?"

"She said she needed time, she told me she needed to think about everything and if we're worth it…" Draco replied glumly.

"Ouch, I'm sorry mate, even if you did screw up, that's gotta be hard."

Draco looked up at the precise moment that Hermione and Ginny were passing on a different stairwell, and their eyes met before Hermione looked away. Catching the faint glimpse of possible tears, Draco responded, "This is all my fault anyway…I wouldn't blame her if she didn't want to continue anything with me. It'll hurt like hell, but I would deal with it if that's what would make her happy. Now come on, enough soul searching, we gotta get to class."

Hermione was trying hard to hold back tears after she had seen Draco, he'd looked so miserable and looked like he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. She wanted to put him out of his misery and just throw herself at him and tell him she forgave him, but she needed to sort out the depth of her feelings and find out if she could allow herself to trust him. Which means she'd have to avoid being alone with him, which would be hard, seeing as they shared the Head tower, but it was what she needed. Shaking her head she turned back to want Ginny was saying, now wasn't the time to think about things.

"And then Ron came out wearing a skirt and told me he was gay…" Ginny said, flippantly, looking at Hermione.

"WHAT?"

"It's about time you listen to me, I've been talking to you, and you've been staring off into space," the redhead scolded lightly.

"Sorry, I have a lot on my mind right now," Hermione replied.

"Does it have anything to do with the scene in the Great Hall?"

Hermione nodded with a miserable look on her face, "He told me he was just pretending, and has been for the past few years, because he's secretly been in love with me. And that because he was so used to pretending that the 'Mudblood' just slipped out."

"Well in my opinion, I think you can trust him. I saw the look on his face, he looked like he had just lost his best friend in the world. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but think you can trust him when he says he loves you. If he didn't he would have really humiliated you in front of everyone, but he didn't."

Hermione remained silent, thinking over what her friend had said, before saying, "Well I've gotta get to class, talk to you later."

Hermione made it through class, though she didn't really pay attention to anything the professor had been saying. Making her way down the halls, she didn't notice Blaise had approached her until he spoke, "Hey, Granger, er, Hermione."

"What do you want, Zabini?"

The Italian stepped in front of the brunette, "I want to talk to you about Draco."

"I don't want to talk about him right now," she replied, trying to push past him.

"Come on, just hear me out, then you can do whatever you want," he pleaded.

"Fine," she agreed reluctantly, allowing herself to be led to a quiet spot where they could talk.

"Now, I know you and Draco have something going, he told me, and I normally don't interfere, but I can tell he really loves you. And if I'm not mistaken, you love him too, or else you wouldn't have taken such offense to the scene in the Great Hall,' Blaise said, "But there is something you need to know about Draco. He has never been comfortable with the thought of love, he grew up with two parents, that were always insulting each other and hurting each other, but still claim they love each other. He also was treated like that when he was older, especially by his father, who claims to love him, but pushes Draco to do things that he thinks are wrong."

"But he can say no, you know."

"You're right, he could, but Lucius doesn't enjoy being told no, and would probably end up killing him. Draco didn't lie when he said he was pretending to hate you, to hide his true feelings. I just wanted to let you know that there might be times, where he'll say things that might be hurtful. He's not doing it because he doesn't love you, or he can't be trusted. He fights against his love for you everyday, because he's afraid to be loved, because of the experiences of love he's seen in his life. So subconsciously, he will say things to try and ruin your relationship, before he can be hurt."

"I see…I didn't know any of that…" Hermione said quietly, "So you're saying I should forgive him and forget?"

Blaise shook his head ruefully, "I can't tell you want to do, that is entirely up to you. But I know you'll both be miserable until you make up."

"Well…thanks, I'll be thinking about what you said," she said before getting up and going to class.

She was late…the bookworm, know-it-all Hermione Granger was late. Panting a bit, she walked into Potions, keeping her eyes on the floor as she sat down next to Draco.

"Hey…" Draco whispered hesitantly.

"Hi…we need to talk later…" Hermione whispered back, "Meet me in the common room before supper."

Nodding in agreement, Draco pointed to Professor Slughorn, who was passing out assignments. The two started on their work, brewing a simple Hiccup Solution, each dreading their upcoming conversation.

Hermione had finished her last class for the day and was currently attempting to hunt her two best friends down. She really wanted to apologize for her behavior, she had been wrong to take her frustration and feelings out on them. Spotting Ron's infamous red hair, she bustled towards them. She took in their wary gazes, as she said, "Hi…"

"Hi Hermione…" Harry said cautiously, while Ron just grunted in response.

"Can I talk to you guys?"

Harry looked at Ron, before nodding and walking into an empty classroom. When they were seated and looking at her expectantly, she started, "I wanted to apologize to you guys, I was an awful friend earlier, I was upset and angry, and I took it out on you two. I shouldn't of, and I'm asking if you'll forgive me."

"Of course 'Mione, we put up with your bossiness and temper all the time, a little display of anger isn't going to scare us away…right Ron?" Harry said, looking at his best mate.

"Right," Ron agreed reluctantly, still kind of miffed, but they knew he'd get over it soon enough, especially when the next Potions assignment was due.

"So now what shall we do," Hermione asked them, linking her arms through theirs.

"Well we have homework…" Ron left the sentence hanging.

Chuckling at her friend's obvious, unspoken question, she said, "Well then by all means let's go."

Done! I hope it makes sense and you like it. I've been neglecting this story lately in lieu of my other Dramiones, and it makes me feel horrible. Please tell me what you thought, but try to refrain from being rude. :D