"Granger.." Draco said in almost a whisper, his voice was husky and soft sending shivers through Hermione. He blinked quickly as if snapping out of some sort of trance, he stood up abruptly grimacing as he saw the girl in front of him flinch a bit. He really had messed up badly earlier. He stepped closer to her stopping a few feet away from her so she'd feel comfortable.
"Granger I'm...I'm sorry about earlier I shouldn't have..I shouldn't have taken my frustrations out on you." He stammered as if apologizing was hard, however in his defense, Draco Malfoy rarely apologized for anything if at all.
Hermione seemed to relax a small smile gracing her lips, " It's okay Draco I—" before she could finish anger seemed to flash in the blondes eyes but not at her, he quickly interrupted her
"No, it's not okay! You were right, I am an arse, a bully, a brat—a monster. I've treated you wrongly all this time all because I wanted to impress my father. I'm the reason Dumbledore is dead! Don't you see? Everyone's right to hate me including you, I should've been the one to die not Fred Weasley, not Snape, not Dumbledore, not Dobby or Harry's cursed owl or Cedric—Me."
Hermione's eyes widened as she once again saw the vulnerable boy Draco really was, he blamed himself for everything. Her heart ached as she watched tears brimming in the blondes eyes. Unable to ignore his loneliness any further she shut the painting behind her and stepped towards him, outstretching her hands and wrapping her arms around his neck bringing him into a hug.
"Stop it Draco. You're not a monster, none of this was your fault. You were forced to do it, to protect yourself and your family from Voldemort. I don't hate you, and I'm glad you're alive okay? You may be an arse sometimes but you're a talented wizard and a —good person." she said, gently allowing him to lay his head on the crook of her neck, he felt warm despite his cold appearance.
Draco although surprised welcomed the hug, he wrapped his arms around her bringing her as close as he possibly could and breathed in her sweet scent. He hated to admit it but having her there in his embrace comforted him. He let out a sob and collapsed into her embrace allowing himself to break down into her arms and show his vulnerable side to someone for the very first time.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry." He choked out as tears streamed down his pale cheeks.
Hermione simply brought her hand up to his head and stroked his hair softly in a comforting manner. "Shhh It's okay Draco...let it all out.." She cooed gently.
Once he finished crying Hermione pulled away and dried his tears with her sleeves all while smiling softly, her eyes met his, they looked warm and gentle, different from before.
"Better?" She asked.
Draco nodded looking a bit embarrassed. "Thanks Granger.."
"Come." She said, grabbing his hand and leading him to the Sofa where she sat him down and wrapped him in the black fleece blanket that had been on the giant bean bag. She looked around before disappearing into her room and returning with a tray and a few books. She set the tray on the coffee table revealing a porcelain tea set that was white with a green floral design on it. She poured Draco a cup revealing a dark honey colored liquid.
"Is that Earl Grey?" He asked cocking an eyebrow curiously, the aromatic scent making its way to his nose.
"With a splash of Lemon!" She beamed, clearly content with his noticing the tea.
" How'd you know that's what I like?" Draco asked with a low rumble in his throat and a teasing look in his eyes.
"I didn't, it's just what I like." Hermione shrugged, at this both looked at each other surprised to have something in common other than the war and their house pride.
She handed him the cup before pouring herself one and joining him on the sofa removing her shoes and bringing her legs onto the couch beside her. " I don't know if you like to read but I chose these—based on your personality I think you'd quite like some of them" She said nodding her head at the various books she brought before summoning her own ' A history of magic' book.
' gosh what am I doing—hanging out with Malfoy?' She thought to herself in a sudden panic, it quickly disappeared however as he nodded and reached out to pick a book. It was brown with a gold rim, the pages a bit worn from being read over and over by Hermione.
" I do, actually. Shocker huh." He chuckled. He looked over at the brunette who's eyes sparkled with excitement and amazement at him, his heart fluttered at the sight.
" Not at all, you're my only academic rival it kinda makes sense." She mused, " Tea and books the perfect combo." She softly squealed as they both got comfortable on the couch and got entranced in their own books.
Both read in a comfortable silence before Draco broke it, his own troubled mind unable to settle for long.
"Do you think I can be a good brother to Isla...?" He asked, closing his book and flipping it around in his hands.
"Of course you can Draco." She responded, Putting her own book away and looking over at him.
" But I've been such an arse to her...she probably dislikes me already." He sighed, already looking defeated.
" I'm sure that's not true, she knows this is as hard for you as it is for her. Just apologize, start over with her, treat her like the family she is." She rested her hand on his shoulder.
Draco smiled letting out a chuckle.
"What's so funny?" The brunette raised a brow.
"Nothing, it's just.. who would've thought the two of us would be sitting in the same room talking normally drinking tea and hanging out." He mused, setting down his book and turning to look at her.
Hermione smiled at the blonde, "You're right, if yesterday someone had told me we'd be talking civilly I woulda thought they were insane."
Draco laughed and let out a content sigh, " I'm glad y'know...I know we don't have the best history and again I'm sorry for everything I've done but..a part of me is starting to hope that maybe.." He hesitated biting his lower lip.
"Maybe...?" Hermione inquired, squeezing her hands together in anticipation.
"Maybe..we could try being friends..?" He asked, shifting awkwardly in his seat. "I liked this—just now. You're not as bad as I thought, I actually enjoyed just reading with you" He confessed.
Hermione's eyes widened and she cracked a smile once more, "You're not so bad yourself Malfoy, I don't see why we can't give it a shot." she grinned.
Draco's face seemed to brighten at her agreement, "Thanks Granger. One more request?"
"What is it?" She asked sitting a little straighter.
Draco leaned back into the couch and ran his hand through his blonde locks. " Will you stay with me tomorrow? Help me try to reconcile with Isla..? If it's not too much to ask—!" He added quickly.
Hermione shook her head, " I don't mind don't worry, we'll find her and sit together for breakfast how about that?" She inquired.
Draco nodded quickly "Sounds good!"
Hermione stood waving her wand and making the finished tea and books disappear, except for the one Draco had been reading. "Well, it's awfully late, we should head to bed now friend." She winked at him bursting out into a fit of giggles.
"Still feels unreal huh?" He chuckled, standing and neatly folding the blanket before placing it back in it's original spot. "Mind if I return the book once I'm done with it?" He asked turning back to see her stretching.
Hermione waved her hand dismissively, " Just place it somewhere on the other shelves filled with books when you're done, I'm planning to add my books to it anyway. I can't wait to read what's in here—it's like our own personal library!" She squealed admiring the room. She had been preoccupied earlier and hadn't quite got the chance to properly inspect it.
Draco looked at her in amusement, he found her excitement quite adorable although he'd never admit it to himself.
"Alright then, Goodnight Granger." He waved at her before disappearing into his room. Upon entry he nodded to himself content with his sophisticated room that even included a study room that was quite to his liking.
His Bedroom consisted of dark colored walls, a large window outlooking the rest of the school, a giant crystal chandelier hanging over his queen sized bed which had beige covers and was topped with countless pillows. He took note of the color contrast between his bed and the rest of the room, even the paintings were black and white.
The study room, devoid of most colors was just as dark and dimly lit. It had the shape of a dome, like the bedroom a chandelier and a large window letting in some moonlight. As if the bookshelves outside were not enough there was a large bookshelf towering behind what he presumed to be his work desk, there was even a piano and a sofa—although this one didn't look as cozy as the one in their common room.
After inspecting the rooms he waved his wand automatically unpacking all his belongings and then removed his shirt slipping into bed and dozing off to sleep.
After the blonde disappeared into his room Hermione made her way to her own looking surprised as she opened the door only to reveal a staircase, she made her way up the stairs gasping excitedly to see her dorm. It consisted of three different rooms; her bedroom, a reading area and a small kitchen.
The bedroom consisted of soft pastel colors, the walls were whites, the carpet beige and the decorations a dry rosey color. Her bed was queen sized with white sheets and rosey colored pillows; in front of it sat two sofa chairs and a small coffee table. There were several vases around the room all containing colorful flowers. There was a small chandelier hanging over the sofas and even a desk for her to do her work.
The reading room was all white with a pretty window seat she could already see herself reading in, on the ceiling there was a circular dip which had small bookshelves going all around it. There were cabinets on either side of the window seat which she found held scrolls, spell books, potions and other interesting artifacts.
Lastly she inspected the kitchen which had soft lime green colored walls and white cabinets with wooden countertops. There were rose gold pots, pans and cutlery and refined glass cups as well as a couple of elegant tea sets to add to her singular tea set she owned and used earlier for Draco. There were green vines hanging from a wooden grove in the ceiling and more flower vases accentuating the countertops.
Looking satisfied she made her way to her bedroom and used magic to unpack everything. She grabbed a picture frame from her nightstand and snuggled into bed. She ran her fingers along the picture a few tears escaping her.
"Things will get better Mum, Dad...I'll find you guys and Crookshanks soon I promise." She sniffled placing the picture back down and snuggling into bed finally dozing off.
