Disclaimer: I own nothing but my hopes and dreams :P sadly, I am not JK Rowling! I really wish I owned Draco though... Mmm

A/N Hey guys :P so I guess you liked my chapter! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH TO MY FIRST EVER REVIEWERS! Ellen2607, rosecauldron18, Shivvy, Sam4evs and YummyChocolate 17. You have NO idea how amazing you made me feel :D thank you all and those who favourited and alerted my story too... Now, here's chapter 2! I hope its ok, as I said, it's my first fan fic and I'm still getting used to this. Anywho chapter 2! Xxx

Chapter Two

Hermione was sitting in her favourite arm chair by the fire in the Gryffindor common room with her legs curled up under her. Open on her lap was her beloved copy of Hogwarts: A History. But tonight, uncharacteristically, Hermione just could not concentrate. The noise of her housemates mixed with the stresses of being Head Girl and the image of Draco Malfoy curled up on the ground was spinning around and around in her head, turning everything into mush. On the floor in front of her sat her three best friends, who had come back to Hogwarts with her after the war. Harry Potter was talking quietly to his girlfriend Ginny Wealsey, who was laying on her back on the floor, and her brother Ron. All of them knew that when Hermione was reading, she was not to be disturbed. The thought made her smile. Her amazing friends knew her so well now. She suddenly wondered if Malfoy had friends who cared. Hermione was kind of shocked at herself. This was her enemy. He made her already stressful childhood hell. Why should she care if he had close friends? Mentally shaking herself, Hermione tried, and failed, to read her book. But as she read through the information about the founders of Hogwarts, she suddenly found herself thinking about Malfoy again. Hermione groaned in frustration, earning her concerned looks from her mates.

"You ok Hermione?" Harry asked, running a hand through his always messy hair. Ginny sat up, looking at her best girlfriend curiously.

"Hmm – oh! Yes, just a bit umm, distracted with all the noise." Hermione quite obviously lied.

Ron shrugged, he didn't like to push too much for information. Harry looked at her, concerned but also let the matter drop. Ginny however, had the blazing look on her face that warned Hermione that she was going to be interrogated by the redhead when she went to her dorm. Sighing, Hermione made a quick decision.

"Harry, can I borrow the map? I'm gonna go patrol for a while."

Harry looked up. "Course."

She nodded, and with a flick of my wand and a murmured accio, the Marauder's Map zoomed into her outstretched hand. She nodded in thanks, picked up her cloak, and left the common room.

Hermione shivered. But the cold was welcome on her flushed face. She was just wandering the castle, occasionally checking the Map for Filch or any possible students going for a late night walk. Without realising it, Hermione happened to be standing in the corridor where Malfoy had been beaten up. She stopped suddenly, staring at the floor. She backed up to the wall and slid down it. When she was comfortably sitting, Hermione allowed those images back into her head. She watched again as Malfoy got cursed and beaten. She also noted that he did not go for his wand once. It was like he had given up. Hermione closed her eyes and felt the guilt she had tried to repress. She had hesitated. She wasn't going to help Malfoy, like the dutiful Head Girl would have. No, she was just a victim to his taunting at that moment, and she relished in his pain. But only for a moment. When she saw him on the ground, winded, clutching his stomach in pain, she snapped out of it. When the Gryffindor raised his wand, Hermione had moved. Once everyone had cleared out she had looked down at Malfoy and felt pity, concern and guilt. This was Draco Malfoy. The pureblood, rich, snobby git. He looked small and vulnerable, all curled in on himself. Hermione sighed to herself. When he had looked up at her, Malfoy's eyes looked slightly dead. To be honest, it scared Hermione. Where was the man who stood tall and proud? And why did she care?

Draco roamed the castle, restless. He had fallen asleep thinking about Granger in the Astronomy Tower, and lost track of time. Hands in his pockets, he tried to ignore the pain in his ribs from today's beatings. First week back. It was going to be a very long year. Draco was grateful that Granger was there this time, but he didn't want to admit that to her. He had tried to keep his mask on, the cold indifference that everybody sees, but it had slipped while Granger was asking him if he was okay. He scowled to himself, Draco was trying to change, but the rest of Hogwarts was making it difficult for him. Draco stood by a window on the fourth floor. Looking down, he wondered if it would be high enough that if he jumped, it would kill him. He looked at his reflection, slightly shocked, but not entirely surprised at himself. He studied his reflection. His silvery blonde hair was longer now, it was slightly messy and hung over his eyes. His eyes were still a cold grey, but with big purple bags underneath them. Draco was just so tired. Ignoring his suicidal thoughts, he turned around and headed to the dungeons.

Hermione looked at the Map again, and saw that Malfoy was headed her way. She jumped up quickly, not wanting to confront him. She headed the opposite way and went back to her warm common room, ready to forget the day's events. It was going to be a long year.

A/N Pretty please review! Even if you didn't like it, let me know why!

From KaylaKay xxx