A/N: Sorry it's taken so long but I've not had much access to a computer to 1) type this all up and proof read and 2) upload it. At the moment I'm job hunting so fingers crossed for me. This was not the easiest of chapters to write and I'm not sure what I think of it either so please let me know.

CH 8: Knowing Me, Knowing You

Hermione and Theo had been getting to know each other over the last few months at first she was rather hesitant about the Slytherins approaches but he kept at it and they spoke often with him telling her about his father and his family life. He admitted openly that his father was a death-eater but that he didn't share his views. He told her he had no desire to follow some maniac around like a sheep doing whatever he was told; he had his own plans for his future. He approached Hermione one day in the library; it seemed of late that whenever he'd try to speak to her there were always others around especially Potter and Weasley. Weasley seemed to eye him a lot whenever he did attempt to talk. He was taking many of the same classes but since she was on a different timetable he hardly ever saw her, he decided on a different approach; by asking muggle related questions as a means to get to know her more personally.

Sitting down as not to startle her, he spoke; "How are you Hermione?"

she looked up at him and smiled. "Theo, I'm fine thankyou, how are you?"

"Good" they sat silently for a moment

"What have you been up too and how were your holidays? Thank you again for the necklace."

"My holidays were as eventful as ever with father talking non stop of the dark lord and his ideologies and the fact that I will be joining his ranks come my completion of school."

"So same old then really?" she asked, he nodded.

"I came to talk to you about you though" she raised her eyebrows, he continued "…what about your break and your family?"

"Well it was great to see my parents of course and my little brother and sister seem to have grown so much in such a short time." They chatted and laughed for the next couple of hours before Theo got up the courage to ask her to escort him to Hogsmead that weekend.

Hermione nodded "that would be nice Theo." He walked her back to her house before returning to the dungeons in a rather chipper mood, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face he was actually going on a date with Hermione. He would have to plan Saturday carefully it was Valentines Day after all, it was a day he had to make sure was perfect if he was to get her to become his girlfriend. There was still the problem of Weasley and Potter, if she did date him they'd probably have to keep it quiet for awhile.

The weekend arrived rather quickly for Theo but that was because he was now nervous about his date, 'what if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she says no to being my girlfriend?' he thought worriedly to himself 'maybe I shouldn't ask her' he further brooded, that would be something he would have to deliberate when the time came. Theo met Hermione just outside of Hogsmead; the air was crisp but there was also an underlying warmth there from the sun which shone brightly. Hermione found Theo sitting on a wall waiting for her, reaching him he jumped up to greet her. "Good morning Hermione how are you today?" Theo asked,

"Very well thankyou Theo and you?"

"Good, good. So is there anything special you'd like to do?" enquired an anxious Theo,

shrugging "no where particular, what do you have in mind?" she replied.

"Weeelll…" he said taking her hand in his "…how about a short walk followed by lunch at 'The Greenwich's Cauldron'?"

"Sounds good" she said smiling back at him. He was really nice to spend time with, they walked hand in hand around the village being careful not to be spotted by Ron or Harry then headed down to a little meadow at the lakes edge. After spending some time there chatting they headed back for lunch.

Theo pulled out a chair for Hermione before sitting down himself, the décor was soft, at the front of the café was a bay window and inside was a mix of tables and chairs or coffee tables and couches. The colours were soft shades of green and black, each table centre piece consisted of a small cauldron with candles and flowers floating within it. The place had also been decked out tastefully for Valentines Day, couples of all ages enjoying a romantic meal. They gazed at each other as they chat and ate their meal of Mango and Coconut marinated chicken dressed with a Mango sauce and herbed rice on the side and drank a fruity white wine. After they had finished the meal Theo reached across the table taking Hermiones' hand in his he drew small circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. They were drinking Chai tea when the flower witch came round and Theo bought Hermione a Crimson Rose, shortly there after they left.

Theo once again took Hermione by the hand every time he did this Hermione found she felt light hearted, it was like she was a little girl again on Christmas morning. They walked some before Theo stopped "lets go in here" said Theo leading Hermione into 'The Bookshelf' a little bookshop with a mix of old and new books, she gave a look of surprised pleasure.

Theo smiled this day was turning out well "you know…"he stated as they walked through the shelves "…I really like you Hermione and…" he slowed "…I was hoping that you'd become my girlfriend" he finished coming to a stop and looking into her eyes trying to read her thoughts.

Hermione smiled, she'd figured this was coming and had decided to give it a go, and there was no-one else at the moment. Nodding her head, Theo smiled before leaning into kiss her. It was slow and tender and she felt more in it than she ever had kissing Ron, Dain had been a rather good kisser this was at least equal to his maybe a little better, then there was her neighbour back home.

Pulling away from each other they both smiled "so what book would you like?" asked a now elated Theo, "you really don't need to buy me anything" Hermione gushed.

"I want to" he responded while leading her to a group of books he though she might be interested in "ho…ow a…bout this 'Potions Past and Present – How much has potions really changed?' by P. Soop"

Hermione started to laugh so hard she could barely breath "P. Soop, P. Soop?" she repeated, Theo looked bemused but had no idea what was so hilarious "what's so funny?" he requested, waving her hand from side to side she regained her composure before being able to answer him.

"The name is what is so funny… you eat pea soup don't you?" Then it all click and Theo couldn't believe he had missed that, he laughed himself though not to the same extent.

"So is that a yes to the book or do you want something else?" he asked again. Hermione smiled and nodded her approval, she didn't really trust herself not to burst out laughing again but she managed a quick "thankyou".

Paying for the book Theo lead Hermione from the bookshop and hand in hand they returned to the castle, both had had a wonderful day and it had turned out better than either could have imagined. It was almost dinner time by the time they got back to the castle so Theo walked Hermione back to her house "well I guess this is where I leave you?" he posed, nodding "yes, thank you for today it was lovely and thank you for my book too" she countered.

There was and awkward pause before Hermione leaned in to Theo he met her half way kissing her with vigour. They parted ways and Hermione passed through the portrait with a smile spread across her face, she truly had, had a wonderful day and to top it off she now had a boyfriend. It had been a while the only down side was like always that it had to be kept secret because of Ron's overacting attitude to everything. Depending on how things went then she would let Harry and Ron know in due course. She passed by Draco sitting on the lounge he really didn't look too happy, but she didn't feel like finding out what was wrong, she was on a high and she wanted to stay that way.

Draco had heard Hermione and Theo outside of the portrait and really didn't like the sound of it; he was smart enough to deduce that they were obviously dating one another now. He could only hope it wouldn't last, he would admit to anyone that he was interested in her, Merlin he had enough trouble admitting it to himself that and he didn't think that Theo was trustworthy enough or that he was good enough, he would need to do something. Draco wanted to get closer to Hermione, get to know her better and he knew it would be tough, but it was something he would have to do and he needed Harry Potters help. After the years of tormenting he'd done it was going to take a lot of effort to 1) change that habit in himself, though he was already on his way with that, (most of the time he and Hermione did get along) and 2) convincing Harry that he was genuine in what he was doing. He hoped that by being friends with Harry it might help with trying to get Ron onside though he knew that; that would also be a bigger job in itself.

First he had to contact McGonagall to ask if he would be able to do this, though saying the sole reason was so that he could get closer to Hermione wasn't a good idea and he knew that, so instead he was going to tell her that since he was under protection of the order and he knew that Harry and his friends were involved; he felt that it was only right that he should make amends and become friends with them, after all it wasn't entirely untrue.

It was a Saturday and most of the school including the heads had gone into Hogsmead, so here Draco sat by himself and pondered what he was going to talk to Harry about? He'd finally resolved to the fact that he was going to have to become friends with him if he was going to get any closer to winning her over. 'Ah Hermione' he thought, just the mere thought of her brought a smile to his face now, how or when it had happened he wasn't really sure and if anyone had told him a year ago that this would be how he would feel he would have scoffed in their face and sent them to St Mungos' with the words "Malfoys' don't feel". There was something about her that he'd always noticed and would only now admit it but only to him-self. She was spirited, the more he thought about her the more he realised she was his ideal woman, his perfect match why hadn't he noticed earlier 'Oh that's right I was an arse, who'd listened to what my father had said and believed it whole heartedly instead of forming my own opinions. Well not any more!' he thought bitterly. It was time for a change and it was to start with Harry Potter. He'd been working alongside Potter for his Divination class, the same as he had been with Hermione, except since nearly all her N.E. classes were the same ones he had then he had all other classes with her and a few with the head boy Dain, wow that had been a shock to find they had dated, he didn't know if he liked how close they still were. Dain had assured there was nothing going on between them and that there never would be. He'd also guessed Draco's change of heart towards the said witch and advised him on his best approach.

It was during his musings that he heard someone come into the entrance way of the Heads common room; he rose to meet the awkward stance of Harry. There was an uncomfortable silence between them before Draco spoke up. "Glad you decided to come Mr Potter" Harry raised an eyebrow at the formalities "please come in and take a seat" Harry continued into the room looking suspiciously at Draco and taking a seat in a arm chair, Draco then sat back down with a sigh saying "I didn't think you'd come actually"

"I wasn't going to Malfoy but then I wondered what the hell it was that you wanted that had McGonagall encouraging me to turn up. So here I am, so tell me Malfoy why am I here?"

Draco took a deep breath letting it out slowly before quickly replying "Iwantatruce and forustobecomefriends"

Harry quirked and eyebrow again asking "did you just say you want to be friends Malfoy?"

"Yes, I've come to realise I have no real reason for hating you and your friends, if I'm going to be working with you both here and with the Order then it makes sense for us to be getting along and it would make things easier if we were friends, I'd also like you to call me Draco!"

"OoKaaay, then" Harry sat for a moment to digest what he'd just heard, Draco just watched him, not being able to read what he was thinking. Harry couldn't believe what Malfoy had just said, he looked at him to see if he could read anything from him but then again he knew he probably wouldn't be able to, Malfoy had always seemed to be indifferent. He seemed genuine and he certainly had been getting better at working along side of him. "OK, Mal… Draco lets work on it and you might as well call me Harry, this doesn't mean I trust you, you know? But we'll see what happens."

Shaking hands with Harry, Draco replied with a slight smile "yeah I know but I'll work on that, I do appreciate this Pot…Harry, I guess that's going to get some use to on both behalves!"

Laughing "yeah, it will"

They both sat for a moment before Draco asked "do you want anything to drink Harry?"

"Ah, yeah that would be great thanks"

Getting up Harry followed Draco to the kitchenette, "so pumpkin juice ok; Harry?"

"Yeah that's fine! So ah Draco…"

"Mmm,"

"How are you going living here and not being able to get outside?" It was something Harry had thought a bit about, he knew if it was him it would drive him nuts and remind him a lot of his cupboard at the Dursleys.

Draco looked solemn and handed Harry his drink.

"Thanks"

"Well to tell you the truth it's only been a few months and it's not too bad, at least I have light and can move around from room to room; I mean sure I feel like a prisoner sometimes but at least it's not the dungeons back home, you've got no idea how bad that is"

Harry was solemn for a moment trying to decide if he should share his secret of where he'd spent so much of his years before Hogwarts. Finally deciding Harry replied quietly "I think I have some idea"

Draco looked at him with raised eyebrows, "how so?"

They walked back to the common room as Harry spoke and took their seats, "Well before I came to Hogwarts I lived in a cupboard under the stairs.." at this Draco choked slightly on his drink and said "what? I'd heard something of the sort but I always assumed it was just a story! You're serious?"

Nodding Harry continued "...I was my bedroom, the only place I was allowed to go or was sent for punishment. When I was out I would do all the house work, cook meals when I was big enough to etc, I was basically a servant in the only home I'd ever known, if I performed accidental magic I was locked in there with little or no food, sometimes for weeks on end, though if it was weeks I would be graced with some bread" Harry was looking towards the floor anger clearly etched upon his features.

Draco sat with his mouth aghast he never thought the boy wonder could understand how it felt to grow up feeling like shite.

Once again silence befell them for a few moments before Draco spoke up changing to subject no so personal "so how's Quidditch going this year?"

Harry placed his juice upon the table and leant back on the sofa then looking at Draco replied "it's going really well; I guess you're really missing it hey?"

"Yeah I guess a bit" Draco looked sombre; Harry tilted his head to the left "I thought you loved Quidditch?"

"I like it, I do, but, well it was more my father because of you that I was playing. The fact that you were better than me by being the youngest seeker in a century to get on a school team and that you're an outstanding flyer even though you'd never even learnt to fly until getting to Hogwarts"

Harry smiled slightly blushing "Ah, thanks" he said.

Draco continued "… I love flying don't get me wrong, I love the freedom I feel, ironic considering I was scared of heights when I was a child…" Draco smirked "…as a Malfoy I was taught that we are the best and that there is no one better than us, yet between you and Hermione I was bested in so much, she being a muggle-born only made it worse, that's why I got into so much trouble at home because no matter how hard I tried I still could not do better than her."

Harry just looked at him while he spoke 'did he just call Mione, Hermione instead of Granger?' he thought to himself 'he also referred to her as a muggle-born and not mudblood, I wonder if he means it, I mean he's not even sneering' Harry continued to listen to him not disturbing him 'sounds like he just needs someone to listen, though Mione would be better at this'

"So yeah, um, I can't believe I just told you all that" spoke Draco.

"I'd be lying if I said I could, but I have to say I'm shocked you did as well, I think you and I might have a fair bit common, even though circumstances are different"

"You might be right there Harry…. 'like Hermione' thought Draco…so tell me about yourself Harry, I mean if we're to become friends and trust each other then we might as well start at the beginning"

"Yeah I guess you're right there, but then so much of my life has always been and I'm sure always will be public whether I want it to or not, I mean you may like that sort of thing but I really hate it. Being scrutinized for everything and having it all put into the paper for everyone to read about, it would be nice to have a private life and since I'm the one who's supposed to get rid of Voldemort then I can't see that happening in the near future if at all for that matter" Harry irritably said "so there's probably not much you don't know about my life already, in fact you may just know more; a lot of people do know more about me than I do, the home I grew up in and HAVE had to return to each summer is my aunt and uncles. It's my mums sister and before you ask why I have to return each summer well actually now I'm of age I don't need to, I had to before because of a family bond, because my mother died for me that placed a protection spell upon me and that's why Voldemort wasn't able to kill me. When he came back during the Tri-wizard tournament he needed my blood in order to resurrect himself and in order for him to be able to touch me, to kill me" Harry had started speaking bitterly and ended glumly.

The boys just sat there quietly not saying anything both unsure of what to say next, had what they revealed to each other been too much in such a short period of time. Sure they had been working together for class; it just seemed that once it started pouring out it just wouldn't stop, a bit like the muggle saying when it rains it pours. They had no idea how long they had been talking but both felt that they had gotten to know maybe just a bit more of each other than they would have liked. It opened old wounds and made them realise just how alike they really were. Before they knew it the portrait to the heads commons could be heard changing and Hermione was coming through. "Hey Harry what are you doing here? I thought you had something to do for professor McGonagall?" Harry looked at Draco who seemed to be watching Hermione cross the room furring his eyebrow he looked back at Hermione to find a quizzical look on her face. "Yeah I did have something to do and I did it, it took the whole day actually" he said glancing back at Draco who still had is eyes on Hermione, Harry had an odd feeling he couldn't explain but he brushed it aside and figured if it was important it would arise again and he was sure to know what it was then, well he hoped he would at least. "Harry were you waiting for me?"

"Ahh, yeah Ī just came to get you for dinner" Harry said.

With that Hermione dropped her things off in her room before heading down to dinner with Harry and her friends.

A/N: Well I hope that wasn't too bad. Let me know please I can only improve with feedback. Has anyone else had the problem of dwindling numbers reading each chapter as your story goes on?