A/N: Well finally another chapter, sorry it's taken so long but without the constant access to the computer and now with working, it will continue to take a while to update. This is another short chapter sorry about that but there is only so much you can cover with this topic before it gets boring. Hope the chapter isn't too bad.

Ch 9: Trust Issues

Hermione was fuming, what the heck was the damn ferret up too? What was he playing at? She thought the little ferret had seen the light and wanted to change sides but obviously this was not so, he just wanted to befriend Harry for Voldemort she was sure of it, why couldn't Harry see that? Well she wasn't going to let him get away with it. She and Malfoy had been getting along relatively well and she was starting to think that he wasn't such a bad guy after all, but now she was wondering if it was all just a hoax. She had come back to the Heads House from the library to find Harry, Malfoy and Dain all chatting amicably like old friends as if there had never been any animosity between them. She really couldn't believe what she was seeing, what would Ron say and why wasn't he there too? Hermione and Ron were back to being friends again although not with out its ups and downs due to the fact that Ron wasn't happy when she told him she couldn't give him the password to her house, nor was he allowed in. This had obviously sent him off again accusing her of hiding things from him; of course he was actually right this time ironically enough but she couldn't let him know that, she was under strict instructions from professor McGonagall. He would be more than livid, naturally when he did find out that not only was she keeping secrets but that Harry also knew about it and was keeping them too. There was no telling what his reaction would be, but whatever it was she knew it wouldn't be good.

Now here she was standing in her lounge room the boys barely acknowledging her entrance and continue to talk and laugh. 'Malfoy laughing, what's got into him and why is he befriending Harry now all of a sudden?' she thought. 'Harry is usually only this ignorant when he is with Ron and how is it Harry could be here this late and Ron not be suspicious?' she further pondered while watching the young men before her. The boys continued talking and Hermione turned leaving for her stairs without a backward glance, she was going to get to the bottom of whatever this was and she was sure she wasn't going to like it. Hermione never saw a pair of eyes subtly following her movement.

Draco hadn't missed Hermiones' entrance to the living quarters while he, Harry and Dain had been chatting. They were all getting along fine and he was starting to truly feel like he had friends for the first time in his life. Real friends that is, ones that were interested in knowing him for him not what they could gain from him or anything like that. He wasn't sure what it was Dain was pretty much his intellectual equal even if he was a little obsessed with this surfing which Draco deemed he should try at least once. Now Harry and he had a bit in common (the least not being Hermione). He had watched her come in and then leave for her room, he thought she looked a little peeved though he couldn't be sure. He also had no idea that he had been noticed watching Hermione.

They continued talking and laughing about thing they had done, things they wished to do, what might happen during the impending war and what their hopes after it were. Draco tried to voice his fear subtly about Hermione's involvement and what they thought she would do.

"Well..." said Harry "...she'll be there beside me I don't doubt that even if I don't want her to be, I think we all know how obstinate she can be!"

"You're right there Harry and if you tell her you're worried that she'll get her then you're only asking for trouble and I'm sure none of us want to be on the receiving end of anything she could throw at us am I right?" Dain added.

"I'm afraid I already have been, she had one hell of a right hook back then and I don't fancy finding out if it's any better" Draco rejoined.

Harry laughed "that was actually pretty funny you know you should have seen the look on your face, you looked more than astounded."

"I was; not only had I had girl punch me but well, no-one has ever before or after stood up to me the way she did then or does for that matter" he said with a slight smile, Harry looked at Dain with a raised eyebrow and Dain winked back at him. Harry knew something was going on he just wasn't sure what it was yet. "Hermione really hated me back then didn't she?" Draco asked though it was more of a rhetorical question.

Harry countered "and what you don't think she hates you now?" Dain looked between the two seeing what each others reactions were.

"Well I hope not, I don't think she hates me at least, we get along pretty well."

"So would you call yourselves friends" Harry asked.

Crinkling his eyebrows Draco answered "I'd like to think we are but then I can't answer for Hermione now can I? Why so interested Harry?"

"Ah no reason" he answered nonchalantly with a smile "what about more than friends?" he enquired a tad suspiciously, and then looked at Dain who was trying to suppress a laugh.

'Oh Merlin what do I say?' thought Draco, 'wait what am I thinking I don't think of Hermione like that do I and what's with all these sudden questions?' he contemplated precariously "I've never thought of her like that Harry"

'Yeah right, sure you haven't' thought Harry and Dain simultaneously.

"But now that you mention it, it would never happen even if I wanted it too."

"What makes you say that?" Dain posed to him.

Draco became uncomfortable at the line of questioning; he really didn't like where this was going, and shrugging his shoulders he replied "it's just not something I ever see happening, now can we change the subject?" asked feeling slightly guarded.

Dain looked at Harry and gave him a smirk.

Hermione decided to first talk to Harry. It had been a few days since she'd come back to the common room to find the boys merrily conversing. At least with having different school schedules to everyone else meant that she could meet up and talk to Harry without upsetting Ron. Though with this timetable it also made it hard for her to spend with Theo, she really couldn't believe she was dating him, really a Slytherin she was rather sceptical at first of his intentions since it was well known that his father was a Death-eater. He had talked about his family, including his father and with time she had come to trust him enough that there was no alternative reason and here they were a month on and still dating. First Harry though, she knew Ron had a class straight after lunch so she'd eat with the boys and then discuss this new situation with Harry straight after.

Harry could tell at lunch that there was something up with Hermione he just had no idea what nor could he imagine what she was about to hit him with.

Spring was shaping up nicely and although it had remained quite cool, today was rather nice, more and more wild flowers were appearing along with the Meadowsweet and Cowslip this sort of day usually brought Hermione joy but she was too anxious and concerned about what she was about to talk to Harry about. Sitting down by the lake under a Wych Elm Harry broke Hermiones' thoughts, "Hermione what's going on? You seem upset about something."

Hermione looked at Harry before voicing her thoughts "what's the matter with me?" she sounded agitated "I should be asking you that question Harry James Potter. What was that that I walked in on the other night?"

Harry looked at her quizzically "huh?"

"You, Malfoy and Dain seemed rather chummy, what are you doing talking to him like you are friends?" she seethed.

"We are friends" Harry replied calmly "since doing classes together we've cleared the air so to speak and become friends as such, what's the big deal you're friends with him…" Harry exclaimed "…and you don't see me having a fit about it."

"I'm not what I'd class as friends with Malfoy Harry and how do you know he can even be trusted? How do you know it's not some elaborate trick to befriend you then lure you to Voldemort" she replied imploringly.

"Hermione I think Ron has rubbed off on you too much, you've been around him long enough and spent enough time with him, you should know by now that he is on our side, I thought you of all people would give him a chance" Harry answered back sadly shaking his head.

"I thought that too but now I don't think so. I mean don't get me wrong and no offence and all but why does he all of a sudden want to be friends with you? Why now, don't you think it's all a bit odd?"

"I think you're being a tad paranoid here Hermione. You read too much into situations and over-analyse everything."

"I do not" she near shouted back.

"Look all I can tell you is we talked, a lot, we have a lot in common when it comes to our pasts, and he wants to be friends because he has changed sides. He wants to start a fresh. He admitted he had no real reason to hate me or any of us. He needs real friends, what we have" he explained to her gently.

"I don't know Harry I just don't like it, I don't trust the little ferret; well not so little I guess…" she said with a slight laugh "…and I don't think you should trust him either" she implored.

Harry sighed "Hermione I really think you should give him a chance, become friends with him, I know he wants it. You two are a lot alike even if you won't admit it" he said.

Hermione shook her head she couldn't believe that Harry believed that Malfoy was genuine well she'd just have to have it out with him then wouldn't she?

The two stayed by the lake continuing to talk when Harry raised the subject that was on his mind. "Hermione how is it that you won't give Draco a chance yet you're prepared to give Theodore a chance?"

Hermione blanched and looked at him sharply "What do you mean?"

"I know you two are dating, I can't say I'm happy about it but I trust your judgement and he has always been one of the Slytherins who hasn't followed the crowd. It's up to you in the end, you obviously trust him" he finished.

Hermione sat quietly "does Ron know?"

"I don't think so he hasn't said anything and I can understand why you may have been hesitant to say anything."

Hermione nodded, they continued to talk for a little longer before heading back to their respective dorms, Hermione had ancient runes class with Malfoy soon anyway. As she worked she thought more about her talk with Harry about his and Malfoy's so called friendship, he had told her it was because the Ferret was changing sides and he figured he should get along with them all, but Hermione didn't believe that, if that was the truth then why wasn't he making an effort to befriend and apologise to Ginny and Ron. Admittedly Ron could be a little hot headed, OK maybe a lot hot headed but still he should be making an effort and she was going to find out what was going on and she decided she'd confront Malfoy tonight after she had, had dinner with Theo.

After dinner Theo walked Hermione back to her dorm any time he got to spend with her he took since there were no enough of them arriving at the dorm portrait Theo said "I wish I could come in and spend time with you, I know it's against the rules but why can't you just slip me in?"

she shook her head "you know I can't do that Theo" she sounded pained she wanted him to come in but she couldn't go against the rules not when she was helping protect Malfoy, maybe if he was there 'damn Malfoy' she thought 'if it wasn't for him I could have Theo come in'.

Theo interrupted her thoughts "it's a stupid rule" complained Theo,

"I do know how you feel Theo but I just can't break rules for something like this, you know that?" Hermione implored.

"I know and that's what I respect about you, well one of the things anyway" he replied wiggling his eyebrows, wrapping his arms around her waist and running his hands down and grabbing her arse and squeezing it.

Smiling "thank-you for being so understanding" she countered as she too wrapped her arms around his neck and lent in placing her lips against his and kissing him. Theo tightened his grip around her pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss, not thinking about who could see them, before hearing Dain call out "get a room you two" pulling apart Theo went pink while Hermione laughed telling him to buggar off. Dain continued on into the heads house to find Draco sitting on one of the couches looking to wards the entrance with a frown on his features. Before Dain even had a chance to ask what was up, Hermione came in and Draco's expression changed to that of neutrality.

Seeing Draco Hermione rounded on him "Malfoy, I want a word with you" she spoke scathingly, Dain took this as an indication to go anywhere but where he presently stood, he knew that tone of voice.

Draco watched Hermione approach, she was pissed and he had no idea over what nor could he imagine the battering he was about to receive. 'I'm the one that should be mad' he thought to himself 'what the hell was she doing with Theo that required Dain to tell them to get a room?' He had hoped it wouldn't last this long that Theo would get board with her, they were too different, she was a lot smarter than him for a start he'd never challenge her intellectually speaking, would never be able to keep her interested. He'd heard rumours through Pansy of course that apparently he was rather talented in other area's he didn't need to ask what and didn't want to know, he knew the type of girl Pansy was, she seemed to be lacking in some of the Pure-blood morals like staying a virgin till you were married. Pansy was the only one that knew he was for sure others weren't so sure because of the rumours but the other Pure-blood families that held the same values would surely know too. His father had certainly confronted him about the rumours and he'd had to take Veritaserum before his father believed him.

"Are you even friggin listening to me?" came the irate voice of Hermione bringing him quickly out of his musings "what?"

"I asked what do you think you're playing at."

Draco looked at her dumbfounded 'what am I playing at? What does she mean by that?' he thought before voicing his thoughts "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play stupid with me Malfoy…" she continued snarlingly "… we both know you're far from it".

Draco looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue, there was nothing more he could say since he had no idea what she was talking about, sure even a few months ago he would have said anything to antagonise her but that wouldn't help him get on her good side especially given the mood she seemed to be in, it was best he bit his tongue, he'd done it plenty of times at home so he could do it now. When he said nothing more to her she frustratingly continued "why this sudden interest to be Harry's' friend huh? You've done nothing but ridicule him and hate him for years…" 'ahhh' he thought 'so this is what she was going off about' he came out of his thoughts when he heard her declare "…this is just some trick isn't it? You have no intentions of changing sides, you haven't changed at all, and you're still that cruel pathetic little rodent you always have been?" she finished cruelly waiting for a response.

He couldn't believe it for 1) what she had said was mean and 2) she'd actually hurt feelings that he wasn't even aware he had, well not for anyone outside of his family anyway. Why was it she'd always been able to get under his skin? It just seemed to be a little different now; though he wasn't sure how he just could feel it. "I'm not playing at anything and this is not some ploy just to get to Harry. I am changing in myself and I have changed sides. I realise I was a git to think that doing Voldemorts' bidding was going to mean a better life, if anything it became worse. I can't wait for the day Harry strikes him down and I plan on standing beside him to watch it. All I care about is that my mother and sister remain safe" he replied sardonically.

"Sister!" whispered Hermione.

Draco realising what he'd just then said, looked down before quietly replying "yes I have a sister" before he rose and walked from the room, before she could ask him any more questions about it. He couldn't believe what he'd said to her and that included his declaration to stand by Harry against Voldemort he realised then 'I really have changed sides'.

Hermione couldn't believe what she'd just heard 'he had a sister, how old, older or younger, where did she go to school?' she wondered. Hermione decided to let him be for the next few days, Draco was extremely quiet and feared her bringing up the subject of his sister and it wasn't an issue he was prepared to broach at this time. Hermione had thought over what he had said and after speaking again with Harry decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, but there was still the issue of Ron. Why if he had decided it was time to let by gones be by gones with Harry, couldn't he do the same with Ron. That was something she had yet to discuss with him. They were sitting working on some Arithmancy work, every now and then she caught him watching her and she decided it was now or never to confront him.

"Malfoy we need to talk" 'I've heard that one before (he groaned) here it comes she just couldn't leave it alone could she? I don't want to talk about my sister, not yet anyway doesn't she get that?' he contemplated to himself. "I spoke to Harry and I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt as far as you being friends with him. He also said you wanted to be friends with me, is that true?"

Well he wasn't expecting that "thank-you, yes it's true and I already class us as friends…" he told her tenderly "…we get on well and have had a few laughs; we're more alike than you like to admit" he finished reiterating the words Harry had said to him.

"That's what Harry said. Well what about Ron and Ginny then? Don't you think it's about time you called a truce with them especially Ron?" she asked.

"I do, but we both know what Weasley's like, if it will make you happy I will talk to professor McGonagall about talking to him and working on a friendship" Hermione beamed at him and nodded,

"I think that would be best" she replied before they continued on with their studies, while they worked Draco thought 'I feel like for every step forward I make with her it's two steps backward'

Draco had faced facts it was time to try and make amends with the Weasel, he reconciled with himself that he was also going to have to address him properly and not as Weasel. He'd at least had some time to get used to that but it was still going to be hard after so many years of hatred towards him. He had spoken to professor McGonagall about his decision and his progress with both Hermione and Harry. "You do understand that Mr Weasley may be a little more difficult to try and get along with, considering the deep animosity between you? It might be an idea to have either Miss Granger or Mr Potter with you when you speak to him." Was the professors reply, "but you may go ahead Ī will arrange for him to come to the heads house on Saturday and 930am" she finished before leaving the heads house.

Draco and Harry were working in the Heads library when Draco spoke to Harry about what professor McGonagall had said about having either him or Hermione with him when he faced Ron. He had decided it was a good idea, it wasn't that he was scared of Ron it was more that Ron had a tendency to be a little unstable at times and Merlin knows what could happen. "Ī think it would be better if I'm here rather that Hermione, who's to say how he'll react, he'll have a go at her for not telling him that you were sharing even though Dain is here, then he'll accuse her of defending you saying that you'll have cursed her into believing that she's in love with you or something, he'll continue to berate her because that's what he does, he tends to forget sometimes that she's her own person" Harry said.

"I did actually notice that about him in the past, I know he's your best friend and all but I get the feeling he's a wee bit selfish sometimes",

"he can be.." replied Harry "…I guess it comes from having so many siblings, that when you have something or someone you don't like to share, out of fear of losing out"

"I guess I can understand that" 'I don't want to loose Hermione' he thought to himself. "Okay, so you'll be here at 915 on Saturday morning then yeah?"

"Yes I will, are you worried about meeting him?"

"Just a bit, in the past I would have said no but I also know how volatile he can be, Merlin knows what he'll try and do to me, can you take his wand off him before we meet do you think?" Harry shrugged before heading off.

Saturday arrived all too soon for Draco, Hermione had gone with Theo into Hogsmead but it was something he couldn't dwell on, at least they were in public so they couldn't do anything much. He was nervous enough but he breathed easier when Harry arrived and no sooner had Harry arrived then there was a knock on the portrait, Harry went to it finding professor McGonagall with Ron. McGonagall had decided to escort Mr Weasley to the heads house, she advised him not to speak of what happens in the heads house outside of it or to anyone or who of he meets. Taking him inside Ron immediately exploded and not even thinking like usual took out his wand and pointed it at Draco "what in bloody hell is he doing here? He should be in Azkaban!"

"Mr Weasley hand your wand over to me this instance" professor McGonagall ground out, Ron only shook his head no, Harry and Draco both raised their eyebrows in surprise. "MR WEASLEY" yelled professor McGonagall this time grabbing the wand from him at which he looked up surprised "you can have this back after your meeting. I will return in a few hours to check on you all" she left a very disgruntled looking Ron and a perplexed looking Draco and Harry.

Ron turned to Harry "Harry what's this about?" he asked angrily,

"How about you sit down and try listening for once" asked Harry. Ron glowered at Draco before accenting to Harry's request "now" Harry continued "you are here because Draco wants to talk to you…" Harry held up a hand to Ron and gave him a look that said shut it before he continued "you are going to hear him out, he's not going to hex you but that doesn't mean I won't if I have too, got it?"

"Since when do you call him Draco?" Ron asked

"Since he's my friend" Harry responded

"WHAT, why would you do something stupid like that?" Ron asked giving Draco a dirty look and only to find him smiling and not smirking. Ron quivered slightly at this 'Malfoy can smile' Ron thought turning away.

"I've been working with Draco since the beginning of the school year, we've been working well and have been actual friends for about a month though we've not actually argued much at all this year and no hexes either, now just listen him it out, he's under Order protection and will be with us for the foreseeable future so you might as well get used to it" Harry finished.

Ron turned to Malfoy again "so talk, I don't have all day to listen to you tell lies"

Draco arched his eyebrows, 'this is going to be harder than I thought'contemplated Draco , he looked towards Harry and seeing him give him a nod Draco continued "I'd like to start by saying I'm sorry Ron for everything I have ever said to you about your families' lack of money, I'm sorry for the way I have treated you and your family, if I could change everything I would but unfortunately I can't all I can do is apologise and hope that with time you will regard me as a friend".

Now it was Ron's' turn to raise an eyebrow "you've got to be kidding me, you think that's enough to make up for all you put me through?" he near yelled

"Ron it may not make up for everything, but at least it's a start, we're not exactly been nice ourselves you know" Harry responded.

"I don't care what he says Harry or that you say we've been just as nasty because we haven't, he would hand us over to avoid…well you know given the chance" Draco scowled at the comment, maybe once upon a time he might have but certainly not now.

"Look trust is an issue that we've all to deal with, I realise it will take time but apologising is the first step towards changing things around. I can't change the past and even if I could I don't know if I would… I mean" Draco quickly continued seeing the look of abhorrence on Ron's face "…the past has made us who we are today, we're all stronger because of it. We've learnt from out mistakes or at least I know I have, I'm wiser for it. I've made a lot of mistakes in the past and while apologising won't change anything…" he trailed off slightly "…at least I'm trying, the next move is yours Mr Weasley" Draco finished.

"I'll talk to you later Harry" Draco said before retreating to the dorms library.

Harry looked at Ron "what?" asked Ron "you don't expect me to take him seriously do you?" Ron asked.

"of course I do Ron, he's trying, he's changing sides, disregarding all he's known all his life, think about how you'd feel if you were in his position. I'm not saying you have to trust him; all I'm saying is at least try and get to know him, try and become his friend. Merlin knows he's going to need them."

Ron shook his head "I don't know, do you really trust him? Are you actually friends with him now? And does Hermione trust him and is she friends with him too?" Ron asked heatedly, the thought of Hermione as friends with the ferret displeased him greatly.

"I am friends with him and yes I think I have come to trust him as well at least a little. As for Hermione it's not place to answer for her."

"She's dating him, isn't she?" Ron all of a sudden roared surprising the hell out of Harry

"What! No, of course she isn't" answered Harry though he had a deep seated suspicion that Draco had a bit of a crush on Hermione if not more than a crush. At that point professor McGonagall returned. Harry was relieved, they both left together to return to the Gryffindor tower. Ron was still reeling from the last couple of hours, Harry just prayed that Ron would do the right thing, if Hermione did get involved with Hermione Draco would need Ron onside or else there would be nothing but trouble. With a little pushing from Harry, there was no doubt that Ron would eventually come round though he was sure Hermione would get an ear bashing from Ron as always.

The month continued with Ron making more of an effort to become friends with Draco due to the gentle persuasion of his friends, it was a slow road but with a common interest in Quidditch and then the fact that both being pure-bloods, Ron discovered more of an understanding towards the guy. He found even more common ground with the guy when he discovered Hermione was dating Theodore Nott. It gave Ron someone to rant too, who would actually listen though he never realised why the common disdain.

Hermione and Theo's relationship developed at a steady pace although Theo didn't see Hermione as much as he would like too. The time they did spend together was spent talking and snogging and as far as Theo was concerned not nearly enough of the latter especially with the way Hermione kissed. He was irritated by the fact that she always seemed to have an excuse to be staying in her dorm to study or something or other. "What's going on Hermione? What aren't you telling me?" Theo asked one day.

"What time do you mean?" Hermione posed.

"You're always making excuses as to why you and I can't spend more time with each other, is there someone else? Is there something between you and the head boy?" he admonished,

Hermione looked at him incredulously "there is nothing between the head boy and I except friendship, I have responsibilities as head girl you know that."

She couldn't tell him what was going on, she wasn't allowed to for a start and even if she was allowed she still didn't feel as if she could trust him enough, after all he was a Slytherin with a death eater for a father and he'd made it clear that he didn't like Draco either. Theo begrudgingly accepted her answer, there was no use arguing with her it would get him no where except spending more time by himself, he wanted to move forward with this relationship and he couldn't help but feel that Hermione was holding back. He wondered how much he could really trust her, he wanted too but he had a gut feeling that no matter what she said she was still hiding something from him.

A/N: Well I hope that wasn't too painful. I hope to get some of my other chapters typed up soon they're written down I just have to type them up.

Now I'm going to ask you all to do something that I usually leave up to your own discretions and that is please review feedback helps me know if I'm heading in the right direction with my writing or maybe I'm just no good and should give up when I finish this story and stick to reading.