Ever since Draco changed sides in this war he had tried to stop acting cruelly to everyone and to start acting like the real Draco, not the one who cursed people for no reason and hated everyone, but the sensitive boy who plays piano, reads and can dance the waltz. His father had constantly tested him, putting him through traumatic trial after traumatic trial, wanting him to be better, faster, smarter, tougher, and colder. He can speak five languages, fence, play two instruments, dance, hurt, maim, torture and kill. His father was ruthless and cold, manipulating his love for him until he did his bidding unquestioningly. Draco never knew any other way. He had killed his first person on his 15th birthday, his father's idea of a celebration. Oh no, just because he couldn't kill Dumbledore doesn't mean he can't kill people.

Anyway, he had stopped taking house points off his enemies, stopped cursing innocent passers-by, tried harder in school, acted reasonably polite. Sometimes he wondered if anyone even noticed. The Ravenclaws, Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs still treated him in the same way, if not worse; the Slytherins (all ten of them) treated him with contempt and the adults treated him with wary scepticism. But he still tried - he was a Malfoy and Malfoys do not give up, no matter what.

*

As Ginny ran along the Charms corridor she collided with something tall, hard and blonde and fell to the floor. She apologised without looking up to see who it was and began to gather all of her books that had split all around her. As she was concentrating so hard on this she missed the look that passed across the blonde boy's face and was surprised when she saw two grey clad legs bend down in front of her and a pale hand pass her her Charms book. She glanced up to the face of her helper and was shocked to find her eyes meet the cool silver orbs of one Draco Malfoy. She stared at him in surprise for a moment before looking back down to her books again.

"Thanks," she murmured.

"You're welcome," he replied, passing her another book. "Oh, wait a moment. We're acting like Muggles."

He muttered a spell and all her books, parchment, quills and inkpots flew back into her bag and everything that was broken repaired itself. He stood gracefully and held his hand out to help her up. She took it gingerly and felt herself being pulled up. Once standing, she found herself extremely close to Draco and once again met his eyes, still holding onto his hand. Eventually she had to pull away from the cold hardness and below that the small boy shouting for help. They continued to stand there like that for a few minutes, him looking at her, her staring at the floor, until he finally pulled away.

"You should be getting to your next lesson, you're late," he said coolly.

Realisation flooded Ginny's head. She had been standing there with Draco Malfoy in the middle of the hallway holding his hand for Merlin knew how long and now she was extremely late for Transfiguration. Dashwood was going to kill her…or at least give her detention.

"Shit," she muttered loudly.

"Just say you found someone doing something wrong on your way to class and had to deal with them. I'll patrol now and find someone to take points off to make it seem true. Just don't be too specific," seeing her look he added. "And no, I'm not going to take all the points of Gryffindor.

"No…it's not that…it's just…thanks…for helping," Ginny stuttered.

"Well a gentleman always helps a lady to her feet. Besides, it's mot like I mind taking points off people."

"Thanks anyway."

And with that Ginny turned and left Draco to go to Transfiguration.