Chapter Eight, part one: In Enemy Arms

"Are you feeling any better?" Draco asked sincerely.

"Slighty," Hermione paused, "But I don't know if I should, I just spent several minutes crying on my enemies shoulder, I mean it's probably not the wisest thing to do, crying in front of the guy that hates you most,"

"I don't hate you..." said Draco truthfully, as he had come to this realization several minutes before, after losing his internal battle "I'm sorry but I find that slightly hard to believe for all I know you'll turn this around on me in the great hall tomorrow morning, but for all it's worth...th thank you," said Hermione her lips twitching slightly as if she wanted to smile.

"Didn't we just make a truce?"

"I'm sorry but it's hard to get over the past in one night...no offense but you still haven't gained my full trust,"

"Thats okay, no need to apologize, I didn't expect you too, you've had a lot to deal with today and anyways it's not like I love you or anything...we've just come to an understanding," said Draco as he hid the slight hurt he felt. What is happening to me? Hermione let out a big shaky yawn. "I think it's time for you to go to bed,"

"Can't I just sleep on the couch?" said Hermione nestling in.

"I'm not stopping you, sleep where ever you like," Hermione nodded and then adjusted the pillow she had been leaning on. Draco grabbed a blanket from the other couch and handed it to her.

"Thanks," said Hermione still in shock from his sudden switch of kindness. "Oh no...I might get pureblood cooties," she then said mocking him.

And for the first time he laughed.

Draco was walking down a beautifully decorated corridor, in which there were many moving portraits lining the walls, as well as the occasional suite of armor. Even the architecture itself had a sort of elegance to it, one that was hard to master. He wore a dark black suite that had a slight green tint to it when a light shone on it. Silver trim lined the suite, befitting of a Slytherin and the perfect touch. He too had an air of elegance about him, one that only years of practice or natural grace could achieve. He entered a ballroom full of a sea of colors. Every possible shade of the rainbow adorned the many young ladies dancing , but one in particular caught his eye. She was in a blood red dress embroidered in gold. Draco immediately recognized the fabric, after all he had been chasing it for almost two weeks so it was hard to forget, He felt a great pang of jealousy towards the lucky guy twirling her around the dance floor. It was not till the end of the song that he had built up enough courage to ask her to dance, he had just stood their transfixed, trying to take everything about her in. He skillfully maneuvered through the many couples on the floor, then lightly tapped her on the shoulder.

"May I have this dance?" he asked.

"You may," she said coyly, as the most beautiful girl in the room she had better get used to all the attention. Draco couldn't help but stare at her, with her big brown eyes, porcelain skin and golden brown hair it was if she was an angel from heaven. He couldn't help but notice the hint of sadness in her eyes or how familiar she looked. The continued to dance silently each observing the other, trying to place each other's faces with no avail. Three amazing dances later Draco was tapped on the shoulder and forced to surrender her to another man, before he left he placed a soft kiss on her cheek causing her to blush, and then all of a sudden she disappeared.

"Dammit!" Draco exclaimed. He got some rather odd looks from the other guests, yet no one seemed to notice the disappearance of his mystery girl. How odd, he thought. As he spent the next couple hours wandering aimlessly around the ballroom, occasionally dancing with a girl. But none of them seemed to even come close to her.

Hermione woke with a start from a surprisingly pleasant dream of which the highlight was an extremely handsome and perfect mystery man kissed her on the cheek. This extremely handsome and perfect mystery man continued to float around in her head the rest of the morning as she got ready. What am I doing? This guy doesn't even bloody exist and he swepted me off my feet. I have more serious matters to dwell on! Hermione thought to herself as she picked up a mirror to check the back of her hair when she noticed an odd slightly red marking on the back of her neck. Probably just from my pillow, she thought. She then made her way to Professor Dumbledore's office to discuss leaving arrangements as she wanted to be with her parents as soon as possible.

By the time Draco entered the common room Hermione was long gone. He was particularly relieved as he wasn't sure what had come over him the previous night and needed some time to sort out his feelings. He needed to think, and he also needed to a certain Zabinni. For surely Blaise would know what was wrong with him...But then again these days he wasn't so sure.

Blaise

I'm coming to the slytherin common room in 10 mintues, be dressed and ready to go and I'll show you a shortcut

Blaise, who like Hermione was an early riser even on weekends was very surprised to get Draco's letter. He was already dressed but was rather upset he would be missing breakfast. However, he thought, Draco must really need help, he's never one to ask for it. Which was true. Malfoys never asked for help that would be a sign of weakness, after all Malfoys do not have friends so they would have no one to ask anyways. So Blaise walked out to the common room where he grabbed a book, and sat casually looking for something of interest.

"You're getting to be just like Granger," said Draco as he came up behind Blaise.

"Woah," said a very startled Blaise, "Where did you come from?"

"You'll see," said Draco as he began heading towards a portrait of a dragon.

"Uh doors this way Draco," said Blaise.

"To the dungeons yes, but thats not where I want to go,"

"Oh," said Blaise.

"Dawning,"

A couple minutes later they arrived at the heads dormitory to the smell of freshly toasted bread. Blaise followed Draco to the kitchen, where the boys spread peanut butter on their toast and began stuffing their faces. When they were finished they headed out to the common room and plopped onto the couches. "I feel better already," said Draco. The boys sat in silence for a couple of minutes before Blaise spoke up. "So whats so important that you write to me at nine o clock in the morning?"

"I have no idea whats wrong with me!" Draco exclaimed.

"Care to expand?"

"Okay, so here it goes," said Draco pausing, "It all happened last night, I saw a student running out into the storm after hours and was gonna dock them points,"

"So noble of you,"

"Shut it Blaise, well anyways much to my surprise it was Granger. She looked to pitiful and depressed that I couldn't just leave her there." Blaise began to open his mouth. "I'm not finished!" Draco exclaimed. "I put my frickin arm around her and comforted her, brought her back to the dorm...I think you get the picture,"

"Did you kiss Granger?"

"NO!" So Draco outraged.

"Well then, I think you Draco Malfoy have just developed a heart," said Blaise teasingly, "took you long enough." And that heart has a crush on your most hated muggleborn, oh this is just to good. Blaise thought.

"Oh your so witty Blaise, I called you over so you could help me!"

"Sorry man...I'll try to refrain," said Blaise

"Oh and did I mention I made a truce with her,"

"Finally! We'll see how long this one lasts!"

"Ms. Granger, how pleasant to see you this morning," said Professor Dumbledore.

"I am afraid Professor that the circumstances I have come to talk to you about are not so," said Hermione in a slightly shaky voice.

Dumbledore picked up on her tone immediately. "How can I be of assistance Ms. Granger?"

"I need to get home! There has been a most unfortunate accident and..and I just need to see my Dad before it's too late!" said Hermione in great distress.

"I understand Ms. Granger come back to my office with your things in half and hour and all the arrangements will have been made,"

"Thank you Professor," said Hermione as she got up to leave. Once her back was turned she let her tears flow silently.