Draco: I think we lost him!

Lucius: No you didn't.

Draco: heh... hi dad... How are ya?

Lucius: Fine, for someone that just got punched in the face!

Draco: Heh... sorry?

It was closing in on Halloween. It was on a Monday this year, so they planned a weekend Hogsmeade trip with Halloween specials, and sales. Hermione and I had actually become friends by now, not that Potter or Weasley were too happy about it, though I no longer called them names. (Although I don't use their first names) The Slytherins didn't like this weird truce either, and the only one that accepted it was Blaise. The others weren't talking to me, and I have to hide any possible blackmail from them.

I also found it easier to smile now. I had reasons to be happy, although my dad still sent messages reminding me of how I was a disgrace. And I still couldn't cry, but it didn't worry me as much now. Also, Potter, Weasley, and I were having civil conversations now, and I found out that you don't have to be a Gryffindor to enter their common room, you just needed to be with a Gryffindor.

Currently, i'm sitting under the same tree Hermione hopped out of. I'm staring at the lake, thinking of what had happened that day. I felt like screaming at the sky again, I had just gotten another letter. I was tired of his letters. I remembered the knife, and Hermione's response. I kept meaning to ask her about that. I sighed and and continued shredding the letter in my hands, thinking about the knife. I kind of wanted it back, but it wasn't that big of a deal. Mostly I just wanted to be able to use my own knife to cut ingredients. I had been borrowing Hermione's. I had been kicked from the Slytherin potions table.

"Malfoy?" I turned my head, it was Potter. What on earth could he need right now? I mean, shouldn't he be eating breakfast or something? I still don't eat much, and Hermione was constantly nagging me about it. I tried to tell her it was no big deal, but the girl is relentless. She was practically begging me to eat.

"Yes, Potter?"

"Did you finish the defense homework?" I sighed. I knew what this meant. He hadn't finished it, and probably needed help in doing so. I knew they needed Hermione's help a lot, but now they were coming to me too. It was becoming annoying to say the least. Weasley came to me more than Potter, but he went to Hermione a lot too. I now know what a Librarian feels like.

"Potter, are you trying to get on Snape's bad side?" He shook his head. "Yes I did it, how many feet do you have?" He took out his parchment, and a measuring tape.

"Um... two and a half." Well, better than what Hermione had told me about them having nothing at all.

"Well, you need another half a foot..."

"How many feet do you have?"

"Three and three quarters." His mouth hung open.

"Hey, I actually do have a brain, despite popular belief." We both started laughing at that. "Now come on, we have defense in fifteen minutes, and you need another half a foot." We both left for the library.

That Afternoon

Fridays were kind of a bore. No classes in the afternoon meant more time for myself. Usually. I hated having time to myself after father sent me a letter. That kind of feeling usually lasted all day. Luckily, today Blaise was keeping me company on the Quidditch Pitch. As we zoomed around, we were talking about nothing of real importance, mostly about how it looked as though it was going to rain. As I was flying I heard someone say my name.

"Malfoy!" I stopped flying and looked down. I was saddened to see the Gryffindor quidditch team standing there. "I booked the Pitch for today, so I need you to leave." I sighed, and flew down. There goes the afternoon. Although, with the couds it was a wonder he decided to continue with today's practice. Dangerous conditions right? Whatever, none of my business.

"Alright." So Blaise and I left to go to the common room. We were sitting there and talking when a group of seventh year Slytherins walked in. We watched them for a few seconds, when one of them noticed me. I had been trying to make myself as small as possible. I can now say that I failed miserably. I needed to practice ding that now, I usually just avoided them altogether though.

"Oh look, it's the traitor." I smirked at their failed attempt to insult me. "The Gryffindor hugger." Okay, now that stung. I continued to smirk, trying not to let them get to me. "I don't think we can let him stay, do you?" The others shook their heads. He put up a fist.

"If that's intended to scare me..." I started, but never finished, because he punched me in the side of the face. No one knew how my father treated me, so they didn't know that that wouldn't possibly hurt as much as it could. It was like a bee sting compared to what I deal with over the summer. I couldn't help myself, I laughed.

"Oh so it tickled? I can change that." He made another fist, when he stopped and laughed. I was extremely confused. "Why are we using fists?" I didn't like where this was going. He pulled out his wand, and I officially hated where this was going. "Impedimenta!" I felt myself being thrown. Blaise looked down at me, and pulled out his wand.

"Expelliarmus!" Expelliarmus? Really? That's a first year spell! I watched as the seventh year's wand went hurtling away, and I got up and retrieved it. He looked from me, to Blaise, and back again. I then took the wand and chucked it at him, then ran from the common room. I made it all the way to the charms classroom and sat down in one of the seats. I put my head in my arms, and waited for the tears, but they never came. Instead I heard someone clear their throat. I turned my head, and saw Potter. Wait, wasn't he at quidditch practice? Then I heard a clap of thunder. Oh.

"Malfoy, what are you doing in here?" he looked concerned. Oh brother, that look again? I hadn't gotten that since the first two weeks here. Also, it was pretty freaking obvious what I was doing, wasn't it? I mean c'mon!

"Dancing with Leprechauns, and giants, can't you tell? We were about to start karaoke, want to join?" I retorted simply. He frowned at me.

"Alright then." He took a seat. "I just want to know if you're alright." He took one look at my face, and spoke again. "Apparently not. Want me to get Hermione?" I had a curious look on my face, and he took me to the bathroom and pointed at the mirror.

"Oh."

"Yeah "oh", what're you numb?" I nodded a bit. He sighed. "Just wait in one of the stalls, ok?"

"I could just come with you, you know." He shook his head.

"Not with that," he gestured to the bruise. "You aren't." I nodded, and took out my wand, casting the glamour charm.

"It's how I hid everything for so long." He just shook his head, and we left for the Great Hall. We got up to the Gryffindor table and Potter whispered to Hermione. I have no idea what he said, but the three of us left soon after. We were standing in the hallway.

"Draco, what happened? Harry said you have a bruise on your face!" She pointed her wand at me and cast the counter charm. "That's a nasty bruise, who did this to you?"

"A seventh year Slytherin, it's no big deal. Just heal me please!" I watched as Hermione pointed her wand at me, and cast a healing charm. "Better?" She smiled at me.

"Much better." I smiled back.

"Thanks, Hermione." I can't believe I did this, but I hugged her. I could hear Potter mini- barfing. "Real mature, Potter." I snorted, pulling out of the hug.

"Oh, shut up Malfoy. I'm out of here before you two kiss." And than he left. I was standing next to Hermione, both in shock at what he had said. Kiss? Was he nuts? I turned to Hermione.

"He was... joking right?" I was nervous, waiting for her answer.

"I... don't think he was..." She looked a bit concerned by what he said too. I noticed her face was flushed, an adorable rosy color. Okay, back up. Did I just use the word adorable to describe something about Hermione? I honestly think these Gryffindors are getting to me.

"Then... see you... I guess." I left. Quickly. Me kiss Hermione? There's no way... but I did kind of like her. As just a friend though... right? Great, i'm questioning myself. I must be going insane. I heard footsteps behind me, and turned m head. "Hermione?"

"Draco... I wanted to know... if you wanted to hang out at Hogsmeade with me... this weekend?" I felt my heart skip a beat. Wait... what? I do not like her! "Just as... friends?" I nodded.

"Just as friends... yeah. Ok, around... noon then?" She nodded, and left. I sat down on a bench, in fact, the first one I saw. I couldn't believe what had happened. I was going to Hogsmeade with Hermione? I was going to have to be cautious. I couldn't let another Slytherin see me with her. They would automatically assume the worst, that's just what Slytherins do.

Draco: Velvet? Velvet? Uh oh...

Lucius: You are in BIG TROUBLE!

Draco: For the record... Velvet is the AUTHOR! Pound HER face in please? VELVET!

Velvet: Hello? Hello? Draco? Uh oh...