Chapter 3: An Unlikely Pair

After quickly shoving pieces of toast in his mouth, Draco hurried for History of Magic, his first class of the day. He arrived with time to spare and entered the classroom. There weren't many students in the class-because this class is a death sentence, it's so boring-Draco thought to himself.

Walking to the front to take an unoccupied table, he noticed Hermione, who warmly smiled at him. Surprised, he smiled back awkwardly and nodded his head. "Why don't you sit with me?" Hermione asked sincerely, motioning to the seat on her left.

Draco, a bit stunned at her kindness, stammered, "Err…okay, thanks."

Draco sat down next to her, and awkwardly stared at his hands while trying to think of what to say to her. Should he apologize? Make small talk? Deciding to talk about the previous night's party, he opened his mouth to speak at the exact same time she did.

They both chuckled at the timing and relaxed a bit. Thankfully, Professor Binns floated into the room and began the day's lecture. Hermione vigorously copied down every word Binns said, and she seemed to be the only person who did so.

History of Magic was, by popular opinion, the most boring class taught at Hogwarts and most students slept right through it, Draco included. However, this class was different. Sitting next to Hermione, he was alert all lecture-but not because of Professor Binns' lecture on the Giant Revolution of 1452, but because of Hermione.

Draco could never recall being this close to her for this long, and most times when they had gotten close, she had either jinxed him or slapped him. This was different though. She seemed comfortable being near him, and though it may have all been in the name of Inter-House Cooperation, Draco enjoyed their closeness nonetheless.

He eagerly smelled her scent, an intoxicating and inviting mix of lavender, parchment paper, and butterscotch. He watched her with fascination as she scribbled down every word Professor Binns' said, sometimes biting her lip in concentration and effort. He noticed how she cocked her head to the right when she got near the end of a line of parchment, and how she flourished her quill with every period.

She caught him staring at her, and blushed at making eye contact with him. She smiled sheepishly, and his heart fluttered in his chest. He was entranced by her, and being this close to her brought feelings to the surface that Draco couldn't dare consider. She's dating Weasley. She doesn't love you. Hell, she doesn't even really like you. But I am different now. I'm changing. Maybe I could earn a shot with her?

The end of period bell interrupted Draco from his musings, and gathering his books, he started to walk for the back of the room, only to find himself waiting for Hermione to catch up.

Holding the door for her, he said "Thanks for the Hangover Relief. It was an absolute lifesaver this morning."

She smiled, "Of course! I made extra batches of it before last night, knowing that a lot of our peers would need it. You were not the only one, don't worry."

Draco felt relieved knowing that he wasn't the only one to be over served the night before and he asked, "McLaggen said I didn't make too big of an arse of myself last night. I was actually very surprised that anyone there wanted anything to do with me."

Hermione frowned, "Why would you think that?"

Draco chuckled, "Isn't it rather obvious? Because I was a Death Eater! Because of my father and what he did. Because I was charged to kill Dumbledore and I helped the Death Eaters get in to the castle that night. Because I tried to kill you, Potter, and Weasley in the Room of Requirement. Because of who I was before."

Hermione looked around to see that they were alone before quietly replying, "Harry, Ron, and I never told anyone about you and Dumbledore, or the Room of Requirement. Everyone DOES know that you didn't tell Bellatrix that it was Harry when we were snatched and brought to your house, effectively saving our lives. And we told them that your mother lied to Voldemort in saying that Harry was actually dead."

"Why would you do that? I mean, I'm grateful, but why on earth did you protect me?"

"We all thought that what you did in your home and what your mother did in the Forbidden Forest far outweighed your other actions." Hermione said softly. She continued, "Plus, everyone knows what's happened to your family. With your father and everything. It wasn't our business to make matters worse for you. And like you said, it was who you were BEFORE. You seem to have changed, so why shouldn't we grant you that chance?"

He cringed at the mention of his father. The infamous Lucius Malfoy. The reason that Draco had become a Death Eater and followed Voldemort. Lucius was currently spending 40 years in Azkaban for his role in the murders of at least 5 people, following a very public and embarrassing trial.

Draco was terribly embarrassed of the entire spectacle and often wished that he could dissociate himself from his father completely.

"Well, I appreciate it. It was…unexpected. And very welcome. I would also appreciate it if we never mentioned my father again. I really do loathe the man." Hermione smiled, "Well, at least you have that in common with the other students." They both laughed, and Draco thought, for the first time, that he was honestly excited and his History of Magic class, if only to spend alone time with Hermione.