Well that's it no more boarding school! I can now have the time to write and not have the pressures of boarding school! I'm sorry for the wait hope this is an okish chapter for the linking between Hermione and Draco :)

Sitting in Potions scribbling down every word Professor Nitts was saying Hermione smiled to herself, it felt good to be back into a routine she enjoyed and was accustom too. There was only three people taking the subject; herself, Blaise and Draco. It had been an uncomfortable shock when she had found out she was to spend four hours each week with two of the remaining Slytherins. "So I expect that 5 page essay on the manner in which you brew and administer the 'Draught of Peace' that includes the reactions if it is administered wrongly." Hermione smiled, this was a relatively straightforward assignment and because she didn't have Ron and Harry trying to copy off her, she'd been finished by this evening leaving tomorrow night free. Just as she was leaving a familiar voice spoke,

"Hermione wait a minuet," turning she found Draco a few feet behind her.

"Draco? What's the matter?"

"Oh nothing Hermione I was just wondering if you would like to spend tomorrow evening with me?"

"Errr"

"Of course we can do what you want to do, that is if you want to spend time with me." An awkward silence fallowed, Draco fiddled with a loose thread on his jumper avoiding Hermione's.

"I'd like that Draco yes, would you like to eat together tonight, I'm just going to drop my books off but I'll meet you outside the Hall in 10 minutes?"

"Is that ten minutes from the time we leave this room or ten minutes from when we reach the entrance hall?" Hermione giggled at the weak attempt at a joke,

"ten minutes from reaching the entrance hall," Draco's mouth pulled at the sides gently a small smile brightened his features. Turning Hermione made her way up the spiral staircase to the side entrance to the entrance hall, Draco a few steps behind her, climbing through the doorway Hermione looked over he shoulder, "You know how long I'll be so just wait outside the Hall ok?" Draco nodded and smiled, hurrying up the grand staircase Hermione threw a fleeting glance back at the tall young man waiting patiently for her to return.

Reaching the entrance hall 10 minutes later she found Draco hands in his trousers pockets scuffing his shoes together. "You ready?" Draco looked up and gave the same small smile,

"yes" walking towards the dining hall Draco held back,

"What's the matter?" a pained look came over his face the frown lines setting back in

"Are you sure you want to eat with me?"

"Of course I am, and we are eating at your table not on mine just to show I'm not afraid of what people think." Blushing slightly Draco gestured with his hand for Hermione to enter the Hall, she gave him a reassuring smile and walked in and was greeted by a few looks from the Griffindor table but no one else seemed to have noticed her arrival. Climbing over the bench at the end of the Slytherin table she ignored the growing interest in her chosen seat. Draco sat down opposite her and reached for a plat of boiled ham, handing her a slice he glanced up and gave a worried smile, "Don't look so worried Draco, what are people going to do with all the teachers sitting not 100 feet from us?" He shrugged not wanting to voice what people could do without being detected.

Dinner was a relatively normal affair, they chatted about the first few days back and about what the new teachers were like, and they both agreed that Nitts was not a patch on Snape. "I don't know about you but that essay she set us today I could do it with my eyes closed," Draco said covering his mouth as he spoke to avoid spraying Hermione with bits of ham and potato. She nodded

"Tell me about it I could have written it in third form it's that straightforward,"

"Still this might just be a test to show how much we know," Hermione laughed

"Well she is in for a surprise because I think we could wipe the floor with her, no offence to her knowledge or anything but we both have had probably more experience than she has!"

"Oh really do tell how much experience have you had over the years Hermione?" Draco lent forward cocking an eyebrow at her, Hermione grinned leaning forward so as not to be over heard.

"Well, in our second year while the Chamber of Secrets was open I brewed the Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Murtle's bathroom,"

"No, really?" a slight hint of admiration flashed through Draco's eyes. Hermione nodded,

"It only lasted an hour, and made us all sick but it did the job and for a 12 year old I was quite pleased with the result."

"I would be too," Draco said sitting back,

"So come on what have you done?" Hermione asked picking up her fork again, swallowing his mouthful Draco set down his cutlery and smirked

"In our sixth year I made a batch of Beautification Potion and slipped Pansy Parkinson some during one of our dates." Hermione's jaw dropped

"Draco you sneaky little wench no wonder Pansy had a few more boys hanging around her during that year. It never occurred to me that someone had slipped her a beautifying Potion."

"Yes well, it was meant to get her attention off me and on to somebody else, you have no idea what it was like to have someone clinging to your arm 24/7." Hermione flushed and looked down, "Oh I'm sorry Hermione that was tactless of course you should know what it's like to have an admirer I'm sure Mr Weasley was exactly the same as Pansy. Why shouldn't he be you are exceptionally attractive." Hermiones blush deepened "I mean… It's just that… I'm sorry that was a bit blunt, I was jus-"

"Draco you're digging yourself a rather impressive hole." Hermione grinned as the pallid skin on Draco's cheeks reddened at his jittering words.

Sitting in a secluded area of the common room later that night Draco smoothed a folded piece of writing paper out in front of him. The letter was no more than a few lines,

Dear Draco, How has your first week been? Are things as bad as I perceive? Please write back tonight as I am out of the country for the next few days on business. Keep save darling. Love Mother.

Stroking his Mother's immaculate handwriting a small sigh escaped his lips she really did worry far too much, that was a very hypocritical thing for him to think but it was true. Pulling a small roll of parchment out of his shoulder bag along with a quill and ink Draco set to work on replying to the worry note Narcissa had sent him.

Dear Mother, Do not worry so, I'm going to put your mind at rest. My first week has been normal as I thought it would be. Lessons are running smoothly and I am enjoying myself. I have found and unlikely friendship in the form of Hermione Granger, I now feel so guilty for the way I use to speak of her, I was exceptionally rude for she is delightful. But it is still early days and I wonder if she truly wishes us to be friends. What business have you got to attend to that you must leave the country to do so? All my love Draco.

Securing the lettering to the leg of his owl, Draco whispered "Take this to Narcissa Malfoy, quickly I wish it to reach her before she goes to bed." The owl gave him an understanding nip before swooping through the common room and through the ajar door which led to the corridor. Standing Draco made his way to the small spiral staircase that took him to the senior dorms, glancing at the silver wrist watch he'd received on his seventeenth he was surprised to see that it was already 9:48. Although he wasn't physically tired his mind protested at the stress of being back in a daily regime. Reaching his bed he flopped down onto the squashy softness of the duvet and groaned. "Only one more day then I can sleep in again."

Friday morning was dragging, Charms was not as interesting as she had thought it would be, but that could have been down the fact she had known how to perform a successful Deprimo charm for a while. After all she had used it to break down Xenophilius Lovegood's door last year. Turning to look out the window she caught site of a figure flying a black broom up and down the grounds. A flash of blonde hair reflected the light as the figured barrel rolled up the side of the wall, "Who was that?" Professor Flitwick asked almost toppling off his pile of book he used for a podium.

"I think sir it was Draco Malfoy," Hermione said getting up and opening the window, Draco was soaring high above the castle roof his cape billowing out behind him. Professor Flitwicks head appeared beside Hermiones waist

"Excuse me Miss Granger but I need to speak with Mr Malfoy," Hermione backed away "Mr Malfoy, Mr Malfoy come down her this instant!" Draco hovered just outside the open Charms window far enough away so Professor Flitwick couldn't grab him and pull him inside. "What in Merlin's name are you doing boy? You could have killed yourself." Draco caught site of Hermione standing behind Flitwick,

"I was just practising sir for try outs, I have a free you see and I didn't have any work to do so I thought I'd just have a quick fly. I'm sorry sir for disturbing your lesson, it wont happen again." A few gasps erupted from the rest of the class Draco Malfoy had just apologized to a teacher. Hermione smiled to herself, Draco had changed over summer for the better it was if he was a different person all together and she found herself liking this person more and more with each passing encounter.

Later on that evening by the light of the setting sun Hermione and Draco laughed their way through a box of Bertie Botts every flavour beans, two Chocolate Frogs each and a bottle of Fizzing Dandelion Drink. "No really I can't believe Crab couldn't even spell his own name properly that is appalling, so what did he use to put at the top of his work and exams?"

"Crab, just Crab no Vin, no V nothing just Crab." Hermione snorted and covered her mouth

"I can't believe that, well at least Crab could tie his laces Ron I know for a fact still has problems tying his." Draco laughed and swigged the fizzy liquid "You'll get hiccups if you're not careful" she smiled,

"I know it's a terrible habit I have I swig drinks when they're in a bottle and I always end up with hiccups no matter wha-" he hiccupped. Hermione dissolved into peels of laughter Draco joined in as best he could whilst hiccupping every 10 seconds. When finally they calmed down Draco lent forward and clasped his hands together

"Draco what's wrong are you not feeling well?" He looked up and smiled slightly

"No, no I'm fine I was just wondering about something that's all."

"What's that then?" curiosity apparent in her voice,

"Well the fist Hogsmeade trip is next weekend and as a tradition my mother always comes down to see how I'm getting on and to bring me some more money. I was just wondering if you'd like to come and see her with me?" There was silence for a few moments as Hermione took in what Draco had just asked her, "Of course if you don't want to I completely understand it's just I told her about you in a letter the other night. I said that we had become friends and that I felt so guilty for the way I had spoken about you in the past and I just wanted to show her how wrong I was and what a lovely person you are." Hermione sat staring at Draco who began to fidget,

"Draco are-" she swallowed "Are you sure your mother will appreciate you being in my company after all I am and Muggle born and not your type of people."

"Hermione you yourself have said that the past is the past, well my family status is in the past I am not my fathers son, I am my own person and I would like you to come and meet my mother and start again. A clean slate so to speak." A unsure smile broke out across Hermione's face she reached across the table and touched Draco's arm gently, he looked at her

"If you want me there Draco then of course I will come but please for warn your mother I do not want to make it awkward for her. This is obviously very hard for her everything she has known throughout her life has changed within a year and I do not wish to appear as though I am rubbing it in her face." Draco nodded

"I will write to her when she returns from her business trip on Monday morning, Hermione I feel I need to apologize for my behaviour to you over our school years I was arrogant and rude not to mention a bully and I despise myself for it can you ever forgive the way I acted?" Getting up she walked round the table and stood in front of Draco taking his hand she pulling him to his feet. Towering above her Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed

"Draco I forgave you the moment you spoke to me on the train coming to school, you may not realise it but you are actually a charming person and a good friend. So please no more talk of apologies or forgiveness because as of now you Draco Malfoy are one of my dearest friends and technically I've only known you a week but have known of you for years." Draco chuckled sadly and pulled Hermione against his chest resting his cheek lightly on the top of her head he whispered into her hair

"Thank you Hermione I'm so glad we're friends."

Monday morning dawned bright and cheery Narcissa Malfoy stepped out of the large fireplace in the Malfoy manor's dinning room, dusted herself down and called for Frappy her house-elf who came bounding in a look of surprise plastered over her young sparky face. "Mrs Malfoy we wasn't expecting you back until lunch time I'm afraid there is no food ready at present but I could get Mrs Malfoy something to drink whilst we prepare something." Narcissa smiled tiredly

"No Frappy thank you I'm fine for food at the moment but I would like a glass of water and my post if there is any please." Frappy nodded and bowed low

"Of course Mrs Malfoy Frappy will be right back," Narcissa fought the urge to cry as she watched the little figure running off towards the kitchens. Sitting down at one of the twelve seats around the expensive dinner table she removed her cloak and draped it over the back of the chair, a tall glass of water appeared on a small coaster along with a single letter addressed with one word,

Mother.

Seeing her sons writing made a slow trickle of tears start, brushing them away impatiently she opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Mother, I hope your business trip went as planned. I was wondering if you would still be coming up to Hogsmeade Village this forth coming weekend? If you are I would like you to meet Hermione Granger again and get to know her as I have over this past week and a bit. I am sure you will like her Mother, but she is very aware of our ex-views on Muggle borns so please make her feel welcome as I value her as a close friend. Hope you are well and am looking forward to hearing from you soon. Love your son Draco

Narcissa slumped back into her chair, something she had not been brought up to do but something her body made her do at present. Draco wanted her to meet one of his new friends, and not only a Griffindor but one of the golden trio. Shock was an understatement, being completely flabbergast was closer to the mark. She would of course go and make this young woman feel welcome if it was the last act she did, here was a chance to make amends for her crimes, here was a chance to start again.

Wayyy! I've found a way to make it look as if the charaters have actually written the letters!