Disclaimer: Again I don't own Harry Potter :)
A little note before I start this chapter,I'm really sorry this chapter took so long, I was on vacation, and I should have said something before that. I hope you guys still enjoy and please do Review. It let's me know if I'm doing something right or wrong even! Some nice constructive criticism would be great! Also characters may be a little OCC but oh well it's my fic and I like the way I've written it!
They sat in silence for a few moments, which allowed Hermione to collect her thoughts. Draco seemed so genuinely upset. Did he like her? Was he perhaps attracted to her? No, no way that would be silly, he had always hated her, so how could her like her now? Draco practically read her mind and he sighed. "I never actually hated you Granger. Envious of you, yes, but I never hated you. When I was younger, I wanted my father to be proud of me so desperately that I became insane with want. I had always gotten what I wanted and this was the one thing I didn't have. So, showing my true Slytherin nature, I became determined to be accepted by my father and determined to make yours and Potter's life a living hell. I should have never called you a Mudblood Hermione." Hermione shivered and Draco caught it almost instantly. "Don't even think about that mark on your arm Hermione, don't you even dare." Hermione's face spread into a small smile and she nodded, leaving them in another moment of silence.
Draco had opened up so much to Hermione, she would have never imagined her oldest and grandest archenemy would spill out all of this to her. She decided a little give and take was necessary now that he had said such kind words to her. However, she'd never know why her mouth decided to release this information to him. She cleared her throat and found her voice again. "Could I tell you something Draco...something I have never told anyone...not even Harry and Ron?" Draco's eyebrows rose in interest. "What might that be Granger?" "Um... well... back in first and second year, I actually...um... had a crush on you." The last part came out in a small, quiet whisper and she looked down blushing. Hermione could practically hear the smirk return to his face. "You had a what Granger? I didn't quite catch that." "I had he smallest...tiniest crush ok?" She dared to look back up at Draco, who was in fact smirking, but he also sported a slight pink blush oh his pointed face. "I knew my Malfoy charm worked on everyone, even a stuck up know it all like you." He said smugly. "Oh come off of it Malfoy, it was so long ago. It's not as if I said now. I'm much smarter now." Draco laughed and his hand gripped his heart. "Ouch Granger, that one hurt. But come on, you know I'm still adorable." Hermione scowled at him, but the puppy dog eyed look on his face made her hard exterior melt away and she smiled, slapping his arm playfully. "Oh stop it Malfoy." Draco laughed. "See I knew I could get you to smile Granger. You know, and since we're admitting things here, I'm really glad I hit you with that jinx 4th year, your smile is really beautiful at its full potential." Hermione gapped at him but a dark red blush snuck its way onto her cheeks. "What? Do you expect a thank you?" She responded playfully. "Of course not Granger, calm down." "Well I must admit I didn't do much for your precious face in 3rd year now did I?" Draco looked at her quizzically until a moment of realization passed over his face. "You didn't! You nearly broke my nose and it really hurt!" Hermione couldn't help but giggle at his outburst and he tried his best to glare back at her. "Don't worry Draco." She said, taking her index finger and poking his nose. "It still looks perfectly good to me." Draco smiled and for the first time in a while, Hermione felt happy.
Sadly, that happiness had to be torn away from her when Ginny walked by her on the way to the Common Room. Her face widened in shock when she saw Draco, and then she turned to glare at Hermione. "So is this what you left my brother for?" She asked, sounding very condescending. Hermione dared to look right back into her eyes. "Ginny, you know that's not what happened. Ron left me and cheated on me. Anything else he might have told you is a big fat lie." "Likely story... Ron told me Hermione." And with that, Ginny turned towards the common room, flicking her long red hair and stormed off.
Hermione sighed, stood up, and picked up her books. "Well Draco, on that note I'm going to bed. Thank you for making me laugh, and for listening to me. It feels nice to be able to talk to someone." Draco nodded. "Same here Granger." Hermione walked up to the portrait of the Fat Lady, quietly said the password, and looked back towards Draco. "Goodnight Draco." "Night Granger." Hermione shook her head smiling. "It's Hermione, Draco, not Granger... please." He nodded. "Please do forgive me, night Hermione." She quickly blew him a kiss and stepped into the Common Room.
Hermione woke up the next morning feeling much happier than she had in a very long time. She was shocked to find that she wanted to talk to Draco. She wanted to see that handsome s mile... wait... handsome? Well that was definitely new. But she couldn't be attracted to him... he was one of... them. A Death Eater, a Slytherin. Nevertheless, he had really proven he was changing. And though Hermione hadn't completely forgiven him yet, she did appreciate the effort Draco was making. Hermione nodded, concluding that it was ok to want to talk to Draco. She then got up and got ready for the day. She looked into the mirror as she put on a small amount of makeup, then looked at the mess that was her hair. "There's only one thing to do I suppose." She said to herself, quickly running a brush throw it. She then picked up her wand and cast a small jinx on her hair that made her hair less frizzy, and made more tamable curls. She then put half of it up, looked one last time at her reflection. She nodded in approval and walked out of the common room.
She had two classes with Draco today, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Care of Mythical Creatures. She didn't sit near Draco in Dark Arts though, but she did find herself occasionally looking over at him and tucking strands of hair behind her ears when she noticed him glance at her as well. Then she would turn her head and blush. When had she become this young schoolgirl trying to get the attention of one of the most handsome boys in school? What Hermione was really looking forward to today though had to be Care of Mythical Creatures, where Hagrid lets you sit/stand wherever your heart desired.
Once Transfiguration was let out, Hermione found herself walking at a very fast pace towards Hagrid's hut. She was suddenly very glad that she was the only Gryffindor to continue in Hagrid's more advanced class, because it allowed her the chance to be away from the others remarks and jeers.
Hermione once again saw Draco by himself, leaning up against a tree in the clearing with his eyes closed. Hermione smiled and conceded to admiring him from a distance. She found that she had suddenly become very nervous to talk to him. Her gaze was only broken when she heard Buckbeak's familiar cry. Draco's eyes snapped open and Hermione quickly looked away from him, fixing her gaze on Hagrid and Buckbeak. "A'right, so continuin our lesson on Hippogriffs, terday I'm gonna have you all step up ere an' meet ol' Buckbeak. Let's start with you Parkinson." The dark brown haired Slytherin girl, who used to be practically attached to Draco's hip, walked up to Buckbeak, shaking in fear, but Buckbeak quickly accepted her and then one by one all the rest of the class began to have a go at getting Buckbeak's approval.
It was finally down to just Draco. The other Slytherins had left, being told that once Buckbeak had accepted them, they could go up to the Great Hall for an early start on dinner. Hermione looked at Hagrid and walked up to him. "I'm not sure it's too good of an idea Hagrid to chance it with Draco. Besides he looks positively frightened." It was true, Draco looked downright terrified. His already pale skin had turned a ghastly white and his silver-blue eyes were as wide as dinner plates. Hagrid nodded. "Yer probably right 'Mione." They both began to grab hold of Buckbeak to corral him back into his corral when they heard the distinct sound of a throat clearing.