A/N: Two chapters in one day because I'm feeling good. Besides I've been a slack author lately. Most of this story is written and it is actually almost done so updates should be rather regular. I do not own Harry Potter or the characters from the books!

Ch. 2

The next day, Lara made a discovery that pleased her greatly. As she walked into her charms class, she took the time to actually look around since she finally felt more awake after her day of rest. As she glanced around a pair of ice blue eyes caught her own. Stopping in her tracks, Lara unconsciously smiled with warmth at the sight of Draco. Deaf to the muttering that had suddenly sprung up, she went down a row of seats and then back up to the last row. While an assortment of Hogwarts houses watched, a Gryffindor sat beside a Slytherin. Lara quietly began her work while Draco watched her. He wasn't sure what to make of this at all, but since Professor Flitwick had started the lesson he got to work on the assignment for the day.

After their charms class was over, lunch was supposed to be starting in ten minutes. Lara began packing her bag silently while Draco watched for a moment. They had exchanged a few words during class, but he was hesitant about being too friendly with this new Gryffindor. He had noticed more than one male glaring at him from time to time and he didn't need any more enemies, especially over a girl even if she was quite beautiful. Knowing he needed to eat even if he didn't want to sit in the hall with all those staring eyes, Draco packed his belongings.

He was grabbing his bag to leave when Lara stopped him with a gentle hand on his arm. Draco looked down at her hand in surprise and then up to Lara's smiling face. "Would you like to eat lunch with me?"

Draco gaped at her for a moment in silent astonishment. "Lunch?"

"Yes. With me."

"You know, we'll get more staring doing that."

"Staring?" Realizing she had missed something, Lara looked around and saw just how often people were still watching them even as they left the classroom. "Why are they looking at us like that?" Lara's cheeks were stained red with embarrassment at being watched so hard.

"You are a Gryffindor and I'm a Slytherin. That's reason enough right there, Lara."

Lara tilted her head in confusion. "I don't understand."

"In your old school, did you have people who didn't like each other?"

"Oh. It's one of those." Lara looked deep in thought for a minute. Her nose was a little scrunched and she seemed to be muttering to herself. Draco didn't know whether to be concerned that she had lost her mind or laugh at the funny look on her face. Before he could decide, Lara gave him a dazzling smile. "You know, I know these two people. They had a problem just like ours. They were each from a different group that didn't like that they were friends. They ignored them though and stayed best friends. Eventually, they got married and had a beautiful, smart little girl."

Draco blinked a couple of times and then laughed. It was a healthy, belly deep laugh that he hadn't done in much too long. Lara smiled wider and then giggled with him. As they calmed down, Draco was smiling and Lara could almost swear there was a change in his face that hadn't been there before. "If I say yes, will you tell me who those people are?"

"Yes, I will."

"Then, yes, we'll get lunch together."

Lara smiled even wider at Draco's emerging playful attitude. She bent down and gathered her bag to sling over her shoulder. Draco was up and waiting on her near the door. Playfully, Lara linked her arm with Draco's and they began to head towards the Great Hall in companionable silence. The food was just as good, but they dawdled in their eating, relishing having someone who each could share a meal with. They laughed and joked and talked about nothing of consequence as they ignored the staring wide eyes of the other students in the hall.

Finally, they could hold off their next class no longer. "Do we have any other classes together? I'm sure you would know before me. I've been so distracted these last couple of weeks."

Draco looked at her with a small smile tugging the corner of his lips. "We have charms, obviously, and there is also potions and care of magical creatures."

"Really? Wow… I really have been out of it" Lara finished with a short laugh at her own lack of observation. "Where are you going now?"

"Muggle Studies" Draco answered in a low voice once again. Lara looked at him, knowing that something was wrong, but she decided he would tell her when he was ready.

"Well, I've got Transfiguration." Lara turned with her bag about to go when she stopped. Draco could almost see her squaring her shoulders before turning to face him. "You think we could eat dinner together too? I really don't have any friends here, but you and I like spending time with you." Draco watched her closely for a minute before gently shaking his head.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Lara. I'm not the kind of guy you should be hanging out with." Without another word, Draco left for his class.

Class was more boring than usual for Draco. He couldn't help thinking about Lara's dejected face as he turned to walk away. He was willing to admit to himself that he enjoyed her company, but she was new here. She didn't understand just how deep the prejudices between their two houses truly ran. He liked her enough to know that she shouldn't be friends with him.

When Draco walked in for dinner, his eyes scanned the tables for Lara without his permission. He found her quickly since she wasn't sitting with anyone and she sat at the end of what was normally the Hufflepuff table, but since nothing important was going on everyone sat where they wanted to. Her chin was resting on her hand as she idly played with her food. His body seemed hell bent on going its own way today because he found himself standing in front of her across from the table.

"Is this seat available?" At the sound of his voice Lara's head picked up. A huge grin spread across her face.

"What changed your mind?"

"It hasn't been changed," Draco insisted as he sat down and began helping himself to some of the food in front of him. "You still shouldn't be friends with me."

"Just because we are from two different houses." Draco gave a slight shrug, biting into a chicken leg. "Well, I disagree. I don't think we have to be like that. We are only Gryffindor and Slytherin here. Once we leave Hogwarts, though, you are Draco Malfoy and I am Lara McConnell."

Draco snorted in an undignified manner. "Most Hogwarts students and graduates don't see it that way, but I'm already disliked and no one really wants me here."

"Well, I'm glad you are here," Lara reassured him with a smile as she started filling her plate. "So, do you have any siblings?"

Draco looked at her a moment. "We playing twenty questions?"

Lara gave a small laugh. "How about I ask you one and then you can ask me one?"

Draco gave a small shrug. "Ok, well, no. I'm an only child."

"So am I. My mom and dad are pretty protective over me. Apparently, my mom had problems with me and decided one was enough for her." Her grin seemed a little sad, but she turned it to a full blown smile quickly. "Ok, your turn."

"Um, what are your plans after school?" Draco tried to stick with something a little more basic. His family had never been one for sharing and this was new to him.

"I want to work with animals. Not exactly sure how yet, but I'll figure it out."

"I'm not a hundred percent sure yet what I'm doing either. I thought I'd take over my father's business, but it went under."

Lara gave him a sympathetic frown and grabbed his hand softly in her own. "I'm so sorry, hun."

Draco looked down at their joined hands and gave hers a little squeeze. Her hand felt almost tiny and dainty in his and he felt himself take on an almost careful way of holding it, not wanting to hurt her. "Why do you call me hun," Draco asked the first question that came to his mind.

Lara's cheeks grew a little pink. "It's a southern thing back home," she explained softly. "I can try not to if you don't like it."

Taking a moment to think, Draco laced his fingers with hers, running his thumb in small circles over her knuckles. "No, I don't mind," he answered equally soft.

Lara's cheeks grew a bit redder and she looked down at their hands as well, catching sight of her watch. "Oh," she exclaimed suddenly. "I have tutoring in five minutes! I'm sorry! I have to go!" Quickly letting go of Draco's hand, she jumped up and packed her bag. "I've got old Slughorn. He's not very forgiving about my failings. Constantly laments that my school didn't teach me more since I obviously have talent. His words not mine." She chattered incessantly as she grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulders. "I'll see you in the morning? Meet me for breakfast?"

"Uh- Sure," Draco answered, wondering at her sudden flurry of movement. He turned back to his plate, but he gasped as he felt Lara kiss his cheek quickly and gently. He turned back to her, but all he saw was her red face as she spun away and sped off out the hall.