Chapter 2

Are We Even Friends

by:

YearofDragons

HellooOo and thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I know it takes time and thank you for taking the time to do so. This is DRAMIONE, my first ever, and even though I'm trying to stick to the book's timeline it is slightly AU to fit my needs. With that said I really hope you like this next one!

As for the timeline if you are confused by it please pm me!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Although I would like to marry Draco Malfoy ;) XOXO

Chapter 2: Are we even friends?

xxxxxxx Day of Draco's release from Azkaban xxxxxxxx

It was too bloody cold, Draco hugged his cloak tighter hoping that more warmth would go through his body. The sky was dark and it smelled like it was about to rain. The process of getting released from Azkaban has been as anticlimactic as one can get. There wasn't even press around, well that particular Draco was thankful, especially if it meant not having to deal with that foul Rita Skeeter. He wasn't exactly Mr. December if you know what I mean. Time has aged him and done worse with his mind. The wind howled and he shoved his hands as deep as he could into his pockets hoping to find heat at the bottom. There was none. Being locked away in Azkaban, regardless of your time, one can never truly get rid of the bone chilling cold that runs through you. It's amazing that Draco has even survived his small stint. He knew why though, more importantly he knew who.

Taking the dark mark wasn't as glorious as Draco had anticipated. What hurt more was where it landed him in the end. Three years locked away in isolation, no magic to keep him sane, no family or friends to keep him comforted, not that he had many to begin with, and no hope of redemption from the one person he desperately wanted.

Draco couldn't still believed that she came, that they both came, and testified on his behalf. Harry Potter, the bloody saint do gooder, bested him yet again, and this time he couldn't scoff him for it. Draco was taken back and for a while he thought Potty was there to sabotage him. Get his sentence to be longer, for all the times he had made fun of Pott-ass and his brainwashed groupies.

'And they thought Crabbe and Goyle was bad,' Draco sniggered. "They way Weasel was running around Potter and agreeing to everything he spouts was despicable."

Instead Harry stood in front of the Wizengamot and testified for Malfoy. Draco wasn't entirely thrilled of how he spun as of why Draco should be pardoned, but facing time in Azkaban, he was going to take whatever he can. Yes, its true, Draco shouldn't have been a sheep. He really did want out too, but when your in that deep there's really very little choice left, having taking the mark and all. Follow or die. Draco definitely did not want to die.

Then if that itself wasn't a shocker, there was Hermione Granger. Oh sure a few expected Potter, savior of the wizarding world, to testify, it was Naricissa Malfoy after all that saved him as well, but not Hermione Granger. The war heroine, epitome of upstanding high moral, crusader of muggleborns, and tortured in Malfoy Manor. She didn't owe the Malfoy's anything, she didn't owe HIM anything.

Standing before the Wizengamot, Hermione was the embodiment of clarity, as if she can make sense of the mess. The aftermath and the ruins was all squared away and taken care of once Hermione stepped into the room. That was her persona, that was what she brought around her. She had worn a white dress, with simple ballet slippers to accompany it, and her hair was relaxed falling gracefully off her shoulder. Draco would never forget her image the day she stood up and demanded that they go lenient on him. After the war, with the press and everything, Hermione had never asked for anything. She was a bit reclusive. Draco's trial was the first time she went out in public after the fall of Voldemort. It was the only time she played her heroine card and asked for something in return of gallant services.

Before taking him away, Draco pleaded to whatever deity was listening that she would look at him one last time. It seems he still had some favors left upstairs. Hermione wanted to just let it go, do her duty of testifying and walk out, but she couldn't. Draco can't believe it's been three years since he last locked eyes with Hermione's chocolate colored eyes.

Draco stopped walking and closed his eyes, willing that time to resurface. Hermione had looked at him in anguish and her eyes seemed like they were drowning in desolation. She knew, he knew, they both knew. They wanted to say so much more to each other. But it really was too late, it was time to own up to the consequences of their own actions. Warm, trusting golden brown eyes stared back into his smoky gray sorrowful ones. Both silently asking when they will see each other again, both knowing deep down that it could very well be never. She was trying to be strong, he remembered seeing that. It betrayed her though, her tear, one loaded with regret and longing, snuck out and was making its way down her rosy cheek. Draco remembered the feeling of emptiness long before he was hauled out of the room. She was trying, he could see that, and since she couldn't he would do it for the both of them. He kept the hot stings of tears buried behind his steely arctic eyes. Instead he remembered mustering up every happiness he could find that was left and genuinely smiled at Hermione. Thanking her through his eyes and hoping she would have a long happy life ahead of her.

Hermione had turned away, unable to keep it in any longer. It was his last image of her, her back turned and her golden locks swaying as she walked out of the court room. If he got out, no when he gets out, he promised himself that he would do everything in his power for Hermione to never cry again. He would make her happy. As he was brought to his cell, Draco couldn't hold it back any longer his own grief and he let it all out.

Isolation took a toll on one man's body and mind, Draco knew that better than anyone. Now that he was out, all of his wants and needs where muddled with insecurities. Desperately trying to regain control of himself and his surrounding, Draco makes his way to Malfoy Manor. It may not be the best of option, but right now it was his only option. It didn't stop the head of the ugly demon to rear in front of his thoughts. Now that I'm out could I make Hermione happy? Draco wanted to believe in himself, he needed to believe in himself. But Draco Malfoy was a liar, he thought painfully.

'Hermione will always cry when it comes to me,' Draco couldn't help but think back on the very first time Hermione cried for him.

xxxx Hogwarts: First Year xxxxxxx

Professor Flitwick was up to his head with the shenanigans that this class was going on about. He tried his best to stay calm and make this a productive day.

"Everyone watch the movements of your wrist," Professor Flitwick then proceeded to show the exact wrist flick as he moves around the class. "Enunciate! Concentrate! Seamus watch your flare!"

Hermione was all concentration and her brow furrowed as she repeated the incantation. "Wingardium Leviosa" the feather then floated up and Hermione couldn't keep her smile from surfacing. It was short lived however, just behind her she can hear whispers and snickering. Even though this is a new school, hell a new world, Hermione was finding that some things never change. There will be immature kids everywhere. She tried her best to hide her state of agitation, it was hard though, really hard.

The boy next to her was struggling, she thought being helpful to him will distract her from her not-so-kind-fans. His face was round and kind with a very pronounced chin and an even pronounced hair. Fiery red, like the last end of a blazing sunset and she found that very adorable on him. He was saying the incantation all wrong so Hermione decided to scoot closer.

"It's Levi-O-sa, not Levi-yosaa" Hermione then proceeded to flick her wrist in the right way and the feather once again lifted off the table as easily as before. This time Professor Flitwick noticed and gave Hermione a very pleasant praise. Hermione was beaming of course, she took great pride in her school work and just because other students see it other wise she wont let that bother her. "See you just have to enunciate and move your wrist as so."

The boy however looked cross, and Hermione couldn't understand why he wasn't more appreciative. She shrugged it off, coming to the conclusion that maybe he was rather put out from being over shown by a girl. He didn't seem like he wanted to talk to her any further so she went back to her own seat. Everyone else was still practicing their spells and Hermione was done. So she decided to go ahead and read up on the upcoming assignments. Hermione felt something tap her foot and as she looked down she saw the folded note. She picked it up and she was baffled, it was empty. Looking around she tried to find who sent her the note, and then she found them. It's been a few weeks since the sorting hat confusion and Hermione had refused to seek him out any further.

After the sorting she had tried to approach him and to her utter dismay he acted as if he didn't know her. Draco, the boy that held her hand through that dark unknown traverse towards Hogwarts, is pretending that he didn't know her. It was hurtful and Hermione didn't know what she did or what happened. Draco knew that he was being a git, that just because they were in separate houses it shouldn't change the fact that he had just crossed the lake with this girl mere moments ago. But this was the reality they were in, the hierarchy of Hogwarts. She was a Gryffindor and he was a Slytherin. They can't be friends, they just couldn't right? These were the thoughts plaguing Draco lately.

A Malfoy never apologizes, they stand by their decisions, that's what makes a man of greatness; what makes a Malfoy. Yet Draco couldn't keep a certain bushy hair out of his mind which is why he decided to make contact today. He wasn't even planning it, not really, it was just Pansy was nagging him. Asking him to join in on their crusade against the chit, and well he wanted to just give her a heads up on how not to be such a target.

When she finally noticed the note he rolled his eye and internally groaned, "took her long enough. Now open it!" The look on her eyes however was complete confusion, "the stupid girl doesn't know a simple disillusionment parchment? Oh for goodness sake." He groaned and motioned for Hermione to look at him, discreetly of course. As they locked eyes he can still see the hurt in those big brown eyes. Draco stopped for a minute, lost in her irises, it's as if he can feel her pain. He motioned with his wand for Hermione to tap the parchment and mouthed an incantation. Hermione turned her face away from Draco and it gave him a sickening feeling at the bottom of his stomach.

Curiosity caught the better half of Hermione and she decided to read the note from him.

Hermione,

I didn't mean to ignore you, I really didn't. It's unfortunate that you've been sorted in Gryffindor, it would be easier for us to be friends if you were in Slytherin like me. Look I don't know when we can talk again, but I just wanted to tell you that you might want to slow down in answering all of the Professors questions. You're becoming rather unpopular. I know your excited but maybe don't show it too much. Right well, if you want to write back just tap it thrice and your thoughts will transfer to the parchment.

DM

To say she was livid was an understatement, Hermione was seething. "How dare he! Is this even an apology, can you even really call this that. Unfortunate to be sorted to Gryffindor! Easier to be friends, I didn't know there was a criteria I had to adhere to just so we can be friends! I don't care about being popular!" Hermione was fuming and internally she felt like she was ready to boil over. Here she thought that this letter was going to fix everything, that they can go back to being friends. She decided to write back and make her opinions justly known.

Draco,

You are an arrogant git and I don't need friends from the likes of you! I am no ones charity case and I can definitely take care of myself. Maybe its unfortunate that YOU are in Slytherin and why would it matter. We both are in Hogwarts! As for your girlfriend sniggering, maybe if she paid more attention in class she wouldn't have time to pick on me! And no I don't need your response thank you very much!

HG

He had to re-read it twice and even then he couldn't get his jaw off the floor. "The gall of this girl, did she really just call me an arrogant git!" Draco thought bemusedly. Before he could reply the class was over and everyone was piling out of the classroom. Draco stuffed the blank parchment into his book bag and hurried out hoping to corner the girl alone.

xxxxxxxx

Hermione was positively livid as she bolted out of the classroom. She was so irritated she didn't even really knew where she was walking out to. She hiked her book bag higher up, it was quite heavy, and she really ought to lighten it up next time. Hermoine contemplated running back to her dorm to drop off some of her books she's not using anymore but thought otherwise. Instead she stomped towards the courtyard hoping some fresh air will clear her clouded mind. Hermione did not however expect to run into more humiliation.

"It's Levi-O-sa, not Levi-yosaa," the boy with the red hair mimicked for his friends, clearly in a mocking tone. "No wonder she has no friends." It got what he was aiming for, a couple of chuckles from his chums. He did not, however, expected for the very same girl to over hear him. Knocking into him as she ran away, eyes a glistening.

"I think she heard you Ron," this time it was his other friend with the unruly hair who pointed it out. "You might want to go apologize mate."

"Aw Harry you think she did," Ron was scratching his head. "I don't think I was too loud was I? Well alright I'll go find her after dinner."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Horrible, this day was just utterly horrible. Hermione couldn't believe her luck. She thought coming into this new school would give her a new start. Somewhere where she can be herself, free to express, to learn magic, and to perform magic. Amongst peers that would understand that she was different and yet the same since they all have magic. Frustration coursed through Hermione, but something bigger was starting to form in the pit of her stomach. Loneliness, that's what it was. She shakes her head as more tears seem to form at the corner of her eyes. She just doesn't understand why they would make fun of her, she was just trying to fit in. Why couldn't they see that? Hermione just desperately wanted someone to see that, she just really wants a friend. She stumbled upon an alcove away from everything, she sat in front of the large bay window and blew a breath out forming a small circle of mist on the window. Her hands drew circles on the window of their own accord. It wasn't until Draco sat in front of her that she even looked up. Draco had seen Hermione rush out away from the dumdum duos. He figured she'll eventually turn around and tell him to bugger off, but she never did. Instead Hermione turned her gaze back outside staring off past the window and it bothered him to see her like this. Sitting there tucked away, she looked very defeated, her shoulders were hunched and she was staring off, as if she was wishing she wasn't in Hogwarts. Draco knew that stance, he sometimes had that stance, she looked lonely.

Creeping up to her wasn't as difficult as Draco thought, she was too deep into her thoughts. So he sat down and just sat there, giving her the solace she needed without having to say anything. Hermione after some time looked into his eyes and instantly saw the warmth. Getting lost in those orbs was easy for Hermione, he exuded confidence and his eyes held her along these times of turmoil.

"How can one person's eyes be my source of solace," Hermione desperately wanted to ask out loud.

Draco saw many emotions swirling around Hermione's hazel eyes. The one that stood out the most however, was pleading. He can see that she was lost, confused, and hurt and she was pleading for some guidance. An ally perhaps, someone that she can confide to. Hermione was pleading for someone to be her friend. Draco remembered her mentioning that this was all new to her and she came from a very small town, far from Scotland. This must be scary for her, Draco wanted to be her anchor from this ever turbulent new world.

"Hermione…" he surprised both of them by reaching out and wiping her tears away. "Don't listen to that tosser. He couldn't even get a simple floatation spell correctly, he was just jealous. You shouldn't be crying over what he says." For a minute he thought she was going to jump back, swat his lingering fingers away, but she didn't.

Hermione stared at Draco, a bit puzzled, she cocked her head to the side and a sigh escaped her mouth. "Why are you being nice to me, is it because your friends aren't here?"

The comment took Draco back to the present and instantly he was aware of their close proximity. It was uncomfortable to say the least and he regretted his actions immediately. Hermione noticed Draco retrieving his hands and putting it to his sides. She was aware that something has changed in the air, something changed within Draco. Not right now, she couldn't take this all right now. She was far too exhausted and emotionally spent. Hermione was disappointed, she thought that maybe they can be friends. It was clear that they couldn't, something was holding him back.

Try as she might, she couldn't hold them back any longer, they wanted to come out. Hot angry tears streamed down her cheeks, her shoulders shuddering from the emotional tug-of-war she was feeling. These tears where different from the ones she had shed earlier. These tears where heavy with confusion and rolled up with frustration, "I don't understand why we can't be friends, why am I not good enough…" Hermione hadn't even realized that she had whispered her troubled thoughts, enough for Draco to hear.

But what could he say to her, there was nothing he could say to her. She was right. They couldn't be friends. Draco stood up and shoved his fists into his pockets to hide his shaking. His father's words rang loud inside his head. 'Friends are for the weak. Malfoy's don't need friends, we have allies, remember that son. Everyone has their purpose and a Malfoy doesn't have time for silly dalliances.'

Draco did what he could only do, walk away. "Not everyone can have the leisure of picking out their friends. Have you even stopped and considered how difficult it would be for me, a Slytherin, to be friends with you. Magic runs deep, you need to understand that and so does prejudice." He ran his hand through his hair and took one last glance at the despondent girl. Turning his back at her once more, he tucked his hands back in his pockets and shook his head. "You need to stop being naive or life for you here in Hogwarts is going to be difficult." If it was up to him things would be different, he really believed that. But it wasn't up to him, this was how he was brought up. This was how society was, it's natural order. Draco didn't need to see her to feel the anguish, he felt plenty of that himself. "Take care of yourself, Granger."

Hermione could only stare as the blond enigma walked away. She couldn't understand why it would give him so much trouble being her friend. Why ad insult to injury by reverting back to calling each other their surname? It would take Hermione less than a week to find out for herself just how deep prejudice runs in the world of magic. She stayed there in her state of confusion, Draco's words tightening the pull of her heart and opening the gates for more hot tears. She couldn't breath, yet she couldn't move. Hermione stayed there for a while, letting her emotions take over. Her budding friendship was painfully over miscalculated. She had miscalculated. Draco was right they were too different, they couldn't be friends, no she was definitely not friends with Malfoy.

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authors note:

I want you to be patient with me with all these flashbacks, it will eventually wane out. I just wanted to lay down the foundation of Hermione and Draco's relationship. Which if you didn't figure out yet, happened mostly IN Hogwarts. =)

I'll try to update again soon, but I will also have a Valentine's special DRAMIONE (one shot), so be on the look out for that. ;) Thanks for your support. XOXO