AN: Still don't own any of the Harry Potter characters (I wish I did!) Now right into the story!
"Do you?"
"Umm," Hermione wasn't expecting the question to be turned to her. "I guess not, sometimes I go over to the Weasleys' but I'm not sure what I'll do this year." She paused having a feeling that she needed to explain herself further. "They've been getting more and more busy each year and I'd hate to invite myself over. I mean Harry'll go but...he's dating Ginny, so that pratically makes him family and I..."
"I thought you and Weasley..."
"No, we aren't together anymore. I guess we are just better friends, you know," she said. Draco nodded but infact he didn't know. He wasn't sure what she meant but he knew that she was far too intelligent for someone like Ron. "We still talk, though," she continued. "How about you?" Hermione looked at him. "Is there a future Mrs. Malfoy somewhere?"
"No," he paused unsure how to respond, "there really isn't."
"Figures," she said quietly. Draco scoffed.
"What do you mean?"
"I just figured you weren't the type for a domestic lifestyle. I assume that is far to submissive for you."
"No, actually I wouldn't mind it at all..." he said and they both fell quiet. After several uncomfortable minutes Draco felt the urge to lighten the mood. "You know," he started catching Hermione off gaurd, "Azkaban isn't really the best place to meet a woman. Sure," he started with a comedic tone, "we might have some similar hobbies but I doubt any of the women would make very good mothers or wives." Hermione couldn't help but smile. Draco's mocking tone of Azkaban was the last thing she expected.
"I supposed you're right," she said. As they walked down the small path before them, Hermione couldn't help but mavel at the fact they were actually communicating and without any mean comments. She felt Draco shift next to her and she wondered what was suddenly making him uncomfortable. Hermione noticed the Slytherin pulled his sleeve down over his dark-mark. Strangely, she was surprised that she hadn't noticed it before. The mark terrified the dark-haired girl in a way. She had almost forgotten what it looked like against the skin of a death eater. Quickly Hermione reminded herself that Draco was not actually a death eater, he was just caught up in something aweful.
"I don't blame you, I never have," she said quickly catching him off gaurd.
"What?"
"I don't blame you for choosing their side, or for anything. I know you didn't have a choice."
"Choice?" He questioned, Hermione suddenly regretted bringing up the subject. "I had plenty of choices! And I choose wrong every time. I never thought of you as ignorant, Hermione, but now I'm having second thoughts." She had grown accustomed to Draco's insults but hearing her name from his mouth surprised her.
"I'm not ignorant, Malfoy," she said.
"Yes, you are, you know very well that I could have choosen the right side with you and your friends...but I'm not like you...I'm not a good person!"
"Draco!?"
"What!?" He spat at her, "Did you forget that I'm not part of your golden trio? That I'm not one of the 'good guys'? Did you expect me to have some sort of explination for what I did? Because I'm not and I don't. What my family and I did to you-"
"Shut up, Malfoy," Hermione said with a bit of venom, "you don't know what you're talking about! 'You' didn't do anything to me! We may not have been friends back then, but that doesn't really matter. You could have killed Harry, and you didn't. You know full-well that if Lucius, Bellatrix or anyone in your family had been in your place, Harry would have died! You cannot tell me that saving Harry's life is nothing!" Hermione took a shaking breath and watched as the blond man stood frozen in front of her.
"Granger...I..."
"I think we are beyond that, Draco," she said gently, "call me Hermione." The Gryffindor felt a sudden ping of saddness for the man in front of her.
"Hermione," he started quietly unsure of what to say. He watched as the young witch's eyes turned gentle and forgiving. Once again he found himself with and overwhelming sense of relief and safety. The beautiful bushy-haired girl gave a small smile. "I really am sorry for...everything...I have been for quite some time. And I..."
"It's okay, Draco," he felt a flush coming to his face at the sound of his name from her mouth. "You don't have to appologize." Hermione looked around herself. "But it is getting awefully late. I don't suppose you would like to talk again, perhaps Sunday?"
"That sounds brilliant, Gr-Hermione," Draco said. He watched as the girl smiled once again and walked back into the old building. He couldn't help but wonder what he did right to deserve the way she treated him. Hermione was the first person, in a long while, to treat him like a good person rather than a criminal. He only wished he could find a way to repay her. Sunday was only a few days away, he needed to think of something and fast.
AN: So? How do you like it? I know it's kinda slow but give them a break it was really their first normal interaction xD Please dont forget to review! Reviews are like cookies for me!