Chapter two

It was the striking light of sun rays that woke Hermione up for the second time.

Gryffindor's warm eyes slowly opened and she ran her small hand through the mess of dark brown curles. It surprised her how bright the sun was. It's already October.

Though it did surprise her, she quite enjoyed the sensation of warmth that warmed up her whole being. With fingers pressed on the window glass, which was also warm, almost as her, she looked for the others who might be outside. None of them was caught in her gaze so she decided to take a shower. Just as she pressed her hand on the door knob she remembered last nights events.

Malfoy.

Those thoughts followed her all the way in the shower cabin. Hermione's concern for his absence in the last few months from the last night was sincere, to that measure it concerned her a bit. She wondered how is it possible that she didn't feel any resentment for the blonde Slytherin after everything he's done. And what he didn't do.

A bit too cold water cleared her mind and refreshed her enough for the whole day, she hoped. Why did he come here and not to his parents? Was he truly sorry for what he did? Bugger, not one thousand sorries shall be enough to cover up everything he messed up.

After she dressed in clean clothes she made her bed, straightened the purple sheets and with an intention of going out of the room, went to the door but suddenly stopped.

Her legs found a way to an old, wooden chair and she sat down quietly. Her surroundings was very humble and small. It was one of smaller rooms but Hermione chose it because she felt very comfortable in here, at peace for most of the time, with her one winged window and a beautiful, enchanted view she used every time she felt need for it. That need overhelmed her now but she knew she couldn't stay. Duties were on the plate.

When she got down, she found Luna and Blaise sitting in the kitchen, drinking tea and talking quietly and Tonks, preparing some potions.

'Good morning everyone.'

'Morning? It's already 11 o'clock, Hermione', Tonks made a remarke, amused a bit.

'Oh, I must overslept', said Hermione as she poured herself a cup of coffe.

'It's not usual thing for you Granger. You alright?', Blaise asked her with that perfect aristocratic voice which she used to find very annoying when Malfoy talked, but it suited him very well.

'I am, it's nothing. It's just what happened last nig-

She stopped herself, wondering if they knew about their new guest.

'Losen that face Granger. We know about Malfoy. Professors woke us up few moments after you showed him his room. I must say, I thought nothing could surprise me anymore, but when I heard about him I felt like I've just lost a bet with myself ', Blaise's smirk was enough to make Hermione sure he was okay with Draco staying here. They're old friends and housemates after all.

'So do you think he has really forgotten all Death Eaters material set in his brain?'

'No, of course he didn't. You can't forget that shit with an ease, Hell, I doubt you could forget it even if someone Obliviated you…All I know is that he was put through lots of shitty situations in a single year and that I am feeling like one lucky son of a bitch for not being chosen to play his role.'

This last sentence made Hermione think.

'Blaise is right. He's been very unhappy for a very long while. I think that's what made him that rude and cruel. For example, an hour ago, I offered him a nice cup of coffe and he just rudly rejected it. But I am not angry with him. I do truly pitty him', Luna added, absence clear in her voice, as always. She found that oddly charming about her.

'Wait, he's up already?'

'Yes, last time I saw him he was in the library. Seems like you and him switched roles Granger.', Blaise said that with an intention to clear the tension which hanged in the air but it didn't really succeed.

'And Harry and Ron? Where are they?'

'They went somewhere outside. I should warn you, Weasley isn't very happy with Malfoy being here. Potter doesn't seem to care much, but Ginger head could be a problem.'

'Oh Merlin, just what I needed…', she knew very well how bad was the nature of Ron and Draco's acquaintanceship and how hot tempered they both are. She'll have to talk with Harry about keeping the two as far away possible.

Also Miss Granger, it'll be your task to keep an eye on him.

She recalled Snape's words and wondered will Draco let her to keep an eye on him.

'Well, you two enjoy your morn…I mean, noon. I'll see you later.', she greeted them and headed to the library.

She found him there, as Blaise said. Now, she could study him more clearly than last night.

He was sitting on a window pane, dressed up in a dark gray jumper and black pants. His hair was tousled a bit, longer than she remembered. One book lied carelessly next to him, his pale, slender fingers tapping at it lightly. Such a light movement made by him surprised her and she was mesmerized for a moment. Her eyes flew in a direction of his. They seemed far away, lost, tormented. Despite that sadness, she couldn't stop her thought even if she wanted to.

He's so beautiful like this.

'Are you going to stand there all day Granger?', his voice reached her and the sound of it made her feel vulnerable. He didn't bother to look at her.

'Blaise told me you're here. I didn't want to bother you-

'Well you obviously did 'cause you're bothering me right now.'

She paused after that. Reminding herself to be tactical, 'I just wanted to ask how are you and if you need anything but you're obviously doing fine by your own so I'll just go-

'Alright Granger, come in. Just close the goddamn door', his eyes never left it's object of watching.

Carefully sliding in the room, she closed the door and walked to him. She sat down next to him on the pane, not too near. Just normal distance. For a moment her gaze followed his through the window.

'What are you looking at?'

'You asked the wrong question Granger.'

'How? What should I be asking?', she asked, confused.

'It's not what I'm looking at. It's what I'm seeing.', his voice was so quiet she barely heard him.

'And what do you see?'

At the question he laughed, a bitter and tortured laugh that made chills ran down the Hermione's spine.

'I see darkness Granger. And when I look in the other direction all I see is more and more darkness. So much darkness.', he looked at her for the first time.

'Is that darkness…from your past's events?', she asked looking at her hands, touching the shape of her nail with a finger of other hand.

'I don't think that's any of your business Granger.', she could literally see his dead cold mask slipping back on.

'No, I guess it's not. How come you decided to come here?'

'I didn't. Snape told me it's my best option and, honestly, nice bed, warm meals and a company of my former housemates sounded…decent to me. So I accepted.'

You know this house was Black family's residence?'

'Why you think that should interest me?'

'Well, they are your close cousins. Your mother was Black too, right?

'Yeah…'

Hermione suddenly felt like she touched the topic she shouldn't have. His parents must be very sensitive topic for him so she decided to leave him alone for now. He's not ready to talk yet. Especially not with me.

'Um, I'm gonna go now. Dinner is served at 7 usually.', he said nothing at that so she just stood up and headed to the door. As she reached them she couldn't keep herself from saying it.

'Draco, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to mention your mother, I didn't thi-

'It's alright Granger.', he said calmly, and returned his attention to the outside world.

She threw one last glance at him and then left the library.

One sentence said my Martin Luther King crossed her mind.

'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.'

That's what he needs right now. A light to clear the darkness he lives in.

…