Hermione was in the middle of her Herbology homework when she glanced at her watch and jumped. She had to patrol with Malfoy in 5 minutes! She quickly packed up her books and headed towards the portrait door to meet him, her mood immediate dissipating. She didn't mind having to patrol on certain nights, but she particularly dreaded the ones with him. She never knew what kind of mood he would be in and it unsettled her. When she got to the hallway she noticed with annoyance that he wasn't around yet.
"How are you finding life with Draco Malfoy, Hermione?" Hermione turned around to see Evon looking down at her from his portrait.
"It has its challenges." Hermione muttered.
Evon smiled at her. "I'm sure it does. But, if I may be forward, getting to know Draco may have its benefits too."
Hermione scoffed. "I'm sorry but I highly doubt that. How would you possibly know that anyway?"
"I went to Hogwarts's with Draco's Great, Great Grandfather. We were friends in our time and he was very much similar to Draco." Evon said quietly.
"What, an arrogant, stubborn toerag?" Hermione muttered.
"I wouldn't have put it quite so eloquently." Evon laughed. "But yes essentially. But I also knew his parents, and they were awful. You know, they really drummed it in to him from such a young age that he really didn't have a hope in the world of being any different."
"So, you're telling me Draco doesn't have a choice to be this way? That I should forgive him?" Hermione stared at him incredulously. "But he does have a choice! He has more intelligence than most boys his age, he should know better."
"No, actually I wasn't going to say that." Evon stared down at her.
"What then?" Hermione stared quizzically back.
"I was going to say that, I have seen and met a lot of Malfoy's in my time. Both when I was alive and when I was in this portrait." He looked at her knowingly. "Of all the Malfoy's I have ever met, Draco is the first one I have seen who appears to have some remorse, or at least, some doubts about the way he has be brought up to live."
"You have got to be joking!" Hermione laughed. "He is constantly starting arguments with me. He is so sure he is superior to me."
"Not in the way that you might think, however." Evon stated. "He has been an only child his whole life with not many people to talk to. You are the first person to ever really challenge him, particularly intellectually. It would not surprise me if you were the smartest female he has ever met, and the fact that you are a muggle born, shakes his belief system to his very core. I think you might find if you look past his insults, you may see something a little different to contempt in his eyes, something a little closer to admiration."
"How could you possibly notice all this?" Hermione looked at him sceptically.
"Ah the life of a portrait can be a boring one, my dear Hermione." Evon grinned down at her. "But if you pay attention to people, their conversations and have has many friends who like to gossip as I do. Well, let's just say I would know more about the students at this school then you would."
"Hmm," Hermione murmured to herself. "Well, I don't think you are correct this time, but thanks for your insight."
"You don't have to humour me, you're allowed to say you think I am barking mad." Evon and Hermione both started laughing.
"Come on Granger it's time to patrol, May as well get this over with." Draco's voice drawled from behind Hermione making her jump. "Why are you talking to a portrait? Finally realised you don't have any real friends have you?"
Hermione spun around. "I do so have friends!"
"Great comeback Granger," Draco smirked. "So glad I get to spend my Tuesday evening with someone as witty as you." With that he turned on his heel and starting walking down the corridor.
Hermione shot a sarcastic look back at Evon. "Yes he's a real gentlemen." With that she turned in the direction of Malfoy and started walking after him quickly.
They walked together in silence, with nothing out of the ordinary to interrupt their patrol, unless you count two Ravenclaw second years trying to sneak back to their common room. After swiftly dishing out two detentions, Hermione was practicing a few choices hexes in her head that she would like to try on Malfoy when he interrupted her train of thought.
"Look Granger." He continued without giving her a chance to interrupt. "If you want to have your stupid friends over like once a week, I could deal. Just let me know so that I could be as far away humanly possible away that night."
"Why the sudden change of heart?" She looked at him suspiciously.
"Well, you are right in one way." He conceded. "Whilst you may be an irritating know-it-all mudblood, we do have to co-exist this year. It will be probably easier this way."
"Oh Malfoy, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." She fluttered her eye lashes at him sarcastically.
"Just trying to extend an olive – whatever you said last night." He had a slight smile on his face.
"Olive branch." She corrected quickly. "Well, thanks I guess."
"Obviously, if you get a night however, I do too." He stated as a matter of fact.
"Yes well I do suppose that is fair." She sighed. "Just let me know when."
"Good I had hoped you would agree." Draco smirked at her. "I've been dying to invite Pansy over for a good old fashioned snogging fest for weeks. Empty classrooms just don't do the job I'm afraid. Uncomfortable chairs you see." He looked over waiting for her reaction.
"Ugh you are vile." She muttered and started to walk a little faster so they were out of pace.
On that note that finished the rest of the patrol in silence, and Hermione couldn't for the life of her work out why the thought of Draco and Pansy kissing made her feel so uncomfortable.