Here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 2:

"Are you bloody kidding me?" Ron exclaims to Harry, later that day at lunch.

Hermione stared at Harry's face; from the look of it she knew he was angry at the other boy. From the slight twitch of his eyebrow to the slight twitch at his mouth, he was getting frustrated.

"Don't you think after all this time my judgment might be a little bit trustworthy?"

"Sure, but-"

"Well then if I say Malfoy is okay, than Malfoy is okay."

Hermione looked down to her food, hiding the smile on her face. Ron never seemed to learn. Even after the war, he still hasn't learned how to trust Harry's judgment no matter how out there it was and trusting Malfoy was out there. However, no matter how out there his decision was, Hermione trusted him. It wasn't that wild. Of a move as Ron made it seem. Malfoy was different; there was something about him that changed, like some kind of weight was lifted off of his shoulders. However, trusting him was a long shot. One desperate need of help, wasn't much, but in the case of both Hermione and Harry it was a start.

She looked over to the Slytherin table, searching for the one in question. Malfoy seemed much more different this year than the years before. He seemed more relaxed, less alert than he was before. He seemed happier even considering his circumstances. His father was gone, his so-called "friends" abandoned him; he was practically a pariah in his own house. Hermione felt sorry for him; Draco was never the best person, but to say he deserved this, especially what he tried to do for her during the war, she couldn't even fathom it.

She also couldn't fathom why he did what he did for her. Why would he risk his well-being just for her? It was the strangest thing, there was no need to talk to her or even look at her; she was just the play toy for Bellatrix. He had no reason to acknowledge her, but he did anyway. She could never forget the vulnerability that radiated off of him as she sat there next to him…

There she sat curled into the farthest corner of the tub, shielding as much of herself as she could from the boy in front of her. Draco Malfoy. Her eyes were sore, swollen from crying, crying the tears of pain. Pain and agony from the monster the boy calls family. The boy walked slowly to the girl and reached a hand out towards getting closer and closer. She flinched as the hand passed her uncovered arm to the nobs to turn the water on. He gathered a wash cloth and soap bringing it to her arm hesitantly lathering it with the soap. No words were spoken, just the sound of splashing water and slight sniffling coming her Hermione herself, were apparent in the silent bathroom.

"Just tell her what you know. The quicker you tell her, the quicker she'll stop." Draco said to her as she stepped out of the tub, back to her; giving her a moment to get redressed. "She won't let you go, but she'll stop with this."

She cleared her throat, scratchy from her screams, letting him turn back around. "Like I've said, I know nothing."

"Protecting Potter is making you suffer for no reason-"

"I told you, I know nothing-"

"Dammit Granger!" Hermione flinched back into the tub's edge at his tone, "I'm trying to help you, my aunt isn't going to stop until you're dead and then she'll go after Weasley and then your precious Potter." His voice was dangerously low as he took a step towards her. "If you want to get out of this alive, I suggest you head my advice."

He stepped away from her and went to collect the towels laying around the room. "Why?" He froze at his place in front of the mirror when she spoke, "Why do you care whether I live or not? Why are you trying to help me?"

He looked at her through the mirror, "You and Potter are the only hope we have, and without you Potter would be lost. He is the only chance we have of getting out of this mess. If he lost you, there's no telling what he would do." He turned towards her, "And I guess you're not so bad, for a know-it-all." He sent a smirk her way, much softer than his classic Malfoy smirk. She stared at him for a second. This was much more than her being there for Harry, it was about being there for him, whether she knew about it or not. When all of this was done, when they win this war, and Hermione was confident in Harry's powers and his ability to foretell this future, Draco would be out and she would've contributed to it.

The thought of helping someone an actual person with a name and not a category as the entire Hogwarts population did almost brought a smile to her lips; almost, until she is to be taken back to the wretched woman, Bellatrix herself. This time however she goes in with more determination than before, the prospect of getting Draco out driving that ambition.

And that she did she got him out, but at what cost? His life was in a way better yes, he was out of the horrible lifestyle force upon him by his father but he also lost everything. From what the Prophet said Draco and Narcissa were cleared of any charges on account of involuntary involvement in the war, and Lucius was now on the run. Draco and his mother lost their home and everything they could ever call home; including people they thought to have connections with. They had no one to go to, to start this new 'brilliant' life she helped get for Draco. Hermione was glad Harry found a place in is heart to forgive Draco and the things he has done, to give him a second chance that none other has seem to give him. Draco needed someone, a friend here at Hogwarts and her, as well as Harry, were going to be that friend.

"What do you think about it Hermione?" Ron asked nudging her from her thoughts.

"It's great Harry's giving Malfoy a chance, this year is all about new beginning is right? There's no better way than making friends with the other houses. We should all try it." She said smiling brightly at Harry, which he returned before going back to the food on his plate. This year was going to be better; it was finally going to be the Hogwarts year she always imagined. But she also knew with Harry Potter as a best friend and throwing Draco Malfoy into the mix, it wasn't going to be that easy.

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