A/N as some of you would have noticed I tend to update this story every Sunday (my time) that may change from now on as my job is picking up slightly. i do fully intend to finish this story and I am still working on it in my free time, I just apologise if my updates slow down. thank you for understanding.
Chapter 7
Nov 24th 1994
"Boys" Hermione breathed softly. Harry and Ron embraced quickly before coming apart with smiles. A weight lifted from her chest and she couldn't feel any happier that they had made up. She even wiped a tear and made her way over to them.
Harry had been the quickest to get the egg from the dragon. She still felt some of the overwhelming joy that came out the second she saw harry grab the egg. Swinging her arms around her friends necks, she pulled them both in to a group hug, letting herself enjoy the moment.
The Gryffindors had a party that night to celebrate Harry's victory and the fact he was still alive. Fred and George, as always was the life of the party. They mostly spent their time showing off items they were currently working on and everyone was loving it.
Harry had everyone coming to him all night telling him how well he had done and how brave he was. He was simply happy that his role as an outcast seemed to be over. Ron apologised to Hermione for acting like an arse the last few weeks. It felt like life in the Gryffindor common room was finally back to normal.
The later the night went on, more people left the party for bed. Hermione was one of the last to head up to the girls bedroom. It was really great to once again have a talk with just Harry, Ron, and herself.
Getting in to bed that night her mind went over what she had decided to do about Malfoy. Tomorrow she would find him and apologise.
/
Dec 1st 1994
Her plan hadn't worked out as she had hoped. She hadn't spoke or even seen Malfoy for over a week now. She sat in the library now, just like she had been doing and would keep doing until she saw him. She didn't know if he would ever come here again but she couldn't risk not being here if he did.
She had also been keeping an eye on the Slytherin table in hopes to see him but he wasn't there either. It was as if he had vanished.
The sound of giggling distracted her from her thoughts and she groaned at what was becoming a familiar sight. Victor Krum had been coming to the library often lately, which meant that unfortunately the swarm of girls that followed him had also made the library their new spot.
Hermione shook her head at them before carrying on with the work she brought with her, not that she could concentrate for long. Her mind always returning to the sarcastic blonde she was worried about.
"Excuse me, Hermione" she turned and was surprised to see a tall Slytherin with black hair.
"Yes?" she asked hesitantly. She knew who this is, Theo Nott. She recognised him from a few of her classes. She was always hesitant with Slytherin's she wasn't familiar with. A lesson she learnt thanks to Flint.
He saw the hesitation on her face and held up his hand "I'm not here to mess with you or anything, and for the record I can't stand Flint either"
She could hear honesty in his voice and she eased slightly. He gave her a timid smile "Do you mind if I sit down?" he asked.
"Go ahead" Hermione replied "What can I do for you Theo?" she asked when he took his seat opposite her.
He was fidgeting nervously. He always seemed quiet and reserved to Hermione in class, it appears that he was the same outside of class too "um, we have a friend in common, Draco. I thought you would like to know where he's been"
She didn't expect that "Malfoy? You know him?" she asked, the shock taking over her mouth because if she thought about it, she had seen them together.
A small smile graced his lips "Our families know each other but me and Draco didn't speak much until he came here" Hermione nodded and waited for him to carry on "Anyway, his principal has confined him to their ship until the 5th of December"
"What? Why?" Hermione asked. A hint of fury mixed with worry in her voice.
Theo jumped slightly say her tone change before explaining "Draco got caught taking his broom out for a flight, apparently it's against their rules to do that around Hogwarts"
Multiple questions went through her mind. Malfoy wasn't stupid and she knew him well enough to know he would hate being cooped up for any amount of time so why would he deliberately break the rules?
Deciding that Theo wasn't a mind reader, she asked something he might know "Why is it until the December the 5th?"
"He was punished with two weeks of isolation on the ship" Theo explained. Hermione did the quick maths in the head and realised what day he had done it.
"Oh" she whispered suddenly feeling more guilty than she had before.
"Pansy saw him before he went out. She said he didn't look himself, I hope he's doing ok" he thought out loud. Another stab of guilt struck Hermione.
"How did – How did you know I was here waiting for him?" she asked. She didn't think Malfoy was the type of person to tell people his regular routines.
"Oh, I didn't really" he answered nervously "I've seen you and him here a few times so I thought you'd like to know why he hadn't been around"
Despite her inner turmoil, she managed to give Theo a small smile when he stood to leave "Thank you for telling me Theo"
Hermione closed her book, there was only one thing she could do now and she needed to do it. She took out a piece of paper.
/
Draco sat in an old fashion arm chair that sat in the corner of his room with a book in his lap. He was beyond bored, he was thankful his punishment would be over soon. He didn't regret going out on his broom though, it had greatly helped his mind set.
A knock came from his door "who is it?" the blonde called.
"it's me" Krum's voice boomed from the other side.
Curious and confused, Draco got up to answer the door and it was indeed Krum standing there when he opened it "What's up?" Draco asked. He wasn't exactly close with Krum, only a passing 'hey' now and then when they crossed paths.
"I have this for you" he said handing Draco a folded piece of paper.
"I think you're meant to get someone else to give me a note, so I don't know it's from you" Draco smirked. He wondered if what Granger said was true, could he ever turn off his sarcasm?
Krum grunted in an annoyed way and walked away. Draco held his smirk as he shut the door and made his way back to his chair. He unfolded the paper and was shocked to see it was a letter from Granger.
Malfoy,
I didn't want to do this over a letter and I will be sure to do this in person too but I can't stand the idea of you being mad at me a moment longer. I'm deeply sorry for treating you the way I did. It wasn't right and I have no excuse for it.
Theo Nott came to the library and told me what happened and where you were being held up. I hope you haven't died of boredom. I hope to see you soon, it's more fun in the library with you around.
Hermione.
Draco let a soft smile form on his lips. He couldn't deny that he had thought about the Gryffindor student everyday he had been stick in here. Was he still hurt over what happened? No.
He took some time getting accustomed to the idea of actually caring what she thought about him. The fact he was smiling down at her letter was something new for him. Of course he was going to forgive her but first he would have to tease her slightly, he'd missed that. That would come later though, right now he felt a swell of emotions as he read parts of her note again.
He wouldn't admit it out load but spending time with her had become his favourite way to spend his time and he couldn't wait to get back to it. With a smirk an idea came to his mind and he got to work.
/
Dec 2nd 1994
The morning owl post arrived right on time as always, the strange thing was the tied up roll of parchment that Hermione had received with her batch of letters. She examined it and even done a quick spell check to make sure it was safe, the last few years had taught her you can never be too careful, but it was indeed safe.
She started to unroll it and gasped when she saw the name of who it was from. She never expected a letter back but he had replied the next day. She put it down before she could open it any more. Seeing his name made her stomach twist with anxiety.
She silently prayed that this wasn't a letter from him releasing his anger towards her. Even if she would completely understand it, it would hurt to see it. She took a deep breath to attempt to calm herself as much as she could before opening it the rest of the way.
Granger,
I was surprised to receive your note, I didn't know what to expect from it. Especially since it was Krum who delivered it.
Of course I accept you apology so stop worrying your pretty little head any more than you already have. I imagine the next time I see you your hair will be even curlier thanks to you stressing. While I forgive you completely. I want you to pull out all the stops when you apologise to me in person.
I'm surprise Nott came and told you everything but I am glad he did. As you can see I'm winning my deadly battle with boredom but it is a difficult fight. I can't wait to spend time with you again either.
Draco.
p.s. This scroll is enchanted. Tap it with you wand to make it go blank, write on it and what you write will appear on a parchment I have. I hope you understood that, I explained it as simple as I could.
Despite the letter being filled with sarcasm and his usual teasing remarks towards her, Hermione smiled at the letter in her hands. Relief spread through her body, he forgave her and not only that but he wanted to keep spending time with her. She knew she was lucky that she hadn't blown their friendship.
Her smile turned into a smirk, she did plan on doing a better apology in person when she saw him but with him demanding one, he might get a basic one now. She rolled up the parchment, deciding to reply at lunch since breakfast was nearly over.
"Come on your two" she told the two boys to her right.
Ron looked up with a mouthful of food and mumbled something that no-one could make out. Harry got up and said "We should get going"
Him and Hermione walked ahead as Ron tried to stuff some more food in his mouth "Get something good in the post?" Harry asked.
Hermione looked at him with surprise "Not really" she lied "What makes you say that?"
Harry shrugged before saying "I haven't seen you smile like that for awhile is all"
Hermione fought the blush she felt creeping up on her face.
