A/N: I haven't wrote in a while, but thought what better way to begin again and be able to get reviews from others to help improve my writing. I will leave my if you like it, please review and I will continue on with the next chapter!

I do not own Harry Potter. Just this story line.

Chapter Two.

"What do you mean a real friend? Who is this friend you are looking for?"

It was his turn now to kick the rocks in the water as she had done shortly before.

"I thought maybe you."

Hermione stood frozen where she stood by the Black Lake. Draco Malfoy still stood in front of her, his hands now in his pockets, looking as if he were helpless. The sneer look he had so often on his face, gone.

"You want to be my friend?" Asked Hermione, nearly in a whisper and pointing to her chest.

"You heard what I said, I don't need to repeat myself." Mumbled Malfoy.

"Is this some sort of joke the rest of your Slytherin mates and yourself came up with?"

"After what happened, I don't think the Slytherins dear to mess with you lot." He huffed. "Does it look like anyone else is around here? Its just me, standing here. Now I'm sensing this was a mistake." He turned to walk away.

"Malfoy, wait."

He sighed wondering what the hell he was thinking. His father was in prison, he had no desire to see the man again, but what would his mother think? She was the one that had cared for him but still followed every wish of his fathers. He was sure it would be a shame for his father even now.

He didn't turn to face her, as he waited for her to say something else, he only glanced over his shoulder to show that she had his attention.

"Let me ask you a question, first." Said Hermione, walking around to him so she could see his face. He looked into those brown eyes and could see the fear. "Why didn't you give us away to her?"

Malfoy's mouth went dry, of all the questions he thought she may have asked now, this wasn't one of them. He never wanted to speak of that day, but with Hermione there wasn't another way around it.

"I-" his heart racing, what could he say that could make that day any better? The horror haunted him in his dreams of her laying on the floor with his aunt over top of her. He knew anything he said would never make that moment easier for her. "I tried pretending I didn't recognize any of you in hopes that would be able to protect you. You have no idea what it was like living there. The Dark Lord coming in and out of your home. You step out of line or show that you don't truly support their actions, your dead. I lied to try to get you out of there! If I had of made it obvious to what I was doing, they would've killed all of us."

"Your own father would have killed you?"

"Perhaps, but Bellatrix would've done it before anyone else had a chance. My father would have stood there and said I deserved it."

Hermione gaped, feeling sorry for the man that stood in front of her.

"I don't need your pity, Granger. Bellatrix is dead and he is locked away now. I suppose I should be grateful I'm still allowed to walk around."

"Do you know what she truly did to me?" Snapped Hermione, the fury in her chest as she thought of the wicked woman. "Do you what I have to look at every day? She used a cursed knife, I have tried to remove the writing but the most I have been able to do is make it look duller so it isn't as visible but it is still there. Staring at me every day." She pulled her robe sleeve.

Mudblood, He saw it as clear as day, once her sleeve was pulled up to her elbow. He looked away, not wanting to look at it.

"I'm not her."

"No, you aren't Bellatrix but just moments before asking to be my friend you mentioned me being one and have so many times in previous years."

"What?! No, I did not. You called yourself one, and I only stated that you are." She threw her hands up in protest, but Malfoy continued before she could say a word. "You are a muggle born, yes. You should be proud of it. I don't think of you any lower than myself. You're have always been the smartest one in our class. You helped take down the most powerful dark wizard there was. I'm ashamed of the things I've done and said. I want to make it different. I want to change, Granger. I don't want to be this man that I thought I was supposed to be or had to be growing up."

Hermione couldn't think of anything else, she would have easily done this for any of her fiends if they stood in front of her begging for what he was wanting to have. She closed the gap in between them and wrapped her arms around him as she pulled him into a hug. She held tightly, her tiny body holding him and wanting him to feel secure. She could feel his body going rigid before it soften and he returned the hug.

Draco couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged him and had such a feeling to it. He relaxed his head onto hers, smelling her hair and she could feel his warm breath on the side of her cheek.

"I'll be your friend, Malfoy. I will try to help you become the better person you want to become. As long as you promise me one thing."

"What's that?" He whispered, his breath hitting her ear.

"If you ever call me a mudblood, you can forget any of this."

He nodded and pulled away to stare at her. How could this perfect witch stand in front of him after all of the horrid things he had done and said to her and so willingly agree to help?

"Of course. Thank you, Granger."

"First thing, if we are to be friends, shouldn't we be going by first names?"

"You're right, Hermione." Her name came off his tongue like he had said it every day and sent shivers down her spine.

"Want to walk back to the castle with me, Draco?" She said with a smiling. His heart paused, he had seen that smile before. A smile she always gave to her other friends.

"Sure."

They walked back together, needing to get back before dinner began. They walked slowly, enjoying each others company for just a few minutes. Talking about the weather and then the first day of their classes. They shared Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts together. Hermione found that Draco enjoyed Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms. As well as reading, nearly as much as her.

"Maybe we could study together?" Said Hermione, as they got closer to the castle. "It would be nice to have someone to study with that actually took their studies seriously."

Draco smirked, "I suppose so. No quidditch talk allowed though, I assume?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "It's not that Id not' enjoy Quidditch. I just don't like flying."

"I will have to take you flying once, I will change your mind." Hermione only smiled, knowing that she would never like flying and he wouldn't be able to change her mind. "Do you think we should keep our friendship secret?"

Hermione frowned, "Then that isn't much a friendship, is it? Malfoy, was this seriously just a joke?"

"No! This wasn't a joke, I really mean it. I'm only asking because of how will Potter and Weasel say to this?"

"Well, if you could stop calling them names, that will probably help your situation out a lot more. Don't you think?" His turn to roll his eyes. "Perhaps your right, maybe break it to them lightly before just pushing it on the rest of the school. We will figure something out. For now, I need to go meet them, I was supposed to meet them before dinner."

"I'll send you a note and we can meet somewhere later." He hesitated to say or do anything else, before glancing at her once more and walked away leaving her in the court yard.

A moment passed, and Hermione began to rush to the 7th floor to her common room. As Hermione reached the last flight of stairs, the boys were at the top.

"There you are!" said Harry, with Ron standing beside him. "We were just talking about where you could be."

"Where have you been?" asked Ron, looking unsure.

"By the Black Lake. Just took a walk. Lost track of time."

"Alright, well can we talk now?" asked Ron, as he looked at Harry for some reassurance.

"Yeah, I will see you two at dinner then." Said Harry, as he kept walking down the stairs to the Great Hall. Hermione looked at Ron, unsure of what was going on.

"What's the matter, Ron?" asked Hermione.

"Come with me." He said slowly, as he took her hand and took her to an empty classroom.

"What? What's the matter that you need to bring me in here?" she flicked her wand, so the nearest light came on.

"Nothing is wrong, I just need to speak with you. I've been trying to figure out what to say to you. Now I just needed to say it."

"Alright? Go on."

His ears turned red, and he grabbed one of her hands as he spoke.

"Hermione, I like you. Not just like you as a friend, but I really like you as more. I have for a while just never knew how to tell you. Now that I'm feeling having the courage to tell you I'm hoping that we can go on as something more."

"Oh- Oh, Ronald." Said Hermione quickly, unsure how to make this easier for him. She looked to him, his eyes nearly pleading with her as he hoped his feelings were mutual. From one split second, a thought came across her, Draco Malfoy. Hermione shuddered, and pulled her hang away from Ron.

"Ron, I'm really sorry, I just don't think it's a good idea. I'm not sure I feel the same way."

He looked defeated, but didn't let that stop him. "I thought you did? I thought you did when I dated Lavender and that was why you were so upset with us together."

"That was two years ago. Although I thought I had feelings for you then doesn't mean I still have them now."

"Oh.." he mumbled, unsure of what to say.

"I'm sorry, Ron. You are truly an amazing man, but I don't want to go into something and it not be real. I don't want to hurt you. Please don't be upset."

He gave a sad smile, "Of course, 'Mione. We will always be friends. Lets get to dinner, I'm hungry." She smiled, following his way out of the classroom, to the Great Hall.

They entered the Great Hall together, and Harry eagerly looking their way but whatever Harry had been expecting, wasn't what he saw. Ron quickly shook his head no, and Harry looked away not wanting to make it any more obvious. As Hermione came to sit beside Harry with Ginny across the table, she looked at Draco Malfoy, who gave her a quick smirk before looking back away. Hermione blushed, and look down at her food immediately, but Ginny had been watching the entire time.

"So Hermione." Said Ginny quietly, as the boys went into conversing together. "What were you doing when you disappeared earlier?"

Hermione looked at the redhead, who had a look like she knew something was going on.

"Uh-what's the matter?" asked Hermione, but Ginny only raised her eyebrows up. "I just went on a walk down by the Lake. Wanted to get some fresh air."

I saw you. She mouthed, so the boys didn't see or hear her.

"What?" asked Hermione, surprised. Ginny gave her a sarcastic look.

"You heard me!" snapped Ginny, under her breath. "In the courtyard."

Oh. Was all Hermione could mouth out.

"You have some explaining to do." She looked at the boys, who were still talking amongst themselves with some of the other boys that sat with them. "Later."

Hermione suddenly wasn't very hungry, she stared at her plate of food and tried to nibble at some of her potatoes. She glanced to Draco, who was in a conversation with Blaise, but as if he could sense her staring, he looked up for a moment to see her and for the first time in her life, she saw Draco Malfoy smile.