Chapter Five

‘I can’t believe you’re still planning to spend your nights with Malfoy,’ Ron grimaced into his breakfast.

Hermione looked at him as Harry let out a tired sigh.

‘Ronald,’ Hermione said, for what seemed like the millionth time, ‘I’m not Do you need to say it like that? I’m using what McGonagall gave me and I like the privacy, okay? Just drop it.’

Ron grumbled something but she ignored him. Hermione looked up as all at once the owls flew into the Great Hall. Grey, white and black owls flew to their designated owners as Hermione, Harry and Ron ate their breakfast. 

A familiar black owl landed in front of Hermione. It's eyes were electric blue. It was the owl that always delivered Hermione’s Daily Prophet newspaper. She smiled slightly, wondering if the owl remembered her since it had been a year that she hadn’t had a newspaper delivered to her.

Hermione fed the owl a piece of her toast and let it nip her finger briefly before flying off.  She ate her toast and opened the paper as Ron and Harry struck up a conversation about their new timetables. On the front page was Lucius Malfoy's face, staring at her.

She put down the piece of toast and read the paper intently, giving it all of her attention.

It was a whole article about Lucius Malfoy. It said he would be questioned by the Ministry of Magic about his involvement with Voldemort. It stated, to reassure their readers, that he is locked up at the moment.

Immediately Hermione's mind thought of Draco. How he must be feeling and if he was going to be questioned too. Hermione stood up suddenly, her eyes flitting down the Slytherin table, looking for Draco. He wasn’t there and she hadn’t seen him after their brief encounter last night.

‘Hermione, where are you going?’ Ron asked, looking at her as she stood up.

 ‘I... I have to go... You know, Head Girl duties.’ Hermione stuttered, lying without a second thought.

She didn’t have any Head Girl duties. She didn't know why she was lying to Ron. She could tell him anything but at the moment she couldn't bring herself to do so.

‘Oh, sure, well see you.’ Ron said and kissed her lightly on the lips.

Hermione gave a small smile and walked out of the Great Hall. She stopped and thought for a while, wondering if Draco would still be in their dorm. Hermione decided to go up to the Head’s dormitory which seemed like the most suitable place.

The dormitory was on the highest floor. There weren't many rooms up there which was perfect for the Head Boy and Girl. They had all their privacy to plan things and hold meetings without any disturbance.

When she got to the dorm, he stopped suddenly as she saw a figure sitting on the sofa. It was Draco. He hadn't noticed Hermione as she stood stock still. His head was in his hands and his back was to her.

Hermione walked forward, hesitantly, until she was near the sofa. He turned around and his eyes were red around the edges. A newspaper lay curled on the floor beside him.

‘Draco...’ Hermione didn't know quite what to say.

Without a word, Hermione sat on the sofa beside him. They both sat in silence, hearing the clock ticking every second. Draco had his head in his hands while Hermione stared at the floor, she didn't want to say anything until Draco spoke.

‘Thank you,’ Draco whispered, after a few long moments. He lifted his eyes and glanced at the newspaper on the floor and the one in Hermione’s hands, knowing she must have read the news about his father.

‘For what?’ Hermione asked, glad that he spoke

‘For being here with me. I know I've been a... a...’ Draco waved his hand, trying to think of a word, ‘A jerk, what I'm trying to say is... I'm sorry.’ Draco looked at her, the apology clear in his grey eyes.

‘Draco, that was the past. It's over now...’ Hermione said, after a while she asked the question, pointing to the crumpled newspaper,’ Are... Are you getting questioned too?’

Draco stiffened suddenly, his eyes pausing on her face. Hermione felt herself shrink under his intense gaze and she wondered if she had stepped a line. Maybe he didn’t want to talk about it.

‘Sorry, it's your business, I shouldn't have...’ Hermione tried to apologise.

‘No I'm not getting questioned. My father... He... He could have avoided this, but for some reason he gave himself up. He told them everything. He told them of his involvement. And when I asked him why he claimed that he's protecting me and my mother... And now he's getting questioned and after that he'll go to Azkaban and I hope he rots there.’ Draco sneered.

‘Draco, he protected you! You shouldn't say that!’ Hermione gasped, wondering how he could ever think that of his parents.

‘He's not doing this for me or for my mother! He's still on HIS side. He still thinks of himself as a deatheater. I... I just want this bloody mark to go away!’ Draco spat out and pulled his sleeve up.

On his arm was the Dark Mark. The snake was dull and black. Hermione flinched at the sight of it, thinking of the war and being kidnapped and bought to the Malfoy Manor. She had seen many Dark Mark’s there and it had affected her.

‘I hate him! I hate what he's done to me!’ Draco pulled down his sleeve and ran a hand through his hair, messing it up.

‘Draco, you have changed and I know that. It won't be easy. People will say a lot of things about you being an ex death eater. But you aren't one anymore! And if you need my help I'm here for you.’ Hermione stood up, ‘all you have to do is ask.’

Draco stood up and looked at her for a second. Hermione stared straight back into his eyes, determined to make him realise she was here for him. They had a staring match which finally made her impatient.

‘Stop staring at me!’ Hermione lightly slapped his arm, not thinking twice about her actions or the fact that this was Draco who she was joking with.

Draco smiled slightly, glancing at her hand that had playfully hit him. He stood up, ‘I think class is about to start. I should...’

Draco looked at her for a second and then headed out without waiting for Hermione. Hermione sighed and watched him go. She picked up the newspapers and threw them into the fire before following him.

---

The week passed by quick enough as they didn't have any homework since classes were only just starting. Despite that, Hermione frequently spent her time in the library. She wanted to read from one end of the library to the other, which was an achievable goal as she had read so many books already. Ron thought that idea was stupid and would fight with her about it.

The argument went something like this: