Not being able to concentrate in class was something Hermione was definitely not used to, and it wasn't something she planned to get used to either. Shaking her thoughts away, Hermione attempted once more to read the line on her textbook.
To cast a spell silently takes great concentration, however becomes much easier as you practice. When casting a silent spell you must...
Draco Malfoy. His words ran echoed loudly in Hermione's mind repeatedly. "Choose a side and stick to it." he said, and it was exactly what she had intended to do. She trusted Draco, she knew she did she just didn't want to. She had forgiven, yet she hadn't forgotten. She was wasting time, holding grudges. She was acting like a child! It was time to move on, for good.
...
Defense Against the Dark Arts was no fun when you were part of the group your classmates would need to defend themselves against. What would they do had they known? If they saw the mark on his arm would they scream? Probably. It didn't matter, Draco was no good at making friends anyway. The way he dealt with Hermione yesterday....perhaps he shouldn't have said all he did. He was walking a fine line, he was lucky Hermione even listened to him in the first place. He just couldn't go on with this rollarcoaster of feelings. She needed to make up her mind.
...
"Harry! That is enough! You need to get rid of that book, now!" Hermione cried, frustrated to the point of screaming. "Ginny! Take him! I don't care where you take him but take him somewhere to get rid of the bloody book!" "Hermione!" exclaimed Harry in protest. "Wait, you've been taking insuctions from a book?" Ginny asked, suddenly interested. The guilt appeared immediatly on Harry's face as they all thought back to Tom's diary. "This is different." "How?" challenged Ginny. Harry opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Hermione smirked, he was wrong and he knew it. "Come on, we are getting rid of that book right now." said Ginny, taking his hand and leading him away. Hermione couldn't help but let out a giggle once they were gone. "What are you so chipper about?" asked Ron raising an eyebrow at her. "They fancy each other, and now they are alone together." she replied. "Fancy each other? Who??" Hermione looked quite smug as she let him think it over for a moment. "You can't mean...I mean Harry..he's....and Ginny..." Ron looked so puzzled, Hermione couldn't help but to burst out laughing. "Okay, well while you ponder life's mysteries, I'm going to head out." she said. "You? Head out? Did you finally get tired of saying 'I'm going to the library'?" "Bye Ronald!" she sang.
...
"I thought I might find you here." Hermione said appearing by Draco suddenly. He looked away, trying to appear as thought he had not been startled. "Was there something you needed to tell me? Dumbledore back?" he mumbled. "No he is still on holiday." she replied quietly. "Why were you trying to find me then?" "I wanted to talk to you...I figured you would be here. The one place you feel safe....I go to-" "The library." he said softly. "Exactly, see I don't-" "What do you want, Granger?" Draco blurted, not feeling patient at all. "I came to apoligize." Hermione replied instantly. "For?" "What I have been doing...going back and forth...not forgiving no matter how many times I say I have. I want to move on, to focus on the whats important. I'm sorry...I want a fresh start. A real one." she said, not hesitating for a single moment. Draco felt relief wash over him like a cool wave. A fresh start, a new page. He had never been offered such a thing and yet it was often all he wanted in life. "Thank you....Granger." She nodded in reply, a small smile forming on her lips. "I'd like to be friends, I don't know if that is to much to ask..." Draco said, fading away into silence. "Absolutely ." Hermione replied with no hesitation.
...
It was the only way to show Draco that she truly meant her words. Hermione wanted to make peace, and there was no better way to begin then to become friends.
...
Draco let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding, as Hermione offered a small smile. He held out his hand for her to shake, and was not prepared for what Hermione did next. He was suddenly pulled into a warm hug that left him dazed and confused surrounded by the smell of jasmine perfume. "I hug my friends." she said with a smile. "Oh...okay then." he replied when he was able to speak again. "Friends." he echoed. Hermione nodded with a smile, before standing. "Well, I have to go...I want to get an early start on Herbology homework."
...
Hermione had no better words to descibe that experiance than weird. It was so strange, yet so relieving to make peace with Draco. It was a much needed conversation, and she was glad to be over it. Sinking into her favorite spot in the Gryfinndor couch, she stroked the spine of her Herbogy text book, unaware of the smile spreading on her face. "What are you so happy about now?" asked Ron, entering the room in his night clothes. "What do you mean?" she asked. "You're grinning like an idiot." Ron mumbled. "I just..." Didn't realize I was smiling. "Nevermind. You were probably just smiling at a book." he said. Hermione scoffed. "You know there is more to me than just books, Ronald Weasley." "Yeah okay, Hermione." he replied. "What are you so moody about?" she asked. "Ginny and Harry still haven't come back..." he grumbed, and Hermione couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Good for them." Ron grumbled and grouched all the way back up to the boys dormitries, leaving an amused Hermione alone once more. With a sigh and a yawn, Hermione put down the unopened book, and decided to call it a night.
...
Draco threw himself into bed, the unmistakable smell of jasmines lingered, he fell asleep that night with a smile.
2K?! WOW!!! Thanks for all the reads, votes, and kind words. You guys are amazing! Hope you enjoyed this chapter...I had fun writing it! Leave a comment letting me know what you thought of it...Thanks! -jazzyjstar*