Chapter 3
Hermione adored her friends. She was forever grateful for Harry and Ron who were always there for her. And on this particular morning she was especially grateful to them for both being boys who, when she answered their questions about where she’d been this morning by saying she was having ‘womanly problems,’ immediately grimaced and dropped the subject.
She wasn’t entirely sure why she hadn’t just told them the truth. Perhaps because she knew they would worry. If Hermione was honest, she was a little worried herself. Lately, it had been happening more frequently—waking up with no memory of going to sleep the night before. And her head ached constantly. But last night had been the first time she hadn’t woken up in her own bed.
It probably would have frightened her had anyone else been the one to find her, but something about Nott and Malfoy made her want to trust them. She wasn’t sure why, but Hermione knew just from looking at them this morning that they meant her no harm. Plus, they’d been so concerned for her, it was surprising but sweet.
When Hermione walked into class that morning she’d briefly forgotten about her anxieties. Distracted by something stupid Harry had said and laughing, she was caught up in the moment. That is, until she looked to near her bench and found grey eyes watching her. Grey eyes that she had forgotten about up until now. Grey eyes that felt almost like they could see into her soul. So much so that her laugh and smile fell as she remembered this morning. This morning where she’d woken up to see those grey eyes looking at her with so much concern.
“Granger.” He greeted her as she walked by him towards the desk in front of his.
Did they greet each other now? Were they…friends? She knew they weren't enemies. Hermione wasn’t sure. But she wasn’t one to waste an opportunity to make a friend, especially if it was someone trying to make amends.
“Malfoy,” she replied evenly, before shifting her attention to his companion. Nott was watching their interaction with something like apprehension. Hermione hesitated for only a second before offering him a warm smile. “Nott.”
“Er,” he cleared his throat, seeming taken aback. “Hi, Granger.”
Her smile only grew. She didn’t know much about this boy, but he reminded her slightly of Neville—that is if Neville was devastatingly handsome and not physically awkward with himself, just socially.
“Hi.” She replied before turning back around in her seat. Harry and Ron were looking at her curiously. She shrugged in response before saying in a low voice, “We’re supposed to make friends, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, but I thought he hated you.” Harry frowned.
“So did I but—” she was cut off as the door to the professor’s office slammed open and Snape stormed out in front of them. Hermione knew better than to talk now, so she just shrugged again at Harry before turning forward.
After class, Harry and Ron were deep in conversation with Seamus and Dean about some Quidditch thing Hermione didn’t care about, so she decided to try speaking with Malfoy and Nott again. However, by the time she’d gotten her bag packed and ready to leave both of them had already disappeared through the door. Stepping outside the classroom, she caught a fleeting glimpse of Malfoy’s blond hair disappearing up a stairwell. Something compelled her to follow.
It took some effort—Hermione was not built for running—but after navigating several corridors, she finally caught up to their brisk pace. Neither of them seemed to notice her presence, so she instinctively reached out and grabbed Malfoy’s arm to slow him down.
“Godric, you walk too fast!” she panted—because, truly, exercise was not her forte.
Malfoy froze the instant she made contact. When he turned, his gaze locked onto where her hand gripped his arm, as if she had burned him.
Not wanting to cause trouble, Hermione promptly let him go. “Er, sorry. I just sort of wanted to chat or . . . I don’t know. But I thought I could talk to you, but when I tried you were gone, and you walk really fast. Did you know that? Harry and Ron are basically the same height as you both but Merlin they’re easier to keep up with. Anyway—” she froze abruptly when she realised, both of them were staring at her. “What?”
“Sorry,” Malfoy said, looking confused, and Hermione kicked herself for rambling.
“Oh, I just meant that I wanted to talk, I didn’t mean to go off on you. I sometimes talk too much I—”
“No,” he cut her off, shaking his head. He still looked confused and Hermione decided it was a rather endearing look on him. “I’m sorry. I meant I was sorry for walking too fast.”
He clarified and he looked so earnest that Hermione felt herself grabbing his arm again in reassurance.
“Oh no. It’s nothing to apologize about, I was just explaining why I’m pathetically out of breath.”
Malfoy was wide-eyes flickered back to her hand, staring at where she was holding him. Quickly let go—again.
“Sorry, my bad. I’m just so used to Harry and Ron that I’m always touching them—”
His eyebrows flew up at that, and Hermione realized what she’d said.
“Oh Godric, no! That’s not what I meant I—we’re—they’re my best friends. Just friends. Godric, we’re just friends. I meant like hugging. I hug them a lot—well shite, now you’ve buggered this up, Hermione.”
She knew her cheeks were the colour of a tomato. “I’m terribly sorry. This was a bad idea on my part. And you both probably think I’m mad, so I’m going to go now.” She gestured over her shoulder and began backing away slowly, feeling utterly humiliated.
“Wait!” the Nott boy called out as she turned. Hermione hesitated, slightly suspicious but more hopeful that she hadn’t completely ruined things with two potential friends already.
“Yeah?” she asked nervously.
“We don’t, er . . . think you’re crazy.” He said, glancing at Malfoy who was watching him as anxiously as Hermione felt. “You’re honestly probably one of the most sane people here.” He gave a nervous laugh, and Hermione couldn’t help but smile at that.
There was something about this boy that made her want to smile. It was so different from the tense, anxious person she’d had class with for the last several weeks. That boy had seemed so anxious and angry all the time, but ever since the hospital wing this morning, he’d seemed almost nervous but excited. And his friend—well Malfoy was terrifying, but today it seemed more like a layer now, and underneath was someone she really wanted to know.
So, she walked back towards them and said, “I appreciate that, but I wouldn’t bet your money on it. I think we’re all a little crazy, so you’d probably lose.”
“I have enough to spare.” Nott smiled and Merlin that smile. It was beautiful. Hermione had never seen him smile before, but she was quite confident she’d never seen one as captivating as his.
“I’m sure.” She grinned back and held out her hand. “I’m Hermione Granger, by the way.”
His smile fell as he looked between her and her hand. For a moment she wondered if he wouldn’t take it, her fears were gone though when a second later he shook it and his smile returned, “Theodore Nott, it’s a pleasure to meet you Hermione.”
She then looked at his friend because, yes, Ron had told her his name, but if they were getting a fresh start, she wanted a real one. “Hermione,” she said and held her palm out to him too.
Malfoy copied his friend’s pause, but when he took her hand, instead of shaking it, he brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Draco Malfoy, Ms. Granger. It’s an honour.” And Merlin help her, but she was pretty sure that was the most attractive thing she’d ever seen.
“Right,” Godric I definitely look like a tomato she internally groaned. “It’s wonderful to um, meet you both too…in er, less embarrassing circumstances.”
“What do you mean?” Malfoy—Draco frowned at her.
“Well, I can’t imagine finding me mysteriously collapsed somewhere is a very flattering first impression, but I am grateful to you both for making sure I was okay and taking me to Pomfrey. I don’t think she’s used to having one of us in the hospital wing during the first term, so I imagine it was a bit of a surprise.” She joked but it seemed to fall flat.
“Us?” Draco asked at the same Theo said, “First term?”
“Er, yeah,” she laughed nervously, “But that’s hardly conversation for just becoming friends. I mean, what I originally came over for was I . . . well I wanted to ask how you were both getting on at Hogwarts so far? Or what class you have next?”
“Oh, um, fine, I suppose. And Defence Against the Dark Arts.” Theo supplied.
“Really? How strange! As do I. Do you all not take it with Professor Moody?” she asked. Hermione had never seen them in his classroom.
“No, Karkaroff prefers to teach us alone.” Malfoy answered, “His methods are, not entirely approved by your school.”
“Well, I can’t imagine he’s much worse that Moody this year. You know he showed us the unforgivables on the first day of class? It was absurd! He tortured a poor creature before killing it right in front of us!” She’d never get that image out of her head. Hermione was sure there was something wrong with that man. His methods were disturbing.
“Really?” Malfoy asked, and he almost looked angry. “In front of you?”
“Well obviously,” Hermione snorted at his tone, “I’m no different from anyone else. But it was the principle of the thing! Our professor last year was ingenious. To replace him with this man is horrible.”
“I can imagine.” Theo said, commiserating with her.
“Well, anyway, I didn’t mean to keep you both from your class. And I should be going as well, I have to find Harry for something before we head in, but really, it was wonderful to talk to you both!”
Hermione moved to hug them goodbye instinctively. It was something her parents did to their friends, new and old, and something Hermione had never hesitated to do in the past. But when she wrapped her arms around Draco, he froze completely. For a moment she wondered if she should apologize but decided against it. Hermione resolved that unless they told her otherwise, she was going to treat them like she would any other new friend.
So, she hugged him awkwardly for a moment before letting go. When she pulled back and looked to hug Theo, he seemed far more receptive to the idea. A boyish expression of anticipation crossed his face and made her grin. Hermione wrapped her arms around him, and he wasted no time hugging her back. When she went to pull away though, he only held her tighter.
“Um, Theo?” Hermione said it into his shoulder because that was as far as she could reach. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah,” he answered into her curls softly. “Just glad you’re alright.” And Hermione could have sworn she heard him sniffle.
“Of course I’m alright, oh Godric you’re the kindest person, Theo. I must have just hit my head or something, love, I’m completely fine.”
“Right, yeah, I know.” He said quickly. A few seconds later Hermione felt him loosen his grip on her slightly. She pulled away and smiled at him one more time.
“Well, I have to go. But it was lovely meeting you both,” she quipped, trying to lighten the mood that had somehow fallen over them, “Maybe I’ll see you at lunch?”
“Yes.” Draco said quickly before seeming to recover, “I mean, that would be wonderful. Goodbye, Hermione.”
“Goodbye, Draco.” She smiled at him, “Bye, Theo.”
Hermione walked away excited by her two new friends. Sure, they were a little odd and awkward, but they’d also been so kind to her this morning. And even though Malfoy had been a git for the past several weeks, something about his presence alone told her she should be friends with him. She’d never felt that way with anyone before, but she knew just from looking at him that he was someone she could trust.
--- --- --- ---
“I’m home! Emmeline?” his voice came from the floo room, and she smiled to herself from where she had been reading for the last hour.
“Yes, love? I'm in here!” Hermione shouted but got no response. She was just about to call out again when she felt something lean over her from behind. Hermione tilted her head backwards and looked up into her favourite ocean eyes. She grinned as Draco ducked down to kiss her lips in greeting.
“Hi,” he smiled back at her and pulled away.
“Hi, how was work?” she asked, watching as Draco, somehow gracefully, managed to throw himself over the back of their sofa and onto the cushions. The impact jostled Crookshanks from where he slept at her feet and Hermione's cat did not seem pleased with the intrusion. Draco ignored the angry hiss he gave him and instead made himself quite comfortable, sprawling out.
“Awful. You weren’t there.” He groaned and settled his head in her lap, knocking over her book. Hermione just grinned, he was so different, so much more relaxed around her and it was her favourite thing.
“Draco, I have my own job to work at, I can’t just follow you around all day.” She chided playfully, carding her hands through his soft hair while he closed his eyes.
“I know, but you could. If you wanted to. We can afford it you know? We don’t have to work. We could just...be together, always.” his tone was wistful.
“Yeah, that’s not happening, and you know it. I love my job.”
“Stupid magical creatures in need of saving.” He grumbled, his nose scrunching playfully as he rested. Draco hummed softly when she let her nails graze over his head. Hermione grinned.
“Well, someone has to be there to help them Mr. Malfoy, so you’re just going to have to suck it up.” At that he peeked an eye open and looked up at her, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.
“You know, Mrs. Malfoy, I think I might be amenable to that...”
“Oh really?”
He sat up on his elbows and smirked at her, “Yes, as long as there are certain provisions.”
“Oh, provisions? Such as?” Hermione asked, her voice filling with laughter at his antics.
“Such as this, my Flower” he said and then he leaned into her and—
“Hermione! Hermione what’s going on?” Someone was shouting at her, but she couldn’t see anything.
“What?"
“Hermione?! What’s happening? Someone get a professor!” her vision cleared, and Harry was leaning over her, his eyes wild and panicked.
“Harry?” she barely croaked out.
“HERMIONE!” he grabbed both her hands. “Oh, thank Merlin. Are you alright?”
“I—I don’t know.” She grabbed at her head, it was throbbing and felt like it weighed 1000 kilos. “Harry, I…” What was that? Where was th…at?...Why did…Draco Malf…and then it all went dark.