Better Man

Rounds

In no time at all, Hermione and Malfoy has their first night on rounds together. Hermione adjusted her robes and Head Girl pin so it sat prominently on her chest. She went downstairs to see Malfoy sitting nonchalantly on the leather couch.
"About time, Granger," Malfoy drawled. Hermione couldn't contain her annoyance.
"Look, let's get something straight. Just because we are working together doesn't mean I want to listen to you blabber all night. If you can't find a way to not be a git, just don't talk to me," Hermione snapped. Malfoy rolled his eyes.
"Oh, am I the only one here who's ever rude, Granger?" Malfoy retorted. Hermione scoffed.
"Maybe not but you're the only one who deserves it. I didn't go around with Death Eaters all last year. You did awful things and, surprise surprise! Nobody likes you!"
"That's rubbish and you know it. I helped you lot when you were at my house-"
"Barely!" Hermione interrupted.
"-and unlike you, I didn't have much of a choice in the matter."
"Unlike me? The mudblood, you mean? The one who's kind were being murdered left, right and centre? That one?"
"I meant that you always had a clear idea of what side to be on. There was only one side for you. I had my family on one side, the prospect of death on the other, and me floating somewhere in the middle. Where was I supposed to go? What was I supposed to do?" Malfoy responded tightly.
"If you were brave, you would have chosen our side. The right side," Hermione replied haughtily.
"Next time you're in the same position I was, let me know. I'd like to see your superiority complex then," Malfoy said over his shoulder as he strode out of the Common Room. Hermione followed after him, her rage palpable.
"Excuse me, but you're talking to the girl who obliviated her own parents and sent them to Australia to keep them safe. The girl who spent the last year with Undesirable No. 1. Do you really think I care about your little sob story?" Hermione pushed past him and down the hall, checking a few classrooms as she did so. Malfoy checked the ones of the other side of the corridor.
"Oh that's right, I forgot you're incapable of empathy," Malfoy replied, closing the door on the last one. They walked through another hallway and listened for a moment before making their way towards the library.
"Not for people who actually deserve it. Grow up and realise what you did, Malfoy. No bars of chocolate will detract from the fact that you were a coward."
"I gave you that damn chocolate because you fainted, Granger! I won't make the same mistake of helping you again!"
"Good, because I don't want your damn help!
"Merlin, has anyone ever told you how ungrateful you are? I was trying to help because I knew it was my fault you fainted."
"What do you want me to do? Throw my unworthy self at you?" Hermione said sarcastically. Malfoy rolled his eyes.
"Merlin, no."
"Well please sir, tell me how I can adequately curry favour with you?" Hermione checked another classroom but only found some particularly noisy mice.
"We're going around in circles here."
"No we're not, we're going to the library."
"I meant this conversation, genius. Merlin, for the brightest witch of your age..."
"Oh shut up."
"But seriously, how many times are we going to go over this? We have a whole year of rounds ahead of us and I don't want to spend it getting a migraine from you every other night."
"Maybe when you become a decent person to be around?"
"And when will that be? When will I have done enough for perfect Granger?"
"I don't know! Do you want a date on a calendar!?"
"No but some indication that I'm on the right track would be nice. My moral compass doesn't exactly point due north."
"I think it does."
"What?"
"I think your moral compass probably does point due north. Otherwise, why didn't you kill Dumbledore? Why didn't you rat us out at your house?"
"A second ago you thought I was the most despicable person alive."
"Oh I still think that. I just happen to agree with you."
"About what?"
"That you probably wouldn't be this way if given the choice."
They were both silent, staring at each other from across the hallway.
"So where does that leave me now?" Malfoy questioned. Hermione shrugged, turning her gaze away from the intensity of his stare.
"Well I can't make you a grow as a person. Only you can do that but I get the feeling you just want me to forgive you and you can go on as usual. Like, if I said to you right now that all is forgiven, would you still try to be better? Or would the burden of your guilt be eased and let you go back to being the way you were before?" Malfoy was silent.
"I wouldn't be having this conversation with you of all people if I didn't actually want to be better," Malfoy said slowly.
In a broom closet just off from the library they found two fifth year Ravenclaws in a state of disarray. They each lost five points and were sent back to their tower. As the Ravenclaws rounded the corner, Hermione turned to Malfoy.
"I don't know how you can go about being a better man and quite frankly, it isn't my job and I don't care. The only thing I can say is that I will try my best not to argue with you or call you a coward," Hermione said plainly. Malfoy nodded.
"Thank you," he replied as Hermione turned away.
The rest of the evening was spent in silence. They found a group of first year Slytherins in an empty classroom trying their hands at spells they were far too young for. They had points deducted and were escorted back to the dungeons. As the clock struck midnight, the pair made their way back to the Head Rooms. As soon as they entered, Hermione sat on the couch in front of the fire, removed her shoes and rubbed her aching feet. Malfoy took off his robes and sat in the armchair, staring at the fire.
They sat in silence for awhile, neither comfortable nor uncomfortable. Eventually Hermione got up and went to bed, leaving Malfoy staring deep into the flames.