The Right Choice

Chapter Three

The next morning Transfiguration had gone as normal, until after class. Hermione had been in the front row, as per usual, and Draco in the back with his friends. Although lately he hadn't been as obnoxious as he normally would be. In fact, he'd been quiet like that all year so far. He didn't even notice that he and Hermione were the last two people in the classroom at the end of the lesson. His bag had spilled most of its contents and he was busy cleaning up. Hermione had pretended to be taking her time in packing her things, and, after everyone had left, she watched Draco for a moment before marching forward. She handed him a book and spoke up.

"Draco." she simply said.

He froze, there it was again. She was using his first name. When did she even start doing that? She had always referred to him as Malfoy.

He didn't look up at her, he couldn't. He simply accepted the book and stared at the floor until she walked away. When her footsteps were no longer audible, he sighed and packed the rest of his things. He still had one more lesson that would include her today. Would she never leave him to live with his misery in peace?

Draco sat in Arithmancy and tried his best not to stare at the back of Granger's head. He still couldn't figure out why she had tried to speak with him earlier. He didn't need any sympathy, he had simply had a weak moment. He had decided during his last lesson that he would not do it again. He was a Malfoy, and he could handle whatever was thrown his way.

He made up his mind in a split second after the bell rang that ended the lesson. He took his time packing his things, while Granger was trying to pack away the many pages of notes she'd written.

Finally, she was on her way out and Draco stopped her before she could leave, stepping into her way and trying his best to keep his composure.

"Granger." he said, looking her dead in the eyes and sticking an arm out to keep her from passing.

She just stared at him in disbelief, so he continued on.

"Why haven't you-," he stuttered, "Why do you keep...?" Bloody hell, there went that composure

"Draco, I thought you might've been hurt, that's why I went into the boys' lavatory." Granger interrupted. Draco wanted to speak again but she continued on.

"Harry thinks you're up to something." she said, looking at her feet.

Of course, Potter was sticking his nose where it didn't belong again. Since Draco hadn't spoken, Granger went on.

"If you are, and it's causing you that sort of distress, you need to see Dumbledore. He can help you, you know. Draco," she told him, looking him right in the eye and stepping forward, "no one wants to hurt you, or your family. Please, we can help you."

Draco considered it. He was terrified for himself and his family. But not so much that he would risk it all to run to Dumbledore like a scared child. He resolved to keep to his plans. He stepped back.

"Just don't tell anyone what you saw. Don't make me regret not modifying your memory." he told her before marching out. He hoped that assuming his usual air of arrogance and bitterness would convince her that she should just leave him alone.
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Hermione stood stock still, dumbfounded on what she heard. Had he really considered modifying her memory?

He had to be up to something. Harry was right for once, there was no way that Draco wasn't if he was that concerned. Then again, maybe he was only trying to avoid the humiliation. Either way, she resolved to not be alone near him again. She would stay near Harry and Ron, or someone else she could trust, unless she was safe in her dormitory. She thought about approaching Dumbledore, but she worried that that would somehow backfire on herself or Draco. If he were already so terrified that he would be in a bathroom sobbing, it wouldn't do any good to cause more problems. Voldemort had him in a corner somehow, and Draco apparently saw no way out.

The next day was a Saturday, and a Hogsmeade day. It was cold out, and Hermione dressed warmly, but evidently not warm enough. For the first part of the trip, she was content in her sweater and scarf. But as the day went on, it became colder and colder.

Harry and Ron were serving detention for losing their tempers on Snape yet again, so Hermione met up with Ginny and a few other friends in the Three Broomsticks for tea. She did have a few errands to run before the day was over, so she went about them on her own. When she exited the warmth of the building, she took real notice of the drop in temperature. She wrapped her scarf tighter and tried to hurry with her shopping. She was on her way to buy some extra quills and ink with her scarf around her face when someone stepped into her path.

"Merlin, Granger. Don't you own any warmer clothes?" Draco said.

Hermione stared at him, she could not believe that he was speaking to her as if they were actual friends. When she finally found her voice, she responded.

"Yes, Draco, I do. I just didn't plan on it being this cold. It was warmer when we left the castle." She huffed, crossing her arms. She needed to get out of here and go somewhere safe, he couldn't catch her alone.

Draco let out a scoff. "Always plan for a change in weather, and here I thought you were smarter. Where are Potter and Weasel?"

"Harry and Ronald are in detention."

Draco rolled his eyes and shrugged off his coat. He looked around before holding it out to Hermione. She looked at it, and then at him. "Draco, I'm fine. I'm almost done with my shopping, and then I'll be headed back up to the castle."

That wasn't necessarily true, she still had three more stops to make. And unlike in the muggle world, there were no cars with heaters here to drive her around. But she couldn't take his coat, surely he would be cold.

"Take it, Granger. I'm meeting Pansy in Madam Puddifoots, and if I'm not there soon, she'll come looking for me. I won't get cold, I'm leaving straight from there for the carriages." Draco said. That was partly true, he was expected to meet Pansy, but he was escaping straight back to Hogwarts instead.

"Thank you." Hermione said after hesitating for a moment, reaching for it, but she didn't put it on. She was still in awe of this friendly exchange.

"Well go on, I didn't hand it to you to tote around with everything else you're carrying." he said. She needed to hurry up and move along before Pansy did show up and make a scene.

Hermione slipped the coat on. It smelled of spice. Perhaps that was what his soap smelled of. She shook the thought from her head, nodded at Draco and moved along. She supposed it was his way of repaying her for being concerned for his wellbeing. She didn't expect anything more after this one show of good behavior from him.
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Draco turned the other way to take the alley behind the tea shop, where Pansy wouldn't see him. There was no way he was going to spend time in that sickly sweet place with her.

Instead, he headed off to the carriages. The entire walk, he questioned his decision to be nice to Granger. But she looked like she was absolutely freezing in that sweater, and she was remarkably skinny. He considered himself a gentleman and couldn't go on knowing she would be cold when he was going back to the warm, cozy bed awaiting him at the castle. Besides, now he could consider himself even and let this whole thing go. An eye for an eye.