My Brother's Girl

Draco

Over the next few days, Fred was on cloud nine; every time he saw Hermione (which for some reason wasn't often - but he didnt think that was strange, after all she was taking important exams) his heart lifted and when possible he hugged her tightly. He still hadn't actually kissed her yet but that was fine too - he did not want to rush anything. Fred had also taken to holding Hermione's hand when he could. Knowing he did not have long before he left the school, Fred wanted to make the most of every moment.

But as he was feeling like the happiest guy on Earth, Hermione was feeling dreadful...

Hermione

Sitting on top of the Astronomy tower, Hermione looked out at the calm night sky and sighed. Every Wednesday and Friday since her Third Year, Hermione had come up here to help Draco Malfoy study.

She could hardly believe she did it - after all the things he had said and done. But Hermione didnt want to say no to McGonagall after all McGonagall had done for her.

Shortly after Christmas, in Hermione's third year, McGonagall had called her into her office. Panicking that it was about the Time Turner, Hermione had turned up, ready to turn it in and decide which lessons to drop. To her surprise, Draco was sitting there.

"Ms Granger. Please, sit."

Curious, Hermione took the seat next to Draco and looked up at McGonagall expectantly. "Mr Malfoy here is failing Transfiguration."

Hermione glanced at Draco out of the corner of her eye; he was incredibly smart. In every lesson they shared (apart from DADA) it was always a competition between the pair of who would be the best.

"Okay?" Hermione had an idea about why she was there, but she never liked to assume.

"So I was wondering if you would be so kind to tutor him - if you arent too busy with your own lessons of course."

Hermione nodded slowly. "Okay - if Draco is fine with it."

Draco just gave a short nod. "Where can we practice? Preferably somewhere where no one would see us...."

Hermione muttered in agreement; she would help Draco even if he was a pigheaded cockroach.  But there was no way she could let Ron or Harry find out - they'd never understand.

"The Astronomy Tower. 8pm, Wednesday and Fridays. Thank you."

Laying down, Hermione waited for Draco.

After what felt like an eternity, he walked in. "Hello traitor." Hermione sensed his tone straight away. Normally he was... happy. Strangely they had become close during these sessions. Occasionally they did extra - like when they had an exam coming up. It would have been impossible not to. Hermione was almost certain she was the only one who knew about Draco's fear of disappointing his Father.

"Draco." Hermione said, warningly. When the sessions had first started he would be cold and distant. How he acted right now reminded Hermione of those first few sessions. The way he sneered at her and said her name like it was a curse. "Sorry. So; is it true - about you and Weasley?" Draco sat down next to Hermione and looked at her, his eyes almost looked hopeful that he had misheard.

"Yeah."

Draco nodded and stood up, looking out at the Forbidden Forest. They had often joked that their friendship was the same as the Forest. But Hermione knew from the solid way Draco was holding himself that he wasn't about to make a joke. "Well we'd better get practicing, my exam is in a few weeks."

"Draco -" Hermione started, standing up and putting a hand on his shoulder. She didnt want to hurt him.

"Save it Hermione. Like we said about the Yule Ball - me and you would never work. I'm Pure and youre..." He let it trail off. 

Nodding slightly, Hermione placed a cup in front of Draco. "We'd better practice then."

Things hadn't been this awkward between the two of them since the start of the sessions. Hermione hoped it would get better - Draco was okay when he was by himself. Or rather, he had been. Realistically this would be the last year she was his tutor - he had no plans of continuing for the sixth year. They had a lot of practice tests coming up but the main ones weren't for a few more months. Hermione felt sad at the thought that soon their meetings would end. She shook the thought from her head and focused on getting Draco to transform the cup.