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Linked by Philyra912
 Books » Harry Potter Rated: T, English, Romance, Draco M., Hermione G., Words: 61k+, Favs: 4k+, Follows: 920, Published: Jun 18, 2005 Updated: Jan 5, 2006
 2,542 Chapter 10: What Makes a Person Evil
Disclaimer: Who am I even kidding with this anymore? If you don't know that I don't own the Harry Potter universe by now, than I seriously doubt that you possess the mental capacity to pose any real legal threat to me.
Wow! For what I still insist is a crappy piece of writing on my part, Chapter 8 received a lot of reviews-almost 40! It absolutely made my night when I got home last night and found I had 26 new reviews to read and that the hits on this story had jumped by 1500 since that afternoon! Also, THIS STORY HAS NOW PASSED THE 100 REVIEWS MARK! YAY! A special thanks to secretspells311, my 100th reviewer!
A/N: I was really surprised by the response I got to Chapter 8. I still don't like it, but I got a lot of praise for it. I'm not complaining; quite the contrary! It just goes to show that I'm my own worst critic, I guess. This chapter is much more similar to the pre-witch-memory chapters, just so you know, and if it seems short, it's because 1) it is, 2) it's building up to Chapter 10, which will feature another very revealing memory, and 3) you just had a very long and difficult-to-write chapter yesterday! Don't be greedy! Just kidding, I love you guys! Here is Chapter 9, next day, as promised! Enjoy!
Chapter 9: What Makes a Person Evil
They didn't return to the Great Hall, where the Ravenclaw boy appeared to be regaling a small group of early-risers with what was undoubtedly a highly exaggerated version of the odd interaction between the most infamous enemies in recent Hogwarts memory. Malfoy knew that, by lunch, the story would not only have spread to the entire student population, but would probably include a session of passionate snogging, a screaming, wall-rattling row, and/or a proposal of marriage.
Predictably, Hermione led them to the library. At this early hour, Madam Pince had not yet arrived to preside over her domain, and all sensible students were either sleeping in (lazy, insufferable gits, he thought derisively) or enjoying their Saturday morning by being anywhere but the library. The cavernous space was empty but for them and countless rows of books.
Despite the fact that they were obviously alone, Hermione led him to a distant and secluded corner. When they reached it, her sense of comfort and peacefulness told him that this tiny table was her sanctuary, her personal space, probably the only one she had. He had seen the way the Gryffindors lived: always loud, always invading each other's space, always hugging and touching and talking and never alone. No wonder they were all mad as hatters; all that togetherness would be enough to drive anyone completely insane.
Hermione seated herself at the table, and Malfoy sat across from her. They still hadn't spoken a word, and he could feel her gathering her courage to say whatever it was that had bothered her enough to make her track him down.
"I'm sorry." He blinked at her, utterly shocked. Of all the things he expected to hear her say, that had not been among them.
"What?" He was sure he must have heard her wrong.
"I'm sorry," she repeated. "What happened . . . I know it's painful for you." He scowled at her half-heartedly, but she ignored him. "I didn't have a right to invade on it. I'd take it back if I could."
He opened his mouth to respond, and then snapped it shut again. He had been about to thank her, he realized. That was just unacceptable. Malfoy didn't thank anyone, let alone interfering, annoyingly sincere Muggle-borns
"Is that all you have to say?" he asked harshly. She narrowed her eyes at him, and he felt her flash of annoyance. It felt good, actually. It felt normal.
