Unexpected (Drarry)

Veritaserum

They found themselves in the Room of Requirement.

"What was it you wanted to talk about?" Hermione asked with her arms crossed to create some type of barrier between herself and Malfoy. She had no idea what to expect, but there was no way she would allow herself to appear as though she trusted him in the slightest.

Draco took a deep breath. He made it this far and he didn't get hexed for nothing, so he threw all caution to the wind and began to speak.

"Listen, I'm going to be brutally honest with you. Completely uncensored the entire time we're in this room because I want you to understand me. Is that alright?"

"I suppose. Get on with it though because it's almost time for our first lesson."

"Right."

He paused. This was harder than he thought it would be. Nonetheless, he still found enough willpower to pull the small vial out of his robes and drink the liquid inside. He then tossed Hermione the empty vial.

"Malfoy, what are you doing? What are you playing at?" Hermione asked. She examined the vial for anything suspicious, but found nothing.

"Just in case you doubt anything I say today, I want you to know that the liquid that was in that vial was Veritaserum. I've not the ability to lie. I meant what I said when I told you I would be brutally honest."

With that Hermione put the vial into her pocket and stared back at Malfoy.

"Fine, get on with it then."

"I wanted to say -I mean, I wanted to apologize."

"What?" Disbelief was plastered all over Hermione's face. "Apologize for what exactly? Because you've done some pretty foul things and I have enough sense to punch you again like I did 3rd year."

"I know I have, but Granger, hear me out. I know you've no reason to but please try. I think it might be worth your while."

Hermione never thought she would hear Malfoy say "please" in his lifetime, yet here they were, so she permitted him to continue with a slight nod of her head.

"Of all your friends, I've treated you the worst, and that's not very fair of me. Sure I've called Weasley poor and taunted Potter about his plethora of flaws upon flaws, but of all the insults I've thrown their way, none were as bad as me specifically attacking your bloodline."

He looked over at Hermione expecting her to say something, but she seemed to be stunned silent, so he continued speaking instead.

"See, Weasley can find a financially stable job once he leaves Hogwarts. The git doesn't act like it, but he's smart enough to, and then he will have the power to support his family. As for Potter, he's going to save the entire Wizarding World. Then no one will be able to call him out on anything, but you're different.

I've called you a Mudblood on several occasions, but that's something you can't change about yourself. You can't control where you come from. You can't control who you are. You're born into certain situations, and that's the end of it. Nothing you can do about it. That's why I want to apologize. Insulting your bloodline is a low blow and I don't want to do it again."

"Truth serum or not, actions speak a lot louder than words, Malfoy."

"I know. And I know this is by no means an excuse, but I need you to understand that every day of my life I have been constantly exposed to prejudice. I have been since the day I was born. There's only so much you can hear until you believe it to be true. But, I really am trying to be better, and I wanted to start with you."

There was a moment of deafening silence that left Draco anxiously anticipating Hermione to have some kind of response. He debated saying something else, but what else could he say? It was then that she finally spoke.

"Well, while I certainly appreciated that lovely speech, may I asked what sparked that sudden revelation?"

Hermione was sure this had to be some type of scheme. It had to be some way to get to Harry. Still, she couldn't ignore the sincerity his eyes held and she found herself almost believing him.

Draco sighed. He knew what he had to do.

"To prove my honesty to you, I will tell you something. But, you have to swear you'll never tell another living soul."

"You have my word unless it's murder."

Draco scoffed and reassured her by saying, "No, nothing as sinister as that." He thought Hermione could be quite charming, even when she was hostile.

He paused yet again. Was he really going to say it?

"I'm ... gay." It came out nearly as a whisper, but Hermione still heard it. Once again, she didn't know what to say.

"I'm gay and that's the first time I've said it out loud."

Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair, preparing himself to explain further. He could almost feel the absolute confusion radiating off of Hermione's body. Her and her friends were the worst at concealing how they felt about something. Draco thought it would be funny if it wasn't so annoying at times.

"Father always had strong opinions about what is and what isn't acceptable. Being gay definitely isn't, but after years of self hatred and fear - yes, I said fear - I've come to realize that it's something about myself that I can't change. The same way you can't change your bloodline. We were born with these things and they aren't things we should be ashamed of.

After all, people are right when they say you're the brightest witch of our age. I truly believe that, and whether or not you believe it, I greatly admire you. You manage all of this without a Pureblood status. That just shows blood status means nothing. It's about who you are as a person, not where you come from. I should have realized that a long time ago. So, I'm sorry Hermione."

She didn't know what was most shocking at this point. The gay part, the apology, or the use of her first name, so she decided to settle on saying, "You just called me Hermione."

"Yes, I did" Draco said with a small smile forming on his lips.

"Why now? Why all this now? The apology and everything?"

"I've finally accepted who I am. It would be ignorant of me to accept myself for something I can't control and not accept you for something you can't either."

Hermione didn't know what to believe. Was it even really Veritaserum in that vial? Was he telling the truth? But, even if Draco was lying about everything, why would he say he was gay? What advantage could lying about his sexuality possibly give him? Then there was the fact that seeing him with any emotions other than negative ones was highly unsettling. She just needed some time alone to think. That was it. Surely once everything sunk in she could figure this all out.

"I really must be going now. Thank you for your apology, Malfoy. That was very brave of you." She turned to leave, and with that, she was gone.