Then & Now

Chapter 8

Hermione POV

The next morning, Hermione spent more time getting ready than she normally did. She took time to smooth out her hair, using her own mixture of Sleekeazy and Muggle hair products. It had been a summer project one year. Though it had been more for fun and research, she was glad she had mastered an "antidote" for her frizz-fest that was called hair. Being able to style herself had given her a level of self-confidence she hadn't possessed in her younger years when it came to outward appearances. Typically, Hermione was more concerned about what was in someone's head and their heart, however, this morning she felt the urge to look extra nice. Giving herself a final once over in the mirror, she decided she actually did look quite pretty. The touch of makeup she had applied enhanced the chocolate flavor of her eyes and the hint of color she had placed on her lips made they appear fuller. She had never considered herself a beauty like Ginny or Fleur, but she was pleased with her result.

She waited for her roommate. Now that they were officially friends, she didn't see a reason for them not to walk together to the Great Hall each morning. When he exited his bedroom, she beamed. He was wearing his school robes, same as any other day, but today he looked better. His hair seemed to shine with a new healthy glow, which contrasted against the dark colors of his clothes and made the emerald of his house colors more vibrant. It was clear he had had a good night's sleep. The dark rings under his eyes had lessened and his head wasn't hanging down. There was a change in Malfoy, a lightness to his movements, as if a huge weight had been removed from his shoulders. He smiled back at her and together they wished Glanmore a good day and departed.

"The Practice Pitch is available this afternoon. Are you up for another flying lesson?" He asked as they walked down to breakfast.

"Won't one of the house teams be using it?"

"We're in luck. Weaselette scored the full pitch for today's practice."

"Weaselette? Can't you call her Ginny?"

He pretended to think it over for a minute, before shaking his head. "Doesn't have quite the same ring to it."

"You're never going to get any friends acting like that."

"I don't need any other friends. I have you; a one witch army."

Hermione felt her heart skip a beat at that. His words were so effortless and honest. She glanced over at him. He was smiling to himself. It had been years since she had seen him look so content. The way his lips turned up and the light in his eyes altered his normally dreary appearance. The dark brooding Draco Malfoy was gone. He had morphed into a satisfied, nearly cheerful version of his former self. Attributing his good mood to their friendship, she tried once again suggesting he reach out to some of his classmates. If he had more friends, he was likely to keep up with his current mood.

"Why don't you try talking to someone at the Slytherin table this morning?"

"Why?"

"For something new." Hermione shrugged, behaving as if it wasn't a big deal. Perhaps if she made it more of his idea than her own, he would heed her suggestion.

"I don't like any of them," he replied. "And none of them like me."

"What about Astoria? She's nice."

He rolled his eyes. "Daphne is a beast. She was always hanging around Pansy. Her younger sister probably suffers the same poor judgement."

"How do you know if you've never talked to her outside Prefect meetings?"

"Case and point, she's dating Flaccus."

"And here I was, wondering why you needed a friend."

"Ha, ha, Granger, very funny."