A/N Alas, I do not own Harry Potter. I have just taken Jo's brilliance and played around with it.

Hermione’s Diary: April 3

Dear Diary,

I’ll never say it. Not out loud at least. I’ll say it to myself over and over again, just because I like hearing it. It’ll be my secret. Nobody has to know anyway. It’s not my fault he’s so (I’m sorry Ron, but I’m using you favorite word) bloody handsome!

No it’s not Harry or Ron or even Seamus. It’s Malfoy, ( to myself I like to refer to him as Draco) I know, Diary, if you could talk you’d scream, “WHAT?? MALFOY? ARE YOU CRAZY?” But he’s changed, he really has. He’s no longer mean and hateful all the time. Ever since his father dies he has stopped being as Malfoyish. But, I know he’ll never stop hating me. I’ll always just be Granger the Mudblood to him.

Oh, I wish it could be different, I really do. I wish I could drop to my feet in front of him and pour out my feelings. I would tell him everything, even about how much I love that little smirk of his he always seems to be wearing. I would tell him that in the last few months of my life I have been spending all of my spare time thinking about him. Or about how I have thrown out a dozen essays because they were too full of ‘Mrs. Hermione Malfoy’ or ‘Mrs. Draco Malfoy’ or ‘ Hermione and Draco, True love forever’ or Hermione loves Draco’ to be able to fit anything else on them. I would tell him that he is the only guy I have ever REALLY liked. Victor (not Vicky) does not count, because I really didn’t like him that much. I thought of him as more of a friend. I wish I could do all those things, but I know I can’t, because he would avoid me forever, not to mention mock me until the day I die. I would be rejected, which is something I’m not used to, and I don’t want to experience it anytime soon, thank you very much.

You, my dear Diary, are the only one I can trust with my secret. Because I know you’d never tell.

---

Hermione was awoken early one Sunday morning to Lavender and Parvati’s shrieks.

“He asked you?”

“Yes! I have been waiting forever for Seamus to ask me to go to Hogsmead with him and he finally did!”

Lavender saw that Hermione was awake and sauntered over to her. She then pulled her out of her bed and started dancing around the room with her chanting (“I’m going to Hogsmead with Seamus! I’m going to Hogsmead with Seamus!”) over and over again. She said it so many times that Hermione was sure they would all be saying it in their sleep.

When she finally broke free of Lavender’s death grip, Hermione walked over to her trunk to pick out today’s outfit. She ended up choosing a light green T-shirt and a long, flowing white skirt.

She headed to the bathroom. Even above the roar of the steaming hot water of her shower, Hermione could still hear Parvati and Lavender squealing.

‘Oh, goodness! Will they ever get over themselves?’ Hermione wondered. ‘Probably not.’ She answered her own question.

Hermione turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. She wrapped her hair in a towel, got dressed, and began to primp herself.

She removed the towel and preformed a drying spell on her hair, followed by straightening one. As always it didn’t quite work, but much to her satisfaction, instead of being bushy, it now framed her face in soft chestnut curls.

She then put on a thin layer of mascara and a dab of lip gloss and exited the bathroom.

“Oooh, you look nice. Going somewhere? Meeting someone?” Parvati teased.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Do you have to be going somewhere to look nice?”

“No.”

“Well then I’ll be going.”

“Oh, so you are going somewhere.”

“I’m going to take a walk by the lake before breakfast.”

“How romantic!” Lavender gushed.

“I’m going alone!” With that Hermione turned on her heel and left the dormitory. As she descended the stairs Lavender and Parvati burst into a fresh fit of giggles.

After hearing this Hermione muttered “Some people just don’t know when to stop.”

---

When Hermione stepped onto the school grounds she was thrilled to see what a beautiful day it was. The sum was shining, causing the lake to sparkle as though it was made of millions of tiny gemstones.

She walked along the lake for a few moments before seeing that another person was out enjoying the beautiful day as well. Curious, she walked closer. All she could tell at this point was that it was a guy. But, soon she began to make out other details of The Mystery Man. He was about 6”1, blonde and was wearing baggy jeans and a rather tight forest green long sleeved shirt. Mystery Man was sitting on a boulder, starring out into the lake. The slight breeze ruffled his hair.

“Malfoy?”


A/N Yeah, cliff hanger I know. But, hey you've all done it to me so there...lol. Please review so I can know when to post the next chapter

He turned to face her, his trademark smirk on his pale face.

“What d’you want?”

Just as I thought Hermione thought bitterly, He hates me.

“Well, are you going to answer my question?” Malfoy asked, his silver-blue eyes glinting.

“Which one?” Hermione asked innocently.

“Both of them.”

“Fine, not that it is any of your business. Yes, I am going to answer your question and I was taking a walk.”

“Oh.” Malfoy seemed lost for words.

“What about you?”

“Thinking. I come out her most mornings.”

Why does she have to be so beautiful? Malfoy wondered to himself. But it’s not like it matters, because she hates me.

“Well, I guess I’ll be going now.” Hermione turned to walk away.

“No!” Malfoy blurted out. “I want to talk to you.”

Hermione’s heart lurched. She turned around and walked closer to the boulder. “So? What do you want?” Hermione tried her best to keep her cool.

“Like I said before, I come out here to think. And, well, lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how I’ve been treating you for all these years. I mean for 6 years I’ve been mean and hateful. So, I just wanted to say sorry and can we be friends?”

“Oh, of course we can be friends!” Hermione decided she sounded a little too enthusiastic but didn’t care.

“Cool, I was hoping you’d say that. One more thing, please call me Draco. I’m not proud to be a Malfoy and I hate being called that.”

“Ok, as long as you call me Hermione.”

Draco scooted over on the rock to make room for Hermione, who say cross-legged next to him, carefully placing her skirt so nothing showed.

The new friends were silent for a while. Draco broke the silence. “I’ve always wondered what you are really like, you know.”

“What d’you mean?” Hermione asked, confused.

“Well, what kind of music you like, what kind of books you read, I mean not counting text books and Hogwarts, A History.”

At that comment they both started laughing uncontrollably.

When she was finally able to regain her composure, Hermione replied, “Well, I do like the Weird Sisters, but at home I listen to Muggle groups and stuff.”

“Oh, I guess I wouldn’t recognize any of them.”

“What about you?”

“I, personally, can’t stand the Weird Sisters. I like The Neglected. They are one of the less known bands, but are really cool.”

“No, you’re right, I don’t recognize them.”

Their conversation went on like this for a while until Draco looked at his watch.

“It’s getting late, I’ve got to go. I guess we’ll talk later?”

“Yeah, bye.”

Hermione watched as Draco walked back to the castle. She was disappointed that he had to leave, but couldn’t help smiling. Well that’s one stop further!

Just as she turned away and looked out into the lake, Draco turned back to face her, from afar. Oh, how her loved the way she corrected Potty and the Weasel and the way she knew the answer to every question asked. I’m now one step closer to getting what I want. Hermione.

The Great Hall was all hustle and bustle as usual. Hermione had finally come into the castle after sitting on “Draco’s Rock” (yes, she had taken the liberty to name it) for over and hour.

She slid into a seat between Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table and looked around her. Not only were there Gryffindors seated at the table, but Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and even a couple Slytherins. On weekends, they were aloud to sit at any of the house tables. This was because of a new idea Dumbledor came up with (which he called Mingle and Mix, but would be more appropriately described if it was called Hex and Hit) to help “improve house unity.” What he didn’t realize though was that although it did give students a chance to talk to friends in other houses, but most of the time was spent insulting and trying to hurt people they didn’t like. Needless to say, this was one of Dumbledor’s less brilliant ideas.

A few weeks ago, Harry had finally gotten up the nerve to ask Ginny out. She accepted the offer immediately. They seemed to be off in their own little world at the moment so Hermione decided not to bother them.

“Hermione?” Ron was finally finished stuffing his face. “Have you seen Luna?”

“Oh, is Ickle Ronnikins sad because his girlfriend isn’t here?” Hermione teased.

“Shut up, Hermione!” Ron’s ears turned red. He was still embarrassed about having asked Luna out.

“Hey, Ron, sorry I’m late!” Luna slid into the seat on Ron’s other side.

“Morning, Lune.” Ron said after giving her a quick good morning kiss.

“Ah,” Luna sighed looking over at Harry and Ginny, who were currently deep in what seemed like, a romantic conversation (yes, at the breakfast table) “True love is completely wonderful, is it not? Just overwhelming!”

“Yeah, whatever, I gotta go.” With that Hermione got up from the table and left the Great Hall.

*That Night*

Hermione’s diary

April 4

Dear Diary,

I think I love him! I go to talk to him today, as a friend not Granger the Mudblood. And he asked me if we could be friends. I said yes, of course.

I would say more, but it’s late and I should go to bed. I won’t want to have big bags under my eyes tomorrow!

---

“Oh, no!” Harry groaned the next morning. “It’s double Potions with the Slytherins.”

“Snape and Malfoy for two hours!” Ron added with just as much (if not more) disgust than Harry.

“Oh, lighten up, it won’t be that bad.” Hermione said.

“Did you hear me? I said ‘SNAPE AND MALFOY FOR TWO HOURS’” Ron put more emphasis on his complaint.

“Yes I heard you.”

Harry and Ron just stared at her, mouths hanging open, in shock.

“Do we need to take you to the psychiatric ward at St. Mungo’s?” Ron finally offered.

“No, I just thought we should be more…mature about this. I mean we are going to graduate next year.” Hermione was quick to cover up her mistake.

“Ok…whatever.” Harry was still unsure how to react.

“Let’s go, wouldn’t want to upset Snape!” Hermione said all too cheerfully.

The trio went through the maze of dungeons before arriving at Snape’s classroom, right on time.

“Sit down!” he said coldly when they walked into the room. “Today,” he addressed the class, “We will be making a Pure Potion. Few of you will succeed, but you must try, yes even you Longbottom. Directions are on the board and ingredients in the supply closet. Begin.”

Draco didn’t start right away.

Hermione hurried to the supply closet to begin her potion. Across the room, someone was watching.

“Mr. Malfoy, kindly begin your potion.” Snape said.

“Yes, sir.” He mumbled and headed to the supply closet.


A/N Please review. Oh, and watch out for the next chapter. I'm submitting it right now.

“Please prick your finger and add one drop of your blood to the potion,” Snape said an hour later.

The class followed his orders, though rather reluctantly.

“A light green mist should be hovering over your potion at this time.”

Hermione panicked. Her potion had a heavy red fog over it. She re-read the directions, making sure everything had been done correctly. She couldn’t figure out what she had done wrong.

All of a sudden she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. She turned around quickly, finding herself facing Snape. “Well, well, well, Miss Granger. Not up to your normal standards today are you? Now, can you tell me what the name of this potion is?”

“Yes, sir, it’s the Pure Potion.”

“And, what do you know about this potion?”

Hermione hesitated.

“Miss Granger?”

“Nothing, sir. I’ve never heard of it.” Hermione said quietly.

Snape walked to his desk, picked up a book and walked back to Hermione.

“Please turn to page 394.”

Hermione turned to the page.

“Read it.”

“The Pure Potion has no real purpose, except to test a witch or wizards ancestry. Half-Bloods and Muggle-borns are not able to properly brew this potion. Hermione snapped the book shut and lost her temper. “You evil person! I can’t believe that you would reach so low as to do such a thing! I mean I know you are a horrible teacher and should never have been hired, and were only hired because of the great man Dumbledor is, but still! Why? Why would you do such a thing? To lower my grade? To make sure your precious pure-blood Slytherins get better marks than me? To-”

Snape grabbed hold of her wrist to silence her. “Miss Granger, you are just a filthy little Mudblood. Nothing more. if I was headmaster people like you would not come to Hogwarts. I chose this potion to prove that my students are better than you-” It was Snape’s turn to be cut off.

“Professor Snape? Can you help me please?”

“No, Draco your potion is perfect.”

“But-”

“Draco! I must tend to the Mudblood.”

Hermione’s eyes were brimming with angry tears.

“Like I was saying, Miss Granger, you are a Mud-”

“Stop it!”

“Excuse me, Mr Malfoy?”

“I said stop! Do I need to speak louder or more clearly? Pure-bloods are no better than muggleborns and you know it. Look at Crabbe and Goyle here. They are pure bloods and are as stupid as a house elf-”

Hermione scowled. Draco saw.

“Er, rather a flobberworm. Hermione on the other hand is the most brilliant witch in our year.”

“And what does that prove Mr Malfoy?”

Hermione found her voice. “It proves that who your family is doesn’t make a difference in intelligence.”

The bell rang.

“Class dismissed! Mr Malfoy and Miss Granger, please meet me in my office tonight at 7 o’ clock.”

Hermione gathered her things, picked up her bag and stormed out of the classroom. Ron and Harry were waiting outside.

“You know what is really sad?” Hermione asked stomping past them. They hurried after her but didn’t answer her rhetorical question. “Malfoy was the only one who could defend me! The only one! You were too scared to stick up for your BEST FRIEND!” All of a sudden she whirled around to face them. “I thought you guys would always be there for me.” She said this much more quietly and sounded almost vulnerable. “But you weren’t.” With that she turned on her heel and started to walk to Arithmancy.” Harry and Ron stood there dumbfounded.

Hermione managed to get through the rest of the day without speaking to a single Gryffindor.

At 6:30 Hermione headed to Snape’s office, so she could be there by 7, just like he asked. On the way she ran into Draco. They walked together in silence for a moment.

“Draco,” Hermione said, breaking the silence, “I never got to thank you for what you did today. It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. I mean-” she pauses to wipe away the tears that were streaming down her face. “Harry and Ron are supposed to be my best friends and they couldn’t even stick up for me.” She couldn’t go on any longer because she was crying so hard.

Draco stopped and pulled her into an empty classroom. “You are not coming out of here until you stop crying. I doubt you’ll want to face Snape like this.”

Hermione didn’t answer and just kept crying.

“Clear your mind. It’ll help.”

“I can’t”

“Yes, you can.”

Hermione shook her head.

“Well, what’s on your mind?”

“I can’ tell you.”

“Why?”

“You’ll laugh.”

“Will not.”

“Will too.”

“Won’t.”

“Will.”

They both started to laugh.

“Tell me.”

“You.”
“What?”

“You are on my mind.” There she said it out loud.

“Really?” He looked as if he didn’t believe her.

“See! I told you!” She started to cry again.

“Hermione, no, I would never do anything to hurt you. I love you.”

“You love me?”

“Yes, very much.”

“I feel the same way.”

Draco gently cupped her face in his hand and lifted her face so he could look into her eyes. “I love you, Hermione,” he whispered again.

Their lips came closer and closer until they met softly.

The kiss deepened. Draco let go of her face and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Hermione locked her arms around his neck.

Hermione broke the kiss. “Uh, we still have to go see Snape.”

Draco sighed. “You’re right.” He offered her his hand, which she took willingly.

Hand in hand they walked down the corridor, towards the dungeon.

---

A/N: yes it's over...who caught the PoA movie reference in there? A sequel will be submitted shortly.