Hermione takes her first steps in giving Draco her trust.

Hermione gasped at Draco’s admission, her eyes widening in wonder as she tried to comprehend Draco’s confession.

He was falling in love with her?

How was that possible?

Did he really mean it or was this part of some elaborate scheme on his part?

Or Lord Malfoy’s part?

Shaking her head, Hermione went to stand up, but Draco squeezed her hand to get her attention before she could run away.

“I can see your big, beautiful brain working from here. This isn’t some ploy on my part and I’m being completely sincere. I know you don’t feel anything remotely close to how I feel for you, and Malfoy’s are raised to not show weakness of any kind. But you deserve no less from me and if I’m being completely honest? You deserve far better than me. But I’m a selfish wizard, Hermione and I want to be part of your life.”

“You don’t know what your asking of me, Malfoy. I’m a mudblood, remember?”

Draco shook his head angrily and growled out in warning, “That’s enough! I don’t want to hear that word come out of your mouth ever again! Even if it was true, and I think we both know it’s not—but even if it was—I don’t want to hear you talking about yourself if that way ever again!”

Hermione head whipped back like she’d been slapped.

“You’re serious?”

“Deadly. I’d meant it when I said it to the Weasel, and I mean it now. Do you think it’s easy for me hearing other people call you that name? Knowing it was me, who started it back in first year? That it was because of me that you were alienated, taunted and hurt more times than I even want to think about? I deserve every censure you might send my way, and no amount of apologies can adequately show you how truly remorseful I feel.”

Hermione’s eyes welled with tears and she took a few breaths, valiantly trying to keep them from falling as she stared into Draco’s pain-filled face.

He really was sorry for all he’d put her through, as she could feel his anguish coming off him in waves. This was something she’d never thought would happen and yet, here was the bane of her existence, asking for forgiveness and trust...and blast it all to Hades...but her heart wanted desperately to believe him and she didn’t completely understand why.

Sitting back down, she sighed in resignation as she considered everything that Draco had told her and decided that perhaps she needed for once, to go with her gut and take a chance.

“You want me to trust you, Malfoy? Fine. I’m going to go against my logical mind, and go with my gut. Don’t make me regret this, because if you do I’ll make you suffer.”

“You have my solemn vow as a Malfoy and a wizard, love.”

Hermione stared in Draco’s eyes and paused, seeing the sincerity of his words reflected in his gaze. Nodding, Hermione began to talk. The words came out haltingly at first, but grew in confidence as she progressed with her story.

“At the end of first year, when I went home I was an emotional mess. The stress from the year had finally caught up with me and I was inconsolable.” At this confession Hermione could feel Draco’s arms tighten. “My parents sat down and apologized for not telling me that I was adopted. Apparently a woman, they assumed to be my biological mother because she was wearing a cloak and carried a wand, came to their home one evening frantic and begged them to take me. She left me with them and disappeared. In the bassinet with me was a box, which had a family crest on it. Inside was this.” She lifted the charm and showed Draco the Gaunt family ring.

She could feel Draco nod. “That night when you sang to us, we used a pensieve to watch the memory and I saw this ring. Hermione, do you know what this stone is?”

Hermione looked at Draco in surprise that he’d recognized the stone. “Yes, I know what it is and what it represents.”

Draco just nodded, knowing he didn’t need anymore confirmation.

“I didn’t make the connection until second year, during your duel with Potter. When he spoke Parseltongue, I’d realized I could understand him, but I didn’t know why nor how. I’d never been around snakes as a child, so I didn’t know I could speak with them. That’s how I met Nagini. She is the familiar of my biological father, whom you’ve probably already guessed?”

Draco nodded seriously and whispered into Hermione’s ear. “The Dark Lord.”

Hermione just nodded once and Draco gently kissed the side of her neck.

“Ironic isn’t it? That the Heir of Slytherin has been ostracized from her own house here at Hogwarts.” Hermione sighed sadly.

“I’m truly sorry, Hermione, I know I keep saying it, but I’ll never be able to say it enough.”

“I know, Malfoy, and I do appreciate that your change of attitude towards me wasn’t only because of my Father and whom he is. Despite that, there’s not much more I can tell you. You’ve seen me with Nagini all year, so now you know that I’ve been in contact with my Father. He is returning....soon. What exactly that means, I don’t really know? I suspect your father and Professor Snape have already sussed out that much for themselves, well that, and my true identity.”

“Would you consider coming back and staying in the Slytherin Dorms?” Draco asked a bit hesitantly.

Hermione just shook her head. “I’ve been happy away and I’m not inclined to change that.”

Draco sighed resignedly, “Where have you been staying in the castle? We’ve all wondered about it but so far no one has been able to figure it out.”

Chuckling, Hermione turned around in Draco’s arms smiling. “Sorry, but I’m not telling you.” This caused Draco to sneer and she just smiled wider. “A girl has to have some secrets.”

“And you have plenty don’t you, you vicious evil witch?”

Hermione giggled and nodded. “Enough of them, I suppose.“

“Thank you for trusting me enough with the truth.” Draco said softly. “I know you have really no reason to do so, but I’m grateful for it nonetheless.”

“That alright, Malfoy,” Hermione grinned wickedly, “if you screw me over, you’ll also have my Father to deal with, and Nagini...”

Draco’s face paled in stark realization of Hermione’s words—and the truth behind those words. Gulping visibly, Draco nodded once and said shakily, “Right...”

Hermione giggled at Draco’s nervousness and she felt momentary pity for the wizard in front of her. He cleared his throat a bit and then smiled sheepishly. “Would it be alright if I kiss you again?”

Hermione gasped in surprise, but didn’t automatically dismiss the request—realizing on some level she was attracted to Draco, but also curious as to whether the previous kiss and her response to it was more reactionary, or really indicative of how she felt about the wizard.

Nodding once, Draco gently enveloped Hermione into his lap and brought his lips down to hers in a chaste, searching kiss.

It didn’t take long at all for those damn butterflies to erupt like wildfire through her stomach as Hermione moaned and Draco slowly deepened the kiss before pulling back. As much as he wanted to explore this with Hermione, he didn’t want to do anything she might feel uncomfortable with.

When their eyes met, Hermione blushed deeply while Draco just smiled happily, realizing that if nothing else, she was attracted to him and he could definitely work with that.