[ten]

The Great Hall was buzzing with energy when Draco and his friends entered it for supper. Hermione was standing, looking a bit unsure, next to him. "We'll be on the Slytherin table if you need us." Draco said to her quietly.

Hermione peered over his shoulder to glance at Draco's friends, only to find them smirking at them "What?" Hermione narrowed her eyes

"Nothing. We'll go grab the space at the end of the table for you, Draco." Pansy snickered and sauntered ahead

"I think I'll go talk to Harry now." Hermione sighed

"Come and find me if you need me, Granger." Draco said coolly, but his eyes held a certain type of worry in them "I mean it." he added

"I know, Malfoy, and I will." Hermione nodded and walked over to the Gryffindor table before Draco can notice the sudden rush of heat on her cheeks. When she arrived at her house's table, her heart was still racing - from the anxiety of seeing Ron or because of Draco's sudden care she didn't know. "Harry, you wanted to speak?" Hermione asked

"I didn't know if Malfoy was actually going to pass the message." Harry laughed unsurely

"Hermione, listen." Ron began

"Not now, Ron." Hermione looked at him tiredly before turning to Harry "Outside, please?"

"Alright." Harry nodded and squeezed Ginny's hand before standing

"Ron, behave yourself." Ginny warned quietly

The people around them had seen how Ron and Hermione just spoke to each other, and were already whispering amongst themselves the reason for their quarrel. The red tinge on Ron's cheeks intensified the people's curiosity, but he shut his mouth and just continued his meal. Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione had proceeded to speak just out the Great Hall, where the moonlight's silence offered Hermione some peace.

"I see Malfoy's been kind to you." Harry pointed out as he casually leaned against the wall next to where Hermione was seated

"He has been." Hermione agreed with a sigh "Surprisingly, I guess."

"Surprisingly is damn right." Harry laughed humorlessly "Are you sure you can trust the git?"

"Am I sure?" Hermione chuckled "Harry, I was sure Ron wasn't going to hurt me, and look what's been happening. I don't know if I'm sure of anything at all anymore."

"So you don't trust him?" Harry asked with a raised brow

"I do. I do trust him." Hermione said "I trust his word, at least, that he's been trying his best to be better. I see it."

"Are you certain you aren't being naive, Hermione?" Harry asked with a sigh

At that, Hermione paused. Was she being naive? It's only been a couple of weeks, days even, since this whole thing started, after all. "I suppose I am, but I have a feeling it's worth it." Hermione said "Do you know what I mean? It's like a gut feeling, Harry, I can't exactly explain it. All I know is that he's being true, and that as of now, I can trust his word."

"You haven't been imperiused, have you?" Harry joked

"Harry!" Hermione scolded with a laugh, but at that joke she knew that Harry did not just understand her, he trusted her judgement.

"Look, I just needed to know you're still being cautious. He put us through so much, even if he had conflicting loyalties, he wasn't a very good person." Harry said "You're my sister, Hermione, I just wanted to be sure you're safe."

Hermione smiled and tugged at Harry's hand to sit him next to her "I know, and I'm grateful for it, Harry."

"I do understand where Ron's coming from, despite the odd way he shows it." Harry shook his head "I still don't trust Malfoy. I think it will take much more than a right hook to prove his loyalty, but I do trust you."

"I understand him too, Harry. I'm just not quite sure I like the odd way he shows it." Hermione muttered "But thank you for trusting me."

"I heard you helped him with his patronus." Harry mentioned after a pause "Rumor has been going around that he couldn't conjure one, but here we are."

"It's a difficult charm, there's no shame in not being able to cast one." Hermione shrugged "But Malfoy will be Malfoy, and he didn't want Ron to best him. I had to help, otherwise I'd be stuck with a sulking blonde for the whole term."

"You had to help him because he didn't want Ron to best him, or you had to help him because you care for him?" Harry asked with raised brows "You looked quite flushed earlier after he whispered something to you, Hermione."

Hermione's cheeks flared with heat once again, and she cursed herself for it "Have you been watching me, Harry Potter?"

"More like have I been watching him." Harry rolled his eyes "I think you're forgetting that you're talking to the same man who stalked Draco Malfoy throughout our sixth year. I wanted to see if he was up to something fishy against you, of course I'd be watching."

Hermione rolled her eyes "Yes, I do care for Draco." she said quietly "But, no, not like that. I still have Ron."

"Yes, and your relationship is in shambles." Harry shrugged "I'd understand if you started to catch feelings for someone else, especially since you two do have a common room to yourselves. I just hope you aren't acting on those feelings."

"I care for him, but not like that." Hermione repeated "I'm certain, Harry. I love Ron, we just hit a slump that's all."

Right?

"Alright, I trust your word." Harry nodded "I do hope you know that I understand you and I trust you, Hermione. Even if it feels like I'm always next to Ron, you're my best friend too."

"I know, Harry." Hermione smiled warmly and wrapped her arms around her best friend "I'm lucky to have you."

"Damn right you are, I saved the whole world." Harry snickered

"Oh shut up!" Hermione laughed and punched his arm "We saved the world."

"We did." Harry said with a smile.

When Harry was sure enough that he can leave Hermione in the questionable hands of Draco Malfoy for the rest of the year, they went back into the Great Hall to continue supper. Ron, even Harry, had thought that Hermione would sit with them that evening, but she made a beeline for the Slytherin table.

Surprised that she actually came to find him, Draco made space for Hermione to sit "Talk with Potter went okay?"

"Better than okay. He's a good friend." Hermione smiled

"Well, I for one feel like you should try this garlic shrimp, Hermione." Theo said, causing Hermione's gaze at Draco to break as Theo began piling her plate with food

"Teddy, enough." Hermione laughed and sat down "I don't eat that much."

"Nott, you're over-doing it." Blaise muttered and rolled his eyes

"I seriously haven't seen Goyle all day." Pansy frowned

"Been with Millicent, if you know what I mean." A voice said behind them

"Oh disgusting, Goyle, can you not see we're having supper?" Blaise scowled

"Now sex is disgusting for you?" Goyle laughed and sat next to Pansy

"It's only disgusting when it's with Bulstrode." Blaise faked a gag before stuffing his mouth with shrimp

"And who do we have here?" Goyle asked, glancing between Draco and Hermione