A/N: Hope you liked the last chapter. Thank you so much guys for 400+ views! And 80+ views for the first chapter! And thanks for reading and continuing to read this story! It means a lot. Read the A/N at the end to find out when the next chapter will come out. On with the chapter! 

"Hey Malfoy! How did it feel to not catch the Snitch for the umpteenth time?

"What happened, Mayfair?" Draco asked him.

"Nothing. I simply asked how did it feel when you failed to catch the Snitch?" Andy asked and smirked at him.

"Why are you acting like this?" Draco asked.

"Don't act so innocent, Malfoy. You know perfectly well why I am saying these all things." 

"For the last time, Mayfair, I don't have a clue about what you are saying."

"You know what, Malfoy? I reckon you got this amazing lying and acting skills from your parents. After all he did a great job at acting in front of the Wizengamot. I would have straight away given him the Dementor's Kiss for the traitor he is." Andy said.

Draco grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and said angrily, "Don't you dare say a word about my family, Mayfair. If I am treating you nicely, you have to do as well." 

Before Andy could say or do anything, a voice said, "What is going on here?" 

"Nothing Hermione. Just a friendly conversation was going on between Malfoy and me." Andy said as he looked at her.

Hermione turned her head to both the sides and saw no one was there, watching them or listening to their conversation. After all, it was an empty corridor. It was a few days after Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff Quidditch match. Lunch had recently finished and she was about to go to her next class, which was Double Potions with the Slytherins when she heard some voices and decided to check out. When she came, she found Draco holding Andy by his collar.

She walked towards them and said, "Leave him, Draco. What he has done to you?" 

"I will leave him after he tells me that what is his stupid problem." He said angrily.

"What do you mean?" She asked. When neither of them said anything, she grabbed Draco's hands and removed them for Andy's collars. She saw some kids coming and then she saw an empty classroom close to where they were standing. She told both of them to follow her and entered the classroom. 

She closed the door when they all had entered and turned towards them. "Explain your actions now, Draco." She said.

"Your dear Mayfair here decided to taunt me for not catching the Snitch in the opening game of the Quidditch season, for god knows why." Draco said.

"That doesn't explain the fact that you grabbed him by his collars." She said as she crossed her arms.

"Will you let me continue? As I was saying, everything was fine until he decided to insult my family. And you know me well enough to understand that I cannot stand a word against my family or my close ones." He explained.

"Very well. And now Andy will you please explain the purpose behind you saying all of this to him?" Hermione asked him, her tone surprisingly calm.

"He perfectly knows why I said all of those things." He sneered at Draco.

"Andrew Mayfair explain yourself now." Hermione told him.

"Yeah yeah. Chill. I heard him talking to some of his 'friends'. He was saying somethings about me or more like he was insulting me. I heard him saying that I am a traitor and I don't belong here. That I don't deserve to have any friends specially one like you, Hermione and he said that I had dirty blood and he also said some really bad things about my family, which I assure you that you don't want to hear." Andy explained it to her.

"When did this happened?" Hermione asked Andy.

"Yesterday. Right after we finished dinner in the Great Hall." He asnwered her.

Hermione turned towards Draco to see him looking at Andy with wide eyes. "How could you, Draco? You don't have a right to say those things about him." She said.

"Granger, I-" Draco started but Hermione cut him off.

"You get angry when someone says a word against your family and then you yourself go and insult someone else's family." Hermione said, her tone still calm despite of the anger she was feeling.

"Granger, listen to me. I-"

"No Malfoy, you have no right to say things like that when you don't know a damn thing about his past!"

"LISTEN TO ME, HERMIONE!" Draco shouted and was pleased when Hermione shut her mouth and did not interrupt him again.

"I did not say anything insulting about his family or about any other thing to him. Hell, I did not even say a word to him all day yesterday. And this is the first time I am talking to him since the day I asked him to go to our common room." Draco continued.

"More like ordered me." Andy muttered but both of them ignored him.

"And what proof do you have?" Hermione asked him.

"Are you really going to believe him over me, Hermione?" Draco asked her.

"Answer my question, Draco." Hermione said, trying her best not to think about how perfect her name sounded when he said it.

Draco smiled to himself when she said Draco and said, "Just a second." He turned towards Andy and said, "Who were those 'friends' with whom I was insulting your family?" 

"I don't know all of them but they all were Slytherins. Probably in your year. Though I know some of them. They were Headington, Marvery and Cavery." Andy answered.

"And as I recall, you mentioned that you were meeting some 'old friends' when I asked you why were you late in returning to our common room, Draco." Hermione said.

"That's not what I meant yesterday when I returned, Granger. And that is not even a proof, Mayfair. Only you saw me and my friends talking, right? No one else." Draco said.

"Wait, someone else was there too. I remember that Nearly Headless Nick was there, passing by, when I heard you and your friends talking yesterday." Andy said.

"Then we should ask him." Hermione said and opened the door of the classroom, She stepped out and Draco and Andy followed her.

As if on cue, Hermione saw Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor house ghost, passing by. "Sir Nicholas!" Hermione called him.

"Hermione! Good to see you." Nick said as he came near her. 

Hermione had already told Draco and Andy to hide behind one of the statues as she wanted to ask him by herself. "It's good to see you too, Sir Nicholas. I actually wanted to ask you something." She asked him.

"And what that might be, dear Hermione?"

"I wanted to ask you that did you see anyone insulting Andy- I mean Andrew Mayfair's family yesterday?"

"Hmm...let me think." Nick said and after a few moments, told her, "Yes. Yes, I heard Mr Malfoy and some other Slytherins insulting Mr Mayfair's family yesterday. Why do you ask that?"

"Oh nothing. I just wanted to know that if someone's troubling Andrew Mayfair or not. It's my duty as the Head Girl to help him." 

"Okay. I think I should go now. And you should too. Classes are starting in three minutes." Nick said and went away after Hermione thanked him.

She went towards Draco and Andy and said, "And what do you have to say now, Draco?"

"It-it's not the truth. I swear, I did not insult him. I-" Draco started but was cut off again. This time by Andy, and not as expected Hermione.

"I think it is quite clear now that I am stating the truth."

"Unless Draco has some proof?" Hermione asked him.

"No. No, I don't have." He answered as he looked down at his feet.

"Very well. I think you should apologize to him, Draco." Hermione said.

"But I didn't do anything. I did not insult him or his family." Draco said.

Just as Hermione was about to say anything, the bell rang that signals the start or end of a class. "I think we should go to our classes." She said and left before any of them could say anything.

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All through the day, Hermione ignored Draco. Or more like, she ignored Blaise and Theo too, but only when they tried to convince them that Draco didn't say anything about Andy. 

After dinner finished, she went to their common room. Just as she stepped in the common room, she saw Draco sitting on the couch, a Gryffindor red colour couch.

She made her way towards her room when he stopped her. 

"Hermione listen to me." Draco said.

"I don't have time for this, Malfoy." She said.

"I have a proof that I didn't say anything about Mayfair or his family."

"What?" Hermione asked with a shocking expression.

"Yes, you heard me correctly. I have a proof to prove my innocence." He said.

"And what that might be, may I ask?" Hermione asked.

"Yes you may." Draco said and chuckled at his own joke. But upon seeing Hermione's stern expression, he quickly said, "I mean that you remember that Mayfair said that I insulted him right after dinner, right?" He continued when Hermione nodded, "Well, yesterday McGonagall had called me in her office right after dinner along with Blaise and Theo. That's why I was late. You can ask McGonagall if you want. Right now." 

"Then we shall ask her." Hermione said and they both together made their way towards McGonagall's office.

-----------

"Yes, Mr Malfoy is absolutely correct, Miss Granger. I called him along with Mr Zabini and Mr Nott yesterday in my office. Right after dinner, if I may add." Headmistress McGonagall said.

"But then Andrew Mayfair said that-" Hermione started but was cut off, which wasn't often.

"Said that Mr Malfoy insulted him and his family yesterday with his friends. I know about that. Mr Malfoy told me this and asked me if he could have the permission to come here with you after dinner. Otherwise did you really think that I would have remained this calm when you two entered my office after curfew?" McGonagall asked him.

"I am sorry, Headmistress McGonagall. It's just that I asked Nick- I mean Sir Nicholas and he said that he had heard them. And I don't think he was lying." Hermione said.

"I know him from very long ago. And I know him well enough to know that he wasn't lying to you. He doesn't lie until and unless there's something worth important to lie for." McGonagall said.

"But if what Sir Nicholas is saying is the truth, then how can Draco be at two places at the same time?" Hermione asked.

"Who said that at both the places, Mr Malfoy was there?" McGonagall said.

"I don't understand, Headmistress?" Draco asked.

"Have you ever considered that someone could have been temporarily assuming the physical appearance of you, Mr Malfoy?" McGonagall asked.

"You mean someone had used Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Draco?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, it can be considered. Also, Professor Slughorn informed me that someone had stolen a vial of Polyjuice Potion from his Potions' cabinet day before yesterday." 

"But who would do that? And why?" Draco asked.

"Only time and your brains will answer to your question, Mr Malfoy. But for now, I think you both should go back to your common room."

"Thank you, Headmistress. We should go now. Goodnight Headmistress McGonagall." Draco said and was about to turn when McGonagall said, "Can I have a moment with you, Miss Granger? Mr Malfoy, will you please wait outside?" 

"Sure Professor." They both said simultaneously and Draco left her office.

"I understand your intentions behind taking Mr Mayfair's side. I know you want to be there for him because nobody really accepts or talks to him. But you have to see the truth too, Miss Granger." Headmistress McGonagall said.

"I am sorry Headmistress. I didn't want to take any sides but at that time I thought it was the truth." 

"People make mistakes, and learn from that, Miss Granger. It's natural to do so. But I hope that next time you will be more careful while believing what is the truth." 

"I will. Thank you Headmistress." Hermione said and was about to leave when McGonagall interrupted her.

"Mr Malfoy is a good man, Miss Granger. He would do no such thing, I assure you. You should believe and have a trust in him. And I think you know what to do now. Goodnight." Headmistress McGonagall said and smiled at her when Hermione nodded in response.

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"Draco!" Hermione said as soon as she entered their common room. He was once again sitting on the couch, the Gryffindor red couch. He had not waited outside McGonagall's office as she had asked him too. He had straightaway came to their common room.

Draco sighed and got up from the couch, not even once making eye contact with her. 

"Draco, listen to me! Please!" Hermione said and grasped his wrist.

"What do you want?" Draco said and freed his wrist from her grasp and made his way towards his room.

He was about to open the door when he felt someone hugging him from back. He looked down to see Hermione's hands around his torso. He felt her resting her head against his shoulder. He smiled despite of the hurt that he was feeling because she chose Andy over him.

"I am so sorry, Draco. I am sorry that I did not believe you. I am sorry that I reacted that way." Hermione said.

Draco removed her arms that were wrapped around him and turned around to face her. He didn't leave her hands. 

"It's okay, Granger." He said. He was still holding her hands.

"No, it's not. I was so angry that I didn't see things from your point of view or listen to your reasonings." 

"It's fine-"

"And I didn't even gave you a chance to explain yourself after Nick told us what had happened." 

"Granger, really it's-"

"I am so sorry, Draco. I shouldn't have-" Hermione started but was cut off, for the second time in an hour. 

Draco cut her off by suddenly hugging her, taking her by surprise. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled when she too wrapped her arms around him.

"I am sorry again, Draco. You are a good man and I trust you." She said smiling.

"It's okay, Hermione, really. And I will never break your trust." He said and smiled again.

-------------

Hermione entered the common room next morning to find it empty. He is still sleeping, she thought. As it was a Sunday, Draco liked to sleep till late.

She was brought out from her thoughts as she heard someone tapping on the common room's window. 

She looked over to see an owl tapping its wings against the window.

She walked over to the window and opened it. She took the letter from the owl and it flew after she gave it a few treats.

She recognised the handwriting on the front very well. She opened the letter as she sat down on the couch, a Slytherin green couch. 

Dear Hermione,

How are you? It's been so long since I have written to you. Wait, this is the first letter I am writing to you since your Hogwarts year started. Bloody hell. I am sorry for that. I have been so busy at work that I didn't even send a single letter to Harry or Ginny either. I have been a terrible friend by not replying to your letters. Sorry! But anyways, let's talk about something else. How are your studies going? Perfect, as always. Is Malfoy giving you any trouble? I hope that you are handling him just as fine. By the way, I brought this owl that delievered you this letter a couple of weeks ago from Diagon Alley. As I gave Pig  to Ginny, I didn't really have an owl. I had to use my friend's owl, here at work. So I finally decided to buy an owl. His name's Rusky. So, I don't know if I should tell you this or not, but I think I fancy a girl I met at the Ministry of Magic. Her name is Esthenia Wood. Wood? Oliver Wood? Ring any bells? She is his younger sister. She was in the year above us in Ravenclaw. She's also a Keeper for her team in Hogwarts. Remember that match in our third year, where Harry rode the Firebolt for the first time? It was against Ravenclaw. But she didn't play in that match. I heard that she was sick or something. Anyway, unlike her elder brother, she didn't pursue Quidditch as a career after Hogwarts. She works at the Ministry.  

The thing is, you are the first person I am talking to about this. And I don't want you to tell anyone about this. And I mean anyone. Not Harry, not Ginny. No one. I want to be the one to tell them and I will do so when the time is right. Or more lile, when I have the courage to ask her out!

I just wanted to say sorry to you. Not for the not replying one again. But for not helping you at Lucius Malfoy's trial. You know that I don't like their a family a bit. And even if I could have helped, I would not have been of any use since I didn't have any proof that he was innocent. And I know I am saying sorry a bit late, but you know me. I don't do well in apologising. Now don't start remembering Justin Bieber's song Sorry when you read this, because I know you will. And I am also sorry for reacting the way I did at your birthday.  I had a nightmare that morning, one which included you, me, Harry, Malfoy, Bellatrix at the Malfoy Manor. You know what I am talking about. And then when I saw him near you, I just felt angry that he stood there watching us and didn't even help us. Anyways, my Head is calling me and I have to go now. Bye.

Until you write in response!

Ron

Hermione sighed happily as she read his letter. He is not the usual git now, maybe a bit, but not much, at least that's what she thought.

She smiled as she re read his letter.

"Good morning." She looked over from the letter, startled, to see Draco standing there, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"Good morning, sleepy head." She said as she chuckled.

"Why are you smiling so early in the morning?" He asked as he sat down beside her, yawning. He was still sleepy. Merlin, if it wasn't for that stupid alarm clock that Blaise and Theo had kept near his bed the day before, he would have slept for an hour more. If only he knew about that damned alarm clock. I would surely kill Blaise and Theo later, he thought. 

"It's not so early in the morning, Draco. It's half past seven. And no nothing, there was not any particular reason for what I was smiling. It's just that I recieved Ron's letter a few minutes ago." Hermione said as she put the letter down on the table in front of her.

"Well I think that you are happy with him then." Draco said, his tone a bit bitter, but he didn't why. 

Hermione laughed when he said that. "Who told you that? Have you been living under a rock for the past months? It was all over the Daily Prophet when we broke up." She said.

"Well, I had stopped reading the Daily Prophet after the war. You know because of the things it said about..." Draco said but faltered.

"I know." She said as she placed her hand on his knee. She knew perfectly well what he was talking about.

"Anyways, why did you guys bream up?" He asked her.

"Oh, we both thought that we were better off as friends. We both felt very awkward around each other when we were dating." She said.

"Hmm okay. You know I actually thought that you would have broken up with him by now. After all, who could put up with such a git for so long?" Draco said as he placed his finger on his chin, pretending to be thinking over that.

"Draco!" She said as she playfully smacked his shoulder. But she was still laughing, and so was he.

And everything was perfect for that day at least.

Not.

-----------

"Hey Harry! Where are you going?" 

"I am sorry Ginny, but I don't have time for this now." Harry said as he made his way among the crowd of students after finishing breakfast.

"But where are you going?" Ginny said. She was closely following him.

"I really have to go, Ginny. We will talk later." Harry said as he almost made his way out of the crowd.

But Ginny wasn't the one to give up easily. She grasped his wrist and forced him to turn around. "But what happened? At least tell me that-" Ginny started but was cut off by Harry.

"I said that we will talk about it later, Ginny! Can't you even leave me for a second?" He said angrily and removed her hand from his wrist.

He turned around back and made his way out of that corridor. Not even once looking back to see an expression of hurt on Ginny's face.

-----------

"Hey Hermione! Did you found out what I was asking about?" 

"Hey Harry! Yes, I found out about it. Come here and look." Hermione said as Harry came and sat next to her in the library after breakfast.

"Read it, will you? Please." He said.

"Sure." Hermione said and begin reading.

"The First Wizarding War was a major wizarding conflict, with foundations as early as the , but officially beginning in and ending in . It marked the original "reign" of the evil Dark Wizard . This reign took place at the height of his power and caused widespread panic and fear among the magical community as well as muggles." Hermione read aloud.

"The Dark Lord's rebellion occurred with the help of his , a very powerful and malicious organisation of dark wizards and dark witches who served him and brought terror to both the and Wizarding Worlds'. They were opposed in turn by the British and the , an equally powerful-top secret organisation founded and led by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." She continued to read.

"Is there anything about my-my..." Harry started.

"Parents? Yes, there is. I knew you would ask about them, so I chose a book which includes both the topic." Hermione said and passed the book to Harry to read.

"James and Lily Potter were a married couple and the parents of the famous . They were both students at and members of the . They were both murdered by on in , while trying to protect their infant s-son." Harry read but his voice broke at the end.

Hermione placed he hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, in order to reassure him.

"James Potter (27 March, 1960 – 31 October, 1981) was an English pure-blood wizard and the only son of Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. He attended from Hogwarts from 1971-1978, and was sorted into Gryffindor." He read on.

"Lily J.Potter (née Evans) (30 January, 1960- 31 October, 1981) was an English Muggle-born witch, the younger daughter of Mr and Mrs Evans and the younger sister of Petunia Evans. She attended Hogwarts from 1971-1978 and was sorted into Gryffindor." He continued to read.

He read about their lives after Hogwarts, how they married and finally how they were murdered by Voldemort.

"You know I had a nightmare this morning." Harry said as he closed the book and turned around to face her on his chair.

She squeezed his hand, telling him to continue.

"I-I heard my dad telling her to be in their room with me, while he went and faced Voldemort." He said.

"Harry-"

"I heard her telling the younger me to be safe and shout as she heard my father's scream when he died."

"Harry-"

"I saw a flash of green light, and her screaming as she died to save me from him." Harry said and he broke down in front of her.

Hermione wrapped her arms aound him and he hugged her back tightly. He cried in the crook of her neck, shaking as he was crying.

Hermione rubbed his back gently and whispered reassuring words in his ear. 

He eventually calmed down and pulled away.

Hermione wiped his tears and kissed his forehead in a sisterly way.

"Thank-thank you, Hermione. For finding the book when I just told you about it before breakfast, for reassuring me and letting me cry on your shoulder." He said as he smiled sadly at her.

"You are my best friend, Harry. I would do anything for you." Hermione said and Harry smiled at her.

"And now go and say sorry to Ginny. You did not to do anything right by talking to her angrily this morning." Hermione said.

"How did you even know about that?" 

"I heard some students talking. Word travels fast in Hogwarts, you know." 

"I know. Looks like I have to go and say sorry to her right now." Harry said.

A/N: Hope you guys liked this chapter. It was 4200+ words. It wasn't much long, but it was longer than the last one. I hope you liked the scene between Hermione and Draco and the scene between Hermione and Harry. Random question for this chapter: What was your favourite task in the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire? Answer in the comments below. Vote, comment and please share my story. Reviews are always appreciated. Thank you!

Next chapter on 1/12/19(Sunday).

Until next time.