Chapter 6

Malfoy arrived in the common room twenty minutes later to find Hermione in the same chair she had sat in earlier. She was staring into the fire and did not hear him approach.

"Still trying to decide whether or not I am worth redemption," he drawled.

"No, I have already decided that you just might be. I am trying to decide the best way to start," she said.

She turned to look at him after she said that. The look on his face was one of amazement.

"I really didn't expect you to say yes," he said. Stunned by her willingness to help, he sat down in the chair across from her. "Why are you so willing to help me?"

"I guess it is because of your mother."

"Just because she said a few nice things? That doesn't make any sense," Malfoy said, while shaking his head.

"No, it was not what she said, but what she did."

He looked confused. What had his mother done to make a difference in this girl's mind?

"I still don't understand."

"She saved Harry, and in turn saved us all. I am sure some people think she did that just to help you, and maybe she did, but if she hadn't, where would we all be? I would most certainly be dead. You would be following Voldemort in a quest to kill off Muggles. For that reason, and because I believe in a second chance, I will help you. I feel like we owe it to her."

"I... I guess; wow, even I never looked at it that way."

Hermione shrugged and said, "No one did, really. People don't take into account, that one small act may have changed the course of the war. It changed everything for your family. Had Harry failed after that, I am sure your family would have been punished along with the rest of the so-called blood-traitors. Since he succeeded, you and your family were pardoned.

"I am sure a lot of people will think I am crazy for helping you, and when I tell them why, they still won't understand."

A dark look crossed his face.

"You can't tell anyone," he pleaded. "If they find out, I will be dead."

"Who? I thought you just wanted to disappear," she said, concern filling her voice.

"I do, but there have been threats. Not many, just a few. I don't even know if they are serious."

"Well, then you report them and let the Ministry deal with it."

"Uh, yeah, I can see the Aurors dropping everything to help a former Death Eater, especially one who caused Dumbledore's death," he drawled. The Malfoy smirk reappearing on his face

"You were cleared, surely they will help you."

Malfoy laughed. "You know, I never thought you would be this naïve. They all feel like I deserve to be punished. Even you do... or did."

She tried to deny this, but he was right. Just yesterday she was thinking similar things. "How can you be so sure?"

"I can read it on your face. Yesterday at lunch, every one of you had the same look. I have seen it daily since I was acquitted. I can't change everyone's perception of me. It isn't even worth trying. I only hope to be able to survive long enough to graduate and leave.

"I can't honestly say I am looking forward to it. It may be the most difficult thing I ever do, but it is necessary if I want to live a life of any kind. The only other option I have is to lock myself away.

"I know I said that I hated you. I probably even thought that I did myself. I know deep down I never really did. I may have taunted and tortured you because of your lineage, but I don't think I did it out of hate. I did what was expected of me.

"Truth is, I think it was because I was intimidated by you. You never seemed to be afraid of me, no matter what I did to you. When you smacked me in third year, I actually was afraid of you for a while. I could sense those intense feelings of hatred you had. Feelings that strong never just go away. I just want you to know I am sorry. I can't change who I was back then, but I hope to be able to become a better person, even if it means becoming a Muggle."

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The students that had returned to complete their unfinished year were settling nicely into a routine. Most spent the mornings reading and reviewing course work. After lunch they practiced the practical aspects of their classes. Evenings were devoted to question and answer sessions from the other professors along with instructions in Charms, Potion and DADA.

Since McGonagall was overseeing their reviews, she was always available to help with Transfiguration. Most of the students were surprised to see that she kept up with most of the rest of the subjects as well.

Malfoy arrived every morning while his classmates were at breakfast. He was always the first to their shared classroom. He rarely spoke unless asked a question, though he seemed to relax when studying with Hermione. The only professor that would even look him in the eye when he spoke was McGonagall.

At lunch, he would grab a sandwich and then go outside to sit and eat, alone. If the weather was bad, he would read in the library. He joined the school for dinner. He sat at a table with a group of young Slytherins. On occasion, he would stay late to study in the library before returning to the Manor.

Working at their own pace definitely agreed with Hermione. By the end of the first week, she was already two weeks ahead of most of her peers. Malfoy and she had reached an acceptance of each other. He was still quiet around the other classmates, though he did speak periodically to her about class work.

Harry and Ron had both written back to her after her second letter. She told them both that she and Malfoy had reached a mutual agreement to help each other study. She didn't tell them what they would be studying. She promised Malfoy she would keep it to herself, and for now, she would.

Ron, of course, wanted her to stay as far away from 'the stinking ferret' as she could get. Honestly, they were adults now. He really needed to start acting like one.

Harry's letter was different to what she had expected. He told her that everyone needed someone to help them and be their friend, even if it was Malfoy. He was proud she could see pass the bias everyone held towards Malfoy and his family. Well, at least one of her friends had matured.

Friday evening as she was leaving the library, she saw Malfoy sitting alone at one of the tables near the Restricted Section.

"Malfoy."

He looked up to see her standing next to him.

"I thought maybe tomorrow, we could meet to discuss the project you are working on."

He raised an eyebrow at her attempt at being subtle. He glanced around and noticed several students staring in their direction.

"Of course. What do you have in mind?"

"Well, why don't you meet me tomorrow at the Three Broomsticks, say ten o'clock?"

"Sure."

"And Malfoy, I brought you this for homework."

She leaned down to slide him a copy of a Muggle magazine called GQ. Lowering her voice, she said quietly, "I though maybe this might help you to dress the part for our lesson."

She stood up, and with a smirk to rival any of Malfoy's, left the library.

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Hermione was waiting out in front of the Three Broomsticks when Malfoy arrived. He was dressed like he walked off the pages of GQ. She stifled a laugh.

"Granger."

"Morning, Malfoy. I see you did your homework, though the dragon hide boots are not quite Muggle."

"Funny, I never knew you had a sense of humor. I did not need your magazine to learn how to dress. I am perfectly capable of doing that on my own."

"Yes, you look every bit a teenaged Muggle. All the boys your age dress like self-centered, vain pretty boys."

"I have seen Muggle London before. I have seen them dressed like this."

He was wearing crisp, black trousers with a sharp crease down the front and black. A black dragon hide belt to match his boots. His shirt was charcoal grey and would not look out of place on eighteenth century royalty.

"Yes, some people dress this way, if they are going out to a fancy dinner or a semi-formal party, but not for everyday wear. This," waving her hand up and down his body, "is why we are going shopping, and if you are a good boy maybe a little treat after," she said with a smile.

He allowed her to Apparate him to the Leaky Cauldron. From there they went to some stores on Regent St. and Oxford St. to purchase some jeans and shirts that were more appropriate for the culture he was hoping to adopt. She had even managed to talk him into a pair of trainers that were named for some Greek god he had once read about. They stopped by Harrods to pick up some slacks, dress shirts and shoes that better fit his personality and upbringing.

It was nearly four hours since they had arrived in London, and Malfoy's stomach was grumbling angrily. He should not have skipped breakfast this morning. Hermione was off to buy one last thing, and she had said they could grab a bite to eat before they headed off to something called a matinee.

They had lunch at a small café that Hermione said served excellent soup. She was right. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of a movie theatre, while Hermione quietly tried to explain what exactly it was.

"A movie is a series of individual pictures. When these images are shown in rapid succession, a viewer has the illusion that the motion is occurring directly in front of them."

The look of confusion on Malfoy's face prompted her to explain in simpler terms.

"Think wizard photography with a story."

That he seemed to understand.

"What is the purpose of a movie?"

"Purpose. I suppose it would be entertainment. Many Muggles go out to watch movies with friends or loved ones. Some even go when on a date. Usually they will go to dinner first. My parents go almost every Saturday night, date night."

"Is that what this is, a date?" He said with a hint of sarcasm.

"No, Malfoy. This is a lesson. Someday you may actually want to take a guy or girl to see a movie as a date. I wanted you to be prepared."

"A guy?"

"Well, I don't know anything about you or your sexual preference, so it would be unfair to assume something."

Damn, she is getting good with that smirk.

"Fine, what is this movie about?"

"Oh, well, I picked out... well, I have been wanting to see this one since I heard it was coming out. I read the book once when I was younger, and I just love the story. It was written by Alexandre Dumas, and two of my favourite actors are in it."

"Don't tell me, 'The Three Musketeers."

"You have heard of Dumas?"

"My mother read me some of his stories when she was still trying to teach me to be tolerant of others."

Hermione laughed, "Well, I promise not to tell anyone about your mom forcing you to endure Muggle literature. And no, not 'The Three Musketeers.' I have already seen that one. I have it on video."

"Video?"

"Never mind. That is a lesson for another day. Today we are watching 'Man in the Iron Mask.'"

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Malfoy did not learn much about Muggle culture, but he did enjoy the movie. It was amazing to see the entire story play out before his eyes. He also liked the fact that for two hours not a single person glared at him.

He lost himself in the story. He forgot his problems and his worries. He was beginning to understand the simple pleasure of the moviegoing experience. It had been a long time since he simply enjoyed anything.

For the last ten years, he was always trying to prove himself to someone. First his father, then to Harry Potter and his friends, his fellow Slytherins, the Dark Lord, Snape, Dumbledore. The list seemed endless. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he had given most of his childhood up to please everyone else.

Hermione walked quietly beside him on their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. Malfoy was lost in thought, and she was unsure whether or not that was a good thing.

"Malfoy, I know you didn't learn much today, but I thought that maybe you should just experience something Muggle. I guess I just want to make sure that you really want to do this."

"Yes, I really want this. I know it is not going to be easy. Today, I was myself for the first time in a very long time. No one stared, glared or cared that I was Draco Malfoy. I was just another shopper. I needed today. Thank you."

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A/N: Thanks to sempra for giving me a virtual shopping tour of London and for being a wonderful Beta.