Noticeable Changes

Chapter 2

"Hermione! What's wrong?" Harry said.

"You won't believe what just happened," she said. She then began to explain what had happened with Malfoy in great detail to Harry and Ron.

They had there mouths open in shock the whole time.

"So, Malfoy actually apologized to you!" exclaimed Ron. He couldn't believe his ears.

They were all so confused...since when did Malfoy apologize to anyone?

Suddenly the train jerked to a halt.

"Oh my gosh! We're here already! I haven't even changed into my robes yet and I'm supposed to be back in my own compartment," Hermione said. She wasn't looking forward to seeing Malfoy again, but at least he had apologized for making her cry.

"I guess you can only start with small steps," Hermione thought.

By the time she had gotten back to her compartment Malfoy had already left but in his place there was a note.

She decided it was okay to read it and picked it up to see what it said.

She was astonished when she read the first sentence:

Dear Granger,

I'm truly sorry for being so harsh with you on the train, I really didn't mean it. Although, when I first realized I had apologized to you I thought I was becoming ill. I still haven't quite gotten over not hating you anymore.

I can't believe I'm telling you this but you would have probably figured it out soon anyway. Today, when I apologized to you, you might have noticed that that is usually a very obscure thing for me to do, especially to you. The reason for why I am acting so "strange" is because something clicked in my head over the summer. The reason I insulted you in the first place is because I didn't want anyone to figure me out but you obviously already know since I apologized to you. I do not wish to continue telling you about this in a letter, just in case, so if you wish for me to tell you more about this I would prefer to do it in person. Just send me an owl and I will tell you where to meet me so we can discuss this further. If you do not want to meet me I will understand, after all if I were you I would not even believe me after all the things I have done to you in previous years. I would like to discuss those things with you as well if you decide to come.

-D.M.

Hermione was shocked. She agreed with Malfoy in what he had said about not believing him. She didn't really know whether she should be trusting Malfoy yet or ever. After all, he could just be playing a trick on her. She decided to wait until tomorrow to see how she felt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco felt completely stupid. How could he even begin to think that she'd trust him. He wasn't even entirely sure he was doing the right thing in telling her about his decision. And after all, even though he had chosen not to become what his father wanted, he still wasn't too fond of Muggleborns.

"Argh, there it is again," thought Draco, "I keep saying Muggleborn!

"I'm still the same Draco Malfoy, I don't like Mudbloods and I never will! I shouldn't have to change myself just because I'm not going to be following in my father's footsteps," he said to himself.

He decided he had better get started on finding a carriage for himself so he headed on to the platform and started searching for an empty one. He didn't really feel like talking to anyone but he wouldn't have anyone to talk to even if he did. Nobody from Slytherin would want to be his friend now that he had betrayed the dark side and nobody from any of the other houses would want to either because of his reputation.

"Granger is my only hope, she is the most forgiving and trusting out of all of them," thought Draco.

He had to search for a little while but he finally found one with no one in it and got in.

"Ah well, another exciting year ahead," he thought, "Yeah right."