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Change of Mind	By : hermyoneminusone Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 26840 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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"The time has come to continue brewing your Polyjuice Potion." Severus Snape said slowly, looking around his seventh-year Potions class with an apathetic eye. "Your lacewing flies have been stewing for twenty-one days, and now is the time to add in your remaining ingredients."
With a flick of his wand, the rest of the ingredients and instructions appeared on the blackboard.
"If you have any questions… consult me before doing something you will regret." Snape warned his class, a sour look on his face.
Hermione beamed inwardly. The last time she made this potion, she was a second year. This would be a piece of cake.
"I don't remember this potion being so complicated..." Ron mumbled from her right.
"You can say that again, mate." Harry replied, squinting at the blackboard.
Harry glanced jealously at Neville, who had luckily managed to become Hermione's partner for the year.
"Erm, Hermione, we're going to need some fluxweed… that's been picked at the full moon… wait, what?!" Neville exclaimed, terror washing over his plump face as he realized that he hadn't picked anything during any full moon.
Hermione calmly patted his shoulder, used to his small panic attacks that were reserved exclusively for Potions class.
"Neville, Professor Snape has some in the storage closet, I'll go get it."
Once in the supply closet, she scanned the shelves until she found the jar of fluxweed and carefully plucked out the amount needed. She turned around swiftly, accidentally bumping into Draco Malfoy, who had just entered the supply closet. She found herself pinned between the shelf she was just scanning and the towering blonde.
A slight blush crept into Hermione's cheeks as she became aware of their questionable position.
"Watch it, Granger," Malfoy said icily, lowering his face ever so slightly to meet hers. Hermione narrowed her eyes and made to grab her wand. Malfoy stepped aside, freeing the Gryffindor from her confines.
Slightly flustered, Hermione quickly exited the supply closet and made for her seat.

~*~
The rest of Potions passed by monotonously, with the exception of Ron's freckles turning green because he accidentally flicked some potion onto his face. Hermione sat with Harry and the green-freckled Ron during dinner.
"Why do people keep staring?" Ron growled angrily, slamming his fist loudly onto the dinner table when two Hufflepuffs snickered as they walked by him.
"Well Ron, if it looked as if I had bright green bogeys flicked all over my face, you would be staring too." Harry said, mocking Ron's unwarranted frustration.
Hermione giggled.
"Speaking of staring Hermione, that boy sitting at the Ravenclaw table won't stop staring at you." Harry said in a low voice, pointing to a student sitting at the table behind Hermione.
Ron, who was sitting next to Hermione, swiftly turned around to glare at whoever Harry was speaking of.
Hermione turned around to see who Harry was referring to. She blushed.
"His name is Richard." She said quietly.
"Oh, so you know this 'Richard'? " Ron asked accusingly. "What? Is there something going on between you two? Have you been snogging him?"
Hermione pointed her wand at Ron, and he suddenly fell silent. He began snoring quietly.
Harry gave her a look.
"What? He deserved it," Hermione said, shrugging off her use of a temporary sleeping charm. "I'm not going to tolerate any accusations about something that, quite frankly, is none of his business."
"So you do know him?" Harry asked.
"Yes, his name is Richard like I said. Richard Praxley. He's a sixth year."
"And how do you know him?"
"I met him in the library," Hermione said casually, smiling slightly.
Harry chuckled. "Well, he looks like a nice enough person. I'll ask Ginny if she knows anything about him, being in his year and all." He stood up. "Wake bogey-face from his slumber, would you? We were planning on going to the Hospital Wing. Plus, he's starting to drool."
~*~
After dinner, Hermione decided to pay another visit to the library.
Madame Pince had just received a large order of The New and Improved Hogwarts: A History, and Hermione was dying to get her hands on a copy.
She made her way down the dark aisles of old books, and reached a section that had all the new arrivals. Delighted, Hermione gingerly pulled out one of the new volumes. The New and Improved Hogwarts: A History gleamed spectacularly under the dim light of the library. Practically skipping with excitement, she made her way over to Madame Pince to check the book out.
On her way out, she crossed paths with Richard Praxley. The tall Ravenclaw had coffee brown hair that was neatly combed back, and hazel eyes that glowed whenever he smiled.
"Hey Hermione," Richard greeted her, "I see you picked up some light reading." He grinned, eyeing the fat book in her hands.
"Oh, well it's new, and I've been really looking forward to reading it," Hermione explained, smiling sheepishly. Harry and Ron weren't the only ones to tease her about her choice of reading material.
"I'm only joking," Richard replied. "I enjoy a bit of light reading myself, every year or two." They both chuckled.
"Listen Hermione, I was wondering..." Richard's pale cheeks flushed slightly. He shuffled his feet.
"Yes?"
"There's another Hogsmeade trip coming up this weekend... It's the last trip before the Holidays. I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me there?" He said it all very quickly.
Hermione's belly did a little flip-flop. "I'd love to!"
Richard gave Hermione a dazzling smile. "Meet you at the gate then, at 9 o' clock?"
Hermione nodded, blushing. "See you then!"
~*~
It was Friday, and Hermione found herself in double Potions with the rest of the disgruntled seventh-years.
Ron turned from his steaming cauldron to talk to Hermione. He was still bitter since he learned she was going to Hogsmeade with Richard.
"So, are you still going on that date with Richard? " He spat jealously.
Hermione calmly answered him. "Yes, I am still meeting with Richard tomorrow."
"I don't see what you like so much about him. You hardly know him! And he's a nerdy git..." Ron mumbled, mostly to himself.
Unfortunately, another set of ears picked up on their conversation.
"The Mudblood probably fancies him because he can actually afford to take her out." Malfoy drawled from behind them, a smug look on his face. Blaise Zabini, his potions partner, smirked beside him.
Ron and Harry swiftly turned around to Malfoy's table.
"Fuck off Malfoy, nobody asked for your pathetic opinion!" Harry sneered.
Malfoy ignored Harry's comment. "So is it true Granger? Somebody actually asked you on a date?"
Hermione turned around to glare at Malfoy with narrow eyes. "I really don't see how this is any of your business."
"It isn't," He said simply, picking at a speck on his robes. "But Blaise and I were just wagering, how many days do you think it'll take before he realizes you're a downright prude, and then dump your arse?"
Hermione sent him daggers with her eyes.
"I'm willing to bet three days. Blaise on the other hand, is being far more generous: he's betting a whole week. Potty, Weasel, what say you? Care to bet on your friend's shriveled cun –" Ron furiously leapt at Malfoy, cutting him off, but Snape was at the scene in under a second.
With a flick of Snape's wand, Ron was sitting back in his seat, fuming. "Attacking students, Weasley? Tsk tsk. Fifty points from Gryffindor, and detention." Snape smirked triumphantly.
Ron was too angry to even bother responding. "If this ever happens again, it'll be a hundred points from Gryffindor, and a week's worth of detentions."
~*~
Ron was still livid at dinner.
"I just don't get it Hermione, how can you not want to punch Malfoy's stupid ferret face in?" He asked, gnawing at his chicken leg viciously.
Hermione shrugged, and took a bite of her baked potato. "I just don't let his comments get to me anymore. Truth be told, I actually feel sorry for him."
Harry and Ron stared at Hermione, dumbstruck.
"And why would you feel that way?" Harry asked skeptically.
"All he's asking for is attention. His insults are just a way to make his miserable existence appear to have more meaning, and by reacting to his comments, you're giving him exactly what he wants."
Harry gave this some thought. "I see what you're saying, but I still hate his guts." Ron nodded furiously in agreement.
"You just have to remember that they're only words. Ignore him, and eventually he'll get bored and move on."
Harry and Ron mumbled incoherently and continued with their dinner.
Hermione sighed, and looked up. From the Ravenclaw table, Richard caught her eye. He motioned to the doors, and got up from his seat.
Hermione followed suit. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to start on my Charms essay."
Harry and Ron nodded, and she left the Great Hall. Richard was waiting for her outside the giant oak doors.
"Hey Hermione," He said with a gleaming smile. "I thought that we could take a walk outside, you know, just to talk."
Hermione smiled. "That would be really nice."
Richard took her out by the lake, and they sat by its edge under the pale moonlight. They talked for what seemed like hours, and as their evening was coming to an end, a thought struck Hermione. She remembered what Malfoy had said to her in Potions earlier, about her being a prude. Although she was used to blocking out what came out of Malfoy's mouth, this particular comment got to her.
"Richard?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Yes?"
“There are plenty of pretty girls who fawn over you. You could have any girl you want here, so why did you ask me out?”
Richard's hazel eyes were wide with shock. “Hermione, I like you because you're you. All those other girls can't compare... You're intelligent, confident, and despite what you may believe, I find you very beautiful.”
His response caught Hermione off guard. “I – do you really think that?”
He chuckled. "Of course I do. I wouldn't have said so if I think otherwise."
She gazed at the moon-bathed lake, not knowing how to respond. Richard stood up, holding out his hand for her.
“I think we should call it a night,” He said gently.
Hermione nodded, turning to leave. She hastily turned back, and gave Richard a kiss on the cheek. Smiling, she made her way back into the castle, leaving him standing and rubbing the spot where her lips had been seconds ago.

A/N: Hello all! I posted this story on the AFF site a few years ago, but took it down when I realized I wouldn't be finishing it anytime soon. Many of the chapters have been edited and revamped, but the story line has essentially remained the same. I have most of the chapters completed, and I'd really love to get some feedback before I upload more!
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