If there was a person in Hogwarts who could put up with Draco, It was you. Your families were close, so you two were kind of childhood friends who grew up together. That... Until he spread a nasty rumor about you, making your year a living hell.

Draco wasn't usually one fazed by something as trivial as someone hating him, a lot of people hated him after all. But for some reason coming from you... It hit him deeper than he would ever admit. He couldn't even bring himself to say a word to you anymore, even after the rumor died out.

Maybe he actually felt remorseful for once in his life.

The time you didn't speak wasn't a lovely one, if there was anything harder than confronting someone, it was the constant hatred fueling every look, every thought, and every interaction. That hatred burnt with every stolen glance, and it wore the both of you out.

You have been sitting on a bench, making sure you get your potion's homework done before professor Snape's class. Doing It was challenging, you weren't the best at potions, and Draco has always helped you with that class.

Draco so happened to be passing by the courtyard, his footsteps growing quieter instinctively the second he caught a glimpse of you. He has been walking on eggshells around you ever since last year's midterm. He noticed that you were trying to do your homework, or rather, struggle in that matter, so he decided to approach cautiously until he stood next to the bench you were seated on.

"Need help?" He tried sounding as calm as possible, but his voice came out rather hesitant, betraying his nervousness.