"So let's be clearer, Miss Granger."
Draco's voice broke the silence. He sat up straight, his gaze fixed on Hermione's face with an unprecedented seriousness.
"First of all, I apologize for my rude behavior in the History of Magic class."
These words, though spoken lightly, were like a pebble thrown into Hermione's heart lake, creating ripples in every direction.
She stared blankly at Draco, thinking she had misheard.
That doesn't meet the basic courtesy expected of someone seeking cooperation.
Before Hermione could recover from the sudden apology, Draco threw out a truly revolutionary proposal.
"Therefore, as compensation for that inappropriate behavior, and as a concrete manifestation of my apology and... sincerity."
"I hereby agree to one condition of yours."
"You can ask me to do one thing," Draco said, specifying the scope.
"This can be anything you ask me, anything you want to know the answer to that I happen to know the answer to."
"Or, you could ask me to do something, as long as it's within my capabilities and doesn't violate certain... basic principles."
Hermione was completely stunned.
She sat in the scarlet velvet sofa, her body still slightly stiff from the emotional turmoil she had just experienced.
But my mind felt like it had been struck by lightning, leaving me in a state of disbelief and confusion.
What... what is he saying?
An apology? An apology for the rudeness in the History of Magic class?
Admitting that it was "not appropriate"?
It even subtly reveals a hint of remorse for the past coercive stance?
Make amends? Show sincerity? Agree to one of her conditions? Let her make the request? Ask a question, or do something for her?
Hermione's gaze was fixed on Draco's face, trying to find a trace of pretense in his sincere expression.
But no.
At least, at this moment, under her utmost scrutiny, there was none.
That's so weird.
That's completely illogical.
He doesn't resemble Malfoy at all.
But... the conditions he offered were exactly what Hermione needed most and was most unable to refuse.
An opportunity for her to obtain information or seek help.
Moreover, the proposal was made under the guise of making amends, apologizing, and expressing sincerity, which greatly reduced the sense of coercion and danger involved.
What if he really had a change of heart for some reason?
So, could she really use this opportunity to find out the truth about Moaning Myrtle's death?
What should she do? Trust him? Or continue to fight?
If she believes, she may gain crucial information, but she may also fall into a deeper trap.
If she resists, she might be safe, but she will also forever lose the chance to learn the truth, and everything she has endured will become meaningless.
Time ticked by, as Hermione struggled with an internal conflict.
She looked at Draco, and Draco looked at her, as if waiting for her to make a move in a game of chess.
Finally, after what felt like another century had passed.
Hermione tried to calm her wildly beating heart.
She still couldn't believe Malfoy, couldn't believe this sudden act of kindness.
But... she seemed to have no other choice.
Or rather, the choice Malfoy offered was so tempting that she couldn't resist it, so tempting that she had to take the risk.
At that moment, Hermione's lips moved slightly again:
"... Are you... serious?"
"One condition? That I... will decide?"
This was her final test, her last struggle.
Draco knew she was wavering.
She was indeed driven by her emotions earlier in the restroom.
Draco then sighed.
Then he looked at Hermione, who was still in shock and on guard, with his eyes that now held a hint of helplessness and a smile.
" Miss Granger," Draco said helplessly.
"I think what I said earlier might have been... a bit too formal, too ' Malfoy '?"
"What I meant was what I just said—about apologizing, about making amends, about that condition you could set."
"Actually, that's what I've always meant."
After saying that, Draco's helpless smile deepened slightly.
"It's just that I might not have expressed myself well enough. Or rather, in a place like a restroom, what I said might have sounded... a little misunderstood."
Draco knew this girl was prone to overthinking.
However, he did not blame the misunderstanding on Hermione's overthinking, but attributed it to his own poor communication and the unfavorable atmosphere.
Then, an even more helpless smile appeared on his face.
"Given our 'communication style,' my sudden 'request' could easily... well, lead to some unpleasant associations."
Draco's words greatly calmed Hermione's emotions, making her feel that her feelings were seen and acknowledged.
"After all, we don't often sit down... and talk things out calmly, do we?"
Draco, seeing Hermione's still confused but clearly less hostile and wary face, continued to explain:
"So, Miss Granger, what I just said can be understood as my attempt to rephrase my meaning in a more direct way."
"I apologize for any confusion or stress I may have caused you at the restroom door earlier, perhaps due to my way of speaking or the occasion."
"I absolutely did not... well, I did not mean to coerce or make you feel uneasy with any vague promises."
"If my approach made you feel that way, it was never my intention, and I apologize for that."
Draco then changed the subject:
"In fact, perhaps we can temporarily set aside those... well, unpleasant past interaction patterns."
"Let's talk about Moaning Myrtle in a simpler, more direct way. After all, you seem genuinely interested in this."
"And that 'condition' is merely a means, led by you, to ensure we can communicate within a relatively... clear framework."
"You can use it to ask me questions, or... later, at an appropriate time, use it to ask me to do something reasonable."
In short.
He made a very slight gesture, palm up, fingertips pointing in Hermione's direction.
"The decision is entirely yours, Miss Granger."
"You can use it to ask me about Moaning Myrtle now, or you can decide what to use it for later, or even if you feel uncomfortable or don't trust the suggestion, you can choose not to use it at all. There's no problem with that."
"I just think," Draco concluded, "That if we could temporarily set aside those... well, habitual ways of thinking, perhaps we could solve the problems that concern us more efficiently."
After saying that, Draco leaned back in his chair, relaxing.
At this moment, the pressure, the choices, and all the initiative have shifted to Hermione's hands.