Without questioning him, Hermione skimmed the text on the page. The ritual would allow her control over him; this was Malfoy’s way of making it up to her–an apology in the form of handing over power. But the ritual would equalize them; despite his claims about trust, Hermione knew that he knew  she wouldn’t abuse the power. He wasn’t lowering himself, but acknowledging that his lifelong claims of blood superiority to her were without merit. 