A prequel to Smiling at Grief

A Single Man in Possession of a Large Fortune

He blamed everything on that stupid Yule Ball in fourth year. That was how it all started. She had looked so lovely that night. He couldn't even think of anything degrading to say to her. And to see her attend with that oaf, Krum, who could barely pronounce her name, was pure torture. It was that day that he realized that Hermione Granger was more than a bookish mudblood. Of course her so-called friends had to ruin her night in the spotlight. He saw the despair on her face when she fled the hall. That was when he realized she was a human being with feelings. It was the night everything changed.

He would see her in the library often the following weeks. Usually doing her homework but sometimes completing Potter's or Weasley's. He couldn't understand why she put up with it. He nearly talked to her several times but could never quite summon up the courage. Then he got the perfect oppurtunity.

He had seen her read book after book to help Potter in his tasks and was feeling more sorry than usual for her sake. This human characteristic in him had caught him by surprise. He did not usually mind servitude. He was sitting in an empty classroom when she rushed in, carrying tons of books. She dropped them in surprise on seeing him. He got down on his knees and helped her gather them. He couldn't speak, he had no idea what to say. Then he saw one of the books she was carrying.

"Are you reading A wizard's journey?"

She looked a bit surprised that he would actually take the trouble of speaking to her. Come on, he was supposed to hate her guts.

"I'm only about halfway through."

He smiled uncertainly at her.

"This is one of my all time favourite books. I love the character depictions and all those literary referenses!"

She smiled at him.

"I actually think it's a lot like a Muggle book I've read called the Alchemist. Have you read it? Well actually you probably haven't. I suppose you despise all Muggle literature."

She flushed. He quenched a desire to reach over and touch her cheek. Merlin, this was bad! He didn't even know the girl.

"Do you have a copy of the book here at Hogwarts?"

She reached into her shoulderbag and took out a paperback. She was about to hand it to him when she suddenly pulled back.

"This is one of my favourite books. I don't want you to destroy it."

He flushed. So that was her opinion of him.

"If I promise I won't do anything to it on the life of my mother will you let me borrow it?"

He gave her his best smile, the one that made all the girls fall for him. She did seem a bit shocked by his niceness but handed over her book all the same.

"You'd better give it back, Malfoy."

She gathered her books and left him. He took the book and went back to his dormitory to read. He was going to get through this book and he was going to like it.

A week later he walked into the library alone. He saw her in her customary seat, all alone, and slid into the seat facing her. He put her book on the table.

"I believe I have something that belongs to you."

She eyed the book and got her wand out. She did all sorts of spells to check that he hadn't enchanted the book. When she was satisfied that it was safe she put it in her bag. She turned back to him.

"So did you like it?"

He was surprised at the gentleness of her voice. He smiled softly at her.

"Well I can see what you mean about it being a lot like A Wizard's Journey. It's older too so I think Altor Newteye copied a lot of the ideas. It's a shame. I really used to like that book."

"So, which do you prefer, the wizard or the Muggle version?

He thought for a minute.

"I thought that the Muggle version was better. I learned more from it and it made me think more than the wizard version and it's not stolen from someone else. How about you?"

"I definitely prefer the original but it was very interesting to read the story from a wizard perspective."

He looked down at the sheet of parchment in front of her.

"Potions essay?"

"Yes, I'm having trouble remembering the 10th potion that uses calves feet."

He said in a low voice:

"The Cambria potion."

She smiled at him.

"Thank you, Malfoy."

She started writing her essay. He sensed that this was a dismissal but he couldn't leave her quite yet.

"Do you have any other Muggle books that I should read?"

She sighed and pulled another paperback from her bag. He found it quite endearing that she had brought so many books with her to Hogwarts.

"Do you still swear on your mother's life?"

He flashed the smile that had worked last time and looked her in the eyes. They were very pretty.

"Of course."

She reluctantly handed it over to him. He read the title.

"Wuthering Heights?"

"One of the greatest books ever written. Now I really have to get back to my essay."

He felt very content with himself as he left her. Now she would have to talk to him again.

She sat in the library feeling very confused. She could remember the intent stare of his grey eyes. He had nearly flirted with her. How was that even possible? He was Draco Malfoy, for Merlin's sake. He'd better not do anything to her book. He wouldn't survive to tell the tale. She turned back to her essay. No way was she going to let Draco Malfoy disrupt her homework.

A/N: Any books you think Draco Malfoy should read? Please review with any ideas! Hope you liked this chapter! I'll update soon.