Chapter 1

Fourth year had started off rocky enough, the great hall ceiling storming, another new professor, and the announcement of the tri-wizard cup was enough to exhaust anybody. I was also very displeased that the Drumstrag students had taken up residence on my lake. Now where am I supposed to go when upset? With so many new students walking around and ministry officials everywhere I was beginning to feel claustrophobic. My secret could easily be discovered now. Even in the wizarding world, being a mutant was not well accepted. They were jealous that we could accomplish great thing without wands, and that jealousy soon turned to hatred.

I sighed and looked around the common room, thinking of the summer I had just spent with my distant relative in America. He too ran a very special school, but one for mutants instead of wizards. Things were not going too well for him either. I remembered the people I met, and how amazing everybody was. They accepted me being a witch and a mutant with no qualms; especially one boy, who was fascinated by my magic. His name was John, a sparky young mutant with an affinity for fire, my opposite in every way. We shared a budding romance over the summer months, before I watched him abandon the manor and his friends to join the Brotherhood of Mutants. Why is it that those with power always felt that those without it had to be eradicated? Why was it that discourse seemed to follow me everywhere I go?

I was sitting in an armchair back in the common room close to the fire, flipping through a book Cousin Charles gave me on mutated genetics. " What you got there Mione?" Came Ron's voice behind me.

"A book on genetics." I replied shortly.

"Genetics? What's that?"

"The study of genes that compose human beings and decide which traits they have. Such as red hair, or green eyes, or dark skin."

"Why on earth are you reading that?" He exclaimed.

"It was given to me by a relative and it's very interesting." I said, snapping the book shut and going up to my dormitory.

"She's touchy lately, isn't she? Or have I gone mental?" I heard Ron mutter as I stalked off.

The dormitory was empty and I let out a sigh of relief. I began searching through my trunk for the very special uniform I was gifted this summer. Once I found it though, I scrunched up my face and put it back, sighing. I had so much pent up energy I couldn't stand it. Maybe a bath would help calm my nerves. I snatched a towel from our bathroom and my robe, shrinking them both and stuffing them into my jean pockets. The prefects' bath should be completely empty right now; at least I prayed it would. I couldn't be surrounded by people anymore; there were too many emotions, too many triggers.

"Hermione where are you going?" Harry called out as I rushed past. I ignored him, it was rude but I was too worked up. I could feel my energy struggling to be let free. I took several deep breaths.

'Breathe Deity. You are not trapped. You are stronger than this.' I heard in my head. I stopped and did as told, breathing deeply and letting a small smile come over my face.

'I didn't think you could reach all the way over here Charles.' I thought in response.

'Cerebro helps. I worry about you over there by yourself. If you're concerned for your privacy, fear not. I only check in once a week.' I chuckled and continued my walk to the baths. He was comforting.

The large marble tub seemed to make all my anxiety fade away just by looking at it. I turned to face the door I just entered and looked at the lock, raising my hand and clenching it into a fist. Ice filled the lock, it should be the only barrier I need. I quickly set the taps to filling the bath, scenting the water to that of jasmine and rain. Returning my towel and robe to normal size and stripping down bare as the day I was born, I began to pace impatiently, not wanting to wait any longer. After an eternity of waiting the water finally turned off. I jumped, spurred by the wind at my heels, and hovered above the surface, the air spinning off my toes creating ripples all across the waters' surface. I reached out my palms and brought the water up toward me, smiling at the effortless exertion of power that I've always known. Slowly, I began to sink into the tub. The water began seeping through my skin, fusing my legs together. Iridescent green scales sent dull spots of rainbow all over the walls as I raised my fins out of the water. No matter how many times I look at my tail, I still think it's beautiful. I began to lazily flick my strong fins, easily moving through the water. It was so nice to exercise my other forms. I never knew how stiff muscles could get from misuse until I stopped working out every day. I groaned. I really needed to start working out again.

"Well what do we have here?" came a snarl from behind me. Another groan escaped my throat. I'd know that voice anywhere.

"Seriously?! Could I not have one little break? What are you doing here Malfoy?" I exclaimed. The water began to churn violently. I turned around to face him, but nobody was in the room with me. I took deep, even breaths, scanning the dark spaces.

"It seems you and I have more in common than I thought, Granger. Come find me, we have much to talk about." I sighed in relief. He wasn't here, but he knows. It could be problematic. But he's obviously in the same boat I am. I rolled my eyes and relaxed back into the water.

"But here we have our problem, Malfoy. You know where I am, so why don't you come to me? I'll be waiting." I sunk all the way underwater, letting my calming waters surround me.

'Great. Did you see that Charles?' I thought dryly.

'Indeed I did. Except through his mind, not yours. I began searching your school for other mutants, there are a few I should put you in contact with, but more on that later. For now, I think you're safe.'

'Do you know if he's coming to me?'

'I believe he is, yes.'

'Well keep an eye on him, he and I do not have the nicest history.' I said. All the taunting memories and the one of me punching him in the face were brought to the front of my mind, saving my telepathic cousin from searching through my mind. I suddenly remembered the ice lodged in the lock but shrugged it off. He wanted to talk; he'll find a way inside. I closed my eyes and began drifting through the large bath, breathing in the water. The water enters my lungs and gets absorbed by my body, leaving behind vital oxygen. Ripples began moving through the water, contrasting the gentle waves I was making. I turned to the source of movement and saw two pale, muscular legs dangling in the water. It took one flick of the tail to move next to him, I placed my hands on the edge of the bath and raised myself from the water to face him.

"You rang?" I asked, my voice slightly more melodious than I wanted.

"So you're a mudblood and a mutant. That makes you what? The biggest freak on the planet?" he said, not even looking at me. I raised my hand, focusing on his body and the water content running through him; I twisted my hand and forced his head toward me, looking deep into his eyes.

"That I may be, but you're a mutant too. That makes you just as filthy as I am in this world. How do you think mummy and daddy will take this news of yours? Eh?" I replied, my voice dripping venom and my hands turning to claws. It wouldn't matter if I was sitting in a tub of water, if I let my anger grow I'll be covered in flames soon. Malfoy gulped visibly. "You want to pick a fight with me Malfoy? I'm way out of your league. So we can fight, but I will destroy you." I released his head from my powerful grasp, but he didn't turn his head from mine. Neither of us spoke.

"I don't want to fight." He said quietly. "I feel very lost."

I was taken aback. What do I say to that? "…Why did you want to see me? And how did you see me? Is that your mutation?" The questions burst from my mouth and I felt my anger melt away instantaneously. My curiosity was never ending. Good thing I'm not a cat.

"I found it during the summer. I was thinking of going to see Zabini for a couple days. The next thing I knew I could see him, like I was hovering in his room with him. I was terrified and snapped back into my own mind as fast as I could. If my parents found out…"

"And you were watching me because?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't flatter yourself. I was mentally strolling through Hogwarts and saw you practically sprinting here. I had to know what was so important." He rolled his eyes. I let out a groan.

"You saw everything, didn't you?"

"Oh yeah. Wasn't gonna pass up that chance. You may be filthy, but I am still a growing young man."

It was my turn to roll my eyes. "More like a growing young pervert." I flicked my tail up, drenching him with water from head to toe.

"Bloody Hell, Granger!" He yelled. I let out the biggest laugh at his indignant face. He reached in the tub and I got a handful of water up the nose. I may be able to inhale water, but when it's forced down your nostrils…let's just say it's not pleasant. This time his laughter filled the room. It was surprisingly warm, and rich. So much different than the taunting laugh I usually heard. I didn't hate it. I reached my hand toward him and gestured toward the water, his body followed and he was plunged into the tub. He quickly came to the surface and glared at me. I had a hard time trying not to laugh.

"You were already soaked. I couldn't resist." A slight giggle slipped from my lips.

"I swear to Merlin if you laugh…" he tried to be menacing.

"What? What will you do?" I asked, swimming closer to him, staring him straight in the eye. Have they always been silver?

"You will never have another private moment again."

I laughed. "That's it? I live in a dorm with several other girls and my best friends are practically my shadows. I already don't have private moments."

"Oh but haven't you realized Granger? I'm also one of those telepaths. I've mastered a couple tricks of my own."

"Read my mind as much as you want, I don't care."

"Get out of the tub."

"Yeah like I'll-" my body began moving on its own accord, and I started pulling my body from the bath. "What on earth?" As I got out my tail faded away, leaving two legs behind. I stood at the waters edge facing Malfoy, stark naked. "This. This is what you meant by tricks. Got it."

"I would think you'd be more modest." He said, obviously bummed I wasn't freaking out or anything.

I shrugged. 'You already saw everything when you were spying on me earlier. Plus, I'm pretty confident about all this." I said, gesturing at my combat trained body.

"Fair enough." He replied, wading through the water toward me. I rolled my eyes and started making my way to my clothes. With a wave of my hand every drop of water went flying from my body and back into the tub, leaving me completely dry. I wrapped my dry hair in the towel and put on my robe.

"You're dry, why the hell are you doing that?"

"Because I don't want to answer unnecessary,"Mione' where were you questions?"" I said in a deep and slow voice, doing my best Ron impression. "This way they just look at me and start assuming things."

"Do you mind helping me with your drying trick?" he asked. I seriously considered not doing it, taking in his drenched school shirt that showed a developing six-pack and black silk boxers that clung to him just right. I pulled every inch of water from Malfoy and let it hover in the air, before turning it to mist. "Can we meet up tomorrow night?" he asked.

I was genuinely surprised by his question, before an evil spark entered my mind, and a wicked grin crossed my face. "What was that? Did Draco Malfoy just ask to spend more time with me? Have we entered some sort of alternate universe?" I asked sarcastically.

"Ha. Ha. You're hilarious. I just…you're really the only person I can turn to now. With everything that's happening here, and at the Manor, I feel trapped. You actually managed to make me laugh earlier. I haven't genuinely laughed since I was little."

His speech actually managed to make my heart pang. He was all alone, and like all women, I couldn't help but look at him and start trying to fix all his problems. Not to mention right now, I definitely know how trapped feels. "Alright, Malfoy. Tomorrow after dinner, in the Astronomy tower. Got it?" I asked. He nodded and let a small smile cross his features.

"See you tomorrow." He said as I left the bathroom. I took one last glance at him, before walking out and shutting the door behind me. Leaving an alone Malfoy along with his rapidly increasing body temperature.

'You are aware of what he's doing, right?' came Charles' voice in my head.

'I'm not stupid. Of course I do.' I mentally replied, a smug grin crossing my face.

How the mighty have fallen.