A/N Hey all! This is my FIRST EVER fanfic. I hope it's not too cliche, but it IS a time travel fic, so bear with me as I experiment and learn. I would REALLY appreciate reviews of any kind, just please if criticizing, stick to constructive criticism. Oh, and I have no Beta Reader, so if you're feeling magnanimous, PM me about beta reading my story. And sorry this chapter is so short.
DISCLAIMER: None of it's mine, except the plot. Thanks for asking, though!
1. Hermione and Draco Tortured
No. No! No, no, no, no, NO! The handsome young man thought, squeezing his eyes shut. This can't be happening! I tried to cover for Potter, he spat the name out viciously even in his mind, okay, well, maybe I didn't put in too much effort in covering for him, what more would be expected than for me to deny recognizing him anyways!? Yet the Dark Lord's followers still figured it out. Stupid Weasel and Hermione! Hermione, yes, that's what he calls her now. Well, perhaps just to himself, but it's better than the unfeeling and uncaring name of "Granger." Calling her "Hermione" in his mind didn't change anything, though, let alone the fact that he was cringing in place, listening to her gut-wrenching screams as his aunt tortured her.
Hermione, the love of his life. The only girl he had ever had eyes for since third year. Yes, Draco Malfoy developed a crush for Muggle-born Hermione Granger shortly after she punched him. The crush blossomed even in the desert, with no return of affection to encourage it, over the years. He couldn't quite figure out why he fell so hard for her, perhaps it was because she was refreshingly different. Not just for a girl, but for people in general. She was smart and witty, especially adorable when upset, such as when she punched him in third year, and not afraid to be herself, even towards and around him. Most of his peers quivered in fear or fainted in awe when with him. Hermione, though, was blunt and proud. Proud of what? She's a mudblood! Draco had reasoned to himself, knowing how his parents and peers would oppose his point of affection. But no reason seemed good enough to veer his affections away from Hermione. Why her!? Draco thought desperately, hearing her screams continue.
He wrenched his eyes open only to gasp and turn away, ready to retch at what he saw. Hermione's body was contorted as if she was experiencing a seizure, arms flinging out stiffly as she screamed. Her angelic face distorted in pain as she screamed, her eyes rolling back. He should bloody well go help Hermione, save her from more torture. But, he couldn't, they would both be killed. Draco left the room in disgust. Not only at what was happening, but at himself. He was such a coward that he wouldn't even try to save the girl he loved from torture. He closed his eyes in defeat as he walked away, trying to escape the sounds of her screams, then immediately opened them as all he saw when they closed was the picture of Hermione being tortured.
In that moment, Draco made a decision. He was going to go back. He would burst into the room, hex everyone, take Hermione, run away from the protective spells of the mansion, apparate the pair of them to safety, then confess his undying love to her. She would thank him profusely for saving her and they would be married the same day. Draco imagined it all happening as he stalked back the way he came, ignoring the sounds of Hermione screaming as he imagined her short coming happiness instead. He threw open the door as the screams faded to silence. Draco immediately stopped, wand pointed forward, ready to be used as a weapon. Why had she stopped? No. No! No, no, no, no, NO! Bloody... Draco ran to Hermione's side, checking her pulse. Hermione couldn't be, she was... dead.