I've had this idea for this story for several months now, and decided it was about time I wrote something. Hope you like it x

Chapter One: Not so different

Draco Malfoy pulled his cloak tightly around his shoulders as he stepped out into the street. He shivered slightly, as the rain began to fall from the sky. Diagon Alley was deserted, as everyone was taking shelter from the rain. He wasn't bothered by the downpour. He'd rather be alone right now anyway.

As he trudged through the puddles, his mind began to replay the events that had occurred the day before.

Early yesterday morning he had received an owl, requesting his presence at the reading of his father's will. Oh, how he loathed that man. That animal that he had been forced to call a father. That man had been anything but a father to him. He thought back to his childhood when he and his mother received only constant abuse, both emotional and physical. The lies his father had had him believe. Pureblood. He thought back to his years at Hogwarts. Muggleborns could perform magic as any other wizard could. Better even. His father could burn in hell for all he cared.

He thought back to how he used to call Hermione Granger, muggleborn and the most talented witch in the school, a Mudblood. He had seen the hurt in her eyes when he had called her that, and how the guilt had coursed through him. Sure, she was an annoying little know-it-all, but she didn't deserve that.

He had attended, for the sake of keeping up appearances. He had met up with the family's lawyer when he arrived. He remember when his mother had died. He father had refused him to go to the reading of her will. Everything had gone to him, of course. The manor, the family fortune etc. And a letter. The lawyer had read it to him, as he refused to look at his father's work.

The letter had said how his father had loved him. Love. Lucius was one to talk about love. He didn't know the meaning of the word. At the end of the letter it had said, that when to time came for down to settle down, he was to marry a pureblood.

Draco knew he didn't want to be anything like his father. When and if he married, if would be because he loved her, not because of her family heritage.

He wasn't going to marry for blood.

Not now. Not ever.

Hermione Granger sat alone by the fountain. Her expression blank, her eyes emotionless. The last two days had been the worst of her life. She had indeed, split up with Ronald Weasley.

During their relationship, she hadn't felt any sparks with him. She loved him, yes, but not romantically. Ron, however, had felt differently. He was too rough when it came to showing affection, and although he didn't realise it, he had made extremely self conscious about herself. When she talked to Ginny about her relationship with Harry, Ginny had spoke of how he made her feel excited. How he made her feel special and beautiful. She didn't feel that with Ron.

She had told Harry and Ginny about how she felt, that she didn't want to be with Ron anymore. Hermione was relieved when they understood. That they said they would still be her friend no matter what, and nothing would change that. They had even wished her luck in breaking the news to Ron.

She supposed it could have been worse. Hermione didn't know what she would have done if they had turned against her.

She had tried to let Ron down easy. That it wasn't his fault, but she didn't love him in that way. Ron completely flipped out. He had yelled at her, accused her of cheating on him, behind his back. He told that she be glad that she was with him, because no one else would ever want her.

And then he slapped her. Hermione didn't know if it was intentional or in just the heat of the moment. But she had never seen this side of him before. He had stormed out the house, leaving her in tears.

As she sat there by the fountain, a stray tear rolled down her cheek. As she went to wipe it away, she heard footsteps coming up from behind her.

She turned to see who it was.

Draco walked to the fountain, that was at the end of the street. However when he got to it, someone was already there.

Hermione turned around to look at him. She hadn't expected anyone else to out in this rain. By the look on his face, he didn't think anyone would be out here either. He nodded his greeting to her.

'Granger'

'Malfoy' their tones weren't cold or harsh, but empty. Draco looked her, he had never seen her so... so broken. To anyone else, it would have looked like there were no emotions in here expression. But he could tell, for he wore the same mask everyday. He sat across from her by the fountain.

'So ...' he broke the silence. 'What are you doing out here in the rain?' he asked her. When she didn't answer he continued talking. 'Haven't seen you in a while, how are things going with you and the Weasel?'

'Why should you care?' ah, so he had hit a sore spot.

'Just curious, during Hogwarts he used to follow you round like a lost puppy. Or was that just so he could copy your transfiguration homework?'

Hermione scoffed. 'He never did any homework if he could get away with it'

He smiled at her 'Touché' now he thought about it, the Weasel probably wouldn't have passed any subjects if it wasn't for Granger.

'So why are out here?'

'I wanted to be alone, I didn't think anyone would be out here in this weather'

'Why'd you wanna be alone?'

'I had no idea Slytherin's were so nosy'

'All part of the charm'

She looked in dead in the eye 'Why are you being nice to me?'

'Look I'm not the prat that you think I am, plus you looked like you needed someone to talk to'

'I broke with him' she said quietly.

'And I presume "him" is Weasley?'

She gave a small nod. He could see it pained her to talk about it, even though she was doing a fine job to cover it up. Deciding to change the subject he spoke.

'I've just come the will reading of that poor excuse I have for a father'

'I didn't know he had died, I'm sorry'

'Really? Cause I know I'm not'

'But I thought you were close, the way you spoke of him during Hogwarts'

'Yeah well, I was just a kid. Presides it was nice to at least pretend a father who actually cared, instead of the asshole he actually was'

'What was he like, as a dad I mean?' she quickly added 'You don't have to answer if you don't want to'

'No, its fine. He was, in a word, an asshole. He deserved worse than the fate he got'

'How did he die?'

'Dementor's kiss'

She gave a small 'oh'.

They stayed in silence for a while before she decided to speak up. 'Do ever feel like that no matter what you do its never good enough?'

He gave her a confused look before nodding. She continued 'I never loved him in that way, I knew he wasn't going to be happy about breaking up, but I never thought he would react so badly'

'What did he do?'

She shuck her head 'Its nothing, don't bother your self about it'

'Well, it's obviously not nothing otherwise you wouldn't be out here sat in the rain' Draco stood up from where he was sat, and sat next to her. 'You don't have to talk about it now if you don't want to, but what ever he did upset you, you'll need to take the weight of your shoulders at some point'

He stood up and began to walk away before he turned back to face her 'You know Granger, minus background histories, we're not so different, you and I. I presume you have a floo connection, you're welcome to come by the manor if you ever need someone to talk to'

He started walking away again before she called out to him.

'Malfoy!' He turned back around.

'Yes?'

'Thank you'

He gave her a smile. 'Any time, see you around Granger'

Chapter one finished, did you like it? Please read and review. There will be more chapters so don't you worry folks!

-SiriusStar