Not my first FanFiction but certainly my first Dramione and I was always curious as to how it could work with two people who no matter what way you write it, are completely different. Anyway, review, rate, enjoy.

PurelyPoison

Disclaimer: I am not J.K Rowling and therefore own nothing except the plot.

Chapter One: Interesting Developments

"I hate you, and I've always hated you!" I screamed at him as he smirked at me while his Slytherin cronies made a small circle around us, "You mangy little ferret, you could disappear right now and nobody would miss you because you are worthless".

I saw his features change to express pure shock and outrage, his grey eyes glistening with fury and his fists balled so tightly, his knuckles were turning white. He pulled out his wand ready to attack but I knew what to do, I wasn't the smartest girl in our year for nothing.

"Stup..." he started.

"Expelliarmus" was the next word but it didn't come from me. Professor McGonagall caught his wand and he spun around to see what had happened.

"My office now, both of you", she glared at the two of us.

I gritted my teeth and walked along behind him, furious at being caught when we were about to duel, I really wanted to wipe that smirk off his stupid pure blood, pale face.

The thorn in my side, the only person I've ever hated more than anything in my life...Draco Malfoy.

"Miss Granger I am thoroughly surprised at you, I mean you are sixth years you should know better than to be attacking fellow students, or at least attempting to".

"I cannot apologise for this Professor because he started it, I didn't appreciate being called a mudblood", I said not at all sorry for what had passed between us but just incredibly sorry I had been caught.

She turned to Malfoy, spluttering at him, "Mudblood? How dare you, you insolent little..." she stopped herself and just in time too but frankly I would have loved to have heard the rest of that sentence.

Draco was rubbing his left arm, nonchalantly as he glanced around the room completely unfazed at being reprimanded. He was rubbing it furiously unwilling to meet Professor McGonagall's eyes.

He caught my glance and glared back, immediately dropping his arms down by his sides as if being caught in the middle of something he shouldn't be doing.

"Detention Mr Malfoy, with Professor Hagrid, you can help out tonight in the Forbidden Forest", he shrugged back at her.

"Thank you Miss Granger you may go", said Professor McGonagall.

Malfoy gaped at her, "That is hardly fair Professor, she retaliated!"

"By yelling at you? I can hardly give her detention for yelling and raising her wand can I?"

He glared at her muttering under his breath about how his father would hear about this. Funnily enough, I could understand why he thought it was unfair but I shook the unbidden thought away as quickly as it had come, I was not about to start empathising with Malfoy.

I turned on my heel immediately after saying sorry again to McGonagall. He followed me, walking so closely behind me that I could feel his ice-cold breath on my neck, "I would have beaten you and you know it!"

I kept walking determined not to get straight into another fight after being let off detention. I doubted McGonagall would be so forgiving a second time.

He didn't stop, "You think I'm the one who is worthless, just take a look in the mirror mudblood".

Rage burned inside me at his last remark and I stalled a bit in my walking, wondering how fast I could hex him and run away. Instead, I took a deep breath and continued on "Shoo fly, don't bother me", I said without turning around and swatting my hand in his general direction.

"Next time you filthy..."

I spun around and suddenly grabbed his left forearm, my grip was strong and he had gotten such a fright he couldn't shake me off. I was startled as he yelped in pain, tears springing to his eyes.

"Oh my god..." I whispered to myself, "You've been branded, but you're only seventeen?" my voice was whispering but I was too shocked to even hate him right now.

"Tell anyone and I'll..."

"You'll what? Get called a death eater and be made to leave, that's what. Don't even think about threatening me", I whispered.

Now our heads were bent close together, I could feel his cool breath on my cheek and shockingly I felt my heart flutter.

I pulled away as if I had been burnt and I saw a flicker of hurt on his face before it hardened.

"Keep your distance from me Granger, you have no idea what you are getting yourself into", he said threateningly before turning on his heel and stalking off down the corridor. I saw him clench and unclench his fists a few times and before I had finished pondering his words I realised I was staring at his retreating form, which seemed to have suddenly filled out over the summer giving him more a lean look than a skinny one. How could I notice something like that at a time like this?

"Shit", I muttered, I didn't need anything like that floating around my head but it did make me wonder. Making my way to the Great Hall for dinner my mind started racing, why had my heart fluttered, why was he branded with the dark mark and why had he looked hurt when I had recoiled?

Taking my seat next to Harry and Ron, I glanced quickly over at the Slytherin table, he was there but he wasn't eating. His smug gaze glanced up so I busied myself getting some food.

"You alright Hermione?" said Ron paying far too much attention to his mashed potatoes.

"I'm fine, just tired".

"Heard you nearly had a fight with Malfoy, slimy git", said Harry his mouth full of stew.

"Yes, just didn't get the chance to properly finish him off, a fight on the first day back does not signify a good year though, I'll have to watch my back", I grinned enjoying the new rebel in me.

I looked down at my plate and started eating.

I realised quickly that Draco was still glaring at me, I could feel his fury crashing over me in hot waves and I felt my cheeks redden as I kept my head down as far as it would go.

"I think Draco may want another fight", came Fred's voice beside me.

"Nah he must just has the hots for Granger" laughed George as Harry and Ron joined in at the absurdity of it. But something about him saying this made me feel guilty and I couldn't quite place why.

"Shut up", I said pushing my empty plate away in disgust at the thought.

"Oh touchy, we're only pulling your leg Granger we think way more of you than that" said Fred jokingly, "Would you guys like to hear something more interesting though?"

"Go on", said Harry turning to him while stuffing an éclair down his throat.

"Apparently, they've decided to pair off the prefects and have them work together on projects, supposed to build unity and harmony between all of us for what comes after school".

"Oh no, I hope we get paired off", said Ron gesturing me.

"Not if it's designed to build inter-house unity we won't, what does it involve Fred do you know?" I asked suddenly curious.

"Well you patrol together, you will always be paired up in any classes that require that, you may be assigned projects together, it will be like being a couple without the advantages", he laughed nudging me and winking.

"That could be fun", I said smiling back.

"So long as they don't decide the two houses with the most animosity towards each other would be perfect for trying the idea out", said George and we followed his gaze to the Slytherin table and groaned.

"That would be just our luck", said Ron.

"I don't know", I said looking across at Draco, "it could be interesting".