Chapter one: the first sign
"Who does that mud blood think she is?!" Draco growled as he tilted his head back. Draco was sitting on one of the patient's bed at the hospital wing at Hogwarts waiting for Madam Promfrey to return with the skeleton-grow. For a thirteen year old girl, Hermione packed quite a punched when she punched his nose. "I'll teach her a lesson" Draco grumbled to himself, he long since lost feeling in this nose. It was now a sensitive numbing feeling that overtook the front of his face.
"What is taking that woman so long?! I am a Malfoy I am top priorities over any other student! I am going to talk about my father about the lack of respect in this god forsaken school." Crabbe and Goyle nodded to what their ring leader had to say. They were walking around eating the snacks from the other sleeping patients. Draco felt so irritated at Hermione. Who cares about a damn hippogriff? That creature ought to be headed and destroyed for hurting a Malfoy. Perhaps now they will rid of the bloody creature class and there will finally be some order in this damn school.
Draco did have that tiny voice at the back of his head telling him that he deserved to be punched. However his prideful egotistic upbringing is conjuring up ways on how to make the mud blood suffer. After what seem like an eternity, Madam Promfrey came bustling through the door carrying the skeleton-grow potion bottle in her hands. "I am sorry I am late Mister Malfoy. Many of the first years were getting hurt as today was there first time playing a quidditch game. Poor lads" Madam Promfrey blabbered on. "Just fix me, woman. I don't care about those bloody first years." Draco said harshly.
Madam Promfrey rolled her eyes. She was used to dealing with Malfoy and his disrespectful attitude. Even though he was of pureblood and has high ranking scores, she even agreed with certain students that he is a git. Madam Promfrey had to care for many students that were always at the end of Draco's wand and bullying. So madam Promfrey without any consideration grabbed Malfoy's nose once again to inspect it. "BLOODY HELL WOMAN BE CAREFUL" Draco hissed and yelled at the woman grabbing his nose. To others this moment must have been funny, seeing the great Malfoy cowering in pain, and to the fact that he was talking nasally. Madam Promfrey smirked and quietly laughed to herself. "Well Mister Malfoy, how did you hurt your nose?" She said as she prepared a cup with the skeleto-grow potions.
Draco was trying to avoid eye contact with the older woman. How can I possibly say that Granger punched me? "It's none of your business what I do." Draco said with a sneer. Madam Promfrey just ignored Mister Malfoy's stubbornness. "Well Mister Malfoy you know the drill." Madam Promfrey handed the vial of the bitter potion into the pureblood's hand while she raised her wand and pointed it at the broken nose. She then mumbled the incantation that will remove all broken bones. Malfoy wanted to scream so badly but it was undignified for a Malfoy to show pain.
Malfoy's pale face was starting to show color as he held in his pain. He looked at his healer waiting for the moment he can drink the potion. When Madam Promfrey nodded her head in approval, Malfoy lifted the potion to his lips and drank it in one gulp. He opened his moment in disgust because Skeleto-grow are not exactly your cup of pumpkin juice. As Malfoy continued to smack his lips in disgust, Madam Promfrey went ahead and bandages his nose. "It is going to take a while for the bones to grow in. For the mean time I want you to stay here and rest for a few hours and then you can go." Madam Promfrey didn't say any more as she clean up the medicine and went to go attend the next student. Malfoy sighed as he lay back onto the bed, stupid granger, Malfoy thought. Crabbe and Goyle came over once Malfoy was attended. Draco had his arm over his face covering his eyes. His platinum blond hair fell onto the pillow surrounding his angular face as if it was a halo. He had his legs propped on the folded blankets on at the end of the bed. Although Draco Malfoy was in a comfortable position, he still had his formal rigid aura around him. Even his clothes didn't bother to be wrinkled. "Find the Mud blood and tell me where she is"
Crabbe and Goyle didn't need to be told twice. They didn't even have to bother to ask who he was referring to. Crabbe and Goyle simultaneously shuffled out of the hospital wing. Crabbe and Goyle weren't exactly the friends that Malfoy imagined himself with. But being a pureblood slytherin he only had a few choices. They may be idiots but they were loyal to Malfoy. He truly likes that because at times he felt lonely. He never truly felt comfortable with the other slytherin. However it is expected of him to only associate with wealthy purebloods. There was another student that was given the skeleto-grow and was screaming at the top of his lungs. Malfoy sighed and got off from his bed and was leaving the hospital wing. The student that was screaming broke his arm at a quidditch practice. Malfoy scoffed, these low lives don't even know how to handle pain.
Not wanting for anyone to see him, Malfoy trotted to the astronomy tower. He always felt at peace there because it was only little hiding spot in the entire school. Little did Draco know of the existence of the room of requirements. Draco sat down on the floor and lean against the stone pillar. He removed the bandage on his nose and pinches the top of nose. It was feeling better but it was still numb. How can I torture the Mud blood? I can always just insult her. But she's strong she'll just punch me again, and she's really strong for some reason. She looked so passionate when she punched me. I never saw anyone with that much hatred, fire, and determination in their eyes. Now that I think about it, she always had that passion. It's just you can't see it because it's hiding under her excuse of a hair. She can't even try to brush it back. I bet she will look nice with sleek hair, especially now that her body is changing beautifully, her curves, her ample chest …
Malfoy stopped thinking and opened his eyes. He never thought about Hermione like that. She was always mud blood, potter's friend, know-it-all, or the weasly bride. Malfoy sighed as he looked out into the view of the towers. How can I possibly have any attraction to Granger? Malfoy was feeling conflicting emotions towards the first girl in his entire life to stand up against him and actually punched him. Then that's when he saw it. It was the damn hippogriff that attacked him flying in the air, and what looks to be a man riding it. Malfoy couldn't see who exactly was on top. "That hippogriff how did it!?" Malfoy said loudly as he stood up and pointed at it in the sky. As if on his command the hippogriff will cease flying. Malfoy lowered his hand and scowled toward the sky. Although he doesn't want to admit it, the hippogriff actually looked handsome flying in the air.
Realizing what time it was, Malfoy decided to head back to the hospital wing. He needed that damn healer to check on his nose. Under any circumstances he wasn't going to have a disfigured nose. Malfoy walked down the steps as he looks back to his hiding place. Luckily no one was out during this time; they were most likely in the great hall eating dinner. Seeing so many worthless people will get him on the edge. Malfoy saw a lonely pebble on the floor and decided to kick it while he walked. He slump his shoulders and put his hands in his pockets. Crabbe and Goyle never came back. No one is bothering to look for me. Not even that insufferable annoying Pansy. Who needs them? They don't care for me. They only see me for my status and wealth. However mother will be furious if I don't socialize. Malfoy sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. For a thirteen year old boy he has a lot of stress. And it's not the usually stress about school and girls. It's the stress of living up to your status. Especially to his father, he was the pawn for his father.
Malfoy was outside of the hospital wing when he heard the happiest voice ever. "We did it Ron, we saved the Hippogriff. And we also helped Harry's godfather" Hermione said happily as she wrapped her arms around the injured Ron. He came in about an hour after Malfoy has left. "Blimey 'mione, how did you guys do it? Dad said that nothing could be done to save the creature." Harry chuckled and patted his best friend's shoulder "Well you seem Hermione got this time turner and we were able to go back in time and do this." Malfoy was interested in the conversation as he stood outside the door, being an unwanted fourth listener. "Bloody Hell, I heard of those things, but dad says they're dangerous to work with." Ron said with concern. "Well actually it was hard to work with but with me we managed. And the funniest part was that we were able to see me punch Malfoy again." Hermione said as Ron and Harry burst out laughing again.
Malfoy was feeling annoyed hearing the trio so happy and laughing at his misery. Without a second thought Malfoy busted through the door, "well well well if it's not potter head and the idiotic duo." Malfoy strutted into the room with his hands in his pockets and his head held high. Since the arrogant Malfoy took off his bandage too early his nose was healing normally however there was a bruise forming on his pale skin. "OI Malfoy want happen to you? Did a girl punch you?" Ron said while snickering. Malfoy lowered his head a little bit feeling a bit down, that the great Malfoy has a weakness. Malfoy attempted to look at Hermione. There it was again. The same passion in her eyes, she did look a bit beat up from whatever she was doing. Now that he notice Potter look similar as beat up. Malfoy felt his heart beating fast in his chest as he saw Hermione. I'm probably still a little numb. "Shut it Red, a girl didn't beat me up. A filthy mud blood thought she can lay her hands on me. I'll show her that I am not someone to mess with" Malfoy barked at Ron.
Hermione wasn't sure what but she was feeling a bit guilty on punching Malfoy. Although it did feel good at the moment to finally put that git in his place, her conscience were telling her that she was better than that. That she shouldn't have stooped low as him and resort to physical bullying. Hermione sighed no matter what she does Malfoy always proves to be the annoying git that she hated since first year. At times she would think if things were different. Malfoy was the only one that had almost similar intelligent as her. He was a bit below her but Hermione knew that if she was able to work with on something it could have been a success. Hermione was distracted and didn't realize the insult Malfoy shot at her. She was too preoccupied staring at the purple bruise forming on his flawless skin. She shook her head before she thought about those thoughts again. "Well this mud blood is the cause of that broken nose of yours" Hermione said while giving Malfoy the same smirk he was giving. Hermione didn't like calling herself a mud blood but right now was an exception.
Malfoy stared at Hermione, why do I feel bad about calling you a mud blood. Malfoy scoffed and left the hospital wing. Not even bothering to say anything back, Malfoy left. As soon he was out the door he leaned against the wall next to the exit. He lifted his hand to his shirt and clenched his chest over his heart. Malfoy was feeling a bit hot and he didn't know but he was feeling a bit embarrassed that he couldn't say anything. He felt his cheek flush with pink. Malfoy sighed and rubbed his nose. I must have looked ridiculous in front of her. Malfoy lowered his hand to his collar and loosen the tie and a few buttons. He removed his robe and carried it in his arms. He returned his hands back into his pocket. Malfoy was slowly getting a built body in the third year. His oxford collar shirt was a perfect fit and showed the beginning of his muscles forming. Malfoy walked down the empty corridor away from the great hall towards the gloomy dungeons, the home of the slytherin. This is war Granger. Whatever you did to me today I am going to get you for this.
Hermione and Harry exited the hospital wing. After that incident with Malfoy, Hermione and Harry decided to left Ron rest. The best friends linked arms and walked towards the Great Hall to go eat dinner. Today was a successful day. Something was telling Hermione to look behind her. She felt as if someone was staring at her. "Is there something there?" Harry asked after seeing Hermione look back while they were walking. "No, it just feels like someone is watching me." Hermione said as she quickly scanned the corridor to find the culprit that was looking at her. "It's probably nothing. Come on lets go eat, we had a long day." Harry said in attempt to calm Hermione. She smiles at her best friend and nodded. They continue to walk toward the Great Hall. I wonder what that feeling was. Hermione thought.
Little did Hermione know that a certain person was watching at her with admiration and jealousy. The young man had piercing gray eyes and platinum blonde hair. He was admiring how beautiful she was starting to look for him. Even after three years, He still felt the annoying emotions he felt toward her. But after today something was changing. However he was still attempting to deny it. But seeing her come out of the hospital wing all happy and laughing with Harry Potter, he knew he couldn't deny it no more. Draco Malfoy was growing feelings toward the girl that punched him today. Malfoy walked away from the shadows he was hiding in. he knew that if Hermione saw him he would be seen as a threat. The two opposing enemies walked away from each other. Not even realizing the impact they are going to make on each other.