Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the HBP storyline. I own the variation of which I am writing, but JK Rowling could probably own that too if she wanted to. .

Most chapters are inspired by songs that I listne to to get the emotions I'm looking for, so I may list a song or two at the beginning of a chapter that I recommend listening to while you read (if you have the song, if not you can YouTube it probably)

REMINDER: Contains loads of Half-Blood Prince spoilers, so if you don't want it to be spoiled, don't read it. Novel idea, I know. Anyway, onwards with the story!

Hermione quietly snuck out of the castle. It was nights like this when she liked to get away. Nights she was plagued with dreams of evil. Haunted by everything she had seen over the past few years. Especially over this past summer, down in the Ministry. She shook the thoughts from her head as her eyes brimmed with tears. She let the fresh air clear her thoughts as she walked down to the lake. It was her spot. She had been going there, whenever she needed to think, since fourth year. Since things started getting serious. It was a large, old tree with spindly branches that were hidden by it's mass of leaves. As she neared she could see someone at the base, sitting. She slowed hesitantly and felt her throat tighten with fear. As Hermione neared she recognized the anomaly. He was pale and stood out in the moonlight like he was glowing. Very few people she knew did that. And if that hadn't, he had an arrogant air of aristocracy about him that gave away who he was.

"Go somewhere else." Draco said when Hermione was within earshot. He had been watching her stalk closer for a while.

"Why?"

"Because I don't like you."

"Yeah, like that's a compelling reason." She retorted sarcastically.

"Should be."

"Whatever, I'm not leaving, this is my spot." She defended.

"It won't kill you to go somewhere else."

"It won't kill me to stay here either." She answered flatly.

"It might." Draco countered under his breath.

"Look it's not like I'm go to talk and be chummy with you. I just need to think."

"I don't need to put up with you."

"Then don't. You can leave. Please do, I encourage it."

"Who shoved a broom up your ass tonight?" He asked grumpily. She made an offended scoff noise.

"You are the most offensive, racist, intolerable git-"

"Then go away!"

"Because- Because I shouldn't have to."

"Wow. That was a compelling response." He mimicked.

"Shut up."

"You first."

"Ugh. Look. Neither of us is going to leave so can you just stop talking and be quiet. I just want to think for a bit."

"Whatever, mudblood. Just try to keep your filth off me." He responded bitterly.

"Gladly." She answered honestly. She bit her tongue to keep from retorting but she just wanted him to shut up so she decided encouraging him to speak was probably not the best idea.

"What? You don't want to touch me?" He implied seductively. Hermione just rolled her eyes and gagged a little.

"Malfoy, I wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole except to hit you with it. Now shut up." Draco mumbled something but she ignored it and rested her head on her knees. She knew this year was going to be different, what with Sirius's death over the summer. The war was coming. She could feel it. Now it was only a matter of time before Voldemort struck. He was probably gathering up his army again. Scaring, threatening and cursing people and creatures into submission. Then there were the crazy ones who actually supported what he was doing without any incentive. How could someone do that? Voldemort's so… evil. How could anyone want to kill other people mercilessly?

After a good half hour Hermione stood up and wiped the grass off of her pants. Draco watched her, shaken from his own thoughts by her movement.

"There that wasn't too painful." She said to him.

"Not for you. You're the one who was blessed with the presence of a great Malfoy-" She interrupted.

"-Blessed is not the word I would use, nor is 'great'-" He ignored her and continued.

"-Whereas I had to endure a mudblood."

"You could've left." She reminded him as she walked away and left them both to their own thoughts.

He's such a narcissistic bastard.

She's such a stubborn bitch.

A/N: Ta-Da! First chapter. Doesn't establish much except the arguing, so there really isn't much to review on, but if you feel inclined, be my guest. I didn't make a note at the beginning but the italics are thoughts, as with most fanfics. It should be pretty self explanitory to as who is thinking. Any questions, comments? Hollaback. ---L