Draco/Hermione

Ever since the 1st year, Draco hated Harry, not because he was famous, not because he was the chosen one, not because he was better at quidditch than him, but because he was best friends with Hermione Granger and Draco knew that up against the famous Harry Potter, he had absolutely no chance of ever being with her.

He had had a crush on her ever since their very first day, when he first saw her at the sorting. His heart sank when she was put in Gryffindor, shortly followed by Harry and Ron, now she would never be his.

He gazed mournfully over to the Gryffindor table at the feast; he focused on her brown hair falling over her face as she talked with the others on the Gryffindor table. Suddenly she looked up, directly at him and gave him a small smile, his hopes lifted a little, maybe there was hope after all.

He was always looking for a chance to talk to her, it was not easy, they only had one class together, potions, and there was not much opportunity for talking. Then one day he got a chance. He had gone to the library to try and find a book on potions. Draco never really cared about potions, he was never very good, charms class was his favourite, but Professor Snape was his godfather so he felt he had to at least try. He saw Hermione in the corner, she was on her own. Draco took a breath and steeling himself walked over. As he got closer he could see that she was crying. Draco hesitated for a moment, he wasn't sure how to deal with crying girls, but he thought he should offer some comfort. He stepped forward silently and put his hand on her shoulder.

She jerked her head up when he touched her, gleaming eyes focussed blearily on his face, his stomach flipped.

'Are you ok?' he asked softly, aware that madam Pince was only a few steps away.

She shook her head silently.

He offered her his hand, 'walk with me?'

She took the hand and they left the library, they found an empty classroom and went in.

'What's wrong?' Draco asked softly.

Hermione took a breath and hid her face behind her hair.

'Something Ronald Weasley said.' She whispered. 'How I don't have any friends here. He's right, no one talks to me. Everyone just thinks I'm a teacher's pet.'

He laid a hand on her shoulder again and squeezed it gently. He felt her stiffen at his touch.

'I'm talking to you, and being clever doesn't make you a teacher's pet. I'll be your friend if you'd like.'

She turned and Draco saw her smile briefly. His stomach flipped again.

'Your name is Draco isn't it? You were sorted into Slythrin, I saw you looking at me across the hall at the feast.'

He nodded mutely feeling embarrassed. Hermione smiled and got to her feet, she reached out a hand to help him up. He took it and climbed clumsily to his feet.

They stood there for a few moments in silence. Hermione cleared her throat and said in a small voice.

'Thanks for cheering me up.'

'No problem.' He held out his hand. 'Friends?'

Hermione shook the hand

'Friends.' She said smiling.

They left the classroom, both in different directions and off to different houses, but both knowing they had a friend in each other.