Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own... except story plot perhaps. :)
Summary: When Draco and Hermione finally resolved their hatred for one another and fell in love, their love is immediately put to the test when Draco is being accused of something he has never committed. How would Hermione be able to save him from his dreadfulpunishment? Would they ever get a chance to build on their newfound love and be together?
Note: Err... this is my first try at a HP fanfic... so do please be lenient! Will try my best! Thanks!
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It was a new year for the students at Hogwarts. The holiday season was over, and now they were back for lessons again.
The famous Gryffindor trio hurried to class as they tried to catch on with one another. Each had their own stories, about the season, to tell and there seemed to be not enough time for their merry tales. The trio, a girl and two boys, rushed into their allocated classroom written on their timetable.
Suddenly, in their haste, they bumped into another trio at the doorway of their classroom.
"Watch where you're going, Potter. You wouldn't want to mess with me."
"Yeah? Apparently you need more than two eyes yourself, Malfoy. Grow some more!"
"Shut up, Weasley! Needing more eyes is much better than needing more brains!"
"What?" Ron Weasley looked as though he was ready to pounce onto the Slytherin prince. Fortunately for him, Hermione Granger held him back.
"Don't." She whispered. "He's not worth it."
Ron, Harry and Hermione watched distastefully as Draco Malfoy and his gang sneered at them while walking through the door. Then they followed.
"Ahhh! I see the six of you have finally decided to join us!" Professor Flitwick told them. "Now, I do believe after a six-minute decision, you can settle down quickly so that we can start our class."
The Gryffindor trio turned beet red with embarrassment while Draco merely snorted. Crabbe and Goyle hurried off to a pair of tables while Ron and Harry went off the other way. Before realizing that their friends had already gone off on their own, Professor Flitwick said, "Mr. Malfoy, and Miss Granger. Do you need further instructions?"
Both turned to look for their friends; meanwhile, shocked that they had to sit together.
The professor cleared his throat. "Do you have any problems, the both of you? Because my patience is certainly running out."
Hermione glanced around the classroom. No, there were no more empty seats. The number of tables were just appropriate for the number of students. She sighed. So she was truly stuck with Malfoy. Shrugging helplessly, she placed her books on the table and sat down.
"Good." Said Professor Flitwick. "Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco swore under his breath as he held onto the leather strap on his books and swung them onto his table.
"Mr. Malfoy? I do not condone unpleasantries in my class. But since this is the first day of school, and the first lesson of the day, I shall let you off. But I won't, the next time." Professor Flitwick admonished.
Draco just rolled his eyes. Hermione pursed her lips, disgusted by his rude behaviour.
"Now, let's begin our class. Today, we're going to talk about the…" Hermione's thoughts drowned out the professor's voice. She certainly didn't have the mood for lessons if she were to be stuck with Malfoy for a full hour.
Minutes slowly ticked by as she tried to focus on the lessons, but to no avail. Just then, something flew from the corner of her eye, heading towards the professor.
"Professor!" She yelled, trying to warn the professor. But she was too late. She watched as the object struck Professor Flitwick in the head…
"Ow!" He exclaimed, whirling around. "Who did that?" He bent down and picked the object up. "Who threw this… this… this paper ball?"
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. So it wasn't something hard that hit him. It was just a dumb paper ball. Most probably one lame joke. Then her heart almost stopped when the professor's gaze fell on her. Could he possibly think that it's my fault? But I didn't do it! I didn't hit him!
"I didn't do it, Professor!" She denied, wide-eyed. "It wasn't me!"
But the Professor didn't seem to hear her. "Malfoy. It was you, wasn't it?"
Hermione glanced at her partner. In his left hand he was holding a crunched up paper ball. No wonder the professor thinks he did it! She thought.
But it was not possible. Malfoy was sitting on her right, while the paper ball flew from her left. It could not be him.
"This is ridiculous!" Draco protested. "How could you accuse me like that?"
"Mr. Malfoy. Look at your left hand. What is it holding?" Professor Flitwick said angrily. "I do believe that is evidence enough."
Draco immediately released his hold on the paper ball. "But I didn't do it! Honest! It wasn't me!"
"It must be! And till somebody else owns up, you are going to have detention with me. Tonight. In my office, at seven."
Hermione decided to defend Draco. She stood up. "But, Professor, it wasn't Malfoy's fault! I was sitting beside him all this time and he never threw that paper ball at you! It certainly wasn't him. I'm confident of that."
"And I suppose you're the one, Miss Granger?"
"No, but –"
"Then would you please sit down? I only asked for the person who did it to own up."
"But I –" She began to protest. Then realizing it wasn't going to work, she sat down glumly.
"So, is anyone going to own up for this act?" The professor demanded. "No? Well, then, since no one else is going to, it seems that, Malfoy, you are the –"
"Sir?" A boy at the corner raised his hand weakly.
"What?" The professor barked, annoyed.
"I did it."
"Sorry?"
"I threw the ball at you. Accidentally."
"Well then, fine, now – Wait. You threw the ball?"
"I, er, yes, Professor. Accidentally." The boy repeated, glancing around the room uneasily.
"Very well, then, Mister…?"
"Turner."
"Mr. Turner. You're having detention with me tonight." Professor Flitwick announced, then turned back to the chalkboard. "Let's resume our class before time is up! Now…"
Hermione slumped back in her seat. She could not believe what she had done earlier. Standing up for Malfoy? Her number one worst enemy? That was, well, surprising. She shrugged in response to Harry and Ron's open mouths and quizzical looks. She was pretty astonished herself.
Just before the class was about to end, Draco slipped a note to her table. She picked it up curiously and read it.
"Meet me outside the classroom when the class ends. Alone. No Potter or Weasley."
She tore the note after reading it, wondering what on earth Malfoy wanted.
TBC...
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Now please, R/R! :) I'll see how this goes before I continue, yeah?