Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter characters, settings, or anything
affiliated with them. All the characters, places, and settings you
recognize belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros.
Chapter 1
Hermione's POV
I stared at myself in my full-length mirror, taking in my appearance. I had definitely changed again over the summer, and had come to wear darker clothes. I currently had on a pair of black, baggy cargo pants, and a tight black t-shirt that came above my belly button that had 'Linkin Park' written across it. I decided not to wear any makeup, including the black eyeliner I'd come accustomed to putting on every day.
But this wasn't just an ordinary day. Today was the day I was to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Today was the day I had thought would never come soon enough, but now that it was here, I was a little nervous. I was now approaching my 6th year of schooling, but it was the first year that I wouldn't be greeted warmly by my best friends, Harry and Ron, at platform 9 and ¾.
My priorities seemed to have flip-flopped, being almost the exact opposite as what they had been last year. Last year at this time, I was barely able to contain my excitement at the idea of seeing my two best friends, and the one thing I was dreading more than anything was coming face to face with Draco Malfoy again. Now, I had had to suffer through the summer plagued by thoughts only of Draco and my friends, but it was Draco I was counting down the days to see. I would have been happy to see my friends, too, had I known that they reciprocated my feelings, but after our last argument the year before, I figured that was out of the question.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts, and tried to forget about Ron and Harry, and focus on Draco. I smiled slightly just at the thought of him, as I dragged my heavy trunk down the stairs and out to the waiting car. I then heaved it into the trunk, shut the door, and hopped into the seat behind the driver as we pulled out of the driveway.
"So Hermione," my mother began, in attempt to start a conversation. "I bet you're looking forward to seeing Harry and Ron again, right?" I winced. I knew my mother meant well, because I had simply avoided the whole issue, telling her that nothing new had happened at school. After all my stories of how Draco Malfoy had treated my friends and I, I didn't expect them to understand that I was going out with him.
I didn't blame my mother for trying to start up a conversation, however. It was obvious that my parents had clearly seen the change in me this summer, more so than last, and they didn't like it. My taste in music had changed, and I began listening to things such as Linkin Park, Eminem, Good Charlotte, and the like. I would stay up later at night, and sleep until at least noon. I had a feeling that my parents thought I was going to parties and getting into trouble, but I wasn't. They didn't understand. Lately I'd been feeling like no one really understood.
**************************************************************************** **********************************************
Draco's POV
Quickly, I began shoving things in my trunk, hurrying madly to get to the platform on time. I should have known that my alarm clock would 'break' on the day I had to return to Hogwarts. Stealing a second to glance at my watch, I cursed when I saw that I only had half an hour until the train would leave, and I doubled my pace.
Frustrated, I tore the drawer off of my dresser, and dumped it's contents into my trunk, muttering a shrinking spell to make it all fit. I repeated this until all of my clothes were packed, then went to my closet. I grabbed an armload of my Hogwarts school supplies, including books, parchments, quills, and who knows what else. After I'd dumped it into my trunk and shrunken it, I grabbed another armload. For my last trip, I stuffed everything that was left into my black cauldron, lifted it easily, and dropped it into the trunk, closing it.
I didn't want to take the chance that my father was home to yell for a house elf, because if he was sleeping I most certainly did not want to wake him up. My plan was to leave the house as soon as possible, without alerting him, because I knew that he would try to stop me.
*******************************FLASHBACK*****************************
"Draco!" my father's voice boomed through our entire Manor, burning with fury. "What is the one thing I have always taught you? Do you indeed have any shred of intelligence in you to remember what I've always said?"
I wouldn't let him see that he affected me in the slightest. "Father," I began in what I hoped sounded like a calm, cold voice. "I remember what you've taught me, but, and if I'm not mistaken we've been through this, I don't agree with it." I was pleased to see that my appearance of indifference at freely disobeying his rules did nothing but enrage him further.
"And you call yourself a Malfoy," he spat, voice dripping with menace. "If you do not make a brilliant comeback from this, I swear, I'll do something you'll regret."
"Like what," I taunted. "Disown me?"
My father's eyes narrowed dangerously, becoming no more than slits, and making him appear even more like a treacherous snake. "No," he whispered, glaring at me, his eyes boring holes in mine. "But I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you? No," he repeated. "I don't see what else I can do to make you see my point than to threaten someone close to you."
*********************END FLASHBACK***********************************
I closed my eyes and gulped at the memory. That had been only the day before, and I still felt the pain from my father's little 'gift' he'd left me with, 'to remember our little chat'. He'd broken my arm, and I used the best healing charm I knew, but it was still sore. I stopped to grab a small black velvet box and tucked it in my pocket before I lugged my suitcase down the stairs, trying to go quietly, not wanting to unleash my father's wrath when I had so little time to get to the train station. Luckily, I knew a way to get there quickly. I brought my trunk to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder, and tossed it into the fireplace after stepping in. "Malfoy Flat!" I said loudly and clearly.
I arrived in the cold, unused fireplace of my flat in London, right near the train station. I'd purchased the flat last summer, figuring I could use it to get away from my father if he ever took a step too far. Now I was glad I had. I had ten minutes to get to platform 9 ¾, so I quickly exited, and rushed out onto the busy streets of London. I was surprised when I got there that the barrier had not closed itself off yet. I discreetly slipped through, then sprinted to the train, which was about to leave. I jumped on just before it began to pull away, dragging my trunk behind me.
In my rush, I had not really had time to think about much of anything, but now I was forced to recall everything. It all came rushing back to me: my father, his threat, and my mother, whom he'd beaten so bad yesterday that I had to take her to the hospital. It was probably better that way, though, because at least he couldn't get to her there. And then it also occurred to me where I was: The Hogwarts Express, and Hogwarts meant Hermione.
It had been torture these past three months, going through day after day without her. The most unbearable thought, however, was what was going to happen now that I got the chance to see her again. While I'd been thinking I'd been walking down the length of the train, and I finally came to what I was looking for: a storage compartment in the very back of the train, with no students in sight. I stowed my trunk there, and leaned against the wall. I took a few deep breaths, steeling myself for what I knew I had to do. I tried to convince myself it wouldn't be that bad, that we would work it out somehow, but I knew that it was next to impossible. Shaking my head sadly, I set off down the train again to look for Hermione.
**************************************************************************** **********************************************
A/N: Here it is!! The first chap of my new story!! I figured it was the least I could do after you guys gave me such wonderful reviews for Changing. Special thanks go out to all my reviewers, but especially Saber, who helped me get to 500 reviews!! THANKS YOU GUYS!!!! Okay, those of you who are expecting fluff will get it in this story, but not as much romantic stuff as in Changing. This fic will probably be a little bit darker, and the next one will be even more so. Also, these next two fics will probably not be as long as Changing. Just so you know what to expect. Anyways, hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon, please review!!
Chapter 1
Hermione's POV
I stared at myself in my full-length mirror, taking in my appearance. I had definitely changed again over the summer, and had come to wear darker clothes. I currently had on a pair of black, baggy cargo pants, and a tight black t-shirt that came above my belly button that had 'Linkin Park' written across it. I decided not to wear any makeup, including the black eyeliner I'd come accustomed to putting on every day.
But this wasn't just an ordinary day. Today was the day I was to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Today was the day I had thought would never come soon enough, but now that it was here, I was a little nervous. I was now approaching my 6th year of schooling, but it was the first year that I wouldn't be greeted warmly by my best friends, Harry and Ron, at platform 9 and ¾.
My priorities seemed to have flip-flopped, being almost the exact opposite as what they had been last year. Last year at this time, I was barely able to contain my excitement at the idea of seeing my two best friends, and the one thing I was dreading more than anything was coming face to face with Draco Malfoy again. Now, I had had to suffer through the summer plagued by thoughts only of Draco and my friends, but it was Draco I was counting down the days to see. I would have been happy to see my friends, too, had I known that they reciprocated my feelings, but after our last argument the year before, I figured that was out of the question.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts, and tried to forget about Ron and Harry, and focus on Draco. I smiled slightly just at the thought of him, as I dragged my heavy trunk down the stairs and out to the waiting car. I then heaved it into the trunk, shut the door, and hopped into the seat behind the driver as we pulled out of the driveway.
"So Hermione," my mother began, in attempt to start a conversation. "I bet you're looking forward to seeing Harry and Ron again, right?" I winced. I knew my mother meant well, because I had simply avoided the whole issue, telling her that nothing new had happened at school. After all my stories of how Draco Malfoy had treated my friends and I, I didn't expect them to understand that I was going out with him.
I didn't blame my mother for trying to start up a conversation, however. It was obvious that my parents had clearly seen the change in me this summer, more so than last, and they didn't like it. My taste in music had changed, and I began listening to things such as Linkin Park, Eminem, Good Charlotte, and the like. I would stay up later at night, and sleep until at least noon. I had a feeling that my parents thought I was going to parties and getting into trouble, but I wasn't. They didn't understand. Lately I'd been feeling like no one really understood.
**************************************************************************** **********************************************
Draco's POV
Quickly, I began shoving things in my trunk, hurrying madly to get to the platform on time. I should have known that my alarm clock would 'break' on the day I had to return to Hogwarts. Stealing a second to glance at my watch, I cursed when I saw that I only had half an hour until the train would leave, and I doubled my pace.
Frustrated, I tore the drawer off of my dresser, and dumped it's contents into my trunk, muttering a shrinking spell to make it all fit. I repeated this until all of my clothes were packed, then went to my closet. I grabbed an armload of my Hogwarts school supplies, including books, parchments, quills, and who knows what else. After I'd dumped it into my trunk and shrunken it, I grabbed another armload. For my last trip, I stuffed everything that was left into my black cauldron, lifted it easily, and dropped it into the trunk, closing it.
I didn't want to take the chance that my father was home to yell for a house elf, because if he was sleeping I most certainly did not want to wake him up. My plan was to leave the house as soon as possible, without alerting him, because I knew that he would try to stop me.
*******************************FLASHBACK*****************************
"Draco!" my father's voice boomed through our entire Manor, burning with fury. "What is the one thing I have always taught you? Do you indeed have any shred of intelligence in you to remember what I've always said?"
I wouldn't let him see that he affected me in the slightest. "Father," I began in what I hoped sounded like a calm, cold voice. "I remember what you've taught me, but, and if I'm not mistaken we've been through this, I don't agree with it." I was pleased to see that my appearance of indifference at freely disobeying his rules did nothing but enrage him further.
"And you call yourself a Malfoy," he spat, voice dripping with menace. "If you do not make a brilliant comeback from this, I swear, I'll do something you'll regret."
"Like what," I taunted. "Disown me?"
My father's eyes narrowed dangerously, becoming no more than slits, and making him appear even more like a treacherous snake. "No," he whispered, glaring at me, his eyes boring holes in mine. "But I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you? No," he repeated. "I don't see what else I can do to make you see my point than to threaten someone close to you."
*********************END FLASHBACK***********************************
I closed my eyes and gulped at the memory. That had been only the day before, and I still felt the pain from my father's little 'gift' he'd left me with, 'to remember our little chat'. He'd broken my arm, and I used the best healing charm I knew, but it was still sore. I stopped to grab a small black velvet box and tucked it in my pocket before I lugged my suitcase down the stairs, trying to go quietly, not wanting to unleash my father's wrath when I had so little time to get to the train station. Luckily, I knew a way to get there quickly. I brought my trunk to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder, and tossed it into the fireplace after stepping in. "Malfoy Flat!" I said loudly and clearly.
I arrived in the cold, unused fireplace of my flat in London, right near the train station. I'd purchased the flat last summer, figuring I could use it to get away from my father if he ever took a step too far. Now I was glad I had. I had ten minutes to get to platform 9 ¾, so I quickly exited, and rushed out onto the busy streets of London. I was surprised when I got there that the barrier had not closed itself off yet. I discreetly slipped through, then sprinted to the train, which was about to leave. I jumped on just before it began to pull away, dragging my trunk behind me.
In my rush, I had not really had time to think about much of anything, but now I was forced to recall everything. It all came rushing back to me: my father, his threat, and my mother, whom he'd beaten so bad yesterday that I had to take her to the hospital. It was probably better that way, though, because at least he couldn't get to her there. And then it also occurred to me where I was: The Hogwarts Express, and Hogwarts meant Hermione.
It had been torture these past three months, going through day after day without her. The most unbearable thought, however, was what was going to happen now that I got the chance to see her again. While I'd been thinking I'd been walking down the length of the train, and I finally came to what I was looking for: a storage compartment in the very back of the train, with no students in sight. I stowed my trunk there, and leaned against the wall. I took a few deep breaths, steeling myself for what I knew I had to do. I tried to convince myself it wouldn't be that bad, that we would work it out somehow, but I knew that it was next to impossible. Shaking my head sadly, I set off down the train again to look for Hermione.
**************************************************************************** **********************************************
A/N: Here it is!! The first chap of my new story!! I figured it was the least I could do after you guys gave me such wonderful reviews for Changing. Special thanks go out to all my reviewers, but especially Saber, who helped me get to 500 reviews!! THANKS YOU GUYS!!!! Okay, those of you who are expecting fluff will get it in this story, but not as much romantic stuff as in Changing. This fic will probably be a little bit darker, and the next one will be even more so. Also, these next two fics will probably not be as long as Changing. Just so you know what to expect. Anyways, hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon, please review!!