At the beginning of their sixth year attending Hogwarts both Draco and Hermione are dreading the school year - both for very different reasons. Both are thrown together unwilling by Professor Dumbledore, and have to learn to get along. But perhaps after the last five years of immense hatred towards each other - could they finally feel something else for each other? It takes time to heal old wounds, but will any new wounds be formed by the unexpected attraction of Hermione and Draco? This dangerous relationship can either come out victorious or tragically fatal. This is set at the beginning of the Half-Blood Prince, and I'm changing the storyline slightly.

Chapter one

Draco Malfoy adjusted his silver claspings on his robe uncomfortably, whilst he absorbed his surroundings very carefully. His face twitched slightly with annoyance as he listened to the distant sounds of teenagers laughing and talking to one another. Once he had fastened his high collared robe completely, he ran his fingers through his bleach-blonde hair. He gave an inward sigh, and grasped the handle of his luggage. He walked towards the distant crowd of students who were currently bidding their families goodbye, and hugging their fellow students in greeting. Draco's face twitched slightly in annoyance.

''Draco, I'm sorry - but you're going to have to make the journey alone to the school. Your father and I cannot accompy you, for the Dark Lord does not wish for us to leave the Manor. I'm sure you can travel alone, and remember your responability.'' His mothers words rang in his ears, and he shook his head slightly. Ofcourse he was perfectly capable of travelling to the Station on his own, it just was bothersome to travel alone as a muggle. He hated muggles, and to pose as one made him feel slightly ill.

He continued his proud stride towards to crowd, and caught sight of Harry Potter. He held his gaze for a few seconds, and turned towards the train. Pushing some of the younger children aside, he climbed through the automatic doors and pulled his luggage aboard. He strolled down the corrider searching for an empty compartment, and soon discovered one. He placed his luggage in the overhead space and slumped into the seat next to the window. Gazing out the window, he watched the first years talk excitedly to their family and friends, smaller children look at their elder siblings with envy, and parents smile at their children with pride. Draco rolled his eyes slightly at the sight of the Weasley clan dragged their second hand luggage bags, and leaned back into his seat.

Outside, Draco could hear the final goodbyes of families. Soon, the hallway of the train crowded, almost everyone passing by the cabin when they realised Draco was seated in it. Barely an upward glance towards the eager intruders sent them further down the hallway. Soon, the train began to move and the hallway was near empty. Draco puhed his outgrown blonde hair back with his fingers and closed his eyes. The distance chatter and laughter from other compartments were not the only reasons Draco did not slip into sleep, but the worried thoughts of what lay ahead of him in his sixth year of Hogwarts. His mind wandered towards the task his father had informed him of, the slight burning sensation on his fore arm, and the plans for the future. He lulled over these things for perhaps an hour. These thoughts were interupted by the compartment door sliding open, and a familiar voice speaking up,

''Excuse me, Malfoy, but the Prefects are supposed to have a meeting, and this is the only cabin available..'' Hermione Granger stood in her school robes, her new Prefect badge shone brilliantly. Draco internally groaned, she had charmed it to shine with self importance. He raised an eyebrow at her,

''I should have known you would have been a Prefect, I suppose Dumbledore can't see the obvious difference between Muggleborn scum and Purebloods.'' Draco responded, ignoring her coated inquiry about using his compartment. He turned his face towards the window, and continued to watch the countryside pass by. Hermione Granger stayed silent for a moment, which Draco believed to be an achievement on her part, before retorting,

''Draco Malfoy, we're both Prefects and Seniors at the School now, I believe your attitude doesn't seem to fit either titles. The other Prefects won't be here for another short while, but my compartment is havoc and I'd rather avoid that.''

Draco ignore her remark, and rolled his eyes slightly before nodding his head at her request. He ignored her as she sat down opposite him, he ignored her as she watched him look out the window, and he ignored her as she attempted feeble conversation. She mentioned the fact they were both Prefects, and she mentioned the prospect of a new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. He rolled his eyes at each introduction to conversation, or simply groaned slightly when she opened her mouth to speak. The minutes dragged by, none of the other Prefects had appeared. Hermione continued to look anxiously towards the doors, checking her watch constantly and squirming uneasily in her seat.

Draco was on the verge of telling her to sit still when all the lights on the train went out. Darkness overtook the compartment, and a small scream escaped Hermione's lips. The train halted so hard that Hermione was flung forwards into Draco, who pushed her onto the ground, straining his ears to hear anything whilst grasping his wand tightly. He stood quickly, unsure of what to do. He had no idea why the train stopped, and if there was any danger at all on the train. But suddenly, several blood curling screams further along the hallway confirmed danger, and a brilliant flash of green light.

''D-Draco? Do you know w-what's going on?'' Hermione whimpered, shrinking back against the compartment wall under the window. Panic had overtaken her, her wand lay on the floor at her feet. Draco glanced back at her, and back towards the hallway. In truth, Draco had no idea what was going on. He had not been informed of any ambush, nor of any plots that would take action before he had fufilled his duty. Despite his intense hatred for Hermione Granger, he knew she was far more advanced and skillful than he was. If there was danger towards him, which he was pretty sure of at this moment in time, Hermione would perhaps be his best chance at survival.

''No, stay where you are. For godsake, pick up your bloody wand.'' He hissed into the darkness, his voice did not seem like his own. He heard her scramble forward, blindly grabbing for her wand. Outside it was dark, the sky was much too dark for the hour. Draco knew this was a bad sign, for he had no idea who was on the train. Screams and panic could be heard in the other compartments, footsteps and flashes of brilliant light. Both Hermione and Draco knew that the brilliant green they had seen a few minutes ago had been the killing curse, and somebody on the train was dead.

The train went silent, but it was a loud unseasy silence. All Draco could hear was Hermione's panicked breathing, and his own heartbeat. Slow footsteps crept through the hallway, and small whimpers could be heard. Desperation was all Draco could feel, he desperately wanted to live. But he sensed that whoever was on this train, was here for him. He took a step backwards, colliding slightly with Hermione who had finally found her feet. The footsteps came to a halt, and both Hermione and Draco peered into the darkness, trying to see the form that had stopped in front of the door.

It began to open, and it all happened so fast. A bright light, immense pain, a piercing scream and then darkness. Draco slipped into a burning unconcious state, and the train began to move once again.

White. All Draco could see, smell, feel - was white. Sometimes it burned, sometimes it soothed. A rasp voice in the distance kept repeating itself.

''You must complete the task. Or else. You must complete the task. Or else. You must complete the task.''

Immense pain, terrible pain, searing pain. Then, it stopped. A voice, a different voice, began pulling him out of the white. Out of the pain. The voice had a hold of him that he had never felt before, he couldn't fight. It drew him out of the binding depth of pain, and into the warm realm of reality.

Hermione Granger hadn't left Draco Malfoy's bedside since the incident. Harry and Ron were sore about this, muttering about betrayal and loyalty, but dealt with it. Dumbledore, infact, had requested that she left her studies for one week and wait for Draco to wake up. Dumbledore knew that Hermione would have no problem catching up, for she had probably already learned all the theory for this first term once she had recieved the booklist from Hogwarts. Hermione Granger was curious to why, but knew better than to question Albus Dumbledore. However, Dumbledore knew that none of Draco's ''friends'' would hang around his bedside long enough for him to awake, but would instead leave gifts and cards in hope of redeeming themselves. He had laughed humbly when he had witnessed Blaise and others quickly leave gifts and scurry out quicker than mice.

But perhaps the real reason was that Hermione had infact, perhaps, saved his life. Her quick thinking and reaction had countered a dangerous spell which had been aimed to kill Hermione but Draco was in the way. Whilst both had been hit by the counter curse, Hermione had only been injured slightly and the culprits escaped. However, Draco had taken the full impact, thus leaving him in a coma for four days.

Hermione was discussing her studies with Professor Sprout who had taken a first year to the Infirmary to remove a magical turnip from his nostril, when Draco began to awake. Hermione halted her conversation, and motioned for Madam Pomfrey to come quickly. Draco's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment everything was hazy. Everything was too bright for a moment, the light burning his eyes. But this passed within a few seconds, and Draco took in his surroundings. For a brief moment he was confused, the single white beds lined up, the various minor traumas involving gone-wrong-potions and mispreformed charms and the brightly coloured ''get well soon'' cards that surrounded him made it clear that he was in the Infirmary at Hogwarts. How he got here, however, was a mystery.

''Ah, Mr Malfoy, you've finally decided to grace us with your presence.'' Madam Pomfrey tsked at him, tugging at his arms and legs for inspection that they were working like they should. Despite being extremely tired, and groggy from a large amount of medicine being pumped into his system, he objected by pulling himself away. Hermione watched silently, unsure whether she should leave now that he was awake. Dumbledore had only requested she waited by his bedside until he had been drawn out of his slumber.

''Get off me, you stupid woman. Why am I here? Stop pulling at me! Why the HELL am I here?!'' Draco demanded, outraged that this woman was humilating him infront of several onlooking students from their beds. He felt himself flush slightly with anger, before collasping backwards into his pillow. He growled when she attempted to pull on his arm, so she stepped back and tsked before leaving to tell the headmaster that his arrogant student Malfoy had awoken and that she wanted him removed.

''She's only trying to help, you know. Some curses can cause the slowing of blood circulating the limbs making the cursed weaker for the caster, making it easier when they come back later.'' Hermione spoke up finally, sitting awkwardly near the end of his bed. She was wringing her hands, unable to decide what she was supposed to do. Draco looked towards her, and for a brief moment, he didn't feel despised by her presence. This only lasted a few moments, and the overwhelming feeling of distaste returned to him.

''Who asked you, you filthy mudblood? What are you doing here, anyway? Waiting for nobody to be around, get one at me for Golden Boy? Mudblood.'' Draco spat at her, extremely annoyed and sore about his situation. He felt the need to take out his whirlwind of feelings on somebody, the confusion, the hurt, the humilation and the distaste of his situation. He was ready to scream more abuse when he was interupted.

''Mr Malfoy, whilst I understand you have every reason to be upset, Miss Granger is not the one you should be angry at. She is infact the one you have to thank. And if I hear that type of language in my school again, I'm going to have to take it very seriously. I hope to pass it off as simply the four days worth of Dragon Tears that have been through your system. Strong stuff.'' Albus Dumbledore swept through the ward, his midnight blue robes drifted around his feet and glistened. His friendly twinkling blue eyes were smiling, despite the serious look he wore on his face. For a man of such age, his eyes seemed so young - yet so wise.

Draco frowned at the sight of the elderly headmaster, and simply rolled his eyes. He knew Dumbeldore would always defend his precious muggle-born students, sometimes he even seemed like he wouldn't know the different between a mudblood or a pureblood if they cursed him. Hermione smiled tiredly at the headmaster, her hands pushing her dark curls from her face. Despite her exhaustion from sitting endlessly with a bedridden Draco, she had a soft glow about her. Her eyes were large, with dark curling eyelashes. Her lips were full, and her neck was slender. Draco had even thought to himself once or twice in the past year that if she wasn't a dirty mudblood he perhaps would have considered her.

''W-why am I here? W-hat-'' Draco quickly demanded, banishing these thoughts of Hermione Granger from his mind. Dumbeldore smiled in a sort of way that made Draco wonder if he was able to read his mind, but quickly shook that idea out of his head. Hermione opened her mouth to explain, but Albus Dumbledore held his hand up to silence her.

''You were attacked on the train. The attack, we believe, was not meant for you. The attackers, whoever they were, had already attacked several other students. Two of which sadly lost their lives. We believe the attack was meant for Miss Granger, as all student who were attack were either muggleborn or halfbloods.'' He gently explained, his eyes had the look of mourning and grief in them. Despite the gentle soothing voice, Draco could see that the loss of the students on the train had really gotten to his headmaster. Whether or not Dumbledore had ever interacted with either student was unknown to him, but Draco was sure that Dumbledore would have cared about them just as much as his own children.

''Wait? I took a fucking attack for that mudblood?'' Draco demanded, pointing an accusing finger at Hermione. Dumbledore's features darkened.

''Mr Malfoy, that language is forbidden within the walls of this school. I will not warn you again.'' His voice was suddenly fierce, and Draco lowered his hand. Dumbledore continued,

''Now, it is true that you were in the way of the attack. But Miss Granger was quick enough to react and preformed a countercurse over your shoulder. The curse and the counter collided perhaps later than usual, causing more of an impact. You took the majority of the impact, and Miss Granger stayed with you whilst the attackers escaped. You owe her your life, Mr Malfoy.'' He finished in a serious tone.

''I owe her nothing. It's her bloody fault I was attacked.'' Draco retorted quickly, glaring at Hermione. She looked like she wanted to disapear, unable to defend herself infront of the headmaster.

''Perhaps, Draco. But I will not have any of my students hurt, or worse, again. Hermione Granger is far more prepared for that than most of the students in this school. That is why I want you to take lessons with her twice a week Malfoy. Your father is outraged by what happened, and I have assured him you will not be harmed again this year. This is not up for debate. Either of you.'' He added, looking at Hermione who looked like she was ready to cry. With that, he left the ward leaving Hermione and Draco looking at him with despair and outrage.

Okay, okay. I know Hermione seemed rather out of character on the train, but that will all come clear in the next chapters to why exactly that happened. I'm pretty pleased with Draco's character in this, and I'm trying to make them both act a little older than the way they were both protrayed in the books.

I would love comments on how to better my story. I'm sorry the first chatper is rather long and not too much into romance (YET!) but I had to get the scene ready. I hope this is more original than alot of the stories on here.

I had set this at the beginning of the Half-Blood Prince, so Dumbledore and Snape are still around. I'm changing alot of things, so please bear with me. Review with critism, ideas and feedback please. :3 I love readers.

- Amy.