Hermione hummed under her breath as she walked into the train station. She was ecstatic about being a third year at Hogwarts. This year she would be able to go to Hogsmeade. There were so many shops she had heard of that she wanted to visit with her friends- Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
Hermione's jaw dropped when she stepped through the door. The train station was packed with people. It was going to take her forever to reach the platform. At least she had the sense to show up early. With a huff of annoyance, Hermione pushed her way through the station, coming to a stop at Platform 9 ¾.
'This day keeps getting better', Hermione thought sarcastically as she spotted the person she hated seeing most in the world, Draco Malfoy, leaning against the wall next to her.
Malfoy didn't seem to notice her though, as he watched the trains go by. No longer paying him any attention, Hermione checked to make sure she had everything she needed. While she was wondering whether she should have brought as many books as she had, her thoughts were interrupted by a gasp. Hermione looked to her left and stifled a shout of surprise. A figure in a dark cloak had appeared beside her where Draco had been. Malfoy was now backing away from it- right towards the train tracks.
Hermione recognized this creature; it was a dementor. They guard the wizard prison, Azkaban, and are said to suck the happiness right out of you until you're a hollow shell.
Looking around, Hermione noticed no one had taken any notice of the dementor, but a few people had noticed Malfoy edging closer to train tracks.
Hermione knew she had to help him, but what was she to do? She knew about the Patronus spell, but she wasn't powerful enough to do it yet. And she was around so many muggles that it would be too dangerous. She had to do something though. So, setting her trunk down, Hermione did the only thing she could think of. She charged at the dementor. She braced herself for impact, knowing all she would feel was sadness and despair the moment she made contact with it. She gasped in shock, her shoulders crumbling under the cold feeling, but kept pushing. Hermione shoved the dementor over the edge of the platform and onto the tracks, grabbing at Draco before he could fall.
"Granger?" Malfoy exclaimed, looking shocked that Hermione had saved him.
"You're welcome," she replied flatly.
"Oh. Um.. thank you?" Draco tilted his head as though confused.
Scoffing, Hermione turned to walk away.
"Why did you do it?" Draco asked quietly, "Save me, I mean."
Turning back around to face him, Hermione replied, "I may not like you all that much, hate you even, but I don't exactly want you to die."
Satisfied with her answer, Hermione walked back to her possessions, picked them up, and crossed through the barrier, leaving a stunned Draco Malfoy behind.