*First off, I'm a avid Ron/Hermione pairing, but since my best friend wanted me to write one for Dramione so this is part of your Christmas present…but don't worry I'm still going to get you something else. This one's for you Shaunee!

*Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters or plot lines.

Hermione POV

I climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express, more nervous than I have been in my entire life. This was worse than the time that my parents told me I had a cavity. Worse than the time I got an A- on my spelling test. This was a new, big, fancy, wizardry school! I was still worried that there would be some mistake, that they would send me home and tell me that I wasn't smart enough to learn magic. I wasn't good enough, and I knew it. No matter what I did, I wouldn't be good enough to study at this fantastic school. But, with my chin held high, I buried my fears deep inside me and walked further inside.

And I promptly ran into a boy.

Of course, naturally, it would be me who made enemies and made a fool of myself before school even started. With my cheeks flaming, I looked up a mumbled an apology. Surprisingly, a pale hand reached out to help me up. I took the hand and looked the boy full on in the face. For some reason, I couldn't look away. I'd had crushes before (well one mainly and that was only cause he was smarter than her) but this was different. I didn't exactly find myself drawn to him, yet I did. I didn't find him particularly handsome, yet uniquely adorable in his own way. But what caught my eye the most was the angry red mark across his face, as if someone had slapped him. His stormy grey eyes stood out remarkably in contrast. His blond hair was especially disheveled, as if he was the one who fell, not me.

"Sorry, I need to watch where I'm going," I manage to get out while avoiding his eyes. I'm not sure what it is but there's something there that especially scares me. Not like he's dangerous, scary, but more like he can see inside me scary. Plus they look way too tired and sad to belong to an eleven year old.

"No, no it's okay. I'm a little clumsy. And don't tell anyone, but I'm nervous too. I guess you could say I've got a lot to live up to. See, my whole family has been in Slytherin, and I have to be otherwise…well it wouldn't go down too well with my father," the boy says this to me, all the while his expression growing more and more sad and downtrodden. I have the feeling it was his father who gave him this ugly red mark across his face. For some reason, I feel anger towards the man who hit this boy. How odd. Instead of lingering on it, I turn to the one subject I know about.

"Isn't Slytherin the house most evil witches and wizards were in?" I question. "Wasn't You-Know-Who in that house?" You-Know-Who was the most evil wizard to roam this planet. He murdered and tortured some of the greatest witches and wizards of the age, including the famous Harry Potter's parents. He was the utmost scum and I hoped this boy had nothing to do with him. However, the minute I mention this, his expression darkens, but instead of looking scary, he looks sad and scared. I wish I could comfort him, which is utter nonsense! I don't even know this boy!

"Yeah, he was in that house," the boy admits. "Don't hold it against me though," he says lightly, in an attempt to lighten the subject. I grasp onto this comic relief, not looking for a serious discussion on my very first day.

"Oh I won't! I'm just looking forward ever so much to learning all our classes! I'm most excited for Transfiguration, you know, turning one thing into another. What about you?" I ramble on and I realize this is the best face for me to take on at school: a nerd. A learning freak. It will be natural and I'm genuinely looking forward to learning.

"Yeah, Transfiguration…cool," he mutters vaguely. For some reason I think I'm boring him and the idea absolutely infuriates me. I had such strong feelings for this boy two minutes ago and now he's waving me off like nothing? How dare he! "Well, I better be off," and he heads in the other direction.

Before I can stop myself I'm yelling, "Wait! I don't know your name yet!"

He turns around and utters the two words that will change my life forever.

"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Sorry this is kind of short but there are going to be a lot more chapters! I plan on going all the way into year five or six so keep a lookout! I would write more but ANTM is going to come on. I'll see you on fanfic :)

~Campbell's Chicken Noodle~