At the back of the library, there is second staircase.
And under the staircase there is concealed corner where the Slytherin prince and Gryffindor princess shared very few, very precious moments.
It was the only place where the platinum blonde Malfoy ever truly laughed.
It was the only place where the brown-haired bookworm did not feel judged.
It was their safe haven, their oasis to share and to protect. This is the story of Hermione Jean Granger, Draco Malfoy and their little space.
FIRST YEAR
"You're Draco Malfoy, aren't you?"
Said Malfoy looked up with a scowl, "Go away Gryffindor. This is my space."
He looked back down at his book, eyes darting back to the last word before the interruption.
A sentence later, an indignant voice replied, "There aren't any signs indicating that. Too bad."
With that, the girl sat, pulled up her legs to her chest and opened her thick book.
'Whatever' thought Draco as he continued reading his book, 'as long as she doesn't bother me I shan't bother her.'
Several chapters later, he closed his book. Rubbing his eyes and stretching as he stood he noticed the girl hadn't left.
'She'll be late for dinner, dumb Gryffindor.'
He stalked off.
…
"Here again, I see," commented the Gryffindor girl as she returned to the same position as the day before. This time with a much thicker book, he noticed.
"Go away," he half-growled, slamming the floor in half-hearted anger.
She didn't and so he left it alone.
This time she left first. He pretended not to notice her soft farewell.
…
"You're reading on Potions aren't you? I know because I saw that same book on the Potions shelf yesterday and it probably focuses on the procedures on making Transfiguration potions, right? Is it for the test we're getting next week, probably is. Professor Snape is testing us on procedures and simple potion theory."
"Oh shut it would you Gryffindor. All you fools know is talking and boasting and I find it extremely irritating. You brave and courageous bunch, why not you do the whole cohort a favor and shut your mouth for once."
There. The pale, blonde and wealthy Draco had lost it.
The curly haired bookworm stared at him with her mouth open in surprise. She'd never heard seen the proud and loud-mouthed Slytherin react in such a manner.
Realizing his sudden, out-of-character outburst the young Malfoy stalked off, gripping the book till his knuckles turned white.
…
He finally returned a week later, convinced that he would be in the clear and she would have found some other place to annoy those around her.
To his dismay, she was there huge book, bushy brown hair and all.
Sitting in HIS corner.
Before he could stomp off, she stood hurriedly with an anxious look on her face. "Draco, I'm sorry about the other day. I didn't mean to annoy you really. Do stop avoiding this area. Its part of the library for all students to share and I don't need something on my guilty conscience."
'So that's it-a guilty conscience.' "Well it isn't my job to keep Gryffindors all happy and guilt-free now is it?"
With that the Malfoy walked off with an arrogant stride, but no smirk to match.