Summary- Draco and Hermione are in 7th year and Head Students. They are also happily in love with each other. Over the summer, Draco accepts the Dark Mark, and Hermione finds out about it. Will she still love him? Find out.

Genre(s)- Romance/Drama

Rating- PG-13 for cursing and some sexual content (not until later in the story, though).

Other pairings- Blaise/Pansy, Harry/Ginny, slight Ron/Luna

Against The Odds

Introduction- When Draco and Hermione first fell in love

It was towards Christmas time at Hogwarts. Draco has decided to stay at school over the holidays and was just walking around. He was thinking about his family. His parents had died in one of Voldemort's anger fits. He had had a lot of those and luckily, Draco wasn't there. Draco's thoughts were interrupted by a small figure sitting against the wall, their knees pushed into their chest. They were crying.

"Whatever's the matter?" Draco asked with concern.

Sniffle. "Nothing you would be interested in," the voice replied.

Draco sighed. Ever since his parents died, he had began to get a heart. "Granger?" he whispered.

She looked up. "Yeah?" she whispered softly. Draco was shocked to see her crying like she was. He was also shocked to find that it wasn't him that caused her tears.

Draco closed his eyes. Then he opened them up again. "Why are you crying on Christmas Eve?" he asked, surprising them both with his sincere concern.

Hermione sighed. "Your stupid boss person attacked my parents a couple of weeks ago. They were taken to St. Mungo's and the Healers tried to heal their wounds..." she broke off, looking in the opposite direction.

Draco sat down next to her. "What happened?" he asked with genuine concern.

"They're dead. I have no parents now, thanks to you." she whispered, wiping her eyes.

Draco looked at her understandingly. "I know how you feel. My father died."

Hermione looked at him. "Wasn't he one of them?"

Draco nodded. "It happened a couple of months ago. Voldemort wanted my dad to do something and I guess he didn't do it. So, Voldemort killed him." Draco wiped tears from his eyes.

"Do you miss him?" Hermione asked.

Draco shook his head. "No way. He used to beat me and my mum all the time."

Sighing, Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder. They were both surprised that he didn't push her away. Draco couldn't explain it, but he was happy she was there. Was he glad she was there because he needed someone to vent his inner anger and pain on? No. He was glad Hermione was there because he needed someone to talk to. They both were going through the same thing and Draco felt that they could relate to each other.

"At least you still have one parent," she whispered.

Hermione sniffled again. Draco looked down at her. Their eyes met. They stared unblinkingly at each other. Draco slowly took his hand and wiped Hermione's tears from her eyes. She smiled at him and he smiled back. He moved his hand to her cheek, stroking it softly. Hermione closed her eyes and opened them again.

"Is it okay if I kiss you?" Draco asked softly.

Hermione nodded. "Please do."

Draco put his arms around her waist. They both leaned in at the same time. Their lips met softly. They both could taste the salty tears from the other's eyes. Hermione shyly and gently put her hands on Draco's shoulders and worked their way to his neck. Draco felt the urge to get closer to Hermione, so he lightly traced her bottom lip with his tongue. Hermione paused, but opened her mouth to allow him in. He gently traced her tongue with his own. He heard Hermione moan softly, but she did the same thing to him and she heard him sigh.

The only reason they stopped is that they were both out of breath. It took them both a while to decide to pull back from their little moment.

Ever since Christmas Eve, 5th year, Draco and Hermione have been in love.

Well, there it is. Please review.

Next chapter- Draco gets the Dark Mark. Or does he??