Just an Illusion Chapter 1
Authors Note: So, I have been playing with this idea for a while now. I finally got the strength to write the thing. Read and Review! Don't forget to enjoy!
Oooo
Life had never been easy for Hermione Granger. She was thrown into a world of magic when hers consisted of none. At the sorting ceremony, her first day at Hogwarts, she was sorted into Slytherin. Many would find this shocking, being a muggleborn and all. But not just purebloods and half-bloods have the characteristics. Anyone can be cunning, ambitious, and determined. The muggleborn population in the house was slim. Her only friends consisted of other muggleborns and a very select number of half-bloods and purebloods who weren't prejudice. The 'mudbloods' looked out for one another. Ranging from first years to seventh years. They were not just verbally attacked. Hermione could take the pain however. She was strong and knew others were just jealous. She was a mudblood in Slytherin but also known as the brightest witch of her age. The narrowminded purebloods couldn't wrap their tiny little heads around that fact. That her blood was dirty but she was superior. It was normal to be jealous of the Golden Trio, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Neville Longbottom, who defeated Voldemort in sixth year. But to be jealous of her openly was against the law. This was why she was attacked more than any other muggleborn in her house. But it lessened the blow for others.
One of Hermione's biggest problems was Draco Malfoy. He was the first to ever call her a mudblood. Always there when she falls, always there to start the attack or finish it. He may have never personally hit her but the tripping, shoving, and name calling was enough to push Hermione over the edge. Even in sixth year, with half the population of Hogwarts returning and a war currently going on, he found a way to insult her. It was like she was his. He could do anything to her because she wouldn't fight back, his own personal punching bag. She was tired of it. It was her final year at Hogwarts and she was Head Girl. With the bane of her existence being Head Boy, she knew things had to change.
Like normal she woke up bright and early. She was always the last in bed and the first out of bed to avoid her Slytherin roommates. She quietly tiptoed out of bed, through the common room, and down many flights of stairs to the Prefects bathrooms. Waking up so early allowed her to not worry about encountering another person. She quickly got dressed and made her way to breakfast.
She was sitting alone when other students started to pile in. Blaise Zabini, one of the select few purebloods to be her friend, walked into the Great Hall. Followed by his best friend, Draco Malfoy. He quickly sat down beside her and grabbed a piece of toast. "Morning Hermione."
"Good morning, Blaise." Hermione always liked him. He never called her rude names, stayed neutral in the war, and was such a flirt. Always smiling and carefree. She could only imagine why he would pick Draco Malfoy, a Death Eater, to be his friend. Let alone best friend.
The rest of the breakfast was filled in comfortable small talk until Cormac McLaggen walked over. Even after the war the tension between Gryffindors and Slytherins was at an all-time high. The shock on Hermione's face was evident when she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see him standing there. Blaise also turned around while many other Slytherins were staring. Everyone was expecting a show. Nothing normal ever happened in the Great Hall.
"How are you Hermione?" There was a twinkle and smile on his face as he stared down at Hermione. A determined look on his face she did not appreciate.
"I'm fine, McLaggen." She knows it was weak but she used his last name in hopes of showing him she was not interested in what he had to say. However, the smile only grew on his face. What she didn't know was that he liked girls who played hard to get. And Hermione was the perfect target for his little game.
"I was wondering if you would like to go out with me this Friday?" He had stepped closer to her seat and his eyes were penetrating hers. Daring her to reject as he leaned down. Hands behind his back.
"Well … um … I-I…" She was stuttering over her words, unable to break eye contact. She could feel all eyes on her. Holding their breath for her response. Suddenly a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her right up against the even stronger body.
"She's taken." Relief and appreciation washed over her like a warm blanket. Blaise as helping her get out of the possibly most horrid date McLaggen had planned. Immediately he stepped back and the smile was replaced with a frown on his shocked face. He gave a small nod before retreating back to his spot at the Gryffindor table. Silence filled the hall before the gossip started.
"Thank you so much." Hermione let out a small sigh of relief as she turned back around to her food. It looked like the day was already starting out rough.
"Any time love." She couldn't help but laugh when he placed a quick kiss on her cheek and winked. That wouldn't help the rumors. Draco, witnessing the whole exchange, stabbed his eggs rather loudly. Hermione choose to ignore his childish actions and grabbed her bag before heading to the first class of the day. However, before exciting the hall she turned around to see Blaise and Malfoy in hushed whispers. She tried not to think about it too much. He was probably just telling Blaise that he will get some kind of germ of sickness from touching her. Just Malfoy acting immature. What's new.
After Hermione's first two periods, she was on her way to lunch when she noticed a group of Slytherin girls standing by the entrance. She knew the scene all too well. They would grab her, either physical harm her or lock her somewhere over night. While rounding the corner, trying to leave, she ran directly into Blaise. He looked at her, around the corner, then to Draco. "Draco, be a lad and stand on the other side of Hermione."
"Blaise, what are you doing?" The two taller boys, much to Dracos protest, had squeezed Hermione in between them.
"Escorting a damsel in distress to lunch." She wanted to argue about the treatment but she was also very hungry. The group of girls faces dropped when they noticed Hermione's body guards. Snarls and frowns formed on their lips as they watched the three enter the hall. Unharmed to their dismay.
Hermione was in her last class of the day. Potions. Slughorn was an easy enough teacher. She was sitting in the back alone, like usual, when Malfoy walked in and sat beside her. She sat there staring at him. Waiting for him to speak. Waiting for an insult. But it never came. They worked in silence the entire time. He didn't even look at her when the bell rang and they were dismissed. Not a single word was uttered from either of their mouths for the hour. She was just glad they didn't end up in a screaming match. Even though the silence was strange. But she should be happy that all classes were over for the day.
After a quiet dinner, she was sitting alone in a secluded area of the library. Books opened to random pages and papers surrounding her. The requirement for an essay ranged from half a parchment to a parchment. Hermione however was known to go above and beyond. She wasn't titled the brightest witch of her age for nothing. Half way through her Transfiguration essay she heard the normal sound of the library doors opening. It was a Tuesday night but she loved having the library all to herself. The giant shelves, vast number of books, and old furniture warmed her heart. Flipping the page of a dusty book brought tingles to her finger tips. It wasn't until the sight of platinum blonde ruined her carefree happy feeling.
Draco Malfoy walked straight up to the table she was sitting at. He let his bag drop to the floor. Quickly he pulled out the chair opposite from her. He sat down, crossing his legs, with his feet on the table. His lips were in a smirk as he looked directly into her eyes. Hermione waited until he stopped moving. She quickly went back to finishing her essay. Trying to ignore the presence of Malfoy right in front of her. She could feel him watching her but the more she wrote the more she became absorbed into her work. Like she was sucked into her own private world.
They sat there for twenty minutes. Draco studied her features. Not afraid that she saw him. His eyes constantly ran over her. Studying her. Trying to mark her in his memory. Making sure he knew every aspect of her that he could see. Her perfectly arched eyebrows, big brown eyes, and rosy lips. The small line of freckles that formed on her nose and spread onto her cheeks. Her soft but defined jaw line and the little dip above her lips. Under her nose. Her brown eyes that held small flakes of gold as she turned the page of a book and continued to write. Her eyebrows drew together in concentration as she bit her bottom lip. He had the sudden urge to bite her lip for her but that would never end well. Him most likely injured and her storming away in a wind of robes. When she was finally done with her essay she dropped her quill and looked him directly in the eyes. He stopped studying her for a moment and challenged her eye contact. His eyes did hover on her lips for longer than necessary. Grey held brown as they looked at each other for another five minutes. She was starting to study him as well.
"Mudblood," It was clear that Malfoy has more to say but she would not allow it. Using nonverbal magic, she packed all her papers in her bag and piled all her books on top of each other. In one swift motion, she had her bag on her shoulder and swiped all of her books off the old table. Holding them close to her chest. She was marching away from the table and out the large library doors before Malfoy even had time to process or react to what just happen. He sat there with his mouth hanging open. Hermione could not believe the nerve of him. The war was over. His side lost. Why couldn't he get that through his thick head. She was going to fight back this year. Draco Malfoy would no longer be able to push her around. He was just upset that he lost. Thinking that Hermione would be his constant. Thinking that she would always be a target he could shoot. But no longer. Times were changing.
Being far to early to go to bed, she walked down various corridors. Stopping to have a chat with random paintings or looking out windows. Into the beautiful starry night. Finally, safe to return to the Slytherin dungeons, she slowly made her way down to the last floor of the castle. She stripped of her heavy robes. Put on some comfortable clothes, and climbed into bed. Closing the curtains and placing a silencing charm around her. When she as sure the spell worked, she released an aggravated scream. Still completely furious with Malfoy. Being a pureblood and all, she at least thought he could show a woman some respect. But apparently being a muggleborn slaughtered any respect he held for this woman. That night she dreamt of Malfoy. Not knowing that he planned to visit her every single day this week in the library.
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