The Best Laid Plans

Chapter One

She was sitting in one of the compartments at the back of the train and was watching as the train flew through the countryside. Her best friends were sitting opposite her- the famous Harry Potter and his trusted sidekick Ronald Weasley, chatting animatedly about their favourite sport, Quidditch. After years of friendship, she knew it was futile even trying to listen to them, they were speaking Greek to her when the topic was Quidditch.

She sighed softly. Last year hadn't been a pleasant year for her, she only wished for her seventh year to be much better. After all, this was her last year at Hogwarts.

Her whole summer had been spent trying to piece her life back together and start afresh. Believe me; Hermione Jane Granger did try very hard to forget all the distressing events of her sixth year. However, some things just can't be forgotten that easi-

The sliding door of the compartment was pushed open. Hermione's heart jumped, standing in front of her was the last person she wished to see. The person responsible for her scattered life…

Draco Malfoy.

She couldn't control her gasp.

Alarmed from her abrupt gasp, Harry and Ron noticed the sheer terror present on Hermione's face and unhesitatingly sprung up to shield her.

"Get lost, Malfoy," Ron hissed. Hermione stared out of the window, not wanting to become involved with Malfoy in any way. Her face was hard steel, trying to retain the emotions that were stirring the insides of her.

Strange enough, the sentence Ron used was exactly what she had said last year, and if her memory hadn't failed her, it was last September…

Hogwarts Sixth-year Hermione Granger had just escaped from the Gryffindor Common Room after having a loud row with Harry and Ron, when she ran into someone.

She sneered.

He smirked.

"Hermione." he whispered her name.

"Get lost, Malfoy," she spat with immense venom. Flames of hatred burnt in those mesmerizing brown orbs of hers as they locked with those of his. They stood in silence for a while, outside the charms classroom; neither was obliged to step aside.

To avoid an argument about their unfinished homework, Hermione had decided to flee to the library. Ironically, that's how the disagreement began.

Ron started accusing Hermione of spending more time in the library than with them, while Hermione shouted that they were always talking about Quidditch in defence. But what upset Hermione most was Harry.

Typically, when Ron and Hermione bickered, Harry would side with neither, but this time he sided Ron.

She felt like a dagger had been plunged into her chest. The Gryffindor Prefect could still recall his exact words months later:

"Ron's right, Hermione. Your whole world is in the library and books, we are your best friends, yet we are second place to them."

Harry was her hero, her best friend, her advisor, her crush…kind, brave and gorgeous, scar or not, but he sided with Ron this time instead of her-

"Granger, you look like Scarhead just dumped you," Malfoy snarled.

Hermione was snapped out of her thoughts pronto. Her glare intensified. As much as she hated to admit it, Malfoy always seem to push the right buttons.

"Shut. Up."

"Seems like I'm right then," Malfoy snickered triumphantly.

Hermione wanted to growl in frustration, but then again it'll only boost Malfoy's ego. "We are not an item, not now, not before, not ever. So sod off."

Malfoy seemed impassive by her declaration, continuing to gaze into her eyes, leading to her chagrin.

Feeling that she had enough of Malfoy, Hermione decided to walk away, but Malfoy had other ideas.

His hand grabbed her arm in a firm but gentle grasp. She spun on her heels, indignant.

"What?" she snapped at him. They were just a few inches away from each other, but only Hermione seemed to notice.

"You have beautiful eyes," Malfoy commented.

Her eyebrows narrowed in confusion. Why the hell was Malfoy complimenting her, a filthy little mudblood? 'That's absurd, utterly against the conducts of Malfoy,' she thought as Malfoy scrutinized her from head to toe. It was funny how she suddenly felt naked under his stare.

"Let go of me," she demanded and struggled. There was no way Hermione Granger was going to stand here all day under the gaze of her enemy. Her efforts were in vain, of course. The Slytherin seeker had attained muscles from Quidditch and was no longer the sickly, pale asshole in first year. He was attractive, yes, but hardly the devilish handsome figure the other girls described him as. Draco Malfoy had this certain charm that was alluring to almost every girl in Hogwarts, which hadn't included Hermione.

She had always thought of him as a little sly good-for-nothing bastard; she never properly looked at him…until now.

"Ahhh, I see. You do want to be Harry's girlfriend, don't you? To feel his trail of butterfly kisses down your neck, the way he kisses that Chang girl." Malfoy used his index finger and moved it down slowly her neck. Hermione flinched; somehow she felt impelled to moan.

'What in Merlin's beard are you thinking, Granger?' she reprimanded herself for having such a ludicrous compulsion.

"Let's make a deal, Granger." A shiver ran down her spine when Malfoy purred her name.

"How?" Her anger was subsiding, but her fear was escalating. She could hardly manage to reply to him, but she wasn't going to give him the impression that she was weak.

"I want Cho and you want Potter. Potter loves you more than Cho," Malfoy whispered confidently into her ear.

Hermione considered his offer for a while. If she took up the offer, she might be sabotaging Harry's future wife, but she could somehow picture herself as Mrs. Potter. If she didn't take up the offer, Cho and Harry would be forever happily together, while she…

"Harry doesn't love me more than Cho. And how would you know?"

Malfoy stared expressionless at her. "Haven't you noticed the way he looks at you? Full of concern? Haven't you noticed that Cho is always jealous when he is with you? Haven't you heard their conversation –full of you, Hogwarts' swot?"

Silence.

Hermione was sure she wasn't the one to say, 'Yes.'

Then again, she was the one who felt evil, evil that felt good.

"Don't 'get lost' me, Weasley, I'm here for Granger," Malfoy jeered.

'How can he act like nothing has happened before?' she thought, suddenly finding the maroon carpet on the floor intriguing. 'But then if he acted like something did happen before, he wouldn't be known as the cold and heartless bastard Malfoy,' a tiny voice told her. She grimaced at the bitter truth. She couldn't, however, help wondering why he was here. Maybe it was because he wanted her back, she thought.

'Foolish girl, stop thinking that way. Malfoy would never want you…again' she told herself, acknowledging that fact very well.

"Well, Hermione doesn't want to see you," Harry barked, positively livid. People didn't have to see it to realize that Harry detested Malfoy with every ounce of flesh he had especially after last year.

"Five points from Gryffindor for defying a teacher's orders," Malfoy sounded victorious.

"What! But you can't, you are just a Pre-" Ron argued.

"Are you blind, Weasel? Can't you see the badge? I'm Head Boy. I can deduct points any time I like. Or do you need another five points deduction to wake you up from your slumber? Make it te-"

"Malfoy," Hermione said and stood up from her seat. "I'll go with you."

Draco Malfoy watched with unconcealed interest as Granger told something to her two overprotective guards who reluctantly allowed her to pass them. Weasley scoffed at Draco as if telling him that if he laid a finger on Granger, he'll kill him. Potter was slightly more understanding, though he didn't let Hermione go without a warning glare shot at Draco.

'Why the hell would I want to touch a filthy little mudblood?'

Once Granger was revealed fully to Draco, he realized that the rumours aboard Hogwarts Express were indeed factual. The graceful and optimistic butterfly had transformed into a beautiful and mature swan.

'Incredible.'

Granger looked better than the last time he saw her, better than the makeover he gave her, better than his original 'clay model'.

He smirked wryly as his eyes scrutinized the figure in front of him. Despite the fact that his 'clay model' still had a few flaws, he felt satisfied with his work… his masterpiece.

"You look beautiful for a mudblood, you know?" he commented melancholy, feeling suddenly drawn to her full red luscious lips.

A faint crimson blush crept slowly up her cheeks. "Thanks," she mumbled.

Wisely, he said, "One must not be shy, my dear, I do believe Potter fancies wild girls."

"Don't call me your 'Dear'," she grumbled.

"Fine, but it's time for classes. I shall see you tomorrow, my dear," he announced smugly, unanticipated by her.

She grinned and winked cheekily, before strolling out of his room.

He was well aware that she was getting more appealing day by day. Mesmerizing brown eyes , a perfect nose, gorgeous million dollar smiles, a curvaceous frame, olive tan skin … 'Snap out of it, Draco,' he thought. His heart tugged a little.

Guilt.

He was using her as a tool to obtain the unattainable Potter's girlfriend, Cho Chang. Compared to Cho, Hermione was only half as beauteous as the bewitching Asian. Yes, Granger might be also using him, but he just couldn't help what he was feeling…

'Malfoys cannot be guilty of their actions. We are confident of what we do and do not care about what others are feeling. We live only for ourselves, Draco," Lucius always told him.

'Yes, Malfoy, and that's what you should think. Live only for yourself.'

"I haven't got all day, Malfoy," Granger said icily.

Draco glowered at her and marched off. He couldn't comprehend her sudden change of attitude towards him. He was supposed to be the master at understanding women; all Malfoy men were. He figured out every of his past lovers, Cho, Pansy, Hannah, Grace… He thought he had Granger figured out, but now, she seemed to prove him wrong. As much as he disliked being wrong, he adored the challenge of unfolding Hermione Jane Granger.

A challenge.

He loved the sound of it.