They were an unlikely friendship, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. Everyone stared at them around school, no one understood it. How could one of the Gold Trio become friends with a death eater? It didn't make sense.
Hermione sighed as she sat down next to Draco in their prefect dorm "Are we freaks, D?" she questioned. Draco rubbed his forehead and scrunched up his eyebrows "Of course we are Granger!" He contorted his features so he looked as terrifying as the dark Lord himself could look "Give me Harry potter or I will kill you!" he teased and proceeded to tickle her into submission whilst she cried "Get off me you traitor! You Malfoy scum!" and attempted to tickle Draco back.
The two of them were stretched out on the floor, laughing at each other. "We are weird Granger, but it doesn't matter because we have each other!" he smiled at her, so warmly her insides melted. "I suppose your right MALFOY" she teased again. They always did that; whenever one of them was sad they'd flick to the part of them they were supposed to be – the death eater and the golden girl.
They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity before Draco asked "Hermione… Do Potter and Weasley still give you grief about… us" he gestured to the pair lying side by side. Hermione shrugged "Yeah… but it's okay because we're not friends anymore!" she sat up smiling and went to pour herself a glass of water. Draco watched her every move. He was grateful for Hermione; she had saved him in ways he did not know it was possible to be saved. She gave him hope and self-confidence that just because he shared his father's name, did not mean he would be his father. In return, Draco gave Hermione protection, love and understanding.
Hermione sauntered back over to Draco and sat cross legged at his side and stroked his hair gently. He was exquisite really, and she was glad he was hers. "You're so beautiful Draco" she soothed him and Draco felt all his worries disappear as he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.
Hermione watched her best friend soundly sleeping, all the worry and pain gone from his face. He was just a boy really; he didn't deserve an abusive father and a mother who was scared of her own shadow. She knew why he was a Slytherin, he was ambitious and would do whatever it took to succeed, and he was cunning and knew exactly how to play situations out. It struck her though how his Slytherin characteristics crossed so well with her Gryffindor traits; both were brave, both looked out for the ones who they were closest to, neither would back down. They were strong and together, they were unbeatable.
She resumed her position next to Draco on the floor and snuggled into his warm chest, instinctively, he pulled her closer to protect her from any nightmares she might face. She too fell into a deep sleep.
The two of them together were an usual pairing who'd have thought it… The lion and the snake. United.