Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize

Please R&R!

He watched her as she walked back to her seat, intently reading the book she had just pulled off the shelf. The way her brown hair fell along her face in a way that accentuated every beautiful feature. Those big brown eyes scanning, and committing to memory, every word in the book. As he sat in his seat watching her, he noticed the way her hips swayed naturally.

She never paid attention to him, except when he was being hateful. He didn't like it when he did or said those things that hurt her, but he was a Malfoy. He had a reputation to uphold, plus he got her attention that way. Granted, it came at the expense of her feelings. And his. He always felt guilty after criticizing her and usually told his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, to leave him alone for a while. They were too stupid to see how he felt so he knew he was safe as long as he never told anyone.

He watched as she got back out of her seat to return the book and get another one. God, she was so smart. The familiar feeling stirred inside him, and he knew he needed her attention now. He stood up and walked towards her. Her back was to him so she didn't see him coming, and he saw her jump slightly as he said, "Hey, Granger," in his normal arrogant and disgusted way.

"Bugger off, Malfoy," she retorted and kept walking towards the shelves.

He stepped in front of her. "What? You haven't committed every book in the library to memory yet?" He asked in a hateful manner. "It's disgusting how you're such a teacher's pet."

"Look, Malfoy, I'm not in the mood to with an arse like you. I'm studying for my exams and I still have to write my essay for Professor Sprout about how different fertilizers affect Fanged Geraniums. So get out of my way and go bully someone who actually cares about your opinion." This had become a routine. He would try to get under her skin, and she would show him just how little she cared what he had to say. She was resisting him, and he was losing her attention.

"Watch what you say to me, Mudblood." He didn't know why he said it. He hadn't said that word since second year. He knew it had hurt her as he saw the tears well up in her eyes. She turned away from him and ran out of the library.

He felt horrible. Worse than normal. He felt as though he had just been punched in the stomach. Why did he say that? He knew the answer. He had said it because he could feel his effect on her slipping away. He needed her attention and he had gotten it. But he had seen her face. She was so deeply hurt by that word. He couldn't stand hurting her anymore. He made a plan. He was never going to hurt her again.