Save Me from Myself
Disclaimer: Ok, I don't own Harry Potter. I do not claim to be that much of a literary genius. The plot, and the plot alone, is mine. Everything else belongs JK Rowling.
Author's Comments: Please read and review. For those of you who have read my other stories, I'm sorry I haven't updated in forever. I promise I will. I'm having writer's block with them, though. Comments very welcome. If you criticize, please don't be cruel. Thanks.
Summary: Okay, here's the scoop. This is my first Draco/Hermione fic, so I hope you all like it. Anyway, Hermione is battling with a lot of things, and she can't take it anymore. It's the 7th year, and someone unexpected comes to her rescue. I wonder who that could be. LOL. Well, here's the story.
Chapter One: Long Black Train
Hermione was walking through the train station with her trolley. She reached the barrier to Platform 9 ¾. She looked around cautiously and then ran towards the barrier. She was soon on the platform. She smiled as she saw the familiar black train that would take her to Hogwarts, her home.
She had changed a lot over the summer. Her hair was no longer bushy. It was sleek and shiny, and reached just past her shoulders. She had finally filled out. She was very beautiful. She even wore make-up. Hermione had felt that the change was necessary.
She was walking towards the luggage carrier when she was embraced from behind with strong yet gentle arms. She turned and smiled at her best friend, Harry Potter. The-Boy-Who-Lived had changed a lot too. His changes were due to the fact that in 6th year, Sirius had miraculously returned and was proven innocent.
Harry was able to move in with Sirius, and the two of them had become closer than family, if such a thing is possible. Harry had finally grown and was now 6'5". Because he was training for the war with Voldemort, his muscles were more firm.
"How are you, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Great, except for the ever threatening presence of Voldemort. You?"
"Oh, pretty good. It's so good to see you. Is Ron here?"
"Yeah. He went to find us a compartment. It's great to see you too. You've changed a lot." He looked her up and down.
"Yeah, well, I wanted to do something different. Did I tell you I was made Head Girl?"
"You were? That's great! Do you know who the Head Boy is?"
"No, but I'm sure we'll get along fine. Oh, that reminds me. I have to share a compartment on the train with whoever the Head Boy is. I won't be able to sit with you."
"Really? That sucks."
"Yeah, but I'll come and see you all after I make a patrol of the train. Okay?"
"Okay. Well, I'd better get on the train. I'll see you later 'Mione!"
"Bye Harry."
Hermione set off towards the other end of the train. Her smile had vanished after Harry had gone. She felt guilty for lying to him. She wasn't doing okay. She sighed as she reached the Head Boy and Girl compartment and opened the door. The Head Boy was already there.
"It can't be!" she exclaimed, exasperated.
"It's nice to see you too, Granger," said the Head Boy, who was none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Y-you're the Head Boy?" Hermione stammered.
"Yep. Get used to it."
With that, he went back to the book he was reading. Hermione slumped herself in a seat on the other end of the compartment, by the window. She pulled a book and a CD player out of her bag.
"Musica enchanto," she muttered.
Music filled her ears through her headphones, and she lost herself in the music and her new book. She had started reading fiction. She didn't realize that a certain platinum-blonde haired boy was staring curiously at her over the pages of his book.
Draco was infuriated that Hermione Granger was the Head Girl, but he wasn't surprised. He figured she would be. What did surprise him was her appearance. Her hair was no longer bushy. Her body was no longer flat and without curves. Her clothing style had changed also.
She was wearing tight black pants with a read tank top. Her sandals were red like her shirt. The curious thing about her wardrobe was the fact that she was wearing black elbow-high gloves. Draco shrugged. Granger still has to have something weird about her, he thought. When she looked up, Draco quickly went back to reading his book.
About halfway through the trip, Hermione walked out of the compartment and went to find Harry and Ron. She found them in the very last one. She walked in with a smile on her face. They both smiled when she walked in.
"So, Hermione, who's the Head Boy?" asked Harry with an eyebrow raised.
"No one important," she replied with a shrug.
"C'mon 'Mione," urged Ron, "Tell us."
"Fine. It's our favorite little ferret," she said nonchalantly.
"Malfoy?" Both Harry and Ron asked at once.
"Yes. But he hasn't said anything to me, so neither of you need come to my rescue."
"Hermione, this isn't good. You know that you both have your own place now, common room and everything, right?"
"I'm well aware of that, Harry. But, don't worry. I'm not the same defenseless person I used to be, and I can handle him. Besides, I have my two best friends in the whole world to look out for me." She put an arm around the two of them.
The three of them talked for a while, and then Hermione said she needed to get back to her own compartment. Leaving them was hard. She always felt better being with them.
Settling back in her seat by the window, Hermione put her headphones back on and closed her eyes. The loud alternative music was a comfort to her. When she opened her eyes again, it was dark outside, and she noticed that the Slytherin Prince was asleep.
Funny, Hermione thought, he almost looks human when he's sleeping. I guess he is one of the reasons that people say that looks can be deceiving. Hemrione changed CDs and closed her eyes again.
Draco opened his eyes and saw the Golden Girl asleep by the window. Look at that. Granger actually looks peaceful. Usually the bloody bookworm looks like she's about to have a nervous breakdown. As he watched her sleep, he saw her face scrunch up into a deep frown. Not knowing what he was doing, her walked over and put a hand on her head. Her face relaxed.
Draco walked back to his seat and slumped down. What is wrong with me? Did I just actually comfort Her-Granger? Wait. Did I just almost think of her as Hermione? I need another nap. That's it. It will all be back to normal when I wake up again. Draco closed his eyes and fell asleep again.
She had the nightmare again. Only, this time, it was stopped in the middle of it. She didn't know what happened. She was having the nightmare, and then she felt all peaceful and safe. She opened her eyes.
Hermione saw her arch nemesis still asleep. The only difference was that his position had changed. Before, he had been lying across the whole bench. Looking at him, she noticed that he was slumped against the wall of the compartment.
She shook her head. She thought back and remembered her nightmare. It angered and scared her. She had to escape. She turned the volume all the way up on her CD player and switched it to the song "Just Like You" by 3 Days Grace. She sat back and mouthed the words:
I could be mean, I could be angry
You know I could be just like you
I could be fake, I could be stupid
You know I could be just like you
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
I could be cold, I could be ruthless
You know I could be just like you
I could be weak, I could be senseless
You know I could be just like you
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
On my own cause I can't stand livin' with you
I'm alone, so I won't turn out like you want me to
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
I could be mean, I could be angry
You know I could be just like you
She felt better after listening to the song. Her mind started to clear a little. Hermione knew that they would be at Hogsmeade Station soon, so she thought it best to wake up the Head Boy.
She walked over to him and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Nothing. She gently shook his shoulder. He stirred a little. She shook him a little harder. He opened his eyes.
"What do you want, Granger? I was sleeping."
"I thought I should wake you, Malfoy. We'll be there soon, and it's our job to get all of the others to Hagrid and onto the carriages."
He stretched. "Oh. Well, thanks."
This shocked Hermione. Draco Malfoy was thanking her? Draco Malfoy was thanking her? This was a new and rather confusing development. Maybe he's just tired, she thought hopefully.
The train started to slow down, and Hermione and Draco walked out onto the platform as the train came to a halt. Hermione saw Harry and Ron and waved to them. They waved back and got into a carriage. As soon as everyone else was on their way to the castle, Draco and Hermione took the last carriage. They spent the short trip each lost in their own thoughts.
Ending Comments: Okay. There's the first chapter. Not as long as the others will be, but you can't do a whole lot with a train ride. Hope you all enjoyed it. R&R please!