PROLOGUE

"Hermione?"

I whipped round to find Draco Malfoy standing in front of me, his familiar sneer replaced by a look of uncharacteristic tenderness. His blonde hair flopped lazily over his storm grey eyes, framed by long blonde lashes.

"Look, before you say anything-" Malfoy stopped short when he saw me raise my wand, and point it straight at his pale face.

"What do you possibly think you could say to me to make me feel better right now Malfoy? I've had enough of your games! I'm not a toy!"

Malfoy looked stunned, not only at my use of his last name, but also the harsh, cold anger I was trying to suppress. I told myself I would be cool about this. He was drawing closer and I was stepping backwards, my hands finding the wall seconds before I hit it.

"What could I have possibly done to earn your utmost fury?" Then the look of contempt was back, his eyebrow arching, making my blood boil. Did he always have to be so smug?

"You know perfectly well what you've done, you foul, loathsome little leech! And don't you dare try and touch me!" I drew in my hand quickly, hiding it behind my back as Malfoy reached for it. "Get away from me," I continued in a tone coated with rage.

"Hermione, please, what-" I cut him off once more. "Don't 'Hermione, please' me Malfoy! I've had enough; I don't want to be a part of your stupid charade anymore! I won't do it!"

Malfoy's jaw clenched and he stepped back slightly, his eyes clouding over. "Fine then Granger, if that's what you want." I just blinked at him in surprise; I didn't think he would've given up that easily.

"Is that it? No filthy mudblood? Nothing?" Malfoy flinched as I swore.

"Don't call yourself that," he said, his hand trembling. "You didn't seem to have any problem with it last time we met," I argued. Malfoy cursed under his breath and turned around, shoving his shaking hand into his pocket.

"I can't make you do something you don't want to do." And with that, he turned sharply and strode around the corner, his black cloak billowing behind him and left me standing against the wall, tears filling the corners of my eyes.

And I couldn't for the life of me, figure out why.