Disclaimer: The characters are from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter series and none of it belongs to me. I simply own the plot to 'A Distant Breeze' and I urge you not to sue me *winks*…

Story: All that he was brought up to hate was everything she was. All that she grew to love was everything he wasn't. Until now.

A Distant Breeze - G

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Chapter One

The hushed whispers followed him as he walked along the train, searching for a compartment with space left inside. Damn them! Damn their pity! A Malfoy should never be subjected to pity – but then again, what kind of Malfoy was he? He had gone against his name, his father, his house, he – he opened the door to find the last three people in Hogwarts he wished to see.

Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger sat there looking at him with distaste.

"What do you want Malfoy?" snapped Ron.

"Nothing you could afford to give," Draco replied, much to the ginger-haired boy's anger.

"Shut up Malfoy! No more cheap shots at my family! At least my father didn't k-,"

"Ron!" interjected Hermione.

"Go on Weasley! Finish what you were about to say," Malfoy said coldly, although he knew perfectly well what Ron was about to say – about Lucius's apparent suicide.

Harry spoke up. "Look Malfoy, just back off," he told the grim faced Slytherin.

Glaring hard at Ron, Draco walked over to the corner seat and sat down.

"What do you think you're doing?" barked Ron.

Hermione sighed. "Ron leave it. The other carriages are probably full," she said.

Draco almost shot her a grateful look before he stopped himself. Why should a Malfoy ever be grateful to anyone – there he went again – he wasn't really a Malfoy anymore. As the train began to move, Draco's head filled with a thousand thoughts. He knew he could never be a Deatheater – he couldn't kill or torture innocents and he'd killed Voldemort's right-hand man – there was no way they'd ever want him. Yet Draco still hated Potter with a passion although he had yet to figure out why. And he still held a deep contempt for Muggle-borns.

Suddenly Hermione laughed at something Harry said, the musical sound of her laughter reverberating through the carriage. Yes he still hated Muggles as much as ever…didn't he?

However the mood of the carriage deteriorated as time passed as Ron and Harry felt uncomfortable with Draco's presence. Harry decided he'd had enough of the tense atmosphere and announced that he was going to get a breath of fresh air. Ron who was still annoyed with Hermione soon followed. Hermione took out her revised edition of 'Hogwarts A History' and began to read. Draco took the opportunity to look her over. She had changed a great deal over summer; she seemed more outgoing and happy – well with the demise of Voldemort's closest supporters that was no surprise- and her eyes seemed to hold a new light. The sun reappeared to shine a shaft of light onto her face and suddenly Draco's breath caught. Her wavy hair framed her delicate face in a designed tousled look and she seemed to glow. Draco coming to grips with what he was thinking tore his gaze away and resumed staring moodily out of the window.

The sunlight made the page glare and Hermione's gaze swept over the Slytherin opposite her. Malfoy had tanned somewhat and his silver-white hair had darkened to a pleasing sandy blond. His grey eyes stood out to his handsome face – handsome?!? Malfoy? Ugh. But- no! Suddenly the object of her attention met her eyes.

"What Granger? Can't get enough?" Draco smirked.

"Whatever Malfoy," Hermione said disdainfully, raising an eyebrow.

"Not that I'd care what a mudblood thinks," Draco said spitefully.

Hermione ignored him.

Towards the end of breakfast on the first day Professor McGonagall magnified her voice to make an unexpected announcement.

"Professor Dumbeldore neglected to inform you of a decision concerning all students at the feast last night. He informed me it might have spoilt you appetite. He has decided that all group projects are now to be done with a partner from another House. In these dark times he reminds us that in the words of a famous Muggle – united we stand, divided we fall. Inter-house rivalry is acceptable up to a point and in order to form closer ties with other House members this policy will be put into place from now on. Thankyou."

A buzz of talk followed as she finished her announcement. The Gryffindor trio left the hall with Ron saying, "As long as its not with the Slytherins."

Hermione groaned. "Ron don't you think that defeats the purpose? Ravenclaws think Hufflepuffs are idiots and Hufflepuffs think Ravenclaws are nerds with no lives. Slytherins believe Gryffindors are goody-goody-two-shoes and we think that Slytherins are evil gits," she explained.

"So?"

Hermione sighed giving up.

 The first lesson of the year was Defence of the Dark Arts with the Slytherins. Their new teacher was Professor Dagale and seemed to be a capable teacher. Their lesson was going well until she mentioned the dreaded words – "group project". The students looked distastefully at opposing House members.

"Now," said Professor Dagale brightly, "how about Mr Potter and Mr Crabbe? And Mr Weasley and Mr Goyle?"

Harry and Ron looked at each other appalled at their luck.

Their teacher approached Hermione's desk. "Hmm," she said thoughtfully looking at the roll, " Ms Granger and…

Hermione prayed fervently under her breath. Please let it be anyone but –

…Mr Malfoy."

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Well this is the first fanfic I've gotten around to publishing so I'd be extremely grateful for some feedback *smiles hopefully* …and if anyone knows how to fix up the spacing could they please tell me…or should I just leave it?