My 2nd try at a Draco/Hermione. I think it'll go good this time!
Hermione Granger sat on the edge of the lake while reading. It was a brisk fall Saturday and she greatly enjoyed fresh air when she studied, with the exception of her beloved library. But one could only take so much silence and mustiness. When that happened to her, she would take her books out by the lake, much to Madam Pince, the librarian's, chagrin.
Hermione lifted her head from her copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi to watch a group of chattering Ravenclaw second years who were discussing the upcoming Quidditch game between Slytherin and Gryffindor. That reminds me, Hermione thought, I need to see Ron and Harry. Surely they're up by now. She collected her textbooks in her knapsack and walked up to the school doors.
"Well, well, Granger." hissed the voice of Draco Malfoy, "Out studying, are we?" Hermione felt a rush of hate come over her. The morning was wonderful, and she did not wish to have it ruined by the blonde Slytherin boy. She ignored him and started walking inside when he stepped in her path.
"What is it, Malfoy?" she asked, the frustration clear in her voice.
"I accidentally got hold of your Potions book," he explained, pulling a textbook out of his knapsack, "which means you must have mine." The textbook was indeed hers. But how did she not notice that hers was missing? Who cares? she thought, digging through the contents of her own knapsack, The sooner Malfoy is away, the better. She pulled out a copy of Advanced Potion-Making (the name Malfoy scribbled clearly on the cover) and handed it over. Malfoy carefully took it away.
"I should just ask for a few Galleons to buy a new one that wasn't touched by a Mudblood." he said. Hermione gritted her teeth but didn't say the words she wanted to. She waited for him to give her the textbook she owned, but he did not.
"Well?" she said, annoyed beyond relief. He sneered and tossed her the Potions textbook; however, instead of landing in her hands, it splashed into a water puddle, making the front of her robes wet. She sighed in anger and looked up at Malfoy, who was smirking.
"Oops." he said. Then he let out a laugh that made Hermione clench her hands in fury. He walked off, leaving Hermione and her soaking robes. She picked up her textbook from the puddle; it was damp and, as she opened it, revealed that the writing was smudged and the pages falling out. She took her wand out of her pocket and muttered a snappish "Reparo." Instantly the book repaired itself, and she set it into her knapsack.
She commenced walking up the steps when she heard footsteps pounding towards her. What now? she thought, as she as she turned. Malfoy was running towards her, a fearful look etched into his pale face. Hermione's annoyance quickly died away as the fear that shined in his eyes grew. Now she was afraid. What was Malfoy running from? She started to run too when his arms spread out and grabbed her, pushing her down. Her head smacked the ground hard but she took no note of the pain for there was a shout coming from nearby, saying "Avada Kedavra!" A jet of bright green light shot above her and Malfoy, right in the spot where she had been standing before he tackled her. Her mouth opened to scream but she was too stunned to make a sound. The light bounced off the door and diminished. There was another sound of footsteps running. Hermione turned her head to look where the light had come from but no one was there.
Her breathing increased rapidly as she replayed the event in her mind. She had almost been murdered just a moment ago! Her heart was drumming in her chest faster than she thought it ever could. She was an inch away from death…until…
She turned her head to stare at Malfoy. He had saved her life. There was such fear in his eyes when he moved her out of the way of death. This was the boy whom she had learned was untrustworthy, was evil. But the one who she hated with every fiber of her being had just saved her from dying. She looked into his gray eyes: there was new relief and lingering fear dancing within them. She realized how close to each other they were. He moved away from her and stood. He brushed his robes off, gazing into the distance. Hermione stood as well but her eyes remained on Malfoy. He looked to her from the grounds, where several students were yelling about if or if not they had heard the Killing Curse being uttered.
"You're welcome, Granger." he said, so quietly Hermione didn't even know he was talking at first, "Keep yourself out of trouble." He then went inside the school. Hermione got her knapsack from off the ground and entered inside as well, though at a much faster pace.
