Prologue - The Awakening
The fiery July sun beat down on Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but even the eternal giver of life could not illuminate the gloomy recesses of Draco's tormented soul as he sat at the edge of the Quidditch pitch, lost in the darkest of thoughts. He hated this time of year, this season of dazzling colours and glorious weather, when the other students laughed and danced and played while he lay trapped in the impregnable prison of his mind.
Then she appeared.
Hermione, her hair cascading about her face like chestnut waterfalls. Hermione, with her dainty features; the deep brown eyes that sparkled with life; the slightly upturned nose that wrinkled with disgust whenever she saw him; the proud lips that quivered prettily in moments of strong emotion (and oh, how he longed to share those moments). Hermione, who awoke inside him something he had long thought dead, something that now crawled and twitched and beat against those prison walls, begging for her.
As always, she was with Potter (Draco's lip curled slightly as the name crossed his thoughts) and Weasley. The three of them were deep in conversation, no doubt concerning their next fantastical adventure, in which he was growing increasingly tired of his role as antagonist. Potter looked over to where he was sitting, then said something to Weasley and Hermione, who threw disdainful glances in his direction. Then the three were off, laughing and chattering happily once more, while Draco stared after her, unable to tear his gaze away.
He knew then that he had to have her; that nothing, no-one, could be allowed to stand in his way. This was a love so pure, so absolute it could not be denied, and whatever it might take, whatever the risk, he had to make her see, to help her feel the same way.
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(A/N Just a teaser. Please review if you want me to continue this. I have the next few chapters planned out, but I want to know what you think of the setup. Thanks!)
