Chapter One- Here Again

Hermione couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts. As suspected, she'd been chosen Head Girl and she

couldn't wait to fulfill her duties. She decided this year she would care a little (microscopic) less

about her studies and try to have more fun. She learned this summer that if she wanted to fit in this

year, she would have to be more daring. It was all about dating. Everyone she knew was dating

or was hooking up. She'd been uncomfortable during the summer because she went with Harry

and Ron to a party where most of their classmates were and everyone hooked up except her.

Harry was dancing and making out with Hannah Abbot (Hermione still wonders why) and Ron

with Lavender. Hermione sat in a corner the whole night and not one guy asked her to dance.

Even Neville hooked up, for Christ's sake! Maybe it was because she was wearing an outfit that

resembled her school uniform, or because she didn't bother to even look good. The point is she

was determined to get a guy this year.

They still had about an hour left till they reached Hogwarts. Hermione had already changed into

her robes. Harry and Ron were talking about the summer and about what they were planning to

do this year to hook up. Hermione rolled her eyes, stood up, and went to find an empty

compartment. She found one at the very end of the train, she sat and looked out the window,

thinking of what was it that made her so unattractive. "What are you thinking?" a voice said from

the door, "About my plans for this year" she said without looking. "What are your plans then"

"Well, I want to party more to think if I finally kiss a guy" she said. She heard a chuckle and she

gave a little frown. Why is Ron laughing? she thought, getting a little uncomfortable. "Well, I

guess it's not too late for you, Granger". Hermione widened her eyes and turned to meet Draco's

eyes. "Shit! I thought I was talking to Ron. I…" Draco smirked, "Wrong guy. I didn't know you

were still chaste on the lips. I could've sworn you already got it on with the weasel". Hermione

blushed furiously, "Ron would never want to be with me". Draco raised his eyebrow "Why is

that?" Hermione blushed harder "Because he once told me that he wouldn't want to-to" she

couldn't say it "Go on" he said, she took a deep breath "he said he wouldn't want to be with a

girl so innocent because he would probably never have fun. He apologized, but he said that all the

guys thought so and that's why nobody likes me". Her cheeks were on fire by now. She didn't

know what possessed her to make such a confession, especially to Malfoy. He just stared at her.

She was getting frustrated because she couldn't tell what was going through his mind. Then he

burst out laughing. Her eyes began to water. It was most certainly the cruelest thing he had ever

done to her. And she was a fool to think that for one second he would have consideration of her.

The tears rolled down her cheeks, but she refused to sob. When he looked at her face, his

laughter died. He, yet again, stared at her with an unreadable expression. Then, he stood up,

locked the door, shut the blinds, and sat next to her. He took her chin and turned her face

towards him. With his thumb, he gently rubbed her cheek to wipe the tears. "I never thought that

Weasley could ever be a bigger ass, but he proved me wrong," he said in a low voice "look,

Granger, we're seventh years now and we're the Heads of the school. I'm not going to tease you

any more or disrespect you. We're supposed to work together, but I can assure you that I'm

going to give that little fuck you call your best friend the hardest time he's ever had". She didn't

know what to say. Here was Malfoy being nice to her, and in an indirect way telling her that what

Ron told her was a lie. "Thank you" she said and, before she could help herself, she flung her

arms around him and hugged him. He was startled at first, but then he embraced her back. He

whispered in her ear "There's only one thing, you cannot say to anyone what I just told you and in

public we're not friends. I've got a reputation to maintain". Surprisingly, Hermione laughed "Oh,

but why would I tell people when it's so much fun hearing you calling me a mudblood". As soon

as she said that she wanted to take it back. Draco's expression darkened "I told you that I

wouldn't disrespect you anymore, but if you insist…" "No! I'm sorry I brought it up, but you

were a bastard every time you said that" Draco grinned "I know". When he saw that didn't help

he said "but now I'm sorry about it". She nodded. She would do her best to trust him, but she

was also going to be cautious. For all she knew he could be up to something.

When he left, she returned to the compartment where Harry and Ron were at. "Where have you

been?" asked Harry, a bit concerned. "Just went to the bathroom" she replied. "For half an

hour!" said Ron, laughing "Well, you must've had quite a breakfast. They all laughed, but that

didn't mean Hermione didn't hit him.

They were at Hogwarts at last. They went straight to the Great Hall; they were starving but

obviously couldn't eat till Dumbledore gave his speech. He said the usual warning, announced the

Heads, added new rules, and finally said they could eat. Ron ate half of the Gryffindor table. He

looked like an extremely hungry predator. Harry and Hermione were getting a little scared by his

appetite. About twenty minutes later, McGonagall told Hermione to accompany her to her new

room. They got to a dusty painting, McGonagall said the password, and Hermione soon found

out that it was a small apartment where she was staying, and shared with Draco. McGonagall left

them, and they just stood there. "Want to see the rest of it?" Draco told her and she nodded. He

showed her their small kitchen, the bathroom, and where her room was. She thanked him and

made her way to her room, and then she was abruptly stopped when his hand grabbed her arm.

She turned and gave him a puzzled look. "Remember not to tell anyone, Granger" he warned her.

"I told you I wouldn't say" she said, getting angry. He pulled her to him. He leaned forward and

stopped when the tip of his nose touched hers. She could barely breathe. The intensity of his eyes

was melting her. His tongue slipped from his mouth and it ran itself on top of her lips. She took a

small gasp. He backed away and left to his room, but not before saying "Goodnight, Granger" in

her ear. She was shocked and breathless. That was definitely the most exciting thing that had ever

happened to her (because it was the only one that had happened to her). After taking a very deep

breath, she made her way to her room and lied on her bed, where she spent a restless night.