Chapter One- A New Beginning
Author's Note: This is a fanfic for mainly Draco/Hermione shippers. Just to let you know, as you read on, you may wonder why Draco and Hermione's relationship is moving so fast. This is because my fanfic was just a one chapter story on another site. My readers suggested that I write more chapters and after awhile I gave in. That's why I had to base the rest of the story on the original first chapter. I recommend that you assume that Draco has already begun to change before this story. I wish it really were so! Please read and review! Enjoy!
"Ugh, we have Herbology with Slytherin. That's unusual," groaned Harry.
"At least it's not potions. Having Snape and all," said Hermione.
"I guess so," sighed Harry.
So, in the sweltering heat, Harry, Ron and Hermione walked to the greenhouse where they met their classmates. Strangely, for the past week or so, Malfoy was no longer making remarks to Hermione about her being a 'mudblood,' but she simply ignored this. Professor Sprout had entered the greenhouse and announced that they were to plant mandrakes in the soil, in pairs outside. Everyone began to shuffle around and select their partners. As usual, Ron and Harry paired up leaving Hermione out. Before she knew what had happened, Hermione and Malfoy had ended up being the odd ones out and were matched up.
"How did this happen?" Hermione complained to Malfoy as they walked outside to the garden patch.
"Dunno," said Malfoy and handed her gloves. "Take these."
Hermione began digging a hole in the ground, but was having trouble because the ground was hard.
"Let me help you," offered Malfoy. He took the shovel and began digging. He successfully made a sufficient hole for the mandrake. "There," he sighed and wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead. Hermione couldn't help but notice that, instead of his usual pale white cheeks, a little rose had crept into them. He actually looked quite attractive.
"What am I thinking?" Hermione thought to herself, shuddering.
"What's wrong? It's not cold is it?" inquired Malfoy.
"Nothing…" said Hermione.
"Err, ok," shrugged Malfoy. He handed Hermione an ear muff and placed one on his on ears.
Hermione accepted the ear muff and then knelt to plant the mandrake in the soil, but from the corner of her eyes, she could perceive Malfoy staring hazily at her. Hermione thought he was just looking out for mistakes in his usual critical manner.
When the class had finished planting the Mandrakes, they went off to their next lesson, Charms. Seated next to Ron, he said, "Poor you, being stuck with Malfoy in Herbology."
"Shhh. I have to copy these notes down," Hermione whispered.
The day came for the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. Harry, Ron and Hermione's first stop was the candy store. They sampled the new Bertie Bott's range and bought sugar quills. Harry and Ron wanted to go to Zonko's Joke Shop, but Hermione didn't want to because it wasn't really her kind of store. She told them to go ahead and meet her at The Three Broomsticks in an hour.
In The Three Broomsticks, Hermione sat at one of the booths alone, that is, until Malfoy slipped in with two butterbeers.
"Here, take one. It's on me," said Malfoy. When Hermione hesitated to take one Malfoy remarked, "It's not poisoned you know." Although Hermione's uncertainness remained, she accepted it as a peace offering. For awhile the pair was silent, but then Malfoy started to verbalise.
"Hey, you know it was right of you to hit me back in the third year," confessed Draco, laughingly. At that Hermione laughed to and felt the uneasiness lift. "I was rude and abhorrent."
"Well…" Hermione started. "It'll be hard to forget all those times." Draco looked speechless. Hermione laughed, "I'm just joking."
After that Hermione found that it was pretty easy to talk with Draco. They discussed school, life and so on. She was seeing a side of Draco she had never seen before. He was well-humoured and lighthearted. Hermione still couldn't see what had sparked Draco's transformation. Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Is Malfoy harassing you?" Ron asked.
"No. We were just talking," Hermione said.
"Sure. Care to leave, Malfoy?" Harry said.
"No, Draco. Please stay," Hermione touched Draco's arm lightly.
"I better leave," Draco said nervously and walked out.
"Oh, is talking to Draco illegal now?" Hermione snapped.
"Since when did you call him Draco?" Ron retorted.
"What does it matter?" Before either one could say anything, Hermione stood up and ran out in tears. She couldn't see where she was going through her misty eyes and found herself hitting something strong.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Hermione apologised and was about to walk away.
"Hermione?" Draco asked. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing," Hermione stuttered.
"Please tell me," Draco said gently.
"It's just… why can't they see that you've changed? I have," Hermione said, staring into Draco's grey eyes.
"I don't care what they think of me. All that I matters is that I have your good opinion," Draco said and wiped a stray tear on Hermione's cheek. He lowered his head and his lips were on Hermione's. She kissed him back. Then they broke into an embrace.
"What's all this?" Harry asked.
"Not you two again. Look I can't see why you two can't patch things up," Hermione said. "Why don't we all meet at the Three Broomsticks next Hogsmeade weekend?"
"Hmm, we'll pass. Right, Harry?" Ron said. With that Ron and Harry walked away.
"Who cares what they think, right?" said Hermione.
"Right," Draco agreed.
So for the next few days, Draco and Hermione walked freely around Hogwarts together. Holding hands and strolling by the lake was a common pastime. Despite the whispers and stares they acted like everything was normal. It often became a little silent between Harry, Ron and Hermione. Thankfully, they averted the subject of the recent happenings. Draco and Hermione became partners in Potions, ignoring the scowls from Harry and Ron.
One day they'll have to accept it, Hermione thought to herself.
However, there was another person who did not think highly of the pair and did not try to conceal it.
"What does Draco see in her with that awful, bushy hair?" Pansy Parkinson scoffed to her friends.
"Ignore her," whispered Draco and held Hermione's hand.
One day, after double potions Pansy approached and pushed Hermione's shoulder roughly.
"Granger, why don't you just leave Draco alone?" asked Pansy.
"Why don't you?" Hermione asked back.
"Attitude," said Pansy and took her wand out of her robes.
"Pansy, don't," Draco intervened.
"Why shouldn't I? I think those teeth of yours need some lengthening, Granger. Densa-" Pansy began.
"NO!" Draco said loudly. "Look, I'm sorry but I just want to be friends. Besides, I heard a certain 6th year likes you."
"John Matthews?" Pansy gasped.
"The one and only," Draco said knowingly.
Pansy squealed and rushed out with her comrades following closely behind.
"She's liked me for awhile. I only went with her to the Yule Ball because I felt sorry. She's always been a bit of a player," Draco told Hermione.
Hermione giggled and then at the Great Hall they separated to reach their own tables.
At the next Hogsmeade weekend, Draco and Hermione were sitting at a table at the Three Broomsticks, drinking Butterbeer as arranged previously. They were talking merrily until they spotted Harry and Ron walk up to the table.
"Oh, did you come here to taunt again?" Hermione asked them.
"No," said Harry. He and Ron sat down and sipped their own Butterbeers.
"Look, we might not have been the best of friends and ever will-," admitted Ron to Malfoy.
"But we're willing to put our grudges and differences aside and accept you," said Harry.
"I'm really sorry I've mocked you all these years," confessed Draco. "The thing is I was jealous of you."
"Jealous?" said Harry, confused.
"Well, you three are such good friends. I've rarely had any close friends, only followers of me," explained Draco. This caused Hermione to think of Crabbe and Goyle. Draco continued, "Potter, you've always had all the attention and I've been a bit envious, but now I can see it's not that great a thing."
"It isn't," said Harry.
"So let's not fight anymore and start over. Deal?" Draco held out his hand to Harry and Ron.
"Deal," said Harry and Ron in unison.
Draco shook their hands, then extended his hand to Hermione. He took her hand into his and instead of shaking it, he kissed it instead.