Prompts: When he first saw her he didn't really see her, just the stack of books she was carrying. QP in HHC

Goldilocks and the Three Bears - Write about curiosity. Fairytale Challenge

Boomslang Parts-Write about a usually timid character with a venomous bite when pushed. Potion's Club

"Is it really that hard to believe?" DC in HHC

Word Count: 1,418 without A/N's

When he first saw her, he didn't really see her, just the stack of books she was carrying. He had been striding down the aisle, angry about Potter and Weasel and the fact that they could do no wrong in anyone's eyes, and he stopped when he saw a large stack of books floating in the air surrounded by a large halo of bushy brown. It was then that he heard the sniffles. Draco quickly moved back and to the side, hiding himself in the shadows of the many bookcases. The stack of books passed by and when he saw the back of stack, he froze.

It was Granger.

The Gryffindor was unloading her load of books on a table and settling down in one of the numerous chairs. Her normally pristine uniform was rumpled, as if she had thrown it on in a rush, and her cheeks reflected light from tear tracks. A quick glance at the spine's of all the books told him that she was reading up on Wizarding World Laws, probably to help out that oaf, Hagrid, and his horrible beast. A scowl made its way onto his face and he took a step towards the prudish girl, only to stop in his tracks when she lets out a loud sob.

Why was she crying? And why was she alone now that he thought about it. Normally Granger would drag Potter or Weasel with her to make them study, but instead she was in the back corner of the library, crying her eyes out.

Another sob rang through the air and Draco winced, stepping back into the shadows. He would find her later, when she wasn't so pathetic looking. After all, the game was no fun if the pawns didn't want to play.

-XxXxXxX-

Draco walked out of the teacher's workroom, feeling relieved that he hadn't been able to go up against the Boggart. There were some things that you just didn't want your enemies, or your allies, to see.

"Professor Lupin?"

Draco froze as Granger's voice echoed through the door and out into the hall where he stood.

"May I try to dispel the boggart? I was right after Harry and I don't really know what I would be afraid of."

Silver eyes blinked and a wicked grin worked it's way onto Draco's face. He was about to get dirt on Granger. A quick silencio on his shoes and a disillusionment charm on his head and he was walking back into the room before Lupin shut the door.

"Alright Hermione, but only because you're my best student after Harry." Lupin smiled as he walked towards the cuboard he had placed in the center of the room. His patched robes were taken off and draped over a chair before he drew his wand and pointed it at the glass door. Draco leaned against the door, making sure that he was out of range of the boggart.

"Okay Professor, I'm ready." Granger took one step back and pulled out her wand, pointing the stick of wood at the glass door with a steady hand. Lupin smiled and with a twirl of his wand, the door slowly opened.

"Hermione." Potter stepped out of the door, quickly followed by Weasley.

Draco didn't understand something for the first time in his life. Granger was practically attached at the hip with Potter and Weasley, so why was she afraid of them? Did they abuse her some how? Was she scared of the fact that they were her only friends? Or was it that they were men and she had been raped when she was younger? Draco couldn't keep up with all of the thoughts swirling around inside his brain.

"H-harry? Ron? Wh-" Granger's hand began to shake, her wand lowering with her arm.

"Shut up! We're talking now. All you do is talk so for once in your life silently sit down and shut up!" Weasley sneered. Granger staggered back and fell onto her ass, her entire form shaking as she stared at them.

"We're sick and tired of you trying to tell us what to do all the time! You're so annoying! 'Ron do your essay. Have you done your essay?' It's like you're a robot who's only task is to make us do school work! It's a wonder that we even became friends with you!" The image of Weasley threw his hands into the air before laughing and turning to the image of Potter.

"Remember Ron? She started following after us after we saved her from that troll. You make one mistake and it follows you around your whole life. Do you think she'll still nag at us after we leave Hogwarts?" Potter took his glasses off and began to clean them as he spoke. "It's a shame that I was feeling sentimental that day; if only I had followed the rules then we wouldn't have to worry about dragging around this buck-toothed, know-it-all and we'd be living the dream life."

"Shut Up!" Granger pulled herself to her feet, tears falling down her face. She didn't look like she was in pain though, no she looked like she was going to castrate both boys with a spoon and feed them what she chopped off. Draco shivered at the thought, a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye drawing his gaze. Lupin was sitting on a table, staring at Granger with sad, pitying eyes. He scoffed inwardly, there was no reason to pity the bookworm, she fought better than both Weasley and Potter combined. He wouldn't say it out loud, but the girl had an arsenal of spells and curses from all that reading she does. It's one of the reasons why the Manor has a library twice the size of the dinning hall.

"You don't know anything about Harry and Ron! You don't know anything about me! I am Hermione Granger and if it weren't for me you would be dead already!" Granger screeched, her voice taking on a hint of insanity. "Is it really that hard to believe? That I stay with you to protect you? That I'm friends with you because of Dumbledore's orders?"

Draco blinked. What was she talking about?

"You're my extra credit project, keeping you alive through all seven years of Hogwarts." A hysterical laugh followed this sentence. "And along the way you guys became my best friends. I have other friends! Ginny! Dean! Lavender! I just don't talk to them around you because you two demand my attention! 'Hermione Fix My Essay! Hermione Let Me Copy Your Homework! Hermione! Hermione!' You two are so annoying that I rip my hair out!"

Draco stared at her stunned, his mouth dropped open and eyes wide. She was keeping Potter and Weasley alive for extra credit?! A glance at Lupin told him that he was aware of that fact. The images of Potter and Weasley were staring at her in shock, obviously not expecting her to start screaming at them. Their forms started to swirl and standing in their place were two adults. The man was tall and skinny, his black hair sticking up in soft curls and brown eyes staring coldly down at Granger. By his side stood a woman around two heads shorter than the man, her long wavy brown hair pulled over one shoulder as she too glared down at Granger.

"Professor Dumbledore has told me that you've been breaking rules and have given up on your Extra Credit assignment. We're both very disappointed in you Hermione and we're taking you out of Hogwarts." The woman stated firmly, her arms coming up to cross over her chest.

Granger glared at the two, her wand coming up to level between the two of them.

"You are not my parents. Ridikulious."

Once again the figures began to swirl and when they reformed, there were two small dolls laying on the floor, smiling up at the ceiling. Draco grimaced and then had to leap to the side to avoid an angry Granger storming out of the room. The Slytherin followed her out the door and headed towards the dungeon. Maybe he wouldn't play with this pawn after all, at least not when she's alone.

So originally this was only going to be around 500 words and would focus on Draco Stalking Hermione because he was curious, and then it turned into this! XD I hope you enjoyed it!