Icy Hearts

A.N. – This is my first fanfic ever and I would like some A) constructive

criticism or B) Positive reviews. And what do you think Hermione will say to Ron's proposal?

RowanDryad – Don't dream it, be it!

Chapter 1 – Frost and Rubies

White Lips

Pale face

Breathing in the snowflakes

As Hermione looked out of her dormitory window across the Hogwarts grounds, she saw Draco Malfoy sitting alone by the icy lake. "Serves him right," she said to herself "I wonder where dear Crabbey and Goyley have got to?" Suddenly she heard Ron's voice from the bottom of the dorm stairs. "Coming!" Hermione trilled. After all, it was Christmas Eve. She bounced down the stairs and leapt into her boyfriend's arms. "Mione!"

"Ron!"

"Look at the Prophet cover," said Ron gleefully "Looks like Malfoy got his just desserts!"

Hermione studied the first page, and her eye caught on a picture of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy looking rather distraught outside the Ministry of Magic, with what appeared to be Aurors in the background. She started skimming through the text.

"Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy have been charged with assisting Voldemort and being within his inner circle, the Deatheaters. Narcissa had allegedly been coerced and blackmailed into joining by her husband, therefore has been given a lighter sentence. She will be placed under house arrest and all owls will be checked by the Auror Office. Her husband, however will be deported to Azkaban where he will immediately be given the Dementor's Kiss. Their son, Draco Malfoy, in his fifth year in Hogwarts will be given a magical tag to ensure he does not leave Hogwarts grounds."

"So that's why he was looking so down earlier," Hermione thought to herself, as a jolt of pity ran through her.

And they say,

She's in the class A-team

"Mione, Earth to Hermione," Ron's voice cut through her thoughts like a warm knife through butter.

"Yes?"

"Gift-swapping time!" Ron said with the delight of a child in a sweetshop.

Hermione took out the small, gift-wrapped package from her robes pocket, as Ron did the same. Once they had swapped presents they quickly shelled them from their wrapping paper. Hermione looked down at the small box in the palm of her hand. It was just the size for a ring. Shocked, she looked up and saw Ron's encouraging face. Slowly, she opened it. Inside the box there was a gold ring studded with tiny rubies. Inside the ring there was an engraving that read: H.J.G.,I love you.

"R-Ron! I don't know what to say!"

"Well, I thought we could get – "

Hermione Jean Granger ran off, with barely a backwards glance. She was going towards the lake, where she always went to mull things over. In her overwhelmed state she had forgotten that the Slytherin Prince was sitting forlorn in her usual spot. Rather than just ignore him, her kind-hearted nature got the better of her and she went over to the boy.

"Alright Malfoy?" she enquired.

"No, mudblood, I'm not, and I'm sure you know why. Now just piss off and leave me alone!"

Hermione didn't know why, but his words stung even more than usual. Her parents had taught he the 'Sticks and Stones' mantra, but it never seemed to work. The old wizard saying 'Wand of Vine has a sensitive mind' seemed too true for her right now...

A.N. Well, that wasn't too tricky. I shall take an unbreakable vow to update at least once a month

~RowanDryad