Hi all im too indecisive to write a full chaptered story unless I have a really inspirational idea so one shots instead.

4th year
After the Yule Ball, an upsetting night for both Draco and Hermione take's a strange turn

"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH DRACO MALFOY" Pansy Parkins snapped angrily at the frustrated boy standing 3 steps below. "I've tried and I've tried with you with whatever means possible to catch your ruddy attention! Even before this damn engagement was set up! But clearly, you are not willing to even try and work this out so what is the bloody point!" She spat out waving her arms like womping willow being harassed by a swarm of pixies. Draco had most definitely not intended his night to turn out anything like what it had. He had hoped to be able to catch some awful dancing from Potter, laugh and Weasleys god awful robes and spike the refreshments with a touch firewiskey. But alas that was not the case at all, in fact, as soon as the champions had entered Pansy had pulled him out and tried it on in at the very least 3 different locations much to the displeasure of the Hogwarts paintings and Draco. It just wasn't appealing having the girl throwing herself at him all the time.

It wasn't that Draco didn't like Pansy, he did, but he barely saw her as anything more than a friend, a friend he could selfishly use to boost his ego, but none the less a friend. But she had feelings that she often tried to push onto Draco very forcibly which Draco found less appealing than getting down with a blast ended shrewt. Of course he got even more distant when his mother had owled him to inform of his new engagment for the future he. "She is a bright young witch from a respectable line and family, you are also readily acquainted I see no reason as to why this would not be a fitting match" Narcissa had stated in the letter. But he was only 15 for Merlins sake! Why now were they so concerned about who he was or was not betrothed to. Times like this he hated to admit it but he wished he wasn't Draco Malfoy.

"Are you even listening to me!" Pansy cried out with a distressed expression, Draco had been listening but he guessed that his blank expression read otherwise. "That is absolutely it! I am sending an Owl to my mother tomorrow telling her to call off this!" She waved her arms angrily between the pair before regaining composure. "Goodnight Draco" And with that she strut up the staircase to the Slytherin common room.

Draco didn't want to be in his room anymore, in fact, that would be potentially dangerous for the next couple of hours, what with Pansy most likely wand ready to hex him or even worse, try and patch things up as she often did. No, best perhaps to return down to the greathall for an hour or two, at least until she was asleep.

So back down the stairs he wandered ignoring his surroundings, lost in thought about the probability of him receiving a howler from his father about disrespecting the Malfoy name. Chances were slim, the Malfoys preferred to kept their squabbles discret unlike the Weasley types of people in the world. But still, he knew that Lucious would be less than impressed.

"What was that all about!" Harry Potters voice caught his attention "She's gone bloody mental thats what! Won't listen to reason that one. I reckon itll be a case of witches gone wild soon if she keeps hanging out with that dunderhead Krum."
"Are you sure that you're not just jealous, I mea- "
"JEALOUS!" Ron cut in as they waited for the stairs to shift in front of them. "Me?! Jealous, honestly Harry that is ridiculous. I mean, sure I would of preferred to accompany her to the ball instead of him but strictly on principle!" The youngest Weasley decided before finally noticing the Slytherin standing at the top of the staircase.

"Sod off Malfoy" Ron grumbled but Draco barely acknowledged the pair, he was far to tired for the nonsense and taunting could always be left to another time.

"What'd you suppose he's been up to?" Harry whispered not so quietly to his best friend and the sight of Draco in his slightly rumpled dress robes with a lose emerald green bow tie "I really could not give a toss about bloody Draco Malfoy right now"

Draco rounded the corner to the greathall entrance steps only to be blocked by about 4 groups of sobbing girls and consoling friends. I guess everyones having a tough night he bitterly thought as he began to wind his way down past a group of who he recognized as hufflepuffs. Obviously this was not the place of peace he had sought after, infact, it was just down right depressing to be perfectly honest. He was about to turn back when he spotted a pool of periwinkle and tears decorating a slim witch and the base of the staircase a few feet away from him. It was Hermione Granger. He had seen her earlier on the night, on the arm of that Bulgarian seeker Victor Krum. But that moment had only been fleeting as Pansy had quickly snuck them away from the festivities.

Up close now Draco finally could take her in properly. Her dress clung nicely to her slim figure and normally wild hair tamed back into to reveal her now noticeably sharp features. She looked very elegant, as much as he hated to admit it. In fact, thinking about it he had always found there to be something about miss Granger that was different, it was never something he could exactly pinpoint so he filed the thought away as being another annoying trait about the muggle born. Until he saw her on those steps he never realized how very beautiful she was becoming to him over the years. Even when she was hunched over parchment in the Library on her latest task of homework with quill ink over her fingertips or when her already curly hair bushed up from the steam of a pewter cauldron in potions or even when she was punching him square in the face. He hated to admit it, even if it was to himself but it was hard to deny in that moment.

With this realization on the brain he couldn't even begin to stop the words falling from his usually sharp tongue. "Had a rough night too Granger?" Her sad brown eyes flipped up towards the blonde Slytherin, instantly turning unfriendly. Furiously she began stroking at her cheeks to hide the wet trails staining her pink face. "Actually, if you must know. It was rather lovely, splendid infact. One of the best nights of my entire life" She declared forcefully shoving her heels back onto her feet whilst standing simultaneously, neglecting to strap her feet in. "And now, my night is over." She started turning to walk up the stairs, barely making it up 2 and a half with her foot slid from its high, unstrapped perch forcing her body in the opposite direction. Face first down the stairs.

Without even thinking Draco caught the girl around the waist to stop her face planting on the stone steps. She landed with her hands firmly pressed against his chest, head buried into his shoulder. He couldn't help but notice how wonderful she smelt, like parchment and home made toffees. Nothing dirty about her whatsoever. Even for a muggle born witch. How bizarre.

She pulled back from the embrace very quickly, almost falling again, letting out an awkward cough. "Thanks"
"Don't uh.. don't mention it" The pair stood in a moment of uncomfortable silence. "So what did Weasley do to you thats got you so wound up?" Hermiones eyes scanned Draco carefully. "I heard him and Potter just before, he seemed to be in a bit of a tizzy, mind you though its hardly unlikely that the fault for whatever happened was more his than your own." He spoke truthful before questioning himself. What was going on tonight with him? Why was he being tolerable of someone he was raised to despise above anyone else. She was a mudblood a dirty unworthy witch. Though undeniably the cleverest of all the witches in his year and the prettiest he caught himself thinking. Honestly he needed to get a grip.

"Oh, he's just.." Hermione awkwardly spoke before straightening herself, obviously remembering exactly who it was she was speaking with. "I really don't see how this is any of your business in the first place Malfoy." She snapped before picking up her heels. "Goodnight" She finalized with a mighty expression, and with that she turned to walk up the stairs away from the Slytherin who's eyes lingered on her retreating form a little to long as the periwinkle dress rounded the corner, catching the attention of the Hufflepuffs who began to whisper in gossip. Wordlessly Draco too turned on the spot and turned the corner away from sight, with the touch of Hermione Granger still on his mind..

Either gonna make this just a one shot or a 3 part story. Haven't decided yet. If anyone has any one shot Ideas or requests I'm open, also dont mind constructive fedback :)