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I forgot to mention last chapter: I'm always looking for ways to improve my writing, so if you spot a grammar error, or think something could have been phrased better - hell, if you think I've written a character wrong, go ahead and tell me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, nor the other characters and locations mentioned. They belong to J.K Rowling.


DRACO:

The rage continued to bubble inside me for the rest of the holidays, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Granger wouldn't forget. She never forgot any titbit of information she laid her eyes on, so why would she forget this?

We arrived at King's cross station, just Mother and I as Father was too busy. I saw Granger with that brainless, blood-traitor Weasley family and Potter. I visibly stiffened when she caught my eye, my jaw clenching into a pout. My Mother turned to me, a concerned look on her face.

"Draco," she fussed, "What is it?" I jerked my head to where Granger stood and hissed "Mud-blood!" Her acute, Malfoy eyes scanned the crowd and she suddenly sneered as she locked onto her.

"Not exactly pleasing to the eye is she?" she said jeeringly, "In fact, I'd call her an eyesore!" she began to laugh quietly, but cruelly. I turned my grimace into a strained sneer and nodded. My Mother smiled at me.

"Now, Draco, don't taunt the drivel this year – remember, you're a Malfoy. You're above that kind of thing, and your father and I don't want you to get into trouble." Then she muttered, "Not after the fiasco at the Quidditch World Cup." I could see anxiety in body language: the way she fussed with the collar of my shirt, and smoothed my hair repeatedly. I managed to bat her away after she gave me a kiss on the top of my head and I walked briskly to the nearest entrance of the Hogwarts Express.

I looked back to show her I would be okay. No matter how much Father assured her it would be fine, she would always worry. She raised her hand hopefully and gave me one last wave before steam clouded her from view and a high pitched whistle drowned out the shouts from the station. I forced my way through the crowd of first years pushing their way to the window, yearning for one last glimpse at their parents. I began to look around for Crabbe and Goyle, when Parkinson came strutting towards me.

"Draco," she purred and ran her hand up my arm. I fought the urge to swat her away and inquired as to what was happening. "Our usual compartment," she said in a disgusting, trying-to-be-sexual tone, "Has been overrun with first years," she babbled on, "I assumed you'd go to that one so I came to meet you – I mean if you want, I can-"

I raised my hand and she fell silent. "Let's go." I snapped. I just wanted to be at Hogwarts already, and be writing the letter which would assure my Mother I was fine.

We pushed our way forward through the crowded train corridor, with Pansy pressing herself up against me and purring in my ear that it wasn't her fault she was being crushed into me by the surrounding crowds. I scowled to myself and pressed on through the crowds, growling at anyone who decided not to move straight away.

Eventually, we made our way to the carriage where Crabbe and Goyle were already seated and I slammed the carriage door behind me.

It wasn't long before the food trolley lady came down the corridor, hastily followed by that moron Weasley and – to my horror – Granger too. However, I had to keep up face. Time for some ridicule…

I stood and opened the compartment door and sneered at the two of them. "Buying things from the trolley, Weasley?" I jeered when the old biddy wandered onto the next compartment, "Did your porky mother not leave enough for you to bring with you?" Parkinson screeched beside me, so I carried on: "I'm surprised you could afford all that – or did your boyfriend Potter give it to you?"

Suddenly, his wand was pointed directly at my face. I froze and, ashamedly cowered a little. "Don't you even dare, Malfoy." He growled. He slowly lowered his wand; eyes alight with fury and stalked off. Granger was following behind, apparently not having bought anything from the trolley. Unexpectedly she turned, looking at me as though she was about to say something. Worryingly, however, it didn't appear as though she was going to punch me in the face again, or even insult me. Her eyes flicked to Parkinson who had appeared at my side. Granger's shoulders slumped ever so slightly.

"Got something to say, Granger?" I scoffed. When she shook her head frantically, I leered and responded. "Good… Dirty Mud-blood." Pansy squealed with laughter beside me. "Oh Draco!" she purred, gripping my upper arm and trying to steer me back into the compartment.

I scowled and and yanked my arm from Parkinson's grasp. She was uncomfortably close. When she saw my expression her face fell, and she loudly inquired as to what my problem was. "Nothing." I muttered to her, but upon seeing a searching look from two clueless Hufflepuffs rushing past, I snarled "Don't you something to find?" at them. They scurried down the corridor and practically leapt into the nearest compartment.

Parkinson purred for us to go and I nodded curtly. Any excuse to get away. She gripped my arm, albeit more forcefully this time, and guided me somewhat roughly back to the compartment.

I thought about what had just happened, my eyebrows creased in a frown. Even though I felt somewhat pleased at the look of anger that had been plastered on Weasley's stupid freckled face, this feeling was spoiled by the sensation of chagrin I felt when I remembered the look of hurt on Granger's. What had she wanted to say to me? Needless to say, my mood was horrible for the rest of the journey.

HERMIONE:

The way he acted on the Hogwarts Express made me begin to doubt what I saw in the forest, and this was only strengthened when I didn't see him act oddly at all after that. It began to slip from my mind until he did it again one fairly irritable afternoon. We were just outside Potions and Harry and Malfoy got into one of their slanging matches again. I was called names, Harry was called names, and Ron was called names… But like I said, it was an irritable afternoon. Harry went to jinx Malfoy, who in turn tried to hex Harry. The two spells ricocheted and I was hit instead.

My front teeth – already known for their size – began to grow at an alarming rate. The Slytherins were practically crying with laughter, especially that awful cow Pansy Parkinson. Obviously Snape appeared to see what the commotions was and, being the greasy-haired arse he is, claimed that he could "see no difference." My teeth were past my jaw line by then!

I burst into tears and fled to the hospital wings, leaving Ron and Harry to seethe at Snape. I didn't even care enough to tell them not to let it get to them, to make sure they stayed out of trouble. Of course, after that they didn't – I'm pretty sure Snape gave them a detention…

Anyway, I quickly found my way to the Hospital Ward (when you and your friends spend most of the end-of-year weeks in there, you come to know how to get there quickly) and Madam Pomfrey soon sorted me out. I even managed to get her to shrink my teeth to less than what they had been which I was pleased about.

I was just collecting my bag, running my tongue over my new teeth when he walked in. I looked up and sighed before straightening my back to face him. At this point, I hadn't remembered about what happened at the Quidditch World Cup. I raised my eyebrows at him – I knew the insults coming next.

"Don't flatter yourself, Granger; I'm just here to collect some ingredients for Professor Snape." Malfoy sneered at me. I gritted my teeth and began to walk. He, however, decided to get in the way.

"What is it you want, Malfoy?" I said looking him in his sharp grey eyes, "I have classes to get to." I gestured pointedly to the exit. He seemed to hesitate… But then thought better of saying whatever it was he was going to say and moved to the side.

"I didn't mean to hit you with that hex." He said quietly as I began to push open the door. Promptly, the memory of that night in the forest came to mind. My cheeks suddenly became heated and I turned to face him again. "Is that an apology, Malfoy?" I asked in disbelief.

His face twisted into a sneer. "Don't be ridiculous, Granger. Why would I say sorry to a filthy Mud-blood like you?" I gritted my teeth and prepared myself to retaliate but Madam Pomfrey came blustering in. "Miss Granger what are you still doing here? You're fine to return to your lessons."

I nodded, although still poised to speak. "What is it, Miss Granger?" asked Madam Pomfrey distractedly. My mouth closed with an audible snapping of my jaw.
"Nothing." I replied with obvious irritation, turning again to walk out the door when I heard: "Oh Granger..."
I spun, with a scowl on my face. "Yes, Malfoy?"
"Your teeth look good." He smirked at me.
What was that guy's problem?


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