Hey there guys. I hope you like the story so far. Thank you SOOOO much to 'SillyBellaEdwardsForMe' and 'Beautiful Screams of Heartache.' You guys are my first reviews EVER!! I love you to death! Thank you again! Don't forget guys. Reviews are WELCOME!! Happy reading.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. But I still want to buy Draco. Pretty please?
A short time later, Hermione was comfortably settled into the heads compartment near the front of the train. She had pulled the blinds closed to ensure maximum privacy during her trip. The fluffy crimson cushions behind her back, combined with the gentle rocking of the train, lulled her into a slight stupor. She leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. She let the warmth of the sunlight streaming in from the window envelope her body fully.
Just as she was reaching the twilight zone between the realms of slumber and consciousness, the compartment door slid open. Hermione's eyes flew wide as she turned to look upon her visitor.
"Hello again, Granger." Draco Malfoy once again stared down at her with slight amusement.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" Hermione's face twisted into a slender snarl.
"Language, Granger. That could quite possibly get you into serious trouble one day." Malfoy's smirk returned in full force as he spoke these words.
"Hark! Who's talking? I am fairly certain that mouth of yours is much more accomplished at swearing than mine is." She turned away from him, as though to ignore his lingering presence.
"That's not the only thing it's accomplished in." Hermione turned back to him, a look of shock and disgust written all over her face.
"I beg your pardon!"
Malfoy grinned and started to laugh.
"Shut up you disgusting pig and get the hell out of my compartment. I'm expecting someone."
"Oh! Don't tell Granger roped herself a boy toy! Well, I must call the lunch trolley! Pour the champagne! This calls for a celebration!" Malfoy mock-clapped his hands and cheered.
Hermione shot him a furious look. "Just shut up and get your sorry ass out of my compartment." She abruptly turned away and stared out the window.
After a short pause Malfoy inquired, "If I may, what brought about such a remarkable change in such a short amount of time?"
She turned back around to face him. "What?"
"Well," he paused, and looked as though he was choosing his words carefully, "last year you were the perfect little angel student who always did the right thing and never committed even the slightest wrong." He slumped back in his seat and folded his arms.
"Why thank you! I think that should go down in the hall of fame as one the nicest compliment anyone has ever paid me! I am honored." Her voice was sardonic.
His face twisted. He was clearly restraining himself from saying what was running through his mind.
"This year, well, you've – changed into a -" he broke off, searching for the right word.
Hermione helped him along.
"Seductive siren? Femme fatal? Voluptuous vixen? Enigmatic enchantress?"
He shook his head. "I wish some of those fit, but the only words that come to mind are 'one hell of a bitch.'"
Hermione regained the upper hand almost at once. "I stand corrected."
Malfoy looked confused. "What?"
"That was the nicest compliment anyone has ever paid me."
"Ha ha." He frowned, heavy brows casting sapphire orbs into semi-darkness so that they burned brighter than ever.
Several long, silent, uncomfortable minutes passed.
"So?" Malfoy queried.
"So what?"
"Why the sudden change?"
"Oh, that." Hermione smiled. "It's a little thing I like to call 'rebellion.'"
"Rebellion?" Malfoy looked confused again.
"Yes, rebellion. R-E-B-E-L-L-I-O-N. Noun. Origin in Old French. Means-"
"I got it." His voice was curt.
"All right. Now, what was the question?"
"For the ten millionth time, why the abrupt change?" Malfoy looked aggravated. She made a face before answering.
"Oh, the usual. I don't really agree with my parents on everything anymore." She shrugged and looked down at the carpet, playing with her hands
"I'm floored," he said, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. Her head snapped back up to look at him and anger burned in her eyes.
"Why am I even telling you this?" Her voice rose in irritation.
"I don't know? Maybe you should shut up and think about why that is. It'd do me a favor." While her voice was elevated with annoyance, his remained calm and quiet as always.
"I am not going to do anything for you unless it causes you aggravation or humiliation." Her eyes flashed dangerously.
"I have a quick solution to end this dispute. Why don't you shut up, go to hell, and leave me alone." He tossed his head to stare out of the window again. Hermione could think of no way to get out of that one. Seconds ticked by agonizingly slow. By the time she thought of a suitable answer, the topic was closed. Falling angrily back in her seat, she silently fumed to herself over Malfoy's slight victory, while watching the victor with a searing hatred.
XXX
Hours passed in silence while Malfoy continued to stare out of the window. Hermione, tired of the quiet, decided to poke the dragon again.
"Are you ever going to comply with my request?"
His eyes flicked over towards her. Their sudden intensity almost caused her to recoil. Almost.
"What request? The only things I have received from you since entering this compartment are harsh commands and degrading insults." His voice was bitter, despite it's calmness.
"My request that you remove yourself from my presence," she answered smartly, deciding to ignore the rest of the sentence.
"You call that a requ-" The compartment door slid open and Ron's high tops preceded him inside.
"Hermione, I was just checking to make sure everything was-" He came to an abrupt halt as his gaze fell on Malfoy.
"What the hell is he doing here?" he snarled.
"I was just asking him that when you came in," replied Hermione, looking up at him.
"And? What did he say?" Ron's words were forced out through gritted teeth.
"Did you not here my reply, Ronald? I said I was 'just asking him.' Even you should realize that meant I hadn't wheedled an answer out of him yet." Hermione's cutting remark left Ron speechless for a few seconds.
"This is interesting," came Malfoy's voice from the other seat. "Weasel's speechless. I do believe we have a first!"
Ron turned to him, hatred emanating from him like a powerful wind.
"I'm not above hitting you, Malfoy," Ron said, looking as though it took every ounce of strength he had not to thump Malfoy right there.
"Now, I could have told you that, Weasel, seeing as you're not above me in anything."
Ron cracked and flung his fist at Malfoy. Malfoy parried the blow with one strong forearm and shook his finger at Ron.
"No, no. That's a bad Weasel. We mustn't do thator the other Weasels won't want to play with you anymore."
"Ron," said Hermione, laying a hand gently on his arm. Ron turned to her.
"Ron, I'm fine. Really. You can leave now. I'm okay." Hermione's voice was firm.
"Are you sure?" Ron looked concerned.
"Ron."
Looking beaten, Ron jerked away from Malfoy and stared down at him. "I'm watching you." Ron glanced at Hermione once before muttering "bastard" and striding swiftly out of the compartment.
As the door slammed shut, Malfoy looked up at her in surprise.
"What?" There was a lingering hostility in her voice, as though her temper was not completely in check.
"Why did you do that?"
"What, get rid of Ron?" She grinned to herself. "Oh, I just figured I was perfectly capable of handling a man of such low brain capacity as yourself without too much difficulty. I didn't really need him." She smiled and sat back down in her seat. Unfastening Crookshanks' basket, she allowed him to curl up on her lap before she picking up her favorite book and stubbornly ignoring Malfoy for the rest of the journey.
Hey there again. I have two things to say.
This chapter was originally twice as long, but it was just too much. I'll have the other half for you tomorrow.
I know Hermione was a bit of a bitch in this one, but it's all part of the plot.