First of all, thank you all so much! The reception I had for the first chapter was more than I could ever dream of. Thank you to those who reviewed, the many who sent me messages on my Tumblr.

Incidentally, feel free to follow me on Tumblr. ;

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But anyway. I have a few days before I start school again, so I'm going to pump out as many chapters as I can. Remember, though. The more reviews and such I get, the more inspired I am to write.

Also, I ask you to excuse me a bit if there's any errors in this story. The writing programme I use is a prick.

So, without further ado, enjoy the story!

I do not own any of the characters used they all belong to J.K blah blah blahmollygoggles.

"Hermione!"

Glancing up, she met a pair of angry, emerald green eyes.

"Uhm, Harry?" She blinked in confusion.

"Listen, I'm happy you've managed to do this.." He sighed. "But can you please get this dam snake off me?"

Hermione squeaked in alarm, immediately darting forward to gently prise off the jaws of the serpent , which had wrapped themselves around her friends arm.

"I'm so sorry!" She said, looking away in shame.

It was the first lesson of the year, and she was already hating every moment of it. For a few reasons.

For one, she could barely keep her eyes open. Any attempt of sleep she had tried last night was in vain, no matter what, she just couldn't get her mind to shut-up for more than two seconds. Ron had offered that she could, perhaps, could sit with him during the night, if she was having trouble sleeping.

She declined the offer as nicely as she could, her mind wondering about the intentions behind that offer. Of course, he could just be being friendly. But.. there was a nibbling thought at the back of her mind that just wouldn't leave her.

She had managed to finish the task McGonagall had set them within the first five minutes, of course. As it was the first Transfiguration lesson of the year, the lesson had been fairly free. Simply change the animal given to them into whatever they liked.

Most people were given rats and mice, some bats, one of the poor Hufflepuffs had been given what looked like a very small horse. Ron had been given a large, blue/green bird, while Harry had a purple lizard.

Of course, she had the difficult animal.

She had winced when she was given the snake, holding it at arms length. She was overly fond of the slimy thing, it must be said.

"Erm.. Miss?" She had mumbled timidly. "There isn't any chance I could perhaps swap, is there?"

McGonagall had frowned with disappointment.

"Well. It doesn't look very pleased with what he's been given." She had observed. "Ask him."

With a glance over her shoulder, Hermione realised Draco was currently wrestling with a very angry looking cat. Emerging from under his desk, a couple of claw makes etched against his face, huffing, he caught her eye.

"What are you look at, Granger?" He spat, puffing out his chest, obviously trying to make himself look intimidating.

Well, as intimidating as you can be with a cat about to pounce on your crotch.

" would like to-.."

Hermione swiftly cut McGonagall off with a smile. "It's fine. I can handle this." And picking up her snake, she went to work, after, of course, watching Draco get mauled by the feline.

She giggled.

But her good mood hasn't lasted for long.

After managing to change her sleek, scaly companion into a small vase, she had felt smug. It was beautiful, in her opinion. With a detailed a complicated array of different patterns, twisting and turning around it. The colours were bright, and vivid, yet not enough to alarm the brain, it was almost calming to look at.

And then, it decided to bite her.

Gasping in alarm, she had quickly slapped away the animal she had even affectionately named 'Scales', pressing her hand onto the wound, stemming the blood.

"Stupid animal." Ron had spat, glaring at the snake with complete disgust. His bird was half-way between a china ornament and still very much alive, its whole body stiff and rigid, but its wings continued to flap furiously, meaning Ron had to hold it down if he didn't want it to smash.

"It's fine." Hermione sighed, watching as Scales slithered away. Part of her knew she should try to find it, but she just couldn't find the energy to.

Ron grumbled something about her sly and filthy Snakes were, and how they all deserved to perish.

Hermione laughed politely at him, not really interested. Her lids felt like they weighed a ton, and couldn't help herself as they slowly closed..

That's when Scales had decided Harry would be a good enough meal.

"Hermione, stop saying sorry, really." Harry sighed. "It's not your fault."

Opening her mouth to object, she swiftly closed it again after the look her friend gave her.

"Come on. Lets go eat something." He smiled at her, as they were dismissed.

"I, personally, would like to point out how starving I am.." Ron grinned, putting on a posh, fancy voice, which really didn't suit him.

"No surprise there, I guess." Came a cold sneer from behind them.

"Go away, Malfoy." Harry sighed, no bothering to put any edge into his words, Hermione noticed a dash of impatient sparkle in her friends eyes. After putting up for the Slytherin for so long, they really had no time for him and his little bully-sessions any-more.

Malfoy seemed to have no heard Harry, or was pretending not to, or he just didn't care. He carried on, regardless.

"Honestly, Weasel, did you ever think about stopping eating? You might loose some weight." Malfoy paused. "Which, as I can see, is very much needed."

Ron simply shrugged, not bothered by the insults.

"You might even get yourself a girlfriend!" Malfoy continued. "Although, you might need a little more than weight loss for that. A bit of permanent alcohol might do..."

"Are you still going on, Malfoy?" Harry sighed. "Honestly, grow up."

Hermione faltered a bit. That wasn't like Harry. Normally, he'd be having a blazing argument by now, wands drawn.

Malfoy seemed to be as confused as her. "To much of a coward to have a fight, Potter?" He sneered, although his voice was laced with uncertainty.

"No." Harry spoke clearly. "I just grew up a bit. What's the point in fighting with you any-more? We're older now, Malfoy. Maybe it's time you let go."

Harry strode of, Ron behind him closely, and she had no choose but to follow.

Why were they so calm? She thought. Harry had said something about growing up. About how they should just get over it.. but was it going to be that easy? Put so many years of rivalry just behind him? Harry probably could, but Malfoy? That was a different story.

She had seen it in the blond wizards eyes. There was fire.

Hermione couldn't help but repress another voice in the back of her head.

Its all very well Harry and Ron getting over it, It whispered, But can you, dear?

She shook her head. Harry and Ron were so ready to give up their hate towards the Slytherin. But her memories of him constantly insulting her were still raw and fresh in her mind.

She still hated him.

Draco.

Glaring at their retreating figures, Draco spat with annoyance at the floor. Once again, his game had been cut short. The mudblood on the train had walked away, now Potty and the Weasel had vanished from his sight.

What was he doing wrong?

Last year, they'd jump down his throat for just looking across the great hall at them during breakfast. Why had they just.. mellowed out?

Something was wrong.

Potters comment fucked him off. Grown up? They were still a bunch of kids running around with the world spat out flowers at every turn. The trio was just so perfect!

How dare he even think about talking to Draco like that? Potter may not of been a mudblood, but he was wasn't a pure-blood either.

Why had Granger not spoken a word during his attempt of a argument?

She had stood there, completely impartial. Normally, her hair would of puffed up to twice its normal size, her wand pressed against his chest, spitting insults at him.

He wasn't going to give up. Not in the slightest.

Scarhead and Weasel might have given up, but, Draco's thoughts lingered solely on the thought of Granger.

Marching into the hall, he took his place on the Slytherin table, making a note to sit as far away from Pansy as he could. Opting, instead, to take a seat next to Blaise.

"Draco." The dark-skinned boy greeted him.

"Blaise."

Draco couldn't help but like Blaise. He wasn't one to push a conversation when one wasn't needed. He just sat there, and it was a while before he even spoke.

"Who ruffled your fur, Draco?" He asked, his deep voice oddly comforting.

"Don't worry about it." Waving his hand dismissively at the subject.

Blaise arched an eyebrow. "It's not that hard to read you."

"Read me? You're not exactly reading me. I've been fighting with that little golden trio for years, now, so excuse me if I don't award you a medal."

Pressing his head into his hands, Draco gently ran a couple of fingers through his hair, knotting it in curls.

"What's wrong now?" Blaise sighed, leaning back, as if to get comfortable for a story.

"They've stopped reacting." Draco grimaced. "Every insult I've thrown at them, they just seem to ignore them. Potter and Weasel."

"And the girl?"

Ah. Here again.

"She got all huffy on the train when I started." Draco frowned.

"Then, you know what to do."

"What?"

Blaise tutted, as if the answer was obvious. "You want a reaction out of them? Attack Granger. Every time you see her, insult her. Make her life hell."

"And.. that'll.."

"Piss off her two friends. They'll have to react."

Sometimes, Blaise really was a genius.

"Thats perfect!" Draco grinned. "Perfect.."

Sorry it's so short! XD But finally, finished. This chapter was a complete pain to me. It really was. I have a clear view of how this story'll go, it's just.. getting there. These filler chapters do my head in. Seriously.

All the best.

Kali x