Previously on The Affair- Draco and Hermione meet on their way to Hogwarts. Draco likes Hermione, but she is not so sure about him.

Chapter II

Hermione sighed, half in relief and half in exasperation as Neville nearly forgot Trevor in the boat. They had found him sitting in their compartment when they returned to it on the train. Hermione's stomach felt tight. She wanted to be sorted into Gryffindor. Hufflepuff seemed like it would be boring and Neville had said that evil witches and wizards were sorted into Slytherin. Ravenclaw was for smart people, Neville had said. Hermione thought that it wouldn't be too bad to be sorted into Ravenclaw, but she had been called a know-it-all ever since she started Muggle schooling and she wanted a bit more adventure now.

Hermione was sure Neville would be sorted into Hufflepuff. She cast a sidelong glance at him, wishing he would keep up with her. But Hogwarts was known for interhouse unity and just because they were sorted into different houses was no reason that they still couldn't be friends.

Neville came to stand beside Hermione before the large doors that would lead to the Great Hall. There, Professor McGonagall had said they would be sorted into their houses. Hermione swallowed hard, trying to relax. Neville looked as if he was about to cry.

"Oh, Neville, I'm sure it'll be okay." Hermione whispered to him. "How exactly do you get sorted?"

Neville shrugged. He had barely been able to answer any of her questions about the wizarding world and in some aspects it seemed that she knew more than him.

Hermione looked around at the other students. No one seemed confident. The blonde boy from the train caught her eye for a moment and smirked at her. Hermione didn't know whether to smile back at him or sneer so she just looked at him with a straight face, trying to read him, until he broke their gaze. Who was he?

McGonagall opened the doors and the first years walked through. Hermione tried to hold her head high as they past long tables of students. The ceiling was beautiful, a swirl of clouds and bright stars. She leaned over to Neville who was staring at the ceiling and not looking where he was going "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."

Neville almost tripped looking up so Hermione decided against talking while walking with him.

They finally arrived before a short stool with a raggedy looking old hat on it. Hermione wrinkled her nose a little bit thinking that she might have to put that on. She met the grey eyes of the blonde boy again who looked like he was suppressing a laugh at her reaction. Hermione couldn't help but smile and blush a little at him. Looking down at her shoes, she tried not to think about how cute he could be when he smirked.

She wasn't used to attention from boys. At her old school they had mostly avoided her and called her a nerd when they did talk to her. She hadn't had many friends, but was content spending her time reading. But this boy seemed to take a special interest in her. Something that no other boy had really ever done.

As the hat sang its song Hermione was relieved… but a bit disappointed. She was hoping that she would get to try out some of the new spells she read about in order to be sorted. Instead they just tried on the hat. McGonagall began calling out students names. It wasn't long before Hermione's name was called out. She sucked in a breath and ran up to the hat. Hopping up on the stool, McGonagall placed the hat on her head and she pulled it down forcefully on her head. It squashed down her bushy hair. She nervously looked out across the Great Hall. Everyone was staring up at her. She gulped, hoping it wasn't as loud as she thought it was.

"My, my I haven't seen a head this smart in a long time." A croaky old voice spoke to her. Hermione glanced up at the brim of the hat, torn and fraying. "Ravenclaw would be the sensible place to put you." Hermione looked at the blonde boy again who gave her a small nod and more of a smile than a smirk this time.

"But look at this over here!" The hat exclaimed. "You have ambition attached to that brain. Slytherin could be a place for you." Hermione gasped. That was the house that the rude girl had been in. And through her reading, Slytherin didn't have a very good reputation. Hermione blanched at the thought of being placed in Slytherin The hat laughed. "They are not evil, didn't you hear my song? Better yet…" Hermione gasped. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Draco Malfoy's heart sunk. The pretty girl whose name he just learned was Hermione Granger was just sorted into Gryffindor. He was hoping she would be in Slytherin as he was sure that's where he would end up. He also noted that her last name was Granger, one he had never heard before among the Pureblood families. She is Halfblood at best. He groaned a little. Why did she have to get sorted into Gryffindor?

McGonagall called out his name and Draco walked up to the dais. The hat grazed the top of his head and shouted out "SLYTHERIN!" He smirked and began his way down to the far left table. He looked over at Hermione who was sitting at the Gryffindor table. She looked sadly at him and turned back to the dais where people were still getting sorted.

Draco watched as Theodore Nott joined Slytherin. That was no surprise, he had grown up knowing the Notts and would say the only other family more suited for Slytherin was his own. Pansy Parkinson was also sorted into Slytherin. She was an annoying, clingy girl whose family had sometimes attended his Father's functions. Finally Harry Potter was called up to be sorted.

"Probably will go to Hufflepuff." Draco said under his breath and Nott snickered. It took the hat quite some time to sort him but finally placed him in Gryffindor. Draco sneered. Of course Potter would go to that house. He felt a twinge of jealousy as Potter sat down close to Hermione and she smiled brightly at him.

The last to be sorted was Blaise Zambini who was placed in Slytherin. Draco had heard quite a few strange things about the Zambini's from his father. Draco eyed the boy as he sat down on the end of the table, quietly nodding to his fellow housemates.

Dumbledore stood up and Draco expected a long speech about how important education is, but instead Dumbledore only spoke a few gibberish words and sat back down.

"What a poofter." Draco rolled his eyes. "I can't believe he is Headmaster."

Nott nodded his head and Pansy went on to say how funny Draco was. He sat up a little taller and looked over at Blaise who was sizing Draco up in his eyes. Draco met his ebony gaze with a steely grey one until Blaise looked down at his food and began to eat.

Draco was about to do the same when a pale, translucent figure appeared next to him. His robes were old fashioned and had silver smeared blood all over them. "Welcome to Slytherin." The ghost spoke in a low, slow voice that made Draco uncomfortable. Draco pulled away from the ghost who was sending shivers down his right side.

The ghost went on to introduce himself as the Bloody Baron and spoke with the other first years. Draco tried to ignore him and enjoy his supper, but found the ghost was putting off his appetite. "You're the Malfoy boy aren't you?" The ghost asked him.

"Yes." Draco said sticking his chin out.

"Old family." The Baron commented. "French." He spit onto the table. Of course, it didn't amount to anything, but the gesture was the same.

"And?" Draco drawled. His family had lived in Britain since the 11th century. The Baron looked at him haughtily and swooped off towards the door.

The feast was drawing to a close and Draco followed a Slytherin prefect down to dungeons. They came to a piece of wall that was bare and looked damp. The prefect explained this was the entrance to their common room. He spoke the password "Illabor!" and the wall a door made of stone slid open before them.

Draco was the first one in and took in the common room around him. This is where he would rule.

Hermione lay awake in her new bed. She couldn't believe that just this morning she woke up in the Muggle world and was now falling asleep in a castle where she was going to learn magic. Ever since she received her letter from Hogwarts Hermione could barely stand the waiting. She was thrilled that she was placed in Gryffindor. She remembered how Draco's face fell when the hat shouted it out. She was surprised when he was placed into Slytherin, and so quickly!

She was sure though that not everyone in Slytherin turned out to be evil. If that was the case why would they even bother educating them? Draco didn't seem evil to her. Arrogant, sure, but evil? She was glad that she had made one friend already. Neville Longbottom was a sweet boy who, even though he had magical parents, seemed just out of place as she did. Neville said there were tons of kids who were Muggle born or half and half which made Hermione feel a little better.

In Muggle school she didn't have many friends. Most kids avoided her and called her bossy and a teacher's pet. Hermione didn't think there was anything wrong with learning in school and following the rules. Her friendship with Neville was a welcome one. He didn't mind that she spouted facts every five minutes or that she had spent half the train ride here reading while he sat quietly across from her. He seemed to need a friend just as much as she did.

But she couldn't stop her mind from wandering to Draco Malfoy. Over dinner Hermione asked Neville if he knew Draco. Neville shuddered and said no, that the Malfoy's were not a family that his Gran liked. Hermione thought Draco seemed popular enough at his own table; he seemed to already know many of his new housemates. Her experience with the popular kids at her old school was not a very good one, but everything was different here, wasn't it?

Sleep finally got a hold on Hermione and she shifted to a more comfortable position in the bed. She was very excited for the start of classes tomorrow, having already read the entirety of most of their textbooks. She had trouble not smiling at the thought of this new magical world she now belonged to.

Draco lazily walked into the Great Hall for breakfast Friday morning. After a week of classes he was more than ready for the weekend. As soon as he sat down a great eagle owl flew in and dropped a letter onto his empty plate. Draco took a sip of pumpkin juice and flicked it open.

Dearest Draco,

I hope you are finding your classes enjoyable and fulfilling. Make sure you do not get behind in your school work. Your Father and I are leaving to go to the south of France for a few weeks. You are missed.

Hoping you are well,

Mother

Draco crumbled the letter into a ball and threw it at some Hufflepuff walking in. Nott joined him at the Slytherin table. "What's good?"

Draco scooped some eggs onto his plate. "My parents are going on vacation. They couldn't have done this before school started so I could go too?" He grumbled.

Nott chewed on a sausage. "At least we have potions today. Snape should go easy on us." Draco shrugged. "You especially; although we do have it with the Gryffindors."

Draco groaned. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck with a bunch of Gryffindor and ruin his potions lesson. Then the thought dawned on him that he would be having class with Hermione. So far the Slytherins and Gryffindors had managed not to have their schedules collide and he had only seen her at meal times. He might get a chance to talk to her again. Suddenly his day brightened up a little.

The Slytherins had no problem finding Snape's classroom, but most of the Gryffindor's got lost along the way. Draco had taken one evening to walk around the dungeons and explore a little. He doubted any of the Gryffindors had made it this far down into the castle yet. Once they were all seated Snape began to take attendance. When he reached Potter's name, Snape couldn't resist to poke a little fun at him. Maybe potions with the Gryffindors won't be too bad after all he thought.

Draco was used to Snape's cool mannerism and attitude. Severus Snape was a close friend of his Father's and happened to be Draco's Godfather. This would be one class that he wouldn't have to worry about his grades in. At the same time, he wanted to do well; to impress Snape and his Father with his skills. Snape had actually given him a few private potions lessons before he came to Hogwarts and Draco felt comfortable in his abilities to at least be better than most everyone in the class.

Snape continued to berate Potter and Draco was taking much delight in this. To his astonishment, Hermione knew all the answers to Snape's questions. He was pleasantly surprised by her intelligence. Her hand strained higher and higher each time Potter failed to answer a question. Draco and his friends were trying so hard not to laugh out loud, knowing Snape would not appreciate it, but were having a hard time controlling themselves.

Once they were actually brewing a potion Malfoy really shone. Malfoy was paired with Crabbe who mostly sat there and tried not to knock anything into the cauldron as Draco stirred ingredients in the way Snape had shown him previously. Snape used him as an example of good work and Hermione had a mixed look of pride and jealousy for Draco.

Once the lesson ended Draco quickly cleaned up his station and hurried out of the classroom to catch up to Hermione who was halfway down the hallway.

"Er… Granger!" He called after her. Hermione turned and smiled at him.

"You're Draco Malfoy, right?" She asked. Her voice was soft and sweet.

Draco nodded. "I am." He was a good six inches taller than her and didn't mind showing off his height. "So how are you going to pay me back?" He asked with a wolfish grin on his face.

"Excuse me?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"Remember? On the train?" Had she forgotten him? Were the glances they had been sharing nothing more than accidents? Maybe Draco over estimated what she thought of him.

"Yes of course!" Hermione blushed. "Erm… what can I help you with?"

Draco honestly hadn't thought this far. He just wanted to have a real conversation with this girl instead of just sneaking glances. Draco's mind was racing; he had to come up with something fast. Not only for Hermione, but he didn't want the rest of the Slytherins to see him talking with this Gryffindor. He already had a reputation and needed to keep it in tact.

"Which way is the library?" He asked already knowing the answer.

Hermione offered him a small smile. "I am headed there myself, why don't we walk together?"

They walked in silence for about a minute. Draco felt embarrassed and stupid. She probably thinks I am an idiot. He shook his head.

Hermione glanced over at him and saw a pink flush on his cheeks. "You're really good at potions." She commented, hoping to break the silence and make Draco feel better.

His head shot up and locked eyes with her. Her eyes were big and brown; they held a kindness Draco was not used to. "Yeah I am."

"You're welcome." Hermione snapped.

Draco blushed again. Damn it. Hermione let out a small laugh. "Thank you." Draco rolled his eyes. "You're, uh, not too bad yourself." He offered.

"Thanks." She smiled brightly. They climbed the stairs out of the dungeon and sun began to shine through the long windows of the corridor. "I've never brewed a potion before, but I read Magical Drafts and Potions so I have it down in theory at least."

"The whole book?" Draco was obviously impressed.

Hermione nodded proudly. "Yes. I didn't know how far I would be behind people who came from magical families." Draco stopped dead in his tracks. So she is a Muggleborn. He frowned. "What is it? Did you forget something?" Hermione backtracked to him.

Draco took a deep breath and shook his head. "No, uh, let's go." He felt strange walking next to her now. He had grown up knowing that Muggleborns and Half Bloods were not as good as Purebloods. Some Half Bloods could be useful, but Muggleborns were out of the question as far as company went. But then Hermione smiled at him again. Her big teeth rested on full, pink lips and her deep brown eyes glittered. The sun streaming in lit her up in way that captivated Draco.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked as they started off again.

Draco just nodded and tried to change the subject. "I'm excited for the first Quidditch game. It's Slytherin versus Gryffindor." Draco felt as if the space between them was filling up with tension only he could feel. His Father would not approve of this girl and a small part of him felt a thrill in defying him, even though he was hundred of miles away. Having a civil conversation with a Muggleborn was something that Draco never dreamed that he would be doing, but Hermione seemed different. She was smart and capable from what he had seen so far. He didn't think she looked dirty, but her blood was mixed with Muggleblood. He tried to put those thoughts from his mind.

"I've read about Quidditch. It seems a little rough."

"Oh it's the best! I am a good flyer." Draco boasted; he wanted to impress this girl. "I am sure I'd be on the Slytherin team if they let first years join." He added sourly.

"I've never flown before." Hermione sounded a little less sure of herself. You could read about how to fly a broom, but actually doing it was much different.

"It takes natural talent." Draco continued on, unaware she was uncomfortable. "I used to fly all the time. What did you do for fun back home?"

Hermione allowed her hair to fall in front of her face. She used to just sit in her room and read, she never really had many friends. Not wanting to sound like a loser Hermione quickly said "Look, here we are at the Library. I guess we're even now."

"Thank you." Draco emphasized the words, a private joke between them.

Hermione forced a smile to her face. "Well, see you later." She took off into the stacks, leaving Draco standing at the entrance confused and wondering how he spooked her off.

A/N: Wow I am so excited that people are enjoying this! Every time someone subscribes to this story or leaves a review it makes my whole day! And really inspires me to write more! But enough about me, let's talk about you. Would you rather have longer chapters or shorter ones? Shorter ones probably mean I can update faster, but I shouldn't be too long with them anyways. Let me know! Thanks for reading!