Sorry the prologue was attrocious. Here's the first chapter, where things will hopefully begin to take shape.
Hermione Jean Granger was understandably upset.
"Hermione, dear, you've known the boy most of your life! Why does it matter that you're going to the same school?" Well it does, mother, because I worked hard for this, and his father probably just flashed some cash and now BOOM I have no opportunity to get away from my childhood.
She sat down on the front steps of her apartment complex. "Hermione?"
She groans and puts her head in her hands. She knows that voice all too well. It's the voice of her best friend... and her worst enemy. Her rival and partner. The subject of her very best dreams and her very worst nightmares. Alternately the one causing her to cry, and an open shoulder to cry on. Her tormentor and her protector. "Draco, I'm not in the mood to talk, okay?" Today was one of the bad days, it would seem.
"Tough luck, Granger." He says with a laugh, plopping down next to her. He nudges her shoulder. "So what's wrong?"
She glares at him. "You. You're what's wrong."
A chuckle. "Care to elaborate?"
She stands, fists clenched. "I worked so hard to get a scholarship to that school, and now you're going, but your dad can just... Throw money at them! Am I going to be stuck studying at the new library named after you this year, Draco? Hm? Because that's what always happens, isn't it? No detentions, no suspension, you do whatever you want, and you get away with it! Your dad's rich, so you get away with it!" She whirls and tries to go back inside.
But a hand firmly on her arm stops her. "Hey, if you don't want me to go, I won't. And fyi, I worked for this too. I wouldn't let dad pay my way in this time." He says quietly. "But whatever. If you're gonna throw a fit, I won't go." And then his grip releases and he passes her, slipping through the door and leaving her a lot to think about.
Draco Malfoy knew he loved Hermione Granger. He knew he loved her... But that is not something you say to the girl you grew up with. Ever. It was a simple fact, though. The sky is blue. The grass is green. I love Hermione. Easy, simple, and very right. He had loved her the entire fifteen years he had known her, he was sure. His entire life. He was all of two weeks older than her, and his parents had hundreds of pictures of them at birthday trips they had taken together. Pictures of them shoving cake into each other's faces. The roller rink where they had both fallen on their faces and then laughed at each other in fifth grade.
Of course, Hermione was practically a pro now, as she was a pro at everything she liked.
And Draco was in the dust, as usual.
"Draco... I'm sorry." Hermione whispers behind him.
He shakes his head. Sorry for scrambling my brain? No? Damn. "Nothing to be sorry for." Except being beautiful and amazing and unapproachable.
She lays a hand on his arm gently. "I really am sorry... I'm just trying to escape." She comes closer and hugs him, making him smile slightly into her hair. "You're my best friend, you know that." She mumbles into his chest.
"I know." He responds faintly. "And that's why I'll go to school in California, and you can take your scholarship to the school in Washington." He sighs. "I'm okay with this. It'll be fine."
REVIEWS MOTIVATE ME TO WRITE LONGER CHAPTERS PLEASE.
