DRAMIONE – CHAPTER THREE

"The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before."

DRACO POV

I slumped lower into my bed and pulled the green silk above my head and pretended I was an 8-year-old boy back at home. I loved it when I pretended to hide from my father, and he would pretend to worry about finding me, until he jumped on the bed and tickled me to death. He would tell me tales of adventurous dragons and alluring Veela. I smiled to myself as I reminisced. I remembered how my dad had taught me how wizards should really be, about bloodlines and muggle-borns. I remembered the first time I ever said Mudblood. The look on Granger's face had been satisfying at the time. In my memory, I couldn't remember the awkward girl with uncontrollable hair. Her current image replaced that. Her shaped eyebrows slanted in pain and her beautifully shaped chocolate eyes glazed with crystal tears. I cringed to myself. Why was I doing this to myself? The last person I wanted to feel sorry for is the Mudblood. She didn't deserve my sympathy. I don't even know why it upsets her anyway, she's always flaunting the fact she's the brainiest Mudblood in the western hemisphere, why would she get offended at something that is nothing more than stating the obvious. My mind went blank for a second when I remembered her concerned-like gaze catch me earlier.

For god sakes! What was her problem? I huffed to myself. I closed my eyes and started remembering the ingredients and procedure for the 'Living draught' potion, to clear my mind. Before long, I slipped into unconsciousness. It felt like I was only asleep for a few minutes until a slender, tanned hand shook me.

"Draco, Wake up." I heard Zabini mumble. "You're going to be late."

My eyes flew open and I cringed as I remembered my dream. I stood up and shoved Zabini out of my way as I pulled my shirt and trousers on. I grabbed my tie and robes off the side of the bed and walked down stairs and made my way to the entrance hall. In my dream I remembered when Granger hit me. Instead of the Weasel, Potter and those useless oafs, it was just me and her, and instead of a slap, her hand lingered on my cheek, I remember it feeling warm and soft like silk. I cringed again at the idea of anyone other than Pansy touching me. I only allowed that was merely because it was good for my ego, as big headed as it may sound. I would cringe away when my own mother would try to simply brush the hair from my face. The idea of Granger touching me should of repulsed me, but in all honesty, it seemed to slightly... only slightly... appeal to me. I walked into the great hall to see Granger in the distance laughing along with Ron, their faces awfully close. I caught Potter sat across from them looking rather uncomfortable. My stomach made a twist as I saw her hand touch his shoulder like it did yesterday. I slumped into my chair next to Pansy who was unusually quiet. I ladled some porridge into my bowl and began stirring it, my eyes locked onto the back of Granger's head. It felt like ages when Zabini and Crabbe dropped into their seats across from me, blocking off my view.

"Who were you staring at?" Crabbe asked, turned around to have a good look who was there. "The Mudblood?" he asked again his eyebrows rising.

Zabini smirked and Pansy dropped her head.

"No you stupid gargoyle! I was glaring at potter. He infuriates me." I said irritated, even though it was a lie. In all honesty, Potter hadn't bothered me this term.

"Makes sense." Zabini said sliding some toast into his mouth. Pansy perked up abit and put her cold hand on my forehead. "Are you alright Draco? You seem a little under the weather; maybe you should visit Madam Pomfrey." She cooed.

I slapped her hand off me. "Im fine." I mumbled. Just then, everyone looked up as the post swooped in. I wasn't expecting anything, my parents had neither the time or feeling, to write me a letter. I looked up again and saw a barn own drop a letter onto Granger's lap and then swoop off. I could see her bite her lip again like yesterday as she opened it. Why did it feel like my heart was melting when she did that?

I looked again at my porridge bowl and began to think about the proper way to brew wolfsbane potion.

HERMIONE POV

I was a little worried about the letter in my hand. I guess everyone was like that lately when letters came, everyone was expecting bad news in these dark times. My hands shook a little as I managed to rip the envelope open and find a reassuring letter from my parents. I could tell they were trying to act normal, but with a daughter that has magical abilities, in a world that had recently become inhabited by dark wizards again, and is only home for 3 weeks out of the year (the other 3 of the holidays I spent with the Weasleys), it can't be easy for them.

I stuffed the letter into my bag and resumed breakfast. Ron was scowling at the Daily Prophet that had been dropped into his bowl of soup by Pigwidgeon.

"Anything new?" Harry asked, spooning the last of his cereal into his mouth.

Ron's frown never left his face. "Mass breakout from Azkaban." he mumbled.

Harry dropped his spoon into his plate aggressively. I saw from the corner of my eye, Neville's face drop.

"Does it say… who?" I asked, not really wanting to know at all.

Ron nodded and began reading off suspected missing prisoners.

"Bellatrix Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov, Lucius Malfoy… git, Stanley Shunpike and Walden Macnair."

Harry frowned. "Stan Shunpike? Load of rubbish, he's obviously under the imperius curse. He's about as much a death eater as I am" he retorted.

"We can't be too sure these days Harry." I said.

Ron scoffed once more at the paper. "Bet ferret boy is thrilled his moronic father is back in the death eater game."

I good feel my teeth start to gnaw on my bottom lip as I considered that. I don't think Malfoy would be too pleased, he didn't sound happy yesterday with Slughorn.

"Great, that's another few death eaters that's going to try and do me in." Harry laughed. "I doubt lovely old Lucius is going to be sending me flowers for getting locked up in Azkaban."

Ron started laughing, even Neville, who was clearly worried about Bellatrix, cracked a smile. Typical of boys, to try and laugh them selves out of worry. I looked over to Malfoy who was staring at that Blaise boy. He looked concerned and angry. In Blaise's hand I could see an opened up copy of the Daily Prophet. Just like the one in Ron's hands. I started gnawing on my nail until I felt Harry's hand pull away mine.

"It'll be fine Hermione. There is no safer place than Hogwarts and we all know Voldemort isn't going to be planning a trip here any time soon." Harry reassured me. What he didn't know was that this isn't what I was worrying about. Before I had time to think about it much more Ron was pulling me along to my next lesson. For once, I didn't learn much in the following lessons. My mind was set on piercing silver and a cocky smile. Was I really starting to feel sympathy for the boy that had made every effort to hurt my feelings whenever we crossed paths? Was I really starting to care about the boy that hated my friends and me, with what could only be described as burning fury? This couldn't be good.