Disclaimer: I don't any recognizable characters or settings.


She had gone through her classes that day the same as yesterday afternoon's. Distracted. Hermione barely heard one word out of the professors' mouths, simply sitting at her desk, head in hand, day dreaming about a Slytherin. It was all very un-Hermione like, and she recognized that. Dreaming the day away was not how she planned to spend her week, but apparently, that was in store for her.

Taking her free period after lunch as an excuse to hide in the library and try and catch up on that day's lessons, she was perfectly settled at an out of the way table, completely focused on the reading material before her, that is, until she smelled something very familiar, and someone sat beside her. Her peripheral vision picked up the tell-tale green tie, and she immediately knew who this was.

"Do you need something Draco? I'm a little busy." Hermione said, glad that there was a foot of space between them. This, at least allowed her some semblance of a thought process. The brunette hadn't even bothered to look up. Maybe if she seemed uninterested he'd go away.

A small chuckle, although maybe it was just a scoff. "I don't need anything. Can't a guy just sit and read, Hermione?" He asked, adding extra stress on her name. She could guess that if she looked over, he would have a huge smirk on his face. Obviously, this was a huge joke to him. A game.

Even so, the fact that he'd said her name... The butterflies were back, good ones this time. Although, the butterflies were there because of Draco, so maybe they really weren't all that good. Also, it was nice to hear him call her first name. Not 'mudblood', not 'Granger', just Hermione. She'd never heard him say it before. "But why are sitting here? You hate me." she replied flatly, still refusing to give him the satisfaction of looking up.

"I don't hate you. Sure, I think I'm better than you, but I don't hate you." He replied simply.

This caused her to look up and look at him with wide eyes. "You don't?" she asked incredulously. Not that she cared, because she didn't but still. That discovery, was... Astonishing.

"Nope." The blond replied, and now he was the one focused on his book, not looking at her. Obviously, this conversation was over.

Not sure what else could be added, Hermione turned back to her research, only half focused now. Draco didn't hate her. Sure it didn't mean much, but still. Maybe there was a chance, no, what was she thinking? She didn't want a chance of something happening between the two of them. Or did she? All Hermione knew of the Slytherin was his front, a rich jerk who picked on others, but everyone had sides, there are no one dimensional personalities, there has to be something more there than the shallow exterior everyone saw. Now the question was, did she really want to know what that was?

This had to be one for the history books, either way. A Gryffindore and a Slytherin, both sworn enemies, sitting next to each other, studying, having a semi-civil conversation. What was this world coming to?

Once again, time flew by, reading tended to do that, even if she was completely distracted by the person next to her. When the bell rang once again, she stood, putting the book in her bag and getting ready to leave. Draco seemed to be doing the same, but much slower. She nodded at him quickly, not bothering with a real goodbye, then started towards her next class.

Suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, causing the Gryffindore girl to spin and look back at Draco. "So, I-" he started, not looking her in the eye, "Nevermind. See you later Hermione." He said quickly, grumbling the last part and dropping her wrist. She decided it was smart not to pry, so just gave him a look, and then headed off towards Transfiguration. Mind whirling.


Nothing interesting had really happened the next two days. More dreaming of someone she did not want to be dreaming about, more being distracted during classes and conversations. She had decided to go home Saturday and visit her mother, see if she could shed any light on the situation at hand. It wasn't something she did often, usually just a Christmas break, but this was definitely a special circumstance.

She woke up early Saturday, wanting to make sure she could get there, talk for a while, and leave, getting back before curfew. Quickly putting on her favorite pair of jeans, a white t-shirt and red hoodie. Making sure not to forget shoes, something she'd done more than once, Hermione put on her sneakers and then walked out into the common room. She was going to apparate.

Yes, it was very hard, but she'd been doing extremely well in class, and figured that a try wouldn't hurt anything. If anyone could do it, Hermione could do it. So with a quick turn on her heel, there was a loud pop. She knew that she was going somewhere, it had worked, but wasn't sure it was the right place.

The poor girl ended up apparating inside her parents' house, about four feet above the ground. There was a large thud as she fell onto the carpet beneathe her. But, hey, baby steps, she'd arrived! She made it to her parents' house! Before she could do anything, her mother was beside her, fretting softly like a mother hen, trying her best to help the newly arrived Hermione to her feet. It seemed that nothing was broken or even sprained, so she stumbled to a standing position.

Immediately, she was pulled into a hug, a soft hand trying to smooth down her bushy hair. It was as if she hadn't seen her mother for months. "Hermione, I didn't know you were coming today sweetheart. I would have set something up!"

"No, I-I just wanted to talk to you today mom." She said hastily, not wanting to get sucked up into some big trip, or shopping or something like that. It always happened with her mother, and although Hermione knew that she was just trying to help, it still wasn't her idea of fun,

Just then she heard footsteps, but was unable to look, still wrapped up in her mother's hug. "Honey, is everything okay? I heard a thump." he father called, poking his head into the room. "'Mione! We weren't expecting you!" the man exclaimed, coming and hugging her as well. Would you believe it'd only been a week since she was sent off to Hogwarts on the train?

"Mom? Dad? I can't, uh, breathe." At that, both her parents stepped back, releasing her. Hermione took a minute to breathe before smiling at her parents. "I missed you guys. How is everything?"

"Everything is great, except for you not being here. It's so quiet without you around." Her mom mumbled.

"It can't be that quiet, my head is always buried in a book. I never make any noise." Hermione retorted playfully. Not being able to bear seeing her mother even somewhat sad.

Her mom nodded quietly. At this, her father stepped over, kissed his daughter's head, and walked back towards the kitchen, where the two had been earlier. "Lunch will be ready in a few minutes girls." he called over his shoulder.

Hermione took this opportunity to sit down on the couch and start speaking with her mom. The women could tell that something was wrong with her daughter, and so sat down hurriedly. "Is everything okay sweetheart?" she asked, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder.

The sad thing is, Hermione wasn't sure how to respond. Was she okay with this?


A/N: Cliffhanger! Don't you just love those? Once again, I was planning to give a week between updates, but then I got two new reviews and just had to post this. So, to my reviewers, no, we will not be hearing from Draco's perspective unless it is a special circumstance, I always get confused reading split perspectives, and writing them is even harder, plus, it's even more fun trying along with Hermione to figure out what he's thinking.
And, also, someone mentioned that the story was a little steamy for their tastes, but, I promise, it isn't going to be like that the whole story, case in point this chapter. The first two chapters were like that more to get the 'lust at first kiss' point across. I promise that won't be their whole relationship. So, if that was your only qualm, maybe read on a few more chapters?