Disclaimer: I own nothing (seriously, poor college student, lol, I haven't a penny to my name). JK Rowling retains ownership of all her lovely characters and world building, I am just a privileged guest to share my inspiration based on her work.

Warning: May contain explicit language, sexual references, and violence

Chapter 4: Old Habits Die Hard

I had never seen so many first years in my life. They came in droves, a sea of pre-teens, looking as lost and hopeless as orphaned puppies. With a great deal of difficulty, and the help of the prefects, we managed to herd the newcomers to the dock with Hagrid and the boats, helping them climb aboard with shaky legs.

I was absolutely certain that I had never been so small, or so frightened, even as a first year. The war always made me feel old, and meeting these new students who had yet to experience life and the wizarding world both filled me with a sense of regret and of great hope. I glanced around, looking for Malfoy. Hagrid led the procession and the Head Girl and Boy were supposed to ride in the last boat and follow the group of boats in case anyone fell overboard.

Malfoy was sulking, leaning against the entrance to the dock, glaring at the first years with a mixture of contempt. As I approached, he gave me a similar glance, his eyes scanning from my muddy shoes to my disheveled outfit, up to my wildly curly hair, standing out at all angles thanks to the static in the cool autumn air.

"Have a good romp with a troll, Granger?" The sight lent a smirk to his arrogant expression.

"Pansy's not really my type," I quipped back, striking a jab at his would-be girlfriend.

His eyes narrowed defensively, a much filthier insult no doubt lingering on the tip of his tongue, however, our pleasantries were cut short by Hagrid's booming voice.

"Firs' years, mind the sides, here we go!" The fleet began gliding along the silken glass of the lake, our boat included.

"God damn it Malfoy! Get your arse on the boat!" I took leaping steps down the dock, grabbing the back of our boat just before it got out of reach. The boats were enchanted to leave all at once, and it took all the strength in my arms to hold it long enough to haul my body into the belly of the boat as it rocked violently, lake water spraying over the sides onto my uniform.

I tumbled into my seat unceremoniously, heaving from the exertion as I looked up to see if Malfoy was coming.

He stood at the dock, lips pursed in disapproval, as he withdrew his wand. I was too far now to hear his incantation, but a moment later, hard ice stretched out through the water, following the boat. Cool as a cucumber, Malfoy strode down the icy path, boarding the boat with his nose scrunched up with distaste.

As he sat down at the opposite end of the boat from me, the ice behind him crumbled and melted into the water, leaving no trace of his path.

I could hardly stand to look at his smugness; Malfoy exuded a superiority complex. I snorted, laughing under my breath. Fucking Malfoy. The idiot thinks he can walk on water.

He turned around to watch the first years. Apparently even the sight of me was beneath him. After a few minutes, I could hear him complaining venomously. "...the whole lot of them, Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors to the bone." At this he spit into the lake, in contempt. "Worthless little shites. I bet there isn't a Slytherin among them."

I snorted. "We should be so lucky." Malfoy spun around. He evidently had not intended his derision to reach my ears, and my amusement put him in a sour mood.

"What are you smirking about, you filthy little Mudblood? As if you're any better. Tell me, exactly what did you contribute to the war, other than being Weasely's fuck buddy? Or was it Potter's? I forget, seeing as you're such a disgusting little bint." He cocked his head to the side, inspecting me with revulsion.

I felt my blood begin to boil; he had hit more than a few of my triggers. It nestled under my skin and pierced into my heart at the mere mention. I could swear the scars Bellatrix had left on my arm prickled when I heard that slur, my hair standing on end, and my eyes began to see red at his callous mention of Harry and Ron.

The entire wizarding world hadn't fought a war, losing thousands of capable witches and wizards, defending against Voldemort and his prejudices, for this prick to throw around his elitist, purist trash talk like his shit didn't stink. People had died trying to eliminate those biases! Didn't that mean anything to Malfoy? After everything that had happened, how could he still believe Voldemort's philosophy? How could he still believe his blood was any different or better?

I hadn't realized I was holding my wand until I saw it pointing in Malfoy's direction.

"Would you like me to spill some of your blood, to see how similar it really is?" My voice was full of no-nonsense, my eyes burning deadly amber fire.

Malfoy had apparently taken too many hits to his pride today, being threatened by a Muggle born. At my threat, he stood, looming over me as if his mere height should leave me shaking in my boots.

"I don't think you're in any position to be making threats, Granger." Malfoy's face was expressionless, but I saw the glint of danger flash under his steely eyes.

I knew it was a bad idea to provoke him. I recognized the underlying seriousness of his threat, and my logic told me to shut my mouth and make it to shore in one piece.

But damn my logic, he was infuriating. "Or what Malfoy? Are you going to tattle on me to your good for nothing, Death Eater daddy?"

Malfoy lunged, acting too fast for me to respond, gripping the collar of my cardigan. As I was hoisted into the air, I shouted in protest, my legs flailing to touch the floor of the boat, my hands fighting to pull Malfoy off.

"Oomph!" Malfoy let out a winded gasp. I smirked in satisfaction, seeing one of my kicks hit low on his stomach, knocking the air out of him. My satisfaction was short lived however, as Malfoy tenses up, and then flings me aside angrily, a stream of curses assaulting my ears.

My orientation was thrown, and the last thing I saw before plunging into the icy cold water was the glitter sprinkling of stars across the velvety black sky.

A/N: A short chapter, I know, but I'm addicted to cliff-hangers, so I thought it best to cut off here. This chapter is mostly establishing the existing aversion between Hermione and Draco that has outlasted the war. They still can't stand each other, they still get under each other's skin. Every good relationship has to start somewhere, right? LOL. Hope you guys are enjoying, and I'd love for more people to read and review :) thanks guys!