I know I haven't updated for some time now, but I'm having great trouble writing this chapter, the whole story in fact! So i'm gonna try to quicken the pace.

How-ever, Big thank you to; miss quirky bookworm, CassieJames96, seriana14, MrsBlaCKwIfeY, LK-HoGwArTs-hEaDgIrL =)

On with the story...

Disclaimer: =( No I don't own the Harry Potter books...)=
Warning: Contains some strong language

Hogwarts Express

Draco stood on platform 9 and 3/4, observing those around him; proud parents sending their beloved children away to the only magical school in Britain, there were hugs and kisses and some tears as they departed. Draco sighed and thought about his mother, her private healer, Healer Rowena arrived at 6.00 on the dot, just as the letter had read and he'd assured his mother that it was temporary, though in reality it would take many long years for her to heal.

He smiled then, as he spotted his best friend, Blaise Zabini, who was carrying about four trunks, he raised his hand in salute and one of them went crashing down. Draco laughed quietly walked over to him and helped load his luggage into the train, the Hogwarts Express if course. Then they boarded it together, "Another fun year at Hogwarts ahead I expect!" Blaise said with raised eyebrows. Draco dug his elbow into his ribs sharply, "Yeah man! Lotsa fun!" They jested and chortled all the way to the Slytherin compartments.

Upon entering a loud cheer errupted as Draco's fellow housemates greeted them, Draco smiled- he felt slightly awkward though he had no idea why- maybe it was the task that he would be carrying out in this last year at Hogwarts. After twenty minutes or so, he began to feel somewhat suffocated by the attention he should already be used to- so he made the excuse of needing to visit the lavatory and escaped alone.

Once outside Draco leaned again the closed door, then made his way through the narrow corridors of the train. Then he stopped. She stood with her back to him, her head pressed against the door of a compartment. He couldn't move, couldn't breath. Then she turned, a moment that was perpetually designed it seemed. She had he eyes squeezed closed and tears were rolling down her face. Her face- her skin looked creamy and soft, her plump nether lip was trembling, her slightly upturned nose sniffed, and her wet lashes bathed in the salty droplets of water that was falling from within them.

She coughed and he snapped out of the brief confoundment. She hadn't seen him. Yet. He decided to leave her to her stupid tears. But his feet wouldn't move, so he chose instead to begin the plan right now.


Earlier

Hermione hugged Harry and moved to do the same with Ron, who instead moved forward to peck her lips, she allowed it, but her lips formed a tight forced smile afterwards. They walked together into the compartment they'd shared since first year, as usual both boys bought tons of sweets to eat on the journey while Hermione complained about plaque, enamel erosion and rotting teeth. After fifteen minutes or so, Harry left the compartment for the bathroom, and Hermione grasped at the opportunity with both trembling hands.

"Ron..." She looked at Ron who had about twenty-three jelly slugs stuffed in his mouth, "Ron, please just listen to me." He swallowed quickly and waited for her to talk. "Ron, I've been trying to do this for some time now, I really like you..." She watched as Ron leaned back into the seat, almost preparing himself for what was going to be said, "But I liked it better when we were friends, it's too awkward now, so could we go back to how it's always been."

She didn't have any idea as to how Ron would react, naive she was, thinking he'd nod and understand, instead his reaction was quite the opposite, he was angry. "Hermione, my dad might be dying, my sister's going mental and my mum's depressed, but Hermione all you can think about is breakin' up with me, instead of supportin' me and helpin' me through this, you're addin' to it, makin' it worse." Then he stood up and towered over her, "You can just fuck off then!"

And she did just that, she ran for the door, and swore at herself for many reasons; for being so selfish and insensitive and for Ron's mum and Ron's dad and Ron's sister and Ron. She cried for the way she treated Ron. She turned and leaned the back of her head against the wall, her body was aching and the sore spots throbbed as balmy tears rolled down her blushed cheeks.


Hermione rubbed her hands over her face and whispered a small sorry to Ron, as though it would help. She stopped in mid-action and opened her eyes only to find Malfoy meeting her gaze. She gasped, "Malfoy?!" He nodded at her, that stupid smirk etched on his pale face.

"Are you all right?" Malfoy was asking her, "You seem... upset." Hermione stared at him, not knowing whether it was a dense joke of his. She looked at him, was it her or did Malfoy seem different, his appearance was different, more mature; he was taller, his eyes were a staggering steely grey, and she noticed how prominent his jaw was. He spoke again and snapped her back to reality, "Granger...?" Hermione cleared her throat and wiped away stray tears with the back of her hand and nodded at him while smiling weakly, "I'm fine, thank you."

He sighed at nodded back, and he smiled too, and Hermione felt a lurch in the pit of her belly and felt herself go pink as she realized that he'd been slowly closing the gap in between them. She raised her hand and placed it on his surprisingly firm chest, pushing him back slightly with a nudge of her hand. He smiled and she realized that that was the first time she'd seen him smile. Ever. It brought her to reality.

"Hermione... what are you doing with Malfoy?"

So what did you think? Who do you think catches Hermione?

Keep in mind that I'm finding this quite challenging, I don't usually write in third person and the feelings are hard to describe, and I feel like crap!

Part Two starting next Chapter I think, it may not remain in third person, and the tense may change too... Does that sound OK?

Review please, it'll only take a few seconds... But it'll make me happy for days! =)