Hermione was alone on the hogwart's express. Harry and Ron had gone to school early because of the summoning of Dumbledore. She would have sat with Ginny but her red haired friend had asked her to leave so she could ask out Michal Corner. Michal Corner disgusted Hermione. So she had walked out to find a compartment with less people. However it seemed everywhere else was full. The students normally stored their luggage in a charmed compartment under the seats but obviously the new first years did not understand this and had their luggage taking up more space than necessary. Hermione being the smart witch had charmed a little bag to hold her belongings and it now hung from her wrist swaying as she walked. There was one compartment that was basically empty. Hermione decided that she would only sit there as a last resort, if she couldn't find any other open seat. Why was this her last resort. In that compartment sat Harry and Ron's worst enemy and bully Draco Malfoy. So hermione breezed up and down the halls trying and failing to find another open seat. The brown haired curly Gryffindor walked slowly bracing herself to have to sit across from Malfoy for three hours. At least she had a book she could read. Hermione sighed and set her mouth into a fine line before opening the compartment door and sitting across from the blonde haired boy who was reading a thick book on potions master, Advellio Mouge.
"Hey Hermione, did Weaselette kick you out to snog with Corner?" He asks softly, not even looking up. Hermione sat down surprised. He had called her Hermione not Mudblood or Granger. Another thing is that when he had asked her that question there wasn't a hint of hate in his voice.
"Somewhat" She said, opening her book to the page she left off. However the fact that he called her Hermione in such a casual way kept bothering her.
"Why drop the formality's Malfoy?" She asked looking at him seriously.
"Why should I keep formalities when I don't have to?" He says looking up at her with a lazy expression.
"It's just.." Hermione starts.
"It's just what… I know I act like a jerk but that's not really me. If I dont disrespect Muggle-borns and half-bloods my father would probably pull me from hogwarts." He says.
"So you don't actually…" She tries to say but just like before he jumps to answer her again.
"No I don't hate muggle borns and half bloods or blood traitors. That's just what I have to make my father believe. If I even show a hint of respect towards anyone but a pureblood he would force the dark mark on me" Draco says.
"He would do that?" Hermione asks.
"I think so, he is planning on giving it to me the summer after this year the week after i turn 17"
"And are you going to take it?" Hermione asks.
"Like hell I will. I'm saving up all my allowance money over this year and I'm going to run at the end of the year" Draco says, then he looks up.
"Fuck, I dont know why I'm telling you all this. Please don't tell anyone about this. Not even Ron and Harry. In fact don't even tell anyone you even saw me" He says looking at her, his blue eyes pleading.
"I promise," Hermione says, She wouldn't tell anyone. She wouldn't jeopardize his plan to escape his father and the mark.
"Can I call you Draco" The brown haired witch asks. She didn't see a reason to keep calling him Malfoy.
"Ya of course. I'm sorry for being such a jerk all these years. If my father didn't have little spies all over the school I could have been nicer." The blonde boy says. Hermione notices his face. She can tell he feels bad.
"I know. It really wasn't your fault" She responds. The Slytherian's eyes lift up to her.
"Thank you, It feels really good telling you the truth. I was always so guilty all the time for having to pretend that normal people were like rats. I'm sorry again. My beliefs on blood status are not the same as my fathers. I think that his views are disgusting" Draco explains. Hermione nods.
"Can we be friends" She asks when a streak of bravery hits her. Draco smiles and looks at her surprised. Hermione likes this new Draco Malfoy. She had never once seen him smile like this before and she liked it. It was just beautiful. He had a natural smile and little dimples in the corner of his cheeks. Hermione giggles at the fact that the cunning Draco Malfoy, The 'Slytherin Prince' had dimples. Hermione surprised herself when she thought that he was kind of cute.
"Please I would like that… friends… it's funny I have never actually had a friend that my father hadn't handpicked for me" Draco says happily. He sticks his pale hand out for her to shake. Hermione takes it. Draco Malfoy is giving her surprise after surprise. She had expected his hand to be cold much like his pale skin. Instead it was warm. It made her want to keep holding on. But alas she let go shortly after shaking his hand.
"What did you do this summer?" Draco asks awkwardly. Truth be told Draco Malfoy had never once had a real friend before. Hermione stuttered and awkwardly smiled.
"I spent time with my family and went camping, how about you?" Hermione says slowly. Draco didn't answer.
"I learned dark magic," he says with disgust. Hermione nods.
"Draco I know friends talk about what they did over summer and fun stuff like that but we are just becoming friends and we need to get the seriousness out of the way first" Hermione says… Draco doesn't respond so she elaborates on said 'seriousness'.
"I guess as your friend" She says trying out the word, "I have to be worried for you when you run away. Can I help you plan?"
"Of course" Draco says. He smiles at her before he asks.
"Can I move over and sit next to you so we can talk more discreetly"
Hello my names Cammaleah but you can just call me Leah... I am the author of this story and I absolutely thrive on reviews.. so please maybe review just to let me know your there and like my story... or anything you hope happens... if you put it in a review I will see it and consider it when I write the next chapters.