A/N: Please enjoy this new Harry Potter story! Going to make it a slow burn Dramione. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to comment or pm me. :)
The loud shriek of the train whistle cut through the babbling voices of young witches and wizards. With a lurch, the train began to move forward and the farewells from parents and crying of younger siblings slowly began to fade. No one had come to say goodbye to me this year, I mused, gazing out the window at the quickly changing scenery as the train sped away from the station and towards the countryside.
I averted my attention back to the black book nestled in my lap. It was the eighth year advanced potions book. I ran my fingers along the edge of the yellowed parchment, enjoying the smoothness of the untainted pages. I flipped it open and skimmed through the pages, admiring the little sketches on the inside of certain new ingredients not used in previous years.
The door of my compartment clicked and I snapped my head towards the door. The bushy brown hair and armful of books indicated none other than Hermione Granger. I rolled my eyes and plastered a cold sneer on my face.
"What the hell are you doing here Granger," I spat, kicking my legs out in front of me to dissuade her from sitting across from me. She delicately perched herself in the far corner on the worn fabric seats, and fiddled with her books.
"Well?" I drawled, snapping my book shut. She flinched at the noise and my sneer grew. "Scared of a book are we Granger? I thought a book worm like you would get...excited over hearing such a sound," I scoffed again. That prissy bookworm would never understand the excitement I was hinting at. Who would dare even touch her other than that half-blood Weasley? I eyed her up and down, making her shift in her seat. She had certainly filled out more over the last few months. Her body had become slightly more curvaceous and feminine, which altogether wasn't unpleasant, I noted. But still, she was Granger. Prissy, nerdy, Potty and Weaselbee-loving Granger. No change in her features could possible make me even consider her attractive.
"I just thought we should have a chat before we get to the school, seeing as we're the Heads this year," she spoke with a firmness and confidence that I wasn't expecting.
"What do you want to talk about then hmm," I inquired, leaning back and spreading my legs slightly. I didn't miss the look Granger gave me, as her eyes traversed down towards my pants... more precisely, towards the crotch area. I cocked an eyebrow at her, "thinking dirty thoughts are we?" I snickered as her cheeks flushed a light pink.
"Uh no, just your trousers have a rip in them," she mumbled. I quickly glanced down and saw she was right.
"Fuck," I cursed quietly. I whipped out my wand and wordlessly mended them. Granger appeared slightly impressed before her face quickly returned neutral.
"Well McGonagall wanted to let you know that the Slytherin common room has been changed this year, due to the destruction of the castle. The Black Lake flooded it, and they've had a hell of a time repairing it. So your house will actually be staying with the Gryfindors in the tower this year."
"What?! The bloody tower survived but not the dungeon? And we have to room with you lot, what a piss off," I groaned. What a terrible start to the year already.
"I'm not too pleased about it either Malfoy," the woman looked at me sternly. "But we've also got to present a united front, especially if you don't want the Slytherines to get bullied after everything that happened..." she added, trailing off.
I nodded slowly. "I hate to admit it, but you're right Granger."
Her lip twitched in what appeared to be the start of a smile. It quickly left as she said, "Oh and you and I will be on the third floor, right wing. Behind the painting of the boar feast."
"I beg your pardon?" Perplexed at what she had just said. Did she say that her and I would be in a shared living space?
She pursed her lips before biting the bottom one nervously. "McGonagall thought that it would help the other Gryfindors and Slytherines follow in example if you and I lived together harmoniously. Trust me, I'm not pleased either."
I scoffed. "There's no way in Hell I'm sharing a dorm with you, mudblood." I spat the last word and saw as the brunette's face scrunched up in anger.
"Really Malfoy? After everything that happened last year you still have to insult me? If I had it my way you would be expelled from Hogwarts. Trust me, this is not what I want at all," she huffed and stood up quickly, adjusting her books in her arms. "I'll see you at the feast." And with the sharp click of the compartment door she was gone. And I was all alone again, left to brood in my thoughts.
The rest of the dreary train ride was spent in solitude, gazing out at the scenic countryside. Around noon grey clouds began to roll in, their density obstructed the sun swiftly. The gentle patter of rain started not soon after, and its calm is what lulled me to sleep. A peaceful, dreamless sleep. That rarely happened these days.
When the train finally jolted to a halt, I was awoken. The shrill announcements of the Prefects directing first years, and that oaf Hagrid bellowing out quickly ended the calm feeling I had been gifted from the tranquil train ride. I groaned, I can't believe mother forced me to return this year. None of my friends were here, and the Malfoy name was beyond sullied after the treacherous acts by my father during the battle. He was locked up in Azkaban destined to rot there for his crimes, as he deserved. My relationship with my father had always been one of fear, and disappointment. Not only was I never good enough for him, but I suffered mercilessly simply because he wanted to cause someone pain. My mother was sadly the recipient of that abuse whilst I was in school. I sighed, she deserved so much more than that wretched life.
With that last depressing thought, I clambered over the the exit of the train and slowly made my way towards the carriages. There was a mix of people there, some were stroking the dark, bony creatures gently, while others simply shuffled past them and into the carriages. It was clear that everyone saw them. And those who shuffled by were merely avoiding them due to the painful memories associated with the ability to see them.
I had been able to see them every year. Even when the dark lord wasn't in power, the Malfoy house... entertained many followers. Those bastards liked to have their fun at the expense of others lives. I shuddered. That was not my life anymore. I had vowed to myself that I would never return to that hell-hole again. Not after everything that I had seen within those walls. The secrets lurking in every room. Those were stains that could never be washed clean. That house deserved to burn to the ground. When I fantasized about doing just that, some days I wished I could burn with it. I let out a quiet sigh. McGonagall had promised me an escape from that life, a new identity, a new beginning. Her conditions involved keeping my head down this year, being a model student, and try to bridge the divide between the houses. That was why she made me head boy.
Normally some perfect Gryffindor, or nerdy Ravenclaw were given the jobs. But this year, McGonagall wanted to try to encourage more civility and bonding between the houses. Pathetic really. No one would see us as more than Death Eaters.
I marched towards a carriage and plunked down, slamming the door behind me. The person across from me jumped and I groaned realizing who it was.
"Malfoy," she said curtly, giving me a firm nod.
"Granger," I drawled. "Can't stay away can you?" I snickered, trying to get a reaction out of her.
"Huh as if," she crossed her arms. The darkness inside the carriage made it too difficult to make out her expression, but I knew she was giving me a deathly glare. I chuckled.
"You're so easy Granger."
"No I'm not! You just have a special talent for knowing exactly what to say to piss me off," she challenged.
The carriage jolted forward and the trek up to the castle began. We sat in silence for a couple minutes, before a big bump threw the brunette forward. She barely had time to unhook her arms from their crossed position before barely catching herself from falling face first into my lap. Her hands had landed on my knees, and the position overall looked very...compromising to say the least.
"Oh my god I am so so sorry," a string of apologies burst from her mouth and I chuckled. She quickly sat back into her seat, and I was positive her cheeks were a flaming scarlet by now.
"Don't mention it," I replied, deciding to let her off easy. She had been embarrassed enough. Plus, tonight I was not in the mood for engaging in any debate that would ensue from a snide comment.
Luckily that accident seemed to shut her up for the rest of the carriage ride, and it was a blessed silence again. As we neared the castle, there began to be a bit of light leaking through the carriage window. I glanced outside and saw the half destroyed Hogwarts castle, still valiantly standing. Glancing across from me I saw a single tear slide down her cheek. I myself felt a strong surge of emotions after seeing this place again. The last memory I had here was certainly unpleasant. I peeked at her through the corner of my eye again. Her lip was quivering slightly and she quickly drew her hand up to hide her face. This was certainly going to be a challenging year for all the staff and students.
A/n: So there's the first chapter! Let me know what you guys think! I'll try and post a chapter a day if possible :) Happy to be back, and excited to hear from you all!