CHAPTER 2~ A Little Pain
Hermione stepped of the Hogwarts Express and was directed to the Head Boy and Head Girl carriage even though she would have much preferred to be in a carriage with her best friends. Draco entered right behind her with the usual sneer across his pale face.
"Jeez, Malfoy, what's up your ass today? You seem unusually pissed off at something. Did Crabbe decide Goyle's a better fuck than you? How depressing!" Hermione said sarcastically.
"Fuck off, Granger."
"Ooh, a little slow on your comeback, Malfoy. What has gotten into you?"
"Why the fuck would you care? Don't even bother talking to me. You have no fucking idea what I'm going through right now."
That basically ended the conversation. Hermione didn't feel like getting into things with Draco and end up in a duel. Draco sat on the bench across from Hermione in the same position he had taken on the train-legs stretched in front of him, crossed at the ankles and his arms folded across his chest, and the only part of him that was touching the back of the chair was his shoulders.
Once they reached the school, Hermione jumped out of the carriage and joined up with Harry and Ron who were holding hands. Everyone in the school that The Boy Who Lived wasn't exactly straight. This made most of the female population very upset. After they had gotten over that crush, however, they noticed a certain Slytherin boy, Draco Malfoy.
Draco never had a true girlfriend. All the girls wanted were either his looks or his money. He had also never slept with anyone so that they wouldn't have to see the gruesome scars that covered his back, chest, and upper arms. The day before returning, his father had given him another scar because he had taken more than six seconds to get down to the dining hall for dinner. Draco had never understood what the rush always was, but he had received another brutal beating. He had a deep gash covering his middle and lower back. It wasn't curable by magic either. He had to wait for it to heal on its own.
The students filed into the Great Hall and watched as the first years stepped up to the Sorting Hat one-by-one to see which House they would be placed in. Ten new first years were sorted into Gryffindor, eight into Slytherin, twelve into Ravenclaw, and nine into Hufflepuff.
As soon as the first years were settled into their House tables, Dumbledore stood and the Hall became instantaneously silent. "I would like to welcome all the new students to a fun-filled year at Hogwarts, and I would like to welcome our older students back. This year our Head Boy is Draco Malfoy," there was a loud cheer that erupted from the Slytherin table while the other tables looked slightly disappointed at the selection, "and our Head Girl is our Hermione Granger." The rest of the students in the Great Hall cheered for her. "Now I would like to say, oddball, shizfiz, purple, fluff!" The tables became filled with food and everyone began to dig in.
Harry and Ron became immersed in a conversation about the different Quidditch teams and tactics they would be using for the upcoming season. Although Hermione absolutely loved the sport, she could never figure out how the boys could talk about it so often, so she zoned out and ate her food silently.
Draco wasn't having much more luck at his table. Pansy Parkinson, who hadn't become any prettier since their fourth year kept rubbing his back and trying to sit on him. He kept inching away and slapping her hand away since he was in a great amount of pain. Finally, he just hissed, "Leave me the fuck alone, will you? My back is bloody killing me and I don't like you like that."
"What are you talking about Drakie?" she asked.
"Leave me alone. What part of that do you not understand? Go away. I need my space. Get it yet?"
"But-but"
"Shut up!" He was glad when dinner ended and he was called up to talk to Dumbledore. Unfortunately, this meant that Hermione was also called up.
"First of all, I would like to personally congratulate the both of you on you outstanding performances over the past six years," the old man started.
"Thank you, sir," they mumbled simultaneously.
"Now, we have a tradition here that the Head Boy and Girl share a common room with bedrooms off to the sides and a passageway to your House common rooms." There faces changed from calm to terrified. "I will ask you please not to argue as much as you have in the past. I am well aware of your differences in views on life and your backgrounds. Please do not let this show in the hallways or in classrooms. If you so desire, you can take out your aggressions on each other in your common room," he said with a small smile. "Now, I will show you up to your dorms. Follow me, please."
They took off after the headmaster. They followed behind him silently each buried in their own thoughts. After many corridors and stairs, they managed to reach a statue of what looked like and eagle with its wings spread to their full extent.
"Your password will be 'hell's fairies.' Goodnight."
"Goodnight, sir," they mumbled as they stepped inside their spacious common room.
It was adorned in blue curtains and black chairs and couches. There was a large fireplace along the far wall and mirrors that reached from the ceiling to the floor. Two desks were set up on opposite sides of the room so they could do their homework or write letters or basically whatever they pleased.
Hermione's eyes went wide as she admired the large room before her. Everything was so beautiful and looked welcoming.
Draco remained indifferent to the wondrous room before him. "I suppose you think this room is spectacular," he commented looking in Hermione's direction.
"And what if I do, Ferret Boy? What would you care?"
"This is nothing compared to Malfoy Manor. My room alone is bigger than this. I can't believe how poorly they're treating us. This is an outrage! How can they expect us to carry out our duties in such a place as this?"
"Shove it up your ass, Malfoy! This room is splendid! I can't believe they're actually treating us this well."
"Well that's typical for a Mudblood such as yourself," he sneered.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Goodnight, Granger," he smirked at her.
"Fuck you, Malfoy," she replied in a singsong voice.
"Can't you just feel the love in this room? It's so inviting!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at him as he headed up the stairs to the door that said "Draco" on it in silver letters. After he closed his door, she went up to her room.
The two dorms were identical with the exception of the fact that Draco's was silver and green while Hermione's was red and gold. There was a queen- sized four-poster bed, a chest of drawers, and a walk in closet.
A bathroom joined the two rooms together. There was a door leading from the bathroom into each room.
Hermione opened the door that led into the bathroom at the same time as Draco opened his.
"Shotgun!" they both yelled together. "Mine first! No, mine! Arrgh!"
"Fine, rocks, paper, scissors," Draco suggested.
"You know that game?" Hermione asked surprised. "It's a Muggle thing."
"Who doesn't know it? Best of three."
"Alright."
They crossed the bathroom and met in the center. "Rocks, paper, scissors, shoot!"
Draco held out scissors while Hermione had a rock. "Granger-1, Malfoy-0," she said.
"Rocks, paper, scissors, shoot!"
Hermione had paper while Draco once again had scissors. "Tied up, Granger."
"Rocks, paper, scissors, shoot!"
Draco changed to rock while Hermione kept paper. "I win!" she cried happily.
"Oh stuff it."
"OUT! Shoo! Leave me alone. I won fair and square, I get to use the bath first." She stuck her tongue out at him in a teasing manner.
"Ouch! I'm hurt, Granger. That cut me deep. Arrgh! I think I might die."
"You're such a douche bag," she mumbled as he went back into his room.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that and let you off easy this time. I shouldn't really, but I will."
Hermione turned some of the taps in the tub and waited a few seconds until it was filled with hot water, bubbles, and a fresh watermelon scent. She stripped off her close and slid into the water. The water soothed her body and helped her relax. All of her problems seemed to fade away as the water surrounded her. She just laid her head back on the edge for a while and felt the soothing water ensnare her senses.
When she felt herself become all pruney, she cleansed her body, cleaned her hair, climbed easily out of the large tub, and let the water all drain. She wrapped a towel around her small figure and headed to her bedroom.
After she had finished putting on her pajamas, which consisted of boxers and a black t-shirt, she headed down to the common room to tell Draco he could use the bathroom if he so desired.
Draco was in the common room as Hermione had suspected. He was sitting on one of the couches with his eyes shut tightly. It looked like he was in a lot of pain.
"Malfoy?" Hermione said cautiously. "Malfoy, are you okay?" She didn't get a response so she walked closer to him. "Malfoy?!"
"What?!" he managed to say finally, but still not opening his eyes.
"ARE YOU OKAY?"
"Perfectly fine," he said through a clenched jaw.
She looked at him disbelievingly, but said, "The bathroom in free if you want."
"Yeah, sure, thanks."
"I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"Mmhm, sure."
Hermione went back up to her room and flopped down on her bed and pulled a book out of her trunk.
Draco struggled to get up to his feet, but eventually made his way up to his room, and into the bathroom, but eventually made it. He decided to take the shower so he wouldn't have to have the soap continuously sitting in the gash on his back. He moaned in pain even as the water dripped into it.
He took his shower fairly quickly and got out, wrapped a towel around his waist and started to dry his hair.
Hermione was going frantic. She could not seem to find her wand anywhere. Realizing she must have left it in the bathroom, she leaned her ear to the door and heard the water was stopped so he must be out.
She opened the door and walked in, and sure enough her wand was on the floor. She bent down to pick it up, she saw Draco with his back to her and a huge gash across his back. A gasp escaped her mouth and Draco turned and saw her.
"Get out, now!" he whispered threateningly.
Hermione didn't have to be told twice. She couldn't believe what she had just seen. Now she knew why he had looked like he had been in so much pain. It was because he was.
Hermione was left in total shock and horror. ^^How could someone do that to him?^^ she wondered. ^^I don't care if it is just Malfoy. It's still not right.^^
Draco stormed into his room. **What the fuck did she think she was doing? She knew I was in there! She had no business walking in like that! Fuck! Well, I don't care what she says, I just won't tell her how it happened. I don't need her to pity me.**
Needless to say, Draco was very pissed off that she had seen that. He had never let anyone see the scars that made his what appeared to be flawless skin not so flawless. He wouldn't even let his mother see what his father had done to him. She wasn't strong enough to see that. She would break down and cry, and he hated to see her like that.
He put on shorts and a t-shirt and then hopped into his bed, put his arms on his pillow and fell asleep on his stomach.
~*~Draco's Dream~*~
He was running, but he had no idea where he was headed. All he could see ahead of him was black, but behind him he could hear the voice of his father. "There's no where to run, boy. I will get you. You will make your decision by the end of the year."
Draco didn't respond, he just continued to run into the black abyss. Suddenly he could see a light that got brighter with every step he took. As he got closer, he noticed what looked like an angel, but it wasn't. It was a girl about his age. Her hair was short, and she had brown eyes.
"What do you want, Mudblood?" he spat at her.
"I want to help you, Draco. You're in pain. Let me help you," she answered.
"No, you can't help me. I don't need your help. I don't need anyone;leave me alone. I hate you. Go away!"
"There's a fine line between love and hate Draco. Remember that. Remember that. Remember that." her voice kept getting fainter until it totally disappeared.
~*~End Dream~*~
He woke up in a cold sweat. He had no idea what the dream was supposed to mean. Never before had he had a dream that even resembled that. When he did dream, which was very rare, he dreamed that he was on a tropical island with a faceless woman. She always had the same voice and same body. He knew that he had definitely heard that voice before, but he just couldn't place whom it belonged to.
"Ow!" he groaned as he rolled onto his back, but quickly changed positions so he was back on his stomach.
Hermione awoke with a start and then she realized it was because she could hear Malfoy's groans even through all the doors. She decided that she wouldn't bother to get up then, but if it did happen again, she would go see what was wrong.
Sure enough, fifteen minutes later, there was another loud groan emitting from Malfoy's room. As she promised herself, she got out of her bed and knocked on his door.
"Go away!"
"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked feeling a bit concerned.
"Yes, gods! Leave me alone. I hate you."
"There's a fine line between love and hate, Malfoy," she called before walking back to her room.
His eyes popped opened once again. He had heard the same phrase twice now from dream Granger and then real Granger, and he wanted to know what the hell she meant by it.
Hermione stepped of the Hogwarts Express and was directed to the Head Boy and Head Girl carriage even though she would have much preferred to be in a carriage with her best friends. Draco entered right behind her with the usual sneer across his pale face.
"Jeez, Malfoy, what's up your ass today? You seem unusually pissed off at something. Did Crabbe decide Goyle's a better fuck than you? How depressing!" Hermione said sarcastically.
"Fuck off, Granger."
"Ooh, a little slow on your comeback, Malfoy. What has gotten into you?"
"Why the fuck would you care? Don't even bother talking to me. You have no fucking idea what I'm going through right now."
That basically ended the conversation. Hermione didn't feel like getting into things with Draco and end up in a duel. Draco sat on the bench across from Hermione in the same position he had taken on the train-legs stretched in front of him, crossed at the ankles and his arms folded across his chest, and the only part of him that was touching the back of the chair was his shoulders.
Once they reached the school, Hermione jumped out of the carriage and joined up with Harry and Ron who were holding hands. Everyone in the school that The Boy Who Lived wasn't exactly straight. This made most of the female population very upset. After they had gotten over that crush, however, they noticed a certain Slytherin boy, Draco Malfoy.
Draco never had a true girlfriend. All the girls wanted were either his looks or his money. He had also never slept with anyone so that they wouldn't have to see the gruesome scars that covered his back, chest, and upper arms. The day before returning, his father had given him another scar because he had taken more than six seconds to get down to the dining hall for dinner. Draco had never understood what the rush always was, but he had received another brutal beating. He had a deep gash covering his middle and lower back. It wasn't curable by magic either. He had to wait for it to heal on its own.
The students filed into the Great Hall and watched as the first years stepped up to the Sorting Hat one-by-one to see which House they would be placed in. Ten new first years were sorted into Gryffindor, eight into Slytherin, twelve into Ravenclaw, and nine into Hufflepuff.
As soon as the first years were settled into their House tables, Dumbledore stood and the Hall became instantaneously silent. "I would like to welcome all the new students to a fun-filled year at Hogwarts, and I would like to welcome our older students back. This year our Head Boy is Draco Malfoy," there was a loud cheer that erupted from the Slytherin table while the other tables looked slightly disappointed at the selection, "and our Head Girl is our Hermione Granger." The rest of the students in the Great Hall cheered for her. "Now I would like to say, oddball, shizfiz, purple, fluff!" The tables became filled with food and everyone began to dig in.
Harry and Ron became immersed in a conversation about the different Quidditch teams and tactics they would be using for the upcoming season. Although Hermione absolutely loved the sport, she could never figure out how the boys could talk about it so often, so she zoned out and ate her food silently.
Draco wasn't having much more luck at his table. Pansy Parkinson, who hadn't become any prettier since their fourth year kept rubbing his back and trying to sit on him. He kept inching away and slapping her hand away since he was in a great amount of pain. Finally, he just hissed, "Leave me the fuck alone, will you? My back is bloody killing me and I don't like you like that."
"What are you talking about Drakie?" she asked.
"Leave me alone. What part of that do you not understand? Go away. I need my space. Get it yet?"
"But-but"
"Shut up!" He was glad when dinner ended and he was called up to talk to Dumbledore. Unfortunately, this meant that Hermione was also called up.
"First of all, I would like to personally congratulate the both of you on you outstanding performances over the past six years," the old man started.
"Thank you, sir," they mumbled simultaneously.
"Now, we have a tradition here that the Head Boy and Girl share a common room with bedrooms off to the sides and a passageway to your House common rooms." There faces changed from calm to terrified. "I will ask you please not to argue as much as you have in the past. I am well aware of your differences in views on life and your backgrounds. Please do not let this show in the hallways or in classrooms. If you so desire, you can take out your aggressions on each other in your common room," he said with a small smile. "Now, I will show you up to your dorms. Follow me, please."
They took off after the headmaster. They followed behind him silently each buried in their own thoughts. After many corridors and stairs, they managed to reach a statue of what looked like and eagle with its wings spread to their full extent.
"Your password will be 'hell's fairies.' Goodnight."
"Goodnight, sir," they mumbled as they stepped inside their spacious common room.
It was adorned in blue curtains and black chairs and couches. There was a large fireplace along the far wall and mirrors that reached from the ceiling to the floor. Two desks were set up on opposite sides of the room so they could do their homework or write letters or basically whatever they pleased.
Hermione's eyes went wide as she admired the large room before her. Everything was so beautiful and looked welcoming.
Draco remained indifferent to the wondrous room before him. "I suppose you think this room is spectacular," he commented looking in Hermione's direction.
"And what if I do, Ferret Boy? What would you care?"
"This is nothing compared to Malfoy Manor. My room alone is bigger than this. I can't believe how poorly they're treating us. This is an outrage! How can they expect us to carry out our duties in such a place as this?"
"Shove it up your ass, Malfoy! This room is splendid! I can't believe they're actually treating us this well."
"Well that's typical for a Mudblood such as yourself," he sneered.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Goodnight, Granger," he smirked at her.
"Fuck you, Malfoy," she replied in a singsong voice.
"Can't you just feel the love in this room? It's so inviting!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at him as he headed up the stairs to the door that said "Draco" on it in silver letters. After he closed his door, she went up to her room.
The two dorms were identical with the exception of the fact that Draco's was silver and green while Hermione's was red and gold. There was a queen- sized four-poster bed, a chest of drawers, and a walk in closet.
A bathroom joined the two rooms together. There was a door leading from the bathroom into each room.
Hermione opened the door that led into the bathroom at the same time as Draco opened his.
"Shotgun!" they both yelled together. "Mine first! No, mine! Arrgh!"
"Fine, rocks, paper, scissors," Draco suggested.
"You know that game?" Hermione asked surprised. "It's a Muggle thing."
"Who doesn't know it? Best of three."
"Alright."
They crossed the bathroom and met in the center. "Rocks, paper, scissors, shoot!"
Draco held out scissors while Hermione had a rock. "Granger-1, Malfoy-0," she said.
"Rocks, paper, scissors, shoot!"
Hermione had paper while Draco once again had scissors. "Tied up, Granger."
"Rocks, paper, scissors, shoot!"
Draco changed to rock while Hermione kept paper. "I win!" she cried happily.
"Oh stuff it."
"OUT! Shoo! Leave me alone. I won fair and square, I get to use the bath first." She stuck her tongue out at him in a teasing manner.
"Ouch! I'm hurt, Granger. That cut me deep. Arrgh! I think I might die."
"You're such a douche bag," she mumbled as he went back into his room.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that and let you off easy this time. I shouldn't really, but I will."
Hermione turned some of the taps in the tub and waited a few seconds until it was filled with hot water, bubbles, and a fresh watermelon scent. She stripped off her close and slid into the water. The water soothed her body and helped her relax. All of her problems seemed to fade away as the water surrounded her. She just laid her head back on the edge for a while and felt the soothing water ensnare her senses.
When she felt herself become all pruney, she cleansed her body, cleaned her hair, climbed easily out of the large tub, and let the water all drain. She wrapped a towel around her small figure and headed to her bedroom.
After she had finished putting on her pajamas, which consisted of boxers and a black t-shirt, she headed down to the common room to tell Draco he could use the bathroom if he so desired.
Draco was in the common room as Hermione had suspected. He was sitting on one of the couches with his eyes shut tightly. It looked like he was in a lot of pain.
"Malfoy?" Hermione said cautiously. "Malfoy, are you okay?" She didn't get a response so she walked closer to him. "Malfoy?!"
"What?!" he managed to say finally, but still not opening his eyes.
"ARE YOU OKAY?"
"Perfectly fine," he said through a clenched jaw.
She looked at him disbelievingly, but said, "The bathroom in free if you want."
"Yeah, sure, thanks."
"I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"Mmhm, sure."
Hermione went back up to her room and flopped down on her bed and pulled a book out of her trunk.
Draco struggled to get up to his feet, but eventually made his way up to his room, and into the bathroom, but eventually made it. He decided to take the shower so he wouldn't have to have the soap continuously sitting in the gash on his back. He moaned in pain even as the water dripped into it.
He took his shower fairly quickly and got out, wrapped a towel around his waist and started to dry his hair.
Hermione was going frantic. She could not seem to find her wand anywhere. Realizing she must have left it in the bathroom, she leaned her ear to the door and heard the water was stopped so he must be out.
She opened the door and walked in, and sure enough her wand was on the floor. She bent down to pick it up, she saw Draco with his back to her and a huge gash across his back. A gasp escaped her mouth and Draco turned and saw her.
"Get out, now!" he whispered threateningly.
Hermione didn't have to be told twice. She couldn't believe what she had just seen. Now she knew why he had looked like he had been in so much pain. It was because he was.
Hermione was left in total shock and horror. ^^How could someone do that to him?^^ she wondered. ^^I don't care if it is just Malfoy. It's still not right.^^
Draco stormed into his room. **What the fuck did she think she was doing? She knew I was in there! She had no business walking in like that! Fuck! Well, I don't care what she says, I just won't tell her how it happened. I don't need her to pity me.**
Needless to say, Draco was very pissed off that she had seen that. He had never let anyone see the scars that made his what appeared to be flawless skin not so flawless. He wouldn't even let his mother see what his father had done to him. She wasn't strong enough to see that. She would break down and cry, and he hated to see her like that.
He put on shorts and a t-shirt and then hopped into his bed, put his arms on his pillow and fell asleep on his stomach.
~*~Draco's Dream~*~
He was running, but he had no idea where he was headed. All he could see ahead of him was black, but behind him he could hear the voice of his father. "There's no where to run, boy. I will get you. You will make your decision by the end of the year."
Draco didn't respond, he just continued to run into the black abyss. Suddenly he could see a light that got brighter with every step he took. As he got closer, he noticed what looked like an angel, but it wasn't. It was a girl about his age. Her hair was short, and she had brown eyes.
"What do you want, Mudblood?" he spat at her.
"I want to help you, Draco. You're in pain. Let me help you," she answered.
"No, you can't help me. I don't need your help. I don't need anyone;leave me alone. I hate you. Go away!"
"There's a fine line between love and hate Draco. Remember that. Remember that. Remember that." her voice kept getting fainter until it totally disappeared.
~*~End Dream~*~
He woke up in a cold sweat. He had no idea what the dream was supposed to mean. Never before had he had a dream that even resembled that. When he did dream, which was very rare, he dreamed that he was on a tropical island with a faceless woman. She always had the same voice and same body. He knew that he had definitely heard that voice before, but he just couldn't place whom it belonged to.
"Ow!" he groaned as he rolled onto his back, but quickly changed positions so he was back on his stomach.
Hermione awoke with a start and then she realized it was because she could hear Malfoy's groans even through all the doors. She decided that she wouldn't bother to get up then, but if it did happen again, she would go see what was wrong.
Sure enough, fifteen minutes later, there was another loud groan emitting from Malfoy's room. As she promised herself, she got out of her bed and knocked on his door.
"Go away!"
"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked feeling a bit concerned.
"Yes, gods! Leave me alone. I hate you."
"There's a fine line between love and hate, Malfoy," she called before walking back to her room.
His eyes popped opened once again. He had heard the same phrase twice now from dream Granger and then real Granger, and he wanted to know what the hell she meant by it.