Disclaimer: I do not now nor will I ever own these characters.  (tears!)

A Curious Meeting

            Hermione Granger walked as quickly as she could through the crowded train station, she had five minutes to be on the train!  Up before her loomed the barrier between platforms nine and ten.  She braced her self, closed her eyes, and headed straight for the wall.  Hermione made it through easy enough, but it still scared her slightly; she was glad that this was her final year and she wouldn't have to cross the barrier again.  Remembering her time dilemma she raced to the baggage car.  Her trunk was rather heavy, and she was struggling to get it into the car.  Suddenly, the work became a lot easier; some one was helping her lift it. 

            "Thanks!"  Hermione began and stopped as she realized exactly who was helping her. 

            "Don't mention it,"  Draco Malfoy answered in a cool and deep voice.

            Hermione hadn't moved yet, she was wondering why Malfoy would help her with her bags.  Malfoy seemed to read this in her face and enjoy the confusion it caused.  Draco edged closer to the train, he was only a few inched away from Hermione.

            "Careful now Granger; you wouldn't want to miss the train.  Would you?" 

            The whistle blew and both students had to jump onto the train to keep from missing it.  Once they were inside, Hermione glared at Draco, her expression still revealing some confusion.  Draco made his own expression innocent; as if he had no idea as to why she'd be confused.  This only served to agitate Hermione, who turned and walked away in search of people who were more worth her time.  As she went Draco muttered,  "This is going to be an interesting year Granger.  That it is."

            Hermione made her way to her usual compartment; she had been slightly frazzled by the Malfoy encounter and had presently decided to ignore what had happened.  Finally she found Ron and Harry. 

            "Hello boys!" she called in what was a very sweet voice. 

            Both boys turned to look at her, and simultaneously lost composure.  Ron's mouth stood open, a wide gaping hole; and Harry began choking on the Berttie Botts Bean he had been eating. 

            "Oh dear!" she said as she rushed forward and patted Harry on the back.  

            Once the candy wasn't quite so lodged in his throat, managed to say, "Hello Hermione!" gasp for air, "Its great to see you!" 

            Ron on the other hand, was still staring.

            "Ron!"

            "Oh sorry Hermione!  Hello!  We've missed you!"

            Hermione giggled, she couldn't for the life of her figure out what was with these two.  If only she could have seen through their eyes, then she would understand.  What the two boys saw when Hermione entered their compartment, was a beautiful seventeen year old girl who had long legs and obviously spent a lot of time that summer at the beach.  Her dark brown hair was highlighted with a sandy color, and many flowing curly cascaded down her back and fell at her waist.  The tanned skin was creamy, and appeared soft to the touch.   All of her curves had filled themselves while still leaving her thin.  Her face held a quality of innocence and maturation at the same time, showing that she was knowing, yet still very vulnerable at the same time.  The last thing they noticed was her eyes: they were dark brown with a slight yellowish glow towards the middle.  These eyes held a warm and kind expression, but also showed her lust for adventure and excitement. 

            Hermione had become quite breathtaking, and failed to notice.  She herself knew that now she had matured and wasn't bad to look at, but she was completely unaware of the fact that she was the kind of beautiful that would silence a room when she entered it.  There was also a lot about her that was still young and naïve, things that you couldn't learn from books.  Looking at her now, both boys knew that there were going to be a lot of boys this year who were going to fall for Hermione.  They exchanged a knowing glance, which they both understood to mean that they were going to have to be extra protective of their friend this year. 

            Draco was sitting in a compartment all by himself pondering.  He knew that this task was not going to be easy, the reason why he tolerated it.  There was no way in hell he'd agree to anything that had to do with that filthy Mudblood for any other reason.  He was already disgusted at helping her this morning.  Shuddering at the memory, he consoled him self with the memory that she was going to die in the end anyways, and Potter along with her.  But did her really have to be nice to her?  Out of all the assignments Voldermort could have given him, he had to give Draco the one involving Hermione Granger. 

            Well, she wasn't exactly bad to look at, he had to admit that.  If she hadn't been a mudblood, he would have probably added seduction into his goal, but there was no way he would disgrace himself with one of such low status.  It was going to be hard enough to pretend to be her friend. 

            Presently, his thoughts were interrupted by a shrill voice calling his name. 

            "Draco!"

            Sighing he slouched down in his seat and leaned his head against the top of the bench.  Why can't I ever be alone?

            The door to his compartment slid open and Pansy Parkinson slipped in, closing the door behind her. 

            "Hello Draco," she said in a rather breathy voice.

            When Draco didn't respond, she crossed the compartment and sat next to him on the bench.  Her arms wrapped around his midsection.

            "What's the matter?"

            Still getting no response she bent down and began kissing his stomach.  After a moment she looked up at Draco, much in the same way as a puppy looks up at his master for approval.  Draco put one of his hands on Pansy's shoulder and nonchalantly pushed her off, she landed on the floor with a thud.

            "I'm not in the mood," his voice was cold and expressionless. 

            Pansy picked herself up off the floor and stormed out of the compartment, slamming the door shut to make sure Draco knew she was cross. 

            Once again the blond sighed and slouched further down in his seat.  His eyelids closed and he was asleep in a matter of minuets. 

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So tell me what you think.  The story is still warming up, but its about to fly into all sorts of directions soon!  I have most of the major plot worked out in the malicious lil mind of mine, tee hee!  I have a good ending, but I haven't worked out all the details of the middle yet, so if u want to make a suggestion, I'm open!   If u like this story, you should try out my other one!  It is also a Harry Potter story and its called Dangerous Games.  I like it, its a lot further than this one is, it's complete  but it's very different and based off Jekyll and Hyde so there might be a few surprises to those who don't know the play.  Well Review!

~Atiannala