Author's note --- No. None of the characters are mine. Most unfortunate isn't it? It would be such a delight if Malfoy was mine. *grins*

And yes. I'm so sorry for the previous chapter. I realized that it was awfully short. Sorry about that! Think I will be updating this quite often. So check it out yea? Thanks!

Haha. Just in case some of you don't realize this. Words in *example* [I mean the asterisk sign] means that it's a thought. Yea? Thanks for reading once again!

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You try your best to mock me

You're always in my way

You've lost what you've been given

You'll get it back today

Three Days Grace - Born Like This

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Hermione sighed as she tugged at her robes. Glancing into the mirror, she felt her heart fluttering. It was unnerving. She was deemed one of the smartest witches or at least one of the smartest muggle born witch in Hogwarts. But it was ironic that despite her wits and intelligence, none of the boys seemed to pay much attention to her. Sure, she had her two best friends, namely Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. They were both lovely people. And though Ron used to have a crush on her [she could tell from the way he reacted when viktor krum had shown an interest in her during their fourth year at Hogwarts], he seemed to be well over it by now. Or at least, he tried his best to conceal it. But what her heart wanted. She definitely wasn't getting any of it from either Harry or Ron. They were different. To her, they were the boys she would love. Yes, indeed. But only as a friend, and nothing else.

Hermione wasn't exactly the epitome of beauty. But no one could deny the fact that she was attractive in her own special way. What with the gorgeous hazelnut brown eyes, curly brown locks that she never could tame, but still emphasized the brown flecks in her eyes, her thin red lips. She was cute, in a way, though she thought that hardly anyone took any notice of her.

With a perplexed expression on her face, she walked out of the bathroom and into the hallway leading to the great hall. Clutching the load of magical books to her chest, her eyes just peeked at the top of the pile of books. As she struggled to balance the books, she suddenly bumped into someone.

"Oomph. Oh dear! My books," Hermione gasped, mortified at the sight of her books cluttered at her feet, "I'm so sorry!" She said as she bent down to pick up her books. *Sheesh. What a great way to start the day.* She thought to herself.

"You might wanna watch it Granger. I don't wanna let a mudblood soil my robes at the start of the day," someone drawled in a slightly bored yet full of arrogance and haughtiness voice.

*Oh great. Malfoy. What an even better way to start the day. Yipee! Go Hermione go!*

Drawing a deep breath for reassurance, Hermione snapped back at him, "Look Malfoy. It wasn't intentional alright? And besides, I've already apologized to you. What more do you want? And oh yes, I believe that even if my filthy mudblood self soiled your robes, it wouldn't have made much of a difference. You're already the son of a dirty death eater anyway. Who knows if you're one yourself?"

Malfoy's face paled further. [If that was even possible. after all, he's got such pale skin. Isn't he just gorgeous? Woosh. Ok. Shoot me for sidetracking! I'm sorry! I just couldn't resist gushing about his beautiful features. :P] Hermione, slightly taken aback asked, "What?! Isn't it true?" Well. Actually Hermione was feeling a little frightened by then. After all, with Malfoy's fists curled up at his sides, and his lips trembling slightly, who wouldn't feel frightened?

"Look mudblood. Who are you to judge me anyway? So what if my father is a death eater? It doesn't mean that just because he is my father, I have to be a death eater as well." Snarled Malfoy.

"Well. Then you think twice before judging and insulting me for being a mudblood too." Hermione half yelled, and then stormed away to the great hall.

*Well. What was that all about? Had Draco Malfoy actually shown a sign of weakness to me? That wasn't logically possible. Knowing him. Being the snobbish, arrogant, egoistic, conceited prat of Draco Malfoy has never been known to show any sign emotional sensitivity to anyone, let alone the one he has detested for almost six years, namely me. Things must be screwed up in his head lately. Poor fellow. Must have been the blow of Lucius Malfoy being thrown into Azkaban. WAIT A MINUTE. Why am I pitying Malfoy anyway? He's the enormous git I've despised all these years. Tsk. My mind must be screwed too.*

"Hermione! Hey Hermione! Wait up." Yelled someone.

Spinning around, Hermione turned to see a red head bobbing her way. She smiled to herself. It was Ron, her best friend next to Harry Potter.

"Morning Ron!" chirped Hermione.

"Morning Mione. What's wrong? You've got the strangest expression on your face today." Ron asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Long story Ron. Don't think I feel like talking about it. Especially since it involves Malfoy. Urgh. It disgusts me just to talk about him."

"Malfoy?! Then it would be a good idea not to talk about him. Come on. Let's head for breakfast.

"Alright Ron. By the way, have you done your potion homework for Snape? I think I've overdone it a little. Instead of the 3 feet of parchment, I wrote 3 rolls of parchment. You think he'll mind?"

Rolling his eyes, it was just so typical of Hermione to overdo homework, he replied, "No Hermione. You're the only one who'd ever overdo your homework. Sheesh!"

They both laughed and entered the great hall with anticipation

Okok. Sorry. It's longer this time. But still short I guess. Sorry!! Please read and review. Thanks to those who have! Love you all. Love Draco too!! Draco + Hermione forever!!