The rain came down, nearly silent, as she watched. It splattered against the smooth marble of the headstones, dampening, then darkening the rock. It slowly moved to fill the cracks and splits in the stone, covering the words, smearing them into a blurry mess. The soft sound of the water hitting the headstones filled the darkness of that afternoon, and left nothing but dispair. If only it was not raining. If only she did not have to be here, watching as the tears of God covered what was left of her parents.
She crouched down, and her fingers strayed over the flatness of first one stone, then a second, smoothing the water away only to have the rain refill it quickly enough. These names, they were her past, yet they were just names. She did not know them. And despite the fact that they were the ones that made her into the lovely young woman she was, she felt nothing. A sense of longing, perhaps, for what she had never had, but she did not feel sadness or anger.
With a sigh she placed the flowers she carried into the marble vases on either side of the stones, and rose. She lifted grey eyes, as stormy as the sky above her, to watch the rain come down. A small sliver of light shown through the clouds, and shone down on the graveyard in which she stood. Slowly, the rain lessened, until it was but a memory on the grass and rocks. At least not everything had to go wrong for her. At least she could make the rain that was ruining her day, stop.
And with that thought, she moved away, boots crunching over the gravel as she wound her way through the paths to her car.
***
With a screech of delight, Hermione Granger threw herself at the steps of the Hogwarts train, where her two best friends, Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter stood. She threw her arms around them both, struggling to get them as close as possible to her until they nearly fell over.
"Oh Harry, Ron! I am so happy to finally see you again!" Her voice was filled with nothing but happiness, her dark brown eyes bright with it. She moved back as they began to complain of lack of air, laughing.
"Hermione, I am happy to see you too, but I think my ribs would be happier if you could show it in a more gentle manner," Ron said, rubbing his fingers gingerly over his sides. He wrinkled his nose at her, the freckles dissappearing into the folds, violent red hair mussed from her show of affection.
"Oh Ron! Grow up, I didnt hug you that tightly." She smiled, unable to be angry at him even for a moment. He was such a wonderful friend to her.
"What about me?" A softer voice asked, and she turned to see Harry trying desperatly to flatten his hair. "I think you have ruined my perfect hairdo." He couldnt keep a straight face, though - everyone knew his hair couldnt go into any sort of "do" at all, for it was perpetually messy.
Hermione answered this by shoving her hands into his hair and rumpling it about. He let out an faked cry of anger, and moved to return the favor. She was too quick, however, and scurried away and up the steps of the train as the whistle blew. "Now, now, Harry, hurry up, or you will be late."
He shot up the steps after her, declaring revenge, and she squealed in panic and started to run down the corridor, looking into open doors for an empty compartment. Finally finding one, she ran inside, Harry and Ron hot on her heels. In an effort to escape what she knew was coming, she tried to close the door, but to no avail. Harry caught her around the waist, and began tickling her. She cried out in laughter, struggling against him, but he was twice as strong as she. And coupled with the hands of Ron, now tickling the back of her knees, she was helpless.
"Stop! Hahahaha, stop stop!" she cried, as she tried weakly to squirm away. A smooth, deep voice came from the door not far from where they lay, and brought their fun to a halt.
"Not even five minutes into the train ride, and you are already trying to molest Granger. Tsk, tsk. Even you should have more control than this."
Hermione raised her eyes to glare at the door, meeting the silvery grey eyes of none other than Draco Malfoy. He smirked as Harry and Ron disentangled themselves from Hermione before helping her up, their stony gazes fixed on the tall, blond haired Slytherin.
"Sod off, Malfoy," Ron spat, her face quickly turning the color of his hair. It only made Draco smile wider.
"When will you learn to control your temper, Weasley? I was merely coming to greet our Head Girl, and to remind her that she should be in the Head compartment with the Head Boy. It is her duty, after all."
"And just who is the Head Boy then, Malfoy, if you know so much?" Harry asked, his voice quiet and low as he tried to control his anger. Harry had never gotten along with Malfoy, and vice versa was true. Malfoy used it to his advantage at every chance he was able.
"I thought Granger would have told you by now, seeing as how she is the know-it-all," he replied, moving his eyes to stare at Hermione. His gaze softened slightly as she he looked her over, rather interested now that he could see her without her shapeless school robes. She flinched at his scrutiny, and crossed her arms.
"If you know so much, why dont you just spit it out, Malfoy?" she hissed, eyebrows lowered in anger. He simply smiled, and touched his fingertips to his chest.
"Why Granger, that would be me, of course."
Three gasps came in synchronization, which just made Malfoy laugh. A chorus of, "No!", and "How could it be?", and "Who in their right mind would choose YOU?" rang through the small compartment. Draco laughed all the harder.
"Once you get over your astonishment, children, do remember that I came to remind Granger to follow me to the Head compartment. Wouldnt want her getting lost now, would we?" And with that, he moved out of the doorway and down the hall. Ron and Harry immediantly spun to look at Hermione.
"You dont have to go if you dont want to, 'Mione," Harry said, looking at her with concern. "Malfoy will just try something once he has you alone, and even with your wand you wont be able to fight off everything he may throw at you." Ron nodded rapidly, agreeing. Hermione just sighed.
"I need to be in that compartment, guys. Really, Ill be fine. If he gets too rough, Ill just hex him, or come back here." She smiled at their worried faces, and scooped up her little cat cage and her robes as she moved to the door.
"I promise, Ill be fine. Ill see you soon." And with that she closed the door behind her.
***
Draco sat in the Head compartment alone, twirling his wand between his fingers and watching the scenery speed by outside his window. His mind was on other things, however. Such as the look on Hermione Grangers face when he had told her that he was Head Boy, and would hence have to spend an entire year in his presence. He smirked, happy with how obviously UNhappy she had been by this statement. He always took up a chance to make her days miserable before, why not now?
He sighed. Because now it is different, a voice in his head whispered. Different, yes...now that his father and mother were gone. He did not mourn their deaths. In fact, he rejoiced it. Finally to be without their constant rules, and fighting, and without the blow of his fathers cane across his back. Without thinking, he moved his fingers to touch his spine, wincing as he remembered how many times his father had hurt him. But no more.
Even he was different with them gone. Oh, to push the buttons of the Golden Trio, that would always be a favorite pastime to him. But he was no longer the horribly spoiled child his parents had molded him to. The sharp tongue was still there when needed, and a quick wand hand. But to take joy in others misery, was not. When he was free of his fathers brutal upper hand, he found that many things that he had previously disliked, no longer seemed so horrible. He still did not have many friends, and he still had the Dark Mark upon his arm. But he just didnt seem interested in being a brat anymore. In fact, he was rather the opposite. He had rather surprised Pansy by greeting her with a smile and a hug when he saw her. Just thinking about it made him chuckle. He was going to have a hard time making everyone think he was being sincere when he was nice, but he was up to the challenge.
His thoughts were interrupted when the door slid open, and Hermione stepped inside, dragging her robes and cat cage. His eyebrows raised - he had not really thought she would come. He turned immediantly and stood, holding the door open with one hand. Her eyes flashed with confusion as she looked at his polite movement.
"What are you doing, Malfoy?" she asked, moving immediantly from under his arm to sit as far from him as possible.
He stood still, the door in his hand. His eyes blinked rapidly. Why HAD he held the door for her? He had never liked Granger. She was always giving him sarcastic, stinging remarks when all he wanted was to make her feel lower than him. She always had the upper hand, the brains, the witty retorts, the beauty...wait. Did he think she was beautiful? What was wrong with him?
His mouth opened to reply, but when nothing came out, he closed it. He didnt have a good enough reason for why he had held her door for her. He just knew that when he saw a woman coming through it, he had been polite. All he could tell himself was that he maybe had not realized it was her at first. Yes, that must be it.
Hermione stared at him like he was a freak, still holding the door. "You know, Malfoy, you can close the door now, unless you wish to be the belhop of everyone that comes through it." His hand moved quickly and let the door slide shut, and anger filled his eyes. She was startled, for when she had first come through the door, he had looked at her with an almost happy expression, as though he was glad to see her. She didnt understand, and didnt want to. So she turned away, and opened the cat cage to lift out a tiny black kitten.
Draco, having seated himself across from her, stared at the kitten as Hermione set it on the seat beside her. Without thinking, he asked, "What happened to Crookshanks?"
Hermione lifted her head, and he was surprised to watch as tears brimmed her lower lids. Why was she crying?
"Crookshanks...died, this summer," she mumbled, staring at him unhappily. "My muggle neighbors have a dog."
She said nothing more, and Dracos face fell as the tears began to roll down her cheeks. He suddenly felt horrible, and didnt understand at all why he felt such sympathy for her loss. He mumbled incoherantly, confused with what was in his own head. Her eyebrows lowered, and she suddenly looked angry.
"Are you glad to see me suffer, Malfoy? Are you happy my cat died?" Her words stung in a way they shouldnt have. He didnt want her to be mad at him.
"No no Granger...Im sorry." He watched as astonishment flitted across her face, and he tried desperatly to move her attention away from his apology that should not have happened. "What is the kittens name?"
She simply looked at him a moment, then turned to the little kitten, who was trying to jump onto the windowsill despite the fact that he was too small. She smiled, and Draco smiled too, glad to see she wasnt unhappy anymore. What was going on with him?
"This is Micah," she replied, lifting the kitten into her arms to rub his ears. He immediantly began to purr, filling the compartment with his contented rumbling. His bright green eyes, reminiscent of Harrys, opened to look at Draco, and he began to struggle in Hermiones hands. She let him go, and he immediantly jumped from the seat to stalk across the floor to Dracos feet. He sat by Dracos boots and mewed plaintively, pawing at Dracos laces as though asking to be picked up.
Hermione stared wide-eyed at the kitten, amazed at his suddenly attraction to Draco. Normally he was very shy around people, or animals, that he didnt know. She pondered going to pick the kitten up, so Draco wouldnt hurt it.
Draco, on the other hand, was enchanted by the little ball of fluff at his feet, and reached to scoop it up. He lifted the kitten to look it in the eye, and the kitten stared back for a moment before mewing happily, soft little paws batting at the golden strands of Dracos hair hanging in his face. A surprised laugh escaped Dracos lips, and he cuddled the kitten to his cheek, smiling when Micah began to purr.
Hermione sat back, watching the display with a confused look on her face. She never would have though Malfoy would be the animal type. She smiled as Micah began to chew on a section of Dracos white-blond hair, gnawing on it as though it was something to be eaten. She couldnt help but laugh as Draco tried desperatly to seperate those tiny teeth from his beloved hair.
His bright silver eyes lifted to look into hers, and she stopped laughing. He had never really looked her in the eye in all these years, and she had always assumed that it was because he thought he was better than her. Now, as she looked into those nearly white orbs, swirling with flecks of an almost black grey, she caught her breath. She had never noticed how beautiful his eyes were, and the thought stopped her dead in her tracks, forcing her eyes away.
Draco looked dissapointed as she turned her head away to look out the window. Her chocolate brown eyes, touched with gold, had trapped him, but it was not a cage he had wanted to escape from. He had never felt comfortable looking anyone in the eye, not for more than a second, because he was never allowed to with his own parents. They saw it as a sign of disrespect, and it became a habit he carried on with other people he spoke to. When he looked at Hermione, however, he had not felt tense as their eyes met, but instead, very comfortable. He hadnt wanted to look away, and his face fell as she looked away from him first. He knew she was mostly uncomfortable with him, and he even understood why. He didnt push her, because he wanted her to like him. Perhaps more than he wanted anyone else to like him, even though he didnt completely see the reasoning for this. He just knew she was easy to be around.
And he had made up his mind that he was going to get to know her better. After all, this would be his last chance.
***
The rest of the trip was fairly quiet. Draco stretched out across one of the seats and fell asleep, Micah curled on his ankles, his favorite spot. Hermione, having tried to coax Micah back and failed, simply opened a book and began to read. But she was distracted by the nearly mirror-like reaction the sun had with Dracos hair. It flickered at the edge of her vision, and she finally gave up on trying to read. She held the book in her hands, and looked at him.
Since he was asleep, she was able to study him as she never would be able to when he was awake. Her eyes traced lines back and forth between his soft blond hair, the darker lashes that rested against his cheeks, the smooth line from his jaw, to the his full, sensual mouth. His pouting lower lip moved as he sighed in his sleep, and she found herself sighing as well. He was really rather...handsome.
She gave a shake of her head, confused with her own thoughts. She did not want to be thinking this about Draco Malfoy. After all, he was her enemy, and the enemy of her best friends. She couldnt simply forget all the years of torment he had given her and the rest of the trio simply because he was gorgeous, and had made friends with Micah. No. She had to think of something else. But despite her best efforts, she couldnt. She couldnt take her eyes off him now. So with a sigh, she lay down on the seat, her long brown curls spread around her, and tried to sleep.
As her eyes finally slipped shut, his eyes opened. He smiled, and watched as her breathing became deep and even with sleep. He had not slept. He had felt her eyes on him the whole way, staring, studying him. He had let her, simply because it just didnt bother him to know she was looking at him. And now that she was asleep, and unknowing, he took his chance to look at her.
Her eyelashes, thick and dark like black lace, fluttered with each little bump of the train, as though she wasnt truly asleep. Her long curls, no longer bushy, shone under the last pale rays of the sun from the window above her. Her small nose, slightly upturned at the end, and her rosy lips. Her incredibly small, delicate hands, resting at her hip and by her face, guided his eyes down to other things. He skimmed over the rounded hips, down the length of her slender legs. She wasnt in her robes yet, which hid everything from view, and he was glad. He let his eyes take in everything he could, because he knew she didnt trust him enough to let him do this when she was awake. He knew it, and it hurt him to know he could only be himself when she was asleep.
He crawled off the seat, nudging Micah onto the cushions, and slid across the thick carpeting until he was beside her. He stared at her face from inches away, and reached one long, slender finger to stroke a curl away from her eyes. She didnt stir, and it made him more bold. He traced that same finger to touch her full lower lip, and then the side of her face, down her cheek. She sighed, and he froze as she shifted on the cushions, turning onto her side to face him completely. When her eyes didnt open, he leaned in a little closer, catching the soft scent of roses. He drew in a deep breath, breathing in the smell of her perfume and shampoo. His hand, not watching himself, drifted down to her waist, and felt a small patch of her bare skin where her shirt had become untucked. His body tightened in surprise as he stroked it, fascinated by how soft she felt. Then he felt her tense.
Up to now, Hermione had been on the verge of sleep, flitting in and out of dreams. She had dis-associated sensations - first on her face, then along her arm, and now at her waist, but had not connected them to anything. She had simply thought they felt pleasant, and she didnt have any inclination to make it stop. But when something touched the bare skin just above her hip, she had woken up. Her eyes not yet opened, but her mind aware, she realized something - someONE - was touching her.
Draco was frozen in place, uncertain whether he should move or not, when suddenly her head lifted and she was staring at him, close enough to kiss. His hand convulsed in surprise, and she let out a gasp as he squeezed her side. "Malfoy, what the hell are you doing? Get off of me!" She threw his arm off and sat up, both feet coming to his chest and shoving him away from her side of the compartment. He let out a sharp gasp of pain as her boots connected with his ribs, and slid across the carpet. He struggled to get his breath back, suddenly angry.
"You sure seemed to be enjoying it, Granger," he mumbled, breathing hard from pain and excitement. He could still feel her on his hands. "The sounds and faces you were making proved that you wanted me to touch you with more than just my hands. Admit it."
He smiled as her face turned scarlet, with anger and embarassment. Her hands moved to straighten her clothes, and suddenly he lunged at her, grabbing her wrists and shoving them above her head against the wall. She let out a cry of alarm, as he wound his fingers of one hand around both her small wrists, and moved the other one down. She writhed and tried to kick him, and he trapped her feet between his knees.
"Now Granger, dont fight it...you may like it," he whispered, lips against her ear. She shivered, feeling his breath tickle down her neck, and he suddenly ran his tongue along the shell of her ear, and down to her collarbone. She gasped and tried harder to fight him off, but it wasnt because she was afraid of him. She was afraid of the reaction in her body.
His fingers, the same that had stroked her face in curiosity, now brushed past her shoulder, and ran lightly over her breasts. Her eyes widened as they moved lower, touching her feather light as they moved down her stomach and waist, then down her thigh. She thought he was done when he reached her knee, but his hand suddenly moved upward, pushing ever so gently under her skirt. She began to fight him harder, her legs pressing together and lifting, trying to kick him off as she realized where his hand was going. Undeterred, his fingers moved towards the junction of her legs, and very gently, he rubbed a finger over the thin fabric of her panties. She let out a small cry and stiffened, and he brushed his tongue along her neck again. She gave an involuntary shudder, and with her distracted, his moved his finger under the edge of her panties to brush along her most forbidden place.
Her eyes flew wide open, and the moan that escaped her lips was unlike anything he had ever heard. He made a small purring sound, and gently bit her neck as she moved her legs apart of her own will. Smiling, he rubbed his fingertips against her gently, massaging her, listening to every gasp of air and moan that came from her rosebud lips. Very gently, he began to slip a fingertip inside her.
She tensed, and suddenly it seemed she awoke. Unprepared for her to suddenly fight him, he flew back as she kicked her legs, knocking him squarely in the crotch. He let out a strangled cry of pain and fell back, cupping his jewels as she struggled up and stood over him.
"Never, will you EVER, get that sort of attention from me again, Malfoy. Do you understand me?" Her voice, though shaky, was strong enough that he winced.
"Oh come now Granger," he whispered, his voice nearly lost in his pain. "You were enjoying it, moaning for me and all."
"I was NOT enjoying it!" she cried, hair flying as she spun to leave the room, Micah and her robes in her arms. "And if you ever touch me like that again, Malfoy, I will hex you into something unrecognizable!" With that, she slammed the door shut.
***
She hurried down the hall, nearly unable to walk on her weak legs. They felt like jelly. Finally she came to the bathrooms, and threw herself into one, locking the door behind her. She collapsed onto the closed lid, gasping for air as though strangling. Micah looked up at her curiously, confused by her actions. And Hermione was confused, too.
She had been scared when he grabbed her wrists and legs, leaving her unable to defend herself. His breath on her neck, even his tongue caressing her ear - those she could have handled. But when his fingers brushed against her body, touching places no one had ever touched, she couldnt control herself. His fingertips, so soft and gentle, trying to coax a reaction from her, had succeeded. She hadnt understood the feelings that had flooded through her legs and stomach, the way she had grown dizzy with desire, aching for him to continue. Even now, after telling him never to touch her again, she wanted it. And she knew she shouldnt want anything from Malfoy!
She squirmed on the toilet seat lid for a moment, then rose with a sigh. She scooped up the still very confused Micah, slipped her robes on, and left the stall to find Harry and Ron. She needed to be around other people right now, instead of dwelling on the warm feeling in her legs.
She hurried down the hall, afraid he would find her along the way somehow, and slipped into Harry and Rons compartment. Ginny was there, sitting by Harrys feet and gazing up at him adoringly as he and Ron played Exploding Snap. She looked to the door when Hermione came in, however, and she couldnt help but smile.
"Hermione! I was wondering if you would join us." She held out her arms for a hug, and Hermione obliged with a bright grin. She suddenly felt so much better, now that she was with her friends.
Both of the girls jumped a mile, however, as a particulary loud snao came from Ron, who began waving his hands in the smoke that was clearing in front of him. "Wow!" he shouted, coughing. "That was bloody brilliant! Do that again, Harry!"
The girls looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Boys.
***
In what seemed like nao time at all, the train was slowing, and they all quickly gathered up their things and herded off the train. Hermione, despite her attempts to act normal around her friends, knew she must have looked strange when she grabbed Rons arm and hung on for dear life. He looked down at her in surprise, but smiled. He had always cared about Hermione in a different way than anyone else. He wouldnt say he loved her, but it was close enough that the line was blurred.
Hermione didnt even notice the happy smile on his face though, because her eyes were scanning the crowds anxiously, looking for a certain blond haired Slytherin. Thankfully, she didnt see him, and she dragged her three friends to a waiting carriage as fast as she could. Harry stopped as always to give a gentle pat to the invisible horses that drove the carriages - he could see them, while the others could not.
Finally, they arrived at Hogwarts. Hermione beamed in excitement, because as far as she was concerned, this was home. Ron was the one taking her arm this time, pulling her along to the Great Hall, claiming he was starving.
"Ron! You're always starving!" Ginny yelled, trying to pry him off her best friends arm. Hermione just laughed and let him drag her along, used to it. Ron said this every year.
"Well, I'm a growing boy, Ginny," he replied, nose in the air as they came through the dining hall doors. "I need my food to support all this...um...muscle." At this, Ginny burst into laughter. Ron looked only mildly insulted - he knew he wasnt all that built, although a few years of Quidditch had done him well. The muscles in his forearms corded and bunched as he flexed his fingers to release Hermiones arm. She raised her eyebrows, impressed.
Suddenly realizing they were blocking the door, they hurried to their seats to wait for the sorting to begin. Ron tapped his fingers anxiously against the side of his plate, counting the minutes until the food arrived. When the last student had finally been sorted, Professor Dumbledore, looking the same as he always had, rose to greet everyone with his usual speech. "And now...tuck in."
The plates filled magically with food, and Ron immediantly began heaping it on. Chuckling, the others piled the food on their plates as well. When every speck was eaten, and the plates were magically sparkling clean again, the students were dismissed to go to their dorms. Harry and Ron stood and began yelling at the first years to follow them. As Prefects, they had their own duties, just like Hermione.
Hermione said goodbye to her friends for the night, and went to find Professor McGonagall. She wrinkled her nose in distaste as she found Draco already there, waiting. The Professor immediantly hurried them out of the hall, and led them down many confusing corridors until she came to a portrait of the first Head Boy and Girl.
"You may choose a password, Ms Granger, and make it something you will both remember," Professor McGonagall said curtly, knowing full well that Draco would choose a more irritating password than Hermione. Draco scowled as the girl tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled.
"Black Micah," she said, turning to look at Draco. He gave a slight nod at the professor, letting her know it was acceptable. He was still thinking about the train ride, which Hermione seemed to have already dismissed.
The professor opened the door and excused herself, and the two 7th years climbed up into the portrait hole. Hermione rose on the other side, and gasped in delight as she caught first sight of her new dorm for the year.
The room was completely free of any sort of House colors, save the emblems on the doors she assumed led to their rooms, on opposite sides of the room. All the furniture was of a deep, cherry wood, the cushions done in a soft-looking black leather. The drapes on the far windows, and the carpets on the floor, matched with crimson and pale gold designs, and there was a desk on either side of the room, obviously for studying. A few steps moved up from the main floor to the windows, a window seat in matching leather sitting just to the left of a single door, which was probably the bathroom.
Enchanted, and undeterred by Dracos silence, Hermione ran up the little steps to pull back the drapes, looking down onto the grounds. From their window they could see Hagrids cabin, and quite a large expanse of the Forbidden Forest. Hermione made herself a mental note to go visit Hagrid first chance she got.
Draco stood back, watching her as she studied the room with interest. He wasnt interested in the room, however, he was fascinated with Hermione. He smiled as she skipped up the stone steps like a little rabbit, listening to her sigh of contentment as she pulled back the window draperies. He let himself fall gracefully into one of the rooms many chairs, his head laying back as he watched her.
Hermione turned from the window and watched Draco stretch out in the chair, his long legs out before him and crossed at the ankle, his head resting against the back of the chair. When she turned, he closed his eyes, and she stared at him for a moment. She felt irritated by his prescence, and the fact that he obviously didnt care at all about how wonderful the room was because he was spoiled. Her agitation flared.
"Room not cushy enough for you, Malfoy?" she asked as she came back down the steps. He didnt bother to open his eyes when she spoke.
"Not near as nice as my mansion, of course, but it will do," he replied, his voice sounding drowsy. She huffed, and stomped across the room to her door.
"Well goodnight, Hermione," his voice called, and she stopped. She turned to look at him. He never called her Hermione before. It was always Mudblood or Granger. She blinked a few times, confused, then nodded slightly.
"Goodnight...Draco." And she stepped through her door, closing it softly behind her.
Well, he thought as he got even more sleepy in the comfortable chair. It was a start.
***
Hermione awoke the next morning to birds chirping at her window, the sunlight dappling her face through the sheer white inner curtains. She smiled and rolled onto her back, stretching as she eyed the little birds on her windowsill. She sat up, watching them contentedly for a moment, then began to laugh as she realized Micah was trying to stalk them. She ran to pick up Micah before he could scare the birds away, and took the struggling kitten with her as she gathered her things to take a bath.
She was, needless to say, surprised when she stepped outside her door to find Draco sound asleep in the chair he had sat in the night before. She smiled, watching him a moment, then set Micah and her things down by the bathroom door before coming back to look at Draco. A glance at the clock on the wall told her he still had a long while before he needed to get up, so she didnt wake him. Instead she lay one of the blankets across his still form, and went to the bathroom, closing it with a click.
Draco stirred. Something very gentle and light was laying on him. Struggling to open his eyes, he realized he was still in the common room, and in the same chair as last night, and someone had put a blanket on him. He shifted, snuggling into the blanket, and he knew it had to have been Hermione that covered him. He smiled a little as he heard water running in the bathroom, and knew she was awake for the day. He paused, thinking, then rose and moved to the portrait hole. He would be back before she was finished.
Micah was paying anxiously at the bathroom door by the time Hermione was done taking her bath and drying her hair. She opened the door and the kitten shot out into the main room, leaving Hermione laughing. She picked up all her things and stepped out, and down the little steps. She gasped when she saw what was on the table before Draco.
He had gone down to get her breakfast. It was only a Saturday after all - they didnt have classes while the first years learned their way around the castle. So he had gone down to the Great Hall and brought her back toast and jelly, porridge, and a few bowls of fruit, along with milk and pumpkin juice. He smiled shyly as she stared at the food in shock.
"I just thought you might be hungry," he mumbled, turning away so she wouldnt see his reddened cheeks. "Just to thank you for covering me earlier. You dont have to eat it if you dont want to."
Hermione mouth opened and closed several times as she struggled to find something to say. Finally she just moved to sit across the little table from him, and smiled. "No, thank you, Malfoy, I was hungry."
He brightened, pleased that he had done something she liked. He watched her as she pulled the bowl of porridge closer, picking up a spoon. She dragged a peach slice through her porridge and nibbled at it daintily. He was fascinated, but he needed to say something.
"My name is Draco," he said quietly, watching as her head snapped up to look at him. Her dark chocolate eyes looked confused, and a little startled. He felt the need to explain himself. "It's not Malfoy, or FerretBoy...it's Draco."
She tipped her head to the side a little, looking at him curiously. He couldnt help but smile, because her movement so reminded him of the same head tip that Micah did when he was interested in something he didnt quite understand. She smiled back, not knowing why he was grinning so.
"Alright, Draco. But then you must remember that my name is Hermione, not Granger." Satisfied, she turned back to her food, still picking at it like a bird. He sat back, glad to have that settled, and watched her eat. Micah came to sniff at her food, but didnt seem very interested. He crept back to the windows, and stared hungrily at the birds flitting around outside.
She crouched down, and her fingers strayed over the flatness of first one stone, then a second, smoothing the water away only to have the rain refill it quickly enough. These names, they were her past, yet they were just names. She did not know them. And despite the fact that they were the ones that made her into the lovely young woman she was, she felt nothing. A sense of longing, perhaps, for what she had never had, but she did not feel sadness or anger.
With a sigh she placed the flowers she carried into the marble vases on either side of the stones, and rose. She lifted grey eyes, as stormy as the sky above her, to watch the rain come down. A small sliver of light shown through the clouds, and shone down on the graveyard in which she stood. Slowly, the rain lessened, until it was but a memory on the grass and rocks. At least not everything had to go wrong for her. At least she could make the rain that was ruining her day, stop.
And with that thought, she moved away, boots crunching over the gravel as she wound her way through the paths to her car.
***
With a screech of delight, Hermione Granger threw herself at the steps of the Hogwarts train, where her two best friends, Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter stood. She threw her arms around them both, struggling to get them as close as possible to her until they nearly fell over.
"Oh Harry, Ron! I am so happy to finally see you again!" Her voice was filled with nothing but happiness, her dark brown eyes bright with it. She moved back as they began to complain of lack of air, laughing.
"Hermione, I am happy to see you too, but I think my ribs would be happier if you could show it in a more gentle manner," Ron said, rubbing his fingers gingerly over his sides. He wrinkled his nose at her, the freckles dissappearing into the folds, violent red hair mussed from her show of affection.
"Oh Ron! Grow up, I didnt hug you that tightly." She smiled, unable to be angry at him even for a moment. He was such a wonderful friend to her.
"What about me?" A softer voice asked, and she turned to see Harry trying desperatly to flatten his hair. "I think you have ruined my perfect hairdo." He couldnt keep a straight face, though - everyone knew his hair couldnt go into any sort of "do" at all, for it was perpetually messy.
Hermione answered this by shoving her hands into his hair and rumpling it about. He let out an faked cry of anger, and moved to return the favor. She was too quick, however, and scurried away and up the steps of the train as the whistle blew. "Now, now, Harry, hurry up, or you will be late."
He shot up the steps after her, declaring revenge, and she squealed in panic and started to run down the corridor, looking into open doors for an empty compartment. Finally finding one, she ran inside, Harry and Ron hot on her heels. In an effort to escape what she knew was coming, she tried to close the door, but to no avail. Harry caught her around the waist, and began tickling her. She cried out in laughter, struggling against him, but he was twice as strong as she. And coupled with the hands of Ron, now tickling the back of her knees, she was helpless.
"Stop! Hahahaha, stop stop!" she cried, as she tried weakly to squirm away. A smooth, deep voice came from the door not far from where they lay, and brought their fun to a halt.
"Not even five minutes into the train ride, and you are already trying to molest Granger. Tsk, tsk. Even you should have more control than this."
Hermione raised her eyes to glare at the door, meeting the silvery grey eyes of none other than Draco Malfoy. He smirked as Harry and Ron disentangled themselves from Hermione before helping her up, their stony gazes fixed on the tall, blond haired Slytherin.
"Sod off, Malfoy," Ron spat, her face quickly turning the color of his hair. It only made Draco smile wider.
"When will you learn to control your temper, Weasley? I was merely coming to greet our Head Girl, and to remind her that she should be in the Head compartment with the Head Boy. It is her duty, after all."
"And just who is the Head Boy then, Malfoy, if you know so much?" Harry asked, his voice quiet and low as he tried to control his anger. Harry had never gotten along with Malfoy, and vice versa was true. Malfoy used it to his advantage at every chance he was able.
"I thought Granger would have told you by now, seeing as how she is the know-it-all," he replied, moving his eyes to stare at Hermione. His gaze softened slightly as she he looked her over, rather interested now that he could see her without her shapeless school robes. She flinched at his scrutiny, and crossed her arms.
"If you know so much, why dont you just spit it out, Malfoy?" she hissed, eyebrows lowered in anger. He simply smiled, and touched his fingertips to his chest.
"Why Granger, that would be me, of course."
Three gasps came in synchronization, which just made Malfoy laugh. A chorus of, "No!", and "How could it be?", and "Who in their right mind would choose YOU?" rang through the small compartment. Draco laughed all the harder.
"Once you get over your astonishment, children, do remember that I came to remind Granger to follow me to the Head compartment. Wouldnt want her getting lost now, would we?" And with that, he moved out of the doorway and down the hall. Ron and Harry immediantly spun to look at Hermione.
"You dont have to go if you dont want to, 'Mione," Harry said, looking at her with concern. "Malfoy will just try something once he has you alone, and even with your wand you wont be able to fight off everything he may throw at you." Ron nodded rapidly, agreeing. Hermione just sighed.
"I need to be in that compartment, guys. Really, Ill be fine. If he gets too rough, Ill just hex him, or come back here." She smiled at their worried faces, and scooped up her little cat cage and her robes as she moved to the door.
"I promise, Ill be fine. Ill see you soon." And with that she closed the door behind her.
***
Draco sat in the Head compartment alone, twirling his wand between his fingers and watching the scenery speed by outside his window. His mind was on other things, however. Such as the look on Hermione Grangers face when he had told her that he was Head Boy, and would hence have to spend an entire year in his presence. He smirked, happy with how obviously UNhappy she had been by this statement. He always took up a chance to make her days miserable before, why not now?
He sighed. Because now it is different, a voice in his head whispered. Different, yes...now that his father and mother were gone. He did not mourn their deaths. In fact, he rejoiced it. Finally to be without their constant rules, and fighting, and without the blow of his fathers cane across his back. Without thinking, he moved his fingers to touch his spine, wincing as he remembered how many times his father had hurt him. But no more.
Even he was different with them gone. Oh, to push the buttons of the Golden Trio, that would always be a favorite pastime to him. But he was no longer the horribly spoiled child his parents had molded him to. The sharp tongue was still there when needed, and a quick wand hand. But to take joy in others misery, was not. When he was free of his fathers brutal upper hand, he found that many things that he had previously disliked, no longer seemed so horrible. He still did not have many friends, and he still had the Dark Mark upon his arm. But he just didnt seem interested in being a brat anymore. In fact, he was rather the opposite. He had rather surprised Pansy by greeting her with a smile and a hug when he saw her. Just thinking about it made him chuckle. He was going to have a hard time making everyone think he was being sincere when he was nice, but he was up to the challenge.
His thoughts were interrupted when the door slid open, and Hermione stepped inside, dragging her robes and cat cage. His eyebrows raised - he had not really thought she would come. He turned immediantly and stood, holding the door open with one hand. Her eyes flashed with confusion as she looked at his polite movement.
"What are you doing, Malfoy?" she asked, moving immediantly from under his arm to sit as far from him as possible.
He stood still, the door in his hand. His eyes blinked rapidly. Why HAD he held the door for her? He had never liked Granger. She was always giving him sarcastic, stinging remarks when all he wanted was to make her feel lower than him. She always had the upper hand, the brains, the witty retorts, the beauty...wait. Did he think she was beautiful? What was wrong with him?
His mouth opened to reply, but when nothing came out, he closed it. He didnt have a good enough reason for why he had held her door for her. He just knew that when he saw a woman coming through it, he had been polite. All he could tell himself was that he maybe had not realized it was her at first. Yes, that must be it.
Hermione stared at him like he was a freak, still holding the door. "You know, Malfoy, you can close the door now, unless you wish to be the belhop of everyone that comes through it." His hand moved quickly and let the door slide shut, and anger filled his eyes. She was startled, for when she had first come through the door, he had looked at her with an almost happy expression, as though he was glad to see her. She didnt understand, and didnt want to. So she turned away, and opened the cat cage to lift out a tiny black kitten.
Draco, having seated himself across from her, stared at the kitten as Hermione set it on the seat beside her. Without thinking, he asked, "What happened to Crookshanks?"
Hermione lifted her head, and he was surprised to watch as tears brimmed her lower lids. Why was she crying?
"Crookshanks...died, this summer," she mumbled, staring at him unhappily. "My muggle neighbors have a dog."
She said nothing more, and Dracos face fell as the tears began to roll down her cheeks. He suddenly felt horrible, and didnt understand at all why he felt such sympathy for her loss. He mumbled incoherantly, confused with what was in his own head. Her eyebrows lowered, and she suddenly looked angry.
"Are you glad to see me suffer, Malfoy? Are you happy my cat died?" Her words stung in a way they shouldnt have. He didnt want her to be mad at him.
"No no Granger...Im sorry." He watched as astonishment flitted across her face, and he tried desperatly to move her attention away from his apology that should not have happened. "What is the kittens name?"
She simply looked at him a moment, then turned to the little kitten, who was trying to jump onto the windowsill despite the fact that he was too small. She smiled, and Draco smiled too, glad to see she wasnt unhappy anymore. What was going on with him?
"This is Micah," she replied, lifting the kitten into her arms to rub his ears. He immediantly began to purr, filling the compartment with his contented rumbling. His bright green eyes, reminiscent of Harrys, opened to look at Draco, and he began to struggle in Hermiones hands. She let him go, and he immediantly jumped from the seat to stalk across the floor to Dracos feet. He sat by Dracos boots and mewed plaintively, pawing at Dracos laces as though asking to be picked up.
Hermione stared wide-eyed at the kitten, amazed at his suddenly attraction to Draco. Normally he was very shy around people, or animals, that he didnt know. She pondered going to pick the kitten up, so Draco wouldnt hurt it.
Draco, on the other hand, was enchanted by the little ball of fluff at his feet, and reached to scoop it up. He lifted the kitten to look it in the eye, and the kitten stared back for a moment before mewing happily, soft little paws batting at the golden strands of Dracos hair hanging in his face. A surprised laugh escaped Dracos lips, and he cuddled the kitten to his cheek, smiling when Micah began to purr.
Hermione sat back, watching the display with a confused look on her face. She never would have though Malfoy would be the animal type. She smiled as Micah began to chew on a section of Dracos white-blond hair, gnawing on it as though it was something to be eaten. She couldnt help but laugh as Draco tried desperatly to seperate those tiny teeth from his beloved hair.
His bright silver eyes lifted to look into hers, and she stopped laughing. He had never really looked her in the eye in all these years, and she had always assumed that it was because he thought he was better than her. Now, as she looked into those nearly white orbs, swirling with flecks of an almost black grey, she caught her breath. She had never noticed how beautiful his eyes were, and the thought stopped her dead in her tracks, forcing her eyes away.
Draco looked dissapointed as she turned her head away to look out the window. Her chocolate brown eyes, touched with gold, had trapped him, but it was not a cage he had wanted to escape from. He had never felt comfortable looking anyone in the eye, not for more than a second, because he was never allowed to with his own parents. They saw it as a sign of disrespect, and it became a habit he carried on with other people he spoke to. When he looked at Hermione, however, he had not felt tense as their eyes met, but instead, very comfortable. He hadnt wanted to look away, and his face fell as she looked away from him first. He knew she was mostly uncomfortable with him, and he even understood why. He didnt push her, because he wanted her to like him. Perhaps more than he wanted anyone else to like him, even though he didnt completely see the reasoning for this. He just knew she was easy to be around.
And he had made up his mind that he was going to get to know her better. After all, this would be his last chance.
***
The rest of the trip was fairly quiet. Draco stretched out across one of the seats and fell asleep, Micah curled on his ankles, his favorite spot. Hermione, having tried to coax Micah back and failed, simply opened a book and began to read. But she was distracted by the nearly mirror-like reaction the sun had with Dracos hair. It flickered at the edge of her vision, and she finally gave up on trying to read. She held the book in her hands, and looked at him.
Since he was asleep, she was able to study him as she never would be able to when he was awake. Her eyes traced lines back and forth between his soft blond hair, the darker lashes that rested against his cheeks, the smooth line from his jaw, to the his full, sensual mouth. His pouting lower lip moved as he sighed in his sleep, and she found herself sighing as well. He was really rather...handsome.
She gave a shake of her head, confused with her own thoughts. She did not want to be thinking this about Draco Malfoy. After all, he was her enemy, and the enemy of her best friends. She couldnt simply forget all the years of torment he had given her and the rest of the trio simply because he was gorgeous, and had made friends with Micah. No. She had to think of something else. But despite her best efforts, she couldnt. She couldnt take her eyes off him now. So with a sigh, she lay down on the seat, her long brown curls spread around her, and tried to sleep.
As her eyes finally slipped shut, his eyes opened. He smiled, and watched as her breathing became deep and even with sleep. He had not slept. He had felt her eyes on him the whole way, staring, studying him. He had let her, simply because it just didnt bother him to know she was looking at him. And now that she was asleep, and unknowing, he took his chance to look at her.
Her eyelashes, thick and dark like black lace, fluttered with each little bump of the train, as though she wasnt truly asleep. Her long curls, no longer bushy, shone under the last pale rays of the sun from the window above her. Her small nose, slightly upturned at the end, and her rosy lips. Her incredibly small, delicate hands, resting at her hip and by her face, guided his eyes down to other things. He skimmed over the rounded hips, down the length of her slender legs. She wasnt in her robes yet, which hid everything from view, and he was glad. He let his eyes take in everything he could, because he knew she didnt trust him enough to let him do this when she was awake. He knew it, and it hurt him to know he could only be himself when she was asleep.
He crawled off the seat, nudging Micah onto the cushions, and slid across the thick carpeting until he was beside her. He stared at her face from inches away, and reached one long, slender finger to stroke a curl away from her eyes. She didnt stir, and it made him more bold. He traced that same finger to touch her full lower lip, and then the side of her face, down her cheek. She sighed, and he froze as she shifted on the cushions, turning onto her side to face him completely. When her eyes didnt open, he leaned in a little closer, catching the soft scent of roses. He drew in a deep breath, breathing in the smell of her perfume and shampoo. His hand, not watching himself, drifted down to her waist, and felt a small patch of her bare skin where her shirt had become untucked. His body tightened in surprise as he stroked it, fascinated by how soft she felt. Then he felt her tense.
Up to now, Hermione had been on the verge of sleep, flitting in and out of dreams. She had dis-associated sensations - first on her face, then along her arm, and now at her waist, but had not connected them to anything. She had simply thought they felt pleasant, and she didnt have any inclination to make it stop. But when something touched the bare skin just above her hip, she had woken up. Her eyes not yet opened, but her mind aware, she realized something - someONE - was touching her.
Draco was frozen in place, uncertain whether he should move or not, when suddenly her head lifted and she was staring at him, close enough to kiss. His hand convulsed in surprise, and she let out a gasp as he squeezed her side. "Malfoy, what the hell are you doing? Get off of me!" She threw his arm off and sat up, both feet coming to his chest and shoving him away from her side of the compartment. He let out a sharp gasp of pain as her boots connected with his ribs, and slid across the carpet. He struggled to get his breath back, suddenly angry.
"You sure seemed to be enjoying it, Granger," he mumbled, breathing hard from pain and excitement. He could still feel her on his hands. "The sounds and faces you were making proved that you wanted me to touch you with more than just my hands. Admit it."
He smiled as her face turned scarlet, with anger and embarassment. Her hands moved to straighten her clothes, and suddenly he lunged at her, grabbing her wrists and shoving them above her head against the wall. She let out a cry of alarm, as he wound his fingers of one hand around both her small wrists, and moved the other one down. She writhed and tried to kick him, and he trapped her feet between his knees.
"Now Granger, dont fight it...you may like it," he whispered, lips against her ear. She shivered, feeling his breath tickle down her neck, and he suddenly ran his tongue along the shell of her ear, and down to her collarbone. She gasped and tried harder to fight him off, but it wasnt because she was afraid of him. She was afraid of the reaction in her body.
His fingers, the same that had stroked her face in curiosity, now brushed past her shoulder, and ran lightly over her breasts. Her eyes widened as they moved lower, touching her feather light as they moved down her stomach and waist, then down her thigh. She thought he was done when he reached her knee, but his hand suddenly moved upward, pushing ever so gently under her skirt. She began to fight him harder, her legs pressing together and lifting, trying to kick him off as she realized where his hand was going. Undeterred, his fingers moved towards the junction of her legs, and very gently, he rubbed a finger over the thin fabric of her panties. She let out a small cry and stiffened, and he brushed his tongue along her neck again. She gave an involuntary shudder, and with her distracted, his moved his finger under the edge of her panties to brush along her most forbidden place.
Her eyes flew wide open, and the moan that escaped her lips was unlike anything he had ever heard. He made a small purring sound, and gently bit her neck as she moved her legs apart of her own will. Smiling, he rubbed his fingertips against her gently, massaging her, listening to every gasp of air and moan that came from her rosebud lips. Very gently, he began to slip a fingertip inside her.
She tensed, and suddenly it seemed she awoke. Unprepared for her to suddenly fight him, he flew back as she kicked her legs, knocking him squarely in the crotch. He let out a strangled cry of pain and fell back, cupping his jewels as she struggled up and stood over him.
"Never, will you EVER, get that sort of attention from me again, Malfoy. Do you understand me?" Her voice, though shaky, was strong enough that he winced.
"Oh come now Granger," he whispered, his voice nearly lost in his pain. "You were enjoying it, moaning for me and all."
"I was NOT enjoying it!" she cried, hair flying as she spun to leave the room, Micah and her robes in her arms. "And if you ever touch me like that again, Malfoy, I will hex you into something unrecognizable!" With that, she slammed the door shut.
***
She hurried down the hall, nearly unable to walk on her weak legs. They felt like jelly. Finally she came to the bathrooms, and threw herself into one, locking the door behind her. She collapsed onto the closed lid, gasping for air as though strangling. Micah looked up at her curiously, confused by her actions. And Hermione was confused, too.
She had been scared when he grabbed her wrists and legs, leaving her unable to defend herself. His breath on her neck, even his tongue caressing her ear - those she could have handled. But when his fingers brushed against her body, touching places no one had ever touched, she couldnt control herself. His fingertips, so soft and gentle, trying to coax a reaction from her, had succeeded. She hadnt understood the feelings that had flooded through her legs and stomach, the way she had grown dizzy with desire, aching for him to continue. Even now, after telling him never to touch her again, she wanted it. And she knew she shouldnt want anything from Malfoy!
She squirmed on the toilet seat lid for a moment, then rose with a sigh. She scooped up the still very confused Micah, slipped her robes on, and left the stall to find Harry and Ron. She needed to be around other people right now, instead of dwelling on the warm feeling in her legs.
She hurried down the hall, afraid he would find her along the way somehow, and slipped into Harry and Rons compartment. Ginny was there, sitting by Harrys feet and gazing up at him adoringly as he and Ron played Exploding Snap. She looked to the door when Hermione came in, however, and she couldnt help but smile.
"Hermione! I was wondering if you would join us." She held out her arms for a hug, and Hermione obliged with a bright grin. She suddenly felt so much better, now that she was with her friends.
Both of the girls jumped a mile, however, as a particulary loud snao came from Ron, who began waving his hands in the smoke that was clearing in front of him. "Wow!" he shouted, coughing. "That was bloody brilliant! Do that again, Harry!"
The girls looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Boys.
***
In what seemed like nao time at all, the train was slowing, and they all quickly gathered up their things and herded off the train. Hermione, despite her attempts to act normal around her friends, knew she must have looked strange when she grabbed Rons arm and hung on for dear life. He looked down at her in surprise, but smiled. He had always cared about Hermione in a different way than anyone else. He wouldnt say he loved her, but it was close enough that the line was blurred.
Hermione didnt even notice the happy smile on his face though, because her eyes were scanning the crowds anxiously, looking for a certain blond haired Slytherin. Thankfully, she didnt see him, and she dragged her three friends to a waiting carriage as fast as she could. Harry stopped as always to give a gentle pat to the invisible horses that drove the carriages - he could see them, while the others could not.
Finally, they arrived at Hogwarts. Hermione beamed in excitement, because as far as she was concerned, this was home. Ron was the one taking her arm this time, pulling her along to the Great Hall, claiming he was starving.
"Ron! You're always starving!" Ginny yelled, trying to pry him off her best friends arm. Hermione just laughed and let him drag her along, used to it. Ron said this every year.
"Well, I'm a growing boy, Ginny," he replied, nose in the air as they came through the dining hall doors. "I need my food to support all this...um...muscle." At this, Ginny burst into laughter. Ron looked only mildly insulted - he knew he wasnt all that built, although a few years of Quidditch had done him well. The muscles in his forearms corded and bunched as he flexed his fingers to release Hermiones arm. She raised her eyebrows, impressed.
Suddenly realizing they were blocking the door, they hurried to their seats to wait for the sorting to begin. Ron tapped his fingers anxiously against the side of his plate, counting the minutes until the food arrived. When the last student had finally been sorted, Professor Dumbledore, looking the same as he always had, rose to greet everyone with his usual speech. "And now...tuck in."
The plates filled magically with food, and Ron immediantly began heaping it on. Chuckling, the others piled the food on their plates as well. When every speck was eaten, and the plates were magically sparkling clean again, the students were dismissed to go to their dorms. Harry and Ron stood and began yelling at the first years to follow them. As Prefects, they had their own duties, just like Hermione.
Hermione said goodbye to her friends for the night, and went to find Professor McGonagall. She wrinkled her nose in distaste as she found Draco already there, waiting. The Professor immediantly hurried them out of the hall, and led them down many confusing corridors until she came to a portrait of the first Head Boy and Girl.
"You may choose a password, Ms Granger, and make it something you will both remember," Professor McGonagall said curtly, knowing full well that Draco would choose a more irritating password than Hermione. Draco scowled as the girl tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled.
"Black Micah," she said, turning to look at Draco. He gave a slight nod at the professor, letting her know it was acceptable. He was still thinking about the train ride, which Hermione seemed to have already dismissed.
The professor opened the door and excused herself, and the two 7th years climbed up into the portrait hole. Hermione rose on the other side, and gasped in delight as she caught first sight of her new dorm for the year.
The room was completely free of any sort of House colors, save the emblems on the doors she assumed led to their rooms, on opposite sides of the room. All the furniture was of a deep, cherry wood, the cushions done in a soft-looking black leather. The drapes on the far windows, and the carpets on the floor, matched with crimson and pale gold designs, and there was a desk on either side of the room, obviously for studying. A few steps moved up from the main floor to the windows, a window seat in matching leather sitting just to the left of a single door, which was probably the bathroom.
Enchanted, and undeterred by Dracos silence, Hermione ran up the little steps to pull back the drapes, looking down onto the grounds. From their window they could see Hagrids cabin, and quite a large expanse of the Forbidden Forest. Hermione made herself a mental note to go visit Hagrid first chance she got.
Draco stood back, watching her as she studied the room with interest. He wasnt interested in the room, however, he was fascinated with Hermione. He smiled as she skipped up the stone steps like a little rabbit, listening to her sigh of contentment as she pulled back the window draperies. He let himself fall gracefully into one of the rooms many chairs, his head laying back as he watched her.
Hermione turned from the window and watched Draco stretch out in the chair, his long legs out before him and crossed at the ankle, his head resting against the back of the chair. When she turned, he closed his eyes, and she stared at him for a moment. She felt irritated by his prescence, and the fact that he obviously didnt care at all about how wonderful the room was because he was spoiled. Her agitation flared.
"Room not cushy enough for you, Malfoy?" she asked as she came back down the steps. He didnt bother to open his eyes when she spoke.
"Not near as nice as my mansion, of course, but it will do," he replied, his voice sounding drowsy. She huffed, and stomped across the room to her door.
"Well goodnight, Hermione," his voice called, and she stopped. She turned to look at him. He never called her Hermione before. It was always Mudblood or Granger. She blinked a few times, confused, then nodded slightly.
"Goodnight...Draco." And she stepped through her door, closing it softly behind her.
Well, he thought as he got even more sleepy in the comfortable chair. It was a start.
***
Hermione awoke the next morning to birds chirping at her window, the sunlight dappling her face through the sheer white inner curtains. She smiled and rolled onto her back, stretching as she eyed the little birds on her windowsill. She sat up, watching them contentedly for a moment, then began to laugh as she realized Micah was trying to stalk them. She ran to pick up Micah before he could scare the birds away, and took the struggling kitten with her as she gathered her things to take a bath.
She was, needless to say, surprised when she stepped outside her door to find Draco sound asleep in the chair he had sat in the night before. She smiled, watching him a moment, then set Micah and her things down by the bathroom door before coming back to look at Draco. A glance at the clock on the wall told her he still had a long while before he needed to get up, so she didnt wake him. Instead she lay one of the blankets across his still form, and went to the bathroom, closing it with a click.
Draco stirred. Something very gentle and light was laying on him. Struggling to open his eyes, he realized he was still in the common room, and in the same chair as last night, and someone had put a blanket on him. He shifted, snuggling into the blanket, and he knew it had to have been Hermione that covered him. He smiled a little as he heard water running in the bathroom, and knew she was awake for the day. He paused, thinking, then rose and moved to the portrait hole. He would be back before she was finished.
Micah was paying anxiously at the bathroom door by the time Hermione was done taking her bath and drying her hair. She opened the door and the kitten shot out into the main room, leaving Hermione laughing. She picked up all her things and stepped out, and down the little steps. She gasped when she saw what was on the table before Draco.
He had gone down to get her breakfast. It was only a Saturday after all - they didnt have classes while the first years learned their way around the castle. So he had gone down to the Great Hall and brought her back toast and jelly, porridge, and a few bowls of fruit, along with milk and pumpkin juice. He smiled shyly as she stared at the food in shock.
"I just thought you might be hungry," he mumbled, turning away so she wouldnt see his reddened cheeks. "Just to thank you for covering me earlier. You dont have to eat it if you dont want to."
Hermione mouth opened and closed several times as she struggled to find something to say. Finally she just moved to sit across the little table from him, and smiled. "No, thank you, Malfoy, I was hungry."
He brightened, pleased that he had done something she liked. He watched her as she pulled the bowl of porridge closer, picking up a spoon. She dragged a peach slice through her porridge and nibbled at it daintily. He was fascinated, but he needed to say something.
"My name is Draco," he said quietly, watching as her head snapped up to look at him. Her dark chocolate eyes looked confused, and a little startled. He felt the need to explain himself. "It's not Malfoy, or FerretBoy...it's Draco."
She tipped her head to the side a little, looking at him curiously. He couldnt help but smile, because her movement so reminded him of the same head tip that Micah did when he was interested in something he didnt quite understand. She smiled back, not knowing why he was grinning so.
"Alright, Draco. But then you must remember that my name is Hermione, not Granger." Satisfied, she turned back to her food, still picking at it like a bird. He sat back, glad to have that settled, and watched her eat. Micah came to sniff at her food, but didnt seem very interested. He crept back to the windows, and stared hungrily at the birds flitting around outside.