Early Morning Run-Ins
The next day Hermione woke before the others. Not that she was surprised. She slowly got out of the creaky bed, careful not to wake Ginny. She wanted to go for a quiet walk before the streets were to busy.
She smiled thinking about Ginny and her crush on Kieran. She never would have thought that there was a Malfoy that was capable of having a heart. She was more surprised by this because of his father and the way he treated his son. It wasn't the best, but maybe this boy figured that he didn't want to be like his father, much unlike a different blond haired Malfoy that they all knew and hated. Thinking of Malfoy Hermione's smile disappeared. How could he get Head Boy but she not get Head Girl? It was just so unfair!
She shook her head. She wouldn't think about the Slytherin or anything to do with them unless she was forced to. She wanted to enjoy this walk.
She slipped down the stairs and out the door. Diagon Alley was empty for the most part, a few early risers but not many people out. Hermione, smile back in place, took a deep breath and started on her way to Florish and Blots. She loved just looking through all the books and reading some of them while walking around the store.
She opened the door only to find Kieran in there also. She didn't want to seem rude but she didn't really want to talk to him. Unfortunately he noticed her and sent a smile her way.
"Why hello!" He sounded awful cheerful. Hermione smiled at him. Not often a Malfoy talked to her in such a respectful manner.
"Hello there. I believe we had supper together the other day. Kieran right?" He nodded his head. Hermione walked over to him and sat down. "What are you reading?" He blushed slightly but answered.
"Well you see…umm…it's a muggle book that I found…and I thought that I would try it and see…you know if it was any good. But you can't tell my father that I was reading this. He wouldn't understand." Hermione smiled at him.
"I won't tell him. But what is the book called?" He looked relieved.
"It's a story by a man named Shakespeare. He really is a good writer. But the story is called A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's really very good." He opened the book and began reading again. Hermione smiled. He reminded her a bit of, well herself. Always reading and getting excited about books. She laughed a little.
Kieran heard her laugh but didn't really pay any attention to it. The book was just getting good. Puck had put the flowers powder on the wrong persons so now everything was a mess and crazy. Suddenly he heard the girl besides him gasp. He looked up this time. His cousin was there.
Hermione saw Kieran look up when she gasped. She then saw him quickly close the book. But just as he was trying to hide it Draco waltzed up to them.
"Well good morning Kieran. What are you doing up at this hour? And consulting with a mudblood. Wouldn't your father be disappointed?" Draco smirked. Hermione got mad and Kieran did nothing.
"Malfoy. If you will please leave, Kieran and I were just having a nice little chat about this book that he is reading." Kieran looked at her horror etched on his face.
"What are you doing?! Do you want me to get in trouble? Draco will tell my father if he finds out what I am reading!!" Hermione looked at the boy. She hadn't thought about what she was saying. She covered her mouth and looked up and Draco.
He had a curious look in his eye. "What are you reading Kieran? Anything good?" Kieran shook his head.
"Oh it's nothing that you would be interested in cousin. Just an old book that I found lying around. Thought I would see how it was. Really rather fascinating…but umm…you wouldn't like it." Draco's curiosity at what his cousin was reading only increased when he stuttered and said that he wouldn't like it.
"Let me see it then." Kieran's face paled but he showed his cousin the book anyways. Draco smiled. He had been highly interested in Shakespeare too and was not surprised that his cousin was also. "Ah Shakespeare. I have been reading this for many years. My father never knew though." Hermione relaxed and the color returned to normal.
"So you aren't going to tell my father then?" Draco laughed. It was a foreign sound to Hermione's ears but she liked it. She smiled in spite of herself.
"No Kieran I won't tell your father, unless you want me too…" Kieran's face paled again and he shook his head violently no. Draco laughed and handed back his book. "That's one of his better one's don't you think?" He didn't seem to really be talking to Kieran but more to Hermione.
"Yes I would say so. So full of humor and tragedy at the same time." Hermione responded. Draco looked at her and nodded. She could have sworn that she saw a ghost of a smile on his face but she couldn't be sure.
"A classic that everyone knows though is Romeo and Juliet. A tragic story. Love that wasn't meant to be but yet they loved each other. Two people from different sides fell in love and even though they didn't live had they I bet they would have been the happiest people there was." Hermione nodded in agreement.
"If only that would work at school…" Draco and Kieran both looked at her oddly. "I mean if the Slytherins and Gryffindors could have just two people that got along maybe it would encourage others to do the same. Sort of like Romeo and Juliet. The only problem is we don't have two people who would be willing to love each other like they did." Draco looked at her. She really was something though he would never admit it. Kieran still looked a little lost.
"You know Kieran that at Hogwarts the Slytherins and Gryffindors don't get along. We are enemies and always have been."
"But why Draco?" Draco sighed.
"Because we are different. We are all Death Eaters in their eyes and they are all muggle loving idiots in ours. We have very different views. There are only two people I know of from those houses that share something in common." Hermione looked up at him.
"And who is that? We know just about everyone and no one in either of our houses gets along." Draco shook his head. He laughed.
"But don't you see it Granger?" Hermione shook her head no. "You and I have something in common." Hermione was a little curious as to what that might be she figured that he would go on so she didn't interrupt. "I mean think about it. We are both the smartest in our year, hell probably the whole bloody school. We both wish that this stupid feud between our houses would come to an end. And I think that you get the picture now." Hermione looked at him. She couldn't believe that the two of them, the most unlikely to have something in common.
But he was right. They did have quite a lot in common. How odd that the two most different of people should end up having the most in common. Hermione smiled.
"Draco would come with me for a minute or two?" Draco looked at her oddly but obliged.
"Kieran! If my father asks where I am tell him that I had to get away from the crowds and am out flying around." Kieran nodded his head.
Draco and Hermione made their way out of the store. Hermione didn't know why she had asked him to come with her, it was an impulse she supposed.
"So…umm…Draco did you mean what you said back there?" Hermione and Draco stopped in front of a little shop.
"Yes I did. I don't know how or why that occurred to me but we do weather you like it or not." He smiled. It was odd to him that the two should have something in common but it worked out well for him.
"Oh I don't mind I just never really thought about the two of us having anything in common. I mean maybe what we do have in common is broad and slim but it will work for now I suppose. I guess…oh I don't know! This is so odd." Draco nodded.
"That it is. I never would have thought that I would stand here and have a talk, a civilized talk with you…Hermione." It felt odd to say her name. But she smiled and it was worth it, for Draco.
"So where does our relationship stand, if you can call it that. I mean we aren't enemies anymore but we aren't really friends are we?"
"I don't know. But whatever this is it will have to wait until we get to school because any friendship with a muggle born is not the best for me. Maybe we can talk more on the train. And then figure out why you weren't made Head Girl. For now I think that we should get back. Don't want to get caught just yet." Hermione laughed and Draco smiled.
This would be an interesting year to say the least.
