Chapter 3: Strange Threats

Hermione sat next to Harry in their first class, Charms. Ron pulled up a seat next to Neville Longbottom but was close enough to talk to Hermione and Harry. There were still a few students who hadn't come to class yet so she took out her text book from her bag and pushed her hair back and waited for the Professor.

"Watch where you fling your nasty hair!" Draco hissed behind her. Hermione turned around and glared at him. She had been avoiding Draco and Pansy the whole morning and the fact that he sat right behind her got her blood to boil once more.

"Shut the fuck up!" Harry said dryly. Hermione could tell he was getting bored with Draco's rude comments, not that it ever was new. Hermione raised her nose gave him one hard cold stare and turned back around.

"I'll hurt you bad mudblood, just you wait!" Draco leaned in and hissed in her ear. Hermione's body tensed as she turned around once more, this time aiming to hit him with her hand. Draco was too quick for her and grabbed her wrist and twisted it.

"Ow!" Hermione cried out. She felt a tinge of pain run through her wrist as she pulled it out of his grasp. She took her wand out getting ready to fight when Ron noticed.

"What did you do, ferret?" Ron said turning around to witness the argument that suddenly turned abusive.

"Teaching your little bitch a lesson." Draco hissed as he checked Hermione over.

"Don't fucking call her that." Ron said grabbing his wand and raising it up. Draco also took out his own wand to prepare for another fight. Hermione darted her eyes from Ron, who was red with anger, to Draco who smirked.

"Don't fight with him, the professor will come in soon." Hermione said. Ron narrowed his eyes at Draco, still holding his wand in outward position.

"Ron, just forget the loser." Harry said as he looked at Hermione sympathetically. She held her hand and was rubbing her wrist. Draco really twisted her hand hard and she was worried it might have caused a bone to break. She stopped rubbing her hand and noticed her wrist now looked bruised and red from where Draco had held it.

"I enjoy a good duel. Isn't that right, boys?" Draco said speaking to Goyle and Crabbe. The two fat body guards laughed and agreed.

"Would you like to take that up with me in detention Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley?" Professor Flitwick said as he walked over to the group. Ron quickly hid his wand but knew it was too late and Hermione also put her wand away afraid she might get detention if he caught her with it.

"N-no sir." Draco stuttered. Hermione rolled her eyes, she always hated the way he sucked up to the teachers.

"Well, it's too late. I expect to see you and Mr. Weasley after dinner, here." The professor said. Hermione felt bad for Ron because all he did was stick up for her and besides it would look bad on his Prefect record. On the other hand, it served Draco right for abusing her. "Now, class let's begin. Today I would like to teach you a few useful charms..."

For the next hour, Hermione payed attention to her classwork despite the fact that Draco kept poking her in the back and calling her horrible names while Ron and Harry couldn't hear. Hermione felt disgusted that she almost wanted to help Draco back when she found him almost dead in the forest. She also felt disgusted for thinking that he ever looked handsome. She guessed good looks and personality didn't come together.

After class ended, Harry and Ron had to go to a quick Quidditch meeting before lunch and said they would meet her in the Great Hall. Without them around, she felt strangely alone. She would usually be happy to spend a few hours alone in the library without the constant whining from Ron but this was a different kind of lonely. Hermione began to walk slowly towards her sanctuary, the library when Draco came from around the corner and held his hand out to stop her like some sort of stop sign.

"Finally caught you alone, mudblood." Draco sneered inching closer to her. Hermione stepped back and took out her wand from the pocket of her cloak. "What? Another duel?" Draco asked glancing at her wand.

"Stay away from me, Malfoy." Hermione yelled angrily.

"Why would I come close to you? I'm only here for sweet revenge." Draco hissed.

"Revenge? For what?" Hermione asked angrily.

"For knocking me out cold and for the stupid detention you caused." Draco sneered.

"YOU caused that detention for yourself." Hermione said coldly. "I enjoy a good duel." Hermione said mockingly and twiddled her fingers in the air. Draco narrowed his eyes and walked closer to her. He was about a few inches taller then her and she felt inferior as he closed the space between them.

"Like I said before, mudblood, I'll hurt you bad. So bad that you'll end up in the hospital wing for the rest of your days here in Hogwarts." Draco said coldly. Hermione could feel the cold breath hit her as she tried to move away from his closeness.

"Malfoy, your threats are as old as they come. So I suggest you kindly step aside, because I'm not afraid from the likes of you." Hermione said angrily. Draco stepped back from her and smirked, for what reason she had no idea.

"Go right head, leave. But you won't imagine what I have stored up for you!" Draco hissed as he moved aside from her. Hermione gave him one last look and walked past him. Then ran to the comfort of the library and sat down in a secluded area. She walked along the aisles of book shelves in search of a book that had to do with dreams and initiations. A few minutes later she gave up searching and went back to the table she had left her bag. A piece of ripped parchment lay there and Hermione picked it up to read it.

Those who meddle with the snake will die a poisoned death.

Hermione gasped as she let the note fall on the table. She quickly spun around to see if anyone was sitting near by but the library was nearly empty. Due to the fact that there was still classes for some student's while others had spares like her. Hermione picked up the note once more and folded it neatly into her bag. She decided she would show this to Ron and Harry, she had no idea what was going on but she will figure it out sooner or later. Some one was threatening her and she suspected that it was Draco.

Hermione knew that Draco had a spare as well, so she walked out of the library and headed for the Prefects house. Just as she assumed, she found Draco in the common room reading a Quidditch magazine. Hermione walked over and stood in front of him causing him to look up from his magazine.

"You stupid git! You think that a small note like that will scare me?" Hermione said angrily. Draco looked at her confused and arched his eyebrow.

"What are you talking about, mudblood?" Draco hissed irritated. Hermione bit her lip and stomped her foot.

"I'll find out one way or another, Malfoy. So stop acting like your pathetic threats will work on me!" Hermione screamed in anger and walked out of the room. As she strolled through the corridors, she felt that she was going to go insane. It was only the second day in school and Draco was getting on her nerves. Hermione reached the Great Hall and sat down at the Gryfindor table. Harry and Ron hadn't returned from their 'quick' meeting so she decided to eat lunch without them. She picked out a roasted chicken sandwich and filled her goblet with water. She felt dehydrated whenever she became really angry and this was a good way to cool down.

"Hey Hermione!" Ron said plopping down next to her, grinning. Harry walked over and sat on the opposite of them also smiling. Hermione guessed that they got good news from their meeting.

"You guys have two minutes to tell me why you're so happy." Hermione stated watching their expression.

"If we're good enough for the judges we might get temporary placements in the summer. Can you imagine that? I wish I was a seventh yearer right now. Because only they can get perminant placements." Ron said happily.

"I thought we decided to become Aurors?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah but it would be fun to get payed for something we're good at." Harry said.

"Right.." Hermione said as she took a bite from her sandwich. Harry and Ron also picked out something to eat and began eating as well. Hermione had forgotten about the threats Draco had given and the note inside her bag. For now she was just busy trying to not get mad at Ron and Harry for wanting to play Quidditch more then becoming an Auror. Harry was excellent in Defense Against the Dark Arts so why would he pass up the opportunity to fight for what was right? And get payed? As for Ron she knew he was a good at defense but he never really liked to try in anything. He expected everything to be easy and if it wasn't he didn't bother to struggle with it. Without Hermione, she wondered how far he would get in school.

After lunch, Hermione, Harry and Ron headed to their next class; potions. It was their least favorite class and to be stuck with Slytherins for two hours was absolutely dreadful. Harry and Ron sat near the back, as far away as they could from Professor Snape while Hermione was stuck sitting next to Lavender Brown near the middle row. Hermione took out her parchment, quill and text book when Draco decided to grace the class with his presence. He gave Hermione one look and purposely sat down behind her. Hermione pretended not to care as she waited for the professor to come in.

"I have a little something for you tonight, mudblood." Draco hissed behind her. Hermione didn't turn around but she was sure that Lavender Brown heard him clearly. She gave Hermione a look and then shook her head. Professor Snape then walked in slamming the door shut, causing everyone to be alert. He glared at everyone for a minute and then looked at Harry with a smirk.

"Open your books to page twenty." He ordered. Hermione quickly flipped through the pages of her text book. Page twenty discussed how to brew a healing potion from a snake bite. Hermione found that rather strange that he would start with this potion for the first day.

"As you all can see, some snake bites can not be cured. But for those simple ones you might have heard of, can. I want you all to start with this page and write a three foot report on the dangers of snake bites. Due tomorrow!" Professor Snape hissed. Hermione could hear half the class groan for getting work on the first day but she didn't mind at all. Just as long as there weren't any more assignments from him.

When class finally ended, Hermione got up to speak to Harry and Ron but bumped into Draco's chest.

"Watch were you walk, Granger." Draco said coldly and passed by her with a hard brush against the shoulder. Hermione mentally counted to ten and took a deep breath, she will not allow herself to go down to his level.

"On the first damn day! I can't believe this..." Ron was saying to Harry as she came over to them.

"Don't be silly Ron. It's only three foot report." Hermione said as a matter a factly. Ron stared at her with an arched eye brow.

"Only three feet? Do you hear her, Harry." Ron said baffled.

"Get a grip!" Hermione said irritated. "Let's go to our next class." Harry nodded after packing his things back into his bag and began to walk along side Hermione and Ron. They all quietly made their way outside to their next class; Care of Magical Creatures. As usual Hagrid was cheerful and had planed something dangerous but fun at the same time. Neville and Seamus were trying to hold their Monster Book of Monsters Advanced but were having a hard time. Harry rolled his eyes and walked over to them to help. Hermione had hers under control after rubbing the side but Ron couldn't even bring his hand close to his.

"What's the matter, rub the side already!" Hermione said annoyed.

"I'm trying to!" Ron said angrily.

"Can't even handle your own face? How sad." Draco sneered walking over to them with his tamed book. "Maybe you shouldn't be getting second hand books. Wouldn't want to lose a finger now would we?" Ron dropped his book and face him with fisted hands. Hermione knew what he was going to do and came between them.

"Count to ten and breath in." Hermione commanded. Ron wasn't really listening to her but also couldn't move any closer because she was standing in his way so he just stood there, glaring.

"Is anything wrong?" Hagrid said noticing their little problem. Ron stepped back and looked at Hagrid.

"No." Ron replied.

"Good. Let's start with a little something I brought today. A real treat." Hagrid said happily.

"Stupid oaf." Draco hissed.

"Shut the fuck up, your so fucking annoying." Harry said irritated. He had just joined his friends after helping Neville and Seamus with their books.

"I wouldn't talk if I were you, Potty." Draco sneered.

"Luckily you aren't me." Harry said. Hermione gave Draco one look before paying attention to Hagrid. She felt as though Draco's eyes were piercing through her back and she was getting agitated and angry by the second. For the rest of the day, the trio stayed away from Draco because he only caused anger to build up. He practically ignored them for the rest of the day as well because that was the last class she had with him for the day, thankfully.

Authors Notes: Not enough Draco and Hermione action? Let me know. Feed back is really important to me. Thanks and love.