The One
Chapter 1
Hermione waited outside the train for Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She was in her last year and was Head Girl. She was just about to check her watch when she was pushed into something. Well that something landed with a grunt and a sharp intake of breath when Hermione landed on top of it. She pushed off the person's chest and stood. She looked at whom she fell into and gasped.
"Malfoy!?" she exclaimed as she looked at him lying on the ground; eyes closed in pain. She fell to her knees at his side and helped him sit up. "Are you okay?" she asked concerned. He nodded as he stood with her help.
"Get away from me," he said and looked at her then turned and walked onto the train. Hermione looked in his eyes and saw sadness before he turned away from her.
'I wonder what's wrong with him. He didn't yell at me, call me mudblood, or smirk; which is odd for him. He sort of said it somewhat nicely in fact...' Hermione thought. She sighed, 'I'll ask him later.'
"Hermione!" screamed Ginny as she hugged her. Hermione jumped, startled, then hugged her back. She turned and smiled at Harry and Ron who both smiled back.
"Wow 'Mione, you've changed," said Harry. Hermione nodded then poked him in the chest.
"Yes, and I see you've finally worked up enough courage to ask Ginny to be your girlfriend," she said as Lavender came and hugged Ron. "You too Ron, good job both of you," she said as Ron blushed. Lavender and Ginny laughed.
"The only thing left to do is find Hermione a boyfriend," Lavender said.
"What! No. I don't need a boyfriend," she exclaimed as they walked onto the train and found a compartment.
"Yes you do! You can't just study all the time now can you?" Ginny asked. Before Hermione could answer, Ginny cut in. "Okay...don't answer that." Hermione glared then decided to change the subject when Draco walked in. Everyone looked at him, all except Hermione, expected a snide remark.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry asked coldly. Hermione, being the closest to him, saw him cringe slightly.
"I came to get Hermione," he said emotionlessly but softly. Everyone looked at him. Hermione stood.
"I'll be back later okay," Hermione said as she walked out with Draco.
"Okay... What just happened here?" asked Ginny. The others shrugged. Then Harry and Ron started talking about Quidditch and Ginny and Lavender started talking about clothes.
"Malfoy, where are we going?" asked Hermione as they walked toward the front of the train. She saw him cringe again. "Would you rather me call you Draco?" she asked quietly. He turned and looked at her, then nodded. He then turned and started walking again. A minute later Draco stopped and opened a compartment door. He let Hermione in first before stepping in himself.
"Ah here you are. Congratulations both of you on making Head Boy and Girl," said Professor McGonagall. "You two will share a common room, and if you two ever get in trouble for fighting in the halls you will share a room. Now you two will have to patrol the halls and grounds starting at 9:00 PM to the time it takes you to finish. You will be in charge of any event that we do, except Quidditch matches. You will need to stay at school for Christmas. Now after Professor Dumbledore dismisses the students, go to him and he'll show you where your common room is. Any questions?" she said. They shook their heads. Then McGonagall nodded. "Now you must stay in this compartment for the rest of the trip. The Prefects will be patrolling the train. I'll see you later Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Granger," and with that she apparated off the train.
Hermione blinked then sat down. Draco sat then he lay down and turned his back to her and fell asleep. Hermione looked at him then looked out the window at the dark gray sky. 'Looks like it's going to rain.' She thought as she watched the landscape speed past her window.
After what seemed like hours Hermione turned and looked at Draco. He was facing her now. 'He looks like an angel,' she thought. His smooth, handsome face set in an emotionless mask. She looked out the window for a second then looked back at him. She saw his face had moved from emotionless façade to a face of fear and anger.
"Draco?" she whispered as she walked to him. She knelt down. "Draco? Draco wake up," she said as she lightly shook him. "Draco, wake up," she said again. A second later he opened his eyes slowly. Then he looked in Hermione's eyes and saw worry. He sat up and put his head in his hands. Hermione sat down beside him. "Draco, are you okay?" she asked quietly. He nodded, then shook his head, and then sighed. "Draco, it helps to talk about things. Maybe I can help you," she said.
"You can't help me," he whispered, "No one can help me." Then he took in a shaky breath and let it out. Hermione looked at him sympathetically. Then she hugged him. He tensed at first then relaxed. A minute later he wrapped his arms around her waist then put his head on her shoulder and cried quietly. Hermione rubbed his back.
'Why...is he...crying?' she thought worriedly. "When you want to talk, I'll listen, okay?" she said. He nodded. "Let's stop fighting, truce?" she asked. He looked at her; his stormy gray met chocolate brown.
"Truce," he whispered then put his head back on her shoulder.
Hermione leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. Draco had already gone back to sleep. His head was in her lap and she was rubbing his cheek as he slept. Then she too was asleep.