Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character associated in this story, they all belong to the lovely J.K. Rowling. I do wish to own Tom Felton, but for now I merely let my mind wonder.
A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed, I wasn't expecting any, Harry Potter fics are a bit out my not my specialty, as most of my fans know, I'm just writing this for fun, while I contemplate whether or not to continue many of my Everwood stories.
Pairing: Draco and Hermione. Forever a Leather Librarian supporter!
Summary: The earth rotates around the sun in a tilt, every now and then it gets thrown out of whack, same could be said for the humans living on the planet.
CH.2 Misunderstood Footprints
Story
And he knows it's time to make a change here,
And time to get away.
-Jason Mraz
"So, you all know your duties, please remember to alternate every hour patrolling the aisles, and unless Mr. Malfoy has something else to add, I think this meeting is adjourned." Hermione said looking at the young prefects and Draco Malfoy, who was looking at the ceiling in amazement, not that there was much t look at.
"Okay then, you are dismissed." She finished calmly.
When the room cleared Draco lingered, waiting for Hermione to stop fixing papers of no importance. After a few moments Hermione pretended to have noticed his presence.
"Is there something I could help you with?"
"You know, you could be a young McGonagall." Draco said with a hint of humor in his voice.
"You continue to flatter me."
"I try my best."
Hermione gathered her things and made her way out the compartment. Draco followed her, though keeping his distance. He strutted behind her until she ducked into an empty compartment, almost at the front of the train. He slid open the door and leaned casually against it, with his hands crossed against his chest.
"What," he said looking around, "No Golden Boy and Burnt Weasel?"
"What, no vantrilaquist dummies?"
"I love how you continue to torture me."
"Excuse me?"
"You know, you should really watch the company you keep."
Hermione scrunched up her face, obviously to say, "What are you talking about?"
"You sleep on that." He said as he turned to leave, then he said over his shoulder, "Oh and tell that freckled face baboon that he should have more respect for a lady, even if you aren't a pureblood."
Pureblood? Why not filthy little Mudblood? What's with his sudden burst of kindness? Hermione questioned herself throughout the entire ride. If it wasn't for her choice of seating she wouldn't have noticed they had arrived.
After showing the first years where to go, Grubbly-Plank wasn't as loud and easier to notice as Hagrid was, she entered a carriage and waited for it to move. A few moments later a darkly clothed figure emerged though the door and took a seat across from Hermione, not looking up once, to acknowledge its presence.
The figure kept its head down and hood up all she could see was its pale hands, rested on its leg. Hermione wondered what to do. Maybe it was a strangely tall first year. She figured she ought to courteous.
"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger."
"I know who you are." The voice was deep and coarse. It wasn't in the least bit familiar.
"Well, I'm not sure I know you."
Nothing.
"What's your name?
"Misunderstood."
Is this a joke? Obviously the person doing this hadn't looked up the definition for humor, because this doesn't qualify, this would be under sinister.
"Um... what year are you in?"
"7th."
7th, this voice sounds nothing of a student. Maybe if I saw the face it would help me remember.
"Do you mind?' She said reaching over to remove the hood.
The figure touched her hand swiftly before she could unmask whatever it was. The hands went shivers down her spine; it was as cold as Hogwarts in winter, but as soft as a newborn baby.
"Yes, I do mind." The voice was no longer coarse, but soft almost a hushed whisper.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"May I ask why you're alone?"
"Yes, as long as you tell me who you are."
"Then I'm afraid I don't care much for your answer."
Hermione was taken aback.
"Can you at least tell me your name?"
"I thought I already did."
"What your last name?'
"Footsteps."
You've got to be joking.
"So your, Misunderstood Footsteps."
"Yes, a Misunderstood Footsteps."
Hermione couldn't think of anything else to ask and she figured she just get another riddle so she sat quietly for the remainder of the ride, but still tried to think what it could mean.
When the carriage came to a halt, she watched the figure leave.
Could it mean-
"WAIT!" Hermione cried out.
It turned around.
"I'm sorry for your problems; I know what it's like for people to pass judgment."
Where did that come from?
The creature nodded.
"And if you look ahead you won't notice the footsteps below and you can walk freely."
That's it Hermione, no more self-help books.
The figure paused as if to say something but walked away. A diamond snake was imprinted on the back of the hood.
After the feast Hermione reported to the Prefects wing were she found Draco Malfoy already unpacking his things.
"Already at home I see."
He didn't look up; he just ignored her and went on packing.
"Malfoy?"
"Granger."
He chooses to ignore me now?
She looked down at his clothes and noticed something glistening.
"What are you looking at?"
"Can I see that?"
He looked down and saw what she was looking at.
"And have it ruin by your mudblood hands? I think not."
So I'm back to being a Mudblood, I guess the earth is back in its rotation.
Later that Night
Hermione tossed and turned. She had the same reoccurring dream about that figure killing Harry. When she opened her eyes she saw the same figure. She thought it to be a dream so she closed her eyes, hoping it would disappear. Again, when she opened her eyes the creature was even closer to her face. She closed her eyes one more time. Then out of nowhere she felt the same cold hands upon her cheeks, she was greeted by soft lips as she opened her eyes. She pushed the figure off but in the process damasking the creature as it fell to the ground with a 'thud.' When she looked down she truly saw a creature.
It was Draco Malfoy.