Title: Remember When It Rained
Author: Kathea
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: Somewhere between PG-13 and R.
Summary: A new and completely different take on how Hermione and Draco could get together.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Harry Potter world and it wouldn't be a good idea to sue me because I just bought a house and therefore have no money.
AN: So basically the whole reason for this story is that I was tired of reading stories where Draco and Hermione fell in love in about a week. It's just not feasible. I'll explain why in the story. I'll probably switch from 1st to 2nd person every now and then because I like change. This will probably be a multichaptered fic so bear with me on the posting.
Enjoy
Chapter 2: This Is Gonna Hurt
Only great amounts of self-control kept me from destroying my bedroom in s fit of rage. Malfoy, I fumed. It had to be him. I was hoping that due to his parentage, attitude, or general annoyingness he would not be named Head Boy. See I knew there had to be a down side to this job. I have to live and work with consummate ass. I guess I should say ferret but he's still an ass. Every now and then having to deal with his insults and derogatory comments is bad enough but every day is going to drive me nuts. Not to mention the annual projects that the Head's have to work together on. The only consolation is that I am sure he is hating this as much as I am.
With only two hours left until the train to Hogwart's departs, I had better prepare myself for what is surely going to be a long ride. I have all my books and am packed but for a few odds and ends. Harry will arrive with the rest of the Weasley family, as Headmaster Dumbledore had allowed him to spend the entire summer with Ron and his family. We were all grateful for that little reprieve. Harry is always in such a sorry mood after spending time at the Dursley's but then so would I. I hear my dad beeping the horn on the car and quickly levitate my trunks and bags and move them downstairs. I have to be early this year. It wouldn't be a good first impression for the Head Girl to show up just before the train leaves. As my father always says, "If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late. And if you are late, you might as well not go." It's a motto the whole family lives by. It's a short drive to King's Cross station and my parents give me a tearful goodbye. Heavens, they'll see me in just a few months, you would think I was going halfway round the world. I rush through the bricks to Platform 9 & ¾ and am greeted by the general chaos that is the Hogwart's Express. The squawk of owls, the whistle of the train, and sound of excited children as they prepare for their first journey to Hogwart's envelopes me in its familiarity and I sigh contentedly. I remember the first time I stepped aboard that train. Despite outward appearances I was petrified. Then I met Harry and Ron and everything turned out okay. I quickly board the train and find the Head compartment. It was empty at this early time and I quickly stow my belongings. I know Harry and Ron will arrive at the last possible moment so I go back outside to help the younger students. The gold Head badge gleams dimly on my shirt and a few of the children look at me in awe especially the ones who know who I am.
I hear a cry go up and turn to see several of the students closest to me fall down as a unseen force behind them pushes them down. Then I realized what has happened. The two Slytherin goons, Crabbe and Goyle have arrived and they make way for their leader, none other than Draco Malfoy. I step forward and help a young boy off the ground and turn a menacing glare towards the two bumbling idiots. I pull my wand and aim in directly at the two buffoons.
"Crabbe, Goyle! Stop messing with the younger students or I'll take house points. You know I can." I growled. The two idiots looked at each other and then to their leader as they came to an abrupt stop.
"Indeed. You should know that we can't treat our fellow students that way." Malfoy echoed me in a strangely docile way. I looked sharply at him as he motioned the boys to help the younger students up. Malfoy stepped around the mess on the ground moved closer to me.
"Malfoy." I sneered.
"Granger." He responded in an oddly jovial tone.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked confused.
"I came to the realization this summer that being mean takes way to much energy and that since we have to spend the next year together, being nice is going to bug the hell out of you just as much as insults. In short, my superior intelligence has allowed me to find a way to annoy you without burning me out. Aren't you proud of me?" He said with a sadistic sneer. It was all I could do not to hit him. Since there were so many witnesses I turned on my heel and boarded the train. Harry and Ron couldn't get here fast enough. I brooded in silence until my friends finally arrived, at the last minute no less. I was so happy to see them and they regaled me with their summer exploits. I felt a million times better just being with them. All the years we have been friends haven't changed how I feel for these two. I can't imagine my life without them. The train ride to school was uneventful. Malfoy and I managed to avoid each other in our compartment and I wasn't upset about not seeing him. The sorting and feast went like every sorting and feast before it. I could see a lot of potential in our newest group of Gryffindors. The normal rules were recited and everyone ate with relish. Right before we were allowed to be dismissed, the Headmaster called up all the prefects and heads. The prefects were announced and suitably congratulated. Then to my surprise and mortification, I felt Malfoy, who was standing next to me sling an arm about my shoulders and begin to speak.
"Hermione and I are so excited to be your Head Boy and Girl this year. We are going to work together to make this the best year yet."
Oh my God. I felt all the color drain from my face and my knees started to tremble. He is humiliating me and seeming to do it so nicely. This will drive me nuts. I can see Harry and Ron looking at me like I turned into a hippogriff. All I can do is shrug my shoulders and slip out of Malfoy's grasp. The students were dismissed and Headmaster Dumbledore escorted myself and Malfoy to our rooms. I was expecting a large common room with our house colors and separate bed and bathing rooms. The Headmaster's deep voice increased my fears with his words before we entered the portrait.
"This year I decided to try something new. Instead of just sharing a common room, I decided that the Head students should share everything. I think the arrangement will improve your unity and relationship and thus the relationships of the rest of the student body. I do hope you will take your responsibility seriously and enjoy your final year at Hogwart's. I will see you in the morning."
With that the portrait door open and I could only stare in shock at the room before us. I think Malfoy was stunned too since he only shook his head in disbelief before looking at me. Oh bloody hell, was all I could think.