Disclaimer: Not my characters.

A/n: Wow, two chapters in as many days, that must be some kind of record for me. Hope you like this one. It's my favorite so far.

Just One Word

Hermione found an empty compartment at the back of the train to ride the rest of the way to Hogwarts in. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She needed to be alone to figure things out. Anytime someone would knock on the door, whether it be the food witch, or Harry and Ron coming to make sure she was okay, Hermione would close her eyes and pretend to sleep. Just after Ron had left for third time, Hermione heard another knock at the door. She closed her eyes and pretended to snore.
"Let me in Hermione. I know your not asleep."
Hermione's eyes flew open. What could Draco possibly want with her?
"Just a second." she replied, trying to think of some way to avoid opening the door. "I'm not decent, changing into my robes you know."
"We still have about three hours till we get to school Hermione. You don't need to be changed yet. Let me in." His voice was soft, but powerful. Hermione wasn't sure what he'd do if she didn't let him in, but she knew she didn't want to find out.
"Fine, fine fine. I was taking such a nice nap, I don't see why you have to talk to me this very ---" Hermione's sentence was cut short as she opened the door and Draco rushed it, pushing her up against the wall.
"What do you know about my mother?"
"She died." Hermione replied quietly.
"Do you know how she died?"
Hermione shook her head slowly, amazed at the amount of emotion Draco was showing. She had always thought him to be callus and cold, but the pain of his mothers death shown through every word.
"The aurors conducted a raid on a little gathering that my parents were attending. They tried to arrest my father. He resisted so they tried to kill him. Only my mother got in the way."
Hermione couldn't say anything. She couldn't believe that an auror would try to kill someone just for resisting arrest, even if it was Lucius Malfoy.
Draco could tell she was trying to think of something nice to say, something to make him feel better, but he didn't give her the chance. His hand flew to her throat. "Now, I didn't want to threaten you in front of your little friends, but know this, if you ever say one word about my mother again, you might as well say good-bye to yours."
"You wouldn't dare do anything to me." Hermione gasped.
Draco tightened his hold on her throat. "You'd be surprised at what I'd dare to do, mudblood. " and with that he dropped his hand and spun around to leave the compartment.
"I really am sorry." Hermione said quietly stopping him in his tracks.
He looked back at her. Her eyes were wide and brimming with tears. She really looked like she meant what she said.
But mudbloods are nothing but liars and thieves.
"I don't need your pity. One word. Just. One. Word. And I swear you'll wish I'd just killed you." And he walked out the door, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts.