Chapter 5: Old Rivalries
Draco Malfoy could not believe his eyes. Weasel was sitting talking to the new girl. Why wasn't she with him, the most attractive guy at Hogwarts? It was definitely a blow to his ego. However he could deal, he would act as if he didn't want her. Then she would see what she was missing. No one messed with Draco Malfoy.
Hearing familiar voices, Draco turned to see who was approaching. He first saw Potter, his arch enemy. Oh, did Potter finally grow up during the summer? Then he saw her, Hermione Granger. She appeared to have grown up as well. Her hair, no longer bushy, but laid in curls. Her body once shapeless, now had curves in all the right places. She was beautiful! Even for a mudblood, Draco added.
At the first sighting of Draco Malfoy, Hermione stiffened. She could sense Harry stiffening beside her, but for a different reason. His was out of anger, hers was for shock. Malfoy could certainly brag now. His once lanky body was now built. Not overly muscled, but just right. His once overly greased and slick hair now fell around his face. The blond gleaming like the sun. And his eyes! They were a misty silver, like the morning fog. She stared into those eyes now and they stared right back.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry growled through clenched teeth.
Slowly, Draco allowed his gaze slide to Potter. "Nothing Potter. Just walking, is that a crime? What's that Potter? Head Boy are we? Well, well this school is going to the dogs."
"I'd be careful if I was you Malfoy, bad things sometimes happen and there is nothing you can do to stop it."
"Harry stop. Just drop it okay." Hermione pleaded nervously as she stepped between the two boys. "Lets just go in and sit down. Please don't start anything."
"Okay Hermione, lets go." Harry resigned and went to walk past when Malfoy had to open his big mouth.
"So now I see who runs everything in the Golden Trio," Draco bit out and felt something strange at the hurt in Granger's eyes. "Can't think for yourself Potter? Have to have someone hold your leash?"
It all happened so fast to Hermione. One minute she was standing and the next she was knocked to the ground as the two boys went at it. The next minute a blinding flash filled the corridor. The two boys broke apart to see the source of the light. They turned and saw Storm, wand in hand, glowering at both of them.
"Honestly you two are like two year olds. Why can't you both just grow up and act like civilized adults! You guys just knocked over Hermione. You don't care about the innocent bystanders just as long as you get your punch in. So mature!" Storm said with annoyance as she helped Hermione to her feet. Neither boy would look Storm in the eye. Ron stood quietly at the door looking at his feet. "Apologize now."
"Sorry Hermione." Harry said at once still looking at the ground ashamed of himself.
"Sorry Granger," Draco said as he looked up and found himself lost in her chocolate eyes. "Didn't mean for you to get hurt." Hermione merely nodded. Draco then turned and walked away with Hermione staring at his back.
Slowly the four moved back towards the compartment. Hermione was the last one but paused at the sliding door. There was no sign of Draco any longer in the corridor. With one last glance she entered the compartment and closed the door behind her.