Disclaimer: What can I say other than 'I do not own it'?

A/N: To make it clear, I'm writing this story from Hermione's POV (point of view), but will switch POVs occasionally. If it gets confusing, just give me a shout.

Why Opposites Attract – The Truth

Starring: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger (and the Golden Trio)
Pairing: DraMione
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Many believe that Draco and Hermione were almost the perfect opposites. And in many DMHG fics, you find the authors say 'Opposites Attract'. But how can the North Pole of a magnet attract the South? And how could Draco attract Hermione? This fic tells you why (from a certain perspective anyways)… A Post Hogwarts fic.

Chapter 1: Prologue

02-01 (0826 hrs)

I don't know why the world seems to be crashing down on me. I mean, how can the ex-Head Girl of Hogwarts, part of The Boy Who Lived's Golden Trio and the brightest witch of my time remain jobless for a full one year and two months? And I'm still counting.

Seriously, if even Neville can get a job (he works as a junior Herbologist for the renowned WixPotions Company), I do not see the reason why I can't find one that is to my liking. Not that Neville is a bad person but I certainly have more confidence in my own abilities than many others'.

That is not my ego talking, mind you - that's more like self-appreciation. Know your strengths kind of thing.

Okay, so it is not like there was no company offering me jobs. I got tons of letters offering me whatever they can offer me daily, ever since I came out of school and into the Wizards Working World. I am not kidding; even some really big companies like the HIL Industries offered me a position as high-ranked as an Executive or something at my tender age of eighteen then! I guess I do have what it takes after all.

But I still do not understand: Why did I not settle on one of those jobs first (like the offer by the HIL Industries)? Did I have to be that picky?

Oh drats. I wish I could scream right now.

That guy sitting beside me just... just - just FARTED!! There was no sound of it, but my nose certainly was capable of picking up offensive wafts. Ugh. I should have expected this.

And I do not care if I am going jobless for one year, two months and one more day - I am leaving. This Merlinforsaken place just isn't worth my time.

Later On (1000 hrs)

After I left the Ministry of Magic (I was there to apply for some jobs, but that fart by some inconsiderate git just blew me away), I Disapparated to Diagon Alley where I am supposed to meet Harry and Ron at the Three Broomsticks.

I just checked my watch; it is ten in the morning. And at what time am I meeting them?

Three pm.

Ah, I am so forgotten by the holy beings up there.

Later On (1107 hrs)

In a cosy corner of the Three Broomsticks, I ordered an Extra Large Sized Butterbeer. I was hoping that it could last me for four hours while I read this new book that I just bought, but I was pretty thirsty. If I had known that I could suck dry so much liquid at such an impressive rate, I would have ordered the XXL Butterbeer instead!

Anyways, did I talk about how Harry and Ron had been since we left Hogwarts? If I can say so myself, they are doing so much better than a certain me. Harry successfully became an Auror while Ron took on the job of a keeper of a new (but very, very capable) Quidditch team, Swim Sharks... or was it Swish Sharks? Gah. I am never good at remembering things for Quidditch, but I did improve over the past few years. At least I know about the Wonsky Flint already. Eh, I guess it's 'Wronski Feint'. But, whatever, you get my point.

Sigh. I just finished the new book, A Brief History of Muggles: 17th Century. Now what?

Even Later On (1445 hrs)

Left the Three Broomsticks at half past eleven for old Flourish and Blotts and am currently checking out some new Charms books to add to my wonderful collection of books, books, and more books! Psst, my most prized possession is a book (okay, so it is not a book; it is a lot of books).

I think I saw Draco Malfoy. If I remember correctly, he is that pale face with light blonde hair right?Hmm, he was ambling down the aisle of Books on Charms (yes, it is exactly the aisle that I am occupying too). Oh, what is that book he's flipping through?

Cursive Charms: Curios.

Wow! That is the newest book on Cursive Charms - the Daily Prophet said that it is the most worth-a-keep book of the year! And I thought I was on close terms with the shopkeeper... he did not even tell me about the book's arrival in the store. Ah...

The sad thing is: I'm never touching anything that Malfoy has been in contact with. You heard me.

It is such a pity, isn't it? But well, I can always get another copy of it from somewhere else; maybe I can even get it here if Mr Garnett still has stock.

"Oy, Granger!"

I force out a really ugly smile (I know when I am ugly) and say, "Oh, hi there!"

"What are you doing here alone? Where's Potter? And the Weasel?" He must be really bored to question me on so many... mundane things...

Anyways, I am a kind girl, so I provide him with the answers readily enough, "I'm here to check out some books. And as for the two, they are very busy with their work." Why can't he just shut his traps and go away?

"Oh..." And he turns back to his book. Weird huh?

Wait. This is weirder:

Malfoy suddenly asks, "Hey, have you heard of this book? I thought it was very intriguing and that you, being a bookworm, should have at least heard of it."

If you do not find that weird, you obviously do not know him well enough. Malfoy is really not the kind of person who would talk to a Muggleborn if it is avoidable. And this time, it is avoidable. Why can't somebody tell him that such a sudden change is very unacceptable to most people, especially people like me?

Ah, can't blame him. Remember - he is not one to be considerate.

"Yeah, I've heard of it. It's said to be a fantastic book. Why?" I question back.

"Have you read this, then?" He asks again. Maybe my ears are malfunctioning, if not, why is it that he sounded interested in talking to me?

"No, I didn't have a chance to. Why?" Stop it! I hate weirdoes.

"Why didn't you read it since you obviously do like it so much?" Malfoy leans against the wooden bookcase and tucked Cursive Charms: Curios safely in one of his hands... Strands of silvery blonde hair fell freely onto his pale, but still handsome face. Ahem. Must not let Harry, or worse, Ron, know about this thought...

"I didn't have a chance to." I repeat. Actually, I would gladly accept someone's offer to chat with me so as to kill time in normal circumstances, but not when that someone is a Malfoy. I cannot get along with him, you see. This is well-learnt from past experience!

"Okay. But, why can't you read it now? I mean, you seem to be quite... free." His grey eyes sparkle with interest. Whatever it was that made him so interested, I hate it. But wait... He said I'm 'free'... He does not know about me being jobless, does he!

That would be... downright embarrassing!

"Malfoy, use your brain. I obviously do not have the book. So please do enlighten me, how can I read it?" I rolled my eyes as I spoke. Right after I finish declaring that I own one less property than he does, the book Cursive Charms: Curios was delivered into my arms by the boy whose ambition was to be a Muggleborn Slayer in his childhood days (do not ask how I know, I merely guessed).

I look up in surprise to survey that Malfoy whom I once thought to be an idiot (maybe I still think so too, but that is really not the point). Staring into his clear grey eyes, I sort of see something different. But how should I know if it is a good difference or a bad one?

Gingerly, I mutter, "Thanks, but don't you need it?"

Malfoy shrugged his broad shoulders. "I guess I don't need a book as desperately as a bookworm. But you have to return it back to me as soon as you have finished it."

"Of course," this time, a smile curled my lips naturally, "thanks again." With a sneaked peek at my watch, I am shock that it is already three pm! Oh, I told you I was long forgotten by those holy beings. "Um, sorry, I got to run. See you some time later."

And then I dash out of the shop gracefully with the book and my bag held tightly in my hands. Once outside, I Disapparated to the entrance of the Three Broomsticks to find Harry and Ron entering the bar together.

Whew, I am not late after all.


A/N:
This is my first time writing this sort of fic. First person pronoun fic, I mean. So I might be doing it wrong or am heading in the wrong direction... Tell me about my errors in a review please... I'm pretty sure that there are many grammar errors, I'll fix them when I have the time, okay? Hehe.

Important: Draco may seem kinda OOC throughout the story, but believe me, he has his reasons for his abnormal behaviours.

Smile,
LD.
minor editing on 27Oct 07.