Chapter One: The Ride

Hermione strutted through the train station with her head held high. She was Head-Girl and proud! Clad in her school uniform and her badge placed where everyone could see, she was oblivious to the menacing sneer coming from the third compartment from the front on the Hogwarts' Express.

"What a disgrace, Crabbe," Draco spat to his trusty companion, Vincent Crabbe, whom at the time was merrily stuffing his face with a cauldron cake.

"Wat wash 'at 'Aco?"

Draco gave him a look of disgust and pointed out the window. Crabbe leaned forward to see what he was on about and in the process smeared icing all over Draco's spot-free robes. "You git! Watch out!" Draco wiped off the icing to the best of his ability. "This school year is off to a tremendous start! My best robe filthy!" Draco cast a cleaning spell to rid himself of Crabbe's slob. "And speaking of filth, I can't believe that mudblood is Head-Girl!"

Crabbe gave a grunt in agreement as he concentrated on unwrapping his chocolate frog. "Is that all you are going to do? Eat?" Draco stood up and stepped out of the compartment, slamming the door behind him.

He was in a foul mood. His father royally chewed out his insides before leaving for King's Cross. He having to dorm with a mudblood was 'a disgrace to the family name' and not much to Draco's surprise, it was his fault.

Draco sighed as he walked down the isle. Having no particular idea of what he was going to do, he overheard his name being mumbled from a nearby compartment. He stopped mid-stride and leaned in to listen. "I can't believe this! I cannot believe that I have to spend most of my free-time with Malfoy! The thought of it makes my skin crawl!" Draco laughed lightly at hearing Hermione's words. But deep down, he couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt. Tossing his ridiculous feeling aside, he opened the compartment and leaned against the frame.

"Well, well. What do we have here? Pothead and Weasel enjoying the company of a mudblood." He turned to Hermione and flashed an evil smirk.

"Sod off, Malfoy," she spat through clenched teeth.

"I couldn't help overhearing how much you are going to enjoy spending time with me. But just remember one thing, Granger: keep your filthy blood as far away from me as possible."

"I do believe you came into this compartment on your own, Malfoy."

And with that Draco was gone, once again slamming the door behind him.

"Forget him, Hermione. He's the filth," Harry consoled.

Hermione gave Harry a reassuring smile. "He doesn't bother me."

Hermione's mind slipped into a daze as she stared out the window. She could hear the distant voices of Ron and Harry discussing Quidditch. She had a certain pair of gray eyes burned into her every thought.

Every time she saw him her stomach fluttered. She could not bare the thought of living with him for a whole school year. Already she had ridiculous emotions bubbling, growing stronger each time he appeared. 'He doesn't bother me,' she thought.

But as much as Hermione tried, she could not convince herself.

A/N: Aahh. Feels good to get that done. Next chapter coming soon!