Chapter 2: The Ride to Hogwarts
The next day, Draco boarded the Hogwarts Express and headed to the compartments where the Head Boys and Head Girls spent the trip. He was somewhat surprised by the comfort of the compartment; it was almost as good as home. He was not surprised to find Hermione there. Aware of his mission, and lacking anything else to do, he decided to try talking to her.
"Hello there, Granger," he said, forcing his tone to be genial.
"Oh, Ferret, I thought they'd kicked you out after that whole incident with the love potion last year… I guess daddy just knows who to bribe, since you're still here."
"For your information, Granger, that incident involved Crabbe and Goyle, not me. And perhaps it's best if we don't get into a conversation about parentage." Hermione was ready to take offense at these words, but Draco's tone stopped her. He almost sounded as if he was trying to avoid the topic. She was perplexed that he would miss the opportunity to heap more abuse on her. Could it be that he was trying to make amends?
No. That couldn't be it. He must think that he can lull me into letting down my guard. But I know him to well for that. I'll have to be doubly cautious of him.
Draco, for his part, was feeling miserable. He had known that this would happen, had even tried to tell Lord Voldemort, but it was no use. His first attempt at being nice and he could already see her becoming suspicious.
The two didn't say anything else to each other for the remainder of the trip. Hermione spent the time reading a book that looked to weigh as much as she did. Draco planned ahead, trying to find some way that he could get himself into Potter's good graces. He still hoped that his position as Head Boy would give him the chance to become a little more friendly with Hermione, but so far, that plan had failed brilliantly.
He found his eye's drifting down the curves of her robes, admiring her form. She really wasn't all that – No! She was a just a tool, a means to an end, and a mudblood besides. Disgusted with himself, he looked away, and brooded on how to destroy Harry Potter.