Guess What? I didn't make the characters for this. Or the setting. In fact, J.K Rowling did all the work and made all the money. I just decided to waltz in here and make a little fanfic. That pales in greatness compared to her story. So ya. Don't sue me.
Anyway, this is my first fanfic ever. PLEASE Review, as I need some critics for my work. As long as you don't full out bash me, I'm open to all comments. No one is going to be good on their first try, and definitely not me.
This is Rated R for safety. I do not know yet how sensual the scenes are going to be yet. So far all it's got is a perverted boy and Hermione disrobing (nothing graphic).
-UPDATE- Thanks so much for the reviews! Just reading them jumpstarted my hardri-- I mean, brain. I'll be editing each chapter as I go along, of course, because of your tips and my need to make it grand. - Anyhoo, thanks again! (Oh, and I wanted to add that I forgot Lucius is on the run from the Ministry, so he wouldn't show up at the platform. But from what my reviewers (didn't) say, I think they forgot too ;) )
CHAPTER 1--Strange Encounters
I'm finally heading back! I can't wait! Hermione kissed her mom on the cheek and waved goodbye. She picked up her luggage, turned on her heel, and rushed toward a brick wall.
Where, instead of knocking herself unconscious, she arrived on Platform 9-3/4. It was a hidden station, filled with smoke that poured from a crimson train. Students and their parents hugged, kissed, and said their goodbyes, while preparing to leave for another year at Hogwarts. Hermione scooted away from the entrance to the Platform, and rested herself and her luggage against a wall.
She shook her bushy brown hair away from her face as she surveyed the Platform. As she had arrived early, there was no need to get on the train yet. Just a quick look around showed her how much everyone had grown. Angela looks twice as tall as me now. Neville, well actually, I'm still taller then him. She giggled as Neville went running after his pet toad, which seemed determined to stay off the train.
But not everyone on the platform made her glad she was returning. In the far corner there was a trio of people she wished would fall in front of the train. Hermione squinted at the three friends, two of which were thuggish and resembled walking boulders, and were on either side of the third. The middle, Draco, was taller then last year, more muscular, but still seemed to ooze maliciousness. She watched Draco and his cronies deep in conversation, a few times bursting out in laughter. No doubt they are talking about Harry. I wish they has just stayed home this year, Harry doesn't need more pressure from the--.
She froze for a moment, as Draco raised his icy eyes to hers. A smirk crept across his face, and he didn't look away. His eyes, although he was across the platform from her, seem to be looking into her. He looked her up and down, winked, then returned to his conversation with his cronies.
Hermione looked away, her cinnamon eyes gliding over to the entrance of the platform, and her heart beating rapidly. What was that about? Malfoy's never looked at me like that before. There was something different in his eyes, something... burning. She continued to struggle with this idea for a few minutes, as students continued to fill the platform.
Finally, Hermione saw Ron and Harry burst through the wall, quickly followed by Harry's "guards", Professor McGonnagall, Tonks, and Mrs.Weasly. She rushed forward and hugged a much taller Ron (whose hair was now shaggy and down to his chin), and a Harry who was now tan and built (no doubt from fighting Dudley and his gang).
They quickly launched into conversation, and headed toward the train, and the Draco incident moved to the back of Hermiones mind...for now.
The next few days went by without major incident, and nothing to do with Draco (except for the few times he threatened Harry and Ron, but that was expected). But Hermione didn't feel safe, and the episode at the Platform kept coming up in her mind. So she brought it up with Harry and Ron at dinner.
"I really don't feel secure at the moment. Like some someone is watching me... " Hermione paused and stuffed a carrot in her mouth.
"We all sort of feel like that, now that Voldemort--" Cue the wince from Ron, "sorry, You-know-Who, is back. " Harry smiled and started to pat her arm, then stopped.
"No, no, that's not it. I think someone is ACTUALLY watching me. I can't tell how, but I really, really think so,"
Ron and Harry exchanged worried glances. They probably think I've gone nutters...and maybe I have.
Ron picked at his mashed potatoes. "Look, Hermione, just take a nice long bath in the prefects bathroom tonight. You'll feel better."
"Ok..." But Hermione just couldn't shake the feeling that something was up.
Hermione slipped out of a noisy common room later that night, under the cover of the invisibility cloak. It wasn't very long after they had had to return to their common rooms, so a few people could still be seen sneaking up and down the staircases.
As she made her way to the Great Hall, she kept turning her head and searching for someone behind her.
I am too paranoid! I'm in the invisibility cloak, who is going to be following me? Just calm down, girl. No one is after you, and no one can see you.
And at this thought, she realized she was already in the corridor that led to the baths. The candles flickered cheerfully. In the sudden burst of light, she saw some shaggy red hair disappear into the prefects' bathroom.
My god, Ron. You little pervert. No wonder he said he was doing his divination homework tonight...
She sighed, headed past the statue of Boris the Bewildered, and gave the password (Soapy Waters) to the door to the prefects baths. Immediately she did a quick scan of the lounge, and then the bathroom. Obviously, no one else was there, aside from Ron, so she pulled off her invisibility cloak and placed it near the tub.
"Ron, get out. I saw you sneak in here, I'm not blind." ...Silence. She sighed again, and pulled out her wand.
"Ron, you have to the count of three to get out here, or else I'll have to search for you and when I find you, you'll be sorry!"
She paused and listened to some shuffles from behind a stack of towels. Ron emerged from the wall, blushing fiercely.
"Erm...heh...well, I was in the storage closet.... And...well... sorry..." He looked down and scratched the back of his neck.
Ugh... "Ron?"
"Yeah?""Just leave."
He grinned a little, turned a darker red, and walked past her and out the door.
Boys. What perverts. I'm going to have to scold him later. Hermione reached down and turned on two of the taps jewel incrusted, a one with rose-scented bubble bath, and one that poured warm water.
She disrobed quickly, and made sure that her clothes were in quick reach, covering the invisibility robe. She turned off the taps and lowered herself into the warm water. She swam around a bit, getting rid of her excess energy, and then just relaxed.
She laid her head against the side of the pool and breathed deeply, letting the scent of rose wind her down. The bathroom was really the perfect place to unwind. A large picture on the wall held a sleeping mermaid, and the candles on the wall set off a dim light.
No ones here... this time I'm alone. Harry and Ron are right; I'm just being paranoid.
And at this, she heard steps echoing around the room. Hermione dunked lower, making sure that she was hidden beneath the bubbles, and whipped around to see the last person she would want to catch her with her clothes off. Draco Malfoy.