DRACO

When my head stops ringing I start up once more into deep brown, concerned eyes. I let a groan escape. Twice in one day is just too much.

"What are you doing here?" I growl before I can control myself.

"I accept your apology," Hermione mutters as she stands up, brushes dust off her skirt and robes, and shakes water from her hair. With one last glare she stalks off to the Great Hall.

'You dumb arse Malfoy! Would it hurt you to be nice? Jesus!' I roll over and press my still throbbing head onto the cold wet stone.

"Mr Malfoy!" Professor McGonagalls voice reverberates through my ears. "Why are you lying on the ground! The feast is about to start and we would be greatly appreciative if you would grace us with your presence," she says.

The cold, the wet, and McGonagalls sarcasm drive me into the warmth of the castle.

The next morning I wake, and stare at the green silk hangings for forty minutes. Funny how neither this castle, nor the manor, feel like home. You may think that's a weird comment to make, but if you lived at the Malfoy Manor you would know not to even mention the word home when describing the cold stone mansion. And it's hard to feel at home in a castle where everyone hates your guts. Urgh … I have GOT to stop feeling sorry for myself. Pity, even for yourself, is NOT a Slytherin trait.

I roll out of bed, shower, dress, then head down for breakfast.

I'm finishing my coffee, (black, two sugars), when a bushy-haired Gryffindor walks through the doors, and seats herself at the red table, directly opposite me. She glances up, and finding my gaze on her, blushes and turns to her breakfast.

I sneer, but my hearts not in it. Hang on … she blushed. Why did she blush? The turning away I can understand. No one in history has beat me in a staring competition. But blushing! I haven't told her that she only got 108 on her Charms test so what's embarrassed her so much!

I'm still staring at her when Pansy plonks herself down next to me, and plants a wet sloppy kiss on my cheek. I wipe it away with a napkin. Her lipstick smears across the school crest.

"Morning Draco," she trills.

I roll my eyes, and glance back at the Gryffindor table. Hermione is eating a piece of toast with raspberry jam, a small smile playing on her lips.

'What's so funny Granger?' I wonder.

I glance at my watch. Ten minutes till class. I pull myself from Pansy's grip, grab my book bag and an apple, and head off for Transfiguration.

I read over the letter I've begun to write to Mother, and lean back on my chair. Most of the class is here, pulling out books, notes, quills, parchment, wands, and chatting with their neighbours about their holidays.

I fold the letter and push it into my pocket. I'll finish it later this evening.

I grab my eagle quill and levitate it so that it writes 'KICK ME' on the back of Finnigan's robes. Not very original I know but I honestly cant be bothered to think of anything else.

Hermione is at the front, books arranged neatly, hands in lap, staring intently at the dust smudged board. Professor McGonagall appears in the door way, and her back visibly straightens.

Potty and the Weasel slip through just as McGonagall turns to close the door. They mutter their excuses under her fierce gaze.

She turns to the front of the class. "Good Morning," she announces, flicking her wand absently at the board. Neat writing appears, spelling out a very complex transfiguration. She must think we've gone soft over the holidays.

"Today we will be working on transfiguring from a distance. I want you to pair up with whoever is at the opposite end of the room."

Hermione turns in her seat, and her eyes meet mine. My heart sinks. Oh no.

Hehehehe! I'll let Lucy decide what is it that they have to Transfigure … my imaginations not up to it this morning! I'm sitting here with my Maths book glaring at me, hence the short chapter, sorry.

Hope you're all keeping well and enjoying the story and reviewing!

Love as always

Caiti