Chapter One- Here Again
Hermione couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts. As suspected, she'd been chosen Head Girl and she
couldn't wait to fulfill her duties. She decided this year she would care a little (microscopic) less
about her studies and try to have more fun. She learned this summer that if she wanted to fit in this
year, she would have to be more daring. It was all about dating. Everyone she knew was dating
or was hooking up. She'd been uncomfortable during the summer because she went with Harry
and Ron to a party where most of their classmates were and everyone hooked up except her.
Harry was dancing and making out with Hannah Abbot (Hermione still wonders why) and Ron
with Lavender. Hermione sat in a corner the whole night and not one guy asked her to dance.
Even Neville hooked up, for Christ's sake! Maybe it was because she was wearing an outfit that
resembled her school uniform, or because she didn't bother to even look good. The point is she
was determined to get a guy this year.
They still had about an hour left till they reached Hogwarts. Hermione had already changed into
her robes. Harry and Ron were talking about the summer and about what they were planning to
do this year to hook up. Hermione rolled her eyes, stood up, and went to find an empty
compartment. She found one at the very end of the train, she sat and looked out the window,
thinking of what was it that made her so unattractive. "What are you thinking?" a voice said from
the door, "About my plans for this year" she said without looking. "What are your plans then"
"Well, I want to party more to think if I finally kiss a guy" she said. She heard a chuckle and she
gave a little frown. Why is Ron laughing? she thought, getting a little uncomfortable. "Well, I
guess it's not too late for you, Granger". Hermione widened her eyes and turned to meet Draco's
eyes. "Shit! I thought I was talking to Ron. I…" Draco smirked, "Wrong guy. I didn't know you
were still chaste on the lips. I could've sworn you already got it on with the weasel". Hermione
blushed furiously, "Ron would never want to be with me". Draco raised his eyebrow "Why is
that?" Hermione blushed harder "Because he once told me that he wouldn't want to-to" she
couldn't say it "Go on" he said, she took a deep breath "he said he wouldn't want to be with a
girl so innocent because he would probably never have fun. He apologized, but he said that all the
guys thought so and that's why nobody likes me". Her cheeks were on fire by now. She didn't
know what possessed her to make such a confession, especially to Malfoy. He just stared at her.
She was getting frustrated because she couldn't tell what was going through his mind. Then he
burst out laughing. Her eyes began to water. It was most certainly the cruelest thing he had ever
done to her. And she was a fool to think that for one second he would have consideration of her.
The tears rolled down her cheeks, but she refused to sob. When he looked at her face, his
laughter died. He, yet again, stared at her with an unreadable expression. Then, he stood up,
locked the door, shut the blinds, and sat next to her. He took her chin and turned her face
towards him. With his thumb, he gently rubbed her cheek to wipe the tears. "I never thought that
Weasley could ever be a bigger ass, but he proved me wrong," he said in a low voice "look,
Granger, we're seventh years now and we're the Heads of the school. I'm not going to tease you
any more or disrespect you. We're supposed to work together, but I can assure you that I'm
going to give that little fuck you call your best friend the hardest time he's ever had". She didn't
know what to say. Here was Malfoy being nice to her, and in an indirect way telling her that what
Ron told her was a lie. "Thank you" she said and, before she could help herself, she flung her
arms around him and hugged him. He was startled at first, but then he embraced her back. He
whispered in her ear "There's only one thing, you cannot say to anyone what I just told you and in
public we're not friends. I've got a reputation to maintain". Surprisingly, Hermione laughed "Oh,
but why would I tell people when it's so much fun hearing you calling me a mudblood". As soon
as she said that she wanted to take it back. Draco's expression darkened "I told you that I
wouldn't disrespect you anymore, but if you insist…" "No! I'm sorry I brought it up, but you
were a bastard every time you said that" Draco grinned "I know". When he saw that didn't help
he said "but now I'm sorry about it". She nodded. She would do her best to trust him, but she
was also going to be cautious. For all she knew he could be up to something.
When he left, she returned to the compartment where Harry and Ron were at. "Where have you
been?" asked Harry, a bit concerned. "Just went to the bathroom" she replied. "For half an
hour!" said Ron, laughing "Well, you must've had quite a breakfast. They all laughed, but that
didn't mean Hermione didn't hit him.
They were at Hogwarts at last. They went straight to the Great Hall; they were starving but
obviously couldn't eat till Dumbledore gave his speech. He said the usual warning, announced the
Heads, added new rules, and finally said they could eat. Ron ate half of the Gryffindor table. He
looked like an extremely hungry predator. Harry and Hermione were getting a little scared by his
appetite. About twenty minutes later, McGonagall told Hermione to accompany her to her new
room. They got to a dusty painting, McGonagall said the password, and Hermione soon found
out that it was a small apartment where she was staying, and shared with Draco. McGonagall left
them, and they just stood there. "Want to see the rest of it?" Draco told her and she nodded. He
showed her their small kitchen, the bathroom, and where her room was. She thanked him and
made her way to her room, and then she was abruptly stopped when his hand grabbed her arm.
She turned and gave him a puzzled look. "Remember not to tell anyone, Granger" he warned her.
"I told you I wouldn't say" she said, getting angry. He pulled her to him. He leaned forward and
stopped when the tip of his nose touched hers. She could barely breathe. The intensity of his eyes
was melting her. His tongue slipped from his mouth and it ran itself on top of her lips. She took a
small gasp. He backed away and left to his room, but not before saying "Goodnight, Granger" in
her ear. She was shocked and breathless. That was definitely the most exciting thing that had ever
happened to her (because it was the only one that had happened to her). After taking a very deep
breath, she made her way to her room and lied on her bed, where she spent a restless night.
