Chapter 2: Intolerable Roommate

Hermione awoke the next morning with the faint light of the sunrise shining through the windows. The school year would begin in a couple of days as the professors wanted to give the students time to settle in, due to last years events. She sighed comfortably in her bed and glanced at the clock.

"Nine!" she squeaked out loud. Feeling wide awake now, Hermione jumped out of bed and hurried into the bathroom. She frantically turned the knob but it wouldn't open. "Alohomora," she said with a wave of her wand. The door clicked open and Hermione reached for the door. When she opened it, she stopped dead in her tracks, gaping at the shirtless Slytherin. His blonde hair was still wet from his shower and his body glistened from the light coming in from the window. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't turn away her gaze. After drying his hair with a towel, he turned towards the Gryffindor.

"Mudblood," he spat. His disgusted look on his face only made Hermione change into boiling mad. How dare he. With a smirk, he whipped around and stepped out of the bathroom. Hermione could stand it. "A whole year, stuck, with this… sad excuse for a human being," she thought. "How could he show up at school still proud and arrogant after what he did last year? Did everyone already forget?" With a frustrated and exasperated sigh, she closed both doors, each leading to their separate rooms. She let the water run for a bath, grabbed a bottle of bubbly soap – her own mixture – and poured it in. The magnificently large tub filled up quickly. After undressing she let herself in and settled in comfortable, conjuring up the latest edition of the newspaper to read.

--

"Wonder where's 'Mione," Ron mumbled with his food in his mouth. Harry just shrugged. In the Great Hall, Ron had filled his plate to the top with food and stuffed it in his face.

"At the rate you're eating, you are going to become pigheadedly fat, like Crabbe and Goyle," joked Seamus. Small laughter erupted from the Gryffindor table and Ron glared at Seamus before throwing his unused spoon at him. More laughter broke out between the group.

"It's alright, mate. Hermione will still love you," he said sarcastically through a stifled laugh. Everyone knew at the table Ron's "hidden" feelings towards her, except Hermione who seemed oblivious to it all. She insisted it was only his friendly gestures. They sat there for probably an hour or so discussing Quidditch strategies and occasional break outs of Ron and Hermione jokes.

"Give it a rest will ya? I do NOT have feelings for her!" Ron insisted.

--

Hermione got dressed in casual clothing and walked into the common room. The fireplace had gone out during the night. Not far was a blonde boy sitting on the couch, his head buried in a book.

"Malfoy," she dryly announced.

"Did I give you any indication to speak to me?" he remarked arrogantly. She couldn't believe him. How was she going to survive this year?

"Believe me Malfoy; I'm not fond of this situation. But since we are going to be stuck here for a year, would you mind making it somewhat pleasant, for the both of us? It's not asking much. As Heads, we should at least be civil towards each other," exclaimed a frustrated Hermione. Draco only stared at her for a minute. Hermione was asking him to be civil, maybe even a gesture to be… friends. Impatiently, she tapped her foot waiting for an answer from the dumbfounded boy.

"Are you saying that you want to be…" he paused, "friends?"

"If that is what can change your behavior towards me to civil, then by all means."

"I suppose…" he quietly mumbled and returned to his book. Hermione sighed in disappointment at his uninterested reaction. She turned upsettingly to the portrait hole and let herself out heading out to find her two best friends. Little did she know Draco had been watching her walk out, watching her every movement. Though he had no idea why he gazed at her, his eyes remained focused on her. When she had spoken to him, his heart was soaring with happiness. After seeing her frustration, a sharp pain hit his chest. Draco couldn't fathom what these new and different feelings were. For the past six years, he had felt disgusted and hate towards the Gryffindor. He wanted to kill her his second year. Yet, something wasn't the same. All these new feelings began to sicken him and he finally blocked it out altogether. "It's Granger. She's a Mudblood. She's a Gryffindor, an arrogant prat. Definitely not good enough for a Malfoy," he told himself. Irritated at his lack of composure, he walked up the step to his dormitory and decided to take a long and needed nap.

--

Hermione walked around the castle searching for Ron and Harry. In all her hurriedness she bumped in with no one other than Pansy Parkinson. Both – after getting up off the cold castle floor – exchanged hateful glares.

"Excuse me, Mudblood," she spat at Hermione. "Watch where you're going, you worthless human being."

"What do you want, Pansy?"

"I was merely on my way to visit Draco. Not that it's any of your business," she chimed. Hermione simply rolled her eyes and brushed past the Slytherin. Her mood was already disheartened as she strolled through the corridors. Before she knew it, she found herself walking towards Hagrid's hut.

"It sure has been awhile since I talked to Hagrid," she thought to herself. The thought of a nice visit pleased her and she walked up the steps and knocked on the door.

A man came to the door and opened it. Hagrid. He saw Hermione and smiled pleasantly. She noticed him looking around her attempting to locate Harry and Ron.

"They aren't with me," she stated.

"Oh. I see. Come in." Hermione walked in his little hut and sat down at the table. There was tea set out already and Hermione helped her to a cup of it. Hagrid then joined her at his table.

"How're you, Hagrid? I thought I might visit you today," Hermione gleamed.

"Tha's very nice of yeh," he replied. "Not much ter tell. Same old things. Some of yer Ministry folks came into the castle yesterday. Someone is up ter something."

"Oh? Does it have to do with any of the developments of Voldemort's plans," questioned Hermione now deeply interested in the present conversation.

"Shh! What're yeh thinkin' mentioning that name?" scolded Hagrid then went to a soft whisper. "I don' know much 'bout you-know-who's developments. But I'll let yeh know if I find anything out," he assured her. "Now you better git into the castle. Don' wanna be caught here this late, Hermione."

"I'm Head girl, Hagrid. I think it should be fine," she proclaimed and took another sip of her tea. "Well it seems that you are busy. I'll come back with Harry and Ron sometime, Hagrid. Take care." With that Hermione stood up and let herself out. The sun was high above her head as looked up at the sky, blocking the sunlight with her hand. Looking towards the Quidditch field, she noticed to figures flying on broomsticks. Hoping to find Harry and Ron, she hurried over there.

--

Draco awoke, feeling very cold. He had a black cloak draped over his shoulders. A cool breeze blew through making him shiver. "Did I leave my windows open," Draco thought. When Draco finally regained consciousness, he realized that his surroundings weren't of Hogwarts. Instead he was surrounded by a dense fog that almost completely shrouded his vision. Instantly, Draco realized he was in the Forbidden Forest. The trees completely surrounded him and the darkness was overbearing. He scanned around him and found himself completely surrounded by figures in dark cloaks. The one that stood in the middle of them and outward from the crowd had a very tyrannical presence. Suddenly, the figure spoke to him.

"You sure have amazing confidence showing your face here boy," boomed the tyrant voice. "You know, you always did resemble your father. What a faithful and easily corrupted man he was. You were always a disappointment like he would always say. Even so, I do not tolerate traitors. You must be punished… by death"

Draco found himself nodding with a feeling of fear and anxiousness. He did not what to expect. Why was he here, of all places? Was this… Voldemort who was speaking to him?

Just as about he was to be sentenced to death, a small noise came from the right behind the bushes. His face turned – curiosity got the best of him. A girl emerged from hidden view. She had a look of fear and sadness in her eyes. It was Hermione. Draco's chest hurt with pain like he had been stabbed with a knife. He gazed upon her as the dark figure approached her with his wand out.

"DRAAAAACO!" the girl screamed, her hand reaching out to him. He hesitated before reaching in his cloak and grabbing his wand.

"Adava Kedav-"

Draco shot up from his bed. His hands were cold for some unknown reason. Realizing that he was back in his dorm again, he breathed a sigh of relief. Jus then, Draco heard a tap from the portrait hole and a highly annoying voice chiming out his name. He didn't want to get up from his bed where he lay quite comfortably. Finally letting Pansy's voice from the portrait hole fade away, he lay there, contemplating his dream, his nightmare. Why was he dreaming about Hermione, let alone, Voldemort?

--

Hermione walked back into the castle and towards the Great Hall for lunch. Her friends were already sitting down enjoying their meal. Harry waved Hermione over and she found a spot between him and Ginny. Although she was a bit hungry, Hermione didn't touch any of the food. She found herself scanning for Draco at the Slytherin table. He wasn't there to her dismay. She noticeably frowned and only Ginny noticed.

"Hermione? You okay today?"

"Huh? Oh yeah I'm fine, Ginny. Thanks for your concern," she beamed at Ginny. Then turned over and whispered, "I've just been thinking. Got tons to tell you later." With that, she returned to her daydreams.

A/N – Ahh! I know I know! Hermione and Draco will not be "together" till later chapters. But I don't wanna give the plot away… so… xD