Chapter 4

When Hermione awoke the next day, she had to drag herself out of bed and froze on the spot. It was odd waking up at Hogwarts, in a single room. She then gathered all her things together, used her private bathroom and dressed in her Gryffindor robes for school. Very quickly she looked over her new time table.

Monday

1st Double Transfiguration

2nd single Potions

3rd single Muggle studies

Dinner

4th Single Care for magical creatures

Wonderful!

Hermione loved her lessons. She loved nothing more than getting enthralled in her favourite lessons or a good book. Very quickly she made her way to breakfast, ate something light and sat patiently in her seat for Professor McGonagall to enter the room.

When she did, the fun began. The best way for her to distract herself, was with her studies. And with the constant supply of rats to shrink and fleas to enlarge (poor Neville had to go to Madam Pomfrey when he got fleas poured down his back by Crab), and didn't even have to do the homework as she excelled in the spells. The only thing that made her frown and sniffle a little, was the constant looks she got from Ron and Harry. Harry smiled at her and waved. But Ron grabbed his hand and gave him a look as if stop-that! And they both turned away. So you want to ignore me ay? Well, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley. I can certainly do that too!

Hermione bottled her tears and left, the only one to avoid an essay on how to use the charm to her next lesson.

But the next lesson, never went as smoothly. It was potions after all.

Through the previous years, Harry, Ron and Hermione all sat together at one bench. But now, she couldn't bring herself to sit with them. she knew all too well that Ron would make her feel uncomfortable. He would probably say all sorts of things to make her leave. The worst thing was, he wouldn't directly ask her to 'sod off' but insinuate that she should. His sneaky way hurt more than if he just turned round and told her to her face to leave.

But he was a coward after all. She couldn't expect too much of him.

"Good Morning Class." The unfeeling, and familiar voice of Professor Snape, who never expected a reply, stormed his way to the front of the class in his usual manner. When he got to his desk, she span around and eyed everyone up. "Oh goodie. My favourite group." Yes, that was heart felt. She rolled her eyes and pulled out her wand, her books and sat herself at the only other place to sit. The Jinxed desk. There was always this desk free as no one dared to sit in it. apparently it had an unrecognisable curse on it that made anyone who sat at it, jinxed. She didn't believe in such nonsense and sat there, as there was no where else to sit.

Other than with Ron and Harry.

And that wasn't going to happen any time soon now was it. "Open your guide to successful brewing of potent potions, and turn to page 409. Today we will be concocting a particularly nasty potion by the name of the Paroxysm Potion. Does anyone know what the effects of this potion are?" His dark eyes bore into the room, and once again Hermione was the only one with their hand in the air. He rolled his eyes and looked to the door. Stood in it, was someone he hadn't even hear open the door… "And who are you?" the entire class turned to the doorway. It's him! The stranger from the feast! Indeed it was the same teen who had walked into the feast and turned Dumbledore so pale. He wore the same clothes, and the same mask. "Well? Who are you and what are you doing in my classroom?"

"He is here to study Professor." The perky voice of Dumbledore himself came from behind him, but the teen made no sign to move. "Excuse me my boy." Then he moved. He leaned against the door frame, looking more intimidating than Snape, and more of a bad boy than Draco times ten! He was tall, had broad shoulders, his body language made him out to be some sort of predator, and he looked like he would take no crap from anyone.

He was a bad boy.

Hermione heard several giggles and knew it was only the first of many yet to come. She could tell he was going to be one of the pretty girl's objects of desire straight away. I mean, why wouldn't he? She couldn't admit it, but there was something about a tall, dark and mysterious stranger with the physic of a God and the ambiance of a bad boy that made every girl's knees go weak. Even hers.

"What?"

"Severus my boy." Snape cringed at that. "He is a new student here."

"I see no house robes…just black." Indeed there were no telltale signs to his house. So what was he?

"He doesn't have a house Severus. He is not that kind of student. But he is a student who will be taking most of the lessons we offer here and so you should get used to him being here."

"Very well. Name?" he addressed the boy, who was looking at the other side of the door frame. Dumbledore coughed when he didn't answer. Slowly though, he very menacingly turned his demonic masked face until he focused on Snape. Severus had never felt his own hairs stand on end. Not until then.

For a moment he simply stared at the Potions master, before he swiftly pulled away from the wall and folded his arms over his chest.

"Your full name my lad." Dumbledore coaxed.

"Draco Draig Damnatio Draconian." His voice was so deep, baritone and had a rumble to it. Yet, it was clear all at the same time. She wondered if his voice was magical, or had a charm to it. She felt butterflies in her stomach, getting nervous as his face looked to her. She gasped and turned to focus squarely at the board. But she could feel his eyes on her all the while.

"But call him Draco for short."

"It appears that I now have 2 boys in my class by the name of Draco." He looked over to his godson, and then back over to his new pupil. "Let's hope that you are as advanced as the other in my lessons. Back table, move." Hermione gasped again.

He was going to sit here.

Where she was.

Next to her.

Right now? She gulped as she waited. There was simply silence.

Ron and Harry saw and heard all this, as did the rest of the class. Some girls were envious of Hermione, but generally all the class wished they could help her. He didn't look all that friendly. "I said move boy." Suddenly 'Draco' was at the front of the room, his large hands around Snape's neck and his face mere inches from his rapidly turning blue's face.

"Draco! Stop this!" Dumbledore came after him, but Snape was already dangling in the air, both his hands around the black wrist of his assailant, choking painfully. "Put him down!" Snape gasped for air as Draco dropped him into his chair. He panted to get his breath back, looking horrified at the teen. He had lifted his entire body, with only one hand like he weighed nothing! And he didn't even seem to hold any remorse for what he had done!

The class was shocked, some smiled were seen, but they were all shocked. one of their fellow students, who wouldn't be here if he wasn't their age, (as unbelievable as that was) and he had just throttled the most feared teacher in all of Hogwarts! "I think you should take your seat…" Dumbledore hadn't expected that. "And Severus is your teacher. You are supposed to do as you are told…" Draco grunted and looked to the back of the room.

And he saw her.

She gasped once again and looked to her desk. Her face had drained and she wished her long, wavy brown hair would just fall forward and hide her from sight. Damn her for having it fanned down her back!

"T take your seat Mr D Draco." He span round and Snape flinched. "Please!" he added and saw Draco relax. Slowly, he turned back to the desk with Hermione on it, and walked to the back of the room. Hermione could hear every foot step he took, coming closer and closer.

Until, he was stood right next to her.

Harry stood up but Ron pulled him back down. But they both had worried faces and exchanged a look of panic.

He slowly walked around her, looking her over and then sat by her side.

Hermione was so frightened, her breathing had become audible.

Desperate to get his lesson back under control, he cleared his throat and raised his facial mask. "Turn to page 409 in your books. You will read upon the potion, and next lesson we shall brew it." there would have been a few cheers at that, if the class's entire attention hadn't been upon the newest member of their year.

Hermione might have been touched by their concern, if she wasn't so busy trying to remember how to breathe. Breathe in, and out. In, and out. Don't hyperventilate!

Dumbledore whispered something to Snape and got a curt nod before leaving. He had to inform all the other teachers after all. "Now did anyone actually know what the effects of the Paroxysm Potion?"

"Hermione did sir." Draco Malfoy chuckled, deciding right away he liked this new guy and would act upon what he had said in the great hall, and take him under his wing.

"Ms Granger?" she didn't dare look up. She could feel his eyes were still on her. Even if she couldn't see them through the mask, or the red mask eye pieces. So she stared at her lap and answered regardless.

"The Paroxysm Potion renders the user into a state of seizure and a frenzy of violent spasms, leading to projectile vomiting and reddening of the eyes. The symptoms worsen as time passes and the victim then losses the main senses of sight, hearing and touch, smell and taste leaves later and the body becomes a living, respiring shell with no sensation or feeling. On an average of a week, the person is rendered brain dead and can be spotted as a victim to the Paroxysm Potion by the large blue, sometimes purple veins on their neck and wrists."

"Very good. Are there any cures to this potion?"

"Only the anti potion, that must be ingested within 24 hours consumption to take affect."

"Good." he looked at the time a realised that the main part of his lesson had been taken up by his newest pupil. "Read the instructions on the brewing of the Paroxysm Potion for next lesson until the bell goes." He then started marking homework and was pleased that his absolute terror hadn't gotten to the class. His reputation had been damaged enough.

Hermione's hands trembled as she turned to the correct page. She trembled so much, that she fumbled with the book and it fell off the desk…onto his lap. She sat rigid and tensed, her hands shaking on the desk. She looked like she had stared into the eyes of a basilisk. And I don't mean through a reflection.

Draco raised a brow at the book as it hit his lap, and looked to his desk partner. She looked a mess. They all do. He reminded himself and placed the book before her. He had attacked the teacher, because he knew all about him, his past, and didn't stand for disrespect on any level. Especially not from scum like Snape. Oh yes, he knew all about him…and his kind…

But what he didn't understand was the creature next to him.

She was pretty, incredibly intelligent from what he just heard…but she was sat on her own, isolated from the rest of her classmates and wracked with fear at the sight of him. well you did just strangle her potions master. He lifted the book from his lap, turned to page 409 and put it on the desk. Hermione looked up and saw that he didn't have any books yet, and she wasn't about to object to him sharing with her. Still breathing sharply, she read the page, barely, as did he.

He didn't make a move towards her, didn't try to talk to her and even show any sign that he knew she was there. He was silent. He was a mystery. He had the short temper and ability to lash out on an instant. But one question came into her mind.

Who was this guy?

Very soon the end of the lesson came and Hermione hurriedly put her things away, looking to see if she was safe to put her book in her satchel. He nodded to her, making her blush from him knowing her motives, and sheathed her book in her bag. She rose and waited for Snape to dismiss them. He did, and she quickly left. She saw Harry and Ron make a bee line for her…only to be blocked off. Draco Malfoy, Crabb and Goyal crowded around her and sniggered at her outside of Potions.

"What's the matter Granger? You look a little white." Malfoy and his cronies snicker. "You didn't pee yourself too did you?" Hermione frowned and turned to leave…only to look straight into the lean, black chest of the very person she wanted to get as far away from as possible. "Well, looky here. It is about time I met you." He extended his hand. "I am Draco Malfoy. I am the head boy of our year. Dumbledore already told me that you were to either follow me, or the head girl around until you go the gist of everything." When Draco didn't take his hand, his frown faded slightly. "Erm…something wrong." He he he…he knew all about his family too. His father…just like Snape.

"Who is the head girl?" oh that voice again. Hermione stopped in her retreating tracks at the sound if it. So, masculine and yet so melodic.

"She is." Draco pointed. "That filthy scummy little muggle born. She shouldn't be here; only the pure wizards like us should be here."

"Only pure bloods?" he snarled, making Malfoy jump and his eyes grow wide. "And what do you mean us? I am not a pure blood. Do you think I am filthy scum to?" he took one step towards him, and Malfoy took three back. Right behind Crabb and Goyal. As this happened, Ron and Harry tried to get to Hermione, but stopped as Draco turned away from the shivering 'pure blood' and looked directly at Hermione. She immediately began to quiver. "Head girl?" he asked curtly. She trembled, but managed a nod. "After you." She didn't move for a moment and then span around, showing her back to him and wishing she could just apparate out of here! But she couldn't…

"I I h have m muggle st studies." He walked up to her, nodded again and she gulped. That meant he was coming with her then.

When they got to the muggle studies room, she sat at a desk and Ron and Harry once again tried to get to her, but changed course to another desk as Draco span on them, and snarled them away.

The entire lesson he didn't say anything to her. or anyone else either. Hermione did all her work and was successful in keeping her fears at bay, to turn out another piece of O standard work. So once again, no homework for her. she was doing rather well to say that everyone but her had at least two essays to write. Where she didn't.

But she had something worse.

She had Draco to show around.

If she was lucky, he would be this quiet all the time, like he wasn't there.

By sheer accident, his hand rested on hers as they both reached forward to open the muggle war history through Merlin to Margaret Thatcher. His black, leather gloved hand was smooth, but didn't give off cold or warmth. He looked to her and she yanked her hand out from under his, and resumed her trembling. He opened the desired page once more, and looked at her, watching her.

She was truly an odd creature, he thought. How could she act so professional in her studies when he made himself seen and not heard, and yet revert into a shivering wreck from a simply touch. He knew he scared most people, and that he didn't mind.

But her…

After Muggle studies it was Dinner in the great hall. He followed her there as they both had trays of sausages and mashed potatoes. Hermione ate hers in seeing that he wasn't eating his. Darn. I really wanted to see under that mask…

"What is your name?" he found himself asking without meaning to. First she looked to him, to make sure he had actually spoken to her. she cleared her mouth and took a drink of her water. She swirled it around and saw him waiting for her patiently. As she lowered it, her lips wee parted and still glossing from the water. Why he noticed this, he didn't know.

"H Herm m ione g g Gran ger." She gulped and forced it out. "Hermione Granger." He nodded and spoke again.

"I am Draco Draig Damnatio Draconian."

"That name…means something…" as a pass time, Hermione had been reading the Latin language, and she had heard those names before…but what did they mean. Her brain going into automatic, she pulled out a piece of parchment and wrote his name down with a quill. She stared at it, and started to mouth his name. He watched her lips in fascination, simply because she seemed to be deciphering them through pure memory. "Draco…means dragon…"

The bell went for the next lesson, and she looked to the door. She gathered her things, and felt Draco behind her.

"I have care of magical creatures next." He didn't answer, but followed her outside of school. Thought out the silence, Hermione didn't dare to look back. It was as if she feared that if she did, he would attack her like he did Snape.

When they got to the familiar Pen, Hagrid beamed a smile and had his dragon hide gloves on.

"Welcome class. Is ya all here?" he looked around and fixed on the largest one of the lot.

Draco. "And who be you then lad?"

"His name is Draco." Hermione interrupted, but she didn't know why.

"Ar, right then. Welcome to Hogwarts Draco. You stick with young Hermione, she'll not steer ya wrong." He smiled, and looked to Hermione. "Why lass, are ya ol'right? Ya look as pale as Nerly headless Nick."

"I, I'm fine Hagrid, sir." She mumbled and put her satchel down, smoothing out her robes and fidgeting.

He was still behind her.

"Well today class, we will be handling cross breeds. Who wants a go then?"

"I will." Hermione said very quickly. She just wanted an excuse to get away from Draco. He made her skin crawl…

"Right then. Come here and let's start." Hermione clambered into the pen, and shrieked instantly. There were large Boa like Snakes with legs, horns, wings and other limbs that they shouldn't have. Only one looked like a regular snake. But it was intertwined with the others. "These be cross snakes. They are magical snakes obviously, that hav been mixed with other critters. Smaller ones, usually ones from the muggle world. Their eggs are real great for makin brews as antidotes and sometimes, Butterbear." Ron and Harry shared worries looks. They alone seemed to have noticed how quickly Draco had ran to the fence of the pen as Hermione shrieked. He had his hands clawing at the wood, watching intently. Hagrid just thought he liked the subject. "Now then Hermione. Pick one ap by the tail. There ya go." One thing Hermione hated, ever since her encounter with the Basilisk, was snakes. She whimpered and shuck as Hagrid placed the tip of one's tail onto her hands. She held it tight and didn't care that it had spikes all on its back. And it didn't like the tight squeeze it was getting either. "Not so ard Hermione. Not so ard!" the creature hissed and snapped up at her face…and was stopped inches from her nose. The snake looked to the crowd, nodded and slithered out her know sweaty grip and onto the floor. "See, no arm done." Hagrid said thankfully. "Again, just not so ard." He tried again with one that he raised a brow at. It looked like a normal Boa and he chuckled. "Looks like a muggle snake got inta the crate with the others. Back ya go now petal." He lowered the snake into the crate, and sealed it for later. The letters, 'resend' appeared on the box. "Oh, ya had enough there lass?"

"Y yes I I have H h Hagrid." Shaking feverously, Hermione walked up to the gate. Only to stare into his chest.

Again.

Draco stepped back, and she climbed over. She turned her back to him and dug her nails into the fence frame. Why didn't anyone else seem affected by him? And snakes! She HATED snakes…more like feared them actually…

"An tha is the main used of these beauties. Anyone want to see if they can milk one?" no one answered so Hagrid got out the next creature. "Right then, these are Grindlylow." He pulled a tank of water around the corner and everyone saw the same creatures that they had either seen in Defence against the dark arts a few years ago, or in the Tri wizard tournament. "I understand you know about these darlins so I won't bore ya with the details. But basically…"

And then Hagrid went into the details. The very, raw details of even their habits and preferences between pond and sea weeds. By the time he had finished, the bell went and Hermione had never been as glad for a school day to end. She waved good bye to Hagrid and tried to grab her satchel, without having to face Draco.

But the even worse happened.

She ended up facing them both.

Draco Malfoy and tall dark and scary were on the floor, scrapping furiously…and Malfoy didn't look like he was either willing or winning.

"Put that boy down!" Hagrid grabbed them both by the scruff of the neck and pushed them both apart. "What do ya think ya doin? I will be havin none of tha in my class. Malfoy, 20 points from Slytherin. and Draco…erm…what house are you?"

"he doesn't have a house!" Malfoy whined and tried to struggle out of Hagrid's grip. And failed.

"Well then I will be havin words with Dumbledore 'bout you then Mister Draco D…erm…Draco!"

Hermione gasped as the temperamental teen placed his large hand on Hagrid's stomach…and lifted him into the air! "Put ME DOWN!" Malfoy dropped to the floor with a thud, and Draco locked Hagrid in the Pen. He stretched his hands out to the floor, and roots grew up and ensnared him to the spot. "!DRACO!" he then turned to Malfoy, who was just standing up and launched at him. Once again they were in a scrum on the floor, Malfoy somehow getting covered in deep, purple bruises, a busted lip, a broken nose and his gums were bleeding. His cries didn't stop until Draco did. that, was when Hermione pulled out her wand and shouted.

"IMMOBULUS!" Draco froze while Crabb and Goyal pulled the bloody pulp of a leader, Draco Malfoy, out from his grasps. But something happened. Slowly, Drago began to move and twist against the magic. He snarled and clenched his fists. With a 'poof' he stood perfectly. Still.

"What did that mean?" Ron whimpered.

"It means he just snapped out of my immobilising charm…impossible…" he span round and looked to be glaring at her. Very quickly, the space between Draco and Hermione became none existent and he glowered down at her. He lowered down on her, and whispered in her ear.

"I have a thick hide. Never try magic on me again." He pulled awy and looked to Malfoy. He snarled and looked to be going to attack him again, when Dumbledore apparated there with a look or horror on his face.

"Draco Draig Damnatio Draconian! You come with me this instant." He grabbed his shoulder and made him face Hagrid. "Now you let him go." He warned. With a wave of his hand, the roots returned to the ground and Hagrid came running.

"Slippery little bugger if I do say so myself." He chuckled. But forced a stern face by the look he got from Dumbledore. "But ya can't go round starting fights." He scorned and shuffled away. Albus turned Draco to face him, and tried to look him in the eyes.

"DO you know how hard it was for me to persuade Fudge not to change his mind? To let you come here!" Hermione, Ron and Harry all listened in. "Do you?" he nodded. "Really? Well you certainly down act like it! Beating up other students, really Draco. I am ashamed of you. You do know who you are acting like don't you?"

"No I am not." he stated, snarling. "He deserved what I gave him." he indicated Malfoy and folded his arms, shrugging Albus' hands off him.

"And what did he deserve for you to beat him senseless? And boys, take Malfoy to Madam Pomfrey." Everyone left except the two Professors, Draco and the three students. "Well? Why did he deserve it." Draco looked round, and straight at Hermione.

"I have my reasons." He then walked off and didn't even seem concerned that Dumbledore was shouting after him. Hermione picked up her things as, at last, Ron and Harry walked up to her.

"Bloody hell. That was better than in my dreams, Malfoy getting beaten up like that." Ron chuckled and Hagrid smiled.

"It was pretty good weren't it?" he added, glad that Albus couldn't here him know.

"He beat me to it." Harry said. "I almost lost it when I heard him.

"Heard him what?"

"Didn't you hear him?" Ron looked amazed. "He said you were pathetic for being squeamish to snakes, then something about it probably being from second year."

"So?" she said, glad he was talking to her again, like nothing had happened.

"So, he then said it was your own fault because you were a filthy, well, you know. The word."

"Mudblood…" Hermione sniffled. It was such a horrid term for a muggle born, she had only ever heard it once and hated it greatly. Wait… "And he tried to rip him apart because of that?"

"Well, yeah. How did you get him as a mate anyway?"

"He isn't my 'mate' Ron. He terrifies me!"

"We know…as does everyone else…and probably him too…" Ron smiled weakly and patted her shoulder. "Maybe he just wanted to stick up for you the best way he could. You know, so that you wouldn't be afraid of him…as much."

"All he proved is that he was more of a brute than I first imagined." She held herself and Harry and Ron hugged her.

"Don't worry 'Mione. We wont let the big bad Draco get you." Ron chuckled. Hermione smiled, teary eyed. Was Ron putting everything behind him? was he opening up to her at last? She wasn't going to pass this up. She turned to him, held him close and hugged him to tightly, that Harry had to pull her off.

"Hermione, he can't breath!"

"Sorry!"

"No probs." He chuckled. "I have stacks of Homework to do already."

"Me too. How about you Hermione?" Harry asked, glad to have them all together again as they walked up to the castle and the dorm.

The fire roared in Dumbledore's office. Draco stared at it, trying to ignore the headmaster as he ranted on.

"And how could you even think about harming another student, after the ordeal with Severus this morning, and then try again after you were stunned?"

"Because it was a weak stun. And you know as well as I do, that I am magic proof."

"That isn't the point Draco." He rubbed his pulsating temples. "I just want to see you get through this year without getting yourself branded with the same mark as-"

"Look I did the right thing!" he roared and stood from the chair, growling in his throat. "If anyone is to be branded, it was that bleach headed boy that I mangled." He smirked. But Albus couldn't see that now could he. "You would have done the same thing…"

"No, I wouldn't have."

"No, I guess you're right. But you would have hit him."

"Why exactly did you feel he deserved a, well, punishment?"

"Hermione…" was all he said. Folding his arms and turning his back to Dumbledore. "…He has all the makings you know. The background, the death eater father, the prejudice against Muggles and Muggle borns, the willingness to act upon it and openly discriminate against them…"

"What did he do Malfoy?"

"…It doesn't matter." He clenched his fists and tried to leave, but stopped. "Where am I sleeping?"

"You will have a special room. I will take you there if you like. It is far from any other the other house sections. Or the teachers quarters. You will have your privacy."

"Good."

"But why did you attack-"

"He called her a mudblood!" he roared and turned on his heel, taking slow and menacing steps towards the quickly growing white Dumbledore. "He said how she deserved to die, how he wished she had, how he found her fears amusing. If he likes fears…" he chuckled evilly and folded his arms. "…I can show him fears. I will make him respect them too."

"No Draco…" he warned. Draco nodded.

"I will retire to my room. If I may." Albus sighed with relief and led Draco to his personal rooms. It was decorated in complete black and blood red, a four poster bed, black walls, black drapes over the bed, red floors, a red bed, the wood was a dark mahogany, as was the furniture, also red, a large personal bathroom, a private kitchen with food. It had everything he would need. Even a pile of new books and equipment he would need. "Leave." He said simply.

"You know, if you wanted to get on people's good side…" he smiled on his way out. "Being polite and not scaring them to death with violence, no matter how just the motives, would be advisable." Draco caught on immediately, but he was gone. He snarled loudly before throwing himself down on the bed, and forcing sleep upon him.