Returning to Hogwarts

Disclaimer: don't own it.

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That summer Lucius Malfoy was apprehended and given the kiss. Hermione wrote to Draco asking if he was okay, and he replied saying he was fine- glad actually. They wrote each other on a regular basis... every day. Draco couldn't get Hermione out of his head- he was compelled to write her every day, telling her of the days events, and then couldn't help his delight when she wrote back with much the same. No matter how hard he tried, she plagued his thoughts 24/7. He found himself comparing every girl he met to her, and finding them lacking. However, he had no idea that Hermione was having much the same problem with him.

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At the end of the summer Hermione practically threw hersefl onto the train. It was her seventh year after all, and she was Head Girl! She wondered who Head Boy was, but she figured it was probably either, Harry, Ron, or the Ravenclaw Prefect... whatever his name is. But then, as she thought about it, she figured it was most likely Harry. He did have near perfect marks... even in Potions, surprisingly enough.

She found Harry and Ron in their usual compartment and settled in. Ginny and Neville, too, were there. Hermione silently wondered where Luna was, and was about to voice her query when the compartment door opened and the Prince of Slytherin himself walked in. Hermione glanced deliberately at Ron and stood up, walking over to Draco and kissing him soundly on the lips.

Draco scowled at Ron as he pulled Hermione out of the compartment and to the back of the train. He pinned her against the wall and Hermione thought- or was it hoped?- that he was going to kiss her. However, he merely gazed into her eyes.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why what?" she replied, confused.

"Why are you so bloody set on using me to exact your revenge on Weasley?" he growled.

"...that's not really important," she said quietly.

"Oh, but I think it is," Draco replied in a dangerously low voice. An unspoken threat lingered between them before Hermione sighed.

"If you must know-"

"Which I must," Draco interrupted.

"If you must know," she continued as though he had said nothing, "He cheated on me."

"He- what?" Draco asked, perplexed.

"He cheated on me for a month with Lavender Brown, before he got enough balls to break up with me. He told her that we had already broken up!" Hermione's eyes shimmered with tears, "I thought he was my friend... but apparently he's not. Friends don't hurt their friends like that..."

She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but instead found herself crying into Draco's shoulder. She clutched at him for support as her entire body was racked with sobs. Draco stroked her hair soothingly, pressing his lips to the top of her head.

'I swear to the Gods-' he thought maliciously, 'If Weasley ever comes near her again... I'll kill him.'

Hermione wiped her tear streaked face and smiled at him. But it didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes remained shadowed by sadness at the betrayal of her "friend". Draco couldn't stand to see her like that. He bent over slightly to kiss, first, her forehead, then her eyes, then, lightly, her lips.

"Come now, love..." he said softly, "Cheer up. If he was dumb enough to let you go, he's not worth your time or your tears." Fluff is gooood!

Hermione hugged him around his waist, happier than she had been all summer. It was then that she realized something. 'Do I... do I have- feelings for... for Draco?' she thought, 'I couldn't! But then... why do I suddenly feel so- happy- and peaceful when I'm around him? Like everything's perfect. He makes me feel beautiful- like I'm worth the world and more...' she mentally shook herself, 'Snap out of it Granger! Last time you got involved with someone... well, just look at how well that turned out!'

They walked back to the compartment moments later and Draco had to restrain himself. 'Don't kill him... not unless he shows any bad intentions toward Hermione... WAIT! Why am I suddenly so protective of her?' he asked himself, 'I think I may have actually developed- feelings- for her! Bloody Hell!'

They sat next to each other and Draco wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He and Ron exchanged several electrifying glares. Hermione could feel the enmity between them crackling around her. 'This is going to be the longest train ride ever...'

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HA! I FINALLY UPDATED! WEEEEEE! TWICE IN ONE NIGHT! I'LL UPDATE MORE TOMORROW... I HOPE. (knock on wood! I don't want to jinx myself!) REVIEW AS ALWAYS!