Gazing at a Broken Heart
By Tobiz9
Chapter 1
Hermione
Only one more year left, I think to myself happily as I follow my two best friends into the train at Platform 9¾. It just sucks that it has to be the most important and most stressful year, with the NEWTs and all. This is when I envy the Muggle children. I've heard that their last year of school is a piece of cake. Lucky for them.
As my friends and I walk down the corridor looking for and empty compartment, I spot Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini standing alone together in one, surprisingly not surrounded by their usually lot of Slytherin followers. Zabini has one hand on Malfoy's shoulder, and Malfoy's face is filled with worry. It looks like Zabini is trying to comfort him.
"…Just don't worry about it, mate," I hear Zabini say to his friend. "It'll be just fine, you'll see."
"How can you know that?" Malfoy retorts, his voice low and strained with worry and … is it fear? "You've seen what he's like now, Blaise. He's so stressed. I'm just scared he'll -"
"He won't," Zabini assures the blond quickly, and I see him give Malfoy's shoulder and soft squeeze before I duck down behind the door so that I won't be seen, but am still able to hear everything the two Slytherin boys are saying.
"He's too smart for that," Zabini continues softly. "And, anyway, he loves the woman. There's no bloody way he'll hurt her."
"He's done it before," Malfoy argues, the sadness and pain clear in his voice. "Why shouldn't he do it again?"
"He's too smart for that, mate," Zabini persists. "He knows there's people watching him … from both sides. He knows not to do anything foolish like that. There's really nothing to worry about, mate. Everything will be fine."
"I hope you're right," Malfoy says, letting out a loud sigh, sounding totally and completely defeated.
I can tell the conversation is over so I straighten up and walk away quickly, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping by the Slytherins. I find Harry and Ron assembled in a compartment with Neville and Luna, talking about their summer vacations.
"Oh, hey, Hermione," Neville exclaims when he sees me. "How was your break?" I force a smile at him, unable to take my mind off the exchange I just heard.
"It was OK," I manage to say, trying to sound happy to see them. "Harry and I were actually over at Ron's for a couple weeks, did you tell them, boys?" I ask, turning to Harry and Ron, who shake their heads.
"Not yet," Ron replies, yawning. "God, I'm bloody tired. Oh! Tell them, Hermione!"
He's referring to me becoming Head Girl, of course. In fact, the letter came while I was at his house.
"Oh, yeah, I'm Head Girl!" I announce, beaming.
"That's great, Hermione!" Neville cries, grinning stupidly from ear to ear. Luna nods in agreement.
"Yes, it is," she agrees, speaking for the first time since I entered the compartment. "Maybe you'll be able to do something about the nargles that are roaming free around the school. They are quite common this time of year, and very difficult to deal with."
"Oh, er, yeah, I'll see what I can do," I say quickly, then jump up again, remembering something. "Oh, I gotta go! It said in the letter that I'm to meet McGonagall to go over rules and to meet the Head Boy and things like that. I'll be back soon!"
Without waiting for an answer, I rush out of the compartment and head to the front of the train where we're to meet. I still can't stop thinking about the conversation between Malfoy and Zabini. What were they talking about? Who were they talking about? And why was Malfoy so worried? They couldn't be talking about his father, could they?
I spot McGonagall in the very first compartment, sitting alone, holding a few rolls of parchment in her hands.
"Ah, Ms. Granger, so good to see you," she greets me, smiling kindly, and motions to the seat across from her.
"It's good to see you too, Professor," I say, sitting down.
"Well, it looks like the new Head Boy is late. Not too good a start for the new school year," McGonagall sighs, shaking her head.
"Who is the Head Boy, Professor?" I ask, politely.
"Oh, you'll see in a moment," she replies vaguely, and then, as if on cue, the door slides open and Draco Malfoy steps into the compartment.
"Ah Mr. Malfoy, how nice of you to join us," McGonagall exclaims and Malfoy only scowls in response. "Why don't you take a seat, please?"
Malfoy doesn't reply, he just stays standing, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded over his chest, and a bored look on his face. None of the worry or fear I'd seen before shows at all now.
"Very well," McGonagall murmurs, looking away from him. She goes on to talk about all the rules and what our responsibilities as Head Boy and Girl are.
Then, she drops the bomb.
"And, of course, you two will be sharing a dorm so -"
"WHAT?!" Malfoy and I both exclaim at the same time. He turns and glares at me and I, in return, glare back.
"Well, of course," McGonagall replies, confused by our reaction. "It is a known fact that the Head Boy and Girl always live together. I thought you two would have most definitely known that." We both shake our head, and she continues: "Well, you will be. You'll be sleeping in two different rooms, of course, but you will have the same common room, the same bathroom, and you'll even have your own kitchen, one of the perks of being Heads."
"You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me," Malfoy mutters under his breath, but McGonagall and I both hear him.
"Language, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall snaps, shaking her head in disappointment. "You don't want me to have to take off points this early in the year, do you?" Malfoy only glares at her and doesn't say a word. "Now, as I was saying," McGonagall continues, "your common room is located behind the painting of the centaur on the third floor. The password is 'bean sprouts'. After the Sorting ceremony, you two are to go up there and get all settled in, and I expect you to work out your differences. I will not have the Heads setting a bad example to the rest of the students. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Professor," I say, and Malfoy merely nods.
"Good," McGonagall sighs, standing up. "Well, that is all. You may go. Have a pleasant trip."
"You too, Professor," I reply, then follow Malfoy out into the corridor. He's walking quickly away and I have to run to catch up with him.
"Malfoy!" I call after him and he stops and turns around, running a hand through his blond hair.
"What do you want, Granger?" he asks in a bored voice. His face is perfectly emotionless, but his eyes look tired, and I think I see some worry in them again.
"I just … well, since we'll be living together I … I just thought we should at least try to get along," I stutter, hearing how stupid it sounds just after it escapes my mouth.
"Whatever, Granger," Malfoy mutters, sighing. And with that, he walks away and goes into his compartment without another word.
I stand there for a minute, absolutely confused. Something is definitely up with Malfoy. He hasn't insulted me once! Something has to be going on with him. What, though? Well, now that we live together, I make a vow that I will find out exactly what.
Finally snapping out of it, I go to walk to my compartment. I pass the one Malfoy entered and glance in quickly. The usual lot are there: Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, and, of course, Malfoy. He and Zabini are sitting in a corner, away from the rest of the group, talking softly between them. Malfoy has the usual bored look on his face, a smirk never far from his lips, but I still see the worry in his eyes. I can't hear what the two are saying, though, so I continue to my compartment.
I spend the rest of the train ride talking to my friends and sleeping a bit, and always, always, thinking about Malfoy.
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