Chapter 1: At a Distance
Draco Malfoy paced up and down the seventh floor corridor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I need the place where everything is hidden… he thought earnestly. Pansy Parkinson appeared around the corner. "Oh, Draco! There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere, sweetie." Draco sighed. "I'll see you later," he replied curtly. "But —"
"Later, Pansy."
"Fine. Stare at a giant stretch of a blank wall," Pansy scorned, walking away in a huff.
Pansy Parkinson annoyed him a lot. He wondered why she was his girlfriend. Oh right, she was a popular, pure blooded Slytherin.
He returned to begging the Room of Requirements to reveal its door.
Closing his eyes, he began pacing up and down the corridor.
When the grey eyes opened, the giant stretch of a blank wall had transformed into a silver doorway with intricate carvings. Draco Malfoy entered.
Hermione Granger tried to remember the last time she was this happy. Ron was describing how badly Lavender Brown took it when he dumped her, but was relieved to be rid of her, nevertheless. Her life was… full of sanity again. The last few weeks had been tumultuous!
Firstly her crushing disappointment when she saw Ron kiss Lavender. Then her… encounter with Malfoy. She was so relieved she began calling him 'Malfoy' in her head again! Then, discovering Voldemort made Horcruxes and that too seven! The thought made her shudder. Also, Ron's poisoning, then Slughorn's Christmas party where she had to take that daft twit McLaggen… It was all over now. 'Malfoy' did not even notice her when she passed in the hallway, and Ron was not with Lavender anymore.
It was all so strange before: she nearly kissed Draco, she thought he was different now, then she was scared witless when she saw that Dark Mark. And when she got back to the dorm, she was forced to remember all the things about Ron seeing Lavender sleep with a giddy smile on her face. A very confusing experience… hating Ron so vehemently for grabbing Lavender in the middle of a crowded hallway to kiss her. Then watching 'Draco'walk by and being so afraid, yet wanting him somehow, remembering the touch of his hand on hers, of his arm around her waist.
A few days later, when Harry began talking about 'Malfoy' surely being a Death Eater, Ron started telling him to concentrate more on getting the memory from Slughorn, and expected Hermione to second his argument on this topic. Instead, she blurted, "I saw his Dark Mark!" Upon their curious looks, she improvised. "He was alone in a hallway with Crabbe and Goyle. They seemed to be having some argument, then Drac— Malfoy got really mad and showed it to them and shouted something about his 'authority' or whatever. I was so shocked that I yelled, but I ran before they saw me."
And to her relief, they believed her.
"Harry, you didn't have to say anything to break up with Cho last year, you know, you both just broke apart. You have no idea how horrible it was," Ron was saying. "But I'm really happy now," Ron added, his eyes twinkling at her.
Yes, Hermione Granger was extremely happy.
Author's Note: Hate me for the Romione touch, don't you? Wondering when Draco and Hermione will get together? And how?
All in good time, my love, all in good time. In the meantime, review! And also if you think this chapter is too short. I know I did.
Special thanks to littlegirlgonemad, and Arvind Pillai for some excellent, excellent advice. You've helped much more than you know. :)