I do not own Harry Potter: its Plot or its characters. All credits are to the author JK Rowling. The plot of THIS story alone is mine and perhaps some characters that I might introduce in later chapters. It is a work of fiction and is just showing my appreciation for JK Rowling's story and the Dramione/Harry Potter Fandom.

Hi Everyone! Thanks to everyone who has commented, followed and favourite this story it means a lot considering I'm a major newbie to writing fanfiction. All the constructive criticism I can get would be appreciated muchly :D

He looked down at his shimmering badge which embodied everything that he is not. His hand reached for the badge and tried to yank it from his uniform however his finger got caught on the sharp edge and he swore under his breath.

"Son of Slytherin" he hissed. He looked down at the deep red liquid slowly dripping from his finger.

He was distracted trying to find his wand so he could mutter a healing spell when the door to his compartment opened.

"Wow Malfoy I didn't realise you could bleed! You must be human after all" Her words oozed with the same sarcasm he had learnt to hate.

"What do you want Granger?" he said looking up at the tall brunette standing above him.

Whilst Hermione was inhaling, ready to start her war of words Draco stood up in front of her menacingly. No way was she going to try and pretend to be the dominant one in this situation.

Instead of seeing her shake or stand down she moved forward. As she did so the hair that was slightly covering her face repositioned itself so that he could see her entire face clearly. He looked at her eyes that were once doe eyed and hazelnut brown and realised how much they had changed. Her eyes were now much fiercer and he couldn't trace an ounce of fear in her now dark chocolate eyes.

After Draco could not stand competing in this silent staring competition any longer he laughed his usual laugh and turned around facing the window which showed the approaching school on the horizon.

"Just because your part of the precious golden trio doesn't mean that your presence makes me all giddy Granger!"

"Whatever Malfoy I can't be bothered repeating this tiresome charade with you for another year. Just stay as far away from me as possible and let me run the prefect body okay because we both know I will do a better job" Hermione for a second seemed to look tired and depressed but as quickly as it came it was gone. She lifted her head to look at him and smiled innocently whilst turning to leave.

He heard her mutter something as she slid the compartment door closed and as the door clicked shut he felt the dripping of the blood on his finger stop.

"Well this is going to be an interesting year"

(Hermione's POV)

"Good Afternoon students, I am professor McGonagall and I will be replacing professor Dumbledore as Head Master this year. As you all can see some of our 7th years from last year have returned to properly finish their Hogwarts education. Others such as the highly regarded Harry Potter have been offered a job as an Auror and we would like to wish Mr Potter luck in the coming year."

People started to clap and I could feel the eyes of everyone in the Great Hall shift to me and my red head ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend on the opposite end of the Gryffindor table however I felt the gaze of one person in particular which was annoying me the most. I moved my eyes to the Slytherin table to see what people Malfoy would be sitting with now that all of his followers were dead or too scared to return to Hogwarts. I finally found the boy with the ruffled blonde hair sitting at the end of the Slytherin table. He was not sitting alone however the way he was interacting with the people around him or the lack of interaction between them was surprising.

I was so distracted in my train of thought that I forgot that I was staring in his direction. He raised his eyebrows questioningly at me as if I actually intended on eye-communicating with him. I awkwardly shrugged it off as I turned back to McGonagall pretending to listen as the sorting hat was putting the terrified first years into their new family for the next seven years.

If Malfoy was put into Gryffindor or even Ravenclaw would he be different today? Would he care about blood status or be less of a prat? I contemplated the thought of a nice Draco Malfoy who didn't become a death eater and didn't stand and watch as I was tortured by his aunt: Of course not.

Yet again my hand subconsciously rubbed the scar on my collarbone. It had become a habit I couldn't control when I lost my faith in humanity. Perhaps he isn't different, perhaps he is even worse now than before but even so at least for a second he showed compassion and that second saved my life.