A/N: Phew...here's chappie #3. Enjoy...r/r pls.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
*~*~*
"I didn't even know it was you. It wasn't until I realized it was your bushy head I was saving."
What he said had been a lie. In fact, he knew perfectly well it was Granger that he was helping out. He couldn't understand what exactly possessed him to do it. It wasn't out of kindness or him trying to be a gentleman, they weren't the reasons. He kept telling himself over and over again that it was simply the fact that he had pitied that cursed muggle born enough to actually decide to help the poor thing out. But he knew he was kidding himself. When he finally came to an understanding, he didn't like it one bit.
It was an urge. An urge that suddenly seem to flow through his veins and right up to every part of his body. An urge to get close to her. To touch her. He felt it when he saw her there the very first time in over two months.
He was sitting alone quietly, peacefully in his compartment, savoring the last few minutes of his freedom before his two goons of a friend come barging in on him, trapping him to a whole year of hell. Draco was simply sitting there, until he saw her.
Hermione had just passed through the wall and stood there being harassed by the crowd. Draco was watching her standing there looking at the express when suddenly her eyes passed through his window. At first he was surprised, he nearly kicked himself for staring at her too long. She could've seen him. But he was even more surprised when he saw a faint smile spread across her face. He was all of a sudden captivated by her appearance.
He was a bit confused because in a lot of ways, she was still the same. The same old Granger that he hated. She still had that same bushy hair though now it seemed tamed. It looked controlled and not just flying from her head in every direction. Her curls were nice and bouncy. Very natural. Her eyes were so round and chocolaty. Even from afar you could see the glowing amber of her eyes. Her skin had a pure tone to it. It was white and milky. And her lips. He found it hard to look away. They were luscious and soft. He could almost feel himself touching them.
And then his eyes wandered off were he wanted to get to with eagerness. Her body. He was a bit surprised because in all the years they've known each other, he's never looked at her this way before. She was slender with curves just where she needed them. Draco could see her legs, which were long and toned. He was half wishing that her skirt was just a bit higher. He couldn't deny that the muggle born changed for the better. Perhaps even for the best.
However as soon as the thought entered his mind, Draco pushed it away just as fast. He would not let some filthy disgusting muggle born provoke him. He is not attracted to her. Well, he is but simply for her physical appearance. Nothing more. And absolutely nothing is going to happen.
He was wrong.
Shaking his head, Draco decided he needed a walk. The rest of the school wasn't even on the train yet; he might as well stretch his legs. This proved to be a bad idea. When he stepped out of his compartment, the girl he was just thinking about came into view and that was when he felt it.
It was different when he was watching Hermione from inside but now they were in the same room. Although she had her back to him. As he watched her walk, he had half a mind to go straight to her, drag her to his compartment and do the things he wanted to do. "I'd show her what her precious Potter could never live up to." Draco thought with a smirk.
It was then that Granger tripped. He didn't even need to think about it. No hesitation. It was instinct that told him to help her and it was lust that told him to get close to her.
So Draco came to her rescue. He wrapped his arm around her thin waist and one on her arm. And as soon as his skin made contact with hers, it felt like a spark. Her skin burned his but in a good way. It was pleasure but at the same time, it angered him that she gave off this invigorating feeling.
When she was back on her feet, he made sure she didn't know it had been him. It could cause chaos, especially for his part. He cannot afford to lose his reputation and disgrace his family name by involving himself with a Mudblood. He's worked so much for what he is, for the respect and fear people have for him and his family and nobody, especially a muggle born was going to jeopardize that.
*~*~*
Hermione woke up to the sound of her alarm. It was quarter to eight and she had 15 minutes to get ready. To some girls this would've been a crisis but not for Hermione. She doesn't bother herself with the "putting on make up" or taking hours to decide which robes to wear or even how to do her hair. She was pretty much the plainest girl around and she couldn't care less. "Besides..." she thought "there isn't anybody to impress."
Almost instinctively her mind went back to him. She frowned in disgust and shame. She could've hexed herself to oblivion for being so bloody stupid. She knew, deep inside that that's what he was going to say. "...So why didn't you just backed off?"
Thinking about it now, 2 weeks later, it was because maybe for once in her life a guy might have liked her. Meaning to say she has never felt like that. Not even with Viktor. They did go out for a while but it was nothing to gossip about. The people always made it sound so much more that what it really was.
After she had gotten ready, wearing her usual robes with her muggle clothes underneath and her hair in a loose ponytail with her bangs just framing the edges of her face, she stepped into the common room and decided to forget about breakfast and go straight to the dungeons for Potions.
As she rounded the corner and about to open the door, she was greeted by a snake. She growled silently.
"'Morning" she said quietly. Not knowing why she even spoke to the git.
Draco simply nodded. This was the first time they had been face to face after their little encounter. He opened the door and as expected budded her way and went inside with out even holding the door so she could enter.
"Someone needs to learn some manners" she huffed but secretly hoping that he didn't hear.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger had kindly given us some of their precious time and cared to join us." Snape said in an overly sweet voice that made them cringe. And then with a harsh tone "...you two...sit together. You're going to be partners."
Hermione's mouth dropped slightly. She cursed inside. "Great. Not only am I late for class but I have to work with IT." She thought miserably, but knowing better than to argue with the even bigger snake, she silently and obediently sat herself on the empty table at the very back and cautiously waited for her partner.
*~*~*
Draco could've hexed his Potions professor right at that moment. This was insane. Snape had never done this to him. Sure he's paired him up with Potter, but that was different. That was competition. "And so is this" Draco thought "trying to compete with that slimy creature for the better grade. But this is your grade together." Draco knew that Snape was perfectly aware how much Granger got in his nerves.
As he was about to open his mouth to argue, Snape quieted him. "No need for arguing Mr. Malfoy because who your partner is, is who your partner is. NO questions."
"But sir, you know that I can't possibly-"
"I said no arguments about it Mr. Malfoy. The point is, you were late for class and I've already assigned everyone. And you and Ms. Granger" Snape nodded his greasy head in Hermione's direction "were both the only ones left. So I put you together. Please do understand that and sit down. It'll save me the breath to explain."
Breathing in and out was the only thing that he could do to keep himself composed. Taking another deep breath, he seated himself next to that filthy muggleborn – of course moving his chair a little farther than necessary.
"What Granger? What's so funny about not wanting to be near you that you have to roll your eyes on me?" he asked a bit harsher than he intended.
"Nothing Malfoy. Its just that you act like I'm the vermin in this group when the rest of us know it's the other way around." Hermione retorted right back with just as much coldness.
"So if I'm so unbearable, why don't you just leave? And please, take your mouth with you. I can't stand to hear your voice any longer."
As soon as Draco said it, he regretted it – deep inside, way deep inside. Hermione gave him the usual cold glare but it was different this time. It wasn't as though she did because she was annoyed but because she actually felt hurt. She went a tad red but quickly turned around using her hair to cover her face, blocking his view of her.
"Yes. Keep your head down just as you should Granger." He thought in annoyance. But all through out the class (which they both thanked god, didn't need much communication in their part) he still had a lingering feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Was it guilt? Nah, can't be. Draco simply shrugged it off knowing himself enough to know that he has been insulting the Golden Trio for as long as he can remember and had never felt bad about it.
By the end of the class, Draco was ready to get out of there as fast as possible. As he was packing his bag, quite hastily out of rush, he heard Granger's voice from behind him. He turned around.
"What do you want?" Draco asked. Looking at her now she seemed a little nervous.
"Umm..." She's biting her bottom lip, probably out of mental strain, Draco noted (and half chuckled at his wittiness) then kicked himself for noticing.
Draco rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh. "Well...don't just stand there like a mind-numbing statue. Tell me what you have to say. I have a class to get to."
"Well Malfoy, if you'd just shut your mouth for a bloody second maybe she'll be able to get a word out." A voice behind him suggested.
Draco smirked. It's so typical, the situation. Humble Granger gets into a spat and Saint Potter saves the day. It was revolting.
"Ah Potter. Coming to the rescue once again? How lovely. But I think Granger would agree with me when I say that she can take care of herself, so why don't you...just step outside and mind your own bloody business." Saying this without turning to speak to the boy but instead staring Hermione in the face. Eye to eye.
Draco could see that she was slowly regaining her confidence, he could tell by watching her face, her expressions. And as he watched, he could tell that along with her buoyancy, she was also getting quite frustrated.
"It's ok Harry. I got this." Hermione said, looking Harry in the eye. "I'll be fine."
"Ha...hear that Potter?! She'll be fine." Draco said in mock surprise. He found it quite disgusting how they "protect" each other but pretend to not need each other's help. He didn't think that made sense in the least.
"Look Malfoy. Let's make this quick and painless...the fact is we have to work on this project together. So I thought maybe we could meet at the library tonight coz I'll be quite busy the rest of the week." Hermione suggested, hoping he'd just take it and leave her alone without questions.
Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Is she serious?" He thought and started laughing. "Poor muggle-borns just have no sense do they?" He started laughing.
"And what makes you think that I would go along with your schedule? What if I was busy tonight?"
He saw her scrunch up her nose, knowing what he meant by busy. Of course she was wrong because contrary to popular belief, Draco does not sleep around with just any girl who would offer herself. Malfoys are way too high for such desperate acts. Even he's confused as to where the stories of him liking it "hard" and "rough" come from. Girls just seem to make these stories up and he never really cared to clear it all up because in a strange way, he gained an out of normal level respect. Guys seem to look up to him thinking he's this cool smooth player who can get any girl in the sac anytime he wants and girls just want him even more.
But despite that, it didn't mean that he couldn't let Granger believe whatever it is she wants to believe and have a little fun. It made him snigger inside. She sighed deeply.
"Fine. What time is convenient for you?" She asked and Draco noticed that she looked a bit weary. Worn out. Tired.
He looked her up and down but not like before. This time, it was less menacing. He was just looking for signs of trickery, being oblivious to why she was giving up so soon in the fight. Of the three, Granger was always the hardest to crack and the last to give in. He took one last look. One last good look. This time he took her appearance in.
From a distance, she looks just like every other girl with her school robes and all but he could tell that she was wearing those muggle clothes again. Nice black jeans and a white thin long sleeved shirt with a little tight black t-shirt over that. He'd seen others wear them this same way, mostly guys though but somehow it looked endearing on her. It framed her body quite well. She even looked rather cute especially with her hair all loose like that.
"And how I hate her still." He thought smugly but maybe he should just give her a break. Just this once. Besides I'm not in a mood for another row.
"Tonight's fine. At 8:00 then." And with that he strode past her and out the door. As he was walking down the corridor he couldn't help feeling a little weird. That could've been the most civilized conversation they've had in 6 years and all because Draco let her off the hook and why? Because she looked tired...AND because I'm not feeling all that great either.
"I did not let her "off the hook" because I thought she needed a rest. I did it because of me."
Draco shook his head, not knowing what's gotten into him and went straight to his next class not daring to give it another thought.
*~*~*
Hey. Ok...for this chapter I hope I'm going on a good pace. I didn't want them to feel too much yet because after all this is just the third chapter. I do have an idea for this story, I mean to say I know what I want it to be like but I do not have a definite plot written down or anything. I'm just going along as I go hoping it'll turn out good. D/Hr is my fave couple. My "ship" as I've heard ppl say it. I think it would be totally hot if they ever got together. Ahhaha.
Thanx so much for the reviews. lol I'm so glad you liked it. I'll try not to disappoint. Pls. Keep r/r...bye.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
*~*~*
"I didn't even know it was you. It wasn't until I realized it was your bushy head I was saving."
What he said had been a lie. In fact, he knew perfectly well it was Granger that he was helping out. He couldn't understand what exactly possessed him to do it. It wasn't out of kindness or him trying to be a gentleman, they weren't the reasons. He kept telling himself over and over again that it was simply the fact that he had pitied that cursed muggle born enough to actually decide to help the poor thing out. But he knew he was kidding himself. When he finally came to an understanding, he didn't like it one bit.
It was an urge. An urge that suddenly seem to flow through his veins and right up to every part of his body. An urge to get close to her. To touch her. He felt it when he saw her there the very first time in over two months.
He was sitting alone quietly, peacefully in his compartment, savoring the last few minutes of his freedom before his two goons of a friend come barging in on him, trapping him to a whole year of hell. Draco was simply sitting there, until he saw her.
Hermione had just passed through the wall and stood there being harassed by the crowd. Draco was watching her standing there looking at the express when suddenly her eyes passed through his window. At first he was surprised, he nearly kicked himself for staring at her too long. She could've seen him. But he was even more surprised when he saw a faint smile spread across her face. He was all of a sudden captivated by her appearance.
He was a bit confused because in a lot of ways, she was still the same. The same old Granger that he hated. She still had that same bushy hair though now it seemed tamed. It looked controlled and not just flying from her head in every direction. Her curls were nice and bouncy. Very natural. Her eyes were so round and chocolaty. Even from afar you could see the glowing amber of her eyes. Her skin had a pure tone to it. It was white and milky. And her lips. He found it hard to look away. They were luscious and soft. He could almost feel himself touching them.
And then his eyes wandered off were he wanted to get to with eagerness. Her body. He was a bit surprised because in all the years they've known each other, he's never looked at her this way before. She was slender with curves just where she needed them. Draco could see her legs, which were long and toned. He was half wishing that her skirt was just a bit higher. He couldn't deny that the muggle born changed for the better. Perhaps even for the best.
However as soon as the thought entered his mind, Draco pushed it away just as fast. He would not let some filthy disgusting muggle born provoke him. He is not attracted to her. Well, he is but simply for her physical appearance. Nothing more. And absolutely nothing is going to happen.
He was wrong.
Shaking his head, Draco decided he needed a walk. The rest of the school wasn't even on the train yet; he might as well stretch his legs. This proved to be a bad idea. When he stepped out of his compartment, the girl he was just thinking about came into view and that was when he felt it.
It was different when he was watching Hermione from inside but now they were in the same room. Although she had her back to him. As he watched her walk, he had half a mind to go straight to her, drag her to his compartment and do the things he wanted to do. "I'd show her what her precious Potter could never live up to." Draco thought with a smirk.
It was then that Granger tripped. He didn't even need to think about it. No hesitation. It was instinct that told him to help her and it was lust that told him to get close to her.
So Draco came to her rescue. He wrapped his arm around her thin waist and one on her arm. And as soon as his skin made contact with hers, it felt like a spark. Her skin burned his but in a good way. It was pleasure but at the same time, it angered him that she gave off this invigorating feeling.
When she was back on her feet, he made sure she didn't know it had been him. It could cause chaos, especially for his part. He cannot afford to lose his reputation and disgrace his family name by involving himself with a Mudblood. He's worked so much for what he is, for the respect and fear people have for him and his family and nobody, especially a muggle born was going to jeopardize that.
*~*~*
Hermione woke up to the sound of her alarm. It was quarter to eight and she had 15 minutes to get ready. To some girls this would've been a crisis but not for Hermione. She doesn't bother herself with the "putting on make up" or taking hours to decide which robes to wear or even how to do her hair. She was pretty much the plainest girl around and she couldn't care less. "Besides..." she thought "there isn't anybody to impress."
Almost instinctively her mind went back to him. She frowned in disgust and shame. She could've hexed herself to oblivion for being so bloody stupid. She knew, deep inside that that's what he was going to say. "...So why didn't you just backed off?"
Thinking about it now, 2 weeks later, it was because maybe for once in her life a guy might have liked her. Meaning to say she has never felt like that. Not even with Viktor. They did go out for a while but it was nothing to gossip about. The people always made it sound so much more that what it really was.
After she had gotten ready, wearing her usual robes with her muggle clothes underneath and her hair in a loose ponytail with her bangs just framing the edges of her face, she stepped into the common room and decided to forget about breakfast and go straight to the dungeons for Potions.
As she rounded the corner and about to open the door, she was greeted by a snake. She growled silently.
"'Morning" she said quietly. Not knowing why she even spoke to the git.
Draco simply nodded. This was the first time they had been face to face after their little encounter. He opened the door and as expected budded her way and went inside with out even holding the door so she could enter.
"Someone needs to learn some manners" she huffed but secretly hoping that he didn't hear.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger had kindly given us some of their precious time and cared to join us." Snape said in an overly sweet voice that made them cringe. And then with a harsh tone "...you two...sit together. You're going to be partners."
Hermione's mouth dropped slightly. She cursed inside. "Great. Not only am I late for class but I have to work with IT." She thought miserably, but knowing better than to argue with the even bigger snake, she silently and obediently sat herself on the empty table at the very back and cautiously waited for her partner.
*~*~*
Draco could've hexed his Potions professor right at that moment. This was insane. Snape had never done this to him. Sure he's paired him up with Potter, but that was different. That was competition. "And so is this" Draco thought "trying to compete with that slimy creature for the better grade. But this is your grade together." Draco knew that Snape was perfectly aware how much Granger got in his nerves.
As he was about to open his mouth to argue, Snape quieted him. "No need for arguing Mr. Malfoy because who your partner is, is who your partner is. NO questions."
"But sir, you know that I can't possibly-"
"I said no arguments about it Mr. Malfoy. The point is, you were late for class and I've already assigned everyone. And you and Ms. Granger" Snape nodded his greasy head in Hermione's direction "were both the only ones left. So I put you together. Please do understand that and sit down. It'll save me the breath to explain."
Breathing in and out was the only thing that he could do to keep himself composed. Taking another deep breath, he seated himself next to that filthy muggleborn – of course moving his chair a little farther than necessary.
"What Granger? What's so funny about not wanting to be near you that you have to roll your eyes on me?" he asked a bit harsher than he intended.
"Nothing Malfoy. Its just that you act like I'm the vermin in this group when the rest of us know it's the other way around." Hermione retorted right back with just as much coldness.
"So if I'm so unbearable, why don't you just leave? And please, take your mouth with you. I can't stand to hear your voice any longer."
As soon as Draco said it, he regretted it – deep inside, way deep inside. Hermione gave him the usual cold glare but it was different this time. It wasn't as though she did because she was annoyed but because she actually felt hurt. She went a tad red but quickly turned around using her hair to cover her face, blocking his view of her.
"Yes. Keep your head down just as you should Granger." He thought in annoyance. But all through out the class (which they both thanked god, didn't need much communication in their part) he still had a lingering feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Was it guilt? Nah, can't be. Draco simply shrugged it off knowing himself enough to know that he has been insulting the Golden Trio for as long as he can remember and had never felt bad about it.
By the end of the class, Draco was ready to get out of there as fast as possible. As he was packing his bag, quite hastily out of rush, he heard Granger's voice from behind him. He turned around.
"What do you want?" Draco asked. Looking at her now she seemed a little nervous.
"Umm..." She's biting her bottom lip, probably out of mental strain, Draco noted (and half chuckled at his wittiness) then kicked himself for noticing.
Draco rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh. "Well...don't just stand there like a mind-numbing statue. Tell me what you have to say. I have a class to get to."
"Well Malfoy, if you'd just shut your mouth for a bloody second maybe she'll be able to get a word out." A voice behind him suggested.
Draco smirked. It's so typical, the situation. Humble Granger gets into a spat and Saint Potter saves the day. It was revolting.
"Ah Potter. Coming to the rescue once again? How lovely. But I think Granger would agree with me when I say that she can take care of herself, so why don't you...just step outside and mind your own bloody business." Saying this without turning to speak to the boy but instead staring Hermione in the face. Eye to eye.
Draco could see that she was slowly regaining her confidence, he could tell by watching her face, her expressions. And as he watched, he could tell that along with her buoyancy, she was also getting quite frustrated.
"It's ok Harry. I got this." Hermione said, looking Harry in the eye. "I'll be fine."
"Ha...hear that Potter?! She'll be fine." Draco said in mock surprise. He found it quite disgusting how they "protect" each other but pretend to not need each other's help. He didn't think that made sense in the least.
"Look Malfoy. Let's make this quick and painless...the fact is we have to work on this project together. So I thought maybe we could meet at the library tonight coz I'll be quite busy the rest of the week." Hermione suggested, hoping he'd just take it and leave her alone without questions.
Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Is she serious?" He thought and started laughing. "Poor muggle-borns just have no sense do they?" He started laughing.
"And what makes you think that I would go along with your schedule? What if I was busy tonight?"
He saw her scrunch up her nose, knowing what he meant by busy. Of course she was wrong because contrary to popular belief, Draco does not sleep around with just any girl who would offer herself. Malfoys are way too high for such desperate acts. Even he's confused as to where the stories of him liking it "hard" and "rough" come from. Girls just seem to make these stories up and he never really cared to clear it all up because in a strange way, he gained an out of normal level respect. Guys seem to look up to him thinking he's this cool smooth player who can get any girl in the sac anytime he wants and girls just want him even more.
But despite that, it didn't mean that he couldn't let Granger believe whatever it is she wants to believe and have a little fun. It made him snigger inside. She sighed deeply.
"Fine. What time is convenient for you?" She asked and Draco noticed that she looked a bit weary. Worn out. Tired.
He looked her up and down but not like before. This time, it was less menacing. He was just looking for signs of trickery, being oblivious to why she was giving up so soon in the fight. Of the three, Granger was always the hardest to crack and the last to give in. He took one last look. One last good look. This time he took her appearance in.
From a distance, she looks just like every other girl with her school robes and all but he could tell that she was wearing those muggle clothes again. Nice black jeans and a white thin long sleeved shirt with a little tight black t-shirt over that. He'd seen others wear them this same way, mostly guys though but somehow it looked endearing on her. It framed her body quite well. She even looked rather cute especially with her hair all loose like that.
"And how I hate her still." He thought smugly but maybe he should just give her a break. Just this once. Besides I'm not in a mood for another row.
"Tonight's fine. At 8:00 then." And with that he strode past her and out the door. As he was walking down the corridor he couldn't help feeling a little weird. That could've been the most civilized conversation they've had in 6 years and all because Draco let her off the hook and why? Because she looked tired...AND because I'm not feeling all that great either.
"I did not let her "off the hook" because I thought she needed a rest. I did it because of me."
Draco shook his head, not knowing what's gotten into him and went straight to his next class not daring to give it another thought.
*~*~*
Hey. Ok...for this chapter I hope I'm going on a good pace. I didn't want them to feel too much yet because after all this is just the third chapter. I do have an idea for this story, I mean to say I know what I want it to be like but I do not have a definite plot written down or anything. I'm just going along as I go hoping it'll turn out good. D/Hr is my fave couple. My "ship" as I've heard ppl say it. I think it would be totally hot if they ever got together. Ahhaha.
Thanx so much for the reviews. lol I'm so glad you liked it. I'll try not to disappoint. Pls. Keep r/r...bye.