Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to J. K. Rowling. Any text from her books is italicized.
Draco's Curse
Chapter 3
The next day, he came down to breakfast just in time to see Granger storming out of the great hall, her eyes glistening with tears. Weasley was watching her go defiantly. Draco got up and followed her to where she sat crying under a tree by the lake. He watched for a few minutes, then stepped out into the light.
"Granger?" She jumped up, then seeing who it was, sat back down.
"Piss off, Malfoy. I can't deal with you right now."
He smiled gently. "I'm not here to insult you, Hermione." She hid her face in her hands. "Go away, Malfoy." Then she paused, lifting her head. "Did you just call me Hermione?" He nodded. She stared at him. "Why?"
He shrugged. She looked at him suspiciously. "What the hell do you want, Malfoy? Just tell me and then leave me alone." He looked hurt. "I just want to know why you were crying, Granger. That's all. No ulterior motives, I promise." He held up his hands as if to show he had nothing to hide. She was looking utterly bewildered. "I-well, if you must know, I was crying because Ron was being an utter jerk. He keeps accusing me of letting my cat attack his rat..." She trailed off, staring out past the lake with glistening eyes. He was suddenly furious with Weasley. What right did he have to make this beautiful girl so unhappy?
"Would you like me to go hex him? Because I will..." he broke off as he realized what he was saying. She was staring at him wide eyed. "Do you need to visit the hospital wing, Malfoy?" she blurted out. He was confused. "No, why?"
"Well, you're being...nice."
"Oh, thanks."
'No! I mean, you're acting, well, decent to me. You've never done that before."
"Maybe I've had a change of heart." She giggled nervously, then when he began to laugh, she laughed too, in earnest. Then, wiping her eyes, she looked towards the castle. "I'd better go," she said reluctantly. "I have class..."
He nodded. "Me too. I'll see you around, Granger."
"See you around, Malfoy." She got up and walked towards the school, her brown hair swinging beautifully on her back. He tore his gaze away and walked down to Care of Magical Creatures, his next class. All class he was distracted. Even Pansy imitating Hagrid behind his back grew dull. All he could think about was Granger's almost-friendly smile when she was speaking to him. She had never looked at him like that before...and it brought out a side of her he had never seen before. When he went up to his bed that night and closed his eyes, the only thing he saw was Granger. Her image seemed imprinted on his eyelids.
Author's Note: Reviews?
