Thank you everyone who has favorite or reviewed. =) Now that I've "set the stage", time to fast forward a bit.
The train station was bustling and the air was bloated with sound. Students bid their families hasty farewells before leaping onto the train to join their friends. First-year students looked terrified of the great red train.
"Well, Draco, off you go."
Draco glanced over his shoulder at his father. No "good luck", no "congratulations", nothing. He bit the inside of his cheek and nodded. He strode away from his father and stepped up into the train.
"Oh, Hermione, we're so proud of you!"
Draco stopped, looking back from the doorway.
"Oh, Mom, thank you! I'm so excited!"
He sneered as the two women hugged. Her father stood, smiling nearby.
"Go, the trains waiting. Enjoy yourself!"
Hermione smiled, bade them a quick good bye and kissed her father's cheek. She strode confidently toward the train, right toward Draco.
"Good morning, Granger," he said, stepping aside.
"Good morning," was her crisp reply. She was already in her school robes. The smell of lavender and vanilla drifted up to him as she swept past. He watched as she tossed her bag into the Heads' compartment. He made a move toward their shared space, but she spun and slammed into his chest. Almost automatically, he put one arm around her back and grabbed the wall with the other.
"Malfoy!" She pushed off of him with a huff. She glowered at him indignantly. "Please move."
He thought about refusing, he thought about dragging her back into the compartment. But he mentally slapped himself and stepped aside, gesturing her past with an arm.
"Thank you." Her stride was quick as she walked past, most likely toward her friends' compartment. He watched her until she ducked into one. She infuriated him. She was the embodiment of everything he couldn't have. She tormented him.
He turned and slouched into the richly upholstered seat. Every fiery insult she threw at him made him want to test just how fiery she really was. Every defiant toss of her head, every indignant stare made him want to force her to submit. He wanted to punish her for torturing him. He wanted to throw her down and rip her shirt to shreds. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair and ravage her lips. He wanted to push her skirt up around her waist and-
The train jolted forward and he nearly fell from his perch.
"Malfoy why aren't you in your robes?"
He hadn't heard her return. He looked up and smirked.
"Because the train just started moving. We have hours before we arrive. Really, Granger, relax."
She rolled her eyes, leaning in the door.
"Malfoy, you could set a good example, you know. We are Heads."
"I am setting a good example," he replied, loosely crossing his arms, "See, I'm sitting quietly, not causing trouble."
"Just change," she retorted with an exasperated sigh.
"Do you just not like what I'm wearing, Granger? Am I indecent?" He looked down at what he was wearing. "I thought I looked quite stylish."
She pursed her lips for a moment, then shook her head with a sigh.
"I am not having this argument with you, Malfoy."
"Good. Because I'm not changing." He smirked triumphantly, crossing one ankle over his knee.
"Malfoy, really? I thought being this immature was beneath you." She quirked an eyebrow, a silent challenge.
Draco scoffed, standing. He stood almost an entire head above her.
"Thank you for that veiled compliment. But we can argue about this all you want Granger, but you can't make me do anything. As much as that may bother you, you will have to accept my refusal to comply. I find cashmere much more comfortable than the second-rate fibers they've disguised as cotton anyway."
She studied him for a second before lowering her eyes to study his chest. She reached out and rubbed the sleeve of his sweater between her fingers. She shook her head with a knowing smile.
"You would, Malfoy. You would feel the necessity to point out your family's affluence." She scoffed lightly. "I can only imagine the inadequacy you're trying to cover up under that façade."
He scowled and leaned toward her, expression dark.
"Keep imagining, Granger. Maybe you'll get to see it one day."
