Chapter 2

Later that night, everyone gathered in the hall. The Hogwarts ghosts were running through, right past Draco who was too busy moaning about his injury to take any notice.

Pansy was all over Draco, as per usual.

'Does it hurt terribly Draco?' she cooed, stroking his shoulder. With all of the attention he was getting, he was overreacting.
The trio was watching the scene unfold in front of them, when Ron grumbled, 'Listen to the idiot, he's really laying it on thick, isn't he?'

'I hear Draco's father's furious. We haven't heard the end of this.' Hermione chirped in. For some reason, Hermione felt uncomfortable with the sight of Parkinson all over Malfoy- if she didn't know any better, she would have thought it was jealousy.

She was pulled from her thoughts as a loud voice screamed the news that Sirius Black had been sighted.

The next day in Defence Against the Dark Arts, they were learning the spell to change a Boggart's form to overpower the fear a Boggart would create. Before the class that morning at breakfast, the only thing Hermione could think about was how Draco was treated at home by Lucius. She wondered if he got abused or neglected, and if that was the reason he constantly wants attention, because he doesn't get any at home.

Hermione thought back to Draco's comment a few moments ago about the class being 'ridiculous'.. She pondered on the statement and she wondered if it was because Draco was so scared of his fear and feared showing it to the class itself.

As she queued up to face the Boggart, she began to question the form her Boggart would take as the only thing she could think of was failing in class. But she wasn't that shallow.. was she?

She knew from books that Boggart's react to your deepest darkest fears, ones that you may never even have known you could have had.

It was Harry's turn to step up, and just as the Boggart was about to change, Lupin got thrown off teaching the class for a moment and finished off the lesson early, dismissing the class.

Hermione felt outraged, wanting her lessons worth. She stormed up to Lupin, trying not to show her anger in front of a teacher.
'Professor, sir, I've read all about Boggarts and how to change the form, but it really is useless unless I get the chance to actually practice the spell, and when am I ever going to get the chance again to confront such a creature?'

'Of course Miss Granger, and after hearing all of the praise about you within the staff circle, I am sure you're trust worthy enough to leave to practice here. I will be in my office marking second year papers if you need me, or if there is an emergency. Put the Boggart back in the cupboard when you are done,' as he walked up the stairs to his office.

Just as Hermione was readying herself for any fear she might have, the classroom door opened revealing a certain Malfoy.

'Malfoy… what are you doing here?' she sighed, lowering her wand.

'Well, believe it or not Granger, you're not the only one around here that cares about your grades...'

'Well that's a first… you didn't call me Mudblood,' in fake shock, putting her hand sarcastically over her heart.

Draco smirked, and leaned casually against the wall - crossing his arms, 'Don't be stupid Granger, I thought you were supposed to be smart?'

'Why, is it all just an act with you then?', She asked him, thinking about what she has been questioning about his home life, and what would happen if she brought it up. He glanced at the ground, with no answer, so she carried on. 'It is! Well then why do you act so vile towards me?'

'Oh you learn so quickly Granger, ten points to know-it-all!' his voice dripping in sarcasm.

'Don't ignore my question Malfoy,' she spat angrily at the ground. Why was he being such a narcissistic git?

'Come on then, show me how this spell is done if you're so clever, brain box,' again, avoiding her question, Draco pulled out his wand which made Hermione take a step back, thinking the worst, and was surprised when he aimed it instead at the cupboard that held the Boggart inside.

Draco took a step back, so that Hermione was in the Boggart's line of sight. What astonished him was that instead of McGonagall issuing her bad grades; it was something that even surprised him...