Chapter 3: Pride & Prejudice

by:

YearofDragons

authors note: Hey all here's another one for you! I know my updates are rather random I'll try to find my rhythm I promise ;) I will however try to make sure I don't update too far in between. With that said, the upcoming chapters will still have a bit of flashback =) ok a loOOong flashback [sorry to disappoint you SmileSimplify]. I am, IresRose and JuliSt included ;), rather fond however of the flashbacks and I feel as if it helps with my storyline. There will probably be this one and the one after with a rather lengthy flashback. After that the story will consist mainly in the "present." Don't be mad. I hope you enjoy the read. Have fun! XOXO

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and it's enchanted writing. I do however own my brain! (…I think) XOXO

Chapter 3: Pride & Prejudice

There was a hollow, sulky looking man who stared back at him from the shadows. In all reality it was how Draco looked like right now and his paranoia was playing tricks on him with all the reflective surfaces. Reminding Draco just how much he's changed, not only mentally, but physically as well. Slytherin colors adorned his childhood room, with silver more of the prominent color, he remembered insisting this from his mother or his room would look like the woodlands gone mad.

Being back in the Manor he thought he would feel a stronger connection, or anger, either one, but instead he felt none. Instead as he looks around, all he can feel is apathy. Gone was the spoilt little boy who used his father's money to buy whatever happiness is for sale. Gone was the prideful man who was taught carrying the Malfoy name meant mountains being moved. Gone was his essence of knowing who he is and who he can become. The shadow that mocked him was spiteful, reveled in solitude, and wanted to drag Draco farther in the dark with it.

Taking out a small box off his coat, Draco makes his way to his desk and changes it back to it's original box. It wasn't a big difference, he really hadn't had a lot to take home with him from Azkaban. If he was stronger, he would have burned them a long time ago. But he was weak, he used them as his crutches when the darkness comes calling.

They were the only link he had left with Hermione, they were the last hope of his humanity. Draco thumbed through his old letters that he used to receive regularly from the spirited girl. He had re-read it so many times that they were definitely worn out and dirty. Shaking his head, he was surprised a tear fell on them. He stopped himself, bracing his heart for the pain it is so familiar with at this point. Sure enough the ache came, starting small and spreading it's bile, engulfing his beating heart. The familiar stab, shortness of breath, and then full on despair crept up on him. Looking at Hermione's delicate hand writing had done it again.

Good thing there was a chair to catch Draco, it seemed as if his knees had buckled. True, he had cried his fare share of the lost of contact, but he thought he had grieved it enough. Apparently being outside and that much closer to a possibility had made it more devastating to know that Hermione was out of his reach.

'Ugh I need a drink," and with that thought Draco decided to go and pester his good ol' friend Blaise.

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Contemplating wether his information was correct, Draco took a quick glance around the neighborhood and looked up to the cottage once more. A good size home, bricks with ivy running up and down, and there was actually a turret on either ends of the home. It was far from the city life Draco had pictured his friend from living, hell there was even a duck pond he can see over the back garden. Second guessing whether he should knock, he once again looked at his small parchment. Narcissa's handwriting was clear, this was the address she had written, and she was a very reliable source.

Casting his second thoughts aside, Draco strolled up the gates and was utterly surprised that it let him pass. Baffled but not surprised, Draco rolled up to the front door and gave it a knock. A house elf opened it and Draco instantly recognized it as Blaise's, Zotti, apparently the elf recognized Draco too.

"Oh master Draco you is well, I must inform master Blaise," the elf drawled with his heavy Italian accent.

"There's no need Zotti I'm here, can you go to the kitchen please." Blaise Zabini came forward with an apron on and struck out his hand. Draco shook it and looked on at his friend knowing he was missing something. "Come on, we were just about to have lunch."

"We…?" Draco followed behind his childhood friend a bit cautiously, not knowing what will await him on the other side of that door.

Whatever Draco was thinking, it wasn't this. Pots were steaming, engulfing the kitchen with a savory aroma, and oh yeah, there was a baby on the kitchen counter. A fat speckled face ginger head baby. The poor elf's ear was being tugged every kind of way and there was drool pooling out of the baby's mouth.

"Ehhh Blaise is that suppose to be normal?" Draco gingerly pointed at the large mass of water gathering just under the baby's chin.

Blaise laughed and told him, yes that it was normal. He hadn't even been able to offer Draco a drink when the back door opened and a stunning long legged beauty strolled in.

"Malfoy?!" Draco could only stare back and forth between the other two adults. Then it suddenly all clicked. He should have known, that baby sported a ginger patch for crying out loud. That damn genes was strong.

"Hello, Weaselette." Draco tried to keep the vile out of his voice, he had thought he was doing good, apparently not good enough.

"Oh don't look too sour Malfoy, you aren't what I was expecting either." Ginny went over to Blaise and gave him a kiss. "I'm assuming you guys will be going out, that actually is perfect, Mum's been asking to see Blaine and don't yoOoo wanna see Gammy wammy pumpkin." She tickled the little bugger and Draco didn't think that he was able to produce anymore liquid, but once again he was wrong.

"You're my angel," Blaise gave Ginny a kiss, a rather inappropriate one in front of company, Draco thought.

Of course, as a gentleman Draco looked away, but seeing Blaise and Ginny together brought out some bitter feeling. Here were two people who was on opposite side of everything while in Hogwarts, just snogging. Blaise a Slytherin, Ginny a bleeding Gryffindor. Pureblood and a Blood Traitor. Hell, they fought against opposing sides of the war for goodness sake. Now true, Blaise was more neutral, but he was leaning more of the sheep herded by He-Who-Was-The-Biggest-Hypocrite. Draco reprimanded himself for his unfounded jealousy, he should be happy for his mate, the bloody bugger actually landed the chit. It was just hard seeing them so bloody barmy over each other, but then again he can't be too mad at Blaise. If he could do things over again he definitely would have done things another way. Draco shifted uncomfortably on his heels.

"Sod off you two, you're making me sick." Draco couldn't take it anymore and had turned back around to find them still in each other's arms.

"Don't mind him my ruby gem, he's just jealous. Ain't that right mate?" Blaise gave his wife one more peck before giving her backside a playful pat.

'Oh damn right I'm jealous,' Draco thought. Yes given his chance, second year, this time he wouldn't just walk away.

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Draco was bored out of his mind, he's been home at the Manor for only a week and he already couldn't stand it. His year was interesting to say the least. It was chilly out as Draco made his way towards his mothers garden, he's always been partial to taking walks around it, Narcissa was an excellent gardener. Although for Draco, he couldn't understand why she felt the need to garden herself. Malfoy Manor had elves, more than enough to cater to the garden and still manage the house, for the lady of the Manor to succumb to menial labor was just unnecessary.

It was unbearable to be alone during holidays, not that he had many friends to begin with. Draco made his trek up the little hill and stopped under his favorite willow tree and took a seat on the swing. Absentmindedly he started swinging himself softly as his mind wanders off. The breeze was nice, unsticking his shirt off his back and cooling him all the way down to his toes. It was quiet here away from the main hustle and bustle of the manor, this is why Draco loves this spot. It was far enough to let his guards down, while still close enough to see the silhouette of the towering Manor, a stark reminder of the world he belongs in.

He's survived his first year and Draco was glad so did she. He kicked his legs up trying to get momentum to go higher and looked up to gaze at the clouds. The shapes were all the same, bushy hair, wild, and crazy. Draco saw her everywhere, heard her everywhere too. Hermione Jean Granger, insufferable know it all, who took great pleasure in avoiding Draco throughout the whole school year. Oh of course he saw her and he bloody well knew she saw him too! The girl was daft to think they wouldn't run into each other.

'Stupid chit actually heeded my advice,' Draco shook his head as a laugh escaped him.

So then why is he so disappointed then. Draco knew why, he would never admit it to another soul mind you, but he knew why. He was somewhat fond of the girl, Hermione was different and he knew that. It was rather obvious that the girls in his house where all self servicing slags. Or so he's heard. Yes she could use a good ol' spell to wrangle her woolly hair, maybe do something about them chompers, but at least she wasn't daft. Draco couldn't stand idle chit chats with nothing of value, he had to keep his mind sharp after all. So obviously if she chose to avoid him, it was only natural to seek her out and make her life miserable. No one, after all, can avoid a Malfoy.

Draco hadn't meant it to be mean, far from it. At first it was just to be able to talk to her, but she had taken it the wrong way and called her new "friends" to step in. Draco stopped swinging and just looked down at the ground. Earlier that day he had heard whispers that the intolerable nuisance was indeed a muggleborn. He had remembered hearing it from Pansy Parkinson and she had an instant ridicule at the tip of her tongue. Crabe and Goyle of course laughed at Hermione's unfortunate heritage, when Draco didn't, Pansy was quick to notice. So when Pansy saw that Draco was about to say something to Hermione as they were passing she was quick to bring up her blood to see if she can rile me up.

"It's unbelievable what kind of filth they let in school now a days," Pansy had sped up to be next to Draco. "Don't you think so Draco?"

"Oh uhhh," Draco glanced at Hermione and was just about to say something on the lines of how have you been, when the red hair tatter clothes chipped in.

"What did you say Parkinson?" Ron took a step in front of Hermione blocking her from Draco's view.

"It's ok Ron," Hermione reaches out to drag Ron back. "I heard purebloods tend to breed amongst themselves. Which is probably why her brain is too slow and stupid to understand that there is no difference in one's blood."

Panys gasped and clutched Draco's forearm, this brought back Draco to reality.

"Shut your mouth you filthy mudblood!" Draco cringed inside as the words came out, he knew that crossed a line. Hermione looked at him perplexed but twiddle Dee and twiddle Dum was on Draco instantly.

There was a scuffle before they were broken up by a prefect. Draco looked up to see Hermione with the look of resignation. Brown almond eyes drooped down just a little in the corner when she looked at him, finally coming to terms that they really were indeed not going to become friends. Not after this, not like this. Draco could only plaster a smirk with his bloody lip, masking his pained thoughts. 'Bloody hell.'

It was hard trying to find a moment with Hermione after that. But why does he have to care anyways, Draco started his steady swing once more. It was a bit disconcerting his, well whatever this was, he was feeling for Hermione. All he knew was that a bloke who is suppose to pretend that they're not friends, shouldn't be this consumed of said "person who is not to be befriended" right? But he was, oh he really was. It was getting late and Draco wondered what Hermione was doing. She was bewitching he admitted to himself. He knew he had to banish the thoughts of her, but after the scare of the Chamber of Secrets opening, he found that instead, it consumed him. Worry, guilt, helplessness, anger, regret, amongst the many colorful emotions that Draco had for the girl.

'Couldn't even keep herself safe, for someone with an overly large proportioned head *ahem* brain, she couldn't help herself from still being petrified," Draco mused.

Draco remembered as the news had traveled fast throughout Hogwarts. Walking encyclopedia Granger, mudblood best mate of the Avada proof Potter, was down for the count. Many of the Slytherins, hell almost all of them, had celebrated, even commenting on how deserving she was. Draco stayed silent, masking indifference, he was beginning to be extremely well with masking indifference. Draco learned quickly that in a house full of snakes, having the best poker face was your ace in your sleeve.

Secretly there was a battle going on between his heart and his head. His moral compass that has been beaten to almost non-existent was tugging at his heart and yet his brain kept control. He wouldn't go to Hermione, he didn't go, he stayed in the middle of the snake pit with his cool mask of indifference. His heart may not have won the battle, but it has started a war, and Draco knew it was going to be a long, difficult war.

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Hair flared out Hermione like a halo as she laid there under the tree looking up at the clouds. Her hand reaching up to them as if wanting to catch them and pocket them later for herself. She closed her eyes and just let the tranquility ebb over her. A gentle breeze carried someone's voice, 'Mudblood', moving her arm to cover her eyes, Hermione sighed.

Hermione did find friends and they came of the form of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. She wasn't expecting them to be chummy, to be honest Ron had teased her the first time they met and to be honest she was still a bit miffed. Hermione tried to stop thinking of Draco, but it was of no use. She saw him everywhere, heard him everywhere.

Summer holidays was spent with her mum and dad which is what Hermione needed. Telling them all about Hogwarts, showing them what little magic she could without breaking the rule; had all been distracting. Well not distracting enough. The little sweaty palmed, stumbling, haughty idiot, still managed to always creep in Hermione's head at the end of the day. Oh how she wished she had moved on, fickle thing this nagging feeling she's harboring.

"Arghhhh bloody hell!"

"Hermione who are you yelling at?" A lanky boy had made his way over to her and proceeded to plop himself down.

"Oh Harry you gave me a fright," Hermione sat up and clutched her front robes. "Nothing, just getting a bit of air is all."

Over the distance they can see a boy flailing his arm around desperately trying to catch their attention.

"We better go, we wouldn't want to be late for class," Hermione had started gathering her belongings when Harry took a hold of her arm.

"Is everything ok Hermione? Did your summer not go as well? You seem kind of down," Harry removed his hold on her and he stood up. Offering her his hand, "You've just seem…"

Taking Harry's hand, Hermione hoisted herself up and brushed off her robes.

"I'm fine Harry, really." She had started to turn herself away from him.

"Is it Malfoy?" Harry didn't miss the way her back stiffened as she stopped. "I've noticed he's been at the library a lot."

"Harry, this is a school, where you learn and do research. You can't possibly be upset that he wants to do his homework!" Hermione started to walk away again.

"I've noticed he's only there when you're there," for the second time Hermione halted. Oh Harry noticed that all right.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Harry, it can't be of any concern to me." With great effort Hermione put on a bright smile as she turned around and tugged at his sleeve. "Now come on, it's Hagrid's first day of class and it wouldn't do any good that we of all people are late."

Hagrid was a bit of a nervous wreck, which is why Hermione thought he was loosing his mind when he introduced a hippogriff as his first magical creature.

'For goodness sake how are we suppose to care for something that can possibly kill us,' Hermione mentally slapped her forehead.

Sure enough, something did go wrong.

"Step aside Potter!" Draco charged the beast hoping to impress Hermione. It didn't go unnoticed to him when she looked on with awe at how Potter was able to pet the filthy animal. Draco didn't expect however, for Buckbeak to attack him. The majestic beast lifted his legs in an attempt to scare off the new threat, Draco.

Hermione's eyes got wider, wider than she thought it could be and she let out a small gasp.

Draco was stumbling back and just happened to lock eyes with Hermione. Amber eyes were filled with distress, uncertainty, and is that concern, Draco had no time to mull over Hermione. Within that brief moment of distraction he had tripped over a rock, catching his fall with one hand, all he could do was cover his face with the other.

The beast struck him and warm blood was soaking his robes. Draco could only look at his gash in shock.

"Hagrid! He's hurt you need to take him to Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione hadn't realized she ran up to Draco. She took a hold of his elbow and he flinched.

Draco didn't mean to flinch, he looked up and saw hurt instantly surface within those irises. He had wanted to tell her that he didn't flinch because of her. He was bloody bleeding for goodness sake! Draco had flinched because miss know it all had pinched his damn arm, yes the one with an open gash, so forgive him for reacting. It was too late, Hermione stumbled back and made her way to her friends.

Hagrid swooped Draco up and was already making their way to the infirmary.

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Hermione contemplated about going to see Draco at the infirmary. Just to make sure he wasn't coming down with any magical malady, that was all. Well, that's what she kept telling herself anyways. But then again what would that look like, her sneaking around to go see Malfoy.

'He really shouldn't have been a rightful prick then he wouldn't have gotten himself injured," Hermione mumbled to herself.

"You really ought to stop talking to yourself, and here I thought you've finally made some friends." Draco came out of the shadows and sat himself next to Hermione. It was late and the library around these time are mostly, if not all but deserted.

Hermione jolted upright, sending a few of her notes flying off the table as she locked eyes with none other than the boy whom she was just fretting a minute ago. She shook her head, slapped her cheeks, and when she looked up he was still there.

Draco leaned in, "I assure you Granger your not dreaming." He leaned in even closer and whispered in her ear, "but from the look on your face it seems I have been plaguing you in your sleep."

Hermione couldn't help but blink a few times, she rubbed her eyes for good measure. The poor girl has had many late night studying and she feared that she was loosing her mind. He can't possibly be in front of her, Draco was suppose to be laying in bed somewhere not bleeding out. Wasn't he?

Smooth, his face was so close that Hermione can see just how smooth his skin was. It really wasn't fair, not a blemish in sight, and she just had to touch dream Draco. Her hand cupped his face and he laughed. The laughter reverberated through Hermione and she felt herself smile. It was such a warm feeling, his laughter was so good to hear, a hearty laugh.

"Granger your drooling," Draco didn't bother taking her hand off his face, truth be told he leaned into her warm tiny hand. She really did look faze, now looking at her, she seemed tired and over worked. He looked around the table and saw the many tomes she had opened around. This girl really need to go out more, it was Friday night for goodness sake.

Hermione did snap out of it, not before she realized that she was openly ogling Draco and being such a complete girl. A blush instantly heated Hermione's cheek as she took her hand back and tried to regain posture. This was not happening, Hermione wanted to bang her head on the table in front of her. Instead she tried her best at the hand of indifference.

"Hello Malfoy," she hated that her voice came out like a croak. She had been sitting here at the library quietly for so long, her vocals needed to be oiled apparently to stop embarrassing her.

"Granger," Draco continued to sit there, amused at just how uncomfortable she was. The heat radiating off her was duly noted and the blush she know sports was definitely locked away deep in his memory bank.

"You know it was incredibly stupid of you to aggravate a hippogriff," she had started fiddling with her quill. "They are incredibly prideful creature and they will not tolerate any disrespect. So you see you can't really be upset with it, you were incredibly offensive barging into him like that. Come to think of it you and Buckbeak are so much alike!"

Draco was lost on Hermione's rant, he really only focused on her lips. They were ordinary lips he suppose, but they were hers and that's all that mattered. The way she starts going off on something, her bottom lips getting shiny and plump from the constant way she sucks it in and plops it back out.

"Oh my, your arm," it's as if Hermione just noticed that Draco had a sling over his shoulder. "Malfoy you really ought to have stayed in the infirmary. What if it gets infected?" She fussed over his injury with her delicate hands.

"If your going to show this much concern over me, shouldn't you call me by my first name?" Draco lifted her chin to look into those mesmerizing eyes, "how about it Hermione."

"Draco," it had slipped out of her like a wisp, but she didn't regret it.

Those damn lips were like sirens, luring him and logic was non existence at the moment. He tried, well he could have tried harder, but why resist the pull. Draco closed the gap and kissed Hermione. It was glorious, soft, she tasted of strawberry, he smelled woody but enticingly aromatic. Hermione was feeling dizzy, her head having a hard time wrapping around the current state she's in.

"Does this mean we're friends again?" It was the first thing that came to her dazed mind Hermione. She didn't regret it, she really wanted to know.

Draco smiled and gave her one last peck on the forehead, "who said we were ever friends, Granger." He said her surname without malice, almost playfully actually, as he stood up and made his way out.

All Hermione could do was stare at him dumbfounded and just as she thought he couldn't be anymore of a paradox; Draco Malfoy looks back with that boyish smirk and winked.

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authors note:

Yes, I feel like this was a bit of a filler chapter and I'm sorry for that. I tried to make it good but my muse was no where to be found. I really just wanted to give you a chapter though. I hope you still like it. As promised I will have a DRAMIONE for Valentine's Day which is why the next update will be a bit farther apart. Don't kill me.

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