Semi-Finals

Team: Magpies

Position: Beater 2

Prompt: The Outsiders

Bonus prompts:

(word) unsettled

(emotion) afraid

(dialogue) "Is that all that you've got?" "No. But I like you so I don't want to hurt you."

Disclaimer: Harry Potter Belongs to JK Rowling.

The day started out for Hermione as any day would. She went to her classes, did her studying, and then went to the courtyard for a bit of light reading. Things had been shaky with the Golden Trio as of late. It had gotten to the point where she really couldn't stand Ron, mainly because of Lavender Brown. She could not stand that girl. Seriously, what did that blonde-headed bimbo have that she didn't have? Was it the hair? Was it her flawless skin? Hermoine could easily get all of that herself with the use of a beauty spell.

Then there was of course Harry. He seemed to be gone for hours if not days at a time, only showing up during classes and then vanishing. Anytime Hermoine would ask about the reason for Harry's disappearance he would simply say one word. "Dumbledore." Hermoine figured it had something to do with Voldemort so she couldn't exactly blame him for being so focused, but it certainly made things lonelier. On top of that, it frankly would have also been nice to have a normal school year for once, but ,alas, she was a friend of Harry Potter. Being normal in any capacity was not an option.

While she was drinking from one of the water fountains on the 3rd floor, she saw a streak of black and yellow flash from the corner of her eye. The figure moved in a sporadic and unsettled manner. Once her vision was in focus, she recognized the figure to be Malfoy. That was odd. Normally Malfoy had a more sophisticated walk to his step.

At first, Hermoine had elected to ignore it. Malfoy was not exactly a friend by any stretch of the imagination, and any business he had she was certain she didn't want to be involved in it. She changed her mind however when she saw him slink into a dark hallway. Call it curiosity or concern, but something just didn't seem right and Hermoine was determined to find out what it was. So, as sneakily as she could, she followed him. She only made it a few feet before she accidentally scuffed one of the walls with the heel of her shoe.

Malfoy stopped in his tracks, as did Hermoine. Part of her wanted to turn heel and run, but she knew at this point it would do no good.

"Haven't you learned not to stick your nose where it doesn't belong, Granger?"

Much like he attempted to do with Harry before, Malfoy tried to stun Hermoine with a freezing charm, however she blocked it with a flick of her wrist. He cast more spells at her but again she blocked them.

"Fight back, Granger!" Malfoy growled as he continue to cast spells. All of which she blocked.

"I said fight back, you filthy mudblood!" Malfoy growled again.

Hermonie cast a Knockback Jinx that sent Malfoy sliding across the floor, but he was able to stop himself.

"Is that all that you've got?"

"No. But I like you so I don't want to hurt you," Hermoine said softly.

In another time Hermoine would have used the opportunity to smirk and perhaps even mock Malfoy. After all, the two had been all but rivals. After all the mocking, insults and slurs, She could easily play with him like a cat did with a mouse.

But this wasn't about any sort of childish rivalry. She could see it in his eyes; they were dilated to the point they were almost black. His breathing was heavy like he was panicking. He was afraid. What he was afraid of she did not know, but the fear was as clear as an illumination spell.

"Look, whatever is going on, maybe I can help."

Malfoy's mouth twisted into a snarl. "You think you can help me? You really think you can help me? You don't know what it's like, Granger! You don't know what it's like to have the fate of your bloodline on your shoulders! Your parents were probably ecstatic when you were able to do simple parlor tricks as a baby. Yet time after time you always have to prove how much better you are than everyone else! Hermoine Granger, the smartest person in the room!"

So that's what this was about? All of this was just Malfoy cracking under the pressure of reaching standards that were simply unattainable. Was it really that simple? Malfoy was technically correct. The fact that she was magical at all was enough to make her ecstatic. The day she got her letter, her mum nearly fainted. She didn't have a family history to constantly measure up against. Looking into Malfoy's eyes, she could see that fear of failure was crushing him. She felt sorry for him.

She decided she'd end it. A couple of hard knockback jinxes sent Malfoy to the ground. With the victor clear, Hermione walked over to him and offered a hand. Malfoy made no attempt to grab it.

"Do you want a hand or are you just going to lay on the floor like an idiot?"

After a moment of hesitation, Draco grabbed her hand. She sat him on a chair and watched as he immediately burst into tears.

"I just want to make them proud of me."

Hermone pit her lip. Was this real? She never expected she'd see Draco like this. He was so afraid, so unsettled, so…vulnerable. Before she realized what she was doing, she felt her arms wrapping around him. It was almost like a sister comforting her brother.

"There are more important things in life than just book smarts. You're right, I don't know what it's like to bear the kind of burden you have." She then looked him dead in the eyes. "What is it that you want to be, Malfoy? I mean you, not your parents, just you."

Malfoy wiped the tears from his eyes. "I don't know. I don't know what I want anymore. I'm…" Malfoy looked away before finally whispering. "I'm scared. I don't know what's about to happen. It makes me feel like a coward."

Hermoine nodded. "We're all scared about You Know Who, Malfoy. You're not a coward. You're not alone either."

Malfoy cocked his head to the side, gobsmacked. "Why are you comforting me like this? After everything I've said to you over the years, I thought you would have loved to get even."

Hermoine smirked. "Maybe I am on the inside."

After a pause the two began to chuckle. "It's a shame, Granger. With your talents, you would have made a good pureblood and a good Slytherin. Maybe in another life we could have been siblings, maybe even friends."

"Who's to say we can't be friends?"

Malfoy paused for a moment. "Maybe, but I still have a reputation to uphold. If you say anything I will deny it."

"Why, Malfoy, I wouldn't dream of it." Hermoine gave a cheeky grin and got up. "Well, I need to get back to reading, but Draco, if you need anything you know where to find me."

Hermonie walked away but there was a slight smile on her face. Maybe there was more to Draco than meets the eye.