Chapter 1: Outbursts

The train at Platform 9 3/4 blew its last warning whistle, telling students to get on board or be left behind. After saying a final farewell to Molly and Arthur Weasley, Harry, Hermione, and Ron finally boarded the train and settled into an empty compartment. Harry glanced around before sitting down and turned to Hermione, who was already gazing out the window. He quickly glanced at Ron, who was too busy trying to open a box of Chocolate Frogs to notice anything, and leaned near Hermione and whispered in her ear.

“I’m a little nervous about this year.”

“Why?” Hermione asked keeping her sight on some passing trees.

“I have no idea what Voldemort might pull this year. He gave me nothing to go on last time and I’ve been freaking out all summer.”

Hermione turned her head towards Harry and made eye contact.

“Have you been having dreams, visions, anything?”

“No, but I don’t want to wait around until I do.”

Hermione sighed. “Harry, I know you’re worried, but we haven’t even gotten to Hogwarts yet! Until something happens that will give us reason to panic, I suggest you just relax and enjoy the school year without worry. Voldemort isn’t that stupid as to try something this early.”

Harry looked at Hermione and sighed.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“When am I not?” Hermione replied with a tiny grin. “Now I need to get going. There’s going to be a Prefects meeting about new precautions and I just can’t wait to develop new reasons to dislike Malfoy even more.”

“Isn’t staring at that nasty smirk of his enough?” Ron piped in. “One day I’m going to smack it right off his face and make him wish he…”

Ron started mumbling while staring at his Chocolate Frog, still trying to get it open, and scrunched his face when it refused. Hermione laughed as she turned and walked down the small corridor to the designated meeting room. She slowly walked up to the door when it opened suddenly. She let out a tiny yelp and back away from the door a bit. Crabbe and Goyle walked out and were startled to see Hermione standing there. They each gave her a dirty look and walked past her to their own compartment.

“Disgusting Mudblood,” Goyle whispered.
Hermione threw a look of disgust and walked into the room. She was surprised to find that there was very little light and she began to look around nervously. By the light coming from one of the windows, she saw a glint of white blonde hair.

“Malfoy?”

Draco looked up and Hermione noticed that his cheeks were slightly tear-stained. When he saw that it was her, he just put his head back into his hands.

“Not now, Granger.” He replied.

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. She took out her wand and put more lights in the room and sat next to the window. Not wanting to show any weakness, he quickly wiped his eyes and leaned back against his seat, wincing at the sudden change of light in the room.

“It was dark in here for a reason, Granger.”

Hermione looked over at Draco and scoffed.

“As nice of it was of you to make sure we couldn’t see that face of yours, it would be nice if the rest of us could see what’s in front of our own noses, Malfoy.”

Draco smirked. “Starting the bantering already? I would have hoped you had grown up over the summer.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Clearly I’m getting better at it than you.”

“Clearly.” He said quietly. A few moments of silence passed, and Hermione was baffled.

“What?” She finally asked, confused that he wasn’t retorting.

“I didn’t say anything if you didn’t notice, or did you lose your hearing?”

Hermione blushed and returned her attention to the moving objects outside. ‘Why isn’t he fighting back?’ She thought to herself. ‘Something about him is different.’

Hermione couldn’t help to avert her eyes in his direction once again and for the first time, she really drank in his profile. He had obviously gotten toned this summer, and she found that moving her gaze away from his arms to be a very difficult task. She moved upward, studying his facial features and making the connection of how he almost looked innocent without that damn smirk on his face. His jaw line was lightly covered with stubble here and there. His hair always seemed to be perfect, even if it was hanging in his face. Hermione quickly shook her gaze when he reached up to move some of his hair away from his eyes.

‘Those eyes of his don’t seem to fit.’ She thought. She shook her head realizing that she was fawning over Malfoy. She looked at him one last time, and decided to get to the bottom of his odd behavior.

“Malfoy, what’s your problem?”

Draco snapped his attention away from the window and stared at Hermione, his eyes seemed to have glazed over with annoyance.

“Excuse me?”
“What’s the matter with you? It’s not like you to just sit there and not insult me or call me a Mudblood.”

Draco cringed slightly at the word, but he continued to hold his stare. Why was she asking him this? Did she want to fight? The more he thought, the more aggravated he became.

‘I am not in the mood for this.’ He thought. Showing no signs of change, he slowly walked over to her and sat down. He could feel her eyes staring straight at him. He turned and looked her directly in the eyes; he could feel the tension coming off of her. He laughed to himself and leaned in closer, so that his mouth was next to her ear. Hermione was panicking. She could feel his breath on her neck, she wanted to move away but something stopped her.

“Is that a problem, Granger?” he whispered.

He heard her whimper. He smiled to himself and decided to see how this would turn out. He got closer and spoke again.

“Is this a problem?”

Hermione couldn’t believe what was going on. She didn’t want to admit to herself that Draco was starting to get to her, but she was afraid that he had already figured it out himself.

‘He’s playing this out.’ She thought. ‘Two can play this game…’

Hermione slowly turned her head towards Draco and locked eyes. She leaned towards his ear while resting her hand on his thigh. She scooted closer and was surprised to notice that Draco was holding his breath.

“I just want to know what’s bothering you, Draco.” She whispered.

Draco moved away at the sound of his name. His first name. She had actually said Draco. What the hell did that mean? He was starting to panic; something was making him like Hermione more than he should. He shouldn’t even like her at all! He looked away.

‘Anywhere but her. Don’t look at her.’ He looked down and realized that her hand was dangerously close to something. He put his hand on hers and he immediately felt electricity run through his veins. Hermione looked up at him, obviously having the same reaction and held his hand in hers, not wanting him to let go. He felt her squeeze his hand as he moved hers away from that position. He reluctantly let go of her hand and stood up.

“Just not in an arguing sort of mood, Granger.” He could barely stop the tears from falling down his face. There was too much going on in his mind to even bother to insult her. “Is that so hard for you to accept?” he finally asked, keeping his back facing her.

“Umm, yes actually. You’re not one to back down from a fight, especially against me. Are you okay?”

Draco looked over at Hermione. Concern had flooded her face. Should he tell her? No, why bother? It’s just that damn Gryffindor curiosity. Draco sighed.

“It’s nothing, Granger. Just had a rough summer with the family and let's just say that I’ve broadened my horizons. I’ve changed quite a bit and I’m not about to act the way I have been for the past years. Breaking a ‘habit’ I guess.”

“I’ll say.” Hermione said quietly.

Draco straightened up and put his school robes on. He sat down and they both waited in an awkward silence for the Prefects to arrive.

*****
“Do you think she’ll be alright in there?”

“What do you mean, Ron? It’s just a Prefect meeting. She’s had them before.”

“Yeah, but I don’t trust Malfoy. What if he went to some Death Eater camp or something over the summer and now he’s planning to get his new Dementor friends to suck the life out of her!”

Harry jumped over to Ron and started to hold him still. Ron had really begun to panic and was shaking compulsively.

“Ron, relax. She’ll be FINE! Let’s take her advice for once and not worry about anything until we have reason to.” Harry said letting Ron go.

“We have five years of reason, Harry!” Ron said in a pleading voice.

Harry gave Ron a look that said ‘just-drop-it’. Silence consumed them until Ron’s thought gave way.

“I’ve been thinking about possibly... moving things along… with Hermione.” Ron looked over to Harry. He wouldn’t be able to do this without Harry’s support. Harry felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. Ron and Hermione?

‘I guess it couldn’t harm anyone.’ Harry thought, but as soon as he pictured them together, he felt a pang shoot through his stomach. ‘Maybe it’s not a good idea. Wait, what? Why am I thinking like this? I trust Ron with Hermione, right? Right?’ Harry was lost in his thoughts.

“Harry? You still here? HELLO?!” Ron yelled.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Well, I don’t know if you should do it so soon. Now might not be the best time.”

Ron looked Harry over and decided that maybe he was right. It would give himself more time to think about how he would approach her. He felt sick at the thought of confronting Hermione and telling her how he felt.

‘This is going to take a while.’ He thought. ‘How is she going to react to that? I need to talk to her when the time is right, when she’s in the right mood. Everything needs to be perfect.’

Harry’s thoughts were running through his mind at dangerously fast speeds. Was this jealousy? No, it couldn’t be. Ron was his best friend and Hermione was just like a sister to him. So why would he want to lunge at Ron’s throat at the mention of him possibly dating her? Harry couldn’t figure it out.

‘This is going to be an interesting year.’ He thought.

*****

“That is the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard, Granger! I will not agree to it!” Pansy screamed. She was not happy with the new precautions that were going to be made at Hogwarts this year.

“That is not my problem! All Prefects are to abide by these rules whether they like it or not! It’s for our own safety!”

“I will NOT walk the halls with a bloody Gryffindor!”

Everyone was staring intently at Hermione and Pansy. Hermione had had enough. She wasn’t going to let Pansy get the best of her.

“No one is going to tell me how to do my Prefect duties. Especially not a dirty, filthy, Mud-”

“ENOUGH!”

Everyone jumped at the sound of Draco’s voice. He had been silent for most of the meeting, throwing in a few head nods every now and then when he heard his name, but he couldn’t take it anymore. Pansy was unnerving him. She was arguing with Granger, and for some reason he didn’t like that. At all. He finally decided to let it out when she almost called her a Mudblood. She had crossed the line.

Pansy walked slowly over to him. She believed that she had some influence over Draco’s actions, and she was confident that she could get his backup.

“You know this is unfair, Draco.” Pansy whispered. “You can’t let her do this. We’re Purebloods. We’re Slytherins. We don’t settle. We can’t let this Mudblood get in our wa-”

“ENOUGH, Parkinson!” Draco had been pushed to his limit. He had had enough of her. He glared at her, staring her down, making her take a few steps back. He looked around the small compartment. Faces were staring straight at him with surprise and shock.

“Everyone,” he started slowly and quietly, “will follow these rules. They will not be broken.” He said coldly. “By anyone.” He stared directly at Pansy. He continued to look at the rest of the Prefects. “This is on Dumbledore’s orders. Gryffindors and Slytherins will patrol with each other, as well as Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. We cannot choose our partners. We will all have to deal…”

“But Draco, Slytherins…”

“WILL DO AS THEY ARE TOLD!” Draco yelled. His hands had turned into fists. He leaned near Pansy and whispered in her ear. “I have been controlling my actions since you opened that fat trap of yours. If you so much as step out of line once to bring shame upon the Slytherin House or anyone in Slytherin, Azkaban will look like a paradise compared to me. Understand?”

She looked up at him and slowly shook her head. Draco backed away from her and turned to face the window. Hermione cleared her throat.

“Umm, well… yes. Meeting adjourned until the second Monday of classes.”
Nobody moved. They were still staring at Draco, curious about his behavior.

“GET GONE!” he screamed.

Everyone jumped up and ran out of the room, not waiting around to find out what he would do if they stayed. Pansy lingered at the door. “Draco…” she started. He turned and gave her a deathly glare.

“Don’t test my patience, Parkinson.”

She turned and left in a huff, obviously upset that Draco wouldn’t listen to her.

Hermione walked over to Draco. He was leaning his hand against the window. His eyes forced themselves open when he felt her hand on his shoulder. She felt his body tense, but only sighed.

“I don’t know what’s bothering you, Draco...” she said quietly. “...but I want you to know that I’m here for you. You can come talk to me when you’re ready.”

Slowly, without thinking, she quickly kissed his shoulder where her hand was a moment ago, and left Draco to himself.

‘…she called me Draco.’ He said to himself. He smiled slightly and ran a hand through his hair. ‘She called me Draco…’

*****
The train slowed to a stop as it approached Hogsmeade Station. Hermione took a deep breath as she stepped off the train and made her way over to where Hagrid was gathering up the first years.

“Hello Hagrid.” She said cheerfully.

“‘Lo ‘Mione. ‘Ow are you?”

“I’m alright. Busy summer?”

“Oi, the busiest. Dumbledore’s got all these new precautions so I had to put some ‘o the animals away. Fang did a good job of herding the thestrals, he did.” Hagrid said with a smile. “By the way, ‘Mione, Heads ride up to the castle in the first carriage. ‘Nother one of ‘is new rules.”

“Oh,” Hermione said looking towards the carriages. “Well, alright. Tell Harry and Ron I’ll see them at dinner if you see them?” she asked.

“‘O course. See you Monday, ‘Mione.” Hagrid said smiling.

“Bye Hagrid.”

Hermione looked for any signs of Harry or Ron before making her way over to the carriage. She climbed into the carriage and sat down.

‘Maybe Draco will tell me what’s bothering him. He does seem like he has changed.’ Hermione thought. ‘Whatever happened must have been big. He even yelled at Pansy… well, she is rather annoying.’ She giggled to herself.

“So, do you have it?”

Hermione looked towards the door. She heard some muffled movements and the clinking of coins.

“This is the last time this ever happens, alright? I’m sick of covering you.”

“Yes, thanks Draco.” Two voices replied.

“Yeah, whatever.”

The door opened as Hermione heard the footsteps of the voices walked away. She continued to look at the door as Draco’s head came into view. He looked at her confused face and smirked. She frowned slightly as he sat down opposite her, throwing a leather bag next to him.

“Before you say anything and blow everything out of proportion, the money was so Crabbe can buy his robes back from Zabini… again. He tends to bet things he’ll need during the school year.”

Hermione sat there staring at him.

“Oh.” She said finally. “Okay.”

He smirked and just stared at her as she fiddled with her robes. Her hair had calmed down and lay around her shoulders in gentle curls. Her skin was a nice tan color. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

‘She has definitely grown this summer.’ He thought. Draco shook himself and quickly looked away. ‘What are you doing? You’re thinking about Granger. Of all people!’ He looked over at her again and his eyes softened. ‘She’s just so…’

“Beautiful.”

Hermione turned to Draco. “What?”

“Uh, umm, nothing.” Draco said blushing a little. ‘Good job, Malfoy. Think out loud some more.’

“No, you said beautiful. What’s beautiful? Something I’m missing?” Hermione asked.

Draco looked around the carriage. ‘Think, Draco, think. Think of something quick.’

“Well, uh, there was a bird… just outside the carriage. Yeah, you just happened to miss it. Still lacking in the brain department are we, Granger?” Draco said, pulling his smirk back onto his face.

Hermione frowned. “There’s no need to be rude, Malfoy.”

“If you thought that was rude, wait until I get mean.” His smirk was growing.

“Why did you stop Pansy from calling me a Mudblood?” Hermione asked suddenly. She noticed that he had interrupted Pansy every time she had tried to insult her. It didn’t make any sense. He had been oddly protective of her. She wanted answers. Draco’s face slowly became pale; his smirk wiped away and showed no emotion but nervousness. He honestly didn’t know why he had stopped Pansy all those times, he just got unbelievably angry at the fact that she was insulting Hermione.

“I don’t know, Granger.” He said finally.

“There must have been a reason. Normally you would jump at the chance of anyone calling me a Mudblood or insulting me. Why are you acting differently?”

“Honestly, Hermione… I just don’t know. I don’t know what’s going on in my head. I told you that I changed. Summer was not great, terrible even. I’m having feelings that I normally wouldn’t have for you, and I don’t want to see you hurt. It’s weird.”

Hermione just stared. ‘Is he for real?’ she thought. Draco put his head in his hands. ‘Stupid, Draco. Now you’ve done it. Exposed something you’re not even sure of yourself.’

“So… did you want to be friends?” she asked.

Draco looked up. “What?”

“Do you want to be friends?” she asked again.

“But... why would you…?”

“Draco, I will admit that this sudden change in your attitude towards me is weird and definitely suspicious. I don’t know what your intentions are…”

“I have no intentions.” He cut in. She looked at him carefully.

“…but if you’re willing to drop your past and start new, so am I. But you’ll have a hell of a lot to prove.” She finished.

Draco stared at her. “Thank you Hermione. Thank you so much.” He said almost in a whisper.

Hermione was shocked but smiled and nodded.

‘He said thank you. And he called me Hermione.’

The rest of the carriage ride was silent, with an occasional glance and smile to each other. ‘This is going to be an interesting year.’ Draco thought.

*****