This is my first FF. So far I think it's pretty good. Hope you enjoy!

--Prongs



Chapter 1: Flourish & Blotts

She was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling counting down the days until school started again. She couldn’t wait for the start of a new term and see her friends. Hermione missed them all, she had only visited the Burrow once over the summer and it had been for Harry’s birthday. There was only three weeks left until school but Hermione was getting restless. Her mother had told her to visit some of her other friends she had from the muggle schools she went to before Hogwarts, but she really didn’t want to have to explain why she did not attend a normal school with them. She got up and changed into a short-sleeve shirt and tight, low-riding jeans. She was going to Diagon Alley to get her new robes and school books. Along with her list of new books, she had gotten a letter saying she had become Head Girl. She was so excited that she immediately sent Ginny a letter telling her, Ron, and Harry about it. Ginny replied congratulating her.

**********

He was walking around his bedroom wondering what he had to endure next. He had just been to a Death Eater meeting with his father and watched as Lucius and other Death Eaters tortured a man to death. He could not take what his father was doing. Draco did not look forward to becoming a Death Eater, nor did he want to. His father had told him that since he was the only Malfoy left he will become one and be the Dark Lord’s second hand. Draco had also been tortured to feel the pain before he gets his dark mark. He is dreading the thought of what he must do to become a Death Eater for his father. To try and get his mind off it, Draco decides to go to Diagon Alley and buy the rest of his school supplies. Before he left, he walked to his desk and picked up his letter. He had gotten it earlier that day but did not open it. When he opened it, he was shocked to find another letter accompanying his supply list. He read it and saw that he had become Head Boy.

******

Hermione arrived at Diagon Alley and ran into Harry and Ron.
“Hey, Hermione!” they said.
“Hey, guys! I missed you.” Hermione said hugging them both.
They walked around Diagon Alley and talked about what had happened and what they had done over the past few weeks.

******

Malfoy got to Diagon Alley and looked around cautiously, hoping his father did not follow him. He did not tell his mother or father where he was going. It’s not like they care, really, he thought. They never really bothered knowing where I was. He snapped out of his thoughts and went straight to Flourish & Blotts to get his books he needed for that year.

******

Just as Flourish & Blotts was coming into view, Hermione stopped.

“Hey, I gotta go in and get some books,” she said.
“Ok, we’ll meet up with you later then, Hermione,” said Harry. “See ya.”
“Bye, guys.”

She walked in and went to the Ancient Runes section and lost herself in all the books. She pulled one off the shelf called Runes of Ireland and started to read it. She began walking down the aisle with her nose in the book when she collided with a person scanning the shelves. He stumbled and Hermione fell onto the floor. All her books toppled out of her hand and scattered the floor. She got up to apologize.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t pa--Malfoy?”
“Watch where you’re going, Granger,” sneered Malfoy. “I nearly fell over.”
“Yeah, well I did, and I didn’t see you rush to help me up,” Hermione exclaimed, now on her knees picking up her books.

She was crawling on the floor gathering all her books that had been sprawled across the floor. She turned, so she had her back towards him. Draco was now staring at her back, gazing at her curves from behind. Draco, snap out of it, he told himself. It’s Granger.

“And why would I help you?” He asked.
“Hmm, I don’t know, common courtesy” She snapped.
“Sorry, I’m all out of cour---”
“Well I figured. Now if you don’t mind I’m gonna get the rest of my school books and meet up with my friends.”

She turned and started to walk away, when Draco grabbed her arm.

“Hold on a second,” Draco said.
“Ugh, what Malfoy?”
“I’m sorry, Hermione.”
“For what Draco? Being your normal self?”
“Fine, Granger, if you don’t want to accept my apology, then don’t.”
“Well, it’s not like I’m not used to you apologizing, Draco. But I accept your apology.”
“Thanks Hermione. I know I don’t normally do that.”
“It’s fine, but I do have to go now. I promised Harry and Ron I’d meet them.”
“Where are you meeting them?” Draco asked curiously.
“Madam Malkin’s, why?”
“Would you mind if I walked with you? I have to go there any way and right now I don’t wanna walk alone.”

Hermione stood there staring at him, thinking. Maybe I should let him come with me…we are going to the same place and it wouldn’t do any harm? Why? She argued to herself. It’s Malfoy! You know how much of a jerk he’s been, especially to you! I know but he apologized and he didn’t insult me like usual. Ok, ok let him come. Hermione stopped arguing with herself and smiled at Draco.

“What?” he asked with a confused look.
“Nothing. Yeah, you’re welcome to join me. It’ll be nice to have the company.”
“Really?” said Draco, shocked.
“Yeah, first I have to pay for my books, then we’ll leave.”

Hermione paid for her books and they headed toward the door. She reached for the handle to open the door, when Draco stopped her.

“Wait.” He said.
“Why? What’s wrong?” asked Hermione.
“Just hold on a second.”
Draco opened the door and looked around.
“Ok, come on.” He said finally.

They walked to the robe shop when Hermione had to ask about earlier.

“Draco, why’d you do that in Flourish and Blotts?”
“Do what?”
“Look out the door before we left.”
“Oh that, I was, uhh, just, uhh, checking things out.”
“Uh-huh,” replied Hermione.
“Just drop it, ok?”
“So, who were you looking for?”
“Never mind Granger,” Draco said, beginning to get frustrated.
“You can tell me, I won’t say anything, I promise.” Hermione said, grinning.
“Alright, if you must know. I’m avoiding my father, and he doesn’t know I’m here.”
“Is everything ok?”
“Yeah, fine.”

Hermione stopped and stood in front of him.

“Well, if you need to talk about it, I’m here Draco,” she said, putting her hand on his shoulder.
“Thanks, Hermione.”

They continued walking to Madam Malkin’s in silence.

*****************
Clicky Chapters for your convinenece. =]
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7 [part 2]
Chapter 8
Chapter 9 [part 2]
Chapter 10 [part 2]
Chapter 11 [part 2]
Chapter 12
Chapter 13

ZOMG!!!!
Prongs is amazing! i'm kind of in love with this story and im oh-so-excited for chapter dos!!




POST IT FASTER PRONGS!! go, go, go, go!

lolz!that was amazing....Cool!!
PAMS!PAMS!

Yeah, yeah, yeah Padfoot. I'm gettin there.


Thanks, MAthI.

Okay... Lovin the post!!! Really, really, really, really love it!! I wonder why Draco's hiding from his parents???

Just wondering can I call you Prongs??? Good job!! PAMS!!! Please??

Jemmz
xxxx

yea, your totally welcome to call me Prongs.
it is mah nickname. =]

man
i want to see harry and rons faces
when they see this
"charming new development"

Prongs!!!

Padfoot!


yous a dork :p

i knows it =]
i just posted SECRET POTIONS!!
still needs a moderator to approve it, but i'm still UBER excited!

Chapter 2: The Outbreak

While in Madam Malkin’s waiting for Hermione, Harry and Ron were walking around the shop, looking at the robes.

“Where is she?” asked Ron, impatiently.
“Chill out, Ron,” said Harry. “She’ll be here.”

With that, they heard the doors open and looked to see who it was. When they saw who came in, their jaws dropped. Hermione had just walked in, and they noticed she was talking to someone, and smiling. They recognized the white-blonde hair.

“What’s she doin’ with Malfoy?” asked Ron
“I dunno,” said Harry.

They stood there watching Hermione and Draco talk.

“So, are you going to be ok, Draco?” she asked.
Draco could see the concern in her eyes. No matter what I did to her, she’s willing to put it aside and make sure I’m okay, he thought.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” he replied
“Ok, well I have to go and find Ron and Harry, so I’ll see you at school.”
“Bye, Hermione.”

He turned to leave when Hermione spoke up.

“Hey, Draco?”
“Yeah?”
“If you need anyone to talk to, you’re more than welcome to come and find me.” she said, blushing.
“Thanks, Hermione, that means a lot.”

They both stared at each other and smiled. A voice came from behind Hermione, “What’s going on?” it asked.

Hermione turned around and Harry and Ron were standing there with smug looks.

“Oh, um, hi guys,” Hermione said, surprised. “What’s up?”
“We were just thinking the same thing,” said Ron.
“Watch your tongue, Weasel-bee,” sneered Malfoy.
“Guys chill. Harry, Ron, we were just talking,” explained Hermione.
Draco rolled his eyes, and Hermione could tell Harry and Ron wanted to strangle him.
“What were you saying to her this time, Ferret? More of how your father is gonna kill all the muggleborns?” Harry said furiously.
“Do not talk about my father, Potter!” Malfoy said, sternly.
“ENOUGH!” yelled Hermione. “Harry, Ron, go outside.”
Neither of them budged.
“Now!” she said. They walked toward the door, but stopped to listen to Hermione yell at Malfoy.

“And Dra--” she caught herself when she didn’t hear the door close. She knew that they didn’t leave.

“Umm, Malfoy, just leave, and don’t bother us.”

She looked back and shot Harry and Ron a look that told them to leave, so they did. When she knew they were gone, she turned back to Draco with an apologetic look on her face.

“I’m sorry, Draco. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“It’s ok, I have to go anyway. I’ll see you at school Hermione.”
“Bye, Draco.”

They smiled at each other and Draco turned and walked away. Hermione stood there and watched him leave, still smiling to herself. She walked to the door and went outside to her friends.

“Why were you talking to Malfoy?” asked Harry.
“Last time I checked, Harry, I could talk to anyone I wanted,” said Hermione.
“What did he tell you?” Harry asked.
“Anything about You-Know-Who?” Ron said, jumping into the conversation.
“No, nothing of the sort. We were just talking. Don’t get your robes in a knot guys, ok?”
“Yeah, sorry Hermione. We have a lot of angst,” said Harry.
“Ok, well let’s go. I gotta get home and finish packing now that I have my books,” Hermione replied.

Ron and Harry walked Hermione to the archway back to the Leaky Cauldron.

“I’ll see you guys on the train.”
“Bye Hermione!”

She walked through the pub and made her way home.
When she got home, she greeted her parents and showed them her new books and told them how she couldn’t wait to begin reading them. After dinner, Hermione went to her room and finished packing, then continued to read Runes in Ireland. While reading, she trailed off and began to think about Malfoy. He was so nice to me, she thought, He should be like that more often. And he looked so cute, I love that smirk of his. ‘Whoa Hermione, why are you daydreaming about Malfoy? He’s a conceited git that calls you a filthy mudblood, and bothers your friends, remember’? Well, yeah, but he was so sweet today. ‘One day of being nice to you, won’t change anything he’s done in the past or what he may do in the future.’ Still, today was a very good day. With that last thought, she drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face.

******

Draco was lying on his bed, letting his mind wander. Hermione looked really nice today, he thought. She had definitely grown this summer, he grinned when he remembered what happened in Flourish & Blotts. He had realized that he could not help but continuously stare at her with from head to toe. Why am thinking about Granger? He shook his head with discontent. GRANGER?! I’m a pureblood and could be thinking about tons of other girls, but no, I think about Granger. She’s a mudblood, a dirty, filthy, beautiful, caring, kind mudblood. Draco, stop it! he thought to himself. Stop thinking about her. But no matter how many times he yelled at himself for thinking about her he just couldn’t help it. He could not believe he was falling for Granger. Well as long as I don’t show that I’m beginning to like her, I should be good, right? No, what would my father say about this? Well, he doesn’t need to know, now does he? I could talk to her, that won’t do any harm. Well, aside the fact that Potter and Weasel-bee wanted to strangle me for talking to her today. I’ll just think of other ways to do it, then. He smiled with his thoughts, and fell asleep.

Chapter dos?! what?!

OMG!!!!

YAY!! lorve it =]

now chapter tres is next, right? xD

now why would i put chapter tres after chapter dos?
its such a foolish thing.

=O

lol.

wait...uno, dos. tres...tres does come after dos you git!

xD

omg! i had no idea it did!! thank you for clearing that up for me Padfoot.

hehehge!cool chapter though...

hahahahaha
ron should have fainted
that would have been hilarious

well im kinda sad. the computer with all the other chapters on it is in shop at school and i won't be there for a couple weeks. sorry to torture you guys like this.

i'll make sure i put up chapter 3 and 4 when i get back. =]

sorry again guys.
xoxProngs

aww thats ok!we can wait
hope you get back your computer soon

** NEW READER ALERT **

This is really good!!

Post more soon! Grr bad computer lol

Love it!!

Jade xxxxxxxxxxx

Loved it Prongs!! I really really did!!

Oh my gosh, Hermoine is thinking about Malfoy!!! Is she feeling alright? Hermoine? Hermoine?

Can't wait for another post!!! PAMS!!!

Jemma
xxx

I agree with Jemma
Hermione thinking about Draco
But even stranger Draco thinking about her
Strange........
lol i love it post soon

YAY!!! monday and i'll have a new post up!!!! just a few more day that you guys have to wait.

i just thought i'd inform you on my excitement. i can't belive i'm excited for school on monday!!! utter craziness!

love the posts. hope i get more!

xxx
Prongs.

Wotcher!

Chapter 3: Hogwarts Express

The last week of the summer finally ended and Hermione arrived at King Cross Station. She said goodbye to her parents and walked through the barrier onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. She got onto the train and looked for Harry and Ron. She found them and sat down.

“Hi, Hermione,” said Ron
“Hi, guys, how was your last week of summer?” she asked.
“It was ok,” replied Harry, “we played some Quidditch. Didn’t do much, ‘cept get all our school stuff packed.”
“What about yours, Hermione?” Ron asked.
“It was fine. I spent most of my time with my parents. Went shopping with my mum, got some new outfits, and just hung out with my dad. I also got some more books to read.”
“Of course you got more books,” Harry said, laughing and rolling his eyes.

While Harry and Ron talked about Quidditch, Hermione leaned against the window, and thought about Malfoy. She was still trying to figure out what it was about him that she liked so much. She let out a sigh and smiled. Ron and Harry looked over at her, with confused looks, when she sighed. When they saw her smiling, they figured it be best not to bother her. She, then, closed her eyes and thought of him. She pictured Draco leaning against a wall, being himself with that smirk of his. He is cute, she thought. She began to look from his face to his neck making her way to his chest. She was just staring at his chest in her mind. His shirt was just enough to see his pale skin. She stared at his chest, then continued down his body, right down to his…

“Hermione?” Harry said
She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him. “What?” she sputtered.
“You ok?”
“Yeah I’m fine. Just thinking.”
“Ok, just making sure.”

She couldn’t believe she was thinking about him like this, she didn’t care, she really did like him. As long as Harry and Ron don’t find out about how much I like Malfoy, I won’t have anything to worry about, right? She asked herself. Plus, Harry’s got enough on his mind with You-know-who, not telling him this won’t hurt. Ron, on the other hand, will snap if he finds out, I’m definitely not telling him. She continued to think on who she could talk to about this. She finally came to one conclusion, Ginny. Ginny will understand, she told herself, I hope any way. She snapped out of her thought and looked around the compartment to see if Ginny had shown up yet, but she hadn’t. She got up to go find her.

“Where you going?” Ron asked.
“For a little walk, that’s all,” Hermione replied, “besides, I have to talk to Ginny.”
“About what?” asked Harry.
“Oh, uhh, nothing, Harry. Just some stuff”
“Well why can’t you talk to us about it?”
“It’s nothing, plus you wouldn’t want to hear about it any way.”
“Let her go, Harry,” Ron said. “She’ll tell us later.”
“Ok,” he said. “We’ll see you later then, Hermione.”

Hermione left their compartment and started down the hall. She just wanted some time to think all this through. She decided to wait until they got to school to tell Ginny about everything. She found an empty compartment, went in, and sat down to think, hoping she wouldn’t see any one else till they got to school.

*****

Draco was sitting in his compartment with Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy. He hadn’t really talked since he got onto the train, he had just sat there and stared out the window. He had been thinking about Hermione. He still couldn’t believe that he was falling for her, but he liked it...a lot.

“Draco, what’s the matter?” asked Pansy in a caring voice.
Draco sat there and rolled his eyes. He couldn’t stand Pansy.

“Nothing, Parkinson,” he finally said.
“Well something must be wrong, ‘cause you haven’t said a word.”
“I’m not in the mood to talk, ever think of that?” he snapped.
“Well I--”
“You what? Did it ever occur to you that I don’t want to talk to you?” Draco got up, pushing Pansy off him.
“Where ya goin’ Draco?” asked Crabbe.
“For a walk, I’ll see you later.”

With that, he left, Pansy on the floor, shocked and Crabbe and Goyle snickering at her.
Draco walked down the hall looking for Blaise Zambini, he needed to talk to someone and Blaise was the only person.

“Blaise,” Draco said when he finally found him. “Can we talk?”
“Yeah sure, what’s up?” asked Blaise.
“Can we talk somewhere else?”
“What? Oh, yeah of course.” He got up and left with Draco. “What’s this about?”
“I’ll tell you in a minute.”
Draco found an empty compartment and they both went in to talk.

******

Hermione looked up from staring at the floor, when the door opened. She saw two people walk in but was unsure of who it was. She was sitting in the far corner of the seat and was unnoticed by them.

“Ok, what’s this about?” asked one of the voices.
“You can not repeat any of this, do you understand Blaise?” said the other.
“Yes, yes, of course Draco, now will you just tell me?”
“It’s about Granger.”

Hermione’s eyes widened when she heard her name. Why was Draco talking about me to Blaise? She wondered. She sat there in silence listening to the conversation.


“What?!” Blaise yelled.
“Shh!!!” said Malfoy.
“Sorry. What about her?” Blaise said quietly.
“I thi-I think I’m starting to fall for her.”
“Granger?”
“Yeah.”
“Hermione Granger? The filthy mudblood Gryffindor you constantly torment?”
“Yes, Hermione Granger. But enough with the mudblood.”
“Ok, I’ll stop with that.” Blaise said, rolling his eyes. “But, why her Draco?”
“I don’t know. All I know is that I enjoy her company.”
“Well, how did all this start?” Blaise asked.
“Ok, so you know how I’ve been avoiding my father lately?”
“Yeah”
“Well over the summer I had left my house, but didn’t tell my mother or father. So when I showed up at Diagon Alley, I was paranoid that my father had followed me, so I was extra cautious. Anyway I went into Flourish and Blotts to get some books.She was in there too, and I bumped into her knocking all her books out of her hand. So she got down to pick them up, she was practically crawling on the floor and all I could do was stare at her. She looked really good that day.”
“Oh really?” Blaise said, with an eyebrow raised.
“Yeah, she’s definitely grown.” Draco said, with a grin. “She was wearing these jeans that were cut low or something and a short-sleeved shirt. I don’t understand muggle clothing. To me, it looked like she couldn’t breath, they were on so tight. But I didn’t mind it. You could see every curve on her body.”
“Ok, Draco, enough, continue the story…please.”
“Oh, sorry Blaise. Well anyway she got up with her books and was ****** I didn’t help her, she started to walk away and I stopped her. I apologized about it and --”
“You actually apologized?” Blaise cut in.
“Yes I did,” Draco said, rolling his eyes.
“That’s hard to believe, Draco Malfoy apologizing.”
“Ok, Zambini, get over it. I actually felt bad. But back to my story, so I apologized and she accepted it. I asked if I could join her on her way down to Madam Malkin's ‘cause I had to go there anyway. So she paid for her books and we left. While we were walking, she asked what was up with me, I just said that I couldn’t stand my father and had been avoiding him for a while. She then stopped and stood in front of me.”
“Really? Wow…”
Draco glared at Blaise.
“Sorry,” he said. “Go on.”
“She just looked at me in a very caring way, put her hand on my shoulder and said that if I ever needed someone to talk too, I was welcome to come and find her.”
“Well that was pointless, like your gonna talk to her about what going on at home. She should know you have me.”
“That’s not the point,” Draco said rolling his eyes. “She was concerned about me. She put aside everything I did to and called her the past few years and made sure I’d be ok.”

Hermione was still sitting silently in the corner listening to Draco and Blaise. He really liked her. She waited patiently for them to finish talking so she could leave and tell Ginny.

“So have you talked to her since then?”
“No, I’ve just been thinking about her. Plus I wouldn’t know exactly what to say to her.”
“Draco, you talk to tons of girls, you could think of something.”
“Talking to them is no problem but when I’m around her I’m totally different. It’s weird.”

Hermione, sat there, and couldn't believe what she was hearing.

“So exactly how is this whole thing with Granger going to work Malfoy?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, seeing that her best friends are Potter and Weasley, I doubt their going to let you near her.”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to discuss that with her when I figure out a way to talk to her.”
“Good luck with that, Malfoy.”
“Thanks, Zambini.”
“Come on,” said Blaise. “We should be arriving at school soon, we’d better change.”

They both left to change, and Hermione stayed put for another couple of minutes. She was so happy that she knew how Malfoy felt. She left the compartment also to change into her robes. She walked down the little hallway with the biggest smile on her face.
***

i'll maybe put up chapter 4 after lunch...but until then, enjoy!!!

xxxProngs