Harry, Hermione, and Ron were on the train, sharing a compartment. Harry had just spent another lovely summer at The Burrow, and Hermione met them at Diagon Alley. The years had been good to them all. Throughout the years, their friendship did nothing but grow stronger. Many people were always feeling left-out of the Golden Trio’s company. Their relationship was so tight knit that it simply didn’t allow anyone else to enter, no matter how wonderful a person they were.
They had all matured into attractive teenagers; Harry and Ron were very well sought after. Never getting used to the attention, their modesty only raised the number of girls falling for them. Harry, with his messy black hair and beautiful green eyes, was known not only for his fame, but also for his kindness. His excellent Quidditch ability had made him the Team Captain for the second year in a row, and also very nicely toned out his body. Always the gentleman, he was the dream every girl wanted. He had girlfriends on and off again, although they were never very serious. He was always very respectful of them, but each and every relationship ended for the same reason: he simply had no time for them. Between his two best friends, Quidditch, and school, his girlfriends never felt very important.
Ron also had his share of popularity. The girls loved his personality – explosive, quick witted, and passionate. The last of the Weasley males, his flaming red hair made him a beacon amongst the crowd and was considered extremely sexy. He never had a girlfriend in his years at Hogwarts, but not because none of the girls were interested in him. Perhaps, because he was interested in someone and was saving himself for her? Rumors about his mystery girl ran rampant throughout the school, most of the girls hoping and praying that they were his secret crush.
Hermione became one of the loveliest girls in all of Hogwarts, but she was the only one who wasn’t aware of this status. She didn’t have a low self esteem, but she just never considered her looks to be pleasing. She never felt, feature wise, at the same level as the other girls. But her lack of vanity made her even more popular with the young men at school. Her gorgeous curly hair crowned her, and her flawless skin was what made the boys madly in love with her. She had a full figure with just the right curves and legs that never seem to end. Large, soulful chocolate eyes that has such understanding it hurt whoever looked into them if they were not on the same intelligence level as her. Most were not.
Her intelligence was something that intimidated many of the males at school. That and the fact that Harry and Ron were with her everyday, every minute. They were not unaware of the wolfish glances she received, and dealt with the ogling in a discreet but effective manner, as to not upset Hermione. They guiltily admitted that they were a bit possessive of "their girl," and no one was deemed worthy enough to have her. This unfortunately isolated Hermione from most amorous attentions, thus making her believe she was indeed unattractive and unappealing.
Although the Dark Times were looming over their heads, they cheerfully lived each day to the fullest, confident that as long as they had each other, they could overcome any obstacle. They tactfully avoided the subject of darkening times in favor of any other subject. Once they graduated, they all had unanimously agreed to try out for Auror positions in order to aid the Light. But for now, they focused on enjoying their last year of school at Hogwarts.
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"Oh, good job on being Head Girl, Hermione. It really was a big shock you know – never saw it coming," Ron said with a grin.
She shook her head in mock annoyance. "And good job to you, Ron, for being the most sarcastic git ever to grace this train."
Harry chuckled at that and reached for another Chocolate Frog. Suddenly, the compartment door flew open, causing everyone to jump in surprise. A scowling Draco Malfoy reluctantly stepped in, looking very much like a man walking off a plank.
The pale, ferret boy was no more – since the last few years, he was the human equivalent of a god. Quidditch training made him toned and muscular, and he had stopped gelling his blonde hair back. It fell loosely, framing his gorgeous silver eyes in a way that made the girls swoon; stormy eyes that seemed to look into your soul. Draco was a young man not only of intelligence but confidence. Famous for his purebreeding, his pride and bearings were second to none. He was the most experienced with women, but he was also the most unapproachable. But that never stopped any of the girls from wishing to be his.
Immediately the trio were on their feet, wands in hand. Draco rolled his eyes. "Put those damn things away. I’m here for Granger." He turned his icy eyes to her, meeting her warm ones. His eyes narrowed.
"Why is that, Malfoy?" Ron spat out, stepping in front of her, raising his wand slightly higher.
Draco heaved a heavy sigh in annoyance. "Look Weasel, she’s needed at the back of the train. Some sort of stupid meeting with the professors."
"Why would you be coming for me like an errands boy?" Hermione asked, curiosity getting the better of her. She poked her head around Ron’s arm. Ron had grown over the years; he was even taller than Harry, though only by a few inches.
Draco looked at her if she was the stupidest creature he has ever laid eyes on. She bristled at that. "I was merely passing through when they recruited me for this thankless task. Come on, you’re making them wait." He turned around and started to walk out.
She looked at her best friends but they were as befuddled as she was. Shrugging her shoulders, she jogged out to catch up with him. He apparently didn’t hear her, or he chose to ignore her because he didn’t slow down his pace.
"Wait a minute! Hold on, you prat!" she panted, as she tried to keep up. Finally they reached the end of the train. He turned around to see her bending over slightly, her hands on her bent knees.
"Stupid…..," she managed to gasp out. "Long legs……can’t……keep up…."
"If you would exercise more instead of spending every waking hour studying, you wouldn’t be such a mess," he stated nonchalantly, looking down at her.
"Shut….up…….." Was the most she could manage at the moment. She’d give him the scathing insult he deserved as soon as she caught her breath.
Suddenly, he slammed her into wall of the train, gripping her shoulders bruisingly. She let out a yelp as her whole body was pinned to the wall.
Through her shock, she managed to shout, "What the – ?!"
He pressed her shoulders more firmly into the wall as he leaned closer. His eyes looked intently into hers. He was so close his lips were only a fraction of an inch away from hers.
"I’m only going to say this once, Mudblood," he hissed dangerously. "The Dark Lord is rising – scum like you won’t be safe. Not even at Hogwarts. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from that scarred freak and his sidekick."
She was petrified with fear. His eyes……..they seemed to burn right into her own. She tried, vainly, to release herself. He was too strong and too large however, and barely seemed affected by her struggles. She turned her head to the side to avoid his gaze.
"Let go!" she shouted, trying to fight off his hands, looking down the hall frantically for help. <Someone….! Anybody, Help me!!>
When some compartment doors opened, he cursed silently. <Stupid bitch!>
With a last bruising push, he released her. He walked away, but not before saying, "Remember my words Mudblood. It’s for your own good." He disappeared into one the many compartments.
Wincing in pain, she slid ungracefully to the floor. She gingerly touched one of her shoulders and recoiled slightly. There were bound to be bruises. <What’s going on?!>
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Harry and Ron were still standing, wary of what Malfoy wanted. Grimacing, Harry inched closer to the door to try to hear what was going on.
"…..stupid Malfoy……," Ron muttered, obviously displeased. "What the bloody hell would he suddenly play messenger for the professors? I swear if he does any funny business I’ll hex him so hard! Consequences be damned!" There was more to come, but they suddenly heard Hermione’s panic induced voice.
"Let go!"
Without hesitation, both boys bolted out, running to the sound of her voice. "Hermione!!" they both shouted, seeing her on the floor at the end of the train. There was no one there but her.
"Hermione! What happened?" Ron asked, kneeling. Hermione turned to them and shakily stood up.
Ron’s eyes narrowed. Softly, he gently brushed his finger across her bruised shoulder. Cursing her choice of attire, a gray tanktop, Hermione jerked her shoulder away. A blush crawled across her face. Speaking with bravado she knew she didn’t have, she tried to brush the occurrence aside.
"That ferret tricked me, that’s all! There wasn’t any meeting," she said with honest indignation. "He just pushed me against the wall and called me a Mudblood! Honestly, as if he doesn’t have anything better to do!" Though annoyed, she was also confused. He had changed, and she was frightened.
<Before he was just a spoiled brat, annoying, but not dangerous. What happened over the summer? > She thought to herself, biting her lip slightly. Brushing aside his insults, Malfoy’s words were almost like advice. Like a warning. But, why would he care if she would be targeted by You-Know-Who? She exhaled shakily, forcing the thought out of her mind. No, he was merely trying to intimidate her and he was threatening her. He wouldn’t help someone like her.
She was interrupted when Ron punched the wall near her head. He raged, "He WHAT?!" Finding many choice words for Malfoy, Hermione was shocked at Ron’s range of language. Growing up in a Muggle home, the word ‘Mudblood’ did not have as much impact on her as it did on an old Wizarding family like Ron’s.
Hoping to appease Ron, and so that they wouldn’t have to confront Malfoy again, <Not because I’m scared to>, she added softly to herself, she tugged on Ron’s sleeve. Looking up at him with her best pleading eyes, she said, "Let’s just go back, okay Ron? I don’t feel like looking at his ugly face again. I don’t care what he calls me – it doesn’t bother me. Okay? Please Ron?"
Ron stopped mid-sentence, and looked at her, and blinked. First he was going to yell at her – why didn’t she want revenge? But then he faltered, looking hesitantly at Harry. Harry shrugged, indicating for Ron to just drop it.
"But… .your bruises, ’s not right…. .," he mumbled distractedly, brushing his finger along her bruises again. Hermione knew she had him. She put her hand atop of his.
"Oh, don’t bother – it doesn’t even hurt. I want to enjoy the rest of my vacation, not get into a stupid fight with that albino! I’ll even play a game of chess with you," she smiled winningly.
Ron coughed uncomfortably, having trouble deciding whether to remove his hand or not. "If you say so ‘Mione. I still think we should –"
"Great, winner gets the last bar of chocolate!" Pulling on his sleeve, she started to drag him back to their compartment. She flashed a cheeky smile at Harry as she passed him. He shook his head amusedly.
As Ron passed him, he murmured through the side of his mouth, "We’ll get him back first thing after we step foot in Hogwarts." Ron seemed to perk up at that idea.
A few students sighed adoringly to themselves as they saw the famous trio walk down the train. Hermione was chattering along comfortably, while still hanging on to Ron’s sleeve. Sighing, he allowed himself to be dragged along, wondering how he agreed to let Malfoy go. Then he remembered. He shot Harry a grin, which he returned devilishly.
Meanwhile, Draco was lounging in an empty compartment. He looked at his inner left forearm. <Stupid thing, I hate it when it throbs.> He grumbled before covering it again.
<And stupid Granger! I was trying to warn her, and that was the thanks I got?> Granted his help wasn’t executed exactly the way he had hoped. But seeing her being so jovial with the two boys irritated him, and he was unable to say what he wanted to say in a calm, detached manner. Why did he say that to her? It wasn’t as if she fascinated him, or that the thought of those intelligent eyes could be blank with death bothered him…. He wouldn’t care if she died this instant!
He heard the trio’s exchange and saw them walking back to their room. He gripped his armrest tightly. A surge of anger rose within him for no apparent reason. He saw the blush on Weasly’s face as she dragged him along.
<Mudblood whore…..> he thought angrily. He turned his attention to the window. Only a few more hours until Hogwarts.
2 comments:
More please
Where's the rest??
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