Strange and Beautiful
Enjoy! All questions will be answered if you just private message me!
JK OWNS ALL I OWN NOTHING/p
Thank you to my beta: Frozen Raspberries.

''I've been watching your world from afar, I've been trying to be where you are,''

Draco walked down the corridor – unseen by anyone- his robes billowing behind him in the cold, brisk air. His hands were stuffed deep inside his pockets playing with the change left from the butterbeer I had bought yesterday and his was face concocted into a bitter smirk. It was an unforgiving winters day at Hogwarts, the snow fall had begun early this year as if in trepidation for the mysterious and dismal events ahead for its students. Draco had always felt he was on the inside. He had always had a certain advantage, whether it be blood status, wealth or intelligence. He however had never really tasted the sweetness of success it had always been marred. He had been following her since lunch in the great hall (God I had a problem, me Draco Malfoy following some girl around?). Hermione turned around for about the third time today - sensing someone behind her. Malfoy had become somewhat a master at remaining hidden and swiftly stepped into the shadows his black robes and pale complexion blending into the darkness. Her eyebrows furrowed as she saw nothing as she quickly continued towards the library.

He caught up easily, taking advantage of his long legs. No-one was to be seen, it was a Friday night and most of the students were in their common rooms partying or whatever it is teenagers do these days. Not his Hermione though, she was off researching. he forgot what it was this time... Oh yes! he had heard her talking to Harry about researching abuse committed to mythical creatures and how she wanted to talk to McGonagall about charity work. She was such a good doer... He saw it as pointless, why do something for the good of someone else?

Draco was always a solitary child and therefore he found it difficult to sympathise with the witch's need to help and provide for pathetic or helpless beings. While he did have Crabb and Goyle to assist him with his mischievous antics over the years he still felt his soul was isolated. Perfectly bolted up. Except when he was with her. It was an incredibly addictive feeling, one he sought out that very night.

His smirk grew wider as he entered the library and she tripped on one of the table legs. "Clumsy girl" He chuckled internally. Draco stepped carefully knowing that just one creak would give him away. Hermione softly whispered "Alohomora" at the locked door to the restricted section and entered shutting the door behind her. He soundlessly followed and whispered "Colloportus" locking the door behind him. He had to talk to her, He just had to! This obsession, this addiction was overriding everything. He had spent the entire four months following her even though it all started back in fourth year. Draco thought back to the first time he thought of her as something other than just a mudblood...

Hermione walked into the bathroom having followed Draco after his explosive argument with Snape in the library

He stared into the mirror studying the bruises marking his face. Lucius was a merciless father and had punished him for losing three quidditch matches this year. On top of that He had also failed Bellatrix's occulemency test. Malfoy frantically tried to heal his cut lip, but failed seeing as his family constantly focused on dark spells that inflicted pain rather than remove it. He whimpered remembering his father's words.

"I'm very disappointed in you Draco- you disgrace the Malfoy name."

"Draco?"

He turned seeing Hermione with her hair in a curly bronze mess. Her face, usually a pretty pale with small pink lips, looked confused and upset as she studied his injured expression.

"Are you alright?" she asked, eyes wide like open books: scrutinising him.

"I'm fine." he snapped, turning on the tap and splashing his face. The cold water pattered onto the marble floor deafening them both in the silence.

"No you're not," she started softly before her face hardened and she exclaimed bossily "who did this to you?"

"None of your business, is it? Mudblood.'' he said coldly, he desperately wanted to be alone. All this attention to him in such a vulnerable state made his insides clench with embarrassment. He tried to remember the healing spell once more holding the wand near his face.

"It's Episkey by the way'' she murmured. He turned around from his stance of staring into the mirror and glared at her.

"Thanks." He said not knowing how to react to ... help?

"Let me do it." Her kindness was never ending.
She waved her wand once and flicked it gently "Episkey" Her eyes smiled and danced across his features as she watched the magic heal the cut on his lip and the bruises across his face.

He stared at her in wonder; maybe Granger wasn't so bad after all...

Merlin, I'm pathetic he thought

He smirked at the memory and stepped out from behind a book shelf.

"Hello Hermione," he said boldly.

She gasped.

Thanks for reading guys. Please review and follow this story there's going to be many more chapters and longer than this!