Hermione had got her wish from her fifth year- she could see the thestrals. In fact, most of the students could. Ginny Weasley accompanied her friend to the carriage, with a silent Luna Lovegood in tow, (who was absentmindedly waving her hands in the air, trying to chase Wrackspurts.).
"Hermione, Hermione, Hermione, Her..", began Ginny
"What?", said Hermione.
"I heard, Malfoy is the new head boy.", said Ginny, observing Hermione closely.
The latter had been silent for the past one hour.
She was worried about her friend.
"I know.", said Hermione. Her eyes were downcast. The red head's words reminded her of the way Malfoy had been looking at her.
She too, was worried about herself, worried about Malfoy's sudden change in eye colour, his behaviour around her, and worst of all, her feelings, while around him.
She promised herself that she would not think, she would not succumb to it, whatever it was. He had attempted conversation with her, but she ignored him. She convinced herself- that he had joined Harry to save his own skin, and that he was trying to get in her good books for an ulterior motive.
After all, since when did Draco Malfoy want to sincerely converse with her?
He must be remembering a Mudblood, the worst kind of filth, bleeding on his carpet, she thought viciously.
She had a good head on her shoulders, something she prided herself on. She would resist whatever stupid and unwanted feelings, he had filled her head with.
She had to.
She would not think of him. It would fade soon enough. This was just a phase.
So, she ignored the heated stares coming from a very angry blonde.
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Draco stared at his mate.
He was furious. She ignored his every attempt at civility.
He had begun small. It went like this :
After staring at her for the past five minutes, he finally came back to his senses. His whole life, his survival depended on her, and yet, he was staring at her, like a, ( god forbid!) 'tool'?
He decided that he would talk to her, set the foundations for their future relationship, so to speak.
"So, Granger?", he said. She did not answer, but her shoulders stiffened, so he knew she heard him.
Was she deliberately ignoring him?
"Nice weather, isn't it?", he said.
He got no reply, other than the sound of a turning page.
A few moments later, he again tried.
" What's that you're reading?"
A pause.
Again, no reply.
"Potter and Weasley are not coming this year?"
Silence.
"Can you hear me, Granger?"
"Anything from the trolley, dears?", said the round faced trolley woman.
"No, thanks.", said Granger.
The woman left.
Granger went back to her book.
"You're deliberately ignoring me, Granger?"
A sniff, and then silence.
They could hear, the students talking and laughing outside.
An hour later, Granger left.
She didn't return.
He was angry with her, for refusing to talk to him.
Though he was mostly angry with himself.
He remembered how he ridiculed her for raising her hand in class, that teeth enlargement hex. His frequent insult.
Mudblood
How foolish he had been. He had hated the one person in the world, who was perfect for him, who was made for him.
He would not repeat his mistake, though.
He would have her, even if he didn't deserve her. He was a Slytherin, after all.
He would talk to the teachers about changing his classes, since they already knew what he was, thanks to his mother.
He would ask to be paired with her in classes, where they would have to complete their assignments together. He would show her his intelligence, discuss topics she was interested in. Tell her about himself, learn to know her, be friendly with her friends.
Gain her trust, get her.
He knew his Slytherin friends might not accept her. He didn't give a damn about Parkinson or Goyle. Zabini would be the only Slytherin on his side, and he would make do with that.
He was snapped out of his reverie when he heard a voice.
"Hermione is looking hot, isn't she ?"
Draco's eyes flashed as he saw the boy who had spoken.
Anthony Goldstein.
"Yeah, she saved my life from Bellatrix.", said Dean Thomas.
They shuddered.
"She looked so hot, when she cursed her like this, and then", Goldstein made an exaggerated hand movement without a wand.
"I think, I'm going to ask her out.", said Thomas.
"I would have too, if I didn't have Susan.", said Seamus Finnegan
"Well, I'm single,", said Thomas," and if she's ready to mingle…"
They sniggered.
Draco's vision became red.
How dare they, talk about his Hermione like that. She was his, they could not have her.
She was beautiful, smart, intelligent, stubborn, self-righteous….and she was his.
They could not have her, he would not allow it.
He growled as he realized, that as of yet, he could have no claim on her, if she ignored his very existence.
His eyes turned silver, and his fingers grew into talons, in his pant pockets.
He controlled himself.
They could try, but they would not have her. He would go to any length to make her his.
She would be his, the future Mrs. Draconis Malfoy.
He would win her heart, if it was the last thing he ever did.