A Flash of Platinum Blonde

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I will never own Harry Potter.

A/N: This is the first story I have ever put on the internet so please be kind. I appreciate any constructive criticism. I know I am far from perfect and I don't have a beta to keep me on check but I hope you enjoy my story and thanks for reading!

Among the screams of torment, cries from children and panic; wizards and witches were fleeing for their lives. Families huddled together in their nightwear around seemingly mundane objects only to disappear in a blur. Parents cried out for their lost children. Couples stood hand in hand looking into each other's eyes for some solace. The only source of light was from the Death Eaters. They walked slow; closely packed together with their wands pointed up towards the floating bodies of a muggle family as they created a path of destruction wherever they went.

The path was dark and Hermione was being shoved in all directions. The night air was cold on her uncovered skin. The nightgown had been poor cover for the late summer night. Thank goodness she had put on her coat. She clenched her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering as the cool breeze whipped around her hair. She walked away from the chaos under the cover of some trees with Harry following behind. She heard a familiar yell that could have only been from Ron.

She stopped dead in her tracks. "What happened?" she asked Harry as she felt him walk into her. They were meant to stay together. How could Ron be so clumsy? The crowd in this state could trample him. Her heart was racing, thoughts unfocused as her eyes frantically looked for ginger hair under the dark of night when a flash of platinum blonde caught her eye. In this moment of distraction, everything changed.

"I'll go look for him, you stay back here in the trees. Stay out of sight," shouted Harry as he took off.

"No, Harry stop, we shouldn't separate…" But Harry had sprinted off in the opposite direction of where they needed to go, shouting out for Ron before she had even had the chance to speak. Faced with only one option, Hermione ran after him, shoving herself past the panic but Harry had gotten a head start.

"Harry, Ron, where are you?" she shouted.

Harry ducked his head into the crowd and seemed to have disapparated from sight. All she could see was the throng of nameless faces lit by the reds and oranges from the rampant fires.

"Harry, what are you thinking? Ron could be anywhere and you're not going to find him like that!" she shouted out but doubted he would even hear her over this mess.

She walked back to lean against a tree. She would never be able to find him now. How could he be so stupid? He always had to be the one to save the day. Why couldn't he have just thought about what he was going to do for a second? Then he would realise how stupid the idea was to run off alone.

"Harry, where are you? Come back here right n…"

"Granger, shouldn't you be hurrying along instead of screaming the Dark Lord's arch nemesis' name, you wouldn't want to be spotted would you?" Draco said stopping Hermione from finishing her demands.

He walked up to her with his signature smirk on his face that made her want to slap him again like last year but harder. He towered over her due to a growth spurt over the summer but she was not the least bit intimidated. He was dressed characteristically all in black in the wizard's version of a suit. His black suit jacket gracefully went down to his knees and his collar was up as if he was a model. His trousers were unblemished by creases or lines. Every item of clothing fit perfectly. Undoubtedly a designer with magic had made it as no muggle could make clothes so fine without any imperfections. Bizarrely, his hair that was usually sleeked back was slightly ruffled without any signs of his overused gel.

She suddenly felt shabby in her makeshift outfit consisting of a flimsy white nightgown, mismatching fluffy socks, her favourite sturdy leather ankle boots and a worn out jacket that she had practically stolen from her dad. She almost smiled just thinking of him. At the same moment, a bomb-like explosion sounded from the campsite bringing her back to reality. A flash of green light briefly illuminated their faces. Out of all the possible times, he chooses now to interrupt.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione said defiantly.

"Are you blind or do you not see that they're after Muggles and more importantly your little friend, Scarhead?" Now she was getting even more worried. Harry was probably the Death Eaters most wanted person but she didn't want to admit Draco was right. His ego was already chocking.

"Harry will be fine, if he can beat Voldemort he can also beat his disciples," she said trying to convince herself more than Draco. Draco couldn't help but flinch slightly at the sound of Voldemort's name. He hated how a name could have such an affect on him.

"Granger, they're also after Muggles. D'you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around. . . they're moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh," Draco mocked.

Hermione had also seen poor Mr Roberts, the campsite manager and his family being humiliated and tortured. It had sickened and terrified her.

"I'm also a witch, it's not like they have an ancestry detector devise that they scan you with as you go through the door. I'm as much of a witch as any other pureblood."

"Fine, have it your way. If you think they won't be able to spot a mud… one of your kind, stay where you are."

"As you might of have heard I have to wait here for Harry and Ron to come back." Hermione huffed trying to ignore his little slip up.

"How wonderful for Potty and Weasel to have such a loyal, dead friend. And this could've all been avoided if you had been smart enough to follow my advice. Oh what a shame," he joked, in a nonchalant manner.

"This must be great for you Malfoy, finally some quality entertainment, all those horrible muggles finally getting what they deserve." Hermione could feel Draco's magic revolt as she said it but Draco's face gave away nothing. He had a face that seemed to portray complete indifference but something about it felt off. His expressions almost never seemed genuine.

"Granger, stop fooling around. You are known as Harry Potter's muggle-born friend, so go ahead, insult me and wait for the Death Eaters to capture you, all the more entertainment for me," he said cheekily.

"I'll wait until I need to go and who knows maybe your father might keep me alive and wait till the almighty dark lord comes back to reward him," she said harshly.

"Don't speak of my father in such an insolent manner, as if he would have need for a mudblood like you," he sneered.

Before she could quip back, a huge bang sounded from the other side of the trees, making her ears ring for a moment before she could hear the faint screams of people terrified. Draco chuckled slightly seemingly amused by other's fear but Hermione didn't buy into his facade so easily.

"Scare easily don't they?" Draco said lazily.

"Some people aren't devoid of emotions, people are obviously terrified and for good reason. Not all of us have connections to the other side."

"What are you implying? That I am somehow linked with the Death Eaters, never heard that one before." Draco said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Stop that, how can you joke around in this situation?"

"Joke around, I was merely asking a question and assuming the answer. Obviously I was correct as per usual." Draco said with false innocence.

"Don't pretend with me, I can see past your little facade. This bothers you doesn't it? Somewhere deep inside there is some shred of humanity that is begging to escape. I can feel it," she accused. Draco's composure seemed to falter slightly but then he looked angry.

"Granger, don't try and think that everyone is a goody-little-two-shoes like you are because that's not true. Tonight's events are proof of that. So stop being so naïve and come to see the world for the real twisted place it is. It's more fun that way," he said excitedly.

"Get over yourself already. You know what, I don't even want to be a part of this conversation anymore. I just can't deal with you at the moment so please leave me alone and go back to your dad. Let me cope with my own problems before I do something that I'll regret," she said, her hair sparking with frustration.

"Merlin, have I broken some serious rules to deserve such treatment because as far as I know, there's no reason why I shouldn't be allowed to stay here. You should know that with that walking encyclopaedia in your head. Always the teachers pet I see." His eyes bore into hers knowing he was right.

"Maybe you could make some real friends if you stopped being such a prick. There are a lot of good people out there. All you have to do is look. So why don't you start now? It's as good a time as any."

"Save you false sappiness for someone else. Friends are useless, what I have is far better. I have loyalty," he said with arrogance.

"How would you know? Have you ever tried anything other than pulling out the rich daddy card to gain, what did you call it? Loyalty. Ha! As if!"

"I install fear into those who I want as allies. They are the ones that I can profit from their acquaintance. So what does Potty and Weasel give you? A fear for your life and guilt for not giving it!"

"The real way to gain loyalty is to love. Love for another, not the romantic kind but the true friendship kind; that is irreplaceable. Everyone needs a friend and the people who really love you would give their life for you. That is true loyalty."

Her words struck him hard as he could feel that she genuinely believed it but he would never let weakness show. Just like he was taught. She just couldn't understand that he was trying to give her some needed common sense but she wouldn't listen.

Why was he worrying about her? She had anything but a prestigious family background or power. He should despise her for her heritage but yet he couldn't make himself feel that way towards her. Even when she had slapped him he had sworn Crabbe and Goyle to secrecy and had never brought it up again even though he knew a word with his father would give her hell. He had convinced himself that it was because he didn't want to be seen as a weak person that got beaten up by girls but he wasn't so sure.

She looked vulnerable in her white, frilly nightgown but her crackling magic brewing in her core and the fire behind her eyes said otherwise. She was strong, but he was starting to get worried as he could hear the Death Eaters getting closer. Some of them were splitting off to deal with people individually.

All of a sudden, a red curse came flying from behind Hermione. Draco by instinct shoved her down to the ground on the side out of harms way falling with her to the ground.