Harry Potter

And the Fight for Dramione

Chapter 1: Prologue

A small author's note: This is set mid-way in book 6, obviously the plot will change to the original books due to Malfoy's...different decisions that will come in time. Read on, enjoy, and please review!

A girlish giggle sounded across the Gryffindor common room. The sound so sickeningly sweet and high pitched that even Hermione could not continue to ignore it. Her head snapped up, bushy curls bouncing around her face, and her eyes narrowed as she dropped her copy of Advanced Rune Translation into her lap.

There they were, across the room from her; Lavender perched on Ron's lap, her hands fondling the hair at the back of his neck while she stared at him with gooey eyes. Hermione had to swallow the urge to be sick at the sight.

"Do you want to go some place quiet?" asked Harry softly, glancing at his redheaded idiot of a best friend across the room.

"I'm just fine, Harry," snapped Hermione, but she didn't tear her eyes away from the couple. Then, as if feeling their stares, Ron's eyes flickered over to Hermione. There was a second when their gazes locked, and then he quickly turned back to Lavender and pulled her into a messy, over the top kiss. Her girly sigh of contentment could be heard throughout the entire room.

If Hermione thought she was going to retch before, the feeling had suddenly increased by a tenfold. She stood up very quickly, her book on ancient runes landing on the floor with a thump and angry tears blurred her vision. She held out her hand quickly when Harry went to follow suit.

"I just need some privacy for a bit, I think, Harry," she told him. It was the truth; she just wanted to be alone, as much as she loved Harry and he was a good friend. She stormed out of the common room, slamming the Fat Lady's portrait on her way, ignoring the indignant cries that came from her and her friend Violet for her rudeness.

Wiping her eyes with her sleeve in agitation at the few tears that had escaped, Hermione walked briskly. She wasn't even paying attention to where she was going, so long as it was far, far away from Ronald Weasley. How she hated that boy right now. If he wanted to date another girl: fine. If he wanted to snog another girl: whatever. Was that her business? Of course not. But, when the arrogant little git did it just to spite her, when he did it just when she thought she was taking him to Slughorn's Christmas Party? That's when it got to her.

And the fact that he could get to her also bothered her. She would rather the asshole had nothing to do with her life and she could stop caring. Stupid, redheaded prick! Suddenly, Hermione realised she had come face to face with the door of a bathroom. Not just any bathroom; Moaning Myrtle's bathroom!

Well, she would definitely not be bothered by people in there. Except, naturally, for Myrtle, but for once Hermione didn't care. She entered the chamber, her footsteps squelching on the slightly wet stone floor. But, then she stopped, her heart jumping to her throat as she found the bathroom not empty.

There was someone already in here, and it wasn't Myrtle. It wasn't even a girl, but a boy. One that looked just as horrified to see her there as she did him.

It was none other, than Draco Malfoy.

The pale teenager's stricken face contorted to anger, though as Hermione's eyes scanned his features it looked as if tears had dried on the pallid skin above his cheekbones.

"What are you doing in here?" he demanded, his voice full of malice.

Hermione's lip quivered; of all people she had to come across, why did it have to be Draco Malfoy? Suddenly, shamefully, but unstoppably tears fell from the sensitive girl's eyes, cascading down her cheeks and Draco faltered.

Sure, he hated her. Sure, she was a mudblood. But, Draco had this frustrating instinct that he could not shake that made him crumble when a girl cried. He couldn't stand it! He clenched his fists, his grey eyes staring at the pathetic sight before him uneasily. "Why…are you crying?" he demanded jerkily, his face still formed into a scowl and he felt uncomfortable.

Hermione hiccupped and snivelled lamentably, wiping her eyes with her hands. "This is a girl's bathroom," she hissed furiously, embarrassment flushing in her cheeks, but she could not stop the flow of tears that continued to stream from her deplorable, brown eyes.

Draco scoffed, "No one is supposed to come in here," he snarled, but then the stupid mudblood had to hiccup again. "What…what's wrong with you?"

Hermione glared at him, "Nothing is wrong with me," she snapped. She was absolutely furious with herself at being so weak, especially in front of him!

Draco's brow furrowed even more. "What? Is it normal for mudbloods to blubber all over the place like this?" he spat viciously, a slight blush coating the pale pallor of his cheeks.

"Just, shut up, Malfoy," snarled Hermione, moving to pushing past the Slytherin and occupy herself in cubicle. But, Draco's pale hand shot out and grabbed her shoulder roughly.

"I'm sorry," he hissed through his teeth, clenching his eyes shut as if it was painful for him to utter such kind words.

There was a pause. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," replied Malfoy, nearly growling in annoyance.

"Since when does the, 'Oh-so Superior Malfoy' apologize?" mocked Hermione, but actual surprise was evident in her voice.

Malfoy shoved the girl away from him, releasing her shoulder. "Look, I just did. Get over it, and get out."

Hermione raised her eyebrows, her tears dried up. "If anyone should be 'getting out', it should be you!" she narrowed her eyes, "Why are you in here anyway?"

Malfoy scoffed in disgust, and leaned closer to her face angrily, "I won't tell anyone if you don't," he hissed lowly. A slight thrill ran down Hermione's spine and she breathed in quickly, but couldn't speak. "Now are you going to get out?"

Words found their way back to Hermione's brain and she scowled at Draco again, "No," she said in stubborn anger, "This is a girl's bathroom; you leave."

"I'm not going out there."

"Well, neither am I!" she snarled outraged and confused, "I do not want to see Ro- anyone right now. And I don't want to see you."

"So it was Weasley who made you come crying into the bathroom," Draco chuckled lowly. "He makes anyone cry just by looking at him. He's an arrogant asshole."

Hermione glared at the grimy stone wall, a small feeling of elation filling her at hearing someone else insulting Ronald Weasley. "Yes he is," she agreed, folding her arms across his chest. "And you're no better-"

"Excuse me?" for some reasons this sentiment really hit a nerve with Malfoy. "What, you just assume because of what I've…been like, that I just use girls like that pathetic Weasley?"

"Yes. That's exactly what I think."

"Then you're not as smart as people think you are."

There was a moment of silence as the two glared at each other for a moment. "You know," said Hermione coldly, "you're still the same, pathetic boy I met back in first year. A rich, stuck-up, bullying-"

"Really?" repeated Malfoy, stepping forward menacingly and putting his face quite close to Hermione's. "You're seriously going to whine about the stupid kid I was? I wish life was innocent enough for me to have a little cry over childhood bullying!" he breathed heavily for a moment and Hermione stared at him, taken aback. "If it makes you feel better at night, then I'm sorry for 'bullying' you. I'm sure it's tormented you for years," he sneered, his mouth curled up into an ugly snarl.

"Why are you acting like you're all regretful?" demanded Hermione, never having seen Malfoy behave this way before.

"I'm not."

"You are," countered Hermione, peering closer. "For a second there I thought I saw some humanity inside of you. Was I wrong?"

Draco sneered angrily at Hermione of a moment, but then broke their gaze. "I don't know," he said quietly.

Hermione had never seen him, Draco Malfoy: the one who lorded it over his peers, looking so unsure. So…scared. She raised her hand hesitantly, looking for the briefest of moments as if she was about to place it softly against that pale cheek of his. His eyes closed, almost subconsciously and his heart began to beat a little faster.

But, then:

A horrible wail erupted around them, and a splashing noise came from one of the furthest toilet cubicles. The two jumped away from each other as if burned, and the ugly scowl was back on Malfoy's face. He seemed repulsed by the fact that he was even near the mudblood; what was he thinking?

"Ooooh," moaned Myrtle miserably, slinking over to them, her beady, ghostly little eyes on Hermione. "What's going on here?" she demanded, jealousy suddenly coating her usual 'woe is me' voice. "You!" he eyes widened, then she cracked an evil smile, "It's whiskers. Draco I'd be careful of her," she whined, "she turned into a cat once! Horrible really; truly ghastly!"

Hermione looked at Myrtle in disgust, then back to Malfoy. "I'll leave you two alone," she murmured, backtracking out of the bathroom as fast as she could. On the way back to the Gryffindor common room she swore to herself never to tell anyone what had just happened.

Can you see that little bit of good that is in our little Draco? In my opinion...he's just a mislead boy! Anyway, normally chapters will be loner than this one! :) It is just a prologue-ish thing to set up what is to come. So, if you are interested in seeing more, please review and let me know! This is my first Dramione fic so tips and constructive criticism are most welcome!