Chapter 1

(as edited by Aligalloo)

Hermione Jean Granger had always been regarded as smart. And she always made sure that she exuded that 'good girl' vibe. She knew that she was different, and how she was smart - and intelligent, with this kind of exotic beauty that seemed to linger near her.

Ronald Weasley, on the other hand, was average to say the least. He was the youngest son in a large family, who did not have the wealth that was usually dictated by the term pureblood. With his red hair, and startling blue eyes, it was clear he fitted into the family.

So perhaps it is odd that Ronald Weasley decided he deserved better than Hermione. And it is especially odd, when one could say Hermione was already out of his league as it was.

Nonetheless, Hermione had embarked on a relationship with the tall red-head, and though she found the passion lacking - as well as the stimulating conversation, Hermione would have claimed she was happy. They were destined to be, claimed the entirety of the wizarding world. And so, Hermione suffered quietly, knowing that should she start, she would destroy the faith that society held in her.

With great acclaim comes great responsibility.

Hermione, though not conceited, would never have suspected that Ronald Weasley would break up with her, in an indecorous way, on their second anniversary.

It so happened that he did promptly break up with her, in a way that would make even a saint angry.

Hermione, who had expected a proposal on their date, did not show her emotions, as she thanked him and walked out of the restaurant, with dignity that so defined her character.

It was only when she got home, that she sat on the couch, and realised that her plan to help society failed. As the strong woman she was, she did not cry. But it was with a paining heart, she dwelled on how the other girls in her year were mostly married, with children along the way.

And Hermione, who had valued her career, had been left behind, and had wasted two years of her life on Ron Weasley.

She instead decided to learn from her mistakes and settled into bed with a good book; her bookworm trait was the only residue of the bushy-haired, buck-toothed school girl Hermione was remembered as.

When at exactly 8pm on that Friday night, the doorbell rang, Hermione started. Ron was prone to changing his mind, but he usually took a great deal of sulking before he did.

She walked to the door, not caring to put on a dressing gown over the short satin nightie she wore. Upon opening her door, she was no doubt surprised with the man who stood there.

With his trademark smirk decorating his face, and his blond hair whipping in his grey eyes, Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret himself stood in her doorway.

In most situations, Hermione would have greeted him politely, and invited him in. However, Hermione, who had not eaten for the entire day - due to a great amount of work, promptly fainted into his arms in shock.

And it was so, that Hermione Granger was carried over the threshold by none other than Draco Malfoy, ironically reminiscent of a wedding night.