The Fine Line Between Love and Hate | Dramione AU by Short-circuit-Soulmate

Chapter 5

...in which Draco see's a lot more of Hermione.

Hermione Granger had never been one for retaliation, or revenge, or really any sort of violence, but as she sat at the Gryffindor table, staring narrow-eyed at the group of arrogant Slytherins, she couldn't help but feel elated that she'd hexed one of them just days before.

Potter had been healed a few hours after his hexing, as he was at dinner that very night, though she hoped she'd done a bit more damage. Hermione was slightly disappointed that he didn't miss out on his 'date' because of his issue with his manhood. The only satisfaction she'd gotten was that it must have been an extremely awkward trip to the hospital wing, and even more awkward when he had to drop his pants in front of Madam Pomfrey, though knowing Potter he probably would have relished in the attention his 'wand' was receiving.

The thought had her nearly regurgitating her breakfast.

Oh, how she hated those boys. They were a constant nuisance in her life, and she was certain things were going to change now; they already had. People now looked at her with a lot more respect after the Hogsmeade incident. While they loved the Silver Marauders in all their glory, they were quite awed by the fact that she'd finally stuck up for herself; and Hermione wasn't going to pretend it didn't feel extremely satisfying.

Neville hadn't been seriously hurt, just a couple of harmless hexes, but the point of it was the fact that these boys walked, no, strutted, around acting as if they owned the place. They thought they could push her and Neville around, they thought they could hex them in the corridors, and make their lives hell.

Well Hermione wouldn't stand for that; not anymore, she'd had enough. She was the brightest witch of her age, she'd been told it many times by all her Professors, and she'd be damned if she was going to let those idiots better her. Her only regret is that she didn't realise it sooner.

Hermione glanced back over at the Slytherin table, this time to Blaise Zabini.

He wasn't sitting anywhere near the other Silver Marauders again, and rumour had it that they hadn't spoken in days. Hermione wasn't sure of her opinion on that particular boy; sure, he was a Silver Marauder, but he didn't seem to be as bad as the others.

Still, he hadn't done anything when he so clearly should have, and that made Hermione lose respect for him. She now just wondered why he wasn't speaking to his friends. Had he seen sense?

She didn't get the chance to ponder the thought for long, as the bell rang indicating the first class of the day.

Hermione had Ancient Runes, and was glad it was with the Hufflepuffs, a neutral and friendly group, for the most part. She and Neville parted ways as he went to head to Divination.

She wasn't sure why he took such a pointless class, but he had informed her it was either that or Ancient Runes. Hermione couldn't see the competition; Ancient Runes was absolutely fascinating, much better then Divination with that insect-like fraud, anyway.

Hermione entered the Ancient Runes classroom and sat in a seat at the front. She always sat alone in this class, but didn't mind as she found it helped her concentrate much better. Today, however, was not going to be one of those days.

"Hey, Hermione." A familiar voice greeted her from behind. Hermione inwardly groaned, before turning to the grinning face of Wayne Hopkins. Did this guy ever quit?

"Hi, Wayne," she greeted as cheerfully as she could, though it came out rather stiff.

"Mind if I sit next to you today?" he asked. It wouldn't matter what Hermione had said, as he'd already sat his bag down on the floor and sat in the seat next to her.