Masquerade (Dramione)

Chapter three

Dracos POV

"Mr Malfoy"

I had just gathered all my luggage and was heading down the familiar road to the carriages when I was stopped by a very familiar voice. I made a complete about turn about came face to face with Argus Filch and his ugly cat Mrs. Norris.

"What is it" I asked, trying to put as little bite into my voice as possible, but ultimately failing. I had been snide and unapproachable since my first year and it was unlikely that I would be able to make a complete attitude change without a little practice. Filch sensed my annoyance and took a step forward with his hand outstretched.

"I'm going to have to be checking your bag for dangerous magical artifacts" he muttered cruelly, it took all my self control not to lash out at him. Instead I tossedd my trunk on to the ground in front of him and cross my arms impatiently. Filch took his time, searching through every nook and cranny. He even unfolded all my clothes, checked the pockets and dumped them in a pile in the dirt. I grind my teeth angrily and clench my fists. I wanted to yell at him that I didn't follow Voldemort anymore! And to be perfectly honest I hadn't really followed him in the first place! I had been cowardly and foolish but I had seen the error of my ways and it wasn't fair of him to treat me like some criminal.

" looks like you must have hidden them somewhere else" Filch half mumbled, half growled. With that he shuffled away spraying my things with dirt and rocks on his way. After he was gone I pulled out my wand and cast a quick cleaning and organizing spell. Each item dusted itself off folded up and jumped back into my trunk. after I moved the truck to the pile of bags going up to the castle, I looked around and saw that I was the only student left on the platform.

"Idiot Squib" I muttered. It had taken him over 15 minutes to search my bag. If he had been a wizard, he could have searched me in about 10 seconds. Now it looked like I was going to miss the last carriage. I walk to the top of the hill and looked down at the carriage trail. My suspicions were confirmed, there wasn't a carriage in sight. That was no surprise what did surprise me was who I saw waiting at the head of the trail. She must not know that the carriages stop coming after the train leaves. I knew this fact exceedingly well because I had missed them numerous times over the years. I figured that maybe if I didn't talk to her then maybe she'd realize that I mean no harm. When I'm about 20 feet away from her I try to make some noise so she would know I was coming. I clear my throat. She jumps a foot in the air and in a flash she is turned around with her wand pointed at my heart.

"Holy Merlin" she cried when she realized who I was "you scared me to death Malfoy" she half whisper the last part as she put her wand away.

"sorry" I mutter and her eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"did I just receive a non sarcastic apology from Draco Malfoy?" She asks, pulling at the ends of her long sweater sleeves. I shrug and begin walking down the trail.

" aren't you going to wait for the carriage?"

"There isn't another carriage" I say, not bothering to stop and turn around. After second, I hear her jogging to catch up with me.

"How do you know there's not another carriage?"

"They stopped coming after the train leaves." I explain. We walk along in silence for a while. Every time I glanced over at her she looks away and readjusts her sweater sleeves. Why is she doing that? I wonder.

"Are you cold or something Granger?"

She looks shocked that I was talking to her voluntary.

"No" ... And the silence continues.

Hermiones POV

Malfoy looked different this year than he did the last few years. I couldn't help but notice. Usually his hair was slicked back and perfectly arranged but now it looked soft and natural and it was swept across his forehead in a wind blown sort of way. He had also gotten a lot taller and had a weeks worth of stubble growing on his jaw. When he asked me if I was cold I was shocked. Was he trying to be mean? He sounded sorta concerned but that shouldn't be possible. Malfoy didn't care about anyone. By the time we got to the castle the feast had already started. As we walked into the entry, I wasn't sure what we should do.