•Edited•
"The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by an invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing."
- Severus Snape.
🐙
Hermione made her way through the throng of students aboard the Hogwarts Express, struggling to drag her heavy suitcase behind her.
Everyone was chattering incessantly around her, probably happy to meet their friends after the summer.
The first carriage she looked into was full of older students who looked really terrifying, so she moved on ahead quickly.
The last thing she wanted was to be bullied by them and fall into trouble before even stepping inside Hogwarts. She could be suspended or worse, expelled.
She shivered to herself at the horrendous thought and looked into the second carriage.
A plump boy with a round face sat alone, sniffling to himself.
Hermione thought over it. The boy did look like he was a first year like her. Maybe they could be friends? He looked like he needed a friend.
So she made her way in and asked him as politely as she could, "Hello! Is this seat taken?"
Startled to hear someone speaking to him, the boy's eyes flew up to meet hers.
"N-no." He stuttered. He hurriedly wiped away his tears.
She smiled at him and sat down, opposite to him. She peered at him interestedly and he looked away quickly as though frightened to make eye contact. Not giving up, she spoke in a loud, cheery voice,"I'm Hermione. It's nice to meet you."
"Oh. I'm Neville." He said, glancing at her, shyly.
"Why are you crying?" She asked before she could stop herself.
God she needed to learn to mind her own business. Now Neville would be offended and she would have no friends. Brilliant.
Neville's eyes had filled up with tears at her question. He barely managed to keep his voice steady.
"I lost my toad. The one Grandma gave me. I wish I could find Trevor." He wailed.
Oh. He was crying over a toad. At least, he wasn't angry with her for asking nosy questions.
"Don't cry, I'll help you find him."
"Really?"
"Yes, of course. Come on let's begin. You go down the carriage and I'll go up. Alright?" I said, kindly.
Neville smiled. A watery smile but still it was better than the misery that seemed permanently stuck on his face.
🐙
Hermione knocked on yet another compartment door. She was beginning to regret searching for Neville's toad.
Seeing her luck till now, all she could say was that Trevor obviously did not want to be found.
Nevertheless, she promised Neville she would help.
A drawling boy's voice sounded from inside the compartment. "Come in." He said.
Hermione noted how the boy sounded very commanding as she stepped in and took in the scene.
Two fat boys of her own age scowled at her. That was pleasant.
"Have any of you seen a toad? Neville's lost one." She asked clearly, trying not to be afraid.
"No." Snapped a voice from near the window and she looked up.
She could immediately make out that this was the boy who had commanded her in, just by the aura of authority around him.
He had a pale, pointed face and silvery blonde hair. But Hermione decided that his silvery grey eyes were the most fascinating thing about him. They looked so different and full of thought.
The silvery grey eyes suddenly narrowed and she snapped out of her trance.
The boy stood up and brushed his robes even though they seemed perfectly ironed.
He strolled towards her till he stood right opposite to her and the other boys flanked either side of him like two bodyguards.
She noted that he was only two or three inches taller than her and that gave her courage. She raised her chin to match his height.
"Well?" Said the boy. "Why are you still here?" The other boys sniggered stupidly.
Hermione frowned. She didn't like this boy's tone.
"No, I'm done. Thank you." She said, before beginning to leave.
The boy smirked. "You are not welcome for disturbing me."
She stopped, astounded at his arrogance. "Who do you think you are?" She demanded. "Watch your tone."
His pale eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me? I'm the Draco Malfoy. How dare you speak to me like that?"
Hermione snorted. "Like that makes a difference to me. If you're going to be rude to me, then so am I."
Draco's eyes widened. It seemed to her that nobody had dared to be rude to him before. Spoiled brat. It was a good thing she taught him his place. He would have caused trouble later on in the school. "What's your name?" He asked roughly, and if she was not mistaken, she could hear grudging admiration in his voice.
"Hermione Granger."
He looked thoughtful. "Are you a pureblood?"
She was confused. "No? What does that mean?"
Draco looked disappointed. "Nothing. You can leave now." He said, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
Irritation shot through her again. Who was he to tell her when to leave? He didn't even own this carriage!
"You can't order me around. I'm leaving because I can't stand you. Not because you're telling me to." She said, stubbornly.
Draco rolled his eyes. "As long as you leave, do you think I care?"
She scowled. "I hate you."
"The feeling's mutual. Now get out." He ordered, crossing his hands.
"Whatever." And she strode out. She had not gone ten steps when she heard his voice again.
"Wait!" Called Draco.
God, why was he stalking her now?
"What?!" She snapped, glaring at him.
"Watch your tone." He repeated her earlier words arrogantly and Hermione scowled. "I don't fancy your company. I only came after you because you dropped your wand and I don't want your stuff messing up my compartment."
Hermione bit back her nasty retort. "Thank you." She said, grudgingly.
Draco smirked again. "You are not welcome Hermione."
She glared at him. "What is your problem?"
"You." He said simply.
"Ugh I hate you." She said, scowling again.
Draco rolled his eyes. "You should go stick your limited vocabulary down this Neville's arse instead of wasting my precious time. Goodbye."
And he strode away before she could even give a reply.
He was so rude!
It was really disappointing that she would be stuck with him for the rest of the year.
She just hoped that she never had to speak with him again.
Little did she know how wrong she was.
She just made her way to the next compartment.
•••
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Devs.
