Cursed | Draco Malfoy

One

Mud-blood.

A term used to describe the dirty-blooded, a witch or wizard born under muggle parents, a muggle-born.

Someone like Hermione Granger.

She was just 11 years old when the foul term had been called at her by a boy her same age, a boy from the Slytherin house.

Draco Malfoy.

Ever since they were young, the on-going, hurtful term was directed at her for years. It hurt Hermione to an extent. Her dirty-blood was one she never wanted to be ashamed of — but , up-holding the fact that both her best-friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were pure-blooded, or at least half-blooded — it made her feel like the odd one out.

But, after four years of being called the same term over and over again — it felt incredibly de-humanizing for Hermione. She was human, a girl, being called by not even her last name, but the derogatory term.

Although she was muggle-born, her being top of the class at Hogwarts was even more baffling to all those around her. It was almost strange, she knew most and more than anyone about the Wizarding World.

Truth be told, it gained her even more enemies for her, of course — being the brightest witch of her age.

Granted, Hermione Granger was never someone anyone even tried to mess with. Other-wise, she would just throw a magic fact, or give you a weird look and turn the other way. It took a-lot for anything or anyone to get under her skin.

It was just mud-blood, and the fact only one person called her it.

It was her up-coming year of Hogwarts, fifth year. She had practically made her personal goal to completely avoid Malfoy and his cruel demeanour at all times. She wouldn't deal with it anymore.

"Hermione? Hello?" A voice called. Her brown eyes snapped up, looking right into the eyes of her green-eyed best-friend, Harry Potter. Who had been sitting across from her on the train to Hogwarts.

Ron Weasley, was seated next to her — devouring a chocolate frog just like a first year would. Of course, the red-headed boy hadn't changed since then.

The Hogwarts Express speeded down the tracks, as she casted her eyes out towards the windows. Views of valleys, hills, the ocean and birds — have her a sense of feeling alive, of feeling like all of this was actually real. Granted, even at her fifth year at Hogwarts — it still felt surreal how she could even be there.

"I'm going to try to find the Honey-dukes Express," She murmured, making her way out the tiny compartment.

She patted down her robes, as she dragged her eyes along the small walk-ways of the train. She glanced at the left side, the express was no where to be found, she grunted — as she turned to look the other way, only to be met with a broad chest.

A crease formed in-between her eyebrows, as she looked up. Meeting the cold, steeled eyes of Draco Malfoy. Instantly, she felt her chest burn up — trying to back up from the close proximity that made her insanely uncomfortable.

She studied his face for a moment. Over the holiday break, Malfoy had looked much different. His jawline had been way more persistent and visibly there then before. His build, and chest had gotten bigger and he'd been way taller than the year before. Even his fair hair had grown, flopping over his forehead tickling the bushed eyebrows of Malfoy.

She grimaced, "out the way, Malfoy."

Then, a stupid grin stretched across his face. "I don't think so, mud-blood."

There it was, the sting.

Like a bee stinging a human, injecting the venom. She swallowed thickly, "I don't have time for your games, go bother someone else." She said sharply.

He hummed, "surprised to even see you here again, I thought you'd finally quit — clearly Hogwarts had to be too much for your muggle brain." His eyebrows rose, as a devil grin stayed plastered on his narrow face. He leaned his arm forward, his grey rings glistening as he balled his hand around a bar above her - almost en-caging her.

"Funny you say that, Malfoy. I'm surprised you're here after being dumber than a rock all these years." She fired back, as he made a face.

"Please, you're a pathetic excuse for a witch. Wasting my time here already." He spat.

She pushed her bottom lip out, as she looked at him — eyes locked. "Oh how sad Malfoy, im just dying to have a conversation with you. Better yet, why not just go tattletale on me to your dad? Then he can fight his battles for you like he's always done." She sneered back.

His demeanour and attitude had changed immediately, Malfoy had actually been tensed by Hermione's words. He took his hand down from the bar, straightening his robes with his hands.

"Don't mention my father, you mudblood." He spat back once again.

She scoffed, as her brown eyes laid on the Honey-duke express coming down the aisle from behind him. She broke her eyes away from his.

"Great talk as always, Malfoy. Be sure to say hi to Crabbe and Goyle for me — those little body-guards of yours." She smiled and said sarcastically, before finally pushing past him and making her way to the cart — leaving Malfoy stunned.

She walked over, smiling at the lady before speaking. "One pumpkin pastie please," giving her left-over change — she made her exit, letting out a breath of air as she made her way back to her compartment.

Closing the small sliding door behind her, she exhaled frustratingly before sitting back down next to Ron. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath before taking a bite out of her pastie.

"What is it?" Ron asked, as Hermione's gazed stayed stilled in the corner of the room — completely dazed.

A silence passed before she broke, "Malfoy."

It was all she had to say, they knew just then why she had been upset. "Blimey, that blonde-headed idiot just doesn't know when to bloody stop." Ron spat, shaking his head.

"What'd he say this time?" Harry pondered. Hermione crossed her arms over her stomach as she swallowed yet another bite of her pastie. "Just the bloody usual. 'Mud-blood' and just rambling on about things that have nothing to do with him. Godric, he's so annoying." She frowned.

She hated him, in all honesty. He none-stopped annoyed her, pestered her, and she would even venture as far to say he bullied her throughout all years of Hogwarts.

It wasn't something she took lightly.

The train to Hogwarts had finally stopped as they all began to pack their things and head out.

She had no idea what had been awaiting her this coming year of Hogwarts, and there was no way in Merlin — Hermione Granger was prepared for it all.

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