Where the hearts meet - A short story of love and hate

Chapter One

A/N: In this story, Hermione, Draco and the others are in their last year of school. There is no war, Voldemort doesn't exist and the rivalry between the different houses takes place in a friendly atmosphere. A story as light as a feather! 

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Lost in her thoughts, buried under a pile of textbooks, her gaze fixed on her watch, Hermione was late. Nothing usual for Hogwarts golden girl and the idea of ​​missing the start of the history of magic class distressed her to the highest degree. She was running, sweating, almost persuaded that she was going to make it in time. 

A little further down the same corridor, Draco Malfoy was leaning nonchalantly against a wall. Staring into space, fighting the urge to skip his next class, he saw her. Immediately, a smirk appeared on his face. He waited until she were right in front him, then deliberately jumped in her way, trying to trip her.  

Hermione didn't see it coming and couldn't avoid the obstacle delicately placed in her path. None of her many books could slow her fall and it was with a dull thud that echoed throughout the floor when she hit the ground. In the middle of the torn pages, she fought against her tears, torn between the pain of her sore ankle and the embarrassment caused by this fall. Lifting her head,  she finally saw him. Draco Malfoy was right there, looking at her, enjoying her shame. 

"Ah, good mornig to you too, Granger !, he says with a sneer. 

- You could have killed me Malfoy, what were you thinking?", hissed Hermione. 

Draco chuckled, leaning back to the wall in a careless manner. Typical Malfoy. 

" Don't be so dramatic. I just wanted to have a little fun.

- A hand maybe ?", she asks. 

He looked down to her with a bored expression, his arms crossed. He didn't make a move to help her. 

"Why should I? You're perfectly capable of getting yourself up.

- Always so gentleman", she whispered bitterly.

Draco rolled his eyes, his smirk turning into a mocking grin. 

"Oh please Granger. Since when have I been known for my manners and chivalry?

- A girl can dream, Malfoy."

He chucked darkly, his eyes narrowing. 

"Expecting a 'good morning' ans a helping hand from me? You're setting yourself up for disappointment, Granger.

- Have a nice day, Malfoy."

He chuckled again, watching her pick up her books and walk away, a hint of satisfaction in his gaze. 

"Oh, I know I will."

Hermione was indeed late and the professor lectured her for what felt like an hour. Her ankle was hurt, she couldn't walk normally but the pain was nothing compared to the shame she was feeling. All she wanted right now was hiding under a rock for the next fifty years. Or at least in her bed with a good book and some sweets. When the lesson finally ended, Draco waited outside in the hallway, his eyes fixed on her classroom door. He knew she would come sooner or later and he was looking forward to watching her limp in pain .