Pains of the Past - Dramione

Chapter Three

***Author's Note***

I've changed a few things from the first two chapters. If you've already read them, you might want to reread (as of April 19th, 2014). If not, that's fine too, it's nothing too major. Just getting rid of/fixing some things that weren't really working. Dedicated to Steph (stephiegirl98) for revising this story for me! Thanks a million.

Chapter Three~

Hermione gradually awoke from her refreshing nap as the Hogwarts Express slowly made its way around the last bend before pulling into the station. She stretched slowly, her limbs creaking, inhaling until she felt as if her chest was going to burst. She exhaled all at once, leaning forward to rest her head between her knees for a few seconds. Her vision swirled black and she smiled slightly. Stretching like that always left her light-headed and slightly dizzy, but it felt so good. It was especially rewarding to her bones, seeing as she had been on the train for awhile.

The train squealed to a stop and jerked Hermione back as she stood up. Quickly reaching up to grab a bar overhead so that she wouldn't fall, she accidentally grabbed the handle of her trunk. A string of profanities ran through her mind as she felt the heavy trunk pull forward. Hermione squeezed her eyes tightly, waiting for the trunk to fall on her. Seconds of silence passed, and Hermione anxiously wondered why she hadn't been hit by her luggage. Hermione heard Ginny clear her throat loudly several times before she cracked one of her eyes open slowly. The small red head looked pointedly behind Hermione, inclining her head towards the doorway for Hermione turn her attention towards. Hermione glanced casually over her shoulder, not sure what to expect. She had definitely not expected what she did find at all. The tall, slim figure of Draco Malfoy stood in the doorway, with Hermione's bulky trunk levitating by his side. Hermione quickly popped up, embarrassed about what she must have looked like on the floor with her face all crunched up. She quickly brushed herself off and nodded curtly at the boy.

"Thank you, Malfoy," she watched his smirk grow wider, if that was even possible, "but I had it completely under control." Draco laughed disbelievingly, and narrowed his eyes.

"You call getting squished by your trunk having things under control?" He raised his eyebrows, set the trunk on the ground, and backed away with his hands up, and shrugged, "Fine. Next time I'll let you get crushed. Whatever makes you feel like you've got everything under control." His thin lips stretched into a tight smile, his eyes like ice.

Ginny sneered and opened her mouth, probably to curse at him, but Draco held up a hand to silence her and said pointedly, "Trust me, Weaselette, I'd love to hear whatever insult you've concocted for me, but I just haven't got the time. Granger and I have a mission to complete." His eyes sparkled mischievously as he flashed his pearly whites, and before anymore could be said, he took hold of Hermione's wrist and started walking down the hall, wordlessly levitating the trunk once again. A long list of insults and threats followed them down the hall, which only seemed to humor Draco further.

Hermione's shock finally wore off and she realized that she was unceremoniously being dragged down the hall. She huffed as she shook off Draco's hand, earning a humored look from the blonde. Her stubborn pride faltered as she recounted what had happened a few minutes earlier in the train car. She could have been seriously hurt. She glanced over at the boy that walked by her side, studying the sharp contours of his profile. The lines of his jaw were sharp, his nose thin and straight, protruding slightly from his pale face. The bags under his eyes were dark, contrasting to the vibrant electric storm that danced in his eyes. He was strangely handsome.

Hermione inhaled sharply. Had she just used the term 'handsome' to describe Malfoy? She shook her head incredulously. She had. She could not believe herself. Hermione quickly banished all thoughts of Draco''s seeming attractiveness and exited the train, instantly becoming overwhelmed by the hectic crowd. She smiled at the familiar chaos. She turned around to get her trunk from Draco, only to find him staring at her. Their eyes connected and Hermione's careless smile froze as an unofficial staring contest begun. Hermione remembered that she had turned around to ask for something, but for what she couldn't recall. She blinked several times and noticed the trunk on the ground behind the tall figure and it reoccurred to her why she had turned around in the first place. Hermione awkwardly stepped around Draco as mumbled to no one in particular, "I'll just grab my luggage here..." She reached retrieved her wand from the bulky trunk and placed it to her throat to magnify her voice.

"Excuse me," Hermione said, her voice echoing through the station, "your attention please."

A handful of nervous first years glanced her way, but other than the few, the crowd remained oblivious. Hermione rolled her eyes. You'd think magnifying your voice with magic would be enough to capture the attention of any crowd. She sighed and lowered the wand so she could clear her throat, preparing to speak louder. A small yelp came from her lips as a strong hand came in contact with the small of her back. A low chuckle tickled her ear as Draco said quietly, "Allow me." Hermione grumbled bashfully about negligent first years and insufferable Slytherins.

Draco raised his dark wand and touched it to the underside of his firm jaw. Although Hermione was extremely annoyed that he had taken over, she couldn't help but notice how his voice demanded to be listened to. It was strong and confident, smooth and gliding like a sailboat on a calm lake. As soon as he spoke, the station fell silent. He did not speak politely, using soft tones as Hermione had. Instead, Draco barked orders smugly, having all confidence that what he wanted to be accomplished would happen without question. Hermione began to wonder if the smirk ever left his face for more than a few moments. "All first years go to the end of the train where Hagrid is. He's the giant with the bushy beard." The first years rushed over to a cheery Hagrid quickly, trying to avoid the wrath of the stern-looking Head Boy by complying with instructions quickly. Draco quickly slipped the simple wand into the right pocket of his trousers and began to walk towards the carriage that was meant to take them up to the school. Without breaking stride, he threw over his shoulder, "You coming, Granger?" Hermione harrumphed and followed quickly, carrying her trunk. She didn't particularly like to use magic for simple tasks that could be completed without it. She wasn't afraid to actually use her hands, obviously unlike some people.

Upon seeing Hermione shove the trunk into the carriage, Draco grinned, entertained by the headstrong girl. He shook his head slightly, wondering why she hadn't just used her wand to move it in. He was genuinely confused, but he chose not to comment. Stretching his legs, he yawned widely, his arms forming an arc over his head. Draco smiled cheekily, feeling Hermione's stare on him. He rested his hands behind his head and crossed his lengthy legs. With his eyes still shut, he smirked widely, "See something you like?" He chuckled lightly as he heard a small gasp. His eyelids lifted lazily to reveal a bright red Hermione glaring at him from across the small space. She ground her teeth and retorted, "I was just wondering if that smirk ever leaves your face for more than ten seconds." In reply, Draco put on his biggest infamous smirk, and Hermione rolled her eyes so far that he feared they would pop out of her skull.

Draco leaned forward without warning, leaving almost no room to separate their faces. Hermione's eyes grew wide as she inhaled sharply. She wondered for at least the third time that day if Malfoy knew what personal space was. She watched his stormy eyes shift from light and playful to serious and brooding. His intense blues locked onto her shocked amber eyes and he frowned slightly. "Listen, Granger," he pulled back marginally, returning to Hermione her breathing space of which he had intruded, "if this year is going to work at all, we need to be a team. We're supposed to be working together." One side of his thin mouth lifted somewhat, "Sound good?"

"Got it," Hermione said immediately. He leaned back, closing his eyes once again, silence pressing down heavily in the carriage. The brunette shook her head to clear the invading fuzziness in her thoughts that his stare had caused. She could not fathom why his cold eyes made her feel so warm, or how his closeness managed to affect her brightest feature: her mind.

Suddenly she realized that she had just agreed with Malfoy to work together. She groaned inwardly, not wanting to draw his attention to her once again. Why couldn't she think when he got anywhere close to her? It upset her greatly, and she wondered again why Draco, of all the possible candidates, had been chosen to be her companion. If she could just keep an open mind about him, maybe everything could be bearable. Hermione decided to put the questions out of her mind, and try to enjoy this last year.

Well, as much as was possible while being forced to work with the aggravating and prideful Draco Malfoy.