Dramione - Battle of the Pranks

Chapter 2 - I Fell Like Rain

CHAPTER 2 -

It rained the next day, the wind let out a torturous howl, windowpanes rattling upon the force of the storm. The thunder boomed throughout the sky, echoing across the castle halls as the rain fell heavily; too thick to see through and soaking those who were foolish enough to be outside in such weather.

Hermione Granger was squelching through the grounds alone, the raindrops beating against her shivering body as she tried to find the water plant she needed for her potions work. Lessons started up tomorrow and she was too busy reading to find the weed in the swamp outside The Burrow during the summer.

"What on earth are you looking for Granger?" Someone shouted over a crash of thunder, the rain so heavy she could see nothing but the flash of lightning which lit up the sky every few minutes.

"Why does it concern you Malfoy?" She snapped, recognising the tell tale blond hair as the figure trudged towards her.

"Because if someone even bumped into you a little, you would be falling into the lake... That wouldn't be good would it?" He drawled, leaning against a tree which had planted its roots firmly into the unstable bank of the lake. Hermione was crouched in the mud, using her wand to prod the plants which were growing just under the surface of the water of the black lake.

"If you push me in the lake I will break your pointy little ferret nose." She threatened, her heartbeat rising and pounding in her ears as she felt his hand roughly grab her arm.

"The plants are over here mudblood." He sneered, steering her over to the other side of the tree; dragging her through the mud whenever she fell. "Granger do you have an inability of walking through mud? Get up!" He growled as she nearly fell into the lake, one hand holding her arm tightly whilst the other was wrapped around her waist to support her.

"There they are." He said harshly, recoiling away from her immediately and taking a few hurried steps backwards. He waited in silence until she had uprooted the plant and was shoving it into her charmed pockets.

"What do you want?" She snapped, barging past him and tucking her dripping hair behind her ear.

Malfoy hesitated, he wasn't about to give away his motives for being outside during a storm to anyone; especially the goody two shoes Granger. She was squelching away from him, her cloak wrapped firmly around her narrow figure. He followed her through the storm, a smirk across his pale face as he kick mud at the back of her legs; splashing her with the cold sludge.

"What is your problem?" She spat, spinning around to face the arrogant Slytherin. Draco smirked upon sight of her best scowl; he had missed taunting her the most over that dreadfully long summer. Granger was different from Potter and the rest, her eyes were lit with a blazing fire; the courageous and stubborn flickers of the flames captured deep inside those chocolate brown eyes.

"My problem is you." He said simply, shoving his pale hands deep inside his pockets with a careless shrug; his eyes never once leaving hers. He was watching her intently, the teasing smirk upon his lips suddenly seeming more joking and curious than she had ever seen. But her heart beat once more and it was gone, the icy glare and malicious upwards turn of his lips featured once more.

Hermione couldn't help but feel defeated, the battle hadn't even begun but she could feel the crushing weight of disappointment against her chest.

"Just leave me alone." She sighed, rolling her eyes as she marched away. Hermione knew he was behind her, his quiet swears were not hidden under the roars of the thunder and his shadow flashed across her path whenever the lightning tore through the sky.

"Granger, why are you alone? Were Potty and Weaslebee too busy smooching? Did you feel left out? Aww don't worry little mudblood, I'm sure they're kinky enough to include you in their activities." Draco drawled, his hand gripping his wand tightly as the Gryffindor spun around to face him; her jaw clenched tightly and nostrils flaring with anger.