Fire melting Ice.

Destinies Entwined

Destiny- The way one person, in a world with six billion others, can find the only person with the key to unlock their heart...

My name is Hermione Granger, I am in my fourth year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Today is the first of September and I am on my way to the train station to board the Hogwarts Express. I hope that this year will be a normal year without someone trying to kill my best friend or Voldemort trying to come back. The only thing I want to worry about this year is catching Peter Pettigrew and clearing Sirius's name so Harry can go live with him.

We made it to King's Cross a few minutes before the train was scheduled to leave and with a last hug and goodbye to my parents I run through the wall of platform nine and ten and come out in platform 9 3\4. The Hogwarts Express still makes me stop and stare in wonder. I was running a little late so I snapped out of it and got on the train to find a compartment. Almost all the ones I checked were full but I finally found an empty one and sank down in the seat in relief.The door slid open after a few minutes and I looked up when I heard a voice I knew well.

"Hi, is there a seat open in this compartment please? Everywhere else is- Ganger?" Draco stopped mid-sentence when he saw me.

"Malfoy." I replied.

"Look, I'm sorry I bothered you. I can find somewhere else to sit".

"I don't mind, you just said everywhere else is full and I'm not going to throw you out".

"Thank you." he mumbled looking at the ground and taking a seat across from me.

"I can't believe you're being civil to me, Malfoy".

"I got tired of being mean all the time alright, just don't get used to it because when we get to the school I can't be nice to you".

"Well then let's make the best of the train ride then".

We settled in and I got a book from my trunk and started reading. An hour passed and I was pleasantly surprised that Malfoy and I were not fighting. It wasn't even uncomfortable with him sitting across from me reading a book of his own.

"I can't believe we are actually sitting here together without you making a remark about me or something." I said breaking the silence.

"Listen, Granger, I'm sorry that I am mean most of the time and I'm really sorry for almost getting Buckbeak killed last year, but I am a Malfoy and I have to act a certain way or face the consequences".

"You remember his name? And what are you talking about? 'face the consequences', what does that mean?" I asked.

"You wouldn't understand, and yes, I remember his name. I had nightmares about him dying for weeks even when I knew he escaped." he replied.

"What?" I asked really confused now.

"Just leave it alone Granger." He said.

We sat in silence for a few minutes more with me staring at him in shock and confusion. He was staring out the window trying to avoid my gaze like he said too much and was regretting it now. I didn't know what to do with this new information I just got. I mean Draco Malfoy has always been my enemy, he was foul and loathsome and cruel but now I knew he was only human.

"I won't tell anyone what you said, Malfoy, and I won't act like this has made us friends but if you ever want to talk, I'm here." I said finally breaking the silence yet again.

Malfoy looked at me for a long time like he was thinking hard on how to reply to what I just said and I was beginning to think I made a mistake when he said, "Thanks, Granger, I'll keep that in mind".

I gave him a small smile in response and went back to reading my book but not before I caught the hint of a smile on his lips too. This was going to be an interesting year again I thought as we spent the rest of the train ride in that weird comfortable silence, reading together.

When we pulled in at the station, Malfoy got his things together and turned to me and said,"Remember, Granger, we never talked to each other and we hate each other". Then he pulled open the door and left without looking back.

I smiled to myself on got my things and went to look for my friends. I found them waiting for me at the front of the train. With a big smile I ran to them and enveloped them both in a big hug.

"Hi, Harry. Hi, Ron." I said.

"Hello, Hermione." They chorused.

"You guys ready for a normal year at Hogwarts?" I asked smiling.

"What's normal?" asked Harry.

"Wouldn't know, Harry." replied Ron.

All three of us started laughing and got in a carriage to start this new school year. At least I had my best friend with me so come what may.