But... She's a Malfoy (A Hermione Granger GxG Fanfic)

Chapter 2

It was raining cats and dogs outside when they were having their Potions class, their first with Professor Slughorn. Now that Professor Snape was teaching Defense against the Dark Arts, Potions now seemed more interesting.

Hermione had nothing against Professor Snape, it was just that she never got to be herself around the guy. And she always loved learning new things, then share it to others. But doing that in front of the Professor would earn her another know-it-all remark.

When the trio arrived inside the room, the class had not started yet. There were a couple of students from Hufflepuff playing some kind of spell on their table. No one seemed to dare to sit on the front row.

The trio decided to take a seat near Professor Slughorn's office. Harry and Ron sat together, as always. Hermione was on a separate table, expecting Neville to sit beside her any moment. She knew he always arrived late.

Hermione was scribbling some important notes on her new Potions book, always having read ahead, even before she left home.

"Is this seat taken?" Hermione heard someone say, making her jump from her seat.

When Hermione turned to look, she saw the same enthusiastic face of the one and only Samantha Malfoy. She was wearing her platinum hair in a ponytail this time. She wasn't in her robes, just white long sleeves and green tie with their house's logo. Sam didn't even bother to properly tie her necktie, just hanging loosely around the collar of her shirt.

"I-," Hermione seemed to lose her voice. When she glanced around to see that Neville had already arrived and was sitting with Dean instead, she looked back at Sam and answered by shaking her head no.

"Great," Sam said, smiling, as she settled down her books and bag before them and took a seat beside Hermione.

Hermione slowly turned at Ron and Harry on her other side and they all have confused looks too.

"My name's Samantha, by the way," Sam introduced herself, extending her hand for Hermione to shake. "Though, people call me Sam."

Hermione gulped as she closed her book and replied, "I know who you are.... and your brother as well."

Sam's smile immediately faded as she lowered her hand, realizing that Hermione wouldn't return the gesture.

"Yeah? Is he really an asshole here? Because at home, he's completely different," Sam said. Then she leaned closer as she whispered. "Don't tell others but my brother's a softie once you get to know him. He just didn't want to destroy his bad boy reputation, if you know what I mean."

Sam pulled back, giving Hermione a wink that made the latter's cheeks red. Did she just wink at me?

Hermione was now confused. Why is the new girl starting a conversation? Did I have a sign on me that says I'm open for anything that has something to do with a Slytherin? She's a Malfoy for crying out loud. Why couldn't Malfoys just leave me alone?

"So... are you here to bully me as well?" Hermione spat. She couldn't help herself. Expecting that the new girl would join her brother's doings would make this interaction hurt less. One thing Hermione learned at Hogwarts was to not easily trust anyone.

Sam's confused eyes looked at her. Hermione could see a slight disappointment showing on Sam's face. Maybe it was just her imagination but she couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty on the accusation she made.  "Now, why would I do that?"

Why would she do that? Why would she do that?! Really?! Because you're a Malfoy.

"I know you've probably heard already that I'm.. I'm a Muggle born," Hermione answered nervously.

"So?"

So?

"I think you're not getting what I'm trying to say..."

Sam only sighed, avoiding Hermione's eyes. "I know what you mean..."

"And you're a Slytherin, Slytherins hate muggle borns." There. It's not that hard to say.

But the moment the words left Hermione's mouth, she instantly felt guilty and she wished she could just take it back and bury herself with it.

"I'm just not my brother, okay?" Sam  said. "In fact, I saw you at Diagon Alley a month ago. You were so nice at that old lady in the ice cream parlor."

Old lady. Ice cream parlor. Hermione racked up her brains to remember what Sam was talking about.

Then Sam grabbed a notebook from her bag and quickly scanned the pages. She then showed to Hermione one of the pages she found. It was a drawing of Hermione lending a help to an old lady by carrying her luggage for her. Hermione immediately remembered. The old lady was a Squib, and not wanting to show that the brunette could do magic just as good, she decided to help without any magic's help.

But wow. Sam's drawing though. Such detail. Such talent. Hermione thought as she ran her fingers on the page. Then she flipped the pages, wanting to see more. Train to Hogwarts. An elf cleaning the trophies. Hagrid leading the first years to the lake.

"You're so good," Hermione said, mesmerized, forgetting that she wasn't just talking to any student. "You drew these?"

Sam gave a nervous laugh, her hand unconsciously rubbing the back of her neck as she answered, "It's just sketches during my free time... And they're too nice not to be noticed."

Then Hermione came across a page of another drawing of herself, in the library, reading books. It was the first night she arrived back at Hogwarts.  Knowing that the boys were practically busy on the toys they bought from Zonko's during their break, Hermione decided it wouldn't hurt to catch up some light reading. Hermione immediately felt her face flushed. Was Sam following her?

"Why me?" Hermione couldn't stop herself from asking anymore. She wanted to know if this was all part of a joke somehow. Part of Malfoys' evil plan against Mudbloods.

"Why you?"

"Yeah... Your brother hates me. Your house hates the likes of me. You're a Slytherin, Sam. Why are you even talking to me like we're friends?"

Before Sam could reply, Professor Slughorn just stepped out of his office, with a jolly face and smile, excited to start the class.

Saved by the bell, Hermione couldn't help but feel relieved. She didn't want to say those things to Sam. She wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. But she couldn't just trust her that easily.

But what she heard next made the insides of her stomach squirm in a way she hadn't felt before.

"I like you," Sam replied in a whisper. And Hermione couldn't help but blush.