Hardest Of Hearts; Chapter One.

Chapter One - The Hogwarts Express.

As Hermione ran through the wall at Platform 9 3/4 with her two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, she paused as she looked around to take everything in. It had been a year since they defeated the Dark Lord, Voldemort and here they were, returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their 7th and final year. Hermione took in the sight that always made her happy on September 1st. She saw the huge red and black train called The Hogwarts Express, familiar faces, some which she loved, some which she disliked. She seen some parents kiss their children goodbye and at that moment she felt lost. She had never really had a bond like that with her own parents. They disliked the fact that Hermione was a witch and that she was attending a school like Hogwarts. They had always wanted her to attend a normal, muggle school, then when she graduated, they wanted her to go to college, get married then have a family. But for Merlin's sake, she was only 17! She didn't want to settle down, not yet anyway. She eventually turned her head away from a man and woman kissing a little girl on the cheek, to Harry tapping her on her shoulder.

"What?" She asked, looking confused.

"We have to get on the train and you were in a daze. So I decided to bring you back to reality." He smiled at her.

Harry, Ron and herself boarded the Hogwarts express and within 10 minutes, they were on their way to the place that Hermione called home. The golden trio slipped into an empty compartment near the end of the train. Hermione sat beside the window and Harry and Ron sat opposite her. She quickly glanced at Ron but he was staring at the compartment door with a huge smile on his face. What was he smiling at? Hermione turned her head to see Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom enter. Luna's face lit up when she saw Ron and she went over to him and sat on his lap. He wrapped his arm's around her waist and kissed her softly on the lips. Hermione felt tears in her eyes. The guy that she loved was sitting opposite her sucking face with Looney Lovegood. She quickly wipped the tears away with her sleeve and stood up.

"I'll be back in a few minutes." She declared, heading towards the door. Harry stood up too at this moment. 

"Want me to go with you?" He knew what was wrong with Hermione. She smiled and nodded at him and they both left. As soon as the door slid shut, Harry grabbed Hermione's arm and took her in a hug. The tears began to leave her eyes again. 

"How does he not know how I feel about him?" She asked. Harry didn't answer her, he just kept his hold on her. Harry was in the same situation with Ginny and Dean. Suddenly they heard a familiar voice behind them. The familiar voice of none other than Draco Malfoy. She didn't loosen her grip on Harry.

"Oi! Granger!" She heard Malfoy shout. She wasn't in any mood for him right now. Before she knew it, her arm was being pulled and she was no longer hugging Harry. She hesitated for a moment then wiped her eyes, then turned around to face him. Malfoy was standing there already in his robes with his best friend Blaise Zabini right by his side.

"What do you want?" She asked, her voice husky from crying.

Malfoy just stared at her. "Why are you crying?"

Hermione was about to answer him telling him to mind his own business when Zabini cut her off.

"I was wondering if you would like to sit with me for the rest of the train ride, beautiful." He flashed her a sexy sort of smile. Draco's eyes widened from what he heard.

"Excuse me, What?" Draco demanded, shocked.

"You heard me. I would like Miss Granger here to accompany me for the rest of the journey to Hogwarts." He smiled viciously at Malfoy as if to say 'If you mess this up for me I will hex you.' They both seemed to be deep in conversation that it seemed like they forgot Hermione and Harry were standing there, gobsmacked. She began turning slowly but was suddenly pulled back by Malfoy.

"Wait." Was all he said to her, turning his gaze back to Zabini. Hermione was getting aggitated now. What did he want? She began feeling even more awkward than she already was when the two boys started talking again.

"You are joking right? The girl is crying for God's sake! Why would she want to sit with you out of all peopl-" Malfoy was suddenly cut off by Hermione raising her voice.

"I'm not standing here all day waiting for you to tell me what you want." He just stared at her again. Zabini was also looking at her, but they were both silent. Why did Zabini want her to sit with him the rest of the way? He hated her ever since first year. She was staring at Malfoy waiting for an answer but none was coming.

"I'm sorry Blaise, But as Malfoy stated, I have just been crying, so I'm really not in the mood right now. Maybe some other time." She said, turning her eyes to Zabini. He nodded slowly then looked at his feet. She then looked back at Malfoy. "Okay, if you are just going to stand there and look at me, I'm leaving." She turned, grabbed Harry's arm and started walking. This time no one pulled her back and she was grateful.

"Granger!" Malfoy shouted. Oh for Merlin's sake, she thought, turning around rather angrily. "What?" She practically bit his head off.

"I was told to tell you to be in the Prefects compartment in 15 minutes. But we just spent about 10 minutes," he glared at Zabini, but then continued, looking back at her, "here so looks like we have to go now."

"Us?" She asked, shocked.

"Yes, Us. As in me and you, Granger." He said, looking at Harry.

"Um.. Why? I'm not a Prefect anymore." She said, feeling very confused.

"Yeah, Why?" Harry also asked.

"Don't ask me Granger. I'm just as curious as you are. Come on." He said ignoring Harry. He turned and began walking towards the Prefect's compartment. He stopped after he walked a few steps and looked over his shoulder. "Come on." He said, holding his hand out. Hermione hesitated for a moment, then squeezed Harry's arm. She smiled at Zabini then walked quickly to where Malfoy was. She hesitated again. But Malfoy raised his hand even higher this time and she took it. His skin was really warm and smooth.

"Merlin, Granger! You're frezzing!" He said, gripping her hand more tightly. She didn't answer him. When they arrived at the Prefect's compartment, no one was there. They both stopped and looked around. Hermione's luggage was at a table to the right and Malfoy's was to the left. She didn't realise that she was still holding Malfoy's hand until he loosened his grip. She then let go of his hand altogether and walked towards her stuff. She turned around and Malfoy was also at his luggage, holding a piece of parchment in his hands.

"What's that?" She asked him.

"A letter from Dumbledore." He handed it to her and she bagan reading aloud.

Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Draco Malfoy.
I assume by now that you are both rather confused as to why you and your belongings are here in the Prefects carriage. You will find out as soon as you arrive at Hogwarts, after the meal. But please may I ask that you both remain in this compartment and try to get acquainted, for your own sakes more than anyone elses. I shall be seeing you both very shortly. 

Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore.

She re-read it three more times to make sure that she didn't leave anything out. A slight frown appeared on her lips. What was all this about? She wondered. Ron and the rest are probably wondering where she had gotten to. Oh no, wait, she thought, he's too busy snogging Looney. She felt her eyes sting with tears again then cleared her throat. She decided that she should go tell Harry what was happening. She stood up rather slowly, and as she did so, Malfoy turned to look at her. She didn't look directly at him, but she got a glimpse of him. He then turned his head and continued gazing back out the window. She headed towards the compartment door and went to slide it open, but then she felt an electric shock. She jumped back and screamed "Fuck!" Draco turned very quickly because he heard a swear word leave Hermione's mouth, not because she screamed. He looked shocked.

"Since when do you curse Granger?" He asked, slightly amused.

"Shut up. The God damn door just shocked me!" She was still holding the spot on her right hand where the shock had accured.

"I highly doubt that." He said, pushing her out of his way. He grabbed hold of the handle with his right hand also and was immediately stung. "What the-" He was cut off by Hermione sighing loudly. "What are you sighing about?" He demanded, very angrily.

"Dumbledore said in the letter that he wants us to remain in this compartment for the rest of the trip. I'm betting he put a spell on it." She replied, sighing again as she placed the letter back on top of her trunk. She sank back down into her chair as Malfoy sat opposite, still clutching his hand.

They were both silent for a while when Malfoy suddenly spoke. "Why were you crying?"

She turned her gaze to him to see if he was smiling but he wasn't. He was dead serious.

"It doesn't matter." She muttered, putting her head in her hands. She felt his hand softly touching her arm. She looked up, shocked.

"Well it kind of does. But if you don't want to tell me, it's cool."

"I just really don't want to talk about it right now." She said. Especially with you, she thought. They sat in silence the rest of the train ride. When the train came to a halt, Hermione smiled. She was finally home.