What Once Could Never Be...

What Once Could Never Be...

Chapter 3: An Alliance, An Argument, and A Decision

Harry and Ron stared, mouths open, at the retreating backs of Draco and Hermione from Hogsmeade station in complete astonishment. The one thought that was running through both their minds was mutual. Is that *really* Hermione?

Ginny and Lavender came up behind them and put a hand on each of their shoulders, putting a stop to their impression of goldfish and away from the scene that was causing it. As the four of them were making way towards the carriages, the two girls glanced at each other and nodded in silent agreement. Distract them.

"Harry, you're a prefect. When do you think the first Hogsmeade visit will be?" Ginny asked in a sugary sweet voice that pulled Harry back from thoughts of Hermione. "I can't wait to go back to Honeydukes! I heard they have something new called Dukedunes."

"I've heard about those," Lavender piped in. "I can't wait to try them!"

Ron looked over at his girlfriend, the sight of Hermione with Malfoy clearly forgotten. "What else do you like? I have to buy you something for your birthday."

Lavender began to blush, but the other three just laughed as they climbed into a carriage. They rode towards Hogwarts emerged in discussion. The problem having been left for later.

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Draco and Hermione stepped into a carriage together amidst the expressions of people watching them, the Gryffindors with surprise and the Slytherins with disgust. Neither one seemed to notice the attention they were drawing by being together holding hands.

Once inside the safety of the carriage, they finally looked up and met each other's eyes sitting directly across from one another. Words seemed lost upon both for a few moments. Then, they both started to speak at the same time.

"Look, I -"

"I just want -"

They smiled, both authentic grins. Draco acknowledged that Hermione should go first. He was a gentleman, after all.

"Draco, I don't know what to say."

"What do you need to say? You don't have to say anything."

"I know, but I feel like I should. I never knew before, and now that I do I feel extremely guilty for having treated you the way I did on the train. Please don't hold it against me." She dropped her eyes away from his and waited for his response.

He smiled and reached out to lift her chin up to face him. His eyes were dancing with mischief. "Hermione, I don't, nor have I ever, take offense at what you have said to me. You were right before. I deserved it."

She opened her mouth to discharge his claim, but he quickly silenced her by putting his finger to her lips.

Her lips are so soft. I can't think about that right now. "I've been an insufferable bastard to you for as long as I can remember. Things have changed now."

She peered at him, her face set in a quizzical expression. She leaned away from his hand. I can't have him touching me. I can't think straight when he does that. "I wasn't aware that things have changed. What's changed?"

"Oh, things have changed. You no longer appear to me as a 'know-it-all Mudblood.' I hope that you can accept that I'm no longer what I once was." He looked at her with an almost sheepish grin.

She smiled at him. "I suppose I can accept that."

Draco looked down at the chain around his neck. He took off the charm that was on it and put it into his pocket. He broke the chain into two equal halves and handed one to Hermione.

She looked at him, bewildered by his actions.

He held onto his own half of the chain. "If you ever need someone to talk to, anytime at all, just owl me and tie this chain around it so I'll know it's you. I'll make sure to give the chain back after it's used. I'll do the same, and then you have to give me back my chain."

She continued to stare at the chain, but nodded in silent agreement.

They did not have to speak another word for the carriages had arrived outside the gates to Hogwarts. Draco helped Hermione out of the carriage and they made their way to the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony. Knowing that they couldn't very well sit together, they broke apart and headed for their respective house tables. All the while, knowing in the back of their minds that they were there for each other.

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Hermione went and sat at her usual seat at the Gryffindor table. The Sorting Ceremony wouldn't start for a few more minutes. She stared down at her plate, not wanting to face the glares of the two people sitting across from her.

The appearance of Hermione at the table brought back the memory of her walking hand-in-hand to Ron and Harry's minds. They both glared as she sat down, but Ron struck first.

"Hermione," he tried to stay calm, "what were you doing with Malfoy?"

She glanced up. "We were talking."

Harry now spoke up. "That's funny because I don't recall hearing you speak to each other."

Ron was failing to control his temper. "How could you, Hermione? You want to go out with that Slytherin snake? He's just using you. Either way you're a traitor."

Hermione was outraged. "What was I supposed to do? Just sit here while you two keep ignoring me like I don't exist anymore! You should be glad that I'm even talking to you both!"

Ron looked furious, but spoke in a voice that could cut glass. "If you're going to be associated with people like that, maybe we don't want you to talk to us."

Hermione was shocked, and even Harry was surprised at Ron's conviction. She shot up from the table, tears streaming down her face, and ran for the doors leading out of the Great Hall. She didn't stop until she reached the entrance to the dorms. She let herself in, and went to her room before collapsing in racking sobs. She knew that she would be owling Draco later that night.

Harry turned to Ron. "You didn't need to be so rude with her. I know you didn't mean that. Do you think we should go after her?"

Ron looked over at Harry. "No, we should wait until she's calmed down. Then we'll make her see how selfish she's being. Besides, the Sorting Ceremony is starting."

Draco had seen Hermione go tearing out of the Great Hall, and as much as he wanted to go after her, he couldn't. The Sorting Ceremony was starting and he had a responsibility as a prefect. He hoped he would get to talk to her later. He knew it had something to do with Potter and Weasley. He sent a glare in their direction. If they hurt her like that again, they would pay.

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Lucius briskly made his way to tell his master the news he had just discovered. He was, of course, very displeased at the fact that the thing his son held most dear at the moment was a lowly Mudblood girl. Draco never was that clever. I didn't think he would get this far. Such a disobedient little boy.

He had reached his destination. He opened the door and entered the room where Lord Voldemort was patiently waiting. He told his master the news and a smile crossed his face.

"That was excellent work, Lucius. Get the girl and hold her in the dungeons. I hope your son becomes as efficient as you have been. Of course, he has a higher purpose than yourself. One that you have planned out."

Lucius just nodded in silent agreement.

"Yes, I remember it like it was yesterday. You had come to pledge your loyalty to the Death Eaters and asked me what you could give me in return. Do you remember what I told you?"

"Yes, my lord."

"'Bring me a child of your own paternity for me to use when he has turned sixteen. You will teach him to hate and to scorn. He will be the leader of the Death Eaters, and I will use him to kill Dumbledore for he will know nothing, but death and destruction'."