Elemental Love

Any character or place you recognize belongs to J K Rowling


Once Ron was revived Hermione pulled down the blinds on their compartment. She talked with them about their summers but whenever they asked her about hers she steered the conversation away from that. Although Ilma had said she could tell people she trusted she didn't want to tell anyone anything. She didn't think people would even look any deeper than her looks now. Why should they care if she could manipulate the elements, or use wandless magic or do any of the countless things she had learned over the summer.

As the train slowed to a stop Hermione slipped on her robes, leaving them open so that her dress showed. She hurried out of the train and up to the castle. She had to see Dumbledore before the feast started.

For everyone else the feast was as good as ever but to Hermione it tasted like ashes. She kept on getting the strangest looks particularly from boys. She had never recieved such looks before or the jealous looks she was getting from girls. Finally the plates cleared and Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I know that everyone will want to go up to their beds but before they do one of our students has changed a great deal over the summer and so as to not have to keep explaining herself she has asked me to introduce her so that you can all adjust to what she looks like now. Everyone I would like to re introduce Hermione Granger.


Across the hall Draco Malfoy looked around to see what Dumbledore was talking about. He looked for Granger but saw only the most gorgeous girl in silver bowing at the top of the hall. Good god that couldn't possibly be her. Was he really going to be sharing a dormitory with such a gorgeous creature? She was more beautiful than the purest veela. Draco had been named Head boy and, although his letter had not stated who the head girl would be no one had ever had any doubt.

As Draco gazed at Hermione he knew he wanted her and what Draco Malfoy wanted Draco Malfoy got. Malfoys only had the best and this girl was clearly the best even if she wasn't a pureblood. The only question now was: How to win her?

The whole hall was gobsmacked but Draco quietly excused himself to go up the head's dormitory to wait for her. When she came in she looked weary.

"So tell me Granger, how did you make yourself so gorgeous?"

"I don't need any shit from you Malfoy. I have had enough ogling for one night." Draco shrugged and let her go. He couldn't really expect her to warm up to him right away. He hadn't exactly treated her like gold since they had met. He would have to think of something more clever.


The next morning at breakfast Hermione was baffled when a jet black owl swooped down and dropped a bundle of roses and a set of silver and black bangles in her lap with a note that simply said: An Admirer. Hermione didn't care. She figured she would be getting a lot of attention from the boys in the castle until they realized that she wasn't interested in someone who was only interested in looks. Still, since she didn't know who sent it she couldn't return it so she put the flowers in a vase and put on the bangles. From across the hall Draco smiled to himself.

All day the teachers had to ask boys to turn around and pay attention as they stared at Hermione and drooled. Draco made a point to stare straight ahead. Everyone was baffled by the constant presence of Slizor until an impatiant Hermione explained that he was her familiar. Most were surprised but accepted it without comment. By the third day the stares were starting to die down and Draco decided that it was about time to make his next move.