A love like Tinted Glass

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything related to Harry Potter. I own nothing, and make no money from this writing. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 3: Home Sweet Hogwarts.

It had taken nearly the entire train ride for Hermione Granger to collect herself enough to cast a spell, wiping away the signs of her dried tears. Hauling herself to her feet from the bench in the Heads compartment, the brunette released a shaky sigh, smoothing out her robes, as though it would help hide her emotions in some way. She knew it wouldn't, but she felt fairly confident that the smile she'd forced onto her lips would do the job just fine other wise. And for the most part, it did. She had gotten herself together with just enough time to make her rounds through the train, checking in with each prefect to hear how the students were behaving. Surprisingly enough, Parvati Patil finally told her that Draco had taken care of all of their duties. Taken aback, Hermione stared at the girl, honey eyes wide. “He... What?” She asked, her surprise unhidden.

“Yeah, Hermione. He's already gone and done all of the rounds on his own. He even scared the first years into behaving after a fight broke out!” Padma exclaimed as she came up to join her twin sister. Frowning, Hermione looked between the two girls as though she couldn't understand a word they were saying.

“Does it surprise you, Granger, that I would actually take my position seriously?”

Forcing back a groan that strained against her tight throat, Hermione let her eyes close, as she tried her hardest not to spin around to face Draco. He seemed to have a habit of popping up behind her at the absolute WORST moment possible. “A little bit, actually, Malfoy. Forgive me if I have little faith left in your integrity and ethics, after these last 6 years.” She said in as even of a tone as she could. Even before the soft chuckle came from behind her, the young witch could see the smirk that the tall blond was wearing. It was image that was burned and etched into her memory, coming up without even the need for command.

“You're forgiven, Granger. I can't fault you for that one.” Her left hand suddenly twitched into a fist, her urge to turn around now driven by a more violent emotion. She managed to swallow it, and pushed her way past the two identical twin Prefects, heading into the next train car.....

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(A/N: Okay, so how many Sorting Ceremony feasts have you had to read through in your strenuous search for the perfect Dramione? I know I've read WAY too many, and it gets tedious and boring. SO. I'm skipping it. THAT'S RIGHT! I SAID IT! I'm skipping it. Oh well. Hate me or not, it's happening.)

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Hermione Granger was absolutely exhausted. Her cheeks hurt from keeping her forced smile in place, and she simply felt drained. “I can't believe I forgot that the Heads sit at the teachers table for the Sorting Ceremony...” She groaned to herself as she walked down to say goodnight to her friends. Ginny smiled, patting her best friend on the back.

“It's alright, Hermione. Really it is. I doubt anyone noticed, really.” The youngest Weasley reassured her. The brunette simply shook her head, letting her shoulders slump for a minute as she wallowed in her own self pity. Finally, Harry and Ron sorted out with the other prefects who was guiding back the first years to the dorm, and returned to the two girls.

“Alright, Hermione? You look awful.” Ron inquired, tactless as always. Rolling her eyes, the Head Girl straightened up.

“I'm fine, Ronald.” She sighed, unable to keep her weariness out of her voice. Harry frowned, wrapping an arm around his best friend.

“D'you want us to walk with you to your new dorm, Mione? I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't mind us tagging along, if you don't want to be stuck alone with that git.” He offered. Releasing an even louder groan, Hermione buried her face into Harry's shoulder.

“Oh Merlin! Harry, I forgot about Malfoy! I still have to deal with him.... God.... Okay, no, you guys go on to the Gryffindor house, I'll be fine. If he bugs me I'll just... Hex him or something.” She said, pulling back and offering a halfhearted smile to her worried friends. Well, Harry and Ginny appeared worried. Ron was eating a roll that he'd saved from dinner. “Goodnight, guys! I'll see you at breakfast!” Waving, Hermione turned and headed to where Draco and Dumbledore were already waiting for her, near the teachers table.

“Took your time, did you Granger?” Draco sneered down at her, arms crossed over his chest. The young witch only just realized that his hair was pulled into a low, short ponytail, only a few tendrils falling into his eyes. Had it really gotten that long? How had she not noticed? Shaking herself out of her reverie, she opened her mouth to retort, but her words never escaped when Dumbledore began to speak.

“It's quite alright Draco. We weren't here that long, truly. Come along, then, I'm sure you're both as eager as I am to get settled into bed.” The elderly wizard exclaimed, blue eyes twinkling in the dim candle light as he set off without warning. Hermione sent Malfoy a direct glare, only to receive that awful smirk. Huffing softly, the young witch turned and followed after the headmaster quickly...

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“What the HELL is a snickerdoodle?” Draco demanded to know as he stalked into the Heads common room after Hermione, who could only laugh at his ignorance.

“Really, Malfoy? It's a bloody cookie! Muggles make them. They're really delicious. You know how Dumbledore is with sweets.” She explained over her shoulder to him. The look on his face only made her laugh harder. He had a mixed expression of disgust and disbelief.

“I HIGHLY doubt that anything a muggle could make would be all that delicious, Granger. Either way, is it really necessary for that to be our password?!” He followed on her heels until she paused in the middle of their common room. It was built to look just like any other common room, decorated in a mix of both Slytherin and Gryffindor décor. The Heads dorm was located in the West Tower, opposite the Astronomy tower.

“Okay, look Malfoy. I can deal with your bigotry most of the time, but I'm really not in the mood tonight so would you kind bugger off?” She snapped at him, rounding to face him. At first he simply smirked down at her, arms crossed over his chest, until it dawned on him that she really looked like she was about to snap. His expression dropped into a stoic mask, and he nodded slightly. “Good! I'm going to take a long bath, and go to bed. You can have the shower in the morning.” She snapped, before turning and heading up the stairs, her shoes clicking on the hard wood floors, ringing in Draco's ears.

“Merlin she's changed...” He muttered, following up after her, towards his own room after a few moments.

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Hermione had been too wrapped up in the alluring idea of slipping down into the sunken bathtub, big enough for probably 3 or four of her, to remember to lock both of the bathroom doors. The one from her room, and the one from Draco's room. Instead, she got the water running, before stripping out of her uniform slowly. Inch after inch of her skin was exposed as she peeled away the layers. Her body was soft, well curved, but not obscenely. She had no hard edges on her body. Sliding into the water, Hermione soaked for a good long hour, drifting off in the dim bathroom.

Until, of course, one of the doors slammed open. The door from Draco's room. Jumping awake, Hermione's arms covered her chest instinctively, even though the bubbles from her bath were still very much intact. Probably enchanted bubble bath. Figures. Staring up at the blond, she felt fear clench at her throat. Draco looked almost feral as he stalked over to the sinks, turning the tap on cold, and splashing his face with water. His breath was ragged. Taking the opportunity to get up, Hermione wrapped herself in a plush towel quickly, taking a few steps closer. “D-Draco? Are you alright?” She asked softly, watching his contorted face in the mirror. He tensed up noticeably, before standing up slowly.

“Get out of here Granger.... Now.” He commanded, through gritted teeth. His tone was dangerous, but it didn't register to Hermione. Walking closer, one hand gripped her towel in place, tightly, while the other stretched out to rest tenderly against his bare back. He'd changed into a pair of green silk pajama pants sometime during the night. His skin was scalding hot to the touch, but before Hermione could even jerk back in reaction, he had spun and shoved her roughly against the nearest wall, face first. His large, toned body fit behind her firmly, his hands gripping her shoulders to keep her in place, his groin pressing back against her ass.

“I warned you, Granger. I'm a dangerous man.” He hissed into her ear. Her heart jumped into her throat. She could feel something very hard, and unyielding pressing into her fleshy ass, long, and thick, and tangibly throbbing against her.

(A/N: DUN DUN DUN! R&R and maybe I'll post another chapter soon.)