The Road Not Yet Taken
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Draco/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
6
Views:
5,045
Reviews:
28
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Draco/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
6
Views:
5,045
Reviews:
28
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
3: Who Could It Be?
It was his third night without sleep. He tossed uncomfortably in the large bed, the sheets binding his limbs in all of the wrong places. Unable to attain a worth while position, Draco pulled himself up.
The floor was cold, slightly wet in the early morning chill. Draco walked across the small room, stopping in front of the polished glass hung above a small press. His eyes were deeply set. The lack of sleep had cast shadows under his lids, contrasting harshly with his milky white complexion. His tousled platinum hair glistened slightly in the moonlight that filtered through the windows into the little room. He raised his hand to touch the side of his pallid cheek. He felt lifeless.
The letter plagued Draco’s mind. He had never intended on entering Voldemort’s service. Yes, of course it had been expected, but he never believed the day would come. Draco was not like his father. He would never be like his father. Those words had haunted him. What unfinished business would they be demanding of him? He did not venture far into the thought, it was best to not think about it at all.
He scowled at his reflection in the mirror.
“No one will ever care.” He said aloud.
“Well that’s a sunny thought.” Replied the mirror sleepily.
***
It was dusk, the following day, when Draco returned to his room at the Leaky Cauldron. The days until September 1st were flying by, and he needed something to occupy his time. Draco had ventured, again, into Diagon Alley to pick up his supplies for his last year at Hogwarts.
As heir to the Malfoy fortune, Gringotts was Dracos first stop. The tall marble walls towered over him as he entered through the large oak front doors. He was greeted with isles of tiny goblins, many looking as dusty and care worn as the large tomes that lay open before him. Draco marched purposefully to the very back of the wizarding bank to a tall desk of which held a shrivled ancient looking goblin.
\"I\'d like to make a withdrawl\"
\"Vault Number?\" he asked wheezely
\"Four hundred eighty three\" Draco answered
\"Do you have a key?\" From his pocket, Draco withdrew an ornately carved golden key \"Ah, Master Malfoy, right this way please.\"
The goblin led him to an open cart which would take him down into the bowels of the great bank. Draco always enjoyed the swaying movements of the vehical as it sped down the old endless tracks. It stopped abrubty before his appropriate vault and after filling his pouch with enough galleons, it returned him back to daylight and fresh air.
*
With his pockets now filled with gold, Draco wandered from shop to shop. He picked up replacements for his potions ingredients at the apothecary, allowing a few extra galleons towards powdered unicorn horn, which would come in quite useful upon time for NEWT\'s. Draco purchased a full new set of robes at Madame Malkins, including a new set of emerald green dress robes, much more suitable than his old velvet black one.
Though booklists had not arrived, Draco walked through the doors of Florish & Blotts. There were books he needed that would most likely not be on the booklist. Quiddich books were on the top of his list, as captain of the Slytherin team, he was set to make his team win the cup for the first time in seven years.
As he was leafing through Professional Quiddich Plays for Your Average Wizard something hard collided with the side of his head. He spun around to see Ronald Weasly, standing on tip toe reaching for book just beyond his grasp. He was frozen, obviously too scared to move at being caught in this posision. In trying to shimmy the volume from between others, a waterfall of books fell instead upon Dracos unsuspecting head. Draco withdrew his wand. The color drained from Rons face, Draco sneered.
\"Accio book\" he said. The Weasle looked confused. The book that Ron had been reaching for flew into Dracos open hand. \"Ah, I see: \'Easy Keeper Stratigies for the not so Gifted Wizard\'. Thanks Weasle King, my keeper may be needing this. I\'m afraid it\'s the last copy though. Too bad, I\'m sure you could have used it.\"
\"Give it here Malfoy, I had that first!\" Rons face had turned from white to a deep magenta.
\"You win some you loose some Weasly. It\'s just my luck you seem to loose them all.\" With a sneer, he brushed past him and headed towards the front of the store.
\"You, Malfoy, are the most lothesome, foul beast on the planet ,\" he heard a voice behind him call. Draco turned to be met by two dark, blazing, hazelnut eyes. Hermione Granger was stalking towards him, her tiny hands balled into fists at her sides. She stopped inches away from him and looked up into his eyes. \" Give that book to me. \"
Draco looked down at her curly head. She barely reached his chin as she stood, gazing furiously up at him. A few locks of hair had fallen into her face as she had stormed across the store.
\"Make me, Granger,\" he whispered icily.
\"Don\'t think I won\'t Malfoy\" she answered, her voice stony but still full of rage.
\"You don\'t scare me mudblood,\" He whispered back
\"Give it here.\" She demanded again.
\"Alright, since you asked so nicely, \" Draco held the book out in front of him. Hermione looked shocked. The brave little Gryffindor had been prepared to duel to the death for her freckled red head friend. She extended her hand to grasp the book. Just before her fingertips brushed the spine, Draco dropped it, turned, and left the shop.
***
A few hours later, Draco wandered back to the Leaky Caudlron. After his second run in with Hermione Granger in less than three days, Draco was angry. He hated the way she got so fired up over every little thing. He hated the flecks of gold in her hair, and the way it cascaded down her back. He hated the way her cheeks got so flushed when she was angry and the way her nose crinkled as she glared up at him. He hated everything about her. So why could he not get her out of his mind?
He dragged his parcels up the rickety staircase and through the door of his makeshift abode. An owl was perched on the foot of the bed, hooting softly in the softening sunlight. Lying next to him, a yellowed parchment envelope with shining emerald ink was waiting. Sighing slightly, he laid his purchases carefully next to the door and picked up his letter. The owl, having delivered his message, fluttered off through the open door.
The envelope was slightly heavier than usual. This was because, Draco thought, of the long book list that must be folded inside. He would be taking more courses than in his past years, this being his seventh, and year for NEWT’s. Draco turned the envelope over and broke the familiar Hogwarts seal. He removed the heavy wad of parchment. Unfolding the thick paper, he suddenly understood why the letter had felt so weighty.
Nestled inside the folded parchment was a small, silvery badge.
He had been chosen Head Boy.
Dropping the large pile of paper to the floor, Draco marveled at the small piece of metal in his palm. In the privacy of his room, he did not hide his awestruck expression. He turned it over and over. It felt cool against his sweaty fingertips. It was finally his. He, Draco Malfoy, was Head Boy of Hogwarts.
He smiled the first genuine smile in weeks.
But who would the Head Girl be? He raked his mind for the perfect candidate. Hopefully someone good looking, he thought, for he would have to share a dorm for the remainder of the year with her. Eloise Midgen? He cringed at the thought, and a Hufflepuff would never make Head Girl anyway. Perhaps a Ravenclaw then? Those girls were all very clever, not bad looking either. But then it hit him. The only girl to ever rival his marks. The only student really, to ever rival his marks.
He saw her in his mind, clear as if she was still standing in front of him. Long, unruly chestnut hair. Deep firey, hazelnut eyes. Those pouty, strong lips. Subtle hips, curving into long, thin legs. Beautiful.
No, not beautiful.
He could never think of her like that again. He hated her.
***
Now miles away, embraced by a smiling, tousle haired boy with glasses, Hermione Granger celebrated with her friends on her election as Head Girl.
****************************************************************************
I am writing chapter four as we speak!
I would appreciate comments, the more the better! I\'d really like to know what you all think! It is important to me to know what my readers think. Thank you all for your patience!
The floor was cold, slightly wet in the early morning chill. Draco walked across the small room, stopping in front of the polished glass hung above a small press. His eyes were deeply set. The lack of sleep had cast shadows under his lids, contrasting harshly with his milky white complexion. His tousled platinum hair glistened slightly in the moonlight that filtered through the windows into the little room. He raised his hand to touch the side of his pallid cheek. He felt lifeless.
The letter plagued Draco’s mind. He had never intended on entering Voldemort’s service. Yes, of course it had been expected, but he never believed the day would come. Draco was not like his father. He would never be like his father. Those words had haunted him. What unfinished business would they be demanding of him? He did not venture far into the thought, it was best to not think about it at all.
He scowled at his reflection in the mirror.
“No one will ever care.” He said aloud.
“Well that’s a sunny thought.” Replied the mirror sleepily.
***
It was dusk, the following day, when Draco returned to his room at the Leaky Cauldron. The days until September 1st were flying by, and he needed something to occupy his time. Draco had ventured, again, into Diagon Alley to pick up his supplies for his last year at Hogwarts.
As heir to the Malfoy fortune, Gringotts was Dracos first stop. The tall marble walls towered over him as he entered through the large oak front doors. He was greeted with isles of tiny goblins, many looking as dusty and care worn as the large tomes that lay open before him. Draco marched purposefully to the very back of the wizarding bank to a tall desk of which held a shrivled ancient looking goblin.
\"I\'d like to make a withdrawl\"
\"Vault Number?\" he asked wheezely
\"Four hundred eighty three\" Draco answered
\"Do you have a key?\" From his pocket, Draco withdrew an ornately carved golden key \"Ah, Master Malfoy, right this way please.\"
The goblin led him to an open cart which would take him down into the bowels of the great bank. Draco always enjoyed the swaying movements of the vehical as it sped down the old endless tracks. It stopped abrubty before his appropriate vault and after filling his pouch with enough galleons, it returned him back to daylight and fresh air.
*
With his pockets now filled with gold, Draco wandered from shop to shop. He picked up replacements for his potions ingredients at the apothecary, allowing a few extra galleons towards powdered unicorn horn, which would come in quite useful upon time for NEWT\'s. Draco purchased a full new set of robes at Madame Malkins, including a new set of emerald green dress robes, much more suitable than his old velvet black one.
Though booklists had not arrived, Draco walked through the doors of Florish & Blotts. There were books he needed that would most likely not be on the booklist. Quiddich books were on the top of his list, as captain of the Slytherin team, he was set to make his team win the cup for the first time in seven years.
As he was leafing through Professional Quiddich Plays for Your Average Wizard something hard collided with the side of his head. He spun around to see Ronald Weasly, standing on tip toe reaching for book just beyond his grasp. He was frozen, obviously too scared to move at being caught in this posision. In trying to shimmy the volume from between others, a waterfall of books fell instead upon Dracos unsuspecting head. Draco withdrew his wand. The color drained from Rons face, Draco sneered.
\"Accio book\" he said. The Weasle looked confused. The book that Ron had been reaching for flew into Dracos open hand. \"Ah, I see: \'Easy Keeper Stratigies for the not so Gifted Wizard\'. Thanks Weasle King, my keeper may be needing this. I\'m afraid it\'s the last copy though. Too bad, I\'m sure you could have used it.\"
\"Give it here Malfoy, I had that first!\" Rons face had turned from white to a deep magenta.
\"You win some you loose some Weasly. It\'s just my luck you seem to loose them all.\" With a sneer, he brushed past him and headed towards the front of the store.
\"You, Malfoy, are the most lothesome, foul beast on the planet ,\" he heard a voice behind him call. Draco turned to be met by two dark, blazing, hazelnut eyes. Hermione Granger was stalking towards him, her tiny hands balled into fists at her sides. She stopped inches away from him and looked up into his eyes. \" Give that book to me. \"
Draco looked down at her curly head. She barely reached his chin as she stood, gazing furiously up at him. A few locks of hair had fallen into her face as she had stormed across the store.
\"Make me, Granger,\" he whispered icily.
\"Don\'t think I won\'t Malfoy\" she answered, her voice stony but still full of rage.
\"You don\'t scare me mudblood,\" He whispered back
\"Give it here.\" She demanded again.
\"Alright, since you asked so nicely, \" Draco held the book out in front of him. Hermione looked shocked. The brave little Gryffindor had been prepared to duel to the death for her freckled red head friend. She extended her hand to grasp the book. Just before her fingertips brushed the spine, Draco dropped it, turned, and left the shop.
***
A few hours later, Draco wandered back to the Leaky Caudlron. After his second run in with Hermione Granger in less than three days, Draco was angry. He hated the way she got so fired up over every little thing. He hated the flecks of gold in her hair, and the way it cascaded down her back. He hated the way her cheeks got so flushed when she was angry and the way her nose crinkled as she glared up at him. He hated everything about her. So why could he not get her out of his mind?
He dragged his parcels up the rickety staircase and through the door of his makeshift abode. An owl was perched on the foot of the bed, hooting softly in the softening sunlight. Lying next to him, a yellowed parchment envelope with shining emerald ink was waiting. Sighing slightly, he laid his purchases carefully next to the door and picked up his letter. The owl, having delivered his message, fluttered off through the open door.
The envelope was slightly heavier than usual. This was because, Draco thought, of the long book list that must be folded inside. He would be taking more courses than in his past years, this being his seventh, and year for NEWT’s. Draco turned the envelope over and broke the familiar Hogwarts seal. He removed the heavy wad of parchment. Unfolding the thick paper, he suddenly understood why the letter had felt so weighty.
Nestled inside the folded parchment was a small, silvery badge.
He had been chosen Head Boy.
Dropping the large pile of paper to the floor, Draco marveled at the small piece of metal in his palm. In the privacy of his room, he did not hide his awestruck expression. He turned it over and over. It felt cool against his sweaty fingertips. It was finally his. He, Draco Malfoy, was Head Boy of Hogwarts.
He smiled the first genuine smile in weeks.
But who would the Head Girl be? He raked his mind for the perfect candidate. Hopefully someone good looking, he thought, for he would have to share a dorm for the remainder of the year with her. Eloise Midgen? He cringed at the thought, and a Hufflepuff would never make Head Girl anyway. Perhaps a Ravenclaw then? Those girls were all very clever, not bad looking either. But then it hit him. The only girl to ever rival his marks. The only student really, to ever rival his marks.
He saw her in his mind, clear as if she was still standing in front of him. Long, unruly chestnut hair. Deep firey, hazelnut eyes. Those pouty, strong lips. Subtle hips, curving into long, thin legs. Beautiful.
No, not beautiful.
He could never think of her like that again. He hated her.
***
Now miles away, embraced by a smiling, tousle haired boy with glasses, Hermione Granger celebrated with her friends on her election as Head Girl.
****************************************************************************
I am writing chapter four as we speak!
I would appreciate comments, the more the better! I\'d really like to know what you all think! It is important to me to know what my readers think. Thank you all for your patience!