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No One But You	By : wanderingwizard Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 6143 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own the glories of Harry Potter or any of the associated characters. I do not make a profit from this story.

Chapter List
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I truly didn't anticipate getting this chapter out tonight. But I was filled with energy and inspiration and just couldn't wait. Your reviews and comments fuel me - keep 'em coming! I'll address them at the end of the Chapter. Thanks!
CHAPTER 2

Hermione took time to stretch after finally arriving at the train station. She hadn’t apparated in what felt like ages and her muscles had grown unused to the tumble. Hermione earned a couple looks from passing muggles as she reached toward the sky and her toes a couple times, before taking a step into the bustling masses.

Hermione didn’t do too much leaving of the house these days. Most days, she worked at home, for the cause of bettering the treatment of house elves, writing letters to lawmakers and raising awareness. On her time off, she would more often choose to read a book than venture to someplace like Diagon Alley where she was sure to run into someone she knew who was “dying to hear what she’s been up to” and “how Harry and Ron have been”. No, she preferred the peace and quiet of her couch, even if it meant spending more of her time alone.

Hermione focused her attention on the crowd and finagled her way to the cross point between platforms nine and ten. She looked around to make sure everyone was distracted before calmly, but briskly drifting herself, her pack, and her ticket through the wall passage.

Hermione was a little early, so she wasn’t surprised to see the platform a little less crowded. She was thankful for that, as she strolled with purpose towards the front most entrance of the train. Hermione heard muttering and whispers as she passed, but she kept walking and didn’t entertain anyone. Her celebrity status didn’t exactly help her blend in.

Hermione finally made it to the front of the train when she heard a pattering of running behind her. She had a feeling she was going to be ambushed here and would’ve preferred to ignore it but didn’t want to appear rude. She was going to be a teacher soon after all and needed to leave the new parents with the impression that they weren’t leaving their children with yet another damaged, moody professor.

“Hermione, Hermione Granger?” shouted a male voice about ten feet behind her.

Hermione turned and directed her attention at a tall, handsome young man with mousy brown hair. Her heart dropped a bit as she recognized him.

Well, not him exactly, but she couldn’t help but see the resemblance.

The boy spoke and panted at the same time, “I uh, I don’t know if you remember who I am. If not, I wanted to introduce myself.” He paused to breathe, “Sorry, you really seemed like you were in a hurry, and I don’t mean to keep you. My name is Dennis Creevey, I was a first year when you were a fourth year? I’m going into sixth year now…”

Hermione interjected, “I remember you, Dennis. You’re Colin’s brother, right?”

Dennis’s face lit up at the recognition, but only briefly. “Yes, Colin was my brother.”

Hermione and Dennis stood for a moment. An outsider would probably have labeled the silence as awkward, but for most people nowadays the silence of remembrance for those lost happened sporadically and often in many conversations.

Hermione said softly, “It’s nice to see you again, Dennis.”

Dennis responded, “Thank you. You too. I just…wanted to come say hello and say thank you.”

“Thank you? I didn’t do anything, Dennis,” Hermione said as she smiled, with a dash of confusion.

“You and your friends are the reason that the school is even still standing. Colin fought with you, and I wish mum would have let me out to fight too. It’s just…an honor to see you.”

Hermione paused before responding, “The honor is mine, Dennis.”

Dennis smiled before beginning to depart. “Thanks. Hey, are you coming back to school or something? Is that why you’re here?”

Hermione smiled, “Sort of. I’ll actually be teaching Transfiguration. Not to you, but to the younger students.”

“Oh wow! Really? Cool! You’re gonna be the talk of the school.”

Hermione was uncomfortable at the thought, but wasn’t surprised, “Guess I’ll have to lay low for a while. Don’t want to distract people from their studies.”

Dennis laughed as he departed, “Sure thing, Professor Granger.” He winked as he turned and walked back towards a pack of students who stared at him in awe.

Hermione was glad that he seemed to have friends, she hoped that they helped him through the grief over the loss of his brother. Hermione reminded herself that they all probably had their own people to grieve as well.

She sighed and pushed the thought away as she stepped up into the train.

Hermione heaved her luggage into the train with her, preferring to keep it on her person rather than let it be shoved underneath.

Hermione looked to her right and noticed the trolley witch stocking her sweets from the front cupboards, and then the directing compartment just past that. Hermione smiled at the older lady and turned to her left, taking the first compartment that she found.

Hermione settled her things beneath her seat after removing her Beginning Transfiguration Textbook, a notepad, and the everlasting quill that she picked up last week. The quill would never lose ink, so long as you used at least it once a day. With all the teaching and grading she was anticipating, Hermione figured it would be a good investment.

Hermione flipped to the middle of the book and resumed taking lecture notes and lesson plans within her pad. The train was set to depart in about 20 minutes. She wasn’t sure the dynamic in the professors’ compartments, nor even who would be here with her. Most professors returned to school earlier than this, if they even left at all. If the compartment would become chatty, she wanted to get at least some of her work done before the trip began.

Draco hung back in the crowd as long as he could before venturing toward the train that was calling for final boarding. Draco hoped that the bustling crowds filled with parents saying goodbye to their children and latecomers rushing to get on would help shroud his own arrival.

Draco was used to their stares by now, but he didn’t think he could ever get used to the few parents who stepped protectively in front of their children as if Draco was planning to abduct them. For a while at the beginning, Draco was hurt by these gestures. Then, he was angry at the audacity. After his angry phase, he felt increasingly guilty for building such a reputation that these people felt him to be such a danger. These days, Draco tried to ignore it and stay out of the way. It was just easier that way.

When Draco got the owl that informed him about the assistant professorship program, he was honestly surprised. Although he knew himself to be among the top of his class, it had been a while since he had been invited to participate in anything, to be honest. Let alone something that required responsibility and trust, like a teaching role.

Still, when Draco decided to apply, he figured his chances would be better if he reached out to a specific professor rather than through Professor McGonagall. Even though Draco knew that she would be a step along the way, he figured it couldn’t hurt to have someone on his team first. If he could even get that far.

Draco slaved over a letter to Professor Slughorn, trying his best to appeal to the idea of changing the image of Slytherin house, redeeming the once respected Malfoy family name, and complimenting Slughorn on his inspiring style and dedication to teaching.

Draco couldn’t have cared less about any of those things. What he cared about now was trying to get a fresh start. As he attached his letter to an owl and watched it fly away, he felt his hopes travel with them and sat in purgatory for a week before hearing back. Slughorn agreed that Draco would serve as an example of the redemption of Slytherin house and that he would support his application to Professor McGonagall. Draco was elated at the news.

Draco promptly filled out his application, before Slughorn could change his mind and continued to play the waiting game. It was pleasing enough to have gotten a Slytherin who taught his strongest subject to come around, but swaying Minerva McGonagall would be another beast unto itself.

The days dragged on, as a week passed and he heard no correspondence, Draco’s hope began to diminish. The term was set to begin in a fortnight, and although he knew they were planning to hire through the year, he imagined that the focus would be less on hiring teachers and more on teaching students once the term began.

Another week passed by and Draco was convinced that the opportunity had passed him by. He scoffed at himself for thinking he had a chance in the first place.

Two weeks and a day from his correspondence with Slughorn, Draco was met with a different owl. One that seemed young and reckless, and oddly enough had a bag with floating dust attached to one leg, and a letter with the Hogwarts crest attached to another. Draco tried not to get his hopes up as he opened the note.

To Mr. Draco Malfoy,

This letter is to inform you of your selection as the new Potions Assistant Professor. Please continue contact with Professor Horace Slughorn to find the schedule that works for both of you.

Professor Slughorn has spent a great deal of time speaking to me about your merit as a professor and I would like to remind you that your performance will reflect on not only yourself, but also Professor Slughorn, and the school. I am offering this position tentatively based on a probationary period that I will lift when I see fit.

I have transfigured your Hogwarts Express ticket into this note.

Please excuse the other bag. The creature seems to be attached to it as it was given to him at his previous delivery.

Thank you for joining us this year. Mr. Malfoy, I am pleased to hear about your dedication to turning over a new leaf. I trust you.

Respectfully yours,

Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Magic
Professor of Transfiguration: 5-7

The note was brief and just a touch condescending, but Draco was surprised and excited all the same. Draco read the letter three times through. It was almost as exciting as the first time he was invited to Hogwarts. He read the line, I trust you, over and over still. This would be a good year. He would make It one.

Draco remembered his resolution to make the best of the year as he stepped proudly onto the train. He wanted to remember what it was like to be confident and filled with purpose. He wanted to experience Hogwarts the way he should have, before getting roped into the pureblood movement that just filled him with the hate of the past.

Draco walked towards the front of the train, careful not to make eye contact inside the compartments and turn himself into the newest piece of school gossip. But, he didn’t have to work that hard as it seemed that the students were bustling over some other piece of news. They all whispered excitedly to one another, ignoring his presence altogether. It was refreshing.

Once closer to the front of the train, Draco caught sight of Professor Slughorn slipping into the front most compartment. He figured this would be a great time to talk to him about that schedule arrangement. Draco hurried to catch up with the senior professor and began to speak as he entered the compartment.

“Professor Slughorn, just the man I was….” Draco stopped as he noticed someone else in the space.

A woman’s face shot up at his voice, looking alarmed. Draco’s sentence dragged away as he recognized the person in front of him as Hermione Granger.

Slughorn seemed unperturbed by the tension in the air. “Ah, ah, yes, my boy. It’s great to see you. I was quite inspired by your letter, you see. I just had to have you jump on board with me.”

Draco stuttered as he stood awkwardly just outside the compartment door, “Y..Y..Yes, sir. It was..it was so.. your response was very appreciated.”

Draco could feel Hermione’s stare, or was it a glare. He wanted to duck away.

Slughorn continued, “You and Professor Granger here are the only two assistants who are with us as of yet, so you’ll be the guinea pigs, huh?” Slughorn smiled jovially as he questioned, “Well, why are you just standing there? Come in. The train’s gearing to leave once all you standers become sitters.”

Draco looked at Hermione questioningly, he didn’t want to start his year with a scene. He could just as easily insist on finding another spot, though he was already earning a murderous look from the trolley witch for holding the train up.

Hermione just hummed lightly and returned to her book. Draco hoped that was affirmative as he stepped into the booth and sat beside Slughorn for what he was sure was going to be a long ride to Hogwarts.

To Annecia89: I'm hoping to have some the pitfalls between Hermione and Ron become fuel for the new relationship! More on their break up as it becomes relavant to Hermione's life going forward. Thank you for the comment - I really appreciate it!
To HarryGinny4eva: Yay! I'm so glad you found it interesting. :) I hope this is soon enough for you! Your review really kicked my butt into gear with writing, wanted to get some more out for you. Thank you! Please continue to let me know what you think, like or dislike.
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No One But You