Hermione sighed and stood up, lifting up the heavy pile of textbooks she had taken out of the library. The pile was so high that she couldn't see forward. She cautiously walked forward, unaware that someone was watching fast towards her.
She took another step, knocking into the person, scattering the books onto the floor. She groaned and leaned down to collect the books.
A hand reached out and handed her a book. She opened her mouth to thank them but lost her breath when she saw who it was. She stared in shock that Draco, Draco Malfoy was doing something kind for her.
"What are you doing?"
He looked at at her with a surly expression.
"I believe you meant to say 'thank you', Granger." he growled.
She rolled her eyes, hurrying to collect the books. As if sensing how annoyed she was getting, Draco smirked and continously reached for each book she was getting, pulling it away from her at the last minute. She sighed in frustration as she stood up and narrowed her eyes at the boy.
"Give me my books Malfoy." she demanded.
His reply was a signature smirk. "Why?"
"because I'm in a hurry!" she glanced at her watch, it was about time for their DA meeting.
"Hmm. Too bad." he says, examining the books in his hand.
Seeing he was momentarily distracted, she reached out to snatch the books from him. However, Draco was as alert as always and pulled the books away. He loved toying with Granger like this.
"So I'd like them BACK, please." she said, trying hard to contain her voice.
"Soooo...come and get them then?" he says, chuckling to himself.
He raised his hand above her head and dangled her books. Hermione felt anger rise up inside her. She stood on her tip toes and tried to reach them but he towered above her.
"Awww, whats wrong? Surely a bookworm like yourself Granger can't be having a little trouble? Surely not!"
"MALFOY!Give them back." there was a dangerous edge to her voice now.
" Fine. Catch!"
Draco flung the books at her who looked startled at his sudden change and leaped to catch the flying books. He laughed and walked away, pleased with a good days work of winding up Granger. Before he rounded the corner, he couldn't help but sneak a last glance at her, as she walked away, her shoulders rising and falling in anger. She was something else that one. She frowned. She hated that he taunted her, almost daily now. He's so irritating, she reminded herself. But he really was something else.
Several hours later, after turning up late to the DA meeting and being grilled by Ron about where she was, Hermione walked down the corridor, taking her time in returning to the common room. She was trying to get something off her mind. Or rather, someone. Sitting in the Slytherin Common Room, Crabbe had asked Draco where his mind was. Funny, Draco thought. He didn't know Crabbe was capable of such a capacity of thinking.
Just as Draco was about to give a usual witty response, in walks in Blaise, accompanied by yet again, another girl who couldn't help but look at the Slytherin with starry eyes. Draco smirked as he winked as he walked by. It wasn't that long ago that Draco was doing the exact same thing. Yet, somehow right now he couldn't imagine picking up any girl. The only thing he could imagine was a certain curly haired brunnette. And it infuriated him to admit it.
The next time they saw each other was in Care of Magical Creatures. Draco tried everything in his power to get the Oaf fired, but he was still around, always putting Draco in a surly mood.
