Dramione Snippets

Changed.

It was a particularly cold evening in the Slytherin common room. The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow on the stone walls. The usual chatter of students was muted tonight, replaced by the crackling flames and the occasional rustle of parchment. Hermione Granger, bundled in her thick cloak, sat by the fire, her face lit by the flickering light as she reviewed a potion book.

Her thoughts, however, were far from the complicated brew she was reading about.

It had been months since she had officially left the Golden Trio, and even longer since she and Draco Malfoy had become... something more than adversaries. The school still whispered, some disapproving, others intrigued by the unlikely bond between the Head Girl and the infamous Slytherin.

Hermione couldn't say she understood it herself. She had never imagined a time when she'd be sitting in the Slytherin common room, speaking with Draco Malfoy—let alone laughing with him. But, here she was, nestled in the corner with a book, his presence an oddly comforting thing by her side.

"Still reading about potions, Granger?" Draco's voice cut through her reverie, smooth and mocking, as he leaned against the doorframe with an air of indifference.

Hermione rolled her eyes without looking up. "If I don't, I'll fail the next exam. Not all of us can be naturally brilliant at everything like you, Malfoy."

Draco smirked, stepping closer, his eyes glinting mischievously. "I wouldn't say I'm naturally brilliant. I've been forced to study harder than most." He paused, eyes narrowing with mock suspicion. "Though, I suppose that's what happens when you have someone like me around to distract you from your books, Granger."

Hermione finally glanced up, catching his eye with a playful glare. "Are you saying I can't focus because of you?"

He chuckled, a soft, self-assured sound. "Exactly. And you're much more fun when you're not trying to prove something to everyone."

Hermione found herself smiling, despite herself. "You really do know how to flatter a person, don't you?"

"I don't flatter," he said, his tone serious now, though his lips tugged upwards. "I speak the truth."

Hermione let out a light, exasperated sigh, setting her book aside. She stretched her arms, deciding that a brief reprieve from studying wouldn't hurt. "You know, I never really understood how someone like you can stand being in Slytherin," she said casually, her fingers toying with a loose strand of her hair.

Draco's eyes darkened for a moment, but only for a moment. He took a seat next to her, a little closer than usual. "And I never understood how someone like you could be so... earnest. You always have this air of superiority about you, like you're better than the rest of us."

Hermione furrowed her brows, surprised by his bluntness. "I don't think I'm better than anyone. I'm just trying to make sure I don't end up like a lot of people at this school. I want to do good in the world, not live in it with blinders on."

Draco's lips twisted in something that could have been admiration. "And yet you get yourself caught up in the same drama, don't you? You're always at the center of it, fighting for what's right, even when no one else seems to care."

Hermione didn't know how to respond to that, so she stayed silent, letting his words hang in the air.

"I suppose that's one of the reasons I'm... intrigued by you," Draco said, his voice softer now. "You're not what I expected."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Hermione asked, her tone teasing.

"Good, I suppose," he said, his eyes searching hers, looking for something—an understanding, maybe. "You've changed, Granger. In a good way."

She tilted her head, her gaze softening. "And you? Have you changed, Draco?"

He met her gaze, a slight shadow crossing his face. "Maybe. But I'm still a Malfoy. And you're still you, Granger."

Hermione didn't say anything at first. Instead, she reached out and took his hand in hers. "Maybe we're not as different as we think," she said quietly, the words surprising them both.

Draco looked down at their entwined hands, and for once, his usual smirk faltered. He squeezed her hand lightly, a silent acknowledgment of something unspoken.

Before either of them could say anything more, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Draco's posture stiffened, and Hermione quickly let go of his hand, as if realizing they were crossing a line—one they hadn't fully understood.

But Draco didn't move. Instead, he gave her a slight nod, his gaze intense. "I'm not going anywhere, Granger."

Hermione smiled softly, her heart giving a little flutter. "Neither am I, Malfoy."

And for the first time in a long while, Hermione felt like maybe, just maybe, things were starting to make sense.