Silver Dawn

Chapter One

She sighed. Well at least she'd gotten that right. The irony.

By the time she reached the front door she was soaked from head to toes. She rang the bell once and waited. Her eyes fell on a white peacock peaking around the high hedge, seemingly oblivious to the freezing cold and the rain. It looked at her with cold, distant eyes. As if the bird knew exactly how unwelcome everything about her was. Or maybe she was just seeing things. Either way, she had a lot of time to observe the white animal because it took ages for the front door to be opened. The owners of the mansion were probably making fun of her at this very moment, letting her stay in the soaking rain for as long as possible. But she was determined not to let it bother her. That was the main rule she'd set for herself before coming here. Whatever they threw at her, she was going to handle it with dignity. They were not going to break her down.

At last the door opened and a stern looking housekeeper appeared at the door. She looked down on Hermione, disdain all over her face.

"Yes?", the woman snapped, as if she didn't know exactly who she was or why she was here.

Hermione cleared her throat.

"The owners are expecting me."

The woman stared at her for an uncomfortably long time, then took a step back and reluctantly motioned for her to step inside.

"So it would seem."

Not exactly a warm welcome, but Hermione hadn't expected anything else. She heaved her heavy bag back over her shoulder and carefully stepped over the threshold. She didn't put it past this family to jinx the doorway against muggle born people, but nothing happened when she entered the manor. She almost released a sigh. Once safely inside, her eyes drift over the large room she found herself in. She hardly knew what to take in first. Everything was as white and cold as the peacock she'd seen outside, but on top of that it all looked incredibly expensive. From the curtains to the spotless carpet on the floor to the hideous bust on the windowsill. Not for the first time did she wonder just how much money the family had.

Hermione startled when the heavy front door closed behind her and before she could ask where she was supposed to go next, the housekeeper disappeared through another door across the large entrance hall. Panic started to well up inside her and she quickly made herself remember what promise she had made. She closed her eyes and managed to get a grip. She had just decided the best option was to follow the woman through the door when she heard steady footsteps on the marble staircase to her left.

"Praying, Granger?"

Hermione opened her eyes and turned towards the icy voice. Draco Malfoy was halfway down the stairs, leaning carelessly against the railing. Her gaze swept briefly over him. He looked just as he had at Hogwarts. A haughty pale ghost of a boy. She felt her anger rising, but she managed to keep her face in check.

"Not that I don't understand. I would pray day and night if I looked like you", he continued.

His eyes swept over her body and rested on her face.

"I sure do appreciate the effort of you taking a shower before coming here. I wish you'd at least made an effort of drying yourself too, but I suppose that's too much to expect from someone with your.." He slowly grinned. "heritage."

Hermione didn't give him the satisfaction of answering. Instead she remained silent and made sure her demeanour was as indifferent as possible. She had known this was coming all along and she was prepared for it. Besides, this was hardly as bad as the things he sometimes said to her at school. Maybe he was a bit uncomfortable after all. It couldn't be easy for him to have her intrude his personal life so profoundly. He'd had the choice of course. But apparently the only thing worse than accommodating a muggle born in your house, was staying in a muggle house yourself. So the choice had been easily made and as Hermione hadn't had any desire to have him stay with her family, she'd agreed to come here.

When she didn't react his grin widened and he descended the rest of the stairs although he was careful not to get too close to her. Meanwhile Hermione observed his every movement and he seemed to find that very amusing.

"What's wrong, Granger? You're remarkably quiet. No retort? Did someone finally do everyone the pleasure of cutting out your tongue?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled because she knew from experience that would unhinge him more than getting angry.

"Hello, Malfoy. Let's get a few things straight, shall we? Let me tell you how this is going to go. You're going to keep making these pathetic remarks again and again and again. I'm going to keep ignoring you – because really, what else is new? – until eventually I'll grow tired of it and it will end with you going crying to your mommy."

That wiped the smile of his face.

"Leave my mother out of this", he hissed.

Hermione laughed and adjusted the bag over her shoulder because the weight of it was really starting to bother her.

"Oh Malfoy, you're so very predictable. Now why don't you show me my room so we can both be relieved of the horror of having to spend time together?"

She saw his inner struggle plain on his face. The obvious desire to get back at her for having said what she said and the offer of each going their own way were clearly equally tempting. But it didn't take long for the resolve in his eyes to show. Without saying another word, Draco Malfoy turned around and started climbing back up the stairs. Hermione suppressed a victorious smirk and followed him, happy her wet shoes left marks wherever she put down her feet.

Note: Hi there! Thank you for giving this story a chance and for finishing this first chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. I should probably be honest and tell you that I started writing this story on a dare. I had never really thought about shipping Draco and Hermione before this. I feel like it wouldn't be fair to keep this from you. But before you close this window never to return, give me a chance. This could be interesting, no? I may be in new territory here, but that gives me all the more reason to explore it well. I would love for you to go on this adventure with me. Love, xx