Undisclosed Desires

Chapter 1 • Hogwarts Express

ーREVISED & EDITED CHAPTERー

    "Harry, you reckon I'll have enough for some more chocolate frogs?"

    "I suppose so, Ron. If not, I'll get you them myself."

"Don't worry Harry, I'll save you the trouble of eating them so you can just have the collectible cards immediatelyー"

"Ronald!"

The slightly-bushy haired girl glanced up from her book at the ginger with her eyes narrowing down at him as he let out a nervous laugh.

"It's all just a joke Hermione, really," he added before patting Harry's shoulder, avoiding eye contact with the bright witch.

She sighed quietly and her eyes darted back to her maroon, hard-coveredーand rather largeーbook; Hogwarts: A History by Bathilda Bagshot. She drowned out the noises of her loyal, yet ridiculous, companions and devoted her attention completely to the book once more; it was her tenth time reading it but she always gets a thrill reading about how Hogwarts is hidden to Muggles or how if boys try to enter the girls' dormitories then the stairs will turn into slides, etc. The bushy haired girl also held fond memories of the book, being able to easily recall how the book was completely checked out during her second year when the Chamber of Secrets reopened (and how frustrated she got) while also clearly recollecting how she considered this book as she was sorting supplies for the Golden Trio's mission to find the Hocruxes, stating that "she wouldn't feel right" if she did not have it with her.

The history book just overall won a special place in Hermione's heart very early and even more so after all her adventures with Harry and Ron.

She was still very deep in the reading, oblivious to the noises all around her until she felt a tap on her right shoulder. She looked at Harry, ready to slam her book shut out of frustration at him but Harry also seemed equally, if not, even more annoyed as he glanced over her shoulder.

Hermione looked to her left to what he was staring at and audibly gasped as she gave a small jump.

There standing by her was a familiar slender boy with sleek white-blond hair, a pale complexion and rather sharp, pointed features. His cold grey eyes stared into her soft brown eyes.

She looked away from him and glanced at Harry and Ron who were both silent but had the most uncomfortable looks she has ever seen.

She simply closed her book and cleared her throat, still avoiding eye contact with Draco, before simply stating in a monotone voice, "What do you want Malfoy?"

"Professor McGonagall wishes to see us both briefly, that's all," he replied in an equally dull voice before stepping back and shutting the compartment door and walking away without another word.

Hermione breathed in quicklyーshe had been holding her breath without even realizing itーbefore she took a look at Ron and Harry both.

"I know he's changed a bit since the war but I can't help but still hold some grudge against him. Bugger," Ron stated before beginning to unwrap one of the chocolate frogs he had already bought when the trolley passed by earlier. Harry nodded slightly in agreement and shrugged at Hermione. Of course no one could blame them, not after all the wrongdoings Draco has done; he has a long road of changing to even be considered a decent person.

Hermione sighed and set her precious book aside; 'I'll get back to this later I guess' she thought to herself in slight annoyance. The witch then stood up and began opening the compartment door. As she walked out she heard Ron's voice, "Tell us if he gets turned into a ferret again," and she let out a small laugh as she called to mind the year that Draco was turned into a ferret by Professor Mad-Eye Moodyーalthough it was actually Barty Crouch Jr.