Veins of Iron

Hermione Granger made her way to the Slug Club party with Cormac McLaggen on her arm, her mind set on getting a rise out of Ron Weasley. She had hoped Cormac's presence would be enough to needle him, but she quickly realized her choice had been a monumental mistake. Cormac was overbearing, persistently trying to snog her at every opportunity, which left her feeling increasingly frustrated and uncomfortable.

Desperate for a break, Hermione sought out Harry for a brief conversation. She tried to explain away her choice of date, but before she could get too involved, she bolted away from Cormac's relentless advances.

As she was about to escape to a quieter corner, Draco Malfoy was suddenly dragged into the party by Filch. Draco looked particularly incensed, his eyes scanning the room with a dangerous glare that seemed to settle on Cormac of all people. Hermione found this odd and troubling. What was Draco doing here, and why was he so furious?

Feeling increasingly unsettled, Hermione decided to leave the party early. The strange encounter with Draco and the discomfort from Cormac made her feel uneasy.

- - -

The next day, as she headed to Hogsmeade station to catch the train home, she was eager to put the previous night behind her.

When she reached the train, she tried to locate Harry but found him already seated with Ron. Her mood soured further when she noticed the glass window of the compartment was scrawled with "L+R" and hearts—an unsettling display of affection that made her scowl with disgust. She quickly turned away, seeking another seat in the crowded train.

Suddenly, she was yanked into a compartment by someone. She was startled to find Draco Malfoy inside, his face wild and unhinged, as if the weight of something heavy was pressing down on him. His sudden appearance and distressed demeanor were alarming.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite her rising anxiety.

Draco's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a mix of frustration and something else she couldn't quite place. "I just want to talk," he said, his voice harsh but with an underlying desperation.

He then shifted his focus, demanding to know why she had brought Cormac to the party. Hermione laughed out of surprise at the absurdity of his question, which only seemed to anger Draco further. His agitation was palpable as he pressed for answers, but Hermione, still reeling from the night's events, pushed back, trying to understand what was bothering him.

Draco's demeanor shifted slightly, as though he almost wanted to confide in her but ultimately decided against it. He stormed out of the compartment, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts.

Moments later, Ginny Weasley joined her, looking perplexed. "Why was Draco sulking out of here? What was that about?" Ginny asked, her curiosity evident.

Hermione shook her head, equally confused. "I don't know, Ginny. I'm just as baffled as you are."

The encounter left Hermione more unsettled than ever, her mind racing with questions about Draco and the strange turn of events that seemed to be unfolding around her.

- - -

Hermione returned home, the familiar warmth of her parents' house a welcome relief from the chaos of recent events. Christmas with her family was a soothing respite, filled with laughter and love. They had gone out of their way to make the holiday special, presenting her with thoughtful gifts: a new journal, a beautiful pen, a few books, and a cozy jumper with matching socks.

Of all her presents, Hermione cherished the journal the most. As evening fell and the house grew quiet, she retreated to her room, eager to put her thoughts to paper. Sitting at her desk, she began to pour out her feelings into the journal.

Her pen moved steadily as she wrote about the confusing and conflicting emotions she had been grappling with, especially regarding Draco Malfoy. She expressed how absurd it felt to have developed feelings for someone she had always considered an enemy. Hermione also reflected on the sense of isolation she felt from her friends and how Hogwarts seemed different this year, as if a shadow had fallen over the familiar halls.

- - -

Later that week, Hermione boarded the train back to Hogwarts. The return journey was somber compared to the festive spirit she had just left behind. She settled into a compartment with Ginny Weasley, and they began to chat about their holidays.

Ginny recounted the frightening news that Death Eaters had attacked her family's home over Christmas. The gravity of the situation was deeply troubling to Hermione. The reality of the threat they faced seemed to hit harder with Ginny's recounting, leaving Hermione with an uneasy feeling about her own situation and her complicated thoughts about Draco.

As the train chugged towards Hogwarts, Hermione's worries grew. The attack on Ginny's family made her question the wisdom of getting involved with Draco, or even how she felt about the brewing tensions around them. The stark reminder of the dangers they faced weighed heavily on her, making her second-guess her emotions and decisions.