Jealousy Games and Deadly Consequences

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 21- Realizations

Eerie silence blanketed the Quidditch Pitch as Hermione stared down in horror at what she had done. The dark feeling that she had felt earlier was gone now, along with the whispering voice and vivid images. And now standing there was a terrified, girl, who would be forever haunted by the horrific scene that had taken place that night.

Why did I do that? She mentally asked, but no answer came. It seemed that even her brain itself did not know how to form a response for her actions.



Draco too had certainly not expected the bushy-haired Gryffindor to go to such an extreme. His stormy, grey eyes were cast to the ground; replaying the entire scene in his mind. It had happened so quickly that it felt like a dream. But he was wide awake and knew that this was far from being imaginary. His heart was beating rapidly, and his hands and face were sweating. After a moment, his eyes slowly shifted over to the bushy-haired girl.

Hermione could feel his eyes on her and cringed. What was he going to say about what she had just done? She shuddered slightly, refusing to meet his gaze. How could she possibly explain her actions? She rubbed her head slowly massaging her temple with her fingertips, as she stared at the ground.

What should I say? She thought.



What should I say? He wondered.



And then Hermione’s weak, shaking voice broke the silence.

"What have I done?" she asked in almost a whisper.

Draco looked at her in disbelief. He didn't know how to respond to that.

And then, he watched her wand fall from her trembling hand, as she slowly slumped down to her knees. "What have I done!" she cried out, slapping her hands over her mouth in disbelief; as tears began to fall.

Draco sighed deeply and looked back at the ground; at Pansy's body. He then saw the folded contract, partially covered by the dead girl's hand. He reached down and grabbed the parchment. But as he did so, the parchment made a crackling sound and turned to dust in his hand. He blinked rapidly and then tossed it into the air; allowing the dust to fly away with the wind.

He blinked and then let out a sigh of relief, realizing that he was now free.

But instead of cheering or bragging about it; like he normally would, he simply remained silent.

He was still completely confused by the events that had just taken place. He didn't understand how a girl; who'd been one of his worst enemies before, could turn around and risk her life for him. It was true that they had somewhat become more friendly, but he hardly felt that they had become close enough for her to go to an extreme such as this. He recalled the past few days in his mind. So much had happened between them; both good and bad. But this topped it all. She'd gone from doing a simple Potions essay for him to outright murder!

He then quickly shook his head and looked to the sobbing girl again. Taking a deep breath, he slowly walked towards her.

Her cheeks and nose were red now, and her eyes could not stop producing the streaming tears that continued to fall.

"Hermione..." he whispered, barely audible.

Her chin was quivering, and her breath came in quick, panicked spurts.

He dropped to his knees in front of her. "Hermione?" He said a little louder though in a shaky voice.

She didn't speak and she stared at the ground with a terrified expression.

"Hermione!" he snapped more sharply as he grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Snap out of it!"

Hermione lifted her head and looked at him."You're...free now Draco." she mumbled, barely audible.

He didn't know what to say nor did he know what emotion to act upon. Fear? Concern? Anger? Admiration?

These, among other emotions, were racing through him. And unfortunately, he had no idea how to handle them.

"You-You stupid mudblood!" He finally shouted out. "That curse could have bounced back and killed you! Why did you risk your life like that? d**n it! You could have died!"

He hadn't meant to sound so harsh but he knew no other way to express his feelings. After all, it had been hard enough being as nice to her as he'd been over the last few days. And he was still learning how to act around her.

At first she was hurt by his outburst, but then realized that he wasn't doing it to be mean. He was actually showing concern for her.

"I...don't know how I survived but...but somehow I did." She replied with a puzzled look on her face.

He nodded quickly.

"I...I can't believe I actually killed her..." She mumbled.

"Neither can I." He replied in a low voice as he shook his head slowly.

"I don't know what came over me...I guess that she really got to me and well...I...just...snapped."

He nodded but didn't say a word.

"Are...are you upset?" She asked hesitantly.

He took a deep breath and rubbed the back of his head.

"No," He finally said after a moment of silence. "I'm not upset, just...well...surprised. I mean I never expected to see you kill anyone." he added slowly, as he began fiddling with his robes.

"Me either." she replied, barely audible.

Draco ran a hand through his blonde hair and chuckled coldly. "I mean I've seen you get really mad at Potter, the Weasels and especially me but," he paused as he shook his head slowly "But I've never seen you look like that before."

She raised a brow. "What did I look like?" She asked.

He breathed heavily then replied. "Well, you had a certain look. A cold look about you and you had this empty stare; like you weren’t even aware of what you were doing." He then cleared his throat and continued. "Your voice was dark and you seemed so cold and when you said the words of the Killing Curse, you didn't even seem like yourself. It was like you blacked out and someone else took over."

"But...I didn't black out. I mean, I remember everything. I remember having a strange feeling and saying those words and I ...I remember...." She stopped and gasped. "That...voice."

"Voice?" he asked, now looking curious. "What voice?"

"It was in my head...I mean it came out of the book and...it was talking to me. I’ve heard it speak to me before only this time it was ...saying wicked almost evil things." She said slowly.

"What kind of things was it saying?" He asked as his brows furrowed.

"Well it was saying that I had a calling...something like 'The darkness you feel is your calling...The sensation you're feeling is the sign.' Things like that." She replied.

Draco scratched his head. "I think those phrases may have been in the book. On that last page, with the black serpent." he mumbled.

"But I didn't read that page." She said quickly.

Draco looked to the book lying on the ground and picked it up. "Hermione, take a look at this." He said flipping it open to the page with the black serpent.

She leaned in and read over the page. Her eyes grew wide and she gasped.

"Those are the phrases that the voice was speaking." She said firmly.

He nodded slowly. "If I remember correctly, father used to say that this book held the trapped spirits of the most powerful Blood Eaters. He claimed that they were too dangerous to be allowed to wander the world after their deaths. Mostly because they could possess the body of a novice Death Eater, and drive the spirit of that person out; allowing them to take over the physical body and live again. However, trapped inside the book, all they can do is talk to a person's mind and fill that person with dark feelings."

Hermione gasped at this.

"I'm guessing that's what happened to you." he added. "One of them was able to talk you into killing Pansy."

It made sense. But Hermione was still troubled. How did the voice know her name?

"Draco, there's something else." She said quickly.

"What?" he asked, slamming the book shut as he looked to her.

"It...I mean the voice...it knew my name...it called me 'Hermione'."

Draco's eyes grew wide and he let out a gasp. "It called you by your name?" He asked, now with an uneasy look on his pale face.

She nodded.

"That's not good at all!" he snapped. "That means that whoever the voice belongs to; has already targeted you!"

"What? Me? But I'm not a Death Eater!" She snapped back as she jumped to her feet.

"You've been reading this book, and you've been putting your feelings into it each time. I told you that this book was dangerous!" he stated sharply.

She blinked but then thought a moment. "Wait a second; you said that this book is just a copy. So, that means the spirits can only come back through the original one, right?" she asked.

He stood up, shaking his head as he clutched the book tightly in his hand. "I don't know." he replied slowly. "I mean there's a lot of mystery about this book. With it being a copy, it's not likely that it could release those spirits. However, it's also not impossible either. But either way, I'm not giving this back to you this time. It’s for your own good." he snapped now in a cold tone.

She nodded slowly and didn't argue this time. For now, she understood why.

He then sighed and tucked the book into his robes. "I'm going to hold onto this from now on. And then, when I see my father, I'll give it to him." he said decidedly.

"Your father?" She asked.

"Yes, a book like this belongs with him and the Dark Lord. They know how to handle it." he replied.

Just then, something dawned on Hermione. She hadn't told him about her meeting with his father and Voldemort yet.

How would he take it? She knew she couldn't hide it for long because he'd find out eventually.

"You know, this situation is kind of...funny really." he said, interrupting her thoughts.

"Huh?" she asked, quirking a brow.

"Well, just picturing my father's face when he finds out that you killed someone. He'll see it as ironic." He replied with a cold chuckle.

No he won't because he's the one who told me that I had to kill her to free you. Hermione thought. And then suddenly she realized that this was the perfect time to tell him.

So taking a deep breath she replied, "It's funny you should say that." She began.

He quirked a brow at her.

"Um Draco...I think I should tell you something....um..." She was stumbling over her words. "You'd better sit down for this." she added.

"Ooookay." He replied, noticing her sudden nervous expression as he sat down on the ground.

She sat down as well, knowing her now shaky legs were not going to support her for long.

"You see; I spoke with your father and the Dark Lord and..." She quickly explained everything and watched as his eyes grew wider, and wider, and wider.

When she was finished he took a moment to catch his breath.

"Wait...let me get this straight. You met with my father and the Dark Lord?" he managed to say.

She nodded.

"And the deal was that if you killed Pansy on your own, my father would approve of us being friends?" he gasped.

She nodded again.

He looked overwhelmed with disbelief.

"Are you...angry?" She asked nervously.

"Not really." He replied calmly, now lowering his voice. "A little more shocked now; but not angry." he added in a lighter tone.

She sighed and smiled faintly.

But then Draco frowned slightly as he looked to the dead girl's body.

"But how will you explain Pansy's death to Dumbledore and the others?" He asked, now in an uneasy tone. "Surely you can't just blow it off."

"I know but maybe we...we can just say that we found her dead." She replied hesitantly.

"They're going to want details and we’d have to have a good enough lie to fool them all." he retorted.

"We can say we don't know. I mean we can just say that we were out walking together and found her." she added.

"If you just blurt out that we were out for a walk they'll, first wonder why we were together. And second; why we were out walking at three in the morning! They wouldn't believe us and may even make us drink Veritaserum potion!" He said bluntly as he stood up.

Then he offered his hand down to her.

"Well, what if I confess to them that I did it? That would be the truth." She replied as she grabbed her wand and took his hand.

"Yeah and then they'd throw you into Azkaban!" He snapped as he pulled her up.

Then the two began brushing themselves off as they continued talking.

"But...what if I tell them that Voldemort was controlling me, like he did Ginny in second year! Surely I could get away with it then!" Hermione suggested.

"That would work..." He agreed but then shook his head, "unless they make you drink the Veritaserum potion." he added.

"You're right. There's no getting around that truth potion." she grumbled. "Plus since Voldemort spared my life and convinced your father to give me a chance, I don't really think I should do that." She added.

He nodded. "True." he replied.

Then she looked to him with a desperate frown."What am I going to do, Draco?" She asked frantically, grabbing his hand.

He looked at her then sighed as he absently curled his fingers around hers. "Well, you can take the chance of going back to the castle, or you can simply run away, and hide out in the dark forest." he replied hesitantly.



"Or...you can simply pretend it didn't even happen at all." came a cold hissing voice.

The two gasped and spun around to see Voldemort standing there with Lucius at his side.

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Harry gasped as his eyes flew open.

His scar had begun hurting out of the blue.

Quickly, he sat up in bed and looked around.

And then suddenly, the pain began to intensify.

"No...N-No!" Harry groaned falling back onto his bed writhing in pain. "He's...near....I...can feel...it!" he whispered.

He began to toss and turn.

I know you're nearby...I can feel you, Voldemort! He thought, holding his hand over his throbbing scar.

Little did he know how right he was for the Dark Lord was just outside...

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"You certainly surprise me, Draco." Lucius said rather disgruntled to see his son holding hands with Hermione. "I didn't actually believe that the two of you had become so...close."

"Hermione told me about what you said, father. About the deal. You will keep your word, won't you?" Draco asked raising a suspicious brow.

Lucius let out a dark chuckle. "Of course I will, Draco." he replied as his eyes shifted to Hermione. "After all, Miss Granger has somewhat proven herself worthy of standing at your side."

Hermione gave a slight nod and Lucius returned it with a slight sneer.

"Now, as for tonight," Hissed Voldemort stepping forward. "I will animate Miss Parkinson's body and allow a portion of her soul to return to it temporarily so that it looks like she dies at dinner in the Great Hall tonight. Make sure that the two of you are there so as not to be blamed for her death! As for our meeting tomorrow night, I've decided that it can wait. I will send word when I am ready for the gathering. Now, Lucius will see that you both return back to your common room. You will both be safe for now." Voldemort hissed. Then he turned to Lucius and nodded.

"Alright, now the two of you will do just as the Dark Lord commands." Lucius said sharply; looking to Draco and Hermione.

"Yes, father." Draco stated quickly.

Hermione gave a hesitant nod.

"Good." Lucius hissed. Then he pulled out a black coin and tossed it to Draco. “This coin will apparate you back into your common room.”

“Apparate? But father, what about the wards that surround the castle to prevent that from-“

“Oh not to worry; we have assistance from inside the castle as well.” Voldemort interrupted "Now, not another word!”

“Off you go!" Lucius sneered as he drew his wand and pointed it at the coin.

There was a quick flash of pale blue light; and instantly the two students disappeared.



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"Agh!" Harry cried out now louder than ever as he continued holding his head.

He had tried holding it in, but now it was too much.

His cries jolted Ron out of his sleep.

"Harry? What’s wrong?" He whispered groggily. "Having a nightmare?"

"No Ron...it's my scar, it's hurting!" Harry groaned as he thrashed violently, holding his head.

Ron gasped and quickly rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"What's happening, Harry? Is it...Is it You-Know-Who?" He gasped as he jumped up and threw his Gryffindor robe on.

But Harry suddenly cried out as a strong surge of pain hit him.

"I'd better get you to Madame Pomfrey!" He shouted.

"No...No I need to see...Dumbledore..." Harry groaned.

"But Harry, he's not here! He was called away to the Ministry of Magic two days ago, remember?" Ron replied.

"Ugh...owww it...hurts so bad..." Harry groaned.

"Hang on, Harry! I'll go get McGonagall!" Ron said as he jumped up and raced out of the room.



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"Whoa!!" Hermione and Draco both shouted as they fell through the ceiling and crash landed onto their common room couch.



"Ouch, my leg! Draco, get off!" Hermione groaned as she jerked her leg out from under him.

"Sorry." he replied. Then he sat up and looked around. "Hey, we're back in the common room!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah, you're father zapped us back here, remember?" she replied as she sat up too.

He nodded then smiled as he leaned back and relaxed.

"Wow, what a rush eh, Hermione?" he chuckled.

She sighed then nodded. "Yeah, it was a rush." She replied, letting out a small nervous giggle.

"This is the best!" He shouted. "My father approves of us being friends and the Dark Lord is going to help us."

She nodded hesitantly.

"And there's no one to stand in our way! Not even Potter or Weasel can stop us!" he added with an arrogant smirk.

"I =I can't believe it. I mean...your father not only approves of us, but he returned us back here, and the Dark Lord spared my life! He helped us out, and when Pansy dies again; it won't be our fault, I mean...this is unbelievable, Draco!" She said with amazement.

"Yes, it is Hermione." He agreed.

"I don’t know what to say!" She cried as she threw her arms around him.

He was surprised at first but then he returned her hug happily.

After a moment they both pulled away laughing nervously.

"Whew...what a night, huh?" He sighed recalling the events that had taken place less than an hour ago.

Hermione nodded. "Yeah, it has been quite a night." She agreed.

Then she glanced at the clock. 4:45am.

"Oh my gosh! It’s almost five in the morning! We'd better get to bed!" She gasped.

"Yours or mine?" he asked with a sly grin.

She blinked rapidly but then, realizing he was teasing; she let out a little laugh.

"You in yours and me in mine!" She replied playfully slapping his arm.

"Have it your way." He replied stifling a yawn.

She giggled and then yawned.

Then the two walked up to their rooms.

"Well...pleasant dreams." She said sweetly.

He smiled warmly.

"Same to you." he replied gently.

Then the two went into their separate rooms.

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Meanwhile, Ron had returned with McGonagall. Harry had stopped thrashing but the pain in his head seemed to be just as bad.

"Oh dear, Mr. Potter, you're sweating profusely!" she said. "What happened?"

"I...uh argh! It hurts!" Harry cried out, holding his hand over his scar.

"He's been screaming like this for the past fifteen minutes!" Ron said in a panicked tone.

"Please try to calm down, Harry." McGonagall spoke softly.

"Professor...Vold...he...was near....he....here...near..." Harry managed to say. But then suddenly, the pain overwhelmed him and his eyes rolled back in his head as he slipped into unconsciousness.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 22- The Next Morning

Hermione's enchanted alarm clock went off way too soon and she groggily opened her eyes. "Ugh! It’s 7:38am." She grumbled shutting it off.

Then she stumbled out of bed and got dressed. After stuffing her books into her bag, she slung it over her shoulder and opened her door.

"Morning." Said a cheerful voice.

"Draco, you scared me!" She snapped seeing the blonde Slytherin leaning against the door frame. He was dressed and all ready to go with his bag over his shoulder.

"Sorry, was just seeing if you were awake or not." He replied.

"Well, I'm awake." She said laughing lightly. Just then her stomach rumbled. "I'm also hungry." She added.

"Me too. Come on; let's go grab breakfast down at the Great Hall." He said anxiously.

She nodded and the two walked down and then out the Head's door.

"So, did you sleep well last night?" He asked looking to her raising a brow.

"Not...really." She replied hesitantly. "I had a lot on my mind."

"Oh? Well you see there, you should have come knocking on my door." He bragged.

She smirked and rolled her eyes laughing. "You're so arrogant, Draco."

"I know." He proudly replied. "It's a gift, what can I say?" he chuckled.

"True." She giggled then sighed "But...I'm glad that we can get along now." She added softly.

He chuckled as his cheeks flushed a slight red.

"Same here." He mumbled. Then he cleared his throat. "Ahem, so what do you think that old Snape has planned for us in Potions today?" He asked quickly changing the subject.

"Not sure, but I would think it's almost time for him to give us a quiz." She replied coolly.

"What? Already? But...on what?" He gasped suddenly nervous.

"Relax, Draco, it's probably to see how much we've studied ahead." She joked.

He noted the sarcastic tone in her voice, as she let out a light giggle.

"There's no quiz! You were teasing me." He snapped with a slight smirk.

She smirked back at him.

Then they both laughed lightly.

The two strolled down the corridors chatting amongst themselves, unaware of the many shocked and confused eyes that were watching them.

"So, do you see Pansy yet?" He whispered walking closer to her to keep anyone from listening to their conversation.

"Not yet." She whispered back looking rather nervous.

"Don't act nervous." He snapped quickly.

"I can't help it, Draco. I've never killed anyone before!" She snapped back in a sharp whisper.

"Relax." He said as he pushed open the double doors to the Great Hall. "Just act normal."

She nodded as she followed him in.

"I'll see you later." He whispered as he quickly brushed past her and headed over to the Slytherin table.

Hermione glanced to him then swallowed and slowly made her way to the Gryffindor table.

She sat down at the very end and quietly grabbed herself a couple of eggs and some sausage.

She lifted her head slightly to glance over at the Slytherin table, scanning it for a certain Slytherin girl.

However, Pansy was nowhere to be found. After a moment her eyes wandered over to Draco.

He slowly looked up to meet her gaze.

She looked so nervous that he thought she was going to break down at any moment.

He flashed her a quick smile and then mouthed the word 'Relax.' to her.

She nodded slightly and then looked down at her plate and slowly began eating.

A few moments later Harry and Ron walked into the Great Hall.

Hermione looked up to see them talking together.

She quickly looked back down at her plate as the two sat down a few seats down from her.



"So, Ginny was really mad." Ron said as he grabbed a muffin.

"I can understand that, especially since Snape was the one who caught her." Harry replied, adjusting his glasses.

"Yeah, thankfully McGonagall dismissed her with only a single detention." Ron said, sighing in relief. "And I think that she only did that because I showed up and told her about your scar." he added.

"Yeah." Harry agreed.

"You gave me quite a scare, mate." Ron stated in a concerned tone.

"How long was I out?" Harry asked.

"Only for thirty minutes, but it seemed like a lot longer. McGonagall and Pomfrey revived you, though." replied the red-headed young man.

"I can't believe that the pain was so bad that it knocked me out." Harry mumbled, rubbing his scar absently.

"Well, I'm just glad that you're alright now." Ron sighed in relief giving his dark haired friend a pat on the shoulder.

Harry nodded and half-smiled.

Then he caught a glimpse of Hermione and he quickly looked away.

Ron grabbed another muffin and took a big bite out of it.

"Look at her, Ron." Harry mumbled nodding his head towards the bushy-haired Gryffindor. "Can you believe that the three of us used to be so close?" he asked in a low tone.

"Yeah, I know." Ron muttered. Then he sighed sadly. "We've all been through so much these past six years; I thought nothing could come between us."

"Yeah." Harry agreed as he began to think back to their first year at Hogwarts.

Ron did the same as he munched away on a piece of bacon.

We were so close at one time. Harry thought with a heavy sigh. I feel bad for sounding so threatening to her but as smart as she is, if she were to ever turn on us and join our enemies there would be a lot of trouble. And I noticed that she and Malfoy are actually getting along now which could mean trouble. Thankfully, Ginny came across some Hufflepuff girls brewing some Polyjuice potion. Once it’s read; our plan of making Hermione and Malfoy enemies again will be put into action. He then noticed Hermione now looking over at the Slytherin table and his eyes narrowed as he saw Draco looking right back at her.

However, neither one was glaring at the other; in fact they both looked to be communicating in a way.

"Ron." Harry whispered tapping his friend.

"Hmm?" Ron mumbled with his mouth full.

"Look at Hermione staring at that git." Harry whispered coldly.

Ron lifted his head and looked to Hermione, tilting his head. Then his eyes narrowed as he saw Draco and realized what Harry was saying.

He silently grinded his teeth as his hand curled into a fist, crumbling his bacon.

"How can she be so nice to him?" He grumbled looking back to Harry.

"Oh now you're getting pissed off?" Harry asked raising a brow.

"Yes! Because this has gone way past her just playing games to make you jealous! Not to mention, Malfoy is being nice to her and I fear that she's not playing anymore!" Ron snapped.

Harry nodded. "I know what you mean." he replied.

"What has gotten into her, Harry?" the red-headed young man groaned, "Has she lost her bloody mind!"

"I don't know. It seems that ever since that night that I was forced to make a choice, between her and Ginny; she hasn't been the same. I really don't know what to think anymore, Ron."

"I know." Ron agreed. "I mean you'd think she would have at least come and apologized; especially to me." He growled that last part.

"I know. I didn't think she'd throw all these years away because I chose Ginny over her as a girlfriend. I told her that I loved her as a best friend. I wasn't mean about it." Harry mumbled, scratching his head.

"You're not... regretting choosing my sister are you?" Ron asked nervously, noticing the disappointment in Harry's tone.

"No. I love your sister." the dark haired young man replied firmly. "I'm just saying that I wish that we could all be friends again. We all had such a close bond."

Ron nodded. "I remember back then." He sighed then continued more slowly. "I still care a lot about Hermione though. I mean...well I love her, you know?" His face flushed as he said the last part.

Harry nodded as his red headed friend continued on.

"I...I wish that she was still with us...you know all happy and being her normal, smart, know-it-all self but lately...lately she's changed, Harry." His voice sounding more frustrated. "She doesn't do much in class anymore and in Potions she now sits beside Malfoy! Even after we opened her spot back up-which we only let someone else take it for that one day; she still goes and sits over with that git! She's stopped trying to answer any questions in any of her classes and if she's called on she messes up the answers."

Harry nodded. "I've noticed that." he replied.

"She's not the same Hermione anymore." Ron concluded, now looking to be on the verge of tears.

"I know she's not the same." Harry agreed. "She's become rude, careless and she gets this stupid look on her face every time Malfoy gives her any sort of attention...just like now!" Harry grumbled, as he noticed the playful smile on Hermione's lips appear as she and Draco continued to silently communicate with each other.

"I miss the old Hermione, Ron. I'm not going to lie about that..."



"Hi guys." came a low voice.

Harry looked to see that Ginny was the one who'd interrupted him.

"Hey Ginny." Harry said half smiling as she sat beside him. "I heard about what happened with Snape last night. I'm really sorry." He quickly said, ready to comfort her.

"Yeah well luckily, I only got one day's detention." She replied coolly, and then she looked to him. "I heard about last night with you as well. Is your scar still hurting?" She asked concerned.

"No, I'm fine now Ginny." Harry reassured her as he leaned over and kissed her freckled cheek. She smiled lightly.

"So what were you doing out in the halls last night anyway?" Ron asked his sister curiously.

"Well, I was on my way back from checking the potion in Myrtle's bathroom...oh by the way- the girls said that it was coming along quite well. It should be ready in about two more days."

"So soon? Normally it takes a month. Remember second year, Harry?" Ron replied.

"Yeah but supposedly one of the girls has an aunt who specializes in the stuff and claims to know how to speed it up some, right?" Harry said, looking to Ginny.

"That's right." She replied grabbing one of the few remaining muffins.

"That's good to hear." Harry whispered as Ron nodded in agreement.

Ginny nodded then continued on. "So, anyway back to what I was saying. When I was on my way back before I was caught by Snape, I saw two people walking down the corridor. Since it was so late, I was curious as to who they were and what they were up to. So I hid to find out. And guess who they were?" Ginny rolled her eyes. "Malfoy and Pansy." She said a little louder.

Hearing the word 'Malfoy', Hermione's head snapped up and looked over at Ginny a moment. Then quickly she looked back down at her plate, now curious about what the red headed girl was saying.

She scooted down towards the three a little, pretending to adjust her robes while trying to listen more intently to the conversation between them.

"What was Malfoy doing with Pansy so late at night in the first place?" Ron asked raising a confused brow.

"Well, if I heard correctly, then Malfoy was going to have sex with her outside somewhere." Ginny replied bluntly.

"Ugh! Now I've lost my appetite! Thanks a lot sis!" Ron groaned throwing down his fifth muffin.

"Well you asked." She retorted.

Harry coughed slightly then scratched the back of his head. "Uh yeah but you know, that's not something we really want to hear about, Ginny." He said with a disgusted frown.

"I agree." Ron snapped. "Especially at breakfast."

"Well I'm sorry for ruining your appetites guys, but there's more to it..." Ginny said now in a more serious tone as she lowered her voice. "And I think you two ought to know the rest of it."

She then leaned in closer and tried to lower her voice more as she looked to her brother. "Ron, last night after McGonagall left with you to check on Harry; I was on my way back to the dorm when I looked out the window towards the Quidditch Pitch. I was using those new spectacles that Fred and George invented over the summer.”

“Oh the Spectacular Speculating Spectacles-the ones that let you see things up to a couple of hundred feet away?” Ron asked.

Ginny nodded. “Yes, you can see a lot with them and it’s a good thing that they can shrink to fit in the pocket of my robes.” She replied.

“So…what did you see out at the Quidditch Pitch?” Harry asked curiously.

“Well,” Ginny continued, “I saw..." she paused and took a deep breath as she replayed what she'd seen the night before. Suddenly the images flew back to her and she gasped loudly.

"Ginny? Are you okay?" Harry asked with concern.

"Ginny?" Ron waved his hand in front of her face.

She swallowed then shook her head and said, "I...I saw this...flash of eerie green light, and that's not all...I saw it hit Pansy and I think...I think it killed her."

Hermione gasped as she heard this. She felt her heartbeat increase rapidly as her palms began to sweat. Ginny knows about last night! She knows! She thought, now feeling a painful lump in her throat.

Harry and Ron listened as the girl continued on, describing the light and how it had flown at Pansy. After a moment, Harry's eyes narrowed and his face darkened. "Ginny...if I didn't know better, I'd say that what you saw... was someone using the Killing Curse!" He said in a worried tone. Then his eyes widened. "And my scar was hurting around that same time." He suddenly became alarmed. "It all makes sense!" He snapped.

"But who was using the Killing Curse?" Ron asked not really sure what to make of what the two were saying.

"It had to be Voldemort." Harry snapped.

"No, Harry. It was Malfoy." Ginny replied firmly.

"Malfoy?" Ron gasped.

"Of course!" Harry said nodding with a dark frown. "You said you saw Malfoy walking with Pansy last night, right? Just when did you see that green light?"

"Well," Ginny thought a moment and then continued. "Shortly after McGonagall left to go check on you, Harry, I was hurrying back down the corridor. That’s when I decided to pull out the spectacles and look around. When I looked out and saw Malfoy standing just a few feet from Pansy, I think I saw them arguing. I tried to watch them but Filch was out and about and I didn’t want to get into anymore trouble so I had to hide until he went away, which was only like a few minutes. Anyway, I started looking through the spectacles again and this time I saw an eerie green flash of light and then Pansy fell as it hit her." she exclaimed. “Besides if you've noticed the Slytherin table this morning; Pansy is nowhere in sight."

Harry nodded slowly but Ron still wasn't very convinced.

"That's ridiculous Ginny, why would Malfoy kill his own girlfriend?" her brother scoffed rolling his eyes. "And besides, Harry's scar wouldn't have hurt like that if Malfoy had done it!"

"Ron does have a point about that. My scar only hurts when Voldemort is nearby and last night I know that he was, because the pain was so intense that I passed out." Harry said firmly.

"Bloody Hell, you mean...You-Know-Who is here at this school?" Ron whimpered.

"No, but he could be..." Harry stopped and thought for a moment. Where is he? "somewhere close by." he added hesitantly.

"Look guys, all I'm saying is what I saw." Ginny said hoping to change the subject off of the Dark Wizard. "And I believe Malfoy did it because he was the only one there...of course if there was anyone else they could have been standing behind one of the spectator's towers where I couldn't see."

"But if Voldemort was here, surely someone would have sounded the alarm. Something just doesn't quite add up." Harry muttered with a puzzled look on his face.

Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes. "Look, I don't know anything other than what I saw. And I saw Malfoy kill Pansy. So come on guys, we have to go tell Professor McGonagall about this." She said firmly.

Harry nodded as did Ron.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 23- A Slytherin's Soothing Words

Hermione could feel herself overcome with fear and the urge to vomit was great. She put her head in her hands, allowing her elbows to rest on the table. It was all she could do to keep from physically shaking. Oh no, they know that Pansy's dead and they think Malfoy did it! Harry knew Voldemort was here. Oh no, what do I do? Okay Hermione just breathe, breathe! Calm down, you have to calm down. She mentally told herself though her trembling hands seemed to ignore her.

But just then, the double doors opened and in walked a very familiar pug-faced, Slytherin girl. Pansy Parkinson.

Ginny gasped with wide eyes. No, it can't be her! She thought.

Hermione let out a slight sigh of relief. Whew, that was too close. Thankfully, Voldemort animated her just as he said he would, or else Draco would be in trouble.



Draco's eyes widened for a moment in disbelief and then he quickly tried to return to normal as he remembered what Voldemort had said.



Ron chuckled seeing Pansy and then turned to Harry and shrugged. "See, I knew my sister was just messing with us." He said chuckling lightly; secretly thankful that Ginny hadn't been right.

"No! It can't be!" Ginny gasped again. Then she looked to Harry desperately. "Harry, I swear I saw Malfoy kill her last night." She whispered.

Harry sighed then put his arm around her. "I'm not saying I don't believe you...I'm just...well puzzled how she could have survived the Killing Curse." he muttered.

"Well you did." She replied.

"Yes but that was only because my mother sacrificed herself to save me." He said.

"Yes but no one was there to sacrifice their life for Pansy so I just can't understand how she survived." Ginny grumbled tapping the table with an annoyed look on her face.



Draco watched as Pansy took a seat next to him and sat there very still. He looked her over and discovered that her robe was covered in grass stains from the night before. She also had dirt on her face and under her fingernails. She was also more pale than usual. I hope this thing stays 'alive' until dinner time. He thought. Then he cleared his throat and began to eat his food.



Seeing the animated corpse of Pansy, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and went back to her breakfast.



Just then the bell rang.

"Time for classes." Harry said as he, Ron, and Ginny got up and left.



Hermione slowly stood up, and grabbed her bag.

She started towards the doors of the Great Hall, eyeing the animated corpse briefly as she passed the Slytherin table and walked out.

Draco and the corpse stood up and left the Hall as well.

"Go on and do what you normally do, Pansy." Draco mumbled.

The corpse turned to him with unblinking eyes and nodded as it walked on down the corridor.

Draco then turned and headed towards the dungeons quickly, hoping to catch up with Hermione.



Hermione walked along slowly, thinking about the animated corpse of Pansy. She looked as lifeless as the night before, when I killed her. She thought. But hopefully no one will notice.

And then she thought about Harry and Ginny's conversation from breakfast. She couldn't shake the fear that she'd had when Ginny had said she'd seen Pansy killed. I've got to tell Draco about this. She thought. He needs to be aware of what Ginny and Harry were saying.



Just then she felt a hand on her shoulder. She screamed and spun around quickly.

"Whoa, hey calm down." Draco said a little taken back by her reaction.

"You...you scared me." She said trying to catch her breath quickly.

"Yeah, I see that." He chuckled lightly.

"Look, I need to tell you something." She said quickly.

"What?" He asked curiously.

"Not here." She replied looking around. "Um..." Then she spied an empty classroom.

"Quick, in here!" She snapped grabbing his hand and dragging him into the dark classroom.

As soon as they were in, she let go of him and quickly shut the door.

The room was dark but there were a few lit candles that provided some dim lighting, enough for the two to see each other's faces.

Draco blinked and looked around and then smirked. "Hmm...dragging me into a dark room can only mean one thing." He said slyly.

Then noticing her expression he quickly waved his hands. "It was a joke." He added.



However, she completely ignored his remark and sat down on top of a desk. He sat on a desk top across from her.

"Draco, Ginny knows." She blurted out quickly.

"Huh?" He asked confused.

"She knows about Pansy being killed last night!"


"What!" he snapped with wide eyes. "How the hell does she know about that?"

"She saw the green flash through the window. She also saw you and Pansy walking down the corridor before that." She replied.

Draco thought a moment. "Now that I remember correctly, Pansy did say something about hearing footsteps last night. So, it was Weaselette, huh?" His trademark smirk appeared and he ran a hand through his hair lightly.

"Yes and she thinks that you are the one who killed Pansy!" She added in a panicky voice.

"Me?" He asked raising a brow, casually.

"Yes." She replied. "And what's worse is that Harry seems to somewhat believe Ginny. And that's because of his scar hurting at around the same time last night." she babbled nervously.

"I see." He mumbled rubbing his chin.

"What are we going to do? This is...I mean....You may get blamed and then..." She took a breath and then babbled on nervously. "I mean Harry's scar was burning so I know that he was aware of Voldemort being around, and...And then with Ginny knowing about the Killing Curse and...and Pansy dying....Oh just what are we going to do, Draco?" She asked panicking.

However, he surprisingly didn't seem all that worried and rolled his eyes at her trying not to laugh.

"This is not funny, Draco!" she snapped. "Just what are we going to do?"

"I'll tell you what we are going to do, Hermione." He sneered as he slowly stood up and moved towards her.

He then leaned in slightly; and rested a hand on each side of the desk top she was sitting on.

"We are going to relax and act like our normal selves." He said calmly. "We are not going to panic over this."

"But Draco..." She began but he quickly put a finger to her lips.

"Shhh, calm down." He said trying to be patient with her. "Listen, by that corpse of Pansy showing up, we're cleared of being suspects. So stop worrying. That Weaselette can't prove anything and I doubt that she'll find out about Pansy being a corpse by dinner time."

"But...what if she does?" Hermione asked hesitantly; looking to him nervously.

"Then," He said, his grey eyes now narrowing coldly as he leaned closer to her, "I'll deal with her myself." He sneered flashing his trademark smirk.

She blinked and then slowly nodded as she knew exactly what he meant.

His features then softened slightly as he lifted a hand and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Then he tilted his head and half smiled.

"So you see? There's no reason to panic." He added in gentle yet confident tone.

She stared at him a moment. His eyes were so captivating and she suddenly remembered the way he had kissed her before.

It had been magical, and she had felt something from it. Something that was so strong that it had scared her so much that she'd lashed out at him afterwards. But that was days ago, and he probably didn't feel it. She thought.

"Hermione?" He asked noticing the blank look on her face. "You okay?"

She blinked rapidly then cleared her throat."Ahem...yeah, I'm fine. I was just...thinking." She mumbled.

"Oh? Well like I was saying, we'd better get to Potions, we're already five minutes late and Snape will probably take ten points off us already." He said.

Then he chuckled and sat down on the desk across from her. "Unless you want to just skip Potions today." He joked.

She blinked then nodded. "I...do." She mumbled.

He blinked rapidly. "What?" he asked thinking he'd not heard her right.

"I said I do want to skip Potions." She said smiling slightly.

He looked baffled then chuckled.

"But you can go on to class; I'll just go back to the head room." She added as she stood up.

"Uh...okay." He mumbled still surprised at her.

"See you later." she said as she walked out of the classroom.

Draco stood there a moment then sighed and walked out.

[Liz-Miia Parker]

Irf, julm värk.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 24- Hermione’s Internal Conflict

Hermione walked into the Head's common room and slung her bag on the floor as she went over and plopped on the couch.

"Ugh, that pregnant dog Ginny needs to stop poking her nose into everything...she's such a....weasel!" She grumbled bitterly.

Then she sighed as her thoughts switched to someone else.

Draco and I have become quite close now. We're actually friends, which is something I never thought we would be. He's still arrogant and acts like himself around others but with me, he's become so...nice. She then sighed dreamily as once again she remembered the kiss that they'd shared right on the very couch she was sitting. That night when he kissed me, I felt something that scared me. It was the strangest feeling that I've ever felt before and I don't even know what it was. I just know that it was so strong that it scared me and I lashed out at him. It's funny though, I didn't feel it when I kissed Harry or Ron. But the minute Draco's lips touched mine it was like a strong wave of something washed over me. I wonder...I mean I'm curious. That was quite a few days ago and...I wonder if...Draco and I kissed now; would I feel it again. She then looked down at her now trembling hands and sighed. Of course, I doubt that Draco felt it, and even if he did, he's probably used to feeling it with so many girls that he's dated and been with; that it didn't mean anything to him anyway.

But if we could kiss just one more time...just to see if I can feel it again...she then shook her head. But after what happened last time, will I lash out at him again? No, I won't. I won't lash out like that again. I shouldn't have before but I was afraid. Anyway, if we could just kiss again...I mean now would be good while I'm feeling brave. She then giggled to herself. But he went on to class.

And then, as if on cue the Head's portrait door swung open and Draco walked in.

Suddenly, all the bravery from Hermione faded away, as he walked over to the couch and tossed his bag down beside hers.

"Draco? What are you doing here?" She asked curiously.

"I got halfway to the dungeons and then decided that I didn't feel like going to class either." He stated simply as he plopped down on the other side of the couch.

"Oh, I see." She replied.

He leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes.

She looked at him and smiled faintly. Her mind once again going back to the time they'd kissed. I wonder what it'd be like if we were to kiss now. I can't help but wonder if I'll still get that strange feeling or if it was just a onetime thing.

"You know, I hate to admit it but I'd be lying if I said that that didn't make me feel a little uneasy. I was thinking about it on the way to Potions." He blurted out.

"Huh? What?" She asked suddenly snapping out of her thoughts.

"You know about Weaselette finding out about Pansy being a lifeless corpse?" He replied opening his eyes lazily look at her.

"Oh...yeah." She nodded.

He then sighed and tilted his head back. "You know, I have to say that you really impressed me. And that's normally something that people can never do." He chuckled lightly.

She blinked at him. "How so?" She asked.

"Let me think." He replied. "Let's see, to start with you did my Potions homework correctly, even got me an O on it for no reason; you've taunted and teased the new Golden Trio, you gave Weaselette a good bath, you've not gone blabbing about the talks we had, you wanted to free me from Pansy's contract so badly that you actually went to my father and somehow impressed him and the Dark Lord enough to let you survive. You used the Killing Curse on Pansy knowing that there was a chance of it ricocheting off her and possibly killing you and just earlier you spied on Weaselette and Potter's conversation then told me what they said without hesitation, and now here you are skipping a class." he chuckled. "So, I am quite impressed with you." He stated bluntly.

"Uh...thanks." She replied. Then she added, "But you impressed me too."

"Really?" He asked curiously. "How?"

"Well you actually showed up and played along with the jealousy game I was using to get Harry. And well...there's a lot of other little things." She said slowly looking at the fire trying to keep from blushing.

He chuckled and nodded. Then he slowly turned his head and looked to her. Seeing the flames of the fire flickering in her eyes; he couldn't help but remember the feeling he'd got when they had kissed before. But it had ended when they had gotten into an argument afterwards. I've never felt a strong feeling like that before with any other girl. But the second Hermione's lips touched mine, that strange sensation washed over me. he thought recalling the moment. Then he smiled slightly. And it all happened right here where we are sitting now.

I want to find out if that feeling was just a onetime thing. Of course I can't exactly come out and just ask him to kiss me though can I? I mean we may be friends but he doesn't think of me as anymore than that. Besides, I won't be able to handle it if he does kiss me and I feel it again. She thought as she gazed into the fire.

Maybe if I just ask to kiss her I'll know...but she'll say no. She made it very clear that she doesn't have those kinds of feelings for me. But still, I want to find out if what I felt before was a onetime thing. If I can just convince her to kiss me one more time...but how would I do that? I can't just come out and say "Hey Hermione, last time we kissed I felt something but I wasn't sure what so can I kiss you again and find out?" He rolled his eyes at himself. Yeah right she'll slap me for sure and then somehow we'll end up getting into another fight. he thought chewing his tongue. And I don't want to fight with her over something this silly. Maybe I should go to my room for a bit to think.

But I felt brave before...when I thought he was in Potions class. She sighed then bit on her bottom lip. I want to find out now. The thought of it is driving me crazy. Maybe I should just ask him. Oh yes that will really be something. What should I do, say something like, "Hey Draco, I got a strong feeling last time we kissed so as disgusting as it is, can we kiss again so that I can find out if I get that feeling again?" She frowned and rolled her eyes at herself. He'd never agree to that. But maybe I should be the one to kiss him this time...but what if he pushes me off like Harry did to me. I would probably break down and cry. Maybe I should just... she was startled by Draco shifting around.

"Well, I guess I'll go check over my homework for Transfiguration class." Draco mumbled as he sat up straight. "If you need me, just knock." He added as he straightened up and stretched.

No...no don't let him go. Find out now! You know you want him to stay! Her mind snapped.

"Draco, wait!" She suddenly blurted out unable to stop herself.

"What?" He asked raising a brow.

"Well...um I need to talk to you about...um something." She mumbled hesitantly.

He tilted his head as he relaxed against the back of the couch once more. "Really?" He asked curiously.

"Do...do you remember..." She stopped and froze she couldn't say anything else, it was too hard.

"Do I remember, what?" He asked raising a brow.

"Nothing." She replied with a heavy sigh. "It's...nothing."

"Uh...okay." He mumbled a little confused.

Come on Hermione, just come right out and say, "Draco, kiss me." Come on, you have to find out if you get that feeling again. Her mind screamed. Then she swallowed nervously and looked to him.

He was leaning back with his eyes closed.

Come on Draco, just kiss her. Say it's an experiment or something. You have to find out about that strange feeling. Besides she asked you to stay, which means at least she wants you around. His mind said to him. Come on just kiss her and run up to your room so she can't hit you. Just do it. Do it!

Say it, Hermione. Say "Draco, will you kiss me?" And if he asks why tell him the truth. He'll laugh but he might just do it to tease or joke around. Whatever the reason...offer to do his homework and he may do it. Or simply feed his ego and say "Oh Draco, you are such a good kisser will you please kiss me again?" No no no...That sounds too desperate. Oh just ask him to kiss you already. Her mind said trying to convince her.

Finally she took a deep breath and looked to him. "Draco, will you do me a favor?" She asked hesitantly.

He opened his eyes and looked to her. "That depends." He replied with a smirk. But as he stared at her he couldn't help but feel a greater want...no a need...to kiss her. I can't kiss her. She'll slap me and we'll get into a fight...but I want to...I want to! He thought as he began to lean towards her slowly.

"Draco...will you...will you..." But before she could finish he lunged forward and kissed her firmly on the lips.

This is it! I feel it again! Draco thought.

Oh my gosh! This is the feeling from before! She thought.

And there it was. The feeling that both had been longing to feel again had returned.

But just as Hermione was about to start kissing him back, he quickly pulled away.

He braced himself as he watched a slight frown appear on her face. "Why...did you do that?" She asked slowly.

He noticed a now hurtful look on her face and suddenly hated himself. "Hermione...I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you I..." He cringed as he watched her scooting towards him.

Here it comes! Well I deserve it. I should have at least asked her if I could kiss her instead of just doing it. I deserve a good slap! He thought as he frowned.

He closed his eyes and winced preparing for the force of her slap across his face. But nothing happened. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked as he saw her face just inches from his.

"Her-Hermione...I...I can explain." he said quickly; his voice cracking slightly.

"Draco...I'm not mad about you kissing me." She said calmly. "In fact I was just about to ask you to do it. But what I was wondering about was why you pulled away so quickly."

He looked at her then raised a brow. "Wait...did you just say that you were going to ask me to kiss you?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yes, and as silly as this may sound, I...I wanted to see if I felt that same strong feeling that I felt the last time you kissed me. And...well...I did." She added nervously.

His eyes widened. "You mean that you felt something last time too?" He asked with a slightly raised brow.

Her eyes now widened and she nodded slowly.

"But I thought you said you didn't have any feelings for me!" He quickly drawled with an arrogant smirk.

"Well I do, but you also claimed that you didn't have feelings for me!" She snapped, annoyed by his sudden arrogance.

"Yeah well you should feel privileged that I do!" He said arrogantly. "That's why I kissed you. I was curious to see if I felt a certain feeling."

"Well...I was going to ask you to kiss me, just so that I could see if I still felt that same feeling as well." she retorted.

He nodded but said nothing, as he was feeling rather uncomfortable now and he wasn't sure why. He didn't really feel threatened, but just something about the subject they were discussing made him want to run. His stomach felt all strange and fluttery. Why do I feel like this? It's not normal. Could there be a spell on me? He wondered and then he frowned. It has to be. Why else would I have kissed Granger? Why else would I be feeling...ill? He thought. Then her voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"I don't exactly know what that feeling was." She said hesitantly.

"Me either." He replied, running his hand through his hair. What if Granger cast a spell on me? No, I doubt that she would do that. But someone must have. He thought. Then he looked her over slowly. But whether it's a spell or not; I can't stop thinking about that feeling. And maybe...there might be something more between us...

"I've never felt it before." she added slowly as she looked down at her hands.

"Well..." he thought after clearing his throat. "We could...find out what it is...together." he said hesitantly as he scooted closer to her.

"What do you mean?" She asked slowly.

"Are you really that dense?" he chuckled. She frowned at him.

"I'm saying that maybe we should...you know see what happens..." He spoke more softly.

She blinked and then swallowed nervously as he put his hand on her knee and leaned towards her.

"We could see how far this goes between us..." He whispered as his lips lightly brushed across her ear.

She gasped at his words. What's going on? What's happening here? She thought as she felt a fluttery feeling in her stomach. I'm sweating and I feel like I'm going to throw up. Has he made me ill? What's happening? She thought frantically as she felt his lips on her neck. She closed her eyes and leaned back, relaxing as she felt his hot breath on her skin.

Just then, a little voice in her head screamed. What are you doing, Hermione? Why are you letting this snake seduce you? Don't you remember who he is? This is Malfoy! This is the guy who uses girls for one thing! Don't be another one of his conquests! Wake up! Snap out of it! Her eyes flew open as she was snapped back to reality.

Have I forgotten that he's a Slytherin? He is the same guy who ordered Pansy around and made her bark like a dog. He's the same guy who tries to make every girl a conquest and...There’s no way that he could seriously like me...even after I killed Pansy for him and...But...I...I really want to be with him. But I don't want to get hurt, I'm scared of this feeling again...but maybe I should just ignore it. Yes, that is what I will do! I can't handle feeling this way about Draco... I have to stop it!

"Get away from me!" She snapped at him as she pushed him back hard.

"Huh?" He asked blinking rapidly at the way she'd suddenly pushed him away.

Her eyes narrowed and she glared at him angrily.

"You're nothing but a liar, Draco! You've never felt anything! And this is just a game you're playing with me!" She shouted at him.

"Wh-What?" He snapped with a look of confusion on his face.

"I said you're a liar and you've never had any feelings for me!" She shouted even louder.

"Oh, I've had feelings for you a lot longer than you think!" He replied, trying to move towards her again.

"Oh yeah? For what, a day?" She snapped bitterly as she scooted away to the opposite side of the couch, now fuming.

"Try for longer than that!" he sneered.

"Just long enough to get what you want!" She hissed.

"What are you talking about?" He snapped as his temper began to rise.

"To think I almost fell for your charming words! Thankfully, though I remembered how you've treated all the other girls and I refuse to be just another conquest on your list, Malfoy!"

Hearing her call him by his last name made him cringe. This isn't good. She's got the wrong idea about me. But I'm not going to let her get to me. I'm not! He thought as his eyes narrowed.

"Oh give me a break, Granger! If I wanted you as a conquest on my list you would have been on it the very first night we got here!" He snarled arrogantly.

She gasped as he lunged towards her and grabbed her wrists, pinning her down once more to the couch.

"Get off me, Malfoy!" She snapped but he held her down firmly.

"Not until you listen to me!" He growled. "I'm sick and tired of you calling me a liar!"

"Well, you are one. You're a lying, manipulative, heart breaker who only wants one thing from a girl! And...and I hate you!" She snapped venomously.

He gasped and his eyes flashed with anger. "Let me tell you something, Hermione! If I only wanted one thing from you, I would take it right now!" He sneered through clenched teeth.

She shuttered. She knew he could overpower her and she swallowed nervously as she tensed up.

"But, I'm not going to." He added in a lower, softer tone. Then he took a breath and loosened his grip on her wrists.

"Now," He began in calmer voice. "I have had feelings for you for quite a while. Why else do you think that I stopped insulting you and even helped you make Potter jealous? I mean it was fun for me but more fun because of you. And I took that role as your boyfriend very seriously because it felt real. I wanted it to be real. And I got upset when you said that it was all a game and claimed you didn't have feelings for me afterwards. So that is why I wrote Potter and told him about it all being a game."

She looked at him, speechless a moment then asked, "Why are you saying all of this now? It's not like it will change anything." She said bitterly.

"Because I wanted to get it off my chest, that's why!" he growled. "And...I hoped that maybe...you would understand. I've finally bared my soul, now it's time for you to bare yours!"

"Well, I'll never feel anything for you. Never! I have never, will never and I do not, feel anything but pure hatred for you!" She lied, trying to keep her composure.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 25-A Mudblood Once More

But Draco wasn't stupid. He could tell that she was forcing those words out and he wasn't about to give in just yet.

"Now, who's lying?" He sneered as his eyes gleamed down at her. "You just said a few minutes ago that you felt something, and you claimed that you wanted me to kiss you which I did. So, are you saying that you didn't mean any of that?"

"It was just a...rebound thought, that's all!" She snapped.

"Stop playing these stupid games, Hermione!" He snarled as his eyes narrowed. "You obviously felt something... you've already admitted it!"

With a bitter sigh of defeat, she frowned. He was right, but she didn't want him to be. She didn't want to feel anything for him. She didn't want to fall into his trap.



He seems serious but I can't trust him. I...I want to be with him but I can't. I shouldn't. I have to stop this. I don't want to feel this way. This feeling scares me and I don't want to give in to it! I don't want to end up getting hurt. I refuse to let Draco get to me. Harry was right. I must have lost my mind to start feeling anything for Draco. And I can't give in to this feeling and I won't!

"You felt something, Hermione; I can see it in your eyes." He sneered glaring down at her.

"Fine...I...I did feel something but...it was wrong...it had to be." She replied coldly.

"And how do you know it was wrong?" He asked raising a brow.

"Because...it was with you!" she snapped angrily.

Draco felt a pain in his chest as she said this and bit his bottom lip hard as he glared down at her.

She cringed, as his grey eyes bore into her brown ones that had now become guarded by anger.

"So...you think it was wrong because it was with me?" He asked trying to keep his voice from cracking.

"Well it's obvious, isn't it?" She replied hesitantly. "We're not supposed to be together, Malfoy. And whatever we felt had to be wrong!"

He sighed and shook his head slowly. "It's useless." He muttered.

"What?" She asked slowly.

"I said it's useless! You'll never believe me no matter what I say, so it's useless to even to talk to you!" He replied angrily.

She felt a strong pain in her chest but forced herself to ignore it. She wasn't going to let herself break down especially in front of Draco. No, I won't give into to him no matter how sincere he tries to act. I know the games he plays! I won't let him get to me. She thought to herself.

"That's true." She managed to say, "It is useless because you're nothing but a lying, manipulative, arrogant, Slytherin...jerk!" She said almost hesitantly, her voice slightly cracking.

He suddenly noticed something. Her eyes were now watering. They were no longer cold but soft, and full of fear. He studied them for a moment. Then he smirked slightly. "I want to know something." He drawled as he stared deep into her eyes, making her uncomfortable.

"What?" She asked nervously.

"If you truly think of me as a jerk, then why did you risk your life to save me?" He asked bluntly. "Why did you go to find my father and speak with the Dark Lord? Why haven't you run to tell your friends or any of the Professors about the events that took place last night?" When she didn't answer he continued. "And why did you do my homework? Why did you get mad when I didn't insult you? Why did you even let me kiss you not once but twice now?"

She swallowed nervously. "I..." But she couldn't form a sentence which made him smirk even more. I knew it, he's just playing with my feelings. Well, I'll show him. I'm not going to let him manipulate me. I'm not like the other girls! She thought, now forcing confidence into herself. Then she spoke.

"Well...I suppose maybe at one time...I may have had a small...interest in you...but that was then." She replied speeding up the last few words of her sentence. Then seeing the soft look in his eyes she bit her bottom lip. He looks like he's really hurt...but I can't give in to him, even though I do feel...something for him. I just know it'd never work out with us and I was stupid for almost letting myself give in to him. We were starting to be friends though...why couldn't we just be that? Why did things have to get this complicated?

She sighed then cleared her throat and said, "Malfoy, I thought we were becoming...friends."

"I thought we were getting close to being that as well, Granger." He replied slowly. "I thought for sure that you actually trusted me by now, but...I guess I was wrong."

"Trust you? After pretending to be my friend and now you turn around and play with my feelings, acting like you've got me wrapped around your finger! You expect me to trust you?" She snapped.

"Well, it's obvious that you're wrapped around my finger, otherwise you would have never let me kiss you!" He snapped back quickly, but instantly regretted saying it the moment the words left his mouth.


"See, I knew it! You think you can treat me like all the other girls! You think you can play with my feelings! You think that you can make me fall for every sweet little lie that you say! Well think again, Malfoy!" She hissed, as she brought her knee up quickly between his legs.

He let out a loud groan as she pushed him off her.

He hit the floor with a loud thud.

"Agh!...why you..." He snarled as he fought back the pain and jumped to his feet.

However she pulled her wand out and pointed it at him.

He stopped quickly in his tracks.

Her eyes were dark and full of bitterness.

Remembering how she'd used the Killing Curse on Pansy, he stepped back from her.

"So...I guess there's really no way we could ever be together anyway; even if we did feel those feelings because we fight and argue like this too much. This is the second time we've got into a fight after...kissing." He said in a low tone.

"Well, it's your fault. You're the one who always has to cause the problems!" She snapped. "You're the one who has to play the sick little mind games just to feed your ego! You can't be sincere for one minute!"

He crossed his arms across his chest fiercely chewing his tongue a moment. It's no use Draco, she'll never believe you. You two can never put aside your differences long enough to become anything real. His mind said bitterly. Maybe Granger was right. He thought. Maybe the feelings between us were wrong after all. I thought maybe something more could come from our hatred of each other but...I was wrong. There is nothing but hatred between us. She's made that clear. Then he sighed and looked to her, and shrugged.

"You're right, Granger." He replied simply.

"Huh?" She asked slowly lowering her wand.

"I think we should just go back to being enemies again." he stated firmly.

"What?" She gasped.

"All we ever do is fight anyway, especially when I'm actually trying to be nice to you. But I guess no matter how hard I try, you'll always see me as the Slytherin jerk, won't you?" He snapped with a shrug.

She wasn't sure what to say.

Her silence answered his question.

"Fine, then if you only see me as that jerk, then that's all you'll ever see of me again. And if you want the 'old Malfoy' back, then so be it!" He sneered, as suddenly his warm grey eyes turned dark and cold.

She bit her lip nervously.

"So...you can run back to Potter and Weasel now...because I don't want you, mudblood!" He snapped so coldly that it made her shiver.



Hermione stood there looking at him. So, we're back to being enemies? She thought. That's not what I wanted. I only wanted to put him in his place but...not go as far as being enemies again. She thought. Then she remembered that Draco wasn't like Harry and Ron. Unlike them, he didn't back down and give in to her when she wanted him to; nor did he let her have everything her way. Usually, Harry and Ron would just agree with her without arguing or challenging her words. But this was Draco Malfoy. He wasn't like them. He was different. He would put up an argument and he would challenge her. And for some reason she kind of liked that about him.

"Draco..." She began.

"The name's Malfoy, Granger." He snapped. "You're too much of a filthy mudblood to call me by my first name."

She sighed and then walked towards him.

Warily, he pulled out his wand and pointed it at her.

"I...I'm sorry." She said softly as she stopped and lowered her own wand.

"You're sorry?" He scoffed as he just rolled his eyes and chuckled.

She nodded slightly.

He then slowly walked towards her. "You think that I'm just going to accept your pathetic apology and forgive you just like that?" He sneered.

She blinked and cringed as he walked up to her twirling his wand around in his hand arrogantly. "You think that I'm just going to be all nice and friendly with you again after the fight we just had?"

"Look...I..." She began but he quickly cut her off.

"I'm not like Potter or Weasel, Granger. I won't just hug you and say I forgive you for treating me like nuts!" He snarled.

She began to back away from him as he moved towards her.

Seeing her nervous reaction, he smirked. "You see, I do things differently." He drawled.

She cringed slightly as he backed her into the wall. "I get revenge on my enemies and those who wrong me." he sneered in a dangerous tone just above a whisper. He then moved a hand up and ran it through a few strands of her hair, making her shudder slightly. "And since you're my enemy again," he whispered as he leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers lightly, "that...includes you." He then stepped back from her, flashing his trademark smirk.

"Draco..." She began.

"I told you, Granger. My name is Malfoy." He snapped at her. “And I’d watch my back if I were you.” He added as he snatched his bag up and slung it over his shoulder.

Then suddenly the bell rang and Hermione watched as the blonde Slytherin turned and walked out the portrait door.

"Oh no...What have I done?" Hermione whispered to herself still against the wall. Then after a moment she went and picked up her own bag. With a heavy sight, she trudged out the portrait door to her next class.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 26- A Plan of Protection

"That's odd. Hermione didn't show up to class today and it's not really like her to skip." Harry mumbled as he and Ron walked out of the Potions classroom.

"Yeah, I know. You don't think she was trying to avoid us, do you?" Ron replied curiously.

"Well, you know that we're not on good terms with her." Harry replied as they turned the corner.

"Yeah, but I mean she wouldn't sacrifice her good grades by avoiding us, would she?" the red head muttered.

"Well, you've seen her lack of participation in class lately. And not to mention that now she sits with that git, Malfoy."

"Yeah I know." Ron grumbled.

Then Harry suddenly stopped.

"Ron...did you notice?" He quickly asked.

"Notice what?" His red headed friend replied.

Harry quickly turned to him. "Malfoy wasn't in class today either!"

Ron's eyes grew wide. "Bloody hell, you don't think that they were skipping... together, do you?" He gasped hesitantly.

Harry squinted a moment then he grabbed Ron's arm. "Let's go!" He said turning and rushing down the opposite corridor.

"Where are we going?" Ron asked trying to keep up with his dark haired friend.

"To check the Marauder’s Map." Harry called back as the two rushed into the Gryffindor common room.

They hurried up the steps and into their dorm.

"I've got a feeling, that they were skipping class together." Harry mumbled shuffling through his trunk.

Then he pulled out the map and tapped it with his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He said.

Just then the whole of Hogwarts appeared on the blank parchment.

"Do you see her?" Ron asked searching the map.

"There she is on the first floor!" Harry said pointing at Hermione's name on the map. "She's going to her Muggle Studies class."

"What about Malfoy? Where is he?" Ron mumbled once again searching the map.

"Uh..." Harry paused scanning over it.

"There he is!" Ron suddenly said pointing at the third floor. "He's in Charms class."

"Good." Harry replied quickly putting the map into his school bag. "I'm going to be keeping an eye on those two today."

Then just as they two were walking down the steps into the common room, the portrait door flew open and in rushed a very panicky Ginny.

"Ginny?" Harry asked raising a brow.

"Harry! Ron!...I...saw...her...she is dead!" Ginny shouted between gasps for air.

"Huh?" Ron asked.

"Calm down, Ginny. What are you talking about?" Harry asked gently grabbing her arms, trying to hold her up as she quickly caught her breath.

"You guys...I...I saw...the corpse of her." She exclaimed.

"Slow down sis, we can't understand what you're saying." Ron snapped impatiently.

Ginny swallowed then after a quick moment she said. "I was right. Pansy is dead."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"Well, I was in the girl's bathroom checking on the potion brewing in the last stall when I heard the door open. I quickly poked my head out to see who it was and it was Pansy. I started to say something to her but...then I watched her walk to the wall and just stand there like a zombie. I walked towards her and said her name but when she turned around her features were very pale. And...she didn't speak or even blink! I moved closer and that's when I noticed a certain foul odor. And I saw grass stains all over her robes."

"I didn't notice any of that before." Ron pointed out.

"I know. None of us did because we only saw her at a distance at breakfast and Malfoy was around her the whole time." Ginny replied.

"So, what kind of odor did you smell?" Harry asked.

"I'm almost positive that it was...rotting flesh." Ginny replied with a grisly look on her face.

Ron gasped as did Harry.

"Plus I went to touch her and her skin was cold, very cold. There is no life to her and I know now that I'm positive about what I saw because Pansy really is dead. Her corpse is just animated to make everyone think that she's still alive." Ginny added.

"But who animated her?" Ron mumbled.

"Malfoy!" Ginny and Harry snapped at the same time.

"We've got to tell someone!" Ginny said quickly ready to leave but Harry grabbed her arm.

"No, wait! We can't yet." He exclaimed. "After all we have no solid proof. It will be your word against Malfoy."

"Wait a second..." Ron gasped as suddenly something dawned on him. "If Malfoy killed Pansy who's to say he won't kill again?" he asked nervously.

"And if he's working for Voldemort, he's sure to kill again very soon." Harry said firmly.

"But who would he plan on killing next?" Ginny asked.

Harry and Ron thought a moment then their eyes widened. "Hermione!" They both cried.

"Of course! Now I see why he's been acting so nice to her." Ron muttered cracking his knuckles angrily.

"Yeah, he's planning on making Hermione his next victim which makes sense because Voldemort is after the people closest to me!" Harry stated as his eyes narrowed. "And Voldemort must have somehow found out that a fight had developed between us."

"No doubt that Malfoy told him." Ron chimed in.

"Right." Harry nodded. "So, Voldemort knows that there is gap between us and Hermione now, which means that she's vulnerable and an easy target."

"Oh no...Regardless of how angry I am at her, I don't want her to die!" Ginny exclaimed worriedly.

"We've got to reunite! We've got to get Hermione back!" Ron said sharply.

"I agree!" Ginny squeaked.

"That's easier said than done...I really broke her heart but...I didn't mean to. I just didn't feel the way about her that she felt about me. But I never thought we'd lose our friendship over something like that." Harry muttered. "I never realized how strongly she felt towards me."

Ginny patted his shoulder. "I know it's hard for you, Harry but you can't blame yourself." She said gently.

"I know." He replied.

"So, how do we go about getting her back?" Ron asked impatiently.

"I don't know." Harry replied.

Just then Ginny's eyes widened. "What if suddenly Harry took a romantic interest in her? Do you think that would bring her back?" She asked.

"Maybe, but there's no way that would happen." Harry snapped firmly.

Ginny suddenly grinned. "I think I have an idea." She said looking to them. "But I will need both of you to help me."

The two nodded and listened as Ginny explained her plan.

[Liz-Miia Parker]

Ma mõtlesin, et ma ei loe seda edasi enam. Hermione on ikka täielik puupea...ja "uus" trio, issand kui lollid võivad nad olla ? + see autor kirjutab naljakat, mis ta pubekas ?

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 27-Going Too Far



Hermione stared down at her Muggle Studies book for the longest time.

Though the professor was giving the class a lecture she wasn't even listening to it. Instead, she was busy thinking about the fight she'd had with Draco earlier in their common room.

I didn't mean for us to be enemies again. I feel so horrible. She thought. And now I don't have any friends. Oh why did I have to be so stupid...why couldn't I just give in to Malfoy? At least I wouldn't be alone now. She then shook her head and frowned. No, I did the right thing by rejecting him. He was up to no good anyway. She thought, trying to convince herself as she lay her head on her desk and closed her eyes.



"Hermione?" whispered a soft male voice.

Hermione opened her eyes and looked up to see Draco sitting on the top of her desk.

"Draco?" She gasped.

"Who else would it be?" he drawled with a chuckle.

"What are you doing here? I thought we were enemies now." she mumbled slowly.

"How could I stay enemies with someone as pretty as you?" He replied with a smirk.

"You mean..." she began but he put his finger to her lips.

"Everything's okay now, Hermione. I'm here." He whispered.

She sighed in relief as he moved his fingers from her lips and ran them through a few strands of her hair.

His touch made her feel so relaxed and content. "You were wanting to see me, weren't you?" He asked in a low voice just above a whisper.

"Yes..." She mumbled dreamily.

"And...you like this don't you?" He asked gently caressing her cheek, as he leaned down towards her.

She nodded with a faint smile.

"So...if that's true, then..." his lips lightly brushed across hers and moved to her ear.

"You must like me, right?" He whispered.

Hermione gasped and her eyes suddenly flew open.





She lifted her head from her desk and slowly looked around.

All the other students were working quietly on the assignment that was written on the board.

The professor was at his desk, checking over the homework from the night before.

It was all a dream. She thought putting her hand on her rapidly beating heart. But it seemed so real. I felt his touch. She then shook her head. Snap out of it, Hermione! It was just a stupid dream! Her mind snapped at her.

And then suddenly the bell rang.

"Remember the two pages of parchment will be due tomorrow!" The professor announced loudly as the students hurried out of the classroom.

Hermione was one of the last to leave. She was still shaken up from the daydream she'd had.

Maybe, I should try to talk to Draco. At least try to make up with him. She thought. Then she nodded to herself and stepped out of the classroom and into the corridor. She quickly looked around, hoping to see the blonde Slytherin. And then, after a moment, she spotted him. He was turning the corner just ahead. Quickly, she shoved her way through the crowd of students and rushed after him. But as she turned the corner she came face to face with Harry and Ron.



She gasped seeing them and stopped.

They stopped too and stared at her.

She stared back at them.

"Hi." Harry said, awkwardly.

"Hey Hermione." Ron greeted her in the same awkward way.

"Uh...Hi Harry...Ron." She replied slowly.

"So, how are things going?" Harry asked.

"Fine, thanks." Hermione answered hesitantly.

Harry then cleared his throat. "Look, about what happened..." He began.

She bit her lip and looked to the floor.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I never knew that you felt that way about me before. And...I'm also sorry I picked Ginny over you." Harry struggled to say.

Hermione gasped at what she was hearing.

"What are you saying Harry?" She asked hopefully as she looked to him with wide eyes.

"Look, I...I have to tell Ginny that...we have to break up." He added slowly.

Ron stood there silently only nodding along with what Harry was saying.

"You...what?" Hermione asked in a choked up tone.

"I have to tell her it's over...so that you and I...can finally be together." Harry said gently lifting his head; allowing his emerald green eyes to meet her gaze.

Hermione's eyes watered slightly.

"Look, meet me in the Astronomy Tower at nine ‘o’clock tonight. We'll talk then, okay?" He said hopefully.

"O-Okay." She stammered with a slow nod.

He then smiled and leaned over and kissed her cheek lightly.

"See you later on tonight, Hermione." Harry said smiling warmly.

"Bye Harry, bye Ron. See you then." she said in a more upbeat tone.

"See you." Ron mumbled as the two turned and walked away.



Hermione waved to them, and then giggled to herself. "I can't believe this!" She gasped out loud. Then she continued on to her next class, Ancient Runes, with a content smile upon her face.

She happily strolled into the classroom and took her seat, smiling brightly. Moments later, the rest of the class arrived, including a certain blonde Slytherin. Hermione didn't bother to look at him though, she was too happy about the encounter that she'd just had with Harry. He's finally going to dump Ginny! And he wants to be with me! I can't believe it! When I ran into him earlier it was so awkward, seeing him and Ron. It felt like old times again. And now with me and Harry getting together it will be! We'll be back together as a trio, and Ginny will just be Ron's sister again! I feel so relieved! She thought with a dreamy sigh.

Draco groaned and plopped down in his seat that was right beside Hermione. I can't believe that I was such an idiot! He mentally scolded himself. To think that I actually opened myself up and poured my heart out to that stupid Mudblood; and then she turns around and treats me like nuts! And afterwards she tries to be all nice and apologetic! Ha! Stupid pregnant dog! I am not Potter or Weasel! He then shook his head and glared down at his desk. No wonder father said never show any weak emotions! I understand now. And I also see why he advised me to never get involved with a Mudblood!

"Now class, today's lesson..." The professor began but Hermione wasn't listening. She was too busy thinking about how she and Harry would be standing in the Astronomy Tower, confessing their love to each other. It would be so perfect, so magical. She sighed happily and then looked down at her desk.

Draco wasn't listening to the professor either, instead he was now lazily sitting back in his seat, twirling his quill around on his desk. This class is so d**n boring. He thought. Then he glanced over and raised a curious brow at the rather cheerful looking Hermione. I wonder what she's so happy about? He thought. Then he rolled his eyes. Who cares? I don't want anything to do with her! He thought as he tore his eyes from her and looked back down at his desk.

Hermione sighed dreamily as she replayed the moment of Harry telling her that he was dumping Ginny over and over in her head. I can't believe it. Harry wants to be with me! Finally, he realizes that he was wrong!

Draco looked over at her again and sighed with an annoyed expression on his face. Why is she so bloody happy now? Earlier, she was so pissed off at me. Is she really that happy that we're enemies? He thought grinding his teeth.

Hermione felt eyes on her and shifted her gaze to the blonde Slytherin, immediately her smile faded and a bitter frown appeared. Since I will be back with Harry and Ron, I can no longer hang around Draco. Not that I want to anyway though seeing as how we are enemies again. She thought.

"What are you looking at, Mudblood?" He sneered.

"I haven't figured that out yet, Drakie." She retorted, determined to piss him off as she was already fuming.

Don't let her get to you with that, Draco. Turn it around on her. His mind suddenly said.

Then he got an idea and forced a chuckle out. "Why Granger, I'm touched." he replied with mock sweetness. "You adore me so much that you use my pet name out in public." He said loudly, catching the attention of the whole class.

Hermione gasped and cringed. She had not expected him to turn that insult around on her, yet here he was doing just that.

He really is back to being the old Malfoy! She gasped to herself.

"How dare you say such a thing, Malfoy!" She spat angrily.

"Awww you're back to calling me 'Malfoy'? But I like hearing you call me 'Drakie'." He announced making sure everyone heard him. "Especially, when you're in my bed!" He sneered with a cruel smirk.

Hermione was horrified by his statement and tearfully looked down as the class erupted into a series of cheers, whispers, and laughter.

She couldn't believe what had just come out of the Slytherin's mouth. How could he say something like that? She mentally snapped. Her chest was aching now and it was all she could do to keep from breaking down.

Luckily, the bell rang and she wasted no time jumping up out of her seat.

As she scrambled to gather her things, she heard a drawling whisper in her ear. "Paybacks are a pregnant dog, aren't they, Granger?"

She gasped and spun around to see Draco smirking at her as he left the classroom.

Angrily, she shoved her things in her bag, and slung it over her shoulder as she stormed out of the classroom.

As she made her way down the corridors to her next class, she was horrified to hear her name spoken in several conversations.



"Did you hear? Malfoy got Granger!" said a fifth year Slytherin boy.

"No way, for real?" replied a girl.

"Yeah, I heard it with my own ears in Ancient Runes class!" replied the Slytherin boy.



Hermione cringed as she walked slowly, biting her lip as she heard even more students talking.



"Hermione Granger slept with Draco Malfoy? What a lucky girl!" a Ravenclaw girl swooned.

"I know! I want to be next!" gasped another.



She bit down on her lip even harder as she passed a group of Slytherins.



"Another conquest for Malfoy. What else is new?" said Blaise Zabini with a shrug.

"I always knew that Granger was a very *friendly* person." cackled Millicent Bulstrode.

"Draco is smooth. This proves that he can get any girl." Goyle sounded proudly.

"No kidding." Crabbe laughed.



Tears began falling from the bushy-haired girl's eyes as she forced herself to continue on; more quickly now, towards her next class.

She rounded the corner only to find herself the topic of more conversations.

She tried to walk faster now. All she wanted was to get to Transfiguration class.



"I heard once that Granger and Malfoy did it in Dumbledore's office." said a first year Hufflepuff boy.

"Well, I heard that he first did her on a table in the Great Hall." another boy chimed in, laughing lightly.

Hermione shook her head allowing more tears to fall as she sprinted down the corridor.



"Hey there she is! That's the one that Malfoy did!" shouted a Hufflepuff boy as he pointed at the bushy-haired Gryffindor.

All eyes darted to the fleeing girl.

This isn't happening! This isn't happening! Hermione said to herself as she ran even faster.

Then as she rounded the corner, she crashed right into someone.

The two hit the floor and rolled across it before finally being stopped by the cold, stone wall.

Hermione let out a light groan and coughed as she tried to regain her composure.

And then she realized that she was laying on someone. She could hear the person breathing and felt their heart racing beneath her.

She slowly lifted her head and gasped in horror as she found herself face to face with the Slytherin Prince himself.

He looked just as surprised as she was.

"Draco..." She mumbled as she stared into his stormy grey eyes.

He stared back at her, looking into her eyes as well.

For a moment, the two lay there looking at each other. But then Draco noticed a crowd was gathering.



"Oh my gosh, they're at it again! Everyone! I think Malfoy and Granger are going to do it right here!" someone shouted.

At the sound of that, Draco quickly grabbed a hold of Hermione's robes and rolled her over to where he was now on top of her.

"What the hell are you doing, Malfoy?" She hissed and then froze as she noticed the crowd.

Oh no! She gasped as she looked up at the blonde Slytherin with an uneasy frown. What's he going to do?

Draco looked back to the crowd and flashed his trademark smirk at them as he arrogantly waved.

"Hello my fellow students, glad you could join us!" He announced as he straightened up and sat on Hermione's knees.

"Draco,...-uh may we call you that?" asked a first year Slytherin.

"You may." The Slytherin Prince replied smoothly.

"Okay, um well Draco, how many conquests does this make for you?" asked the same Slytherin boy.

"Well," Draco replied as arrogance radiated off of him. "To be honest...I can't remember. There's been so many."

"Draco, how many times have you two done it in Dumbledore's office?" asked a Hufflepuff boy.

"None." Draco snapped. Then arrogantly he added, "Dumbledore's office has too many sharp objects so I wouldn't recommend anyone doing it in there."

Hermione's eyes narrowed but she couldn't speak. She was too humiliated and horrified by the embarrassing situation that Draco had put her in.

"Draco, can I be next?" asked a Ravenclaw girl anxiously.

Draco looked to her and grimaced. "Uh...sorry but you are too ugly for me." He replied with a disgusted frown.

The girl smiled widely. "That's okay, at least I got the privilege of you actually talking to me." She cooed.

Hermione rolled her eyes as did Draco.

Then came a flood of questions from all directions.

"How many times did you do her, Malfoy?"

"Was she really good?"

"Hey Malfoy, were you her first?"

"How good is she?"

But before he could answer any of them, one more question came.

A question that he had not been prepared for.

"Hey Malfoy, do you love her?" came a cold voice from the back of the crowd.

Draco froze.

Hermione shuddered.

The crowd became hushed.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 28- "Do You Love Her?"


Draco was at a loss for words.

He took a moment recalling the events of the past few days in his mind.
The happy. The sad. The good and the bad.

He thought of the time that he'd spent with Hermione and the whirlwind of emotions that she'd stirred up inside him.

The way she talked.
The way she looked.
The way she had put her arms around him the first time that they had kissed.
The fury in her eyes when Pansy had trapped him with her contract.
The softness in her voice when she had first shown concern for him.
The way she'd looked up at him with such warmth; when he had pinned her down the very first time that she'd called him Drakie.
The softness of her skin.
The way that strands of her curly locks fell into her soft brown eyes.
So many thoughts were flying through his head.

How can I answer a question like that? How can I actually come right out and say it? He thought bitterly. After the way that she treated me. The way that she insulted me! Calling me a liar! And then trying to apologize and be all nice to me! How dare she! He then took a breath. We were getting along so well. And I thought she trusted me. I thought she felt something! I was sure that she had! Yet she claims that everything was wrong! All because it was with me!

As he looked down at her, he suddenly felt his heart ache all over again.
And then he heard her insults, ringing in his ear.
"You're a lying, manipulative, heartbreaker who only wants one thing from a girl...and...and I hate you!" He stared hard at her, forcing back any soft emotions that wanted to come forth.
She glared back at him.
The coldness in her brown eyes seemed to echo the harsh words that she'd said to him earlier that day when they had skipped Potions.
"I'll never feel anything for you. Never! I have never, will never and I don't now, feel anything; but pure hatred for you!"

Why did you say that? Why Hermione? Because I'm a Slytherin? Because I'm a Malfoy? He could feel painful emotions wanting to surface but he refused to let them. And he covered them with the one emotion that he did allow to show. Anger.

Draco's grey eyes narrowed. They turned cold and dark as he scowled at the question that he'd been asked.
Hermione bit her lip, glaring up angrily at him.

The crowd was completely silent, awaiting the blonde, Slytherin's answer.
Draco looked around at the dozens of eyes that were on him. They almost seemed to be taunting him.
And then he slowly shifted his gaze to the brunette Gryffindor.
Surprisingly, she was no longer glaring at him.
Instead her gaze was warm and kind. It was the same she'd given him often, when the two had started getting along before.

It had now dawned on Hermione that maybe, just maybe Draco may have been telling the truth about actually having feelings for her.
And if he was actually willing to admit it to the whole school, then perhaps she had been wrong about him.
Perhaps he really did mean what he'd said about having that special feeling only with her and no other girl.
Maybe she had misjudged him.
Could I have been wrong about him? Could he really, truly want to be with me? She thought to herself, noticing a nervous expression take over the blonde Slytherin's face.

Suddenly, all of her thoughts of Harry disappeared for the moment; and now she found herself desperate to know Draco's answer.
Could he have meant what he said about having feelings for her before?
Did he really want to be with her? Did he actually love her?

All these questions were racing through Hermione's head.
"Draco..." she whispered; barely audible as she put her hand on his.
His eyes lowered as she said his name and he almost relaxed at her touch.
Then he slowly looked at her.
She looked back at him.
"Hermione..." he whispered, barely audible.


The way he whispered her first name made Hermione want to melt. She was overcome with so many different emotions and feelings, yet she tried not to show them. She was afraid to, especially in front of everyone. But she wasn't sure how long she could keep them inside her. They were screaming to break free. She could feel herself ready to break into tears and she didn't know why.

Why do I want to hear Draco's answer? Why? I hate him! she thought biting down on her trembling bottom lip. Be strong Hermione. You can't break down. Not in front of all these people! And especially not in front of him! her mind scolded.

Draco raised a brow at the sudden soft, almost longing expression that had appeared on her face.

He softened his gaze as he thought about how she had done so much to help him over the past few days. It had been nearly a week since school began and yet the two had been through quite a bit.

But then he suddenly remembered the dozens of eyes that were on them.

He remembered where he and Hermione were.
He remembered who they were and what had happened between them.
He remembered the pain he'd felt from her cold, harsh words.

Anger flashed in his eyes and he quickly slapped her hand away as he jumped to his feet.
She gasped at his reaction and stood up as well.



"Well Malfoy? Do you love her?" asked the same voice again, this time more sharply.


Draco closed his eyes tightly as he clenched his now shaking fist.
He was put on the spot.
The pressure was on.
He would have to answer that question.
He didn't want to.

He wanted to ignore it.
But there were dozens of eyes on him and he couldn't just blow it off.
He stayed silent a bit longer.
His mind was plagued with images of himself and Hermione together. Talking. Laughing. Hugging. Kissing.
His heart was thundering in his ears.
He could feel something wet forming at the corners of his tightly closed eyes. No, you can't break down. Not in front of the whole bloody school! Not in front of...her. his mind scolded him.

So many memories. So many emotions. So much pain.

He couldn't take it any longer.

Finally he broke the silence.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 29- "Men Are Fickle Creatures"


"Why the bloody hell are you asking me a question like that!" Draco snarled, scanning over the crowd, though unable to put a face with the voice. "How dare you!"



The crowd all cringed at the anger of his tone and stood still as he paced back and forth in front of them, searching for the one who had dared to ask him such a question.

"Who's the idiot that dared to ask me that!" He shouted.

And then a young man with dark colored hair and glasses emerged from the crowd.

"Harry?" Hermione gasped.

Draco scowled even more at seeing his nemesis, and his upper lip curled slightly. "So Potter, you're the idiot who asked that stupid question. I should have known!" he sneered.

"Yeah and it's not a stupid question, Malfoy. Just a simple one." Harry replied with slight smirk.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione asked but he just shushed her.

"I'll tell you later." he whispered, keeping his eyes locked on Draco.

She nodded hesitantly.

"So, do you love her?" Harry asked loudly.

"You know me better than that, Potter!" Draco snapped.

"It's a simple yes or no, Malfoy." the dark haired young man snapped, ignoring the Slytherin's previous comment.

"Yeah, Malfoy!" Ron echoed as he and Ginny shoved their way through the crowd, that had greatly dispersed since the next class was in session.

The few students that remained were determined to hear Draco's response.

Hermione looked around and then back at Draco.

Draco watched as the two Weasley siblings walked over and stood beside Hermione.

"Answer the question Malfoy!" Harry snapped, impatiently.

"Do you love Hermione or not?"

The blonde Slytherin looked to the bushy-haired Gryffindor.

"Y...Y.." He began.

But then Hermione's cold, harsh words echoed in his mind.

Immediately his eyes flashed with anger, hurt, and hatred. Hermione's cold, harsh words echoed in his mind.

"I'll never feel anything for you. Never! I have never, will never and I do not, feel anything; but pure hatred for you!"

And he clenched his teeth as his face twisted into a disgusted, angry frown.



"No!" He exploded. "No, I do not love this stupid Mudblood! I'm a Malfoy for crying out loud!"

Hermione bit her bottom lip and her heart ached as he said this.

The Slytherins all broke into cheers while the other houses booed, sighed in relief, or just started whispering amongst themselves.

Harry, Ron and Ginny sighed in relief as Hermione felt her eyes watering.

"That's what I thought." Harry snarled. "And now that we're clear on it, you'd best stay away from Hermione." he added threateningly.

Draco flinched.

"What is the meaning of this?" hissed a disgruntled voice.

Everyone gasped and turned to see Professor Snape standing there, with his arms crossed. "Potter! Malfoy! Granger! Weasleys and everyone else! You students are supposed to be in your next class! You are already ten minutes late!" he snapped.

Draco quickly grabbed his bag and stomped away. Harry, Ginny, and Ron turned and walked off in the other direction.

Hermione stood there, forcing back tears.

"Miss Granger, go to class!" Snape said sharply.

"Sir, I'm not feeling well, may I go to see Madame Pomfrey instead?" she asked trying to steady her shaking voice.

He rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Very well, then go." he replied impatiently.

She then grabbed her bag and rushed off down the corridor.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You're just fine, Miss Granger." Madame Pomfrey said after she had examined the bushy-haired girl thoroughly.

"But I know I'm sick!" Hermione protested.

"Well I can't find anything wrong with you, dear." Madame Pomfrey replied as she picked up her tray of medical utensils.

"Of course, with the way you study so hard, I wouldn't be surprised if you are suffering from stress." she added.

Hermione grimaced. "What do you mean? I'm not stressed." She replied sharply.

"Oh you may not even know that it's stress, dear." Madame Pomfrey stated simply. "It could be hidden in some form of depression or sadness."

She studied the Gryffindor girl. "Or...it could be in the form of a broken heart." she added slowly.

That did it.

Hermione's eyes began to water and a few tears rolled down her cheeks.

The nurse saw this and sighed sympathetically.

"Was it Harry or Ron?" she asked, almost expecting to hear one of the two boys' names.

"It's...neither of them it's..." Hermione paused. She didn't want to even say his name. "It's someone else." she mumbled.

"Oh I see." the nurse said with a gentle smile.

More tears dripped down Hermione's cheeks as Madame Pomfrey rubbed her back.

"I don't understand this. Why do I feel this way? How could I let him get to me?" sobbed the bushy-haired girl.

Madame Pomfrey sat down on the bed beside her as she rubbed her shoulder.

"Hermione dear, you're growing up; rather quickly I might add. I remember when you, and your friends Harry, and Ron, first came to this school. You were all so young and everything here was new and refreshing to you. And I remember the many paper cuts you'd gotten from all those books you'd read. I was the one who tended to them, remember?"

That last part made Hermione smile slightly and she nodded.

"I don't believe I've ever had to tend to so many paper cuts from a student before. You certainly set the record." Madame Pomfrey added.

Hermione sniffled and giggled at the nurse's comment.

But then her face fell once more. "Everything's different now though. I mean Harry has Ginny, and Ron isn't that easy to talk to. And...and then Dr-uh..um the guy that I was hanging around with... hates me now. I really messed up." She added sadly.

"What caused your falling out with him?" the nurse asked curiously.

"Just...we fought all the time and...and I don't know he just...he did some things to hurt me, said some mean things to me...but I said some mean things to him too..so..." She stopped as more tears fell from her eyes.

"Well dear, here's a bit of advice. Men are fickle creatures." Madame Pomfrey replied softly. "Sometimes they change for the better and then sometimes there's no hope for them. If the two of you can't get along and you constantly fight with him, then perhaps it's time for you to move on."

Hermione gasped and gave her an uneasy look. "But it's...it's...not that easy." She said slowly.

"I know. Moving on from a broken heart never is easy, dear. But if don't, it will haunt you forever." the nurse said; her voice trailing off.

She then cleared her throat and patted Hermione's arm."Well, it's the last class of the day so how about you lie down for a bit hmm? I'll inform your professor of your condition." Madame Pomfrey added warmly.

The Gryffindor girl nodded and then watched the kind nurse walk away.

She then lay back on the bed; allowing her head to fall onto the soft, welcoming pillow. With a heavy sigh, she stared up at the ceiling. Why do I feel this way? Why? I hate Draco...I hate him.

And as she spoke his name in her mind, a stream of tears flowed from her eyes, blurring her vision. She sniffled and turned over and buried her head in the pillow.



About twenty minutes later, Madame Pomfrey slowly walked over to check on the heart broken girl; only to find that she had cried herself to sleep.

"Poor dear. No amount of magic can even come close to a cure for a broken heart." she whispered to herself as she turned and quietly walked away.

[Liz-Miia Parker]

Alguses hüpab rõõmust lakke, et Harry teda "tagasi" tahab ja siis nutab, et Draco ütleb, et teda "ei" armasta ? wtf ? - ja kohe Harry peast läinud. irww

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 30- A Disturbing Dinner

"Miss Granger? Wake up, dear it's almost dinner time." came a kind voice.

Hermione opened her eyes to see Madame Pomfrey.

"Dinner time? Already?" Hermione mumbled rubbing her eyes as she sat up.

The nurse nodded. "Yes and you should get down to the Great Hall and eat something." she replied firmly.

Hermione nodded then grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder as she stood up.

"Thank you, Madame Pomfrey." she said kindly.

The nurse nodded with a warm smile.

Then Hermione turned and walked out of the Hospital Wing.



--------------------------------------

"I needed a good rest." She said to herself as she slowly made her way down the corridor to the Great Hall.

"Hey Granger!" called a voice.

She stopped in her tracks as she recognized that voice.

She felt tears starting to form in her eyes and she stood glaring down at the floor as Draco approached her.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" She mumbled coldly, refusing to even look at him.

"You didn't show up for History class. Professor Binns got a note that you were in the Hospital Wing." He replied simply.

She simply shrugged.

"Of course, I don't think anything was wrong with you. I think you were just trying to avoid me." He added with a smirk.

She bit her lip and then turned to stomp away, but he grabbed her arm. "I'm right, aren't I?" He drawled. "You were just skipping class to avoid me, weren't you?"

"Maybe I was." she replied slowly. "But that's what enemies do!" She added bitterly.

He smirked and rolled his eyes as he stepped closer to her.

She frowned uneasily as he did so.

"Look, you haven't forgotten what the Dark Lord said, have you? About what will happen to Pansy's corpse at dinner tonight?" He said in a low voice.

She had completely forgotten about that until now. And she grimaced as the ugly reality hit her full force. "I...I remember." She mumbled as she took a step back from him, still glaring down at the floor.

"Well, you'd better make sure that you stay in the Great Hall until it happens." He sneered coldly.

"Oh... I will." She replied in a whisper.

"Well...good." He retorted.



"Hermione!" Harry and Ron said in unison as they rushed up beside her.

The bushy-haired girl lifted her head as she saw them.

"Hi Harry, Ron!" She greeted, forcing a smile on her face.



Draco scowled at them.

She's back with Potter and Weasel again. he thought.

"Is this git bothering you?" Ron asked, cracking his knuckles.

"Actually..." Hermione began, now smirking at Draco. "Yes he...is." She snapped.

"You leave her alone, Malfoy. I'm warning you!" Harry growled at the blonde Slytherin. "I'm already on to you about what you did to Pansy." He added lowering his voice slightly.

Draco turned pale at these words.

"Yeah Malfoy, they already know what you did." Hermione mocked.

"What I did?" He snarled back at Hermione.

She knew what his next words were. He would lash back at her, revealing the truth of who had really killed Pansy.

So instead she grabbed Harry and Ron by the sleeves of their robes. "Come on guys, I'm starving. Let's get to the Great Hall." She snapped dragging them away quickly.

Draco glared after her, with hatred in his eyes.

So, she thinks that she can play along with Potter and Weasel by lying and telling them that I was the one who killed Pansy? Well, I'll show her! He growled to himself.



Hermione let go of the two as they entered the Hall. "We could have handled Malfoy, Hermione. Why did you drag us away like that?" Harry questioned, straightening his robe.

"Well...I...I just didn't want to waste time with that jerk!" She replied quickly. "I mean I know that the two of you could take him easily," She lied. "But well...we just reunited as friends again and I'd rather spend time with you two than listen to Malfoy's annoying insults."

"Well, at least we've got the old Hermione back now." Ron commented smiling proudly.

"You're right." Harry added, smiling slightly.

"Come on, I'm starving, let's go sit down." Ron said impatiently as he led the way to the Gryffindor table.

Hermione and Harry followed him.

The two boys sat down first, beside each other. Hermione was about to sit across from them when the two gestured to her. She tilted her head, at first she didn't understand what they meant. Then the two slid apart, opening up the spot where she used to sit between them.

"Come on, Hermione, sit between us like you used to." Harry said, waving her over.

She smiled and nodded as she sat down between them.

"Welcome back, Hermione." Harry said warmly.

Ron nodded, and toasted her with his roll before devouring it.

"Thanks guys, it feels great to be back." She said with teary eyes.



"d**n her." Draco muttered, as he entered the Great Hall, scowling at the Gryffindor table. His glare was fixed on Hermione as he took his seat at the Slytherin table.

Hermione paid no attention to him what so ever.

She didn't even bother to acknowledge Pansy's corpse. In fact, she didn't look at the Slytherin table at all as she sat talking with Harry and Ron. But something did catch her attention briefly. Ginny Weasley was sitting at the other end of the Gryffindor table, alone. By the looks of it, Harry had already broken up with her. Hermione couldn't help but smile at the unhappy girl. With Ginny out of the way, she now had Harry all to herself.

"So, I take it that you broke it off with Ginny?" She asked unable to stop herself.

Harry flashed her a warm smile. "Of course." he replied. "She didn't take it so well but who cares, right?" he added, putting an arm around her waist.

She blinked then nodded slowly. Though for some reason, she felt somewhat uncomfortable by his touch. It's just nerves, Hermione. You only feel uncomfortable because this is the first time he's taken a romantic interest in you. Her mind said calmly.

She then took a deep breath and relaxed against Harry's shoulder. Ron looked to Harry who nodded slightly. The red headed young man nodded back to him then turned and looked over at his sister and nodded to her. Ginny nodded back with a smirk.

Hermione had fallen for Harry's lies. All seemed to be going according to plan.

Draco, who'd been watching the scene from his table, suspiciously observed the communication between Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Those three are up to something. He thought. I knew that something wasn't right. Potter and those Weasels are plotting something against Granger and she's too stupid to see it.

Just then, there was a loud shriek from the other end of the Slytherin table.

Draco snapped his head around to see what all the commotion was about.

Pansy's body had fallen to the floor and had begun decaying slowly.

Harry and Ron along with all the other Gryffindors stood up to see the body of the dead girl lying in the middle of the floor.

"Pansy's dead!" someone cried out.

"Oh my gosh!" another person screamed.

Professor McGonagall came rushing down from the teacher's table. She knelt down and gasped in horror. "Oh dear...this is terrible!" She said almost in a panic.

"That's disgusting!" cried Seamus Finnigan, who was trying to keep from throwing up as part of the body's skin began curling and crumbling.

Professor McGonagall looked over the body then paused and swallowed worriedly.

"There's no wound or mark on her that I can see. And no signs of an illness. Can someone please tell me what happened to her?" She asked looking around quickly.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 31-Accused Yet Innocent



"Someone has attacked her with...the Killing Curse." said Professor Snape as he walked up to her.

"The Killing Curse?" she replied fearfully. "Severus, are you sure?"

“I’m certain of it.” He replied.

McGonagall gasped at hearing this.

Snape glanced around then continued. "And that's not all..." He added in his low hissing tone. "This girl's body was animated so that it looked like she was somewhat alive. But clearly, Miss Parkinson has been dead for several hours; perhaps even a day or so." he concluded.

The whole hall gasped and McGonagall quickly addressed the unnerved students.

“Now now; all of you. I must ask you all to remain calm and please stay in your seats.”

"I have studied about this sort of thing briefly, hoping that it would be a good lesson; should I ever have the chance to teach the Defense Against the Dark Arts class." Snape mumbled coldly.

McGonagall nodded to him but gave him an uneasy look as she turned and looked around the hall.

Snape's eyes traveled over to the Gryffindor table and fell right on Harry. "Let us hope that none of our famous students are responsible for such a despicable act." He sneered glaring at the Boy-Who-Lived.

Harry glared right back at him.

Then Snape turned and walked out of the Great Hall.

After a moment, Professor McGonagall crossed her arms and spoke in a sharp tone. "The person who did this had to of been very powerful and full of hatred and malice." She announced.

All eyes were on her.

Draco pretended to be just as shocked as everyone else, even though he knew the truth; and in reality he was still surprised at Hermione's actions that night. His eyes darted across the room to look at the Gryffindor girl, who looked rather calm and unconcerned.

"If anyone knows who the murderer is, I suggest you speak up now!" Professor McGonagall demanded loudly.

For a moment, no one spoke.





"I know who it was." said a voice breaking the long lingering silence.

All eyes darted over to Ginny Weasley, who slowly stood up.

Draco scowled at her.

Professor McGonagall walked over to the Gryffindor table and stopped, looking at Ginny curiously.

"Who is the culprit, Miss Weasley?" She asked.

Ginny took a deep breath and then pointed over at a certain male Slytherin. "It was him, professor. It was Draco Malfoy!" She replied firmly.

Everyone in the Hall gasped loudly.



"And how do you know this?" McGonagall asked sharply.

"Because, I saw him and Pansy together in the corridor late at night and then saw them again out by the Quidditch Pitch, that same night. I was walking by the window and using my brothers’ new invention; I saw a green light hit and kill Pansy. Malfoy was standing a few feet from her. He used the Killing Curse on her." Ginny replied quickly.

"I see." the professor replied dryly. "Your accusation sounds quite believable, Miss Weasley."

Draco cringed as he watched her turn and march towards him. "Stand up, Mr. Malfoy." She hissed rather coldly.

He nodded and slowly stood up.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy, is what Miss Weasley saying, true?" She asked sternly.

"Well...part of it." He replied weakly.

"Which part? Explain yourself!" She demanded.

He took a deep breath and said, "Well it's true that Pansy and I were walking in the corridors that night, and it's...true that we were out at the Quidditch Pitch in the early hours...and there was a green light..." he then paused.

"Go on." McGonagall said firmly.

"But...I didn't kill her." He stated sharply.

The hall was almost completely silent.

Hermione shuddered as she knew what he was going to say next. He's going to tell her it was me. I just know it. She thought, nervously.

"Well, then who did?" McGonagall demanded. "You said there was a green light so you must know who killed her."

He paused again, his eyes darting to Hermione who was now giving him a pleading look.

"Mr. Malfoy, I'm sure that I don't have to stress the severity of the situation. Committing a crime like this has immediate consequences of being sentenced to Azkaban. And that goes for anyone withholding information that could convict the criminal as well." The professor exclaimed.

Draco gulped nervously. He knew that all he had to do was to tell the truth and Hermione would be off to Azkaban in no time. But, for some reason he really didn't want that.

"Well, Mr. Malfoy, if you didn't kill Miss Parkinson, then who did?" McGonagall demanded now more impatiently.

Draco swallowed and then in a low voice he said, "I...I don't know."

"You don't know?" McGonagall asked incredulously.

"Well, it was so dark outside that all I saw was a green flash of light that flew out and hit Pansy. I didn't see anyone." He replied quickly.

"And why have you not come forth with any of this information until now?" McGonagall asked suspiciously.

"Because I was...scared...as silly as it sounds. I was afraid that my father was after me since I turned against him and the other Death Eaters." Draco said slowly.

"Mr. Malfoy, your reputation as well as your father's is against you. And I'm not so sure that I believe you." McGonagall snapped accusingly.

Draco shuddered. He was completely innocent yet Professor McGonagall was ready to convict him and send him off to Azkaban. He knew he had to tell her the truth or else he'd be on his way to Azkaban. I can get out of this if I just tell the truth. But...I just can't bring myself to do it. It's stupid but I feel that I would rather go to Azkaban than send Granger there. Argh! What is wrong with me?

"Now, for the last time, Mr. Malfoy, are you completely sure that you don't know who the culprit is?" McGonagall asked suspiciously.

He looked to Hermione again who was staring at him almost regretfully and then looked down. "Yes." he muttered.

"Very well, then I have no choice but to send you to Azkaban for the murder of Pansy Parkinson." She concluded dryly.

"But...I didn't do it!" he snapped at her.

"But you were there Mr. Malfoy and I sense that you are not being completely truthful with me." she snapped back.

She then cleared her throat. "Professor Dumbledore entrusts me with the welfare of this school and its students while he is away. And as headmistress during his absence; he has appointed me to handle any matters that may arise. It is my responsibility to remove dangerous and uncooperative students to protect the rest of the young minds that wish to make something of themselves here." she stated firmly.

Draco hung his head and closed his eyes. "I didn't do it." He grumbled one last time.

Hermione felt a strong pain in her chest as she watched the scene. Why didn't Malfoy tell her the truth? She wondered. Maybe...I should fess up...no then everything will be ruined! I can't do that. But...I can't let Draco be sent to Azkaban, can I? I...I have to say something...but what? She thought nervously.

"Now, I must go and send an owl to the prison. I'm sorry, but there is no way that I can trust your word, Mr. Malfoy." McGonagall said disappointedly.

"Then...trust my word, Professor!" Hermione suddenly shouted as she stood up.

Harry and Ron gasped.

"What are you doing, Hermione?" Harry asked but she ignored him.

"Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall asked curiously.

Draco raised a surprised brow at the girl who'd just spoken.

"Look, I...I know this sounds strange, but I actually believe what Malfoy says." Hermione said confidently.

"Please, explain." McGonagall replied curiously.

Hermione nodded then walked over to the Slytherin table and stood between Draco and McGonagall.

"That same night at the same exact time, Harry's scar started burning, didn't it?" she asked.

McGonagall nodded slightly. "That is correct." She replied.

"Well," Hermione continued. "If Malfoy were the one who'd killed Pansy, Harry's scar would not have been burning. It doesn't make sense to blame Malfoy because we all know that only one person can cause Harry's scar to hurt like that."

"Voldemort." Harry mumbled, rubbing his scar absently.

McGonagall pursed her lips a moment then nodded slowly. "I see your point, Miss Granger but the possibility of Mr. Malfoy hiding information still remains." She replied.

"That may be true, professor but my thought is that well Malfoy is too much of a coward and would rat out anyone to save his own self; especially from going to Azkaban." Hermione stated firmly.

Draco frowned coldly at her words but then smirked to himself.

Hermione continued on. "The fact that Malfoy didn't see anyone is possible too because there is always a thick fog around Hogwarts in the early morning hours. I know this because in the past as you know, I've been out with Harry and Ron; for the good of the school of course." she spoke that last part quickly.

McGonagall nodded slightly then turned to Draco frowning bitterly. "Well, Mr. Malfoy, thanks to Miss Granger's useful insight, I will give you the benefit of the doubt on this matter. However, should I discover that you are following in your father's deceitful footsteps, the consequences will be severe." The headmistress concluded. "Now, take your seat."

Draco nodded silently, and sat down slowly. He was too stunned to speak. Granger defended me? After all the things I've done to her she still defended me. He thought.

His grey eyes followed Hermione as she turned and walked back over and sat between Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table.

The two of them gave her a funny look.

"What the bloody hell was that all about?" Ron snapped in a low whisper.

"I'll explain later." she whispered back.

"As for everyone else," McGonagall addressed the hall. "I recommend caution and awareness to all. This incident could very well be the beginning of something more terrible to come."

Then everyone watched in silence as Madame Pomfrey and a few others, lifted Pansy's body and took it out of the hall with McGonagall following behind.

"Okay, now explain why you just stood up for Malfoy." Harry demanded, as voices began to fill the Great Hall once more.

"I couldn't help it. Whether it was Malfoy or not, I was looking at the situation logically." She replied coolly. "Besides, it would be wrong to send an innocent being to prison."

"How can you be so sure that he is innocent?" Harry asked suspiciously.

Hermione froze. She'd almost given herself away and now had made Harry suspicious. Quickly she plastered a confident look on her face and replied. "Well, after analyzing the situation, the conclusion of Malfoy committing the crime just didn't add up due to the face that as I said he's a coward and only cares about himself. And the weather patterns of the morning fog are clearly recorded in the Astronomy Tower." She babbled, hoping that they would believe her explanation.

"Uh yeah, we've definitely got the old Hermione back." Ron muttered grabbing a plate and filling it up with food.

Harry quirked a brow then finally nodded with a light chuckle. Then he cleared his throat and looked to her.

"So, speaking of the Astronomy Tower, are you still going to meet me there tonight, Hermione?" He asked as he leaned towards her.

"Yes, of course." She replied with a faint smile.

[Lissandra Sylvania]

Chapter 32-An Eavesdropping Ferret

Draco sat picking at his food, his eyes glued to the table, staring in disbelief at the way Hermione had defended him. He wasn't sure what to think. Why did she do that? Why did she help me? She didn't confess but she did stop McGonagall from sending me to Azkaban. But, why? He wondered.

Then he started mentally questioning himself as well. Why didn't I tell everyone the truth? Why didn't I just come out and confess that it was Granger that killed Pansy? I don't know why I didn't just rat her out. He then recalled what Hermione had said. "Malfoy is too much of a coward and would rat out anyone to save his own self." She did have a point, in most cases he would usually rat out someone to save himself.

Did she defend me because I didn't rat her out? If so, then I wonder...He snapped out of his thoughts as he looked at the Gryffindor table again. Hermione was standing up and waving to Harry and Ron. Then she turned and strolled out of the Great Hall.

As soon as she was gone, Draco's eyes snapped back over to the Gryffindor table and he watched as Harry and Ron stood up and walked to the other end of the table where Ginny sat. She then got up. Harry hugged her briefly and whispered something in her ear. She nodded then motioned them to follow her out of the Hall which they did.

Draco stood up and decided to follow them. Those three are up to something. He thought as he quietly followed them. As he turned the corner, he watched the three slip into an empty classroom and he walked towards it quietly. Noticing that the door was cracked, he listened in.

"So, Hermione really fell for it, huh?" Ginny asked with a slight chuckle.

Draco raised a brow curiously.

"Yeah but since she believes that Malfoy is innocent, our original plan of protecting her from him is shot." Harry mumbled. "I still can't believe that she stood up for that git!"

"True, but now that she's back with us, we have to keep this up, otherwise she'll get upset and go running right back to Malfoy for help." Ron exclaimed. "She's become quite vengeful you know?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah." he replied. Then he sighed. "I wish that the Polyjuice potion was done so that we could take the plan to the second level."

Polyjuice potion? Draco wondered as he continued to listen with a curious look on his face.

"Well the Hufflepuff girls claim it will be finished by tonight so at midnight we will all meet in the girl's bathroom and test it out." Ginny exclaimed.

"That's good." Harry replied impatiently. "I'm not exactly thrilled about pretending to be Hermione's boyfriend, you know? It's very awkward."

"I know but you're the one she really wants." Ginny replied.

"Yeah, she made that obvious when she kissed me that night." Harry grumbled.

"Yeah well I wasn't exactly happy to hear about that." Ron grumbled. "I mean she was supposed to be my girlfriend and we'd only just started dating. Hell, I even confessed my feelings to her and she didn't seem to share them. Then I find out that she jumped on you and kissed you..." Ron went on muttering under his breath.

"Well once it's done, you can turn into me, Ron. Then you can do all the kissing and stuff that you want with Hermione, as long as you can make her believe that you are me." Harry chuckled.

"Oh, I'm looking forward to that." Ron exclaimed. Then he looked to Ginny. "So, what about the plan with Malfoy? Are you still going to do it, Ginny?" He asked curiously.

"You mean where I pretend to be Hermione?" Ginny giggled. Ron nodded. "Yeah, I'm still doing it." She answered.

"But you still need to get a few of his hairs first." Ron pointed out.

"Yeah, how will you do that?" Harry asked curiously looking at her.

"That's already been taken care of." She stated proudly.

"Huh?" Ron asked.

"I got a few strands from a Slytherin girl whom he had dated in the past. She said that he'd purposefully given them to her as a souvenir and that she didn't want them." Ginny replied with a light chuckle.

"That sounds like Malfoy, alright." Harry chuckled with a nod.

"Anyway, the potion will be done by tonight. And later tonight, once we make sure that the potion's done; the plan will be put into action." she added anxiously.

Harry nodded. "Good." he replied sounding just as anxious.

"Hahaha! I can't wait to see the look on Malfoy's face when he sees you as Hermione. I want to crack up just thinking about it." Ron said loudly.

"Yeah." Harry agreed chuckling.

"Now guys, I know this will be somewhat fun but remember the real reasons behind this whole thing." Ginny said sharply.

"I know." Harry mumbled. "We're supposed to keep Malfoy and Hermione away from each other."

"Yeah and somehow Hermione's going to confess her love to me." Ron said excitedly.

"Yeah, once I humiliate her and you show up to save her, I'm sure that she'll be all yours." Harry replied.

"And then...you and I will be able to be happy together." Ginny giggled as she snuggled against Harry.

"That's right, Ginny." Harry replied as he put his arms around her.

"From the looks of it, I'd say Hermione and Malfoy are still enemies." Ron muttered.

"Yeah, well let's just make sure they stay that way." Ginny sneered.

"I agree." Harry stated firmly. "I was worried for a while, that there was a truce forming between them, you know?"

"Yes I know. And for a while there they were getting along. Thankfully, we were able to get Hermione back though." Ron added.

"Can you imagine what would happen if they actually did become allies? Even...friends?" Ginny asked with a nervous look on her face.

"That would mean disaster for all of us that support Dumbledore." Harry replied sharply. "Malfoy said that he's turned against his father and the Death Eaters, but I think he's a liar. I believe the very moment that Voldemort calls for him, he will go to him. There's no doubt about that!"

"I still think that he killed Pansy." Ginny grumbled. "I mean it's possible that You-Know-Who could have been out there with Malfoy, watching as he did the deed. That would explain your scar hurting."

Harry nodded slowly as he thought about that.

"Of course Hermione convinced Professor McGonagall that Malfoy was innocent before I could tell her that." She added.

"Hermione claimed that she was just looking at it from a logical point." Ron mumbled.

"I know." Ginny hesitantly agreed. "Hermione is very cunning and clever. And as much as I don't like her, I can't dismiss her intelligence level."

"You're right about that." Harry replied. "And though I hate to admit it, Malfoy is quite strong and powerful himself."

Ginny then gulped nervously. "You guys, if those two got together and joined You-Know-Who..."

"The outcome would be disastrous!" Harry said finishing her sentence.

The three all shuddered and stood in silence for a moment.

They're afraid of Granger turning against them? Draco thought curiously with a sly grin.

"That is why we have to make sure that those two stay enemies!" Harry stressed firmly. "If Malfoy knew any of this, he'd do anything to gain Hermione's trust and turn her to Voldemort's side. Hermione may be muggle born but she's a powerful witch and the thought of her and Malfoy together..." He shuddered unable to continue.

"So, uh...what are you going to do when you meet Hermione, tonight?" Ron asked curiously, quickly changing the subject.

"I will gain her trust first. And I will do anything, to convince her that she and I are together." Harry replied sharply.

"Anything?" Ron gulped. "You're not going to...kiss her, are you?"

"Well yeah, I mean I can't exactly convince her that I want to be with her with a simple handshake, can I?" Harry retorted sarcastically.

Ron scowled.

"Oh don't be that way, Ron. By the time I'm done with her, she will be running into your arms." Harry said.

Ron seemed to lighten up at the sound of this.

"Yeah and I'm fine with whatever you do with her tonight, Harry." Ginny said reassuringly.

"Thanks, though you know that whatever I do won't mean a thing?" Harry replied.

"I know, I know, so have fun." She giggled. "And make sure you tell us all the details." She added.

"I will." Harry replied.

"Well, come on then. We need to get you ready for your date."Ginny mumbled.

"Yeah." Ron agreed with a bit of hesitancy. "Let's go."

Draco quickly rushed around the corner as the three walked out of the classroom. He then watched them stroll down the corridor towards the Gryffindor common room.

I knew it! He thought as he felt a surge of anger rush through him. Those three are just toying with Granger. They want to keep her away from me! They're actually afraid of us working together. He then smirked to himself. Hmm, I think I'll join in and play their little game too. He thought as he stomped towards the Head's common room.