A/N: Hi Jessica 3 Okay, so I promise I will actually update this story. I have four chapters written, and almost two typed, so I won't let you down this time. (the finished product will be 15-17 chapters) If you find errors, tell me, I would like to know. Also; I own nothing, JKR is too brilliant. Characters are her own, enjoy.

The Seventh Year

"What do you want me to say Draco? Do you want me to just accept this? Do you want me to just let it roll off my back, and tell you that it doesn't bother me? I would be lying to you, and to myself. I've just had enough, I can't do this anymore!" This was the first time that Hermione had actually flown off the handle. She hardly ever yelled, even less at Draco. But this subject had become even more of a sore subject Her head whirled on the inside, questions she wanted to know the answers to, but was afraid to ask. She spoke softly shaking her head, "I've just had enough.

A table and couches separated Hermione from the opposite side of the room where Draco stood. "I've already apologized a dozen times." His voice was short and quiet; he didn't want to start another brawl between them. Little did Hermione know, he was just as mad at himself.

Hermione had a hurt and confused look graced on her face, but her voice was determined.

"Yes, that's exactly it. You've had to apologize a dozen times. And you won't do anything but that. You just won't stop. I cannot even fathom what has been going through your mind. You shouldn't have to say you're sorry this often." Her chestnut eyes watered slightly, but she kept her sate toward Draco, "I need you to leave." Her voice trembled, because on the inside, she didn't want to hear herself say the words.

Draco stepped toward her in a single stride; beginning to protest her words, "Now, just think about it, you know I'm sorry…"

She backed off from his looming figure, narrowing her eyebrows, "No!" she said sternly. And then, more quietly, "You've done this for the last time. Now, I need you to leave."

He stared at her for a moment, maybe two before nodding solemnly. Hermione flinched and held back tears as he brushed passed her. Crossing to the front of the couch, she paced her length of the living room. Her mind was hazy, and she was bombarded with emotion, and her legs collapsed beneath her, forcing her to drop to the couch. She was him walk by and turn to her, his hand on the door knob.

"Are you certain this is what you want?" Draco asked her, attempting one final save.

"Yes," she whispered quietly, "Yes I'm sure."

"Fine then." Draco said and turned the knob swiftly. Hermione looked toward the small kitchen, not wanting to watch him leave. But he was gone. Leaving Hermione to bask in her own disappointments. And that was when the tears she held for so long finally fell. As bits of her life flashed before her, the good times, and the bad, she was taken my her weakness and induced into a slumber, her head filled with memories. She was left to dream, and she did, about many, many things. She dreamt of the future, the present, and more importantly, the past.

Just three years earlier….

"So, did you study for the charms test?"

"What are you talking about Harry, you know she did." Ron said before digging into his breakfast. But Harry was testing Hermione. She was off in her own world, gazing someplace…in a daze. He looked at Ron and nodded toward Hermione as if to say, 'What's wrong with her?' Ron shrugged at him and resumed eating. Harry on the other hand, looked at her with concern. "Hermione…" he waved a hand in front of her face, "You can come back now."

Her distracted mind snapped back, and she gave them a slightly confused look, "Sorry, did you say something?" she asked.

Harry laughed, "No, nothing at all." He stood from his seat and grabbed his back, "See you later." Before anyone could speak, he was walking down the isle, exiting the Great Hall.

"Wonder what's wrong with him," said Hermione. She looked at Ron, who was sitting across from her, directing the question to him.

He again shrugged, but looked at her pointedly, "I was actually about to ask you the same question."

Hermione laughed slightly, "Whatever do you mean? I'm fine."

Ron looked into her eyes, as if the answer was in plain writing someplace in her head, but he couldn't find anything.

Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled, "Really Ron, I'm fine. Trust me." She said, grabbing her books. "I have to go to the library before um…Transfiguration, but I'll see you there." She was up and gone within a moment.

"It's Charms! Hermione…but that's okay…" he drifted off. Sticking his fork in his food, he shoved his plate away from him, and turned toward Seamus who was sitting diagonally from him. "Hey, you done with that?" He asked, referring to the latest copy of The Daily Prophet next to him.

Seamus nodded, "Sure, take it."

Ron nodded a 'thanks' and flipped through to the Quidditch section.

Hermione's feet shuffled quickly along the stone hallway. She was already very late for class, (which she had now found out, was indeed Charms, and she was at the wrong end of the school). She was looking through her bag for a quill when she rounded a corner. Immediately she bumped into someone, causing both of their books to go flying, "Damn!"

"Hey, watch it!" said the voice from above. Hermione had already bent over to pick up her books, but she didn't need to look up to know who it was. It was the same familiar voice she dreaded to hear. "Oh," he snarled, "It's you."

Hermione looked up with her bag over her shoulder, and books in her arm "Well, good morning to you too Malfoy." she responded mockingly. "Now if we're finished with this charming 'hello', I'm late. And you are too." She tried to stride to his left, but he put his arm out.

"Not so fast, Granger. You have my ink." He said, nodding to the pile of school supplies in her arms.

She looked down and handed it to him, "…. and my divination book." He continued.

Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at the inside cover of the book. Sure enough, the name D. Malfoy was written in slender, script writing.

"Here," she said, handing the book over. "Can I go now?" she raised her eyes to him.

He gracefully turned sideways and swept his arm, bowing sarcastically.

Her tone was just as short and sarcastic, "Thank you." She walked past him, agitated. As she did, he hit his shoulder to hers, roughly causing her books to scatter again. She head him keep walking away as she bent once again to gather her things.

Several heads turned as she walked into class. Ron and Harry's faces were among them, as well as Luna, and several other Ravenclaw students.

"Ah, Miss Granger. I'm delighted you decided to join us. Please take a seat." Said the short man at the front of the class.

"I'm sorry Professor, I was in the library, and I lost track of time, and then I thought I was going to Transfiguration and…."

"No matter, you are late, and it's the third time this week. You're to report here tonight after dinner for detention."

Hermione's eyes popped and she tried to reason with the teacher, "Oh, well, I don't think that's really…"

"No, no. I'm deeply sorry Miss Granger; you'll have to report to me tonight. And you'll be able to take your test then. Please occupy yourself for the rest of class."

Hermione walked to her seat and slumped in her chair. She saw Ron and Harry looking at her from the corner of her eye, and she whipped her head at them, giving them a look. They could almost hear her saying 'just do your test already!'. So they immediately returned their eyes to their test. Of course, not without sharing a chuckle first.

That night, (it was a Friday) Hermione, Ron and Harry all made their way down to the h side by side. Ron and Harry were joking with each other, about something that had happened in Herbology, but Hermione wasn't interested. Before she knew it, they were stepping down into the great hall. Absentmindedly, she took a seat across from Harry and Ron at the table, and began to fill her plate with food.

"So Hermione," Ron asked between bites, "What's Flitwick got planned for you tonight?'

She shrugged lazily, "I have to take that test, but other than that I don't know."

"Probably cleaning cabinets, or some other rubbish like that," Harry offered.

She nodded, swallowed, and spoke, "I just hope I don't get stuck in there with someone I don't want to be with." She paused, "You know, I ran into Malfoy before I got to class, so I'm assuming he was late too. And if Flitwick is the only one doing detention tonight…."

"You know he has no social life." Ron joked.

"Hermione, if Malfoy does have detention with you…." He began, and tried to keep a serious face, "I'm very, very sorry."

The three tried to conceal their laughter, but it didn't last for long. All three were soon practically rolling around laughing, attracting all the attention in the Great Hall. Harry had taken off his glasses, to wipe his born-from-laughter tears.

"What's got you three? Weasel finally take a look in the mirror?" It was Draco Malfoy, Yet again, Hermione thought.

"Speak of the devil, eh Hermione?" Harry nodded to her, replacing his glasses once again.

Draco, standing behind Hermione, turned to her, "Talking about me are you Granger? Well, I can't say I blame you of course." He said, straightening up proudly, a smug look on his face.

"What's your damage Malfoy?" Ron asked rudely.

"Why Weasely, I'm appalled. Why so glum?" he placed a fake look of concern on his face, "Thought you were enjoying my company? Ah, well." He turned his direction to Hermione, "Actually, much to my dismay, Professor Flitwick asked me to escort Young Mudblood here to detention. You see-" he knew what was coming, and it did.

Harry immediately cut him off, "Bite your tongue, Malfoy."

Draco stepped close to the table, leaning in with a snarl on his face, "That a threat, boys?"

Ron was hesitant, but Harry stood, apparently ready to take on this opponent. By now half of the great hall was hushed. Draco looked around, as did Ron. Upon seeing the teachers table eyeing them, Draco backed off.

"Well, Granger and I had a little run in this morning. I was late for Astronomy, and I'm sure she was late for Charms." He spoke at a lower level, and shifted his eyes again, and most of the students had gone back to their normal habits. "So, I'd rather not be late again." He growled at them, and to Hermione, "You walk three steps behind me, I'll meet you out there." He soon sauntered off without a last look, and they started at each other for a moment.

Ron broke with the silence, "Well Hermione, good luck with that."

Hermione's jaw dropped, and she gaped at him and Harry.

"Yeah, good luck." Harry said.

"You mean…you don't have one of your schemes up your sleeves?" she asked them, smiling hopefully

They looked at each other again and shook their heads. Hermione's smile faded.

"Not this time," Harry shrugged and went to finish eating.

"Humph." Hermione slumped for a moment, and then grabbed her bag. "Well, fine. Have fun doing your homework, alone. I'll see you in the common room…well, if I'm not hexed first." She stood up from the table and walked hurriedly through the great hall. Upon exiting, she looked around. "Just as I expected." She mumbled to herself, "Three steps behind me, I'll meet you," she spoke under her breath mockingly. As she made her way down the hall she could hear conversation.

"So do you know who has detention with you tonight?" Outside Professor Flitwick's classroom, Pansy Parkinson, Draco's right hand…er…lady, was draping her arm over his shoulder, searching to catch his eye. But he kept his eyes fixed on the wall across the hallway. "A few people," he shrugged, "Granger, that I know."

Pansy looked over her shoulder and sighed, "Well, here she comes now." She had a look of complete disgust on her face, "I suppose I'll go. See you tonight."

He nodded as she walked away, "Yeah.Tonight." he turned to lean on his shoulder against the wall as Hermione made her way toward the room.

"Thanks for not waiting." She said irritated.

"The pleasure was all mine." He retorted sourly, and followed her as she pushed open the heavy door into the Charms classroom.

A/N: Please review, I take constructive critisism. Actually, I thrive on it. The next chapter will be up shortly, give me time to finish typing.