Hermione

Oh, hell no.

I gritted my teeth as I looked out the Gryffindor tower window, where I saw my date for the Yule Ball, Viktor Krum, snogging Pansy Parkinson. Just for the record, I wasn't mad that he was seeing another girl; we were just friends, and that's all we were ever going to be. Once the Triwizard Tournament was over in a few months, I doubted if Viktor and I would see each other again. But of all the girls he could have chosen to stick his tongue down her throat, it had to be her - that snake, Pansy Parkinson. AKA, Draco Malfoy's girlfriend.

Were they actually a thing? I wasn't sure. All I knew was that they were supposedly together to the ball tomorrow night, and now I was dateless. It wasn't anything against him really - I just didn't want to get to the party and get ditched.

I zipped up my light jacket as I turned away from the window.

"Are you coming, Hermione?" Ron called from the portrait by the wall, which swung open and lead out to the staircase.

I jogged over and flashed a fake smile at him. "Ready," I said quietly.

The ginger paused as he watched me for a moment, and his eyebrows scrunched as if he was starting to ask me a question. I stepped through the opening in the wall and quickly met Harry half way down the steps. I heard Ron thundering down behind us, accidentally pushing sluggish first years out of his way as he caught up. Harry, too, looked over at me with concern in his green eyes.

"'You alright?" He asked. Ron finally walked up right behind us and was listening intently.

I lifted my chin and turned the corner with the boys right on my heels. "I'm fine. Perfectly fine."

"You don't look fine," Ron retorted.

I rolled my eyes. "Please. I'm alright, really. I had a paper due in Advanced Muggle Studies today, and I didn't sleep very well."

Thankfully, they believed my excuse as their faces relaxed. Ron threw his arms around both of our shoulders and leaned heavily against Harry and I as we finally made it to the bottom floor. The crowd around us went around as we lazily made our way towards the Great Hall. I glanced over at the tall wooden doors that lead outside, and I made a decision. Before I could break away, Ron spoke.

"Tomorrow is going to be amazing," he said with a goofy grin. "One huge party! Fred and George said they were going to try to spike the punch."

Harry laughed and shook his head. "If you decide to bring a girl back to the tower, don't bring her to our room!" The boys laughed as Ron shook my shoulder gently.

"So, Miss Secretive - who's your date?"

My blood ran cold as I shrugged off his hand. "You'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out, won't you?"

"Ha ha, hilarious." But, nevertheless, he pushed his red hair out of his eyes as we finally made it to the entrance to the Great Hall. The noise coming from inside was almost deafening as the excitement was growing. I watched as Peeves dove into the Ravenclaw table, sending food flying everywhere. Dumbledore shook his head from his place at the professor's table, and simply replaced everything with a wave of his wand.

Ron and Harry started to head on in, but I began to walk away. "I, um, I forgot something upstairs. I'll catch up with you later!"

"Um, okay!" Harry called as he watched me scamper off. I didn't stick around to see their reactions, but when I reached the end of the hall and glanced back, they had already slipped into the Great Hall.

I waited until the majority of the students around me filed into the Great Hall, chattering about tomorrow's events. Yippee. Yay. So excited.

There was no sense in me denying that I was a little hurt by Viktor Krum's actions. He was tall, dark, and handsome, along with being incredibly strong. He had paid me special attention as he asked me to be his date, ignoring the girls that had followed him over to me that evening two weeks ago. I felt special, and now...

I was replaceable. Maybe I should just go alone.

I pulled open the wooden doors, and the cool air slapped me in the face. My frizzy hair whipped around as I watched the two forms hold onto each other tightly, their faces inseparable. I wondered who all had seen them, and what the gossip was at dinner. Did anyone know I was supposed to be going with Krum?

As I watched him pull Pansy into his lap, I seriously hoped not.

I stepped outside into the night before shutting the large door as quietly as I could. Then, tucking my hands into my pockets, I made my way over to the couple by the lake.

...

Draco

I loved apples - all kinds of apples. Big apples, small apples, red apples, but especially green apples. Their tart juices perfectly danced across my taste buds, and their crisp skin was the perfect snack. I had always loved these apples, ever since I was a toddler. My mother would cut them into bite sized pieces and serve them to me, and I've enjoyed them ever since.

As I left the Great Hall, hanging back from the massive crowd of people that was now flocking up the steps and down towards the dungeon. I guess that was a perk of being a Slytherin - less foot traffic.

I looked around for a familiar face. Where the hell was Pansy? She had left hours ago, saying she had a headache but would meet up with us at supper. I kept my eyes open for her ugly black bob, but I had no luck. My girlfriend - if that's the proper term - was no where in sight.

"Oh, fuck off!" I heard Crabbe snap with cheeks full of cake, shoving Goyle away. The lumbering oaf laughed as they came up behind me, still finishing their meal. I snarled my nose.

"How are you two still eating?" I asked with a crinkle of my nose.

The two fellow fourth years shrugged their shoulders, and I rolled my eyes. I tossed the core of my apple down the hall away from the dungeons, and my two friends laughed as it bounced, scaring Ms. Norris away with a quick scamper.

"Ha!"

Shuffling footsteps bounded down the hallway before Filch came running at us. "Aye! You little brats! You scared my cat!"

"Well maybe your cat shouldn't have been in my way," I said with a smirk as I nudged Crabbe. He laughed, and I snarled my nose as bits of cake flew out of his mouth.

"If you don't go get that trash, I'll string you up in the dungeons by your toenails!"

"My father won't let you!"

"I was here when your daddy was still shitting in his diapers!" Filch glared as he pointed his crooked finger behind him. "Git!"

I adjusted my robes and waved my hand at Crabbe and Goyle. "I'll catch up with you later," I said calmly, brushing past Filch with the air of easiness. The core had bounced around and ended up by the foyer of the castle. I picked it up and held it out for Filch to see with a smirk on my face. The crotchety old man grunted and turned away before picking up his cat and leaving. Crabbe and Goyle had already gone, leaving me alone with my apple.

I waited until I didn't hear Filch anymore before I tossed it into the corner.

Then suddenly, the doors to the castle were pushed open, and - oh, joy. - Hermione Granger stepped inside. She turned quickly, never noticing me, and slammed them behind her. I watched silently as she pressed her hands to the door as she hung her hand. Her frizzy mop of hair hung down in her face, and I watched her shoulders shake as her body was racked with sobs. She turned, leaning against the doors, as she sunk to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest and crossing her arms.

I looked around to see if there was anyone around us to see this embarrassment, and unfortunately, there wasn't. A wicked idea popped inside of my head as I quietly moved closer before squatting down in front of her, careful to stay far enough back where she couldn't easily reach me with her right hook. I tapped her arm carefully with a permanent smirk on my face. Her body tensed as she slowly lifted her hand, sniffling. Hermione's face was covered in tear stains, and her nose was red.

"Hello, Mudblood." I grinned. "Is there a problem?"

Hermione frowned and suddenly jumped to her feet. I laughed as I pushed myself away, stumbling and tripping over my robes. I fell back on the stone floor snickering as she stood above me, glaring.

"Fuck off, Draco." She kicked me in the ribs before storming off angrily. I laughed through the pain as I rolled to stand, jogging after her.

"Now, now, Hermione, there's no need to get mad!" I caught up with her and skidded in front of her. She continued her stride, looking past me, and I began to walk backwards in front of her. "What is it? Did that blood-traitor break up with you? Or better yet, did you catch him snogging Harry? I mean, everyone knows you have threesomes in the Gryffindor common room-"

Hermione let out an annoyed scream as she shoved me in the chest. I stumbled back a step, and suddenly my patience with her hitting me was beginning to run thin.

"Don't touch me again."

"Leave me alone!" She stormed around me as she made her way towards the staircase.

"What's your problem?" I snapped back angrily. Sheesh, I was just messing with her.

Hermione froze at the first step, turning slowly to glare back at me. "You want to know what my problem is?" She spun around. "My problem is that your girlfriend is out there snogging my date!"

Okay, the humor is gone. I frowned over at her as I pushed a piece of blond hair out of my face.

"What do you mean?"

"Viktor Krum asked me to the dance tomorrow, and I looked out my window earlier and saw him all over Pansy. They're about to get a room, if you know what I mean." The tears poured down her face as she spoke, but the usual strength in her voice was fading. I could tell she was serious about this, and Pansy's unfaithfulness wasn't surprising. I crossed my arms and watched as she wiped her face with her sleeve.

"So, there, Malfoy. Is that good enough for you?"

Hermione turned and tried to make her way up the steps as anger boiled inside me. I had never cared for Pansy the way she tried to make it out like I did, but still. I didn't like being cheated on by my date when we had friends for the next night.

"Hermione, hold on a minute," I called, but my voice barely rose above normal.

She paused and turned to look at me, annoyed. "What?"

"If we're both without dates now, would you like to go together?"

The Gryffindor glared at me. "You're kidding."

I shook my head. "No. I don't want to go alone, and them seeing us together will make them jealous. I'm just thinking of a little revenge, that's all."

I knew I had gotten her attention. The tears had stopped pouring as she gripped the staircase railing.

"Just going to make them jealous?"

I nodded. "Or, you could always go with Wesley."

"Weasley. Ron Weasley," she corrected.

I waved my hand you get my hand. "You understand what I'm saying. Are you in or are you out, Granger?"

There was some hesitation, and she shifted around nervously. "And that's it?"

"That's it." I folded my arms.

Hermione chewed her lip nervously. I raised an eyebrow.

"Well?"

After a moment, she nodded. "Meet me in the foyer at seven."

I smirked. "Will do."

Hermione turned away, and I made my way towards the dungeons. But as I briefly watched her leave, I could have sworn I saw her smile.