"…Damn Hot…"
It started with Draco Malfoy, as things always do. Somehow, over the holidays, he'd managed to grow a neat upside down triangular-shaped goatee under his chin, making him look somewhat more wicked and sinful and tempting than ever. For once in his life, the thin, pale rich kid was deemed 'hot'.
"Damn, he's hot." The words inadvertently slipped out of Hermione's mouth before she had a chance to stop them. Harry and Ron glanced over at what she'd been staring at, and their jaws dropped when they realised it was Malfoy.
"Hermione?!" Ron gaped. "Are you insane?!" Luckily, Malfoy had heard neither Griffindors comments, being too busy fighting off Pansy who wished to take possession of his arm.
Hermione coloured a little. "I-I meant," she stammered, looking down at the ground, "I-I was…wasn't talking about…well, I…" She was at a loss for words.
Ron apparently wasn't. He turned to Harry. "That Malfoy," he snarled through gritted teeth, "what's so great about him? For three weeks now he's got all the girls of every house in a spin- it's like they've forgotten he's a Slytherin and he's an unbearable git!"
Lavender, who'd heard him as she passed, stopped and spoke. "You don't get it Ron, do you?" she said, talking to the redhead but keeping her gaze over his shoulder. Ron knew whom she was looking at and narrowed his eyes.
"Get what Lavender?" asked Harry.
"It's because he is a Slytherin and always so nasty that all the girls like him. He's a bad boy, Ron, so much better than the goody-two-shoes hero over here," Lavender said, indicating Harry. "No offence Harry," she added.
"None taken," Harry replied quickly.
"He's got the cold, indifferent personality, but underneath he has a hidden sensitive side," she continued dreamily, clasping her hands together, "the sexy Slytherin with a past, the untamed dragon whose heart can never be captured…" She sighed. "Of course, it makes it so much easier to want him when he's so good-looking!"
"Oh please," Ron snorted. "A sensitive side? The untamed dragon? You girls must be really stupid if you really believe that about him." He glanced at Hermione, who looked extremely guilty.
"Well, Ron Weasley," Lavender said furiously, drawing herself up a little taller, "you're just jealous of Malfoy's undeniable animal magnetism, that's why you're so bitter! Your mad because you could never be a Bad Boy like him!" As Lavender stormed off, Ron looked disgusted.
"How dare she compare me to him!" he exclaimed to Harry. Harry was feeling embarrassed at hearing Lavender call Malfoy the 's' word and just looked down at his shoes.
"Who wants to be a 'Bad Boy' anyway, when they're just so bloody annoying!" Ron raged. He glared at Malfoy, who was now leaning casually against the wall, joking with Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry eyed Hermione. "Well," he said quietly, "some people seem to like them." Ron rounded on Hermione.
"And you," he said to her angrily, "how could you?" Have you forgotten everything he's done to me, to you, to Harry, to Hagrid…?"
Hermione shook her head and looked up at Ron. "No," she said, feeling uncomfortable under Ron's fixed stare, "but…I just can't help falling under his spell. I mean, not literally, but, well, it's just…oh Ron," she snapped, "I can't help it! I'm not just Hermione, clever witch of Griffindor, I'm also just a girl! And I know he's a complete idiot, but I have to admit he's damn hot as well, okay?!" And she stomped off, just like Lavender had done a minute ago.
Ron was quiet for a moment. Just then, Malfoy rocked up to him with his bodyguards. "Well, well, well," he said, taking in Ron's glare with a smirk, "looks like you and your girlfriend just had a fight. Not that I'm surprised really. You leave much to be desired." He eyed Ron's shabby robes disdainfully. "Maybe you want some tips Weasley, seeing as I seem to be quite popular with the ladies these days!"
"When I want some tips on how to be an aggravating pain in the neck, I'll remember to ask you," Ron said through gritted teeth. Malfoy just smiled pityingly and strode off, his two disciples running after him.
"Well," Ron said fervently, shaking with emotion, "so it's bad boys they want is it?" He seemed to be talking to himself, so Harry didn't interrupt.
"Fine. Bad boys it is then." He turned to Harry. "The Bad Boys of Griffindor. Come on Harry, let's go find the others." And he marched off, leaving Harry to wonder which 'others' he was referring to.