*So this is Chapter 2 of Draco's Dilemma, set at the time of the 6th book around Christmas time. I tried to be very accurate in my attempt at Draco's mindset during this time, with out going to overboard. And what would change if he was actually trying to get Hermione to fall in love with him? I DO NOT OWN THE HP SERIES OR ITS CHARACTERS. Please R and R*

As Professor McGonagall finished up the lecture on transforming beetles into barrettes, Draco took his stuff and quickly exited the class, Crabbe and Goyle following at his heels. He muttered something about meeting them in the common room later as he turned the corridor and began taking the stairs to the library. Crabbe looked at Goyle looked at each other and shrugged as they went off to do what Draco had told them to do.

Draco shoved past Hagrid as he brought in the last of the Christmas trees as he went to the library where Hermione normally resided. He took a seat near the back setting his things down at one of the tables. He looked up and saw her coming in along with Harry. she was holding a collection of books that she began placing back on the shelves. Draco picked up a big black book with golden lettering as he began to eavesdrop on her as she talked to Harry.

"Ron is at perfect liberty to kiss whoever he wants." She said haughtily as she finished shelving the books and began to study, furiously scratching at her parchment paper. Draco stopped listening as he stared ahead.

That Weasly, why would she care about him and who he was kissing? Draco asked himself, his eyes widened and then narrowed as the thought came to him. No she couldn't, she didn't like him did she? That was impossible. He was a Weasly! A Blood traitor to the wizarding world! Why would she like him if he, Draco Malfoy, could present her with a better alternative? Suddenly a new idea popped into his head.

He doggy eared the page of the book he was reading just to bug the uptight librarian Madam Pince as he laid it down on the table. He swung his bag over his shoulder as he strode out of the library past Harry and Hermione unnoticed. He made his way down the stairs and soon found himself where the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were held.

He opened the large door to Professor Snape's class room. He barged in and saw that he wasn't there. He cursed softly as he grumbled left the Professor a note and stuck it to the door. He turned and walked out. He headed down towards the Slytherin common room. He got in and Crabbe and Goyle immediately greeted him and began asking him questions like what the Dark Lord had him doing.

Draco ignored them; it was a mission for him and him alone. Sure they would help but he could never tell them. He often told them the reason he was doing the Dark Lords bidding was because his father had fallen from His graces. He would never tell them it was for Hermione, ever. He stormed into his dark dank room and flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, letting his mind wander.

He awoke later, and cursed himself for falling asleep. He got up out of bed noting that it was now night time. He pulled his shoes on as he went to go see Professor Snape. He asked around the common room where the Professor might be. Someone mentioned the Slug Club's Christmas party, Draco groaned as he trudged off. He wound his way around the school to where the party was being held. He loitered outside the door as he peeked in. He saw Snape talking to Harry when a hand suddenly grabbed his ear and dragged him in.

"What have we got here?" Filch grinned. "A student up past hours." He smiled as he took Draco inside.

"I was invited!" Draco protested, lying. "I WAS!"

"Professor Slughorn, I found this boy in the upstairs corridor. He claims he was invited to your party, did you issue him an invitation?" Filch asked the new potions master. Draco wriggled himself free.

"Alright! Alright I wasn't invited. I was gate crashing!" he lied again as he looked at Professor Snape, who quickly excused the two of them out of there saving Draco from any punishment. Snape glared down at Draco as they left.

"What do you think you are doing?" Snape hissed as he took Draco into an empty class room in the dungeons. Draco looked at him puzzled.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. Snape frowned at him.

"The Katie Bell incident, you can't afford mistakes, Draco, if you are expelled--"

Draco scoffed at him bringing up the fact that he was trying to find ways to kill Dumbledore.

"I didn't have anything to do with it, alright?" Draco said quickly trying to get to the topic he wanted to talk about. Snape continued to frown.

"I hope you are telling the truth, because if you aren't then that was incredibly foolish and stupid for doing it. Already suspicion has been cast upon you in having to do with the incident." Snape told him searching Draco's face. Draco became serious, his anger growing.

"Who suspects me? Listen it wasn't me, that Bell girl must have had other enemies, try talking to them!" Draco said angrily as Snape looked at him his eyebrow raised.

"I see, is that why you've been avoiding me this semester? Because you fear that I will interfere with your plans? I have requested that you come to my office repeatedly and yet you still refuse to show up—"

"Maybe it's because I don't need your help!" Draco snapped back. "Go ahead and give me a detention! Report me to Dumbledore!" he challenged. He glared at Snape as Snape held his gaze, steady and unwavering.

"You know I can't do either of those things. "Snape said calmer now.

"Then quit summoning me to your office!" Draco told him. Suddenly Snape grabbed his shoulders.

"Listen to me," Snape breathed, "I am trying to help you. I made a pact with your mother, the Unbreakable Oath…" Draco's fury rose, his mother went all this way just to make sure that he did his job that the Dark Lord had given him. Draco shoved Snape's hands off of him.

"Then you'll have to break it." He said coldly, "I can do this by myself." Snape went on to lecture him about how he really did need his help in order to carry out his orders to the Dark Lord. He even dared to bring up that Draco's father was imprisoned. At that point Draco gave up trying to talk to Snape and he stormed out, nearly knocking the invisible and unnoticed Harry Potter down.

He stormed back to the Slytherin common room with Mrs. Norris at his heels to make sure he got there. Still in a foul mood he aimed a kick at her as he entered. He went over to Pansy Parkinson and she looked delighted to see him.

"Draco!" she cried out warmly as she looked like she really wanted to hug him.

"I need you to do something for me…" Draco told her as he stared into her eyes. He knew she liked him, so he could get her to do whatever he wanted. She nodded all too eagerly.

"I need you to order something for me from the joke shop…" he stopped himself, frowned and handed her a Galleon. He leaned in close to her ear and told her what he wanted. She looked at him.

"Why do you need that!" she exclaimed taking the Galleon.

"Don't ask okay? It's for something the Dark Lord told me to do…" Draco lied. Pansy rolled her eyes.

"The Dark Lord sure does work in mysterious ways." She muttered as she went to go find her owl. Draco watched her leave as he went back to his room and lay down on his bed again. He tried to sleep but found his mind filled with thoughts of Hermione. He smiled as he drifted off; pleased it was her he would dream of yet again.