Chapter 2

"Granger, oh this will be an easy A," said Malfoy with that stupid smirk on his face. Anger boiled in my veins. All I wanted to do was to punch him like third year.

"You ferret, I'm warning you, you will be working, it's not all me. And you better be civil to me, or I'll be sure to remember to tell Professor Moody you said hi..." I chuckled.

"Okay, no need to get aggressive, Granger. Besides, Snape is my favourite teacher, I wouldn't want to cross him." his expression was blank, but I could tell he was scared by the mention of Moody. I smiled at the thought of that.

The class bell rang, before we could leave, Harry and Ron hurried to my side and looked angrily at Malfoy.

"If you try to do anything to her, upset her or threaten her, you will get murdered, by me." Ron said aggressively.

"Yeah, ferretface. Stay away from Hermione, or you get hurt." Harry gritted through his teeth.

"Oh, how nice. Potty and Weaselbee are standing up for that mudbl..."

He was interrupted by Ron-who was Harry was struggling to hold back.

"Don't call her that, you ferret," Ron yelled, "Lemme go, Harry, lemme kill him."

"Ron, Ron we'll get in trouble, it's-it's not worth it. HE is not worth it." I tried to calm Ron down. I glared at Malfoy.

"Come on, let's go."

As we started walking, I looked at Ron, his face was as red as his hair.

"Thanks for sticking up for me, but guys please don't get yourself into trouble."

"Hermione, that's what friends are for, and I'd love to have a showdown with Malfoy, I'm telling ya."

Friends...right...Of course he doesn't feel the same way. It doesn't matter, though, I thought. It's out friendship that matters, and I wouldn't want to lose it for the whole world.

"Hermione? Hermione are you listening?" asked Ron.

"Wha- I'm sorry, what?"

"Just make sure you tell us if Malfoy annoys you or anything, okay?"

"Okay, R-Ron, I really appreciate this but please don't get yourself into trouble, Hogwarts wouldn't be the same without my best friends." I grinned widely at both of them, right then, right there, I decided, no matter what, I won't lose his friendship with me, even if it means I'll stay alone forever.

"Hey guys, have you seen Dean?" Ginny ran up to us as we entered the Great Hall. As I expected, she turned very slightly red, by the sight of Harry. She'd been crushing on him since the first day. I told her to wait for him to come around, but I'm starting to loose hope, and gain it again. One day, Harry's mad at Cho, the other day, she's the best girl ever. And sometimes I want to slap him; honestly, can't you see she's falling for you? I guess it's like Ron and I's situation. What's wrong with boys? I thought.

"Nope, Gin. Sorry, but you're welcomed to join us after lunch we have a free period, you could join us." I was hoping maybe we'll be paired up, Ginny and Harry talking about Quidditch and Ron and I, well about something.

"Sorry, Hermione. I have a study date with Dean." I could feel that Ginny was second-thinking her plans.

Still determined to get her to join us, I asked again. "Well then come after, I think we can stay up a bit late since it's Friday," I smiled.

"Sure, okay then." she smiled and her red hair swung behind her as she ran to find Dean.

- Well that's our plan for the night, I guess.

- Ron, don't you like i...oww!

I had walked right into Malfoy, he had fell on the ground, and I was on top of him. The thought of me on top of Malfoy made me-literally- jump off him.

-Ewwww, Granger get off of me.

-YOU ran into me...

- Next time, watch where you're going.

- Watch it Malfoy.

- Shut it, Weaselbee.

- Harry, Ron, come on.

- Granger?

- What now Malfoy?

- In the Dungeons in your free period.

- W-why?

- To discuss the first potion we are making, why else? Granger, don't tell me you weren't listening to Snape in class. He said we have to meet before next class. Tomorrow I have Quidditch practice and on Sunday, I have a match, against Gryffindor, mind you. So today it is.

- And you never bothered to ask me when I was free?

- What could you possibly have, Granger?

- That's not the poi...

- 2:30, before I change my mind.

Then he walked off.

"Well, there goes all of our plans," said Ron. I could tell he was disappointed. "No, it doesn't have to," I said brightly, "I'll finish it as soon as I can." The sound of having bear Malfoy-even for another minute- was too much-the worst, mind you- but I could hang out with my friends later. Ron seemed happy that I could finish my meeting earlier, he was grinning all the way through lunch. Proud from my accomplishment, I ate more than usual, and I thought maybe, it won't be so bad after all.