(a/n: Hi.

Thanks for the reviews, guys :D Motivation for me to update quicker. Er, please drop a line if you read this story – just whether you like it, or what about it you don't like, and critical feedback is always nice. I really want to improve my skills as a writer.
I do get a little annoyed when I see the people who have this story on alert or fav-ed but didn't take even a few seconds to say something.

Also, just so you all know, Ron/Hannah isn't a ship in this fic. They're just friends.
And, of course – I'm sorry I forgot in chapter one – thanks to my Beta, Rhye.
That be all. Enjoy!)

Chapter Two

- - -

Two people touching lips
Hands on each other's hips
Nothing else in the world but one another
The 42nd floor
On a distant shore
I wonder how we've strayed so far from this
Remember when we were
Just flesh and bone
You sir may have forgotten how good your world can be
So, put down your hollow tips
to kiss your lovers lips
And know that fate is what you make of it

- - -

Prefect duties, homework, and extra studying left Hermione with barely any time to think of Draco Malfoy's condition. She probably would have forgotten all about him by now if it weren't for the incessant gossip of him between girls all over the castle. It was well known that no girl had kissed him awake yet. Almost all the Slytherin girls in their year had kissed him, too.

And then there was how beautiful he had looked. He wouldn't leave her head, and she hated it. She closed her eyes and there he was, sleeping peacefully, looking like an angel who could seduce the devil. She had never wanted someone that much and it scared her.

If she were truthful with herself, she would've admitted it. But Hermione drowned herself in work, trying not to think of him. He'll go away soon… she rationalized. I'll stop thinking of him soon… And while that may have worked during the day, he still haunted her dreams.

It was only a week later on her way to charms that Hermione decided to see him again. A quick peek couldn't hurt. But she stood at the entrance to the room, ignoring the black clad figure of Pansy – who refused to leave Draco's side, and acted and dressed like a widow – and was left speechless.

He was just as beautiful as before – perhaps more, even. She watched him, completely entranced.

"…Miss Granger. Miss Granger!" An irritable Professor McGonagall snapped.

"Huh?" Hermione said, snapping out of her trance.

The older witch sighed, shaking her head slightly. "Go to class please."

Hermione nodded fervently, running away from that room as fast as she could, as if running away from it was running away from her feelings.

So caught up in everything, Hermione never noticed the angry jealous eyes of Blaise Zabini follow her as she ran out of sight. Skulking in the shadows, he sent one last angry glare towards the unconscious form of his best mate -who his current object of affection had been staring at longingly- and then stalked off to class.

- - -

Ron Weasley couldn't believe his luck when Hannah Abbott invited him to a Hufflepuff party. Okay, sure, it was Hufflepuff party, and therefore guaranteed to be boring, but still- it was him who got the invite for once, not Harry Potter. In fact, oddly enough, Hannah had asked him not to tell Harry about the party. He grinned to himself as he remembered her final words to him. "Oh, and Ron? Don't bring a date." She winked as she walked off.

Ron cast a not to subtle glance around the common room, then turned to Harry and Ginny, who were playing an intense game of wizard chess.

"Hey, erm, I was thinking I'd go to the library. And get out that book Hermione's been going on about lately." He said quickly, standing up.

Harry and Ginny stared at him like he'd grown a second head.

"You'd think if hell had frozen over it'd be in the Daily Prophet." Ginny told Harry, sounding half serious. Harry chuckled, still giving Ron a puzzled look.

"What?" Ron asked uncomfortably.

"Ron, you just said you were going to the library. Of your own free will. To get out Hogwarts: A history, a book Hermione's been going on about for years, not just lately." Ginny stated. "Are you feeling okay?"

"What, so I can't feel like reading once in a while?" Ron asked angrily.

"No, that's not what we mean mate. But when was the last time you actually read a book by choice?" Harry asked, holding up a hand to stop him when he opened his mouth to reply.

"Quidditch magazines don't count." He said, effectively shutting Ron up. "And if you're going to the library…" Harry looked him up and down, his eyes narrowing in confusion, "why are you wearing the clothes you always wear when we have a party?"

Ron laughed nervously, fiddling with the hem of his shirt as he slowly backing away from them towards the portrait entrance. "Ha HA! Harry mate, no idea what you're on about. Look, I'll see you guys later; I really want to get that book out! Ha ha! Bye guys!" Ron said near hysterically.

He turned and ran out the common room, nearly banging into some disgruntled first years. Harry turned to Ginny, a quizzical look on his face. Ginny shrugged in silent answer.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say he got invited to a party." Harry said, telling his pawn to go forward.

He and Ginny's eyes met. "Nah." They said simultaneously.

- - -

Meanwhile, Hermione was actually in the library, finishing her four-page essay on the uses of dragon's blood – two pages longer than necessary.

Out of habit she bit her bottom lip unconsciously as she wrote. "…There!" she exclaimed loudly, having finished it. She froze as she heard footsteps approaching her from behind, wincing at the thought of a lecture from Madam Pince.

She felt a hand snake around her waist and someone lean over her shoulder.

"The uses of Dragons blood… an essay not due for another three days." Blaise Zabini whispered in her ear. She scowled. She didn't need to see him to know he'd have an arrogant smirk on his face.

"Get off!" She said pushing him away and standing up. "What do you want, Zabini?" She turned to look at him defiantly.

He was smirking, too. His hair, as black as Harry's - only tidy – shined under the lights of the library, and his electric blue eyes pierced her brown ones. He leaned back casually against the bookshelf behind him, and Hermione wondered how he kept in shape – he didn't play Quidditch, yet he seemed thin – not skinny, an average build – with some well defined muscles.

"You're relatively intelligent. I'm sure you can guess." He replied, leering at her suggestively.

"Not interested." She said simply, turning and packing up her things. She was uncomfortably aware of his eyes watching her intently, but he remained silent.

She was beginning to think she'd be able to get out of there without any more comments from the sycophantic Slytherin, when his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"I saw you."

She froze. "Saw me what, Zabini?"

He advanced on her slowly, and she stood her ground warily. "Watching Draco. Didn't think you had a thing for him like every other bloody female at this school," he spat angrily, his calm mood rapidly changing.

She backed away from him, trying not to be intimidated. "I don't like him. He's a git. Just like you." She said pointedly.

"Really? They way you were looking at him would suggest otherwise. Unless you look at all 'gits' like they're a piece of meat you can't wait to devour. …No, that's not right." He paused, thoughtful, taking another step towards her, effectively trapping her between him and a bookcase, ignoring the 'thud' of her bag falling to the floor.

"You looked at him like he mattered. Like he was all that was good and perfect," he said maliciously, his hands on the bookcase either side of her head. "You never looked at me that way. Never."

"I doubt I looked at him like that," she said, her eyes narrowing. "But if I ever felt that way, why would it matter, Zabini? Why should you care enough to do- this? Corner me in the library?" She sneered uncharacteristically. "What would your snake friends say? What would Malfoy say?"

He looked hurt for a moment, but then his eyes darkened. "Listen to me." He grabbed her arms, looking into her eyes seriously. "I don't care about those guys. They can go to hell. I care about you. About us." He paused, as she looked away from him.

"Don't you care about me at all?" He asked softly. "Don't you remember what we went through?"

"If you mean the war," Hermione countered indignantly, "then what everyone went through."

"We were partners," he growled, pressing closer to her.

"I thought we had gotten past this. What happened to our agreement? Things go back to normal at Hogwarts, we don't mention the war, and you leave me alone." Hermione retaliated.

"The deal's off." He said simply, leaning in next to her ear. "I still feel the same way… and I'm not letting you go this time." He whispered. "No more excuses, Hermione. No more running."

She shivered as he said her name, memories running through her head vividly. "I told you Zabini, it never would have worked. My answer is the same as last time." She said indignantly, but sounding a little unsure.

His lips curled into a malevolent smirk. "Is that so princess?" He grinned, watching her squirm uncomfortably under his gaze.

"I know we couldn't be together last time because of the war, and that slut Angela…" He murmured, leaning in and trailing kisses up her neck, "but that was a spur-of-the-moment mistake. What's to stop us this time?"

"Me. My choices and my opinion." Hermione growled, flustered from his kisses and turning bright red, whilst trying to shove him off.

She felt him grin against her neck with another soft kiss. "Opinions change." He said simply. "And the war's over now. I have all the time in the world." He reached her jaw, placing light kisses along it towards her lips. "I'll get to you Granger." He grinned deviously. "I'll have you wanting me, I swear."

Hermione gasped, her breath caught in her throat as she caught the gleam in his eyes. He leaned in before she could move away, pecking her softly on the lips. "…Until then." He grinned, noticing how fast she was breathing. With one last look and a mocking bow, he turned and left.

She glared at his retreating figure, trying to calm down. Her heart was beating furiously, and she knew she was probably dark red by now.

"Stupid cocky Slytherin." She muttered.

- - -

Ron grinned as he accepted another drink from Hannah. "Thanks."

"It's got a bit of alcohol in it by the way. And no problem." She replied, smiling back. "So, I'm going to go find Terry – he's my date," she said blushing.

"Huh?" Ron asked, confused. Hadn't she asked him here as her date?

Hannah read his face and giggled. "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you- my friend asked me to ask you to come here as a favour. They really like you…"

"Really? Who is it?" Ron asked, intrigued.

"You'll see. They'll find you. They might be a little late though, so help yourself to punch, and – I don't know, talk I guess. Find me if you need anything."

Ron shrugged as she walked away, surveying the room. For a Hufflepuff party, it wasn't too bad. No where near as good as Gryffindor or Ravenclaw parties, of course, but still – not too bad.

The party had been set up in the room of requirement, and had required the password 'loyalty' to get in. It was quite dark inside, with only a few lights. Loud music came from everywhere in a very surround-sound way, and even though it was only nine at night, a group of about thirty Hufflepuff's had started dancing on the floor, while others had formed smaller groups around the place to drink and talk.

Ron downed the rest of his drink and gathered his courage, heading to the dance floor. Whoever wanted to meet him was going to be late anyway, so why not dance for a while?

He was just getting his groove on (fa/n: S urgh. Haha) when a pretty blonde Hufflepuff – Angela Daonia, whose reputation preceded her – joined him. With a seductive smile she danced up against him, and the feel of skin on skin made him shiver. Angela was wearing a short mini-skirt and a small purple top, the material thin.

Ron wondered if she was who Hannah had been talking about, but he was pretty sure they weren't friends. Angela was too much of a loose canon (not to mention a bit of a slut) for Hannah to accept her. Angela didn't mind, she thought Hannah needed to loosen up.

After a few more songs, Angela moved on to another guy in her house. Ron moved away from the crowd to get himself a drink.

He gulped down the punch greedily. He hadn't noticed how thirsty he had been.

"Sure hits the spot after all that dancing, doesn't it?" Someone chuckled next to him.

Ron spluttered, startled, nearly spilling the drink over himself. "Bloody hell!" He exclaimed, noticing Ernie Macmillan, a well-built hufflepuff, next to him, his usually tidy blonde hair in casual disarray that fell a little into his hazel eyes. Ernie leaned against the table, watching Ron cautiously. "When did you get here?"

Ernie laughed. "Sorry man, I didn't mean to scare you." He said, placing a friendly hand on Ron's back as he coughed. "I got here about ten minutes ago, but I just came over to you now."

"Uh-huh…" Ron nodded intelligently, the alcohol already affecting his brain.

"So… how's the party been? Pretty good, from the looks of you and Angela." Ernie said, his tone bitter.

Ron winced, realisation setting in.

He had noticed Ernie watching him lately. It had been a little bit creepy, and Ron had been wondering why. After all, even though he and Ernie were on talking terms, they weren't very good friends – saying hi in the corridors was as close as they got.

But all the staring, and standing uncomfortably close- and now, talking to him, even though they'd never really had a conversation that lasted more than a few sentences – Ron finally got it.

Ernie Macmillan liked Angela, resident Hufflepuff whore. And Ron was competition.

"Hey man," Ron said quickly, holding his hands up in an innocent gesture, "I'm sorry. I didn't realise you and Angela had a thing going on. Or that you had a thing for her. It's not my fault, though! She came up to me! And I'm not the only one- blimey, that girl works fast."

Ernie looked affronted and surprised. "What? I'm glad you won't go near her again, but - Ron, I think you've got the wrong idea-"

"No no, I'm really sorry. I won't go near Angela again; I get it, all yours!" Ron said quickly, only one thing processing through his thoughts: Can't get into a fight at the first party I've been invited to without Harry.

Ernie gave him a puzzled look, and Ron fidgeted nervously, reaching to down the rest of his drink. Ernie pulled it off him. "I think you've had enough to drink." He muttered, glaring at the floor.

Ron winced again, sensing his anger was because of him. "Look Ernie, I'm so-"

"No, don't apologise. I'm not mad cause of you. Just- Ron, did Hannah tell you who she had set you up with for this party?" Ernie asked, agitated.

Ron blinked once.

Twice.

A third time. "…No."

"Ok. Well, don't freak out or anything…" Ernie paused and looked at him. Ron nodded for him to continue.

"You see… I thought you were here for me. I thought Hannah had asked you to come here to meet me."

Ron blinked again. "…Muh?"

Ernie went bright red, babbling something about red-heads turning him on, and how he thought Ron was the best keeper in Quidditch, especially the way his shirt sometimes flew up and gave a good view of his very well toned stomach…

Ron cut him off with a shriek. "Wait, what?!"

Ernie straightened up, looking him in the eye. He glanced around uncomfortably, then launched himself at Ron, kissing him on the lips aggressively, pulling away before Ron could do anything.

Ernie smiled at him. "Hannah got you to come here to meet me." He winked suggestively, albeit nervously. "I've always had a thing for red-heads."

Ron looked at him in horror, and then turned to search the crowd, finding Hannah looking at him. She smiled when she noticed, waving.

"Is this some kind of sick Hufflepuff joke?" Ron asked with wide eyes.

"We're Hufflepuffs Ron, we don't do sick jokes." Ernie replied, hurt.

"Yeah? Well… well… I'm leaving. So there!" Ron yelled, stumbling to the door.

"Wait-"

"No! Stay away from me you freak!" Ron yelled at Ernie, guilt washing over him as he saw Ernie crumple into the epitome of sadness.

"Alright. I understand Ron, I won't touch you. Sorry." Ernie said unhappily, withdrawing his hand in mid air. He watched dejectedly as Ron ran from the room.

- - -

Ron walked uneasily down the corridor. Last night had been a bit of a blur for him, but when he remembered the details… he shuddered.

Ever since Percy had come out of the closet during the war, Ron had been homophobic. It wasn't that he hated gays or anything like that. Ron had always been afraid of being like Percy – stuck up, obnoxious, boring. He and his siblings couldn't figure out why. Bill and Charlie had been cool, Fred and George were funny, and he and Ginny were popular. So where had Percy had gone wrong?

In his bizarre and unfathomable mind, Ron Weasley had somehow deduced that being gay was why Percy was the way he is. And set on being not at all like Percy, Ron developed a fear and dislike of the gay community.

Poor Ernie.

In any case, the night before Ron had left his wand at the Hufflepuff party. He hadn't been able to tell Harry or Hermione, because that would lead to him having to explain his absence last night, and Hermione would probably scold him. Luckily for him, Hannah and Ernie had located his wand before the party got too out of control. They had owled him at breakfast that morning, and he was to meet Ernie at the library just after breakfast.

Ron sighed, running a hand through his fiery red hair. He felt a little guilty, remembering the dejected look on Ernie's face last night. 'I shouldn't have called him a freak…' Ron thought, wincing. He had been a little too harsh. Maybe he could apologise to Ernie today, straighten things out. Hmm…. How to say I think you're a great guy, but I just don't swing that way, no hard feelings – without being too blunt?

Ron walked a bit faster, seeing the library at the end of the corridor a few rooms down.

A hand appeared out of a doorway on Ron's right, grabbing his arm and pulling him into an empty classroom before he could do anything.

Theodore Nott, a lanky black haired Slytherin with dark misty green eyes, quickly shut the door behind them, grabbing Ron again and shoving him against the wall next to the door violently.

He grinned, pointing his wand at Ron. "Accio wand!"

Ron flinched, but nothing happened.

Nott tsked. "Not smart, Gryffindork. What are you doing wandering around wandless?"

Ron glared back. "What do you want, Nott?" He asked defiantly, shoving him away.

The tall Slytherin boy backed away, holding his hands up in a 'don't shoot' manner. "I've wanted to talk to you for a while now." He replied, his smile charming although smarmy.

Ron relaxed considerably, staying on his guard. "Alright then, hurry up."

Nott rolled his eyes. "Feisty, Weasel. Okay, I'll be blunt." He smirked deviously, taking a step towards Ron again.

He put his hand on the wall near Ron's head, grinning as he noticed Ron's eyes narrowing again. "I happen to have… a bit of a thing for red-heads." He chuckled as Ron's eyes widened comically.

Ron growled at him, grabbing his collar and pulling Nott's face close to his own. "Stay away from Ginny!"

Nott looked confused for a moment, and then laughed again. "Not what I meant, Weasley…"

Ron looked at him suspiciously. "Really?" He asked rhetorically.

Nott nodded. "I like red-heads – of the male variety."

Ron's face changed in a flash, from a scowl of anger, to look of realization, to a gasp of horror. "I-I think you've got me wrong," Ron replied nervously, chuckling and backing into the wall. "I don't swing that way."

Nott's grin was feral, and he stalked closer to Ron like a hunter to its prey. "That's ok, you don't have too." He said sardonically.

"Help!" Ron yelled, just before Nott lowered his head and kissed him hard on the lips.

Nott's breathing became ragged as he ran a hand through Ron's hair, effectively shutting the Gryffindor up with another harsh kiss, and then leaned in next to his ear. "No one will hear you scream, Weasley. You might as well shut up and enjoy it, because-"

The door burst open, and Ernie leapt into the room, finding Theodore Nott snogging Ron up against a wall. He looked from one boy to the other, a look of disbelief on his face. Ron grimaced uneasily, attempting to push Nott off him again. Nott regarded Ernie coolly. "Hufflepuff." He noticed, sounding disgusted. "Leave." He said, glaring at him.

Ernie replied with a glare of his own. "You bloody Slytherin prick! Get off him," he gestured to Ron – "NOW."

Nott sneered back at him. "Or you'll do what? Run along little boy, this doesn't concern you. Go back-"

"Expelliarmus!" Ernie yelled, disarming him. Nott yelled, starting towards him.

"Stupefy!" Ernie said, effectively knocking Nott unconscious. The Hufflepuff turned to Ron with narrowed eyes, grabbing his wrist and yanking him out of the room. "What were you thinking?!" Ernie yelled at Ron, dragging him along the corridor.

"Bloody hell, it wasn't me! I didn't-" Ron replied indignantly, offended.

"Whatever." Ernie interrupted indifferently.

In one fluid movement Ernie – who didn't look too strong compared to Ron's Quidditch built frame – grabbed Ron's wrist, leaned in, and kissed him hard on the mouth.

He pulled away, breathing heavily. "Here's your wand back." He said, tossing it to him. "I thought me going after you might be a little traumatising, or scare you or something." Ernie said, sounding bitter. "But now I've changed my mind. I don't give up. And now he's been stopped, I doubt Nott will either. So I guess its game on."

He spun around, walking in the direction of the Hufflepuff common room - leaving Ron befuddled in the hallway.

"See you around Ron. And don't be surprised when it's me you're dating this time next week." Ernie called back to him over his shoulder.

Ron watched the determined Hufflepuff with strangely Slytherin like qualities walk away.

'Maybe I should just walk around in full body armour.' Ron thought to himself, scowling. 'I never thought there would be a day I'd curse my irresistibleness.'

(a/n: Silly won-won. Anyways, review. Oh, and I wanna know what you all think of the ErnieXRonXTheo thing, if I should include more about them, or just leave it there. NOT going to be a threesome, by the way. And also, its just a background ship, so I wont write anything more explicit than what you've read above.)