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Part Two: 07

Classes had been back for a week now after the end of the Christmas holidays. Being early February, the sun was starting to poke through the clouds in the Scottish glens where the mystical castle lay, but the rain still dropped heavily from the clouds above now and then. It was rather warm though; the wind wasn't a cold wind this year, so the flowers were starting to bloom early on the Hogwarts grounds. A week from that day and a lover would see the day of love. Valentine's Day, so most of the girls of Hogwarts were running around campus trying to get the boy they liked to ask them out. It was only natural after all. Girls were said to be more emotional the men in some cases, so they were into the idea of love and being with one another.

Draco was walking around the lake kicking little stones into the water, all the while imagining it was some Gryffindor's head. Mainly Ron Weasley, the git should be taught a lesson in Draco's mind. The whole week since the rest of the school had returned to Hogwarts was filled with the git trying to get it on with Granger. Normally he wouldn't mind and say that Weasley was trading down, but the fizzy haired Mudblood was his Merlin Be Damned! The thought of the Weasel touching his property -omitting the fact said property had no idea yet- was highly disgusting. Sure Draco knew that could just be his jealousy talking, hell, it was his jealousy talking; but he wanted to brake Weasley's legs!

Though he had promise the Weaselette –whose given name evaded him- that he wouldn't harm her brother and had no intention too, and he had meant it; especially since it meant too much to Blaise. Regrettably Draco actually cared about the dark eyed Slytherin. He had no idea how or why, but it meant that he was going to be a good best friend, again regrettably. It meant he was missing out on all the fun of hexing the git; although it would work to his advantage. With his promise to Blaise and Weaselette in place, he couldn't do anything to Ron. Except a couple of insults, and with Draco not raising his wand at the filthy git Hermione would surely see he was making an effort to be nicer to her friends.

It was working too, a lame half-heart insult here, a lame nonchalant insult there and Granger was giving him strange looks. Watching him more in classes and Merlin Draco liked getting attention from her. He didn't know if it was because she was the only girl ever to insult him without him having to dump her first and because the Mudblood had punched him, or if it was because she was the only girl who never showed him the slightest bit of sexual attraction or attention. Merlin, maybe it was a combination of both? He didn't know all he knew was that whatever spell she had him under it was working. Though he figured her being a prissy little Gryffindor that she'd never do anything like love or lust spells and potions. That seemed more a Slytherin trait if he said so himself and not a very good idea in his plan of wooing the Gryffindor. She'd hex his balls off if she found out he'd put her under a spell or a potion, then her little bodyguard would try their hardest to copy afterwards and fail.

As he walked along the edge of the lake he snapped out of his thoughts once more and looked around. The rain was starting again, but Draco didn't mind getting wet. He savoured the cool little droplets against his molten skin, he was all riled up and he wondered if his face was as crimson with anger as it felt. He could see the trio playing at the edge of the lake up ahead and it just fuelled his anger even more. He wanted to be the one having fun with Granger, even Blaise got to hang out with Weaselette, it just wasn't fair! He was always painted as the bad guy when it was only half true. Even now as he wanted the Mudblood, he couldn't stop insulting her in his head or too her face. Draco only told it like it was he had told her years ago she had beaver teeth and she had the sense to take heed of his word and do something about it.

Walking up to the trio he kept the Malfoy smirk on his face. Hiding his anger behind his eyes he sauntered closer. "Oh my, what have we got here? Getting ready for a public orgy? Tut, tut, Miss Granger, those two I can see doing something like that. Potter probably has already with Parkinson from what I hear…"

"Get lost Malfoy!" Granger squared up to him, just like he knew she would. Like he said before, the other two were wimps. Liked to act tough in front of her to not feel emasculated, but really they were worse than a bunch of first year girls. He took in every detail about her as he watched her. He liked the way her nose twitched when she was angry, but only when she was angry at him. The hair could use a little more effort put into it and perhaps the girl could drop a few pounds around the middle, but other than that -if it weren't for her blood- she'd be perfect.

Draco just smirked and stared at her a moment longer before responding. His eyes flickered to Weasley who seemed to be walking towards them and his eyes flashed dangerously, warning him to not take another step further. Drawing his attention back to the hazel eyed girl his smirk grew. "I think you and I should talk Granger; preferably without your dim-witted lapdogs in attendance. I feel like one of them is going to come over and pee on you to mark territory. It's rather disgusting…"

"You are disgusting Malfoy!" The Mudblood had visibly blanched at the thought of his metaphor, but Draco didn't care, the sooner she saw how unhealthy it was hanging around with them all the better in his opinion. "Fine, you can have five minutes."

"Do you think that's wise 'Mione?" A voice came from behind the girl Draco had his gazed locked on, but it didn't take a genius to figure out it was the Boy-Wonder.

"This doesn't concern you Potter, why don't you go explain to Weasel there what you and Parkinson have been getting up to in the broom cupboard hmmm?" Draco laughed to himself as Weasel reddened and Potter paled, it was like Weasley was taking Potter's blood! Turning his attention back to Hermione she just nodded and began walking over to a secluded spot underneath a non-whomping willow tree.

Crossing her arms in front of her chest and turning to face him. Draco looked her up and down. It always amused him when he knew she meant business. "What do you want Malfoy? I don't have all day."

"I want you to go on a date with me."

"Ha! What makes you think I would do anything of the sort? You are constantly insulting my friends and me!"

"I don't mean to upset people, but I must speak my mind. For what's in my mind is far more interesting than what's outside my mind." Draco shrugged lightly. He had always been one for speaking his mind, he wasn't a liar and Granger knew that, he'd give the truth in any situation given the right question was asked. "I think you would do it because lately you're as curious about being with me as I am about you."

"You really think so?"

"Of course. That and if you don't go on at least one date with me. I'll tell everyone about Potter and Parkinson's store room fun. He'll be seen as a Slytherin lover and will be avoided just as much as when people thought he opened the Chamber of Secrets." Draco smirked and leaned himself against a tree slightly. "Though what if I promise to act like a good little Hufflepuff and not call you Mudblood for the whole date? Just one date to see how it goes? If it worked out great, if not we part and at the same time make a truce to stop insulting each other? Though Potter and Weasley won't count in that treaty."

He could hear the growl escaping her lips and knew he had won that round. Next would be proving to her that she wanted to remain with him. That would be the tricky part. But if it meant him locking her up in his dungeon back at the Malfoy Manor until she fell in love with him, at this point, he'd try it. "Fine one date Ferret. That's all I'm giving you."

"We'll see."

Quote number 98 is from The Shawshank Redemption if you hadn't guessed:-
''Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane. ''

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Ok just in case people are looking at this and think they've not seen anything new when it's been updated, it's because I was fixing some error's but other than that nothing has changed. Thank you =)

Love Alana
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