Hermione

Breakfast the next morning was an awkward experience all around. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat together, Harry in between the two. Hermione said nothing to Ron. She was still too offended. It was not fair of him giving her so many mixed messages. He seemed to have given up on trying to figure out what her problem was and dug hungrily into his plate. This annoyed her even more.

"Ronald you think you could try and maybe leave some for the rest of the students?" she snapped cruelly.

"Oh now you have something to say to me!" Ron said back angrily but also taken aback.

"What else could I possibly say to you today?! I don't even know anymore!" she continued feeling now was as good a time as ever to get her feelings out. She couldn't hold it in any longer. Ron turned pale and still looked shell shocked as if he had no idea what she meant.

"What?" he proved his confusion.

"Honestly, do I have to spell it out for you? I saw you last night okay. I'm beyond tired of you messing with my mind Ronald!" she finished.

He stared intently at his food red as ever but didn't respond. Hermione couldn't stay another minute as she had already completely embarrassed herself with half of Gryffindor watching. She decided to head to the library and start early notes for her muggle studies class. When she reached the library however, there was no use trying to study. Her mind was racing. And surprisingly she wasn't as hung up on Ron's behaviour as she thought.

As a matter a fact she couldn't stop something else that happened last night from creeping into her thoughts. His lips so much softer than she expected, caressing her neck. Where did he get off having such a gentle touch? That arsehole! No she didn't want to think about this because no matter what she promised herself she wouldn't become one of his throwaway whores. She did despise the git after all! And what would Harry and Ron think? Well... Harry what would he think? Who gives a flying fuck what Ron thinks?!

'Ah this isn't getting me anywhere. It doesn't matter what they would think because this is about me and I would just never be used by him! I'm in a right state already. The last person I need to make it worse is Draco Malfoy. But even when she thought the name she had a new feeling a tingle in her spine. The same excitement she felt at his touch, a scary adrenaline rush. She didn't want to admit it but there was a part of her deep down that wanted to give her self to Malfoy. Play his game. Give him his every desire. Well that's just perfect my hormones are trying to betray me!

Draco

After the public display of events at breakfast that morning, Draco was considering his next move. He knew he had to give Granger some time to cool down after whatever it was that scum bag Weasley did to her this time. He decided to skive off class along with Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise Zabini, his companions in trouble making. They stayed back in the Slytherin common room waiting on Theodore Nott. Thanks to Nott, they had access to alcohol. Though by the brands they could tell he got it from Madam Rosmerta's in Hogsmeade, they were always curious how he managed to smuggle it in. He had a rather lucrative business going. He was even able to hide it for them when there was a possibility they were being inspected.

Either way they were grateful. Particularly Draco, as he paid up in exchange for his goods. They were in an isolated spot in the Slytherin common room trying to look as nonchalant as possible. And lucky for him he was a prefect so he was rarely harassed by anyone and he had his own room; perfect for them to get away with what they wanted.

"Lucky we have Nott, yeah?" Goyle grunted thickly as they all were gathered in Draco's quarters.

The room was decent sized. Smartly decorated by Draco himself, everything green and black. Draco lounged comfortably on his bed. Soft and covered in satin dark green sheets that were likely to be tousled any other time. Zabini was seated in a plush desk chair across from the bed while Crabbe and Goyle perched on the window sill next to it.

"Please Goyle hold off on any unnecessary commentary," Draco snarled.

He wasn't in the best of moods and he didn't know why. He knew he could take it out on Crabbe or Goyle though. Goyle said nothing more and occupied himself instead with his drink.

"So… shag any one interesting lately?" Blaise asked Draco bluntly.

"Hmm perhaps I have. What's it to you? Would you like a play by play of what it's like to fuck?"

Blaise was definitely counted among the good looking blokes of Slytherin house, but he kept more of a mysterious air and only the three other boys in the room knew he was still a virgin. This was a revelation that came due to a drunken night. Still otherwise Draco found him hard to read.

Blaise glared. "Shit, stop talking like that! You think I want the bloody world to know?"

"Well it's not my fault you have the V problem. Haven't you even found any good prospects?" Draco inquired.

Blaise shook his head quickly, his brown eyes avoiding Draco's grey ones. Draco ignored the awkward avoidance and continued.

"Well Pansy's still always up for grabs. Just let me know if you want her" he laughed callously.

"Ugh why must you always talk like that-" Blaise began but Draco interrupted.

"Oh don't start lecturing me again you sound like such a little girl when you do that! Once you use your cock for something other than pissing and wanking maybe we can talk. For now I say we get fucked up." He held his cup up in a gesture of cheers and drank before Blaise responded.

Crabbe and Goyle followed suit. He loved to feel the burn of the strong whiskey go down his throat. Blaise drank too but kept his eye on Draco not ready to leave it at that.

"So I have noticed you have your eye on Granger a lot lately. It's not possible she's your new conquest is it?"Draco smirked but said nothing. Blaise took this as confirmation.

"I knew it. Not the mudblood! Potter's best mate?! You are out of your mind"

"Ha obviously you haven't seen Granger lately. Those perfect perky tits she's got, not to mention a great arse. Seriously who could pass up a chance to shag that? Not to mention it would piss Potter off to no end" Draco smiled at the thought.

He could just imagine Potter's face if he caught them in the act. Scandalized, betrayed. 'Serves him right the wanna-be saint!'

Blaise interrupted his thoughts saying, "Well good luck, hope you use loads of protection because you don't want to catch any horrid irreversible disease. Maybe gloves even." he sneered. "On top of that I don't think she would be caught dead with you and she's well hung up on Weasley"

"Had I wanted your opinion, Zabini, I would have asked"

Hermione

She spent the majority of the day trying to avoid having any form of contact with Ron Weasley. This was difficult as he was in most of her classes and they usually sat together. She gave him as much space as possible. Though she felt bad not being able to sit with Harry on account of this. She figured he would be happier anyway. Not only was he closer mates with Ron but he couldn't stand listening to them argue and he was much more temperamental lately.

Of course she couldn't blame him after the past year and summer he had. She had expected it actually. Only it was much more difficult to deal with his sudden unexpected outbursts that began at Grimmauld place. At least this gave her some space from walking on eggshells with him. Her bad day did get better when they entered potions class and Malfoy was absent. She thanked the stars for her brilliant change in luck.

She spent the rest of the period trying not to let Snape's surly mood get her down as she attempted to mix her potion perfectly. This was O.W.L. year after all and she wanted to have everything down. After class ended Harry caught up to her quickly.

"Look Hermione how long are you gonna give Ron the cold shoulder for? He really feels bad I can tell. He's just sulking." Harry's green eyes held concern.

"Honestly Harry you wouldn't understand what happened between us and you probably don't want to hear it. I really just can't bring myself to talk to him right now."

"Yea it's just miserable when you two have a row…." She knew he must have been thinking of third year when they spent half the time not talking to each other.

"I'm sorry Harry-" she didn't finish her sentence as Ron was coming down the corridor towards them. She gave a little helpless smile to Harry as she made a quick escape. While she made her way back to the common room, she thought of the end of last year with Ron. She ran into him after leaving the hospital wing, visiting Harry, one night.

He was standing outside. Did she imagine it or did he just quickly wipe his eyes? "Alright Ron?" she said tentatively. "Oh hi……"he trailed off "Harry's doing okay, just sleeping mostly." She continued. He nodded. They stood in the empty corridor in silence for a moment. "Hermione…." He muttered. She looked up and he was looking away blushing crimson. "Well there really is something….." he trailed off again. Hermione's heart started pounding irrationally fast. She begged it inwardly to shut up. Then she moved boldly toward Ron and grabbed his hand. He looked at her shocked and blushing more if possible. "The Yule Ball…I didn't mean……" he muttered again looking down. She tilted his head up and looked into his blue eyes. Then suddenly he kissed her. It was so swift and sudden she wondered had it really happened. Before she had time to figure out the reality of it, Madam Pomfrey came bustling out the door. They practically flew apart. "You two ought to be in bed it's after hours." She stated sternly watching them. Hermione nodded toward her. By the time she turned around to leave Ron was already gone down the hall.

Presently she reached the common room and headed up to her room to grab her books for the library. She was not thrilled when she saw Lavender and Parvati on the way, gossiping. They didn't seem to notice her.

"Oh my goodness it was so worth it." Lavender was in gush mode. Hermione rolled her eyes as she continued to her prefect quarters.

"Sure, he may be a cheeky Slytherin prat but he sure knows how to please a girl if you know what I mean. I see now why they call him a sex god" she giggled sheepishly. Hermione stopped abruptly.

"Are you talking about Malfoy?" she couldn't help but interject out of surprise and disgust. Lavender and Parvati both turned to her looking equally surprised she had taken interest in their conversation. Lavender broke into a smile however.

"Yes. I know what you're thinking but you have no idea, Hermione. He can really put you under a spell. Oh those rock hard abs he has and quite a wicked tongue-"

"Stop. That is by far too much information." Hermione was in no mood to hear more about Malfoy's 'talents'. How many times would she have to put up with this crap? "Draco Malfoy is a despicable, rude, vulgar and disgusting wanker who thinks he can do and say whatever he wants to whomever he wants at anytime. He is entirely self impressed, self obsessed and evil. For goodness sake his father is a death eater, the prick!!"

Lavender and Parvati stared shocked at her outburst. She now felt slightly embarrassed by it but wouldn't take back a word. It was not as if they could deny it anyway. She continued to her room and grabbed her books. On the way back out she caught pieces of their whispered conversation.

"Wow she's uptight"

"Well why wouldn't she be? I'm sure she's never even been snogged."

Draco

Draco woke with a start. It was still dark out and when he checked the clock it was 3 am. He tried to recall what he spent the day doing but it was fuzzy and all that was clear was his vivid dream.

"What the fuck is alcohol for if it doesn't keep shit like that from getting into your dreams?" he cursed.

It played in his head now. His head was also throbbing. Then his stomach churned and he knew he had forgotten to drink the hangover potion. He just made it to the bathroom before he retched.

Hours later when the sun finally came out he wasn't in much better shape.

"Oh Dracooo" he heard the voice that induced vomiting for him even more.

"Pansy how the fuck did you get in here?" he shouted.

"Crabbe gave me the key" she smiled mischievously.

"Fucking cunt." Crabbe knew he wouldn't want Pansy of all people walking in on him. "Well give me the key and piss off" he ordered.

"Oh Draco, aren't we moody today. You look peaky…. Are you alright?"

"Oh what an observation, you win the prize Pansy." He drawled sarcastically. "I'm hung over so no, I'm not alright and my brain feels like it will explode the longer you stand there and scream at me. So since I didn't make this clear before, fuck off you whore." She looked hurt.

Finally he had gotten his desired reaction. She walked in on him in a crap mood so this is what she got. She still wasn't that easily put off. She remained there sitting on the end of his bed. He momentarily ignored her, still trying to get control of his insistent urge to vomit again. Did she honestly want him to shag her right now? She was far too desperate.

"Look I just came to see how you were doing….that's all" she mumbled as if she'd read his mind. "I'll go now…." She stood up and left the key behind on the bed.

He was not sorry to see her go. He couldn't think about pussy now unfortunately. He was too concerned he may retch up all his insides at the moment. Not to mention he still couldn't get his dream images out of his head. Probably because they were real images only sneaking their way into his dreams. He scowled at his bloody memories that resurfaced, even after he deliberately tried drowning them away.

'No it won't hurt' he heard the cursed voice in his head. His head still throbbed. He clenched his fists and tried thickly to deflect the pain by hitting himself. 'Just trust me I know what's good for you' the voice continued taunting him louder.

"Fuck it, fuck it, fuck it," he shouted trying to overpower the voice. It quieted for the moment thanks to his preoccupation with running to the bathroom once again. Never drinking again he thought. Then again he said it every time.