Hello. It's your author speaking. Just wondering how you like story so far. Like I said last chapter the plot will start to unravel in this chapter. You will learn the sides of Annette. She is in fact a little crazy, and Cory… what's up with him? Oh… and isn't it a little weird that a gay emo/ gothic kid is telling the cheerleader that their out fits need an update? Well… that will all be revealed in due time. Any other issues that you might need to clear up just send me a review and I'll try and respond. Now read and enjoy.
Hermione sat in front of her mirror examining her new look. Her long elbow length hair was now just below her shoulders. Instead of her knotted dark and dull brown she now had smooth straight rich honey, with copper highlights. She was much more relaxed after the massage and it showed. She looked like a carefree child instead of the stressed bookworm. She gazed at her smooth shining nails. Yes it was true she bit them, but now how could she harm them, they were too pretty to destroy. Her toes were the same with the exception of intricate designs on her big toes. She smiled once more in the mirror, raising her newly shaped brows and giggled. Malfoy was going to run out of insults soon.
Mean while…
"AVADA… Kadabra!" the green glow at the tip of her wand died. Voldemort cried out in frustration.
"You do that ever DAMNED TIME!" he screamed. "CRUCIO!"
She collapsed to the ground, a long shriek emitted through her lips then it turned into a strained laughter. He lifted the curse and glared at her.
"I must keep my strength for when I need it." She said breathing deeply as the curse wore off.
"You're right Annette. I shouldn't waist you." He said as he walked off. She licked the blood from her lips and smiled.
ooooOOOOoooo
The second day was the same as the last; Cory was in every single one of Hermione and Draco's classes, even Latin. Cory was walking with Hermione to her new locker while she got her books for her next class. She took a note of how handy this was and shut her locker with a slam.
"Its a sign I tell you!" cried Cory. "There is a reason that I am in every class with you! Come on Mi you gotta admit that there is a reason!"
"Yeah, some one wants me dead." She muttered. Cory ignored her, and stopped in the middle of the hallway. A few people yelled at him and told him to move his fat ass.
"You need my help getting a boy friend." He said throwing one arm into the air. "That's it!"
"Seriously is this punishment for killing that spider over the summer or something?" muttered Hermione her head tilted to the ceiling.
"Tell me, Mi, why am I standing in front of the homecoming banner?"
"Because you stopped walking." She responded.
"No silly, you need a date. And if it's this Friday, then we better get started…" he turned to her and smiled. "And you already have the looks down. Now we just need the attitude and the guy! Oh and the dress, but that can wait till Thursday." Hermione sighed.
"Fine, but you aren't going to force me to do anything that I don't want to!" Cory nodded.
"Agreed!" he said and shook her hand. The bell rang and Hermione squeaked.
"Damn it Cory! You made me late for class!" screamed Hermione.
"Correction! I made us late for class." He said running into the room with her.
ooooOOOOoooo
During lunch Hermione sat there gazing at her food while Cory went on and on about her social skills.
"You don't open up to people!" he complained. "You need to be more flirtatious! You have the spunk and intelligence, now you just need the girl ness!"
"He's right you know." Said Draco smirking from across the table. Hermione kicked him in the shin. "OW! What was that for?"
"For agreeing with the enemy." She said for the first time during lunch.
"Hey! I am not an enemy!" Cory yelled. Hermione rolled her eyes. "We need a practice round!" he declared gazing over to Draco.
"Oh no, I'm not going to be a pawn in your little game to get Granger a boyfriend!"
"I'll kiss you!" said Cory jumping up out of his chair.
"Okay, okay. Granger… would you be my, err, date?"
"No, no, all wrong. Come on Draco! Say it with feeling!" Draco glared at Cory but gave it one more try any way.
"Granger… would you like to be my… err date?" he asked.
"Oh good enough…" muttered Cory. Then he looked at Hermione, telling her tosay something.
"Oh, why thank you Malfoy. I'd be honored." She said in rather sarcastic tone.
"You would be wouldn't you?" said Malfoy as he stalked back to his chair.
"Your such a pig headed bastard." She muttered looking down at her plate.
"What was that Granger?" he asked looking up from his own.
"Nothing." She said getting up. "I'm leaving, I'm not hungry." She said and walked out of the lunchroom doors. Cory didn't fallow her; he knew she wanted to be alone. Draco, however, stood abruptly.
"I wouldn't go if I were you." Said Cory.
"And why not?" asked Draco crossing his arms.
"Because she's pissed. It's probably her time if you know what I mean, but if you just try and reason with her she'll bite your head off."
"I've known her for seven years, I think I can handle her." He said and walked out of the room to find Hermione. He didn't have to look far she was standing against the wall out side of the door, her head bowed and her shoulders shaking.
"Granger, come back to lunch." He said. She shook her head no, not ever looking up. "Come on Granger, I'll be nice?" he said, somewhat questioning himself. She didn't look up but she spoke.
"Am I really that hard to find attractive? Do I really need to practice?" she asked, her voice was hallow and depressing.
"Come on Granger, you know I'm supposed to hate you." He said smiling a little bit. She looked up and shook her head again.
"Not you, Cory! He's only known me for a day and he thinks that I cant get a guy because of my attitude and lack of girlishness! He thinks I need to practice!" she squealed. Draco saw the tears running down her face and realized that the spark in her eyes were gone, all that was left was defeat.
"Its not true." Said Draco, his voice soft. "you just don't try to get the guy, you make the guy come to you. It's admirable. Take Weasley for instance, he's been chasing after you like cat chases a mouse he just never catches you."
"But Ron cant be my date to homecoming…" she said.
"Well, I wasn't going to go cause you know I don't like muggles, and Annette scares me, and your-"
"A mudblood." She finished for him looking down again.
"Yeah… that." He said sadly. She nodded blankly.
"I understand. I think I wont go either."
"Go Granger, stun the crowd, and show the guys what they missed out on. It'll be your night to shine around the people you fit in with."
"I've never fit in with this crowd. Not at home, not here, and the only thing that's holding me in with the magic crowd is my fight with learning it all." She said, tears falling from her eyes again. Draco leaned against the wall next to her.
"Its you against the world…" he said. She nodded again and looked at the floor. The bell rang and she walked off leaving Draco to stare after her.
ooooOOOOoooo
"I have a plan to keep those two from falling in love."
"Good, tell me." Said Lucius.
"Get the girl a filthy muggle boyfriend. Draco will get pissed and hate her again!"
"Good. Draco and that mudblood will not have a future together." He said smiling at the boy.
"When do I get paid?" asked Cory.
"When I know you've seceded." Lucius spat.
ooooOOOOoooo
Well… short I know, but I'm hitting writers block. It's like a blood clot in the brain without the stroke. And thanks for the reviews, keep 'em coming please. Teaser?
"I'm sorry guys, I'm not up to school today, you'll have to ride the bus."
Oooooh… who said that do you wonder? Lol.
