Disclaimer: All characters and situations present in the work below are the property of JK Rowling and various publishers, including but not limited to Scholastic and Arthur A. Levine Books, Inc. Damn, we just can't sound like lawyers, can we?

A/N: It's been awhile, hasn't it? Sarah here. Sophia and I have been going to summer school (no, we didn't fail anything, we're trying to get ahead in school coughbecausewe'renerdscough), and have therefore been unable to write anything for the last couple of weeks. Also, I've been busy trying to get some of my other fics onto Fiction Alley (I was successful). We have therefore been busting our asses trying to get this next chapter out. Bow before us, peoples! Kidding. Okay, our sincerest thanks to Miss Piratess, Hunni07, Charles Weatherby, Yellow Brick Road, Icy Leo, and Tabitha78, and the reviewer who reviewed this morning but I can't access the review. You guys are the best! Important: Some people were confused as to why Ginny was present. I'm sorry for failing to clarify this before: Hermione is indeed a transfer student from Beauxbatons, but she transferred in her 6th Year. Therefore, Ginny is in 5th year, etc. Okay, enough of my blathering and on with the story!

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Chapter Three: In Which Hermione Receives Unwanted Attention

It was a beautiful night at Hogwarts by any standards. The moon shone brightly in the cloudless sky. The lake shone with the reflected moonlight, creating a soft, romantic glow. The night-blooming Carniolicum Lilies had opened, forming bold splashes of color among the greenery. All was beautiful, peaceful, and silent.

Well, it would have been if the Gryffindors weren't having an extremely raucous celebration at 3 AM.

Yes, indeed. Gryffindor had just won a very important match against Slytherin. Harry Potter had won the match by flying into the Top Box and plucking the Snitch from Professor Snape's hair, thus securing 150 points for Gryffindor, plus an extra 50 for catching the Snitch in such an interesting way. It had even been rumored that the Snitch had been glued to Snape's head via the awesome power of hair grease. Needless to say, the Gryffindors had all decided to have a 'little celebration.'

If one looked into the Common Room, one could see that even the most strait-laced of Gryffindors was having fun. Neville was dancing with Lavender on a table. Fred and George were juggling firecrackers, surrounded by a cheering crowd. Even Harry, normally reserved and quiet, was chatting up Ginny, while an oblivious Ron danced nearby. And where was our heroine during this fete?

Why, studying of course! Up in her dorm, Hermione hunched over her writing desk, poring over some particularly obscure ancient runes. Her dark hair was disheveled, and her eyes spoke of a sleepless night as she struggled to stay awake.

"Koryuu...eihwahz...ehwahz...ordea..." she muttered, searching through Decoding for the Centuries by Gwendolyn Harris. As she reached for her quill once more, she knocked over her inkbottle, turning her neat work into a sodden mess. "That's it! Enough!" she shouted, slamming her book shut vengefully and splattering ink all over the room. Sighing, she flung herself onto her bed.

"I should really get some sleep," she said aloud, gazing blearily at the bed's red-and-gold hangings. She lay quietly for some, enjoying a rare moment of peace. Soon, her thoughts inevitably turned to the God. Would he ever show more than a passing interest in her? Were his intentions more than merely friendly? Hermione snorted. 'Of course, I could always marry Ron. Mrs. Weasley would love that.' she thought, laughing at the improbability of the occurrence. She could never like Ron in that way, could she?

Before her thoughts could progress any further, a knock sounded on her door, and Ginny walked in. "Someone wants to see you, Hermione," she said, smirking. Hermione immediately snapped upright. "Really? Who?" she asked, trying unsuccessfully to sound casual. "I don't know. The Fat Lady wouldn't say," Ginny replied, shrugging her slim shoulders. "Now excuse me. Harry's waiting." She winked at Hermione and flounced out of the room. Hermione smiled inwardly. 'So Harry and Ginny are now a couple. What's Ron going to say?' she wondered.

Hermione started towards the Common Room, pulling on a robe as she walked. She weaved her way through the crowd, wincing at the increased levels of noise and confusion. She approached the Fat Lady. "I have a visitor?" she inquired. "Yes," the Fat Lady replied grumpily. "Woke me up from a nice nap, too. Unpleasant chap. Well, here he is." With that, the portrait began to slowly swing open, and Hermione watched with bated breath as it revealed the face of...Ernie MacMillan.

"Ernie! What are you doing here?" Hermione cried, trying hard to not show her disappointment. Ernie shuffled his feet, color flooding his pudgy face. "Can we talk about that outside?" he asked, looking nervously at the surrounding Gryffindors. Hermione sighed. 'Well, I could lose a few minutes of sleep time.' she thought. "Fine, Ernie." she replied, after some thought. "But we're staying right outside the portrait hole. I don't want to be punished for being outside the dorm after hours." Ernie nodded. Hermione climbed out of the Common Room and landed gracefully next to him.

"So, what did you wish to speak to me about?" she asked in her most polite tone of voice. Ernie straightened, his usual pomposity returning. "Hermione, you seem to be a decent girl, and you have caught my attention over the last few weeks," he began. Hermione nodded warily, not liking the direction the conversation was taking. "And?" she queried. "Well, I thought to myself, 'Ernie, that girl is something. You should grace her with your presence.' So, here I am!" he stated proudly, puffing out his chest. "So?" Hermione asked, unimpressed. Disconcerted by her lack of interest, Ernie stuttered, "W-w-well, I thought that you might like to go with me to Hogsmeade this weekend."

Hermione stared at him blankly. "What?" she asked, refusing to believe that he had actually made such a request. Ernie reddened further, until his face looked like a large tomato. "I asked you to go with me to Hogsmeade tomorrow." he repeated obstinately.

Desperately, Hermione considered her options. She could agree, but then she would have to suffer Ernie's company for a full day. Also, she would not be able to "accidentally" meet with the God. On the other hand, she could refuse, but she would be breaching the basic principles of etiquette, and Ernie would most likely hold a grudge against her from then onwards. Plus, it would just be plain mean.

That final thought decided her. "All right Ernie," she said resignedly. Ernie brightened. "Excellent," he said delightedly, "I'll meet you in the Great Hall at 10 o'clock." With those words, he marched off.

Hermione looked disconsolately at his retreating figure. "Well, the God probably wouldn't have asked me to go with him, anyways." she said sadly, and trudged upstairs to her room.

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The next day, Hermione cursed herself repeatedly for her unwise decision as she trudged towards The Three Broomsticks on a chilly October morning. Not only did Harry tease her mercilessly about her "date", Ginny had the gall to laugh about it until she cried! "At least Ron didn't laugh at me," she reflected, "In fact, he looked rather angry. Does he despise Ernie that much?"

She stared contemplatively at Ernie, wondering what he had ever done to Ron. Ernie noticed her look. "Do you like what you see?" he said in what he imagined to be a suave voice. Hermione gazed back at him haughtily. "I was wondering what to eat for lunch," she replied, and marched into The Three Broomsticks. After some awkward flirting with an amused Madam Rosmerta, Ernie led Hermione to an empty table in the corner of the bustling tavern.

A smiling waitress approached their table. "What do you want, luvs?" she asked cheerily. "I'll have a butterbeer. Hermione will just have water," Ernie commanded. Insulted, Hermione glared at him. "Butterbeers are very fattening my dear," he said condescendingly, "We don't want you to become fat, do we?" Seemingly oblivious to Hermione's outrage, he then launched into a lecture on Herbology.

By noon, Hermione felt ready to scream. For the last hour, Ernie had lectured non-stop. First he talked about Herbology, then the mating patterns of flobberworms, and then every other boring subject conceivable. He hadn't even let her get a word in edgewise! As he blathered on about the new law regarding the sale of magical iguanas, Hermione finally snapped.

"I find all of this very fascinating, Ernie, but why exactly did you bring me here if you just meant to instruct me about flobberworms?" she asked, gritting her teeth in irritation. Unfortunately, her comment did not have the intended effect. Ernie only straightened up in his seat, laid his moist, sweaty hand over hers, and solemnly informed her, "Why, I've intended to make you my girlfriend, Hermione."

Hermione tried very hard to keep a straight face, but still burst out laughing. Ernie puffed up in indignation, "Why, Hermione, I should tell you that I am a very good catch indeed!" he informed her.

Hermione finally calmed down. "Ernie," she said gently, "I really don't think that we go well together. Thanks for the drink. Perhaps I should be off, now?" Ernie only looked more affronted, "Do you have your cap set at someone else?" he thundered. Then, his face took on a conniving look that did not suit him at all. "It's Draco Malfoy, isn't it? Admit it!"

Hermione didn't reply, but she was mortified to feel a blush creeping up her face. "Why would Draco ever bother with someone like you?" Ernie sneered, "He comes from one of the richest, oldest families in the wizarding world, and you're just a little Mudblood!"

For Hermione, that was the final straw. Standing abruptly, she slapped Ernie across the face with all her strength. Ignoring his outraged gasping, she walked out of the pub with as much dignity as she could muster. As she left The Three Broomsticks, every woman in the establishment burst into applause.

Once outside, she collapsed onto a bench and tried to compose herself, her breath coming in quick gasps. Soon, she heard soft footsteps coming up from behind her. She stood up to face the intruder, "Ernie, just go aw..." Her voice faded as she realized who the intruder was. Standing before her was the God, in all his golden glory.

A blush stained her cheeks for the second time that evening. "Draco, I-I-I'm sorry, I thought you were Ernie," she said quickly, unable to meet his gaze. "What did he do to you?" Draco asked, concern apparent in his voice. "I was with Ernie...he called me a Mudblood..." she stopped, ashamed to feel tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

Draco smirked. "Well, then, you're free to come with we to lunch!" he cried taking her hand and leading her to a nearby expensive-looking restaurant. Hermione's gloom was immediately gone as she nearly trembled with excitement.

Hermione found the dining experience at "La Cenerentola" to be absolutely blissful. The place practically screamed class and luxury. Draco ordered fettuccine for both of them, as well as a bottle of the finest wine in the establishment. True, they ate in silence, something that Hermione was unused to. However, Hermione knew that it was because Draco wanted her to enjoy the lovely atmosphere of the place. In fact, he even ordered one of the place's enchanted violins to come and play for her. She was convinced that Draco was the perfect man for her.

As the hovering violin finished the last few strains of the music, Hermione applauded enthusiastically. Then, Draco leaned over the little table and took her hand. "Hermione," he said, looking meltingly into her eyes, "I've been wanting to ask you this for a long time."

"What is it, Draco?" she breathed. "Hermione," Draco repeated, gazing at her soulfully, "will you go out with me...exclusively?"

"Yes!" Hermione cried, and kissed him on his Godly mouth, right in front of everyone in the crowded restaurant. It is unlikely that she noticed his wince at her behavior, either.

-TBC-

A/N: Ah, don't you love the smell of OOC!Draco/Hr in the morning? You don't? Good, because neither do I. Don't worry pets; the D/Hr will be all over soon. Until then, please review!

Much love,
Sarah