Hey everyone, before you start on chapter 3, I would like to clarify something about the end of the last chapter. I know Hermione is very headstrong, so it may seem out of character for her to give in to Draco, however, she is also very protective of her friends and she does not want them to get hurt, that's why she regretted her actions and apologized to Draco.

Okay, with that, I thank you for reading, alerting and reviewing, now onwards to chapter 3!

"I'm… s-sorry… Please-"

"Please what, Granger?" Draco mocked, "Please don't destroy every single one of you pathetic lot? Every single one of you, mudbloods, bloodtraitors, you don't deserve my sympath-"

"How dare you talk to Hermione like that?" Everyone turned to Ron, who was emerging out of the crowd of DA students, his wand pointed directly at Draco.

Draco did not even flinch.

"Malfoy," Ron spat, bristling with anger, "We don't give a shit about your pureblood crap. You don't want to admit it, but everyone here, is better than you."

Draco face was unreadable for a moment, but then he suddenly smiled, a dangerous, devilish smile. "Well then, how about we make a deal? If you truly are the better wizards, I won't breathe a word about your little group to the High Inquisitor. If you aren't, everyone here gets expelled."

"And how do you suppose we decide that?" Ron asked in suspicion.

Draco's smiled widened. "Simple… A wizard's duel. One of you against me."

~line break~

There was a long silence in the room. A wizard's duel was to the death.

"Oh yes, "Malfoy added lightly, "We can't have a student dead, can we? I suppose loser is the first one to lose consciousness."

There was a collective sigh of relief. Not that anyone thought the school would allow for mysterious deaths among students, it was just that no one dared to underestimate Malfoy's cold-bloodedness when they were all at his mercy.

"So, who's up for it?" Malfoy challenged.

There was another long silence. No one really wanted to face Malfoy, especially with the whole future of the DA weighing on the outcome of that duel.

"I'll go."

Everyone turned to face Harry, who was looking directly at Malfoy in determination. Malfoy considered Harry for a second, and then suddenly shook his head in disapproval.

"No, I don't think so Potter," Malfoy said, "I'm tired of you always trying to be the hero. You make me sick." Then he scanned the faces of the DA and settled on the worried face of one Hermione Granger. "Granger," he announced, "I pick Granger. Let's see whether a mudblood can truly be better than me."

Hermione looked up in shock. Immediately Harry and Ron rushed to her side protectively.

"No Malfoy, that wasn't the deal." Harry stated simply, blocking Hermione from Malfoy's line of sight.

"I make the rules, Potter, "Malfoy replied, "Either your mudblood friend fights, or every single person here is expelled."

"I'll do it." Hermione declared bravely just as Harry and Ron were about to object. Everyone in the room either looked at her in awe and respect, or thought she was crazy.

Malfoy smirked and left the room, aware of everyone's eyes on his back.

~line break~

As soon as Malfoy left the room, everyone erupted into a flurry of conversation. Hermione was aware of people glancing at her from the corner of their eye's, whispering their frenzied guesses on the outcome of the duel, making comments about who was the better wizard.

"Oh Hermione, "Ginny said, "That was so brave of you. You're going to win for sure!"

Hermione smiled weakly and mumbled a tiny thanks. In front of her, Harry and Ron were pacing the room, muttering various obscenities and making crude comments about Malfoy. Ginny was practically glowing with admiration while Neville sat at her side guiltily, afraid to say a word about the horrid turn in events.

After a while, Ron came and sat on the floor beside her.

"Don't worry Hermione," Ron muttered unconvincingly, "You can do this. You aren't the smartest in our year for nothing." Hermione smiled at Ron's attempt to be encouraging, he seemed as though he was mainly trying to console himself.

She did not think Malfoy was that good a wizard. It was just that he grew up reading and learning about wizard duels, and probably knew all about them. She was the smartest witch in the year, but that was mainly through excelling in written tests. She could beat everyone in history, but could never produce as strong a patronus as Harry.

It was worrying knowing that so many people were dependant on her, and she was starting to feel genuinely scared for herself. Would they hate her if she lost? Did it matter? They would all get sent home anyway.

It was obvious what she had to do: practice, practice, practice. When the day of the duel came, she would definitely have to be ready.

"Everyone," Harry's voice interrupted her line of thoughts, "I know we are all worried. But I think we all know what a great witch Hermione is. I have no doubt that she will win that match for us. But for now, the DA is temporarily disbanded, all meetings are canceled and no more will be scheduled until the duel is over. We just cannot take any more risks."

I'm personally not very satisfied with this chapter :( I'll try to make the next one better. I know there is not Dramione yet, but rest assured, it'll come soon. I just needed a few chapters to establish the plot properly.

Please review! I really love to hear constructive feedback because it really motivates me to write more.