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Chapter 4:

Ignoring, Arguing and Making up!

(wink, wink)

The next morning at breakfast:

Oh my goodness! What have I done? I kissed Hermione Granger! How stupid can I be? Yes well I know that she is supposed to be my mate. And if we don't get married we will lose our wands. But I KISSED her! And this was not just a peck on the cheek like you give your aunt when leaving after a visit on holiday. Oh, NO! I couldn't be that slick. I had to bloody kiss her, on the lips!

Wait! Calm down Draco. Why are you so upset? Its not like she didn't kiss you back. In fact, it seemed she quite enjoyed it. What's really bothering you? It's not the fact that she's muggle born. You decided a long time ago that didn't matter. It's not because old 'Gonagally' caught you. You've been caught snogging before and never been this upset. So, no. That's not it.

And then it hit him why he was so upset. What would have happened if the professor/Head Mistress hadn't caught them. They were both so into kissing each other that neither heard nor saw her approaching. It wasn't until she cleared her throat that we even realized how into that kiss we were.

"I actually enjoyed kissing Granger!" What he thought he said to himself in his brain, actually came out of his mouth. And he was surrounded by Slytherins, in the middle of the Great Hall!

"What was that Malfoy? Did I hear you correctly? You can't be serious!" Theo never could keep his mouth shut when he heard something like this from anyone.

Draco turned and gave him the ole 'Malfoy' death-if-you-don't-shut-it-now look.

Theo put his hands up in defense and said, "Sorry mate. Just wasn't sure if I heard you right. Won't say anymore about it."

Draco replied sneering, "See that you don't."

Mean while.

Across the Great Hall at the Griffydor table, Hermione was having her own mental breakdown of what occurred just moments prior.

What the hell was he bloody thinking? First he puts his hands on me, kindly mind you. Then he invades my personal space! Then he, he- UGH, he kissed me. And then to beat it all. To make matters worse. We are caught SNOGGING in the middle of the Library by my own Head of House, favorite Professor, and the Head Mistress (all one person). What must she think of me? But what's odd, she didn't seem upset. Just said to keep our "extraciricular" activities from the open!

But what takes the cake in this situation is, that I, Hermione Granger, KISSED HIM BACK! What is wrong with me? IS there something in this match-making potion that does that? Makes my hormones just fall over him like that? I mean I don't even Like him, much less want to snog him!

Well I shouldn't go that far. It wasn't horrible. It wasn't even bad. It was actually quite enjoyable. UGH what is wrong with me?

"Hermione!" This brought her out of her thoughts.

"What Ronald!" She said back.

"Geez, 'Mione. What's wrong with you? He's been trying to talk to you for ten minutes now. But you just sat there in outer space, and then you look to be getting angry, and then you had a look of serenity on your face." This from Harry. "Are you okay?"

She shook her self internally. She had to break whatever spell had been cast. And it had to be a spell, she wouldn't act this way normally.

"I'm sorry Ron. I've just been really out of sorts, you know since the matching potion. If I seem distracted that's why. It's not like I needed this stress on top of all my other duties this year." She tried to sound calm but her voice was escalating.

Harry and Ron glanced at each other, and then back at Hermione. Both looking quite worried.

"Well, if you want to talk, we are here. You seem really distracted, and a slight bit tense. We are you best friends after all. So you should talk to us." Ron tried to say it so as not to get Hermione in an uproar.

She tried to smile reassuringly, "Thanks Ron, and you too Harry. I will try to talk with you both about it. But somethings a girl just can't talk about with boys."

With that she got up and left the Great Hall. They had class in twenty minutes and in all her haste this morning she forgot her bag next to her door in her room.

The day had been long and horrible and it was only half finished.

She still had the Prefects meeting in about a half hour. She was growing more and more nervous with each minute that ticked by. How would she act with Draco? How would he act with her? Should they pretend it didn't happen? This was just horrible.

Sitting in her favorite, secluded spot in the Library, trying to focus on her Ancient Runes II essay. It wasn't due until Monday, but everyone knows Hermione likes to get things done. A procrastinator she is not. She was a little surprised to see Ginny coming her way.

"Hey, 'Mione. I see your busy, but could I interrupt you for just a minute. I need some advice." Ginny seemed shy about whatever it was she wanted to talk about.

Then it hit Hermione. Ginny would have found out today whom she was matched with.

"Yes, Ginny. This isn't due for a few more days." She closed her books and stacked them neatly to show that Ginny would have her full attention.

Ginny sat in the chair closest to Hermione. "Well you- um- well we got our matches. And by now just about everyone here at Hogwarts knows who they have to marry."

Hermione just nodded her head. Letting Ginny know to continue.

"It's actually kind of shocking to know who some people got paired with." And she started naming off pairings.

Of course we know Ron and Pansy, Harry and Luna, Hermione and Draco.

"Neville is paired with Padma, Pavarti got matched to Theo Nott! Umm let's see, oh heres some funnies for you. Grabbe and Eloise, Goyle and Bulstrode." Ginny was laughing but it wasn't whole hearted like normal.

Hermione noticed she didn't mention her own match. "Um, Ginny, who did you get matched with?"

Ginny groaned and laid her forehead on the table. Her words were muffled and sounded like "Lazy Bini"

"Who?" Hermione asked.

Ginny sat up. Took a deep breath, and said more coherantly. "Blaise Zabini."

Hermione gasp. "OH my. Um, well. How are you feeling? I mean obviously upset, but well what are your thoughts?"

Hermione was indeed shocked. Why did so many of their Griffydors get matched with Slitherins?

Ginny looked pained. "Well honestly, I don't know what to think. He's just so quiet. He never really says much to anyone. I don't know how to approach him about it. I have absolutely no idea what to talk to him about."

"Ok. Well, trust me I know exactly how you are feeling. I mean I got matched with the most awful Slyterin there is. So we can work through this together." Hermione said matter-of-factly.

Ginny's tension seemed to loosen a bit.

Hermione glanced at the clock. "Oh shite. We have exactly two minutes to make it to the Great Hall for the Prefect meeting. Come on Ginny, we have to hurry."

So they hurried.

The meeting was horrid. Draco wouldn't participate. He sat there like a bump on a log, ignoring everyone and everything.

This of course infuriated Hermione, and by the time she had finished conducting the meeting she was beyond angry.

He got up to leave the Great Hall with his Slytherin buddies but Hermione stopped him.

"Draco, I need to speak with you for a moment please." She was trying hard to get hold of the anger boiling inside her. But her words still sounded like a demand instead of a request.

He said goodbye to his friends telling them he would catch up. Turning to her, "What Granger? You look mad. But then again I don't know why. So if you are going to give me hell, get it over with."

That did it. She let loose on him. "You little Ferret! What is your problem? Mine just happens to be that your an extremely stupid GIT who has no respect for their fellow classmates. Why didn't you help with the meeting? You aren't supposed to just show up and act like a lump of potatoes! You are supposed to imput something. Showing up is not enough!"

He had the nerve to look bored. "Are you quite finished Granger?"

"NO I AM NOT! You will take your responcibilites more serious. You cannot simply let me do all the DAMN WORK! I refuse. You will not shirk your duties, it simply isn't proper-"

He smirked. The arsehole smirked! "-UGH! I could just- I wish I could- UGH! Your an arsehole!"

"Thank you Granger, now if you are done screaming at me, I will let you know why I didn't imput anything as you said. You had things handled, I didn't see why I would interrupt your great leading of the meeting. Next time if I feel you have left anything out I will say something. Now should we discuss why you are really angry at me?"

She backed away, he was looking at her like a lion looks at a yummy gazelle.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." Hermione said barely above a whisper.

He raised an eyebrow. " Really? I think you do. Your upset because we were caught by your favorite mentor yesterday. Your upset because I touched you, invaded your personal bubble, and kissed you quite thoroughly."

Had he been reading her mind? Wasn't she just thinking that this morning.

He continued, "But what I think your most upset about is that you didn't hate it. Not only did you not hate it but you enjoyed it. I think you felt with me what you never felt with Krum or your precious Weasel. And it angers you because you don't know how to handle those feelings."

Hermione stood shocked to the core.

He advanced toward her. "Admit it. I'm right, aren't I?"

She just shook her head. She refused to admit he was right. Even if he was. She needed time to adjust to being physically attracted to him. He wasn't going to give it to her it seemed.

He was still advancing and she had backed up so far that she got stopped by the bench behind her. She thought about running but decided not to. Surely he wouldn't try that again, she thought to herself.

She was wrong.

He stopped just inches from her. His face was so close if she stuck her tongue out she would lick him. His body so close she could feel the warmth of his body heat. Hermione had to fight bringing her hands to his chest. She wanted to touch him. She wanted to feel direct contact with where that warmth was coming from.

He grinned then. Not a nasty Malfoy grin, but a genuine-knock-you-over-with-his-handsomeness grin. She didn't know what to do, or say. The world seemed to be shrinking away as she met Malfoy's gaze.

He leaned in a slight bit more to where his lips met hers. And the kiss began.

At first she she tried not to react. She tried to push away, but she just couldn't. It was better than yesterday. Softer, more tender.

She slowly started melting into him, giving herself over to the kiss.

He moved his hands from her shoulders down her arms to encircle her waist. She simultaneously moved her arms up to encircle his neck. Both pulling the other closer.

He licked her lips asking for entrance into her mouth, and unconsciously, she gave it.

He heard a moan then, but wasn't sure if it had escaped from her or himself. She tasted like hot chocolate and cinnamon.

She thought she was melting before. Oh no, now she was melting. He tasted of peppermint and icing. Odd combination, but it tasted heavenly.

Neither knew how long they stood there pressed into each others bodies. They just continued basking in the delicious taste of each other. Neither made a move to go farther, and neither pulled away. They just stood enjoying the moment. Albeit a heated moment.

"Ahem, Excuse me young ones."

They broke apart, both of the minds screaming "NOT AGAIN!"

This time it wasn't McGonagall that caught them. Nope this time it was Professor Slughorn.

"I know young love can be over-whelming. But please do try to refrain from such heated public displays of affection." He chuckled to himself. "The Head Mistress said that the two of you were caught in such a pose yesterday in the Library."

He had an I'm-oblivious-to-anything-terrible look on his face. and continued. "I suggest you find a better place for such 'meetings'." He chuckled to himself some more, turned on his heel and walked out of the Great Hall.

Draco stood there staring after the old professor. Kind of dumb-founded. Hermione stood in shock at how much she had enjoyed that kiss.

Neither said anything. Standing there with quite stupid looks on their faces. Draco recovered first.

"Um, well- Granger- I suggest we - well I don't- oh hell" and he stalked away. Stopped halfway to the entrance to the Great Hall. Remembering his things he turned around, walked back, picked them up. And continued back out the Great Hall.

Hermione stood there, still dumbfounded. What the hell?

Later that evening Hermione sat in the common room, working on her essay again. Waiting for Ginny to come in. Finally after waiting an hour, Ginny came in looking rather ticked off.

She stalked over to the chair across from where Hermione was seated, and plopped down, dropping her bag next to her. She sat seething for a moment. Hermione waited for her to speak and when she didn't, she decided to ask the younger girl what was bothering her.

"Ginny, do you want to tell me what's wrong?" Hermione asked softly. She knew that when Ginny got so mad she was silent it was never a good thing.

"Give me a minute 'Mione. I need to simmer down." Ginny said this through clenched teeth.

Whatever had upset her was bad. Hermione couldn't remember ever seeing her this upset. Anger and frustration rolled off Ginny in waves. So she just waited patiently for her to calm herself.

Finally after what seemed like forever. Ginny spoke.

"Thank you for being patient Hermione. But I don't even know where to begin." She sighed loudly.

Hermione looked her over, she could see Ginny was battling something. "I don't want to sould like I'm telling you what to do but why don't you start with who or what upset you."

Ginny nodded her head. "Its well- I went to- I tried to talk to Zabini. And he all but ignored that I was there."

"Oh." Hermione wasn't sure what to say. "Well um, why you tell me exactly what happened."

Ginny nodded, looked as though she was replaying it in her mind and then started speaking.

"Well, we were in the Great Hall, having dinner. When I saw that he got up to leave, I decided to follow him and see if maybe we could set up a time to get to know each other." She stopped talking.

Hermione just nodded her head, letting Ginny know to continue. She did.

"As we were exiting the Great hall, I said his name. He acted like he didn't hear me, so I said it a few more times. Getting louder each time. Finally I tugged on the sleeve of his shirt. He turned around, saw it was me. Sneered and ran off. It was horrible. There were quite a few people watching, and he treated me like I was, well diseased or something."

Hermione sat just staring open-mouthed. She wasn't sure what to say.

"Maybe you could ask Malfoy what his problem is." Ginny said.

Hermione scoffed at this. "I'm sorry Ginny, but what makes you think that I would get any information from Malfoy?"

Ginny looked at Hermoine like she had a wart on the end of her nose. "Why wouldn't he? The two of you are obviously on better terms then most students who got matched with other students. With the exception of a few here or there."

It was Hermione's turn to look at Ginny like she was crazy. "I'm sorry Ginny, but I'm afraid you are mistaken. Malfoy and I have hardly spoken to each other since the beginning of school. With the exception of our Head and Prefect meetings."

Ginny burst out laughing. "Not talking, eh? Have you seen today's Hogwarts School Paper?"

Hermione shook her head. "No I haven't. Most of it is the same news we get every year first week, so I didn't pay much attention."

Ginny took her copy out of her bag and shoved it under Hermione's hand. "Take it, and have a good look at the first page. And here you were making it out that you and Malfoy weren't getting along at all. He's so horrible were your words right."

Hermione took a moment to unfold the paper and then gasp.

There on the front page.. taking up the WHOLE front page, was a picture of her and Draco, in the library, in a very heated kiss! Who took this picture? Were they so enraptured in the kiss that they didn't notice their photo being taken? Hermione stared at herself wrapped in Draco's arms. They both looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. The caption below read 'Head Boy and Girl: Matched. And it looks like LOVE'

"OH MY!" it was a whisper that escaped Hermione.

"I figure if you are snogging him, you are talking to him." Ginny said snidely.

"Well you see, he catches me off guard. He initiates it. Usually after I have yelled at him." Hermione tried to make it sound innocent.

Ginny laughed but it wasn't a pleasant one. "Well maybe if you could do me a favor. Don't yell at him and have a conversation next time. I need to know how to approach my 'betrothed' and how to do so, that he doesn't look at me like I'm a bleeding leper.

With that Ginny grabbed her bag and went to her room amongst the sixth years.

Hermione sat, her head reeling, and her essay yet again forgotten.

Ok. folks thats chap.4. Please Reveiw! Thank you.