Chapter 4

Hermione drew her wand faster than Pansy, even though she knew what was happening. Hermione pointed her wand straight at her and said angrily "You better leave before I curse that smug expression straight off your face" Pansy laughed but you could hear the slightest bit of terror erupt from her throat. "Perfect mudblood Granger, you wouldn't do anything to damage that perfect little record of yours. We both know that you enjoy being a disgusting teachers pet." Pansy's eyes widened as she glanced down at the wand Hermione held directly to the left of her throat. "And who is going to believe you over, what did you call me? Perfect Mudblood Granger." Hermione spoke in such a way that made Pansy take a step back.

Before Pansy could speak the door burst open and Blaise Zabini stood there horrostruck at what he had walked in on. "Pansy! What do you think you are doing?" Hermione hadn't lowered her wand, she only glanced in Zabini's direction long enough to make eye contact with him. "Me?! You don't see her wand at my throat?!" Her voice shook. Blaise walked over and grabbed a hold of Pansy's arm and drug her away from Hermione. "Professor Snape is looking for us. You shouldn't be wasting your time with her kind anyway. She isn't worth it." He threw Hermione a reproachful look. "Next time, he won't be here to protect you." Hermione said shrewdly. The girls both glared at each other but Blaise tugged on Pansy's arm. "Come on! We need to find Draco." He told her as they both left the room.

Hermione took a deep breathe and leaned against the desk nearest her. Draco quietly came out of the cupboard he had been hiding in, he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder but she shrugged him off. "Just go Draco, if Snape really is looking for you, then you better move along" Draco leaned in and kissed her quickly on the cheek and without another word he left. He trotted down the corridor to the staircase and descended swiftly to the dungeons.

Later that afternoon Draco, Pansy and Blaise strolled out to sit near the Black Lake. The snow which covered the ground earlier that morning had gone. The sky was a bright blue and the sun warmed the grounds. It wasn't typical weather for winter. The air was chilly as to be expected but it was bearable if you had a cloak and scarf on. The three of them perched themselves on a log that was sitting a few feet from the lake. There was a thin layer of ice covering and sometimes if you looked quickly you could see one the Giant Squids tentacles trying to break through the surface. Draco watched as Hermione, Potter and Weasley crossed the grounds towards Hagrid's hut. Part of him wished he could go too but the only person out of that bunch that he even liked was Hermione. "Oh look, it's the chosen one and his band of followers" Yelled Pansy across the grounds. "I bet Weasley finds that oaf's house nice in comparison to what he is used" Blasie called loudly in hopes that the trio would hear him. Sure enough, they had. Ron had stopped dead in his tracks and Harry hasn't noticed and walked straight into him. Ron pointed in their direction and turned to hastily walk over to the lake.

Draco wasn't in the mood to argue with Potter or Ron. He sometimes wished that his friends would learn to keep their traps shut and mind their own business. He loathed Potter most of all but occasionally the banter grew annoying. When Draco looked up, the three of them stood directly in front of him. He sighed deeply and looked to Blaise who was standing up. "Do you both just enjoy the sounds of your own voice or do you actually think you are clever?" It was Hermione who spoke breaking the intense silence. Her voice rang in Draco's ear and he tried to hide a smile that was slowly across his face. "Got nothing to say Malfoy?" Ron piped up. "I have no reason to waste my time on a blood traitor like yourself Weasley. Do us all a favor and just go away" Draco watched as Hermione's face turned a slight red. "Malfoy, you better watch it, I still haven't forgotten punching you in the face. My hand is twitching to have another go" She said softly. Her words didn't sound angry but he knew she was doing it so Ron and Harry would never catch on. "How dare you speak to me!" He spat. Ron pushed himself in front of Hermione as if to shield her. Little did he know, Draco would never dream of harming her.

Draco could see Hagrid emerging from his cabin and he knew Harry had see it too. "Come on Ron and Hermione. There is no point in hanging around here. All they are going to do is flex their muscles. They wouldn't dare do anything in front of a teacher." Harry tugged on both of their cloaks so they would follow. "As if you could call him a teacher" Pansy whispered just loud enough for Ron to here. Before he could make a remark Hermione was tugging on his elbow to keep him moving in the opposite direction.

"I'm tired of those three strutting about as if they own the place" Blaise said sitting back down between Pansy and Draco. "They'll get what's coming to them, you just wait Blaise. The Dark Lord has plans for Potter and I'm sure he won't let the mudblood and muggle lover off easy either" Pansy looked at Blaise meaningfully and sighed. "I just hope he does something soon. Those types of wizards just shouldn't exist. Salazar Slytherin was correct in saying that magic should stay in old wizarding families. I don't understand why he agreed to let that lot into the school."

Pansy and Blaise continued their conversation as Draco's mind wandered. What would happen if his parents ever discovered what he was doing? Surely mother would understand. His father, on the other hand, would definitely disown him, but would his mother allow that? It was as if a war was raging inside his head. He loved Hermione but he also loved his family. He knew that they would never accept him wanting to spend his life with a Muggle Born. His father was already hinting about 'nice' pureblood women that he should starting conversing with. Hermione was a witch. He never really understood why her ancestry should make a difference. If only his parents would throw that bit aside and tried to get to know her. Maybe they might feel differently.

Draco met Hermione later that afternoon, before dinner, in the library. He walked to the back closest to the Restricted Section where no one really went, especially on the weekends. When he saw her she was sitting crossed legged on the ground with several books spread out around her. He looked around quickly then leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "Hello Draco" She said sweetly as he reached up for a book titled 'The Lost Art of Potion Making'. He cracked the book open and took a seat next to her. Professor Snape had given out group projects so if anyone spotted them they would have that as an alibi. They sat quietly whispering in hushed tones for a little bit as the noise in the library died down. "Draco, I need to tell you something. I think you need to understand my history with Pansy." Draco looked at her, puzzled. He didn't know there was a history persay. He knew that the girls had disliked each other since first year but he never knew why.

Thank you for reading Chapter 4! I hope you have enjoyed it. Thank you for your reviews, they are always much appreciated.*