Hi! I just wanted to thank all the reviewers, I'm really thankful. :) This story turned out to be a little longer than I expected at the beginning. I think there will be one or two more chapters! Oh, and thanks for pointing out some minor mistakes I made in the previous chapters. I corrected most of it now. So, read and enjoy and don't forget to review! :)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. chapter
When he woke up the next morning, Draco couldn't believe he actually had a nice conversation with Hermione last night. It bothered him that he told her so much about him. Maybe now she'll think they're friends. He decided he better take care of it quickly. A few rude comments about her and she'll hate him again. He didn't want to feel bad about it, but he did. He'll have to do something big, maybe embarrass her in front of the others.
Hermione woke up with a smile on her face. First, because she didn't feel any cramps and because she remembered what happened last night. She never expected to like Draco, but because of the conversation last night she started seeing him in a different light. He's not that annoying, perverted and self-centred. She discovered he actually had feelings. He could be nice if he wanted to. As she got up and gathered all the things she needed, she couldn't help herself but think what will happen now. Will he still be under the influences of the previous night or will he be his old self again?
She made her way toward the bathroom, slightly surprised that Draco was nowhere in sight. She knew he was already up, he was always the first to get up. At the same moment that Hermione closed the bathroom door, Draco walked out of his bedroom. There wasn't a trace of cuteness on his face as he walked to the sofa and sat down. He knew he needed to be rough to her, make her hate him again. If his father found out he was being nice to Muggles he would kill him. Well, not actually kill him, but maybe something worse. His father's opinion meant a lot to Draco and the last thing he wanted was to disappoint him. He sighed in frustration, preparing himself for the confrontation with Hermione. That almost made him laugh. He never prepared himself when he wanted to insult someone, it just came out naturally. He didn't know what was different now.
When she was done, Hermione opened the bathroom door and made her way to the bedroom, not even looking around.
"You're finally up, Mudblood."she heard Draco's voice.
She turned and looked at him. He was sitting on the sofa, already dressed up. His black clothes just made his blond hair and pale face look sexier. She remembered when he first decided to try on the Goth look and she laughed at him. But now she had to confess he looked really good. She raised her eyebrows and tried to sound annoyed:"You know I don't like it when you call me that, Malfoy."
"Since when do I care what you like or do not like?"he barked.
She was a little taken aback by his attitude, but she quickly composed herself, not letting him see she was a little surprised:"Got up on the wrong foot, have you?"
Draco grinned at her and it gave her chills.
His voice was cruel as he spoke:"You'll soon learn where your place is, Granger."
She crossed her arms on her chest and looked him straight into his eyes:"What is that supposed to mean?"
He got up and walked toward her. Although she wasn't afraid of him, she had to fight the reflex to just take a few steps back. He moved closer to her and she saw hate in his eyes.
"Filthy little Mudbloods don't deserve to go to the same school as Pure-bloods, yet alone share a common room with a Pure-blood. I think I'll threw myself off the Astronomy tower if I'll need to put up with you for a whole year."he said to her, then added with an innocent smile on his face:"I hope you're feeling better today. See you." With that he turned and walked away. Hermione was frozen in shock. Her eyes burned, but she waited until Draco walked out of the room, then she let herself cry. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. He's not worth it. He's not worth it. She kept saying in her head. No matter how much she wanted to convince herself he didn't hurt her feelings, she couldn't stop the tears. She felt betrayed. In her opinion betrayal was the worst thing that can happen to you. Nothing hurts more than when a person you trust, betrays you. Draco was nice to her last night and she opened her heart to him, letting him see the weak side of her and now he just laughed in her face. What is wrong with him? Was it all just an act?
She brushed away the tears and took a deep breath. Who was she kidding? She knew better than to trust a Malfoy.
Slowly she also walked out of the common room and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast.
As she appeared there, she couldn't help herself but to look at the Slytherin table. Draco was there, surrounded with his friends. Pansy was on his right side and he was talking to her, smiling. It looked like he was having a good time and Hermione couldn't explain to herself why she felt a little jealous at that.
" 'Mione!"she heard Harry's voice. Removing her gaze from Slytherins, she quickly walked to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Ron and Harry.
"Hi, guys."she quetly said.
"Where were you yesterday? We were so worried and we even went to Malfoy for answers."Harry explained as Ron just ate.
Hermione looked at Harry in shame:"You went to Malfoy?"
She was mentally preparing herself. She was positive that Draco told them every little embarrassing detail about why she left Potions and probably also made something up.
Harry rolled his eyes:"But that git didn't want to say anything."
She wasn't expecting that. Now she was completely sure about one thing. Draco was really complicated. Maybe he ate something yesterday and it made him temporary nice and decent and now the effects were wearing off.
She threw a glace to the Slytherin table and her eyes met with Draco's for just a second, then he looked away.
" 'Mione? Are you alright?"Ron asked, noticing her confusion.
She nodded:"I'm fine, really. Yesterday I wasn't feeling so well, so I decided not go to classes."
"Was he bothering you?"Harry asked and looked at Draco.
Hermione shook her head:"No, he was nic… I mean, I was in my room so we didn't really see each other."
Ron leaned closer to her:"He didn't want to tell us what's wrong with you, but he advised us to ask Ginny about it. What did he mean by that?"
Hermione smiled, but she tried to hide it:"No idea."
"Hey, why is he constantly looking over here?"Harry suddenly asked, annoyance showing in his voice.
Hermione quickly looked at Draco and this time he didn't look away. Their eyes met and Hermione couldn't find the force to remove her gaze from him. Something was in his look. It seemed like he was concentrating.
" 'Mione, don't lose your time with him."Harry suggested after noticing her eye battle with Draco.
Hermione agreed:"You're right, Harry. He's not worth it."she said, still looking at Draco. Then she raised her eyebrows and simply turned away from him.
Draco was sitting at Slytherin table, surrounded with Slytherins. Pansy was talking something to him and he was just pretending to listen to her. He kept looking at the Gryffindor table, observing Potter, Weasel and Granger. He was preparing his most evil look for her, but when their eyes met, he couldn't do anything. He was really trying to send her a look full of hate, but failed. Still, he couldn't find the strength to look away. Finally, after a few seconds Hermione turned her back to him and Draco could relax again.
"Don't you agree, Draco?"Pansy asked.
He nodded, not really paying attention to her:"Yeah, absolutely."
Pansy noticed something was wrong, but she didn't want to push it. She then started talking to other Slytherins and Draco was left to his thoughts again.
*
Finally it came. The thing that Hermione feared the most and hoped never to face it again.
Potions with Snape.
She slowly walked into the classroom, hiding herself behind Harry and Ron. She could already feel her cheeks blush. She kept her head down and made her way to her desk. As she sat down, she felt someone take a seat next to her. Turning around, she just rolled her eyes when she saw him.
"What do you want now, Malfoy?"she asked, keeping her tone calm yet demanding.
"We're working on a Swelling potion again. We have to be in pairs. Snape explained everything yesterday. Oh, right, you left because you had cramps."he said in a loud voice, while gathering his books.
She nerviously looked around:"Keep your voice down!"
He turned to her and grinned:"What's the matter? Are you ashamed of your…little problems?"
She could punch him at that moment. Just seeing the grin on his face again was enough for her to almost lose control. Maybe I should punch him. I can blame it on the hormones. She thought and almost decided to do it, but then changed her mind as Snape entered the classroom. He almost gave her a heart attack as he closed the door behind him. Hermione kept her head down and just hoped to be unnoticed.
"Silence."Snape ordered and everyone stopped talking.
"Since most of you were incapable to brew a swelling potion yesterday, I'm giving you another chance today. You know what page in the book it is. Start. Now.."Snape ordered in his usual cold voice, not showing any kind of emotion.
Hermione was looking down in her book, pretending to read. Draco knew she was just trying to hide from Snape and the embarrassing memory of yesterday's event. He was angry at himself for feeling a bit sorry for her. He clenched his fists in hate at himself.
Then he raised his hand:"Professor? We're having a small problem here."he said.
Hermione quickly turned to him:"What are you doing, Malfoy? Don't make him come here!"
He just smirked at her, hoping that would make her hate him even more. Snape slowly walked to their desk, throwing a glance at Hermione, but then he quickly moved his eyes to Draco.
"What seems to be the problem, Mr. Malfoy?"he asked, looking directly at him.
"Well, I already made the potion yesterday and as you remember I got it right."Draco started.
Snape looked at him carefully, noticing he was up to something:"Your point being?"
"Granger here was absent yesterday. You probably remember that too, Professor."Draco said and paused after that sentence.
Hermione felt like she was experiencing the previous day. Her cheeks blushed and she was completely red with anger and embarrassment. She was still looking down, hoping Malfoy would just shut up.
"Yes, I do remember, Mr. Malfoy. I still don't understand what are you trying to say. Is Miss Granger not feeling well today?"Snape asked and Hermione felt him staring at her. In the corner of her eyes she saw Draco trying not to smile. He was clearly enjoying this. And she was not willing to give him the pleasure of embarrassing her. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Snape. There was still mostly boredom on his face, but it seemed to her like he was a bit concerned. It took a lot of strength to make her voice sound strong:"I'm feeling fine, Professor. Malfoy just likes to make fun out of female problems and I think that's really childish and immature."
She could tell both Snape and Draco were surprised at her answer. Snape nodded:"Indeed. Five points from Slytherin."
Draco couldn't believe what was happening:"But, Professor.... What is the reason for that?"
"Let just say I don't like when students try to play me. Even if they're from Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy. And only I am allowed to 'make fun' out of students in this classroom. Now, do try and brew the potion." With that Snape just turned away and walked to his desk.
Hermione couldn't help but smile thriumphly at Draco:"I wasn't expecting that. But I guess you deserved it."
He just sent her a cold look and started gathering the ingredients. Though he was angry at himself and at Snape, he was satisfied with what happened. He made her uncomfortable in front of Snape and now she's gonna hate him again. Problem solved.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
