Author' Notes: LISTEN UP! Although I'm still playing around with different scenes for what'll happen next (bloodshed!), this might possibly be the second to the last chapter as I don't have much free time and I'm really looking forward to finishing a story. It really all depends on the feedback I receive so please review. Grazie.

HERMIONE

Argh, I've got the bloody painters in (no pun intended) and on a really important day indeed; and to think that I was actually looking forward to the Yule Ball. Note: Hermione Granger – looking forward to the Yule Ball, how creepy can that get? So anyway, I'm here in my room, looking listlessly at my dress robe I was so excited on getting and yet not being able to wear. Oh the torment of it all.

I can't even move from this uber-comfy sofa on the account of my stupid cramps. I can just imagine everyone down there having the time of their lives.

Damn. I am wallowing up in my sorrow.

Whatever, this thing can be fixed. Maybe I could find a spell that could stop this – this well, thing. Alright then, menstruation. I couldn't even tell Ginny yet she forced it out of me. I know that it's a normal thing for girls to get them on a monthly basis, but I wouldn't want people knowing that I have it right now do I? Besides, it'd be completely humiliating if any bloke knew about it. Even Ron and Harry and they are my best mates. Sigh.

"Hermione!" Draco's voice blasted out of my ring causing me to jump. It sounded as though he were in a rush as he was out of breath and all.

"Hi. Err... I'm really sorry I couldn't –"

"No matter, I don't care. I'm here right now in the Slytherin dormitories. I had to pick up another ring. Don't ask me why, I just did. Now how do I get to the Gryffindor dormitories from here?"

I quickly told him the directions, wretchedly giddy with excitement that he'd be coming here. Then I see my reflection on the window pane. Damn. I grab a brush from the nearby side table flatten my hair down and made it look as presentable as it will ever be and smooth some lippy on.

Not exactly a beauty but a vast improvement if I do say so myself. Even in my jimjams (though the bottom part is hidden beneath the covers), I'd say I looked pretty good.

Minutes later I hear Draco asking for the password. Goulash, I say.

"Oh ha, ha, very funny Granger," he says after a while. "The Fat Lady is giving me an evil glare right now, probably thinking I'm out to kill a Gryffindor. Not that that isn't a bad idea, but I just ran from the opposite side of this bleedin' palace, the least you could do is quit fooling around! Now what the bloody hell is the password?"

I roll my eyes. Smorgasbord, I say, telling him the real password. Then I hear footsteps coming closer. I smile to myself. Draco. The doorknob twists and I turn my head, I smile when a dashing blond, silver eyed guy entered.

My eyes widen, my smile gone and I am completely terrified. I clutch my covers tightly with my left hand; my other hand reaches under the covers and reaches for my wand.

He has a malicious smile and an evil glint in his eyes. His wand hand rose into position and twirls it around his fingers. "Tut-tut, I did give a warning about not meddling with people that need not to be meddled with, didn't I? But oh no, you insist on having you're way with everything. Having your way in schoolwork is fine with me, no harm there, none at all. But having your way, forcing yourself into a Malfoy's life? A trait I myself am actually impressed you have. But unfortunately for you, it won't do you any good."

"Malfoy," I spit out the name with pure hatred.

"Yes Ms Granger, we meet again. I have warned Draco time and time again that if indeed he really, oh God forbid, loves you, then he must leave you alone. For both your sakes. But no, you're too stubborn. You pushed my boy into doing something he ought not to do. And now you, my dear Hermione Granger, are going to pay dearly for what you have cost my family."

As he started to raise his wand, Draco came barging in and with eyes wide open, grabbed his wand from his robes and faced it against his own father.

DRACO

What the hell is my father doing here? Damn. I know he hates mudbloods really bad but come on, to break in to Hogwarts to kill one? Irrational.

"Hullo father," I greet him calmly.

"Ah, Draco… you've arrived just in time to witness this riff-raff's well, to put it mildly, passage to the afterlife, wherever that may be. One thing is for certain though, it wouldn't be here," Father told me with the same ounce of serenity in his tone.

"I don't think so, Lucius," I reply and quickly pull out my wand from my robes. "Not whilst I'm around."

"This little piece of filthy blooded witch has affected you in a way that you've changed into a whole new person, which I find un-bloody-acceptable. You're a Malfoy and Malfoy's go with mudbloods just as oil goes with water. Stop acting daft Draco!"

"Father, you're being irrational –"

"Me? I'm being irrational? Take a look around! We're in the Gryffindor dormitory, I hardly think that you voluntarily coming up here is such a rational thing to do," father said, his wand still pointing towards Hermione's direction. "Now if you still want to be around, I suggest you point that wand of yours elsewhere. God Draco! I did not raise you to fall into a mudblo-"

"That's just it father – you did not raise me. You were never there and never will be. Unless of course to meddle with my relationships and threaten to kill my friends. Some father you are."

"Oh so now this bitch turned you against me," father says softly and is now circling around Hermione like a vulture hunting down his prey. "Tut-tut, that just won't do. Crucio."

"No!" I scream. I see Hermione writhing and gasping out of pain. "Expelliarmus!"

Father's wand goes flying out of his hands and under one of the beds. Hurriedly, I rush over to Hermione and check to see if she's all right. She's still moaning in pain but she gives me a forced smile and assures me that she's okay.

"Rule number one in battle Draco, never turn your back on your opponent. It's a massive disadvantage."

I turn round and find my father holding his wand which is right now pointed at both of us. Uh oh…