So... I had a bit of spare time so, here's a new chapter, I know it's a bit early but I know whoever follows this story probably appreciates it. As always, enjoy and review! :3


As midday drew near, Draco and Hermione bid Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy goodbye as they made their way back to Hogwarts via floo. Dusting out soot from their clothes, they clambered out of the fireplace in their dorms. Still tired from the night before, they went to their bedrooms and napped the evening away.

The next day, after Charms, Ginny caught up to Hermione, "So you and Malfoy, eh?"

"What?"

"It's all good. There's Luna, talk to you later. Bye Hermione!"

Draco sauntered over towards her and they began walking back together. Looking out through the nearby window, the sun was setting, casting the school grounds in a blood red hue.

"Hermione, you go back to the dorms, I'll pop into McGonagall's office and update her. See you later, yeah?"

"Okay."


As Hermione walked into the dorms, she felt an ominous presence lurking. She drew her wand and called into the darkened room, "Whose there?"

A faint chuckle was heard as Ron stepped out from the shadows.

"Ron? What are you doing here?" she asked as she lit the room up with a flick of her wand.

"So, that's why you rejected me? For that slimy git, Malfoy?"

"What? Draco?"

"Oh? So he's 'Draco' now? Since when have you been getting cozy with him?"

"What are you talking about Ron?"

"This," he stated simply as he threw a copy of the Daily Prophet at her feet. She picked it up uncertainly and was quite shocked to see a large picture of her and Malfoy on the front page. They were laughing happily on the balcony of the Malfoy Manor. Smaller pictures also littered the page; she was dancing with Lucius, being hugged by Narcissa and explaining her views on the impact of Transfiguration on the wizarding society to a few scholars. She began reading the article as Ron glared at her.

HERMIONE GRANGER: NEWEST MEMBER OF MALFOY FAMILY?

Over the weekend at the Malfoy Manor, was one of the largest and most highly anticipated events in the wizarding world; Narcissa Malfoy's birthday gala. Coming across an invite was considered a blessing that only few would ever receive, but this was not the case for the muggleborn witch, Hermione Granger. She donned a gorgeous creation made by Narcissa Malfoy's private seamstress (for more details on the dress she wore, see page 12 for the full article) to the event and was in the company of the noblest families, even being mentioned in Lucius Malfoy's speech. Sources say that Granger and the Malfoy heir have been spending a lot of time together and some even speculate that they may be secretly dating. During the course of the night, she was seen chatting amicably with Narcissa, sharing a dance with Lucius and being whisked away for a private conversation with Draco. They were both in very high spirits as they conversed and disappeared together moments after the beginning of Lucius' speech. Many noble families expressed their approval of this young witch and they unanimously voiced their happiness to the couple, hoping to see the wedding of the Malfoy heir and brains of the Golden Trio.

But what does Ronald Weasley have to say about that? Earlier this week, he was boasting of successfully courting Granger. But coworkers admit that it was a false statement issued from Harry Potter's right hand man. Students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry informed us that Granger had refused to be Weasley's girlfriend and effectively ended their friendship. See page 24 for the full statements of Auror's regarding Weasley's love life and pages 4, 23 and 32 for the love story of young Malfoy and Granger as told by the students at Hogwarts.

She folded the paper and sighed. It wasn't the first time the Prophet had made up stories like that. "Ron, this isn't what happened," she stated calmly.

"Sure it isn't," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Where's your boyfriend?"

"I don't have a boyfriend, Ronald."

"So what is he then? Your friend with benefits? Hermione, I expected better from you. Always the quiet one, always studying, always looking out for your friends-"

He stepped towards her; the smell of firewhiskey lingered on his breath.

"Ron, are you drunk?"

"I always thought you'd fawn over me forever. Who would have thought that nerdy Hermione Granger would become a Malfoy whore….."

A resounding slap echoed throughout the dorm. Hermione had smacked him across the face as hard as she possibly could. A faint red handprint could be seen forming on his face, a trickle of blood leaked out of the corner of his mouth. He looked shocked that Hermione had hit him. She was furious; electricity crackled throughout her hair as she spoke dangerously, "Ronald Weasley, how dare you speak to me like that. How dare you play with my feelings? Don't, for one second, think that I would ever want a chauvinistic pig such as yourself. You are going to leave here and never come back. And do not ever speak to or contact me again."

He drew himself up to his full height, "You hit me. You fucking bitch!" He raised his hand to hit her. In a heartbeat, Hermione braced herself. There was a loud thud and crash. She peeked through her fingers and saw a flash of platinum, towering over Ron. Draco stood menacingly in front of him, he sneered, "Going to hit a woman? You're even more pathetic than I thought, Weasley."

"What would you know?" he replied as he lunged toward Malfoy, earning another hard punch to the face, sending him sprawling across the floor. Malfoy walked up to him and pinned him to the wall. His grey eyes were cold and unforgiving; he looked at Ron and stated calmly, "Get the hell out of here. She doesn't want you, and for good reasons. If I ever find you here again, I will put you in St. Mungo's permanently."

Giving him the dirtiest look he could muster, Ron got up and limped towards the door. He looked at Hermione before exiting without a word. As soon as the door shut, Malfoy was at her side.

"Hermione? Are you alright? I should have never let you come back here alone."

"I'm a bit shaken up but I'm fine otherwise. It's okay, Draco. You don't have any reason to protect me."

He looked into her eyes and felt himself melt. He could see that she was trying to comprehend what had just happened through her chocolatey brown eyes. She was so innocent and untainted.

"Actually, Hermione, I do have a reason."

"What?"

"This."

He tilted her head upward slightly as he gently brushed his lips against hers. Feeling her stiffen, he pulled away reluctantly. She looked at him, noting that he had left himself completely vulnerable for her. He whispered, "I like you, Hermione."

She stared at him, completely shocked.

They stood in silence for a few moments. Malfoy used this opportunity to explain himself since he knew she would be analyzing it later.

"I know this a bad time to be telling you how I feel and I know that you'll need time to think about it, so I just want you to know that I have no intentions of playing with your feelings or interfering with your school work. I really do like you, Hermione. So whenever you figure out what you want to do; just let me know."

She nodded mutely and walked briskly to her room, leaving Malfoy standing alone with his heart in his hand. He picked up the fallen newspaper and began reading the article, wondering if he had just destroyed his chance of ever being with her.


I know it's a bit short, but I felt that it stood as a chapter on its own.

Review!