Hi Everyone! Sorry it's taken me so long to update, but I wanted to make sure I made as little grammatical and spelling errors as possible. Haha. Anyhow, hope you enjoy this chapter, please review!

Also, a big thanks go out to Jewelies, who is in the process of becoming my beta. :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to the world of Harry Potter. I own the plot and the SQI.

Chapter 9

Friday, February 20th, 1998

"Draco?" Hermione called to me from my bedroom. "What the hell are these?"

I froze. It had been three days since I received the photographs of me and Hermione and I hadn't told her about them. I had hoped to keep it that way. I had hidden them away so she wouldn't find them, but the tone of her voice scared me. Had she found them?

Slowly, I made my way out of our shared bathroom and into my bedroom to find Hermione sitting on my bed looking through a stack of papers.

"What's what?" I ask as innocently as possible.

"These pictures," she said simply.

What was going on here, how the hell had she found them?

"Erm, well," I hesitated, thinking of the best way to put it. Opting for the truth, I continue, "Someone owled them too me,"

"Someone?" Hermione repeated, giving me a confused look before turning back to the pictures. "These are some random pictures for just someone to send to you," she giggled.

"Excuse me?" I did not expect her to be happy about these photos. In fact, I expected her to be extremely upset.

"You haven't changed at all, have you?" she smiled again, turning around one of the photos for me to see.

Letting out a sigh of relief, which I didn't know I was holding, I walked over to sit beside her as I looked over her shoulders. She was looking at the baby photos my mother owled me. The Graduation Committee were collecting them for the commencement ceremony and I had received mine this morning along with some sweets and candies.

"You truly have been a little shit all your life, haven't you?" she asked laughing, holding up a photo for me to look at.

It was a picture of myself when I was about six or seven, standing in the bath, stark naked, holding up my fake wand with a classic smirk on my face.

"Oh god," I grumble, snatching the picture away from her. "I think you need to stop looking at those," I said, grabbing the rest of the photos from her.

Hermione sent me a small frown before looking back down at her lap.

"What's wrong?" I ask her.

"Nothing," she mumbled.

I instinctively put my arm around her and rubbed her shoulder. "You're a shitty liar, has anyone ever told you that?"

"Many times," she smiled sadly. "I'm just thinking about the end of the school year. It's going to be strange leaving Hogwarts. I'm still not sure what I want to do with my life, where I want to go to school at all that."

That's when it dawned on me. When school finished I might never see this wonderful girl again. Not unless we ended up getting involved seriously, or ended up going to the same university.

I had seriously come to care about Hermione Granger. If someone had told me this three weeks ago I would have smacked them fucking silly, but as it was, it's true. I liked the bushiness of her hair, the colour of her chocolate eyes, the way her nose turned up only the slightest bit.

"What are you thinking about?" Hermione's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Oh," I smirk. "A few things. Don't worry about it. Come on, I need to be in the Slytherin Common Room in ten minutes and you need to meet Potty and Weasel."

Hermione checked the time keeper on my nightstand and nodded. "I wish you'd stop calling them that," she voiced, standing up and stretching.

"Well, we all wish for a lot of things," I scowl at her. Calling her stupid friends by their proper names on a regular basis would be like me actually wanting to be around Pansy Parkinson for an extended period of time. "Besides, it's not like I'm their favourite person either," I remind her with a smirk. "In fact, I'm surprised they agreed to speak to you after brushed them off for me."

Hermione glared at me for a moment. "Well, like real friends do, they came around and realized that sometimes I need to be around different people. They respects my needs and my decisions, so, even though they loathe you, they are willing to look past that particular fact because they can see that I do indeed enjoy spending time with you. Although, I do not know why," she added with a scoff.

I raised an eyebrow at her and smirked. "It's my wit and charm, obviously. Now, let's go."

-.-

"Here, mate, have another one," Blaise said as he handed me another glass of firewhiskey.

"Cheers," I mutter, taking it down in one gulp. Looking back up, I see a look of horror cross Blaise's face as he looks over my shoulder. Turning to see what he's looking at, I find myself face to face with Pansy Parkinson.

"Hi Draco," she purrs.

Swallowing the lump of vomit that immediately formed in my throat, I smirk. "Pansy," is the only greeting I offer.

"Haven't seen you in a while," she states.

Well, no, probably because I'd rather be kissed by a dementor than hang around with her. Hogwarts is a big school, but the student population is made up of gossips. And Pansy is involved in at least eighty five percent of the gossip, and even then, that's only the sex gossip percentage. That doesn't include playing pranks on first years and what not.

"Well, you know, as Head Boy I get caught up in extra work," I shrug.

"You look like you could use a bit of stress relief," she smiles in what I presume she thinks is a seductive manner.

"Sorry?" I said, smirking.

"Some stress relief," she repeats. "You know, a massage, perhaps? A release of some sort," she winks.

"Thanks, but no thanks," I said, turning back to Blaise.

"I knew it! I told you Blaise!" Pansy shrieks.

"What are you on about?" Blaise asks her in a confused voice.

Pansy walks so she's standing beside us and can look at both of our faces clearly.

"I told you he was gay!"

"I am NOT gay, Pansy," I scoff at her.

"The lady doth protests too much, methinks," Pansy says in a sing song voice.

"Well, then why have there not been any scandalous rumours about him since last June!" she asked.

"Salazar, Pansy, really? Perhaps I've just decided to keep my escapades a little quieter because I don't see why the entire school needs to about my conquests. And quite frankly, it's just a little skanky if you do flaunt it, which is probably why ninety five percent of the student population thinks you are an easy little slut," I can see the sting in her eyes, but her face is emotionless, like a true Slytherin. "On top of that, I've never said yes to ANY of your advances, so why would this time around of me turning you down suddenly prove that I am gay? That makes no sense whatsoever, you idiot."

"Prove it," Pansy hisses.

"I believe I just gave you all the proof that you require. Now go fuck yourself," I hiss, turning my back to her and stalking away.

"This time last year you would be making a wager that you could get any girl you want," Pansy smirks.

"People change, Pansy. Leave me the hell alone," I continue to walk away, only sparing a glance over my shoulder and notice that Blaise is still stood beside Pansy.

I made it to the other side of the common room and sit down with Theo.

"Alright mate?" he asks as I fill up my tumbler.

"Yeah, fine. Parkinson is doing my nut in," I scowl.

"Oh yeah, I heard her going on about your homosexuality earlier. I gotta ask, is there any truth in that?"

"None whatsoever."

"Didn't think so," he smirked, his dark eyes lighting up with a strange glint. "Especially since the person you're interested in is far from being a male."

"Excuse me?" I said, slightly taken aback, letting my guard down for a moment. "What are you talking about?"

"Mate, you need to work on your subtlety. You and Granger have both been pretty much M.I.A. since the middle of that potions assignment. Don't get me wrong, I think she's great, but other people around here might not think so," he says warningly.

Sighing, I throw back my whiskey and allow the warming sensation to take over my body for a moment. "Who else knows?"

"I haven't said anything," he shrugs as he fills up our glasses.

"Keep it that way," I warn him as Blaise saunters over.

"Keep what that way?" he asks, sitting down.

"Did you really think I was gay?" I ask him, downing my drink again.

"Of course not, I just entertained the fact that she would attempt to seduce you and I knew you would say no since you've got -" he broke off, hesitantly glancing at Theo for a moment.

Drawing my wand, I cast a Muffliato and reluctantly motioned for Blaise to continue. He didn't say anything for a moment, giving me a curious look.

"Granger. He's got Granger in his sights," Theo piped up. Blaise nodded and filled his glass.

"Exactly. And why turn down a great chance at free entertainment?"

"Why indeed?" I mutter, filling my glass and downing it again in one go.

-.-

Couple hours later and I had gotten bored of the Slytherin banter and decided to leave early. Walking the cold corridors of the castle was enough to make me fancy a cuppa. Slowly, I began to manoeuvre my way to the kitchens, losing myself in my thoughts.

Three weeks ago today, I had been assigned as Hermione Granger's partner on a potion's project. A potion that we originally had no idea what it was meant to do. Well, at least I hadn't, but that's beside the point. I wasn't aware of what the potion did and unknowingly I began to look past my prejudices and notice Hermione Granger for the woman she truly was and not someone I believe to be inferior because their parents are not magically inclined.

Thinking about it, doesn't that make muggleborn a bit more special? I mean, why them? How are they given the gene of magic and not every other person around? I begin to wonder if there are studies going on about this and perhaps isolating the magical gene and finding out how it mutates into a muggle's body.

"Your eyes are so pretty, shame I can't see them at the moment," I hear a male voice say around the corner from where I'm standing.

"Erm, thanks," I hear a familiar female voice reply, seemingly hesitant.

"And your lips, they are beautiful. They look so inviting, like they were made for kissing," the male voice continued.

"Again, thanks," the girl said. "But look, I really have to be going; I'm sort of late for something."

I recognized that tone, it was Hermione! Listening a bit more intently, I listened as the guy that was with her tried to keep her there.

"No, I think you should stay for a bit. You know, I always thought you were incredibly beautiful. Even back in first year when your hair was all over the place and your teeth were too big for your mouth."

"Is that meant to be a compliment?" Hermione hissed. It was obvious she was getting impatient.

"Listen to me! I'm going to be with you tonight whether you like it or not. I'll fuck you until you're screaming my name," the guy hissed.

"Wha – OW!" Hermione yelled in pain.

"What's going on here?" I ask, taking a step around the corner to see a young man I'd never seen before with his arms gripping Hermione's shoulders. He had her pinned against the wall and Hermione had a blindfold on. Why did she have a blindfold on?

"None of your business; get lost," the man hissed.

"On the contrary, I'm head boy, and she's head girl. We're a team, so if something happens to her, I'm somewhat liable for it."

"Well, she's not going to be hurt, don't worry."

"You seem to be hurting her right now. What's your name, anyway?"

"Oh, Malfoy, you're a fool aren't you? I'm not going to tell you who I am," the man smirks. His shaggy brown hair falls into his dark eyes giving him an uncomfortable aura.

"I'm going to have to ask you to remove your hands from Hermione and step away from her. Are you even a student here?"

"Why do you care, Malfoy? I thought she was nothing but a filthy Mudblood to you?"

I couldn't control my next movement. My fist collided with the guy's jaw and then my other fist punched him in the stomach. I quickly grab Hermione and lead her away from the scene and continue my original path towards the kitchens.

We walk in silence for a moment before we reach the tapestry leading to the required corridor. Reaching the portrait of the fruit bowl, I reach out and tickle the pear before opening the portrait hold.

"Mister Malfoy! Miss Granger! Welcomes! Hows can wes help you? Oh dear, Mister Malfoy, you are aware that Miss Granger has a blindfold on?"

"Draco? Oh thank goodness, I thought it was him that was leading me away," she sighed in relief and reached up to untie the blindfold.

Anger boiled within me at the mention of Hermione's terroriser.

"Two cups of tea, milk and sugar on the side," I instruct the elf that greeted us. He looked slightly familiar, but I ignored that for now. "Who was that?" I ask through gritted teeth, turning to Hermione. "And why do you have a blindfold on?"

"I don't know who it was," she sighed, sitting on the nearest bench. "And I was wearing a blindfold because I was attempting to make it to the library, the Gryffindor common room and Great Hall without my sight."

"Why in Salazar's name were you doing that?"

"I don't remember. We had been drinking. I was just on my way to the Library. I had to start from the dungeons, that was Ginny's idea. Anyways, Ron and Harry bet that I could, and I refused to believe that I could, especially while under the influence of alcohol – oh thank you, Dobby," she stopped mid sentence to thank the elf as he delivered the tea I'd requested.

Dobby. Oh right, he used to be ours. And then Pothead had to go and free him.

Focus Draco, I tell myself.

"Continue."

"Hmm? Oh right, anyways, long story short, I bet Harry and Ron that I wasn't that well rehearsed with where everything was in the school, what with the staircases moving and such, so I attempted it. Then, as I said, I was on the way to the library and that guy came over and started talking to me," she shrugged.

"Started talking to you?" I hissed, outraged. "He was threatening to rape you."

"Yeah, and? I've gotten worse Draco. And it's not like I've never had sex before. Besides, I've been practising wandless magic since fourth year, quietly of course. I could have easily stunned him if I needed too," she shrugged.

Wandless magic. Hmm, well, suppose they don't call her the Brightest Witch of Our Age for nothing, do they?

"You're not a virgin?" the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. What was it about this girl that made my head go so weird around her?

Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow at me and shook her head. "No. I'm not. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a prude, Malfoy, I just don't tend to go around flaunting my sex life, like other people I know," she added.

Choosing to ignore that comment, for now at least, I went back to the point.

"Wandless magic, eh? Well then, good to know I didn't need to injure my perfect hands by punching the guy who was threatening to rape you,"

Hermione gave me a small smile, "I appreciate it, either way. Thank you."

Well, at least she'd thanked me, right. I can't deal with this right now. I need another drink. I think it's time to find the emergency bottle of Firewhiskey.

"You should go find Potter and Weasley, come on. I'll make sure you make it too them safely. Where were you meeting them?" I asked standing and using a tone that meant there would be no argument.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "The Great Hall."

I waited for Hermione to stand up before leading the way out of the kitchen and beginning towards the Great Hall.

"Draco, why are you so upset?" Hermione asked me after a moment of silence.

"Because."

"Because isn't a real answer. Answer me," she insisted.

Fuck, she could be such a pain in the ass sometimes.

"Let it go, Granger. I'm not in the mood," I scowl.

"Obviously," she rolled her eyes.

I never said that I couldn't be a dick sometimes.

-.-

A bottle and a half a bottle of firewhiskey later and I was allowing myself to swim in self pity when there was a tapping at the window signalling there was some post. Groaning inwardly, I stood on wobbly legs and went over to allow the owl into the room. It landed on the desk closest the window and stuck its leg out. I went and untied the envelope from the owl and the owl immediately flew out the window.

Turning over the envelope I notice that it's addressed to me so I open it immediately.

I squint trying to make the writing out through my drunken haze.

You'll pay for what you did to me, bastard.

Monday, February 23rd, 1998

I stayed in my room for most of the weekend. I hadn't spoken to Hermione and, although I didn't really want to, I had to keep it that way. Whoever it was that was threatening Hermione on Friday night knew there was something between us but I needed to prove him wrong without getting Hermione involved.

When I had awoke from my drunken stupor on Saturday morning, I realized that the handwriting on the note I received with the photos and on the note I'd received on Friday night matched exactly. So, now that I kind of know who it was, I needed to find out exactly who it was. I had gone through all of my yearbooks, I had requested to see the student profile cards from Madame Pince – strictly for academic purposes, you see – and I had even asked a few of the professors if they'd seen anyone matching the description from my memory. When they asked why, I simply explained that I was trying to decipher whether or not I had dreamt something. Most of them tried to question more but I would make some excuse up and leave them be.

However, my search came to no avail. No one knew who this mystery man was, and he was not recorded as a Hogwarts Student. So, the only thing I can think is that someone broke into the castle to terrorize our Head Girl. I mean, I thought this place was supposed to be safe?

Unless… Hmmm. Plausible. If someone in the castle was using a polyjuice potion to wreck havoc about the school. That certainly would explain a lot of things, wouldn't it?

Looking at my time keeper, I notice that it's time for me to leave, before Hermione wakes up in about three minutes. I quickly grab my bag and wand off my bed and quickly make my way into the common room.

"You're leaving a bit early, don't you think?"

I froze momentarily, allowing myself to collect my cool and turned on my heel to face her. There she was, leaning against the frame of her bedroom door, arms crossed and a particularly menacing look on her face, clouding her beautiful features.

"I need to speak to Professor Slughorn before breakfast, not that it's any of your concern, Granger."

If she was hurt, she didn't show it. Good, that would make this a whole lot easier on me. If I hurt her and she didn't show it then I wouldn't end up feeling guilty, right?

So why is it that I feel so much more attracted to her? Oh right, because she doesn't let that emotional crap show that often.

No, instead of showing hurt, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Oh? What about?"

"You're not my mother, Granger. Or my girlfriend, for that matter, I don't need to tell you every little thing that I do," I hissed, preparing to turn around and continue on my way out.

"I wasn't claiming to be either of those, Malfoy. I was simply inquiring because I was sent a memo yesterday saying that Professor Slughorn was ill and has gone home to stay with some family until he feels better in a couple of days. Or was that memo from Dumbledore himself a hoax?"

Fuck. Shit. Fuck shit. I forgot about that. Probably because I was too preoccupied with trying to find out whom the hell was blackmailing me.

"Oh, well, I suppose it'll have to wait then. But now that you mention it, I do need to speak to Dumbledore," I covered quickly, and spun even faster to ensure my escape.

At least she didn't try to stop me this time.

-.-

Since Slughorn was ill, all of his lessons had been redirected to the library and we had a three foot essay to write on the properties of Dragon Toeclaw. Normally, I would have easily written this essay in the hour and a half allotted, but my eyes kept making my way around the library wondering if one of these other students was the one making my life a living hell right now.

My eyes stopped on Hermione's figure. She was seated with her back to me and across the table were Potter and Weasley. Potter looked up at Hermione for a moment before he noticed me staring at their table. He gave me a funny look before I turned back to my work. However, a moment later, I found that I was looking in their direction again.

I watched as Potter stood and excused himself. He bee lined for my table and sat opposite me.

"By all means, Potty, take a seat and join me. Care for a cigar as well?" I drawled, leaning back in my chair, crossing my arms and eyeing up the Gryffindor in front of me.

"Cut the crap, Malfoy. I need to know what's going on," Potter hissed through clenched teeth.

"What crap? And whatever are you speaking of Potter? You really should lay off that muggle drug you've been taking. Marijuana, was it called? It can't be good for you," I smirked.

"Fuck, Malfoy. This is serious. Okay? Hermione told us what happened the other night and she's said that since then, you've hardly spoken two words to her," Potter crossed his arms as well.

"That's not true; we had a conversation this morning."

"You mean the one where you insulted her and acted like you were the king of the world? Yeah, I heard about it. Look, I wouldn't buy it if you tried to tell me you don't care about her, so save your precious breath and don't try. We both know you'd be lying," he shrugged before uncrossing his arms and pulling an envelope out of his pocket. Unfolding the envelope and taking the paper out of it. He put it on the table and pushed it across to me.

It was a photo of Potter and Weasley removing their invisibility cloak a few moments before apperating away from Hermione's parent's house.

Potter slid another one across the table, the same one that I had gotten of myself and Hermione walking down the street of the Muggle suburb towards Marks and Spencer.

Then he slid the note that came with them across the table.

I thought you and your sidekick were her best friends? So why is she with him and not you? Why did she send you away? Alas, the breakup of the Golden Trio is in the near future. Keep your eyes open, Potter. You never know what's around the corner.

"What does this mean?" Potter asked me.

"I don't know," I mumbled, looking them over again.

"Please tell me you received some as well?" he asked me.

I nodded slowly but didn't reply; trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

"Did Weasley get one of these as well?"

"Yes, but different pictures. In fact, Ron's has a completely different tone to it really. Whoever it was sent pictures of Ron and Hermione together last year when they had attempted to date. And the note read 'you're an idiot for letting the best girl you'll ever get, get away.' A bit weird, but what's normal about this situation, I suppose," he mused.

"Do you have an idea who it is?" I ask.

I watch, somewhat disappointed, as Potter shook his head. "I was hoping you would have an idea."

-.-

Potter and I went our separate ways after we made clear that this did not make us friends. Just temporary allies in a short battle. I still hadn't spoken to Hermione, but Potter and I had discussed that I was going to have to in order to get our plan to work.

Damn, I never thought I'd see the day when Potter and I would have a plan together.

"Hermione?" I knocked softly on her door later that night.

"It's open," I heard her call. I softly opened the door and popped my head in to see her lying down on her bed reading a book.

"Can I come in?" I asked.

"Are you finished with your hissy fit?"

"I do not have hissy fits."

Hermione rolled her eyes, standing up off her bed and crossing her arms defensively. "What do you want? You can't just treat me like shit for three days and expect everything to go back to normal."

Taking a deep breath, I collected my thoughts. I was going to hate myself for being a love struck kneazle later, but go big or go home, right? And in order for mine and Potter's plan to work, I needed to make up with Hermione. Not that I didn't want to, though. I was just a bit sceptical as to whether this would work or not.

"I'm sorry," I said sincerely. "I'm not good at this emotional thing, as you probably know, so just give me a chance to explain, please. The thing is that I've really come to care about you, and the other night when that guy was threatening you, I reacted in a way I'd never reacted before. Hell, I mean, I've never felt so… jealous or angry or well, anything as strongly as I felt when I saw he was hurting you. I know you're more than capable of taking care of yourself, but I've never been in a position like this and I think that if this is something that we want to get into, we need to think about it carefully because who knows what can happen. I mean, you're Gryffindor's Princess and I'm the Slytherin King. We come from two different worlds, and it sort of terrified me that my feelings for you were so strong after such a short period of time." I knew I lied with that bit, but one little white lie while I was telling the truth wasn't bad, right?

"Anyways," I continued. "I withdrew for a couple of days because of my foolish fear amongst other reasons, you know with N.E.W.T.s coming up and all of our University Applications are due this Friday and need to get those in and, wow, I'm rambling now. I'll shut up."

While I'd been talking, Hermione has sat on the edge of her bed, listening and processing what I'm saying. She was quiet for the longest minute of my life.

"I see where you're coming from. You're right, we were foolish to even get slightly involved," she nodded.

"What? No! That's not what I meant. I want to do this, I want to sit with you in the Great Hall and eat. I want to take soppy romantic walks around the lake that I'll hate but you'll probably love," I said hurriedly.

"Why?" she asked quizzically.

I shrugged. "Because I'm sick of fighting the chemical reaction that is obviously there between us."

Hermione contemplated this for a moment before standing once more and walking over so she was stood less than an inch from me. I looked down to see her looking up at me.

Leaning down, I captured her lips in a passionate kiss and wrapped one arm around her waist while the other hand grabbed a hold of her chestnut coloured locks.

Her lips were so soft and welcoming. There were explosions behind my eyelids as her tongue fought mine for domination and power. Her hands were wrapped around my neck and tightening slowly. I easily picked her up and she wrapped her legs around my waist, clinging on tightly. I walked us over to her settee, never breaking the kiss, and sat down so Hermione was straddled against me.

Hermione pulled back for a quick moment and looked at me. I was about to question her motives when suddenly, she took her top off, revealing her torso and bra. Her sun kissed skin was glowing as she leaned back in to kiss me. She started to undo my school tie when suddenly we heard voices from the common room.

"She's probably in her room, Harry – OH SHIT! What the fuck!"

I whipped my head around to see Weasel standing there. Fucking cockblock.

"Ron! What are you doing here?" she asked eyes wide as she tried to pull her shirt back on. She was still on my lap though.

"I'd ask you the same, although it's clearly obvious," Weasley snarled, sending me a death glare. I thought Hermione had said he accepted that we were friends?

"I'll just excuse myself, if you don't mind," I said with a smirk. I lifted Hermione off my lap and leaned in to give her a quick kiss. "Come find me when you're ready," I wink and stalk out of the room.

Hey, if Weasel was going to cock block me, then I can have some fun and rub it in that I'm with her and he's not, right?

-.-

Well then, I hope you enjoyed it! I personally enjoyed writing it! Please review, your review keep me going. I have half of the next chapter ready and I'm going to finish it on Tuesday, hopefully.

Review please!