Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Harry Potter. Got it?

A/N: Hey here's the new chapter! I'm trying to progress the story at a decent pace, hope it's working. Enjoy!

Chapter Nine

Draco's POV

All through classes that day, Granger thoroughly avoided Draco. She seemed to be locked up in her room all evening, too. He understood, somewhat. He knew he had hurt her in the common room that night Weasley got kicked out. He probably shattered any trust she had been gaining for him with that one line, "Can't stand to be in the same room with a muggleborn for that long".

And he tried to make it up, he did. He complimented her looks in the bathroom for Merlin's sake!

Shouldn't that tell her he didn't think she was disgusting or below him in any way?

For the first time in all his memory, Draco realized that he did not understand women. He's been with them, yes, more times than he can count, actually. But understanding them? He understood women about as much as he understood how "electricity" worked. He needed advice. He needed help.

Making a rash decision, he went to the only person he could think of to help him.

Down in the dungeons, Draco tentatively knocked on Professor Snape's door.

"Enter."

Cautiously opening the door, Draco stepped into the cold dark office of the only Slytherin who did not act like he was infected with the plague.

"Mr. Malfoy. To what do I owe this rare pleasure?" Snape was at his desk, a copy of The Daily Prophet on his desk. He looked up to where Draco was standing. "Please, have a seat."

Draco sat in the chair in front of the desk. He wasn't sure how to approach the topic he had in mind, so he started explaining himself.

"I'm sorry to bother you tonight, Sir, but seeing as you're the only Slytherin who doesn't avoid me like death, I didn't have anybody else to turn to." Draco looked up through his hair to Snape's face.

"Yes, I've noticed that your old posse doesn't tail you everywhere you go anymore," Snape said, with just a hint of contempt. "I've also might have heard the reason to that. But don't worry, Mr. Malfoy, I do not judge you for voicing your opinions on the whereabouts of the former Dark Lord. Might I even go as far to say that I agree with your standing on the issue; however, I do seem to be more subtle about it." Snape gave him a pointed look before continuing. "But enough of that. Now, why is it you have come to see me?"

Draco, still unsure of how to state it, forged ahead. "Well, Sir, again, uh, since I haven't gotten anymore friends, I decided that you would be the best to turn to about this. And it's kind of imperative—"

"Oh, just spit it out already, boy!" Snape barked.

"What do you know about wooing women?"

A heavy silence filled the small office. The two men just looked at each other, one face full of discomfiture, the other full of utter shock. It took a good three full minutes before anything was said.

"And why do you believe I am the expert at this topic?" Snape asked, sounding almost as if he's going to regret asking.

"Well, like I said. I don't have any friends, and I know you outside of Hogwarts, so I know that you've had girlfriends, and you've must've done something they like, otherwise they wouldn't have kept you around—"

"Enough!" Snape yelled, a tinge of blush rising in his pale cheeks. Draco knew what his phrasing sounded like, but he dare not speak to take it back. Snape looked at Draco, evaluating him. Finally, he spoke.

"I do not dare ask why you are inquiring about this topic because, quite frankly, I do not want to know. However, I know a young man in a pickle when I see one. So, you want to know how to woo a lady?"

All Draco could do was nod.

"You want to sweep her off her feet and charm her until she gushes and proclaims herself to be yours and only yours?"

Nod.

"Well, first things first. Find out what she likes. If she likes reading, buy her a book you know she doesn't own but wants to. If she likes music, serenade her with her favorite song. If she likes dancing, buy a pair of dancing shoes and start taking lessons until you can do the fucking Riverdance. Got it?"

Draco, with a bewildered look on his features, nodded slowly.

"The key to becoming engrained in her thoughts is to take an interest in her interests, and show her you are interested in them too. And by all means, do not fake an interest. Sooner or later, she is going to be able to tell, and unless you genuinely like something she does, she's going to label you a liar and that, my friend, is not something you want to be labeled as."

Draco, stunned into immobilization, sat in his chair, wondering if he really had expected such a serious answer from the professor. No matter, he got what he had come here for.

"Uh, thanks so much, Professor. That makes a lot of sense. I'll, uh, be sure to, uh, do that." And with that, Draco rose from his seat and headed for the exit.

"Oh, and one more thing, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco stopped with his hand on the knob and turned around.

"Do not, and I mean NOT, attempt to bed her for at least a few months. Unless she is that kind of girl, she will think you a gentleman for it." Snape then nodded at Draco and went back to reading the Prophet.

Feeling sick to his stomach, Draco exited the office and all but ran up the corridor.

Not exactly the best idea I've ever had, but helpful, nonetheless. With an idea already forming in his mind, he headed toward the library.

Hermione's POV

Hermione awoke a bit groggy from sleeping. She was lying in her bed with her Ancient Runes textbook open on her lap. Shit, I fell asleep doing homework again. This was the third time that happened in 2 days. She doesn't seem to be able to concentrate for very long before her thoughts turn to Ron. I cannot believe he still hasn't spoken to me!

Hermione was beginning to get angry thinking about the whole incident again. She didn't think her actions of sending Ron away really justified his actions of ignoring her and openly flirting with other women.

She had been standing her ground not being the first to break the silence between the couple, but now Hermione was done with it. In a flash she got out of bed, put on a robe for it was a chilly night, and was out the door before anyone could say "boo". While walking to the Gryffindor tower, she thought of what she was going to say to Ron.

"Ron, look, I know it was a bit harsh sending you away, but you deserved it!"

No, she couldn't say that; he'd just get angry again. She'd have to try a different approach.

"Ron, I'm sorry. I was completely wrong in sending your irrational shouting ass away."

Hmm, that would not do, either. It looked to Hermione that she was just going to have to swallow her pride and just plain apologize.

When she reached the portrait and stepped inside, she looked around the common room and found Harry and Ron playing wizard chess, with Ginny watching behind Harry.

At that moment, Hermione realized how much she missed Ron. This was the man she loved and she had not been with him in three days. They had not noticed her just yet so she took the opportunity to stealthily walk up behind Ron. Harry and Ginny saw her but did not react to warn Ron, and before anyone knew it, Hermione was hugging Ron from behind.

"What the fuck?" Ron turned around and saw Hermione's teary eyed face. Before he could speak, however, Hermione had started apologizing.

"Ron, I am so sorry. I should never have sent you away from my room. I was wrong. I completely regret doing it. I just didn't know you would get this upset. Please, please forgive me!"

Hermione threw herself at Ron again, hugging him like it would be the last time. She could feel him patting her on the back, trying to soothe her.

Harry gave Ron a thumbs-up, and with Ginny, left for the boys room to give the couple some privacy.

"Hermione, I'm sorry, too. I've been a right awful git for not letting you apologize," Ron whispered into her hair. "It's just you hurt me so much taking Malfoy's side before mine."

"I know. I'm sorry. I just didn't want another fight. I promise I won't do it again." Hermione could feel the tears finally falling down her cheeks.

Ron took her face gently between his hands and held it in front of his. He was searching her eyes with an almost pleading look with his own.

"Promise?"

Hermione nodded with her face in Ron's hands. "I promise."

A smile broke out on Ron's face and he was hugging Hermione just as fiercely as she had been hugging him a moment ago. He started kissing her hair, face, neck, whatever he had access to at the moment.

Hermione couldn't help but moan slightly at the attention she was getting from her boyfriend that she had been deprived of. Hearing her moan, Ron seemed to become a bit more aggressive with his advances and started to run his hands all over Hermione's body.

"Ron, wait. Let's not do this—"

"Oh come on! Hermione we just made up. This is the perfect time to do this!" Ron's face was becoming flushed with anger.

Slightly alarmed by his reaction, Hermione continued, "I was going to say that we shouldn't do this somewhere so public. Would you mind going somewhere more private?"

Looking embarrassed, Ron nodded. "Well Harry is probably in our room, can we go to yours?"

"Yeah, come on."

They headed toward the Head's dormitory, hand-in-hand.

Once inside, Ron wasted no time in removing Hermione's robe from her. They were kissing each other so fervently; they stumbled towards the couch in the common room.

Not caring this was still not as private as Hermione had hoped, she also did not waste time in removing Ron's restricting shirt, exposing his toned chest. Running her fingernails over his chest none too gently, she attacked his neck, sucking on every inch of skin she could see.

Ron growled and pushed Hermione down onto the couch somewhat roughly.

"Ow, Ron, what the heck?" Hermione asked, looking up at him from the couch. Ron looked possessed, breathing heavily and having a domineering appearance. Without further ado, he came down on Hermione and was kissing her aggressively.

Hermione could not help but be turned on by this side of Ron she'd never seen. She wrapped both legs around his waist and her arms around his neck as he kissed, bit, licked her neck and chest area. Keeping her position, Ron turned them so they were lying along the couch.

Keeping his weight off of Hermione with one arm, he ran his other hand along her side, squeezing her breasts, and over her stomach. In one swift movement, Hermione removed her shirt over her head. Her laced-enclosed breasts were rising and falling with every heavy breath she took. Ron began kissing the tops of her mounds and working the hook in the back of her bra. In about five seconds, he had the hook undone and was throwing the item over his shoulder.

And I bought that so he could enjoy it! Hermione thought angrily, right before she was brought back as Ron started sucking on her breasts, gently biting her hardened nipples. Raking her nails over his back, she hissed in pleasure, arching her back so as to offer more skin for Ron to work with.

Ron brought his head back to kiss Hermione. Her hands were slightly fumbling trying to undo his belt, but she finally got it undone. Hermione began to open his zipper when—

Boom!

The portrait banged shut. Ron and Hermione both jumped at the sound. Malfoy was standing in front of it, fury etched all over his features. Hermione hurried to cover her exposed breasts, and Ron helped by lying directly on top of her, his arm blocking the view a little.

"What the fuck were you doing?" Malfoy asked from the door.

"What does it look like, Malfoy? Surely you of all people would recognize sex when you see it," Ron bit back, mockery dripping from every word.

Malfoy seemed to be having trouble breathing; his breathes coming in short sharp bursts.

"Well why the hell couldn't you do that some place more private than our shared common room?!" Malfoy yelled, looking directly at Hermione. "For Merlin's sake, Granger, I sit on that couch!"

Hermione was beyond embarrassed. Why hadn't she led them to her room? Why? Now she was caught in the most compromising position in her life, by Malfoy no less, and she couldn't think of a single thing to say that didn't sound idiotic.

"Look, Malfoy, as much as I want to shag Hermione senseless, I do not intend to do it in front of you. Would you please go away?" Ron asked from the couch, still lying on Hermione.

She just looked at Malfoy, trying to silently communicate her sorrow. She thought she might have seen an emotion on his face that didn't fit. Hurt? Why was Malfoy hurt that she was snogging with her boyfriend? OK, on the couch was not the best place, but pain was not something she thought Malfoy would feel.

He just scoffed at her and started to walk away. That's when Hermione noticed a book in his hands. It almost looked like a book she had wanted to buy. She remembered talking about it once in a conversation she had with Malfoy weeks before. This assignment would go so much faster if I only had Remedies, Antibiotics, and Vaccines: Potions of the Healing Variety.

"Malfoy, what's that in your hands?" Hermione asked him.

"Nothing," he replied, not even looking back at her as he made his way to his room.

A moment later Ron and Hermione heard a door slam shut so loudly it probably got knocked off its hinges.

"That git just doesn't know how to mind his own business," Ron said.

"This is his common room, too, Ron."

"Not that again, Hermione. Come on, I'm still turned on, let's just go to your room." Ron and Hermione rose from the couch, gathered their clothes, and crept up the stairs to disappear into her bedroom.

Draco's POV

Draco slammed his door shut as hard as he could. He wanted to throw things around the room, tear up his sheets, and set fire to his curtains.

He thought they were breaking up. He thought he was going to be able to make his move. He thought he was going to be able to show her he changed. By giving her a book? So stupid. He threw the book across the room.

Sitting down on his bed, he ran his hand through his hair, thinking. Thinking of what he was going to do, thinking of what the point was in continuing to pursue Granger, thinking of what Granger was doing with Weasley right now. No! Don't go there.

He needed to stop thinking. Going to his dresser, he pulled a bottle of fire whiskey from one of the drawers. Pouring himself a hefty portion, he downed it in five seconds.

Falling onto his back on his bed, his mind wandered to Granger and Weasley. They seemed to have such a rocky relationship. One small fight and Weasley was swooning over the next girl he saw. What the heck did Weasley have that Draco didn't?

Draco had no idea, but this was looking to be a lost cause. He didn't know if he had the patience to wait for them to break up. Deciding he'd think about it tomorrow morning, since it's the weekend, he let himself drift to sleep, hoping against hope that he'd have a dreamless sleep.

A/N: Hope you liked it. I want to apologize; I cannot write comedy that well, so I hope that part with Snape wasn't too lame. Anywho, I'll try to update sooner next time. Feel free to write a review!