Hi readers! I'm sooooooooooooooo sorry for not updating in almost a year, but so much has happened! Last year, I was a Senior in high school, was a lead in my school's play, and had to do a bunch of things for college. But this year, I'm a freshman in college, and I seem to have a lot more free time on my hands! So maybe we can expect more updates? I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, it's a little different from the rest of the story. I wrote it over a process over a few days, and you can probably tell when the mood of the story changes. Still, I hope you guys like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for Mary. But in actuality, she's one of my friends. So I guess I don't own anything!

Chapter 10- A Twist Of Events

Hermione's POV

I crept out of the library as quietly as I could. I opened the door to my room, and noticed that Parvati and Lavender were still sleeping. I relaxed a little, and silently got ready for bed. I hoped that the small amount of sleep I would be getting in my own bed would be good for me.

The next morning I woke up to Parvati's shriek. "HERMIONE! You're here! What happened last night?" I ignored her, and noticed that Lavender was nowhere to be found. 'She probably didn't want to be found near me.' I thought. I must have looked distracted, because then Parvati screeched again, "Hermione Granger! Where in the world were you last night until about 5am? Yes, I knew you came in at that time! I'm not an idiot, I know how to feign sleep."

"Parvati?" I asked. "Must we talk about this now? I really need to shower." She gave me 'a look.' "Obviously not. Okay well… I fell asleep in my library. That's it, I swear."

She laughed. "Hermione, that's the lamest excuse I've ever heard! How come you're hair's all mussed up? Gotcha there!"

I looked at her. "It's called bed-head. Ever get it?" She glared at me, and left me alone. I took that as my cue to shower.

Once I came out of the shower, I noticed that Parvati had left. 'Thank goodness she's done tormenting me for the morning,' I thought.

I walked out of the common room without any Ron incidents. I wasn't as lucky at the Great Hall. As soon as I walked in I saw two heads of flaming red hair and the jet-black hair of my best friend. And there was an extra one too. I sighed and walked over to the table. Avoiding Ginny, Ron, Harry, and Lavender, I sat down near Neville. He's good to have around when you need to get away from your so-called best friends.

"Uh, hey Hermione," Neville said uneasily.

"It's all right, Neville. I'm just going to eat here and leave you in peace."

"Okay. I hope you don't mind if my girlfriend comes and sits with us," he said shyly.

"Even Neville has someone,' I thought, kind of upset. "Who is this girl?" I wondered.

"Luna," he said simply. I nodded, and ate in silence. Eventually Luna came and joined us, and started a strange conversation about Frumpled Mausnos Sheep. Or something like that.

I got up from the table once I was finished with my breakfast, and my seat was quickly taken by none other than… Mary. "Good morning, Hermione!" she said with a huge smile.

"Er, good morning Mary," I grimaced.

"Well, have a good day! And stay away from Malfoy, he likes to hit himself in the head." She brought her voice down to a whisper, "I think you should get him some help." I couldn't help but laugh at her statement. She looked hurt. "What?" she asked, upset.

I stopped laughing and said, "Nothing really, it's just that I've always known that Malfoy needed help. I've gone to school with him for six years now." And with that, I left the Great Hall.

I went to gather my things for my classes that day, when I realized I had left my potions book in my library. I made my way up to Gryffindor tower, said the password, and walked into the common room. The first thing I saw when I walked in was Ron, and he was alone. 'He must have left while I was talking to Mary,' I thought, annoyed. Ron looked at me and said, "Hi, Hermione."

"What do you want?" I said, glaring at him. Oh if looks could kill.

"Listen, we never really had a chance to talk. About well, you know," he muttered.

"Ronald, there is nothing I want to say to you. Now please excuse me while I get my things for class." I walked toward the stairs to get to my dormitory, but I felt Ron grab my wrist. "What?" I hissed.

"Hermione, you know you're still my best friend. Why have you been avoiding me so much? I know I forgot to tell you about Lavender, but why can't you forgive me already? Harry has, so why can't you?" he pleaded.

I looked down at the floor. "I can't tell you why," I sighed.

"Please… 'Mione-"

"Don't EVER call me that, do you hear?" I shouted. "Especially since you are with her." I wriggled out of Ron's grasp, and ran up the stairs, not wanting him to see me cry. I opened the door to the library and found Malfoy already there.

"You've outdone yourself this time, Granger. Sitting with Loony and Longbottom? You must be getting desperate."

"Shut up, Malfoy. I don't need this right now," I said, trying to keep the tears away.

"Well that doesn't matter. You're still my slave. I can make you do whatever you want."

I looked up at him, and I could already tell that my eyes were red. "What then? What do you want from me this time? Public humiliation? Guess what- I'm past that. My heart is already torn into a thousand pieces and the only person that I feel could mend it doesn't even know. But you know what, I don't think you know what that feels like. You've never loved anyone."

"You seem so sure of yourself, Granger. And just because I haven't loved anyone doesn't mean I can't fathom what you feel like." He came over to me and grabbed me by the shoulders. "Remember, I've probably felt more physical pain than you ever have."

I looked him straight in the eyes. "Physical pain goes away. You've never fell the hurt that emotional pain can cause. News flash- it hurts worse. And lingers for a greater amount of time. Have you dealt with that? No!" I could feel my blood pressure rising. "You don't own emotion. You have it for a second and then throw it out the window with your various whores! You don't know what it's like to be pining after someone for years and years, and then have it torn apart in seconds!"

He let go of my shoulders and looked at me.

"Are you going to say anything?" I nearly screamed.

"No," he said.

"And why the bloody hell not?"

"Because," he said.

"What is wrong with you?" I screamed. "This morning you were totally civil, and now you're being the pompous arse that I've known for six years!"

"Shut up, Granger." he said, slowly. "I have a proposition for you."

"What," I said, impatiently.

"I know it's only been -what, three, four days- since I wanted you to be my slave. But you've shown me that you're unworthy to do so. Instead, you've grown to be more of a stress outlet for me. So instead of being my slave, I have another idea. You may not have noticed, but I found you a rather interesting person to kiss. So, whenever I need you, you will be there for me. Your secret will be safe, and, in a way, we will both have a stress outlet for sexual tension. And I daresay, it sure seems like you need it also."

"Malfoy, I don't want to be your whore, and I already told you that," I noted.

"No, Granger. You won't be my whore. I said that you would be my personal stress outlet."

"Do I have a choice?" I asked, half-heartedly.

"Seeing as of right now you still are my slave, I'd say no," he smirked.

I sighed and said, "Fine. I'll do it."

"Good girl," he said. "Oh, and here's your potions book." He handed me the book, and quickly left.