(A/N) Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I knew you wouldn't like Draco and Mione breaking up, I'm so evil :P
Anyway here's chapter 10 people, I hope you enjoy! Sorry I didn't post it as fast as I usually do, I was flat out all weekend. Thanks and I hope you like it. Once again if there's anything I can modify PLEASE let me know.
I'm SO sorry that it took so long to update! I have SO many assignments it's not funny!
This chapter is specifically dedicated to: Melanie Reed, Rachael Reid and Sam Ferguson. (You know you guy's rock)
Chapter 10: The New Girl
"Did you see her?"
"See who?"
"The brunette chick that arrived this morning. I heard Dumbledore say she was in Slytherin," Zambini Blaise spoke in a low whisper to Malfoy the next day at the breakfast table. Malfoy pilled ketchup onto his sausages and poured himself a glass of juice.
"Interesting…" Malfoy raised an eyebrow and snuck a glance at Hermione, across the room. She looked dreadful. A large bruise had formed where Draco had struck her and he felt a wave of guilt run through him as he inspected her. Hermione felt herself being watched and instinctly glanced up at Malfoy. He looked away defiantly and started wolfing down his meal.
"Pathetic," she muttered, sliding her food around her plate with her knife. She wasn't hungry at all, instead she just felt sick. Who wouldn't after being dropped by the hottest guy in school? She felt disgusted at herself for believing him; he'd just been using her, why hadn't she seen that!
"I saw a new girl today," Harry mumbled, stuffing potato into his mouth, "She's really good looking."
"Whoop dee doo for her," Hermione spat back, slamming her knife down. Everyone at the table stopped talking to look at her. "What are you looking at!" she snapped fiercely. This caused everyone to resume talking as loud as possible.
"Are you okay 'Mione? Is it Ron? Did you two have a fight again?" questioned Harry, draining his glass of orange juice. He felt particularly hungry as Quidditch training would begin that day.
"Yeah Ron and I had a fight," she sighed, stuffing her school books into her crowded bag. "About Malfoy,"
"What…why?"
"Harry…" she sounded exasperated as she tried to explain. "I was with Malfoy ok? And Ron came in and saw us together…" her voice trailed off and Harry tried to sink all the information in. Finally he realized and gasped.
"Y-you and Malfoy?" he sounded slightly repulsed as he rose from the table. Hermione followed him, her shoulders sagging slightly.
"You're not going to hate me too are you?" she cried suddenly, tears springing to her eyes.
"No! Of course not," Harry soothed, placing a strong hand on her back.
"It's bad enough to sleep with someone for the first time and then get dumped by them the very next day. And now Ron hates me!" Hermione wailed, leaning against the door outside the Great Hall. Harry pulled her into a hug.
"Don't be like that 'Mione. I wouldn't turn against you; I understand you need my support. Tell you what, I'll talk to Ron and make him see sense. Just ignore Malfoy, he's a stuck-up git," Harry told her comfortingly. She smiled weakly in response.
"Thanks Harry," she choked, drying her eyes. Suddenly someone knocked into Harry as they passed him. Harry and Hermione turned to look.
It was that pretty brunette everyone was talking about. She flicked her hair with her left hand as she passed, giving Harry a seducing look, one eyebrow cocked. Then she entered the Great Hall, her hips swaying. Nearly everybody turned to look as she stalked to the Slytherin table and took the vacant seat next to Malfoy. Draco looked pleased; he had a wide smirk on his face.
"That's so typical!" shrieked Hermione, "Don't you think Harry?" There was no response; Harry was staring at the brunette, his eyes fixed with fascination. "Harry!"
Hermione hit him sharply in the ribs.
"Ow! What?" he asked, a little angrily, turning back to her. "Oh yeah of course, whatever you were saying 'Mione," Hermione rolled her eyes and the two walked off to their first class of the day which was History of Magic.
Professor Binns droned on endlessly in the same flat key, explaining about ancient goblins and famous dragons. Everybody was either practically asleep or staring longingly out the window, dreaming for a way of escaping the boring class.
Halfway through the lesson the door opened and Professor Snape strode into the class room, his black robes billowing behind him. He was leading the brunette girl with him. She, in turn, was smiling at all the guys confidently.
"Excuse me Professor Binns," Snape cut in sharply. Binns stopped talking and drearily looked around at Snape.
"As you wish Severus," Binns drifted lazily to his seat and flopped down onto it, sighing.
"As you can see pupils, we have a new student enrolling at our school today. Please welcome Alexandra Mackenzie." Snape told the class. Everyone clapped, except for Hermione. She didn't like the girl at all, least of all her name. It sounded powerful somewhat.
"Ah Miss Mackenzie," Binns drawled, peering at her through his spectacles, "You can take the seat between Miss Granger and Mr. Potter at the back." Hermione let out a small moan and busied herself in copying notes from the text book. Harry smirked as Alexandra sat herself smoothly on the wooden seat. The other guys of the classshot Harry an envious look.
"Hi," she said, holding out her tanned hand for Harry to shake.
"Hi to you too," Harry smiled, shaking her hand eagerly.
"Is it true you're the famous Harry Potter?" she goggled, leaning her chin on her left hand which was supported by her elbow on the desk.
"Yeah, that's me," Harry grinned, flicking his fringe back innocently to reveal his lightening-scar.
"Wow that's so cool!" Alex smiled an award winning smile. Hermione cleared her throat loudly. Alexandra turned to her.
"Oh! You must be that Granger slut that Draco was talking about. Is it true that he dumped you right after you slept with him?" Alex teased. Hermione felt herself go red and tears formed in her eyes. Harry had his mouth wide open but closed it quickly as the new girl turned back to him. "Don't worry Harry; mudbloods like her don't deserve to be in Hogwarts."
Hermione let out a small sob as Alex said this, gathered up her books and ran from the room. She hated Alexandra, she was such a cow! And Draco had gone and told her all about them being together, just to get attention! The bastard!
Hermione hurried down the steps and onto the sweeping, wide lawn. Here she scurried through the damp grass, her shoes getting slightly wet, until she reached the big hut on the borders of the Forbidden Forest. Then she began to hammer loudly on the door.
"Hagrid! I know you're home! Let me in!" she cried, tears pouring down her face. The door opened wide a few seconds later and Hagrid's big hairy face smiled down upon her.
"'Ello Hermione," he said cheerfully, but then he caught sight of her tear-streaked face. "What ever is the matter with ye?" He let her in and shut the oak door behind him. Hermione took a seat on one of the chairs.
"I'll tell you, but you're not allowed to tell anybody," she said sternly. Hagrid stuck out his hand and shook Hermione's whole arm.
"I promise," he replied humbly.
So Hermione began to tell him the story of how she loved Draco, how they'd slept together and about the new girl. She poured out all her emotions to Hagrid, feeling she could really trust him.
"I heard you scared off that mudblood freak," Draco smirked, slinging his arm around Alex's shoulder as the exited the entrance hall.
"Yeah, she's a softy that one," Alex replied, the other Slytherin's laughed harshly. "She doesn't know when things are a joke,"
"You're telling me!" Draco smiled, heading for the Slytherin common room.
"Yeah that little bitch wouldn't be so weird if she wasn't screamin' your name all night Draco," Zambini chortled. Everyone went silent at this; Draco's cheeks had a pink tinge appear round the rim.
"What did you say?" Malfoy demanded, his every word dripping with anger. He turned to face Zambini.
"I-I just said…she wouldn't be so weird if she wasn't sleeping with you. I was joking!" Blaise repeated timidly. Draco pounced.
"Don't say that man! It ain't funny!" Draco yelled, punching Zambini across the mouth. "I told you being with her was a joke! And what the hell was your little comment supposed to mean!"
Zambini lay on the ground, blooding seeping from his mouth. Draco went to punch him again but Alex pulled him back.
"Don't babe, he's not worth it," she soothed, hugging him tightly. A smiled appeared on Draco's lips as she ran her fingers down his back. Goyle pulled Blaise to his feet.
"Come on Drake, we should go," Alex whispered in her ear, "Take me back to your room,"
"Good idea, I'm not hanging around tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber all night," Draco shot Zambini a scowl and knocked passed him viciously as he and Alex made for the Head's common room.
They didn't talk much as they strode down the corridors and jumped up stairs. Only when they pushed open the portrait hole did they begin to speak.
"Hey Drake, nice room man!" Alexandra admired, flopping down onto the couch. "What's this?" she picked up Draco's notebook.
"Nothing!" he said hurriedly, "I mean, it must be one of Granger's stupid books. Here I'll take it," Draco nearly snatched the pad out of her hand's and threw it into the bedroom.
"Anyway as I was saying, you got a pretty nice place here! Poor Granger mustn't know what it's like to live a fancy life. Unlike us aye?" Alex pulled Draco onto the couch forcefully.
"You know, you're really hot!" Alex exclaimed, tracing his face lightly with one of her fingers. Draco looked taken aback but didn't object. Alex ran her eyes over his chest and down his muscular arms and wide shoulders. Her eyes lingered longingly on his lips, before Draco unexpectedly drew her closer and kissed her deeply.
Alex didn't refuse; she only kissed him harder, her hands resting on his face. After a few minutes she drew back and smiled at Malfoy. He returned a gorgeous smile, his white teeth sparkling.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," he breathed, running his fingers through his hair.
"Thanks," she replied smartly, drawing him closer again and kissing him. The two sat there, kissing passionately, Draco's heart filling with delight, but also an involuntary feeling of guilt was flooding through him. And the first word that popped into his head was Granger. And at that point he knew he missed her dearly, he needed her back.
"I can't believe you're taking Hermione's side on this!" Ron screeched, kicking open the dormitory door. Harry followed close behind him.
"For the last time I am not taking Hermione's side! Geez Ron! All I'm trying to do is find a way to get you to be friends again!" Harry explained exasperatedly.
"Well maybe I don't want to be her friend! After all she knew how I felt about her and then she went off and slept with Malfoy, how's that for friendliness?" Ron grumbled. Harry grabbed him by the shoulders and spun him round.
"Ronald Weasly, you can't choose who loves you and who doesn't! I'm guessing Hermione only kissed you out of an act of friendship, not love. She already told me that she loved Malfoy; I don't think confessing your love for her would have affected that. It may have shocked her but she wouldn't change her mind, you know Hermione, she's so defiant and stubborn," Harry gruffly pointed out.
Ron looked as though he would punch Harry, his chest swelled in anger and his face reddened quickly. Harry just looked at him, shaking his head. Ron's temper suddenly died away.
"Y-you're right Harry, as usual. I know I can't get 'Mione to love me, I just thought it would be great after we've been such good friends for ages." Ron muttered in defeat. He hung his head low, his shoulders were slumped. Harry patted his back comfortingly.
"I understand mate. Maybe you should go and apologize to her for over-reacting," Harry suggested. Ron looked as though he was about to refuse, but he didn't.
"Sure, I'll go and see her now." Ron gave Harry a "thankyou" smile and vanished through the portrait hole.
Hermione swung open the dormitory door; her face was paler than usual. Her talk with Hagrid had really brightened her spirits though. She now knew that she should follow her heart and not give her true love away over some stupid kiss to a best-friend that meant nothing. She had to find Draco and tell him how she felt.
A scuffling noise could be heard from the common room as Hermione strode inside. What she saw next made her heart drop at a million miles an hour and she felt her face flush scarlet. Draco was lying on the couch, and he was kissing a girl! Hermione glanced at the brunette lying underneath Malfoy's naked chest, she gasped. It was Alexandra!
"You frickin' son of a bitch!" Hermione shrieked, as Draco looked up to flick some hair from his eyes. Malfoy jerked off Alex quickly in surprise, falling to the floor.
"What the hell are you doing?" Hermione raged, stalking over to the two. Draco got to his feet and stood tall. Hermione felt him look down on her slightly; she shook a bit in fright.
"What do you want you filthy mudblood?" Mackenzie spat disgruntled, rising from the couch, "Why are you interrupting us?"
"Maybe she has a right to," came a voice from the doorway. Ron was standing there, his fists clenched.
"What now Weasel," drawled Draco lazily, "You want another beating?"
"Shut up Malfoy!" cried Hermione pushing Draco heavily. Alex shoved her sharply.
"Don't touch him!" she yelled suddenly, grabbing Hermione's wrists, her face red. Ron made his way over.
"Leave her alone Mackenzie, don't hurt her," he warned, pulling Hermione away.
Hermione broke from Ron's restraint and lunged at Alexandra, tearing a chunk of her hair. Mackenzie retaliated fast, scratching Hermione fiercely. Ron and Draco glared at each other before pulling the two girls out of harm's way. Ron took hold of Hermione's waist and restrained her while Draco put his arm around Alex's shoulder.
"Can't always restrain the bitches can you?" Draco spat, his mouth set in a smirk. Hermione pierced him with her glare.
"I think that's your que to leave," Alex hissed, signalling for the door. Hermione opened her mouth to protest but Ron dragged her to the portrait hole.
"Like we'd want to stay here any longer you cow," he said sarcastically. "C'mon 'Mione you can sleep in our dorm tonight," Hermione smiled gratefully at her friend, squeezing his shoulders lightly.
"Good luck Weasel, it's the closest thing to action you'll ever get!" Draco laughed, as they exited the room.
Hermione put her arm around Ron's waist as they headed for the Gryffindor common room.
"Thanks Ron, you're a really great friend," Hermione said, as they trudged down the passageway.
"Anytime, I can't let Ferret face take advantage of you…again," he fell quiet at this, somewhat embarrassed. "Listen Hermione I just wanted to apologize for the other day. It's not your fault that you don't love me. I understand your feelings for him and I'm sorry I over reacted." Ron apologized humbly.
"Ron you're so sweet. I was going to say sorry to you as well, I just didn't know how to word it. I thought you'd hate me," Hermione mumbled, as they stepped through the Gryffindor portrait hole. Ron let out a fake gasp.
"Me? Hate you? Impossible," he took her hands and sat her on one of the fire-side armchairs. "Just relax ok? If you need us during the night just come to our room, you know where we are," he winked. Hermione nodded in response and kissed Ron on the cheek playfully.
"Thankyou Ron, I really appreciate it." she sighed, yawning. She kicked off her shoes and Ron covered her with a blanket so she was warm.
"Good night 'Mione," he smiled, making his way to the stairwell.
"Night Ron," Hermione replied. A moment later Ron had disappeared and Hermione slowly drifted into a comfortable sleep, aided by the warm glow of the common room fire…