A/N: Edited Oct. 17th 2009

xx-Mione-Fan-xx

All's Fair in Love and War

Chapter Nine

Weeks passed by quickly for Hermione and before she knew it, it was the end of October and she was walking with Harry, Ron and Ginny for the Halloween Hogsmeade trip.

Hermione pulled her red and gold scarf tight around her neck and snuggled into her cloak. It was rather chilly out for only October. "Think we might have an early winter?" Hermione asked the group.

"Probably," Ginny mumbled from deep inside her own cloak and scarf. "With this weather, it wouldn't surprise me. Can you believe it's already Halloween? Merlin, soon it'll be Christmas!" Ginny exclaimed, rubbing her hands together to warm them up.

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "So where do you guys want to head first?"

"How about Honeydukes? And then maybe we can split up and Ginny and I can go and get our dresses, as she's been nagging me all week and we can meet you boys at the Three Broomsticks for butterbeer at lunch?" Hermione suggested.

The others agreed and soon they reached the wizarding village that was filled with other Hogwarts students. They headed to Honeydukes and Ron groaned at how packed the candy store was.

"What did you expect, Ron? It's the best store in Hogsmeade," Hermione said, grinning as the four reached the store.

Ron smiled innocently at Hermione, who narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Ron, why are you smiling at me like that?"

"Hermione, since it's so busy, you should go in and buy our treats for us," Ron suggested, still grinning. Hermione shook her head.

"No way, we're all going in there together," she replied.

"Please, Hermione?" Ron pleaded. "I'll give you… pumpkin pie?" He promised.

"I don't like pumpkin pie!" Hermione exclaimed loudly. Ron's face dropped.

"Fine," he said, sighing as the four of them entered the shop.

Once the four had stocked up on loads of chocolates, and enough sugar filled treats to last them a month, they left Honeydukes and said their goodbyes in the street. Ron and Harry headed for Zonko's Joke Shop while the girl's made their way to Gladrags Wizardwear.

Ginny and Hermione entered the rather small store and Ginny tugged Hermione over to the dresses side of the store. They sifted through the dresses there, neither of them finding anything appealing to them.

After at least half an hour of looking at dresses, Hermione was about to tell Ginny that it was hopeless until Ginny suddenly squealed in delight.

"Hermione! Look at these dresses over here!" Ginny called and Hermione made her way over to the redheaded Gryffindor. "They were hidden behind these ugly looking dresses but aren't they gorgeous?" Ginny continued, pulling out some of the dresses from the rack. Hermione had to admit, they were rather amazing gowns there that any girl would die to wear.

Ginny grabbed a handful and headed to the fitting room to try them on. Hermione took her lead and grabbed some dresses for herself that she fancied and followed Ginny.

There was only one fitting room so Hermione waited for Ginny to be done. First, Ginny came out in a bright pink gown that personally, Hermione didn't think suited her. Ginny agreed and tried on the next one, which was a deep red spaghetti strap. Hermione thought it was alright, but to try on the next one. Ginny came out of the fitting room and Hermione smiled in approval.

"Definitely that one, Gin," Hermione said enthusiastically. Ginny's dress was a one shoulder gown that was made of the finest silk and was a deep emerald green. Half of Ginny's back was exposed and the dress came elegantly down to just above her ankles. With a pair of black or silver stilettos, Ginny would look magnificent. Hermione told her so.

"Thanks, Hermione. I like it too," Ginny replied happily and glanced at the price of the dress. "But I think I'll get a different one," she said quietly and Hermione noticed the frown on her pale features.

"Why? That ones perfect," Hermione told her. Ginny smiled and shook her head.

"I don't have enough for it," Ginny muttered, her face flushed. Hermione shook her head.

"Just get it. It's a wonderful dress and you deserve it. I'll pay for whatever you can't afford," Hermione offered, smiling at Ginny who shook her head.

"No, really Hermione, that's too much," she said but Hermione shrugged.

"Rubbish. Gin, I want you to have that dress," Hermione insisted. Ginny sighed.

"Oh all right," she mumbled and then grinned, hugging Hermione tightly. "Thanks so much, Hermione."

"Your welcome, now help me pick my dress," Hermione replied and began going through her pile of dresses. She tried on many different ones but didn't like any of them on her.

As Hermione was about to give up, she came out with her second last one and saw Ginny nod and grin. Hermione looked at her reflection and her jaw dropped. Hermione was wearing a dark red and black halter style gown that had a tight bodice that was engraved with silver jewels and crystals. The bottom part of the dress flowed out to her ankles and was folded with many different layers. The dress had a very enticing v-neckline that showed just the right amount of cleavage.

"It's amazing," Ginny said and Hermione grinned. She checked the tag and found it wasn't that expensive.

After the girl's had paid for their dresses and shoes, they headed for Three Broomsticks and saw Harry and Ron already sitting at a table.

"Hullo," the boys greeted in unison. Hermione and Ginny smiled and sat down across from them.

Madame Rosmerta came over and Ron flushed red.

"What can I get you?" Madame Rosmerta asked.

"Er – four butterbeers p-please." Ron said, stumbling over his words. Everyone knew Ron fancied Madame Rosmerta, the attractive owner of Three Broomsticks. Madame Rosmerta nodded and headed back to get their orders.

The shop's bell rang and Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Theo Nott, Crabbe and Goyle entered. Hermione inwardly groaned and turned her back on the Slytherins.

Harry actually groaned out loud as Malfoy and his cronies spotted the four Gryffindors.

"Well, would you look at that? Scarhead, mudblood and Weasel. Fancy seeing you here," Malfoy said with fake casualty.

"Sod off Malfoy," Ron muttered darkly. Malfoy adopted a shocked expression.

"Why, Weasel, I was only making small talk. The least you could do is return it; especially when it comes from a superior such as myself. You should be grateful when I talk to you," Malfoy taunted, smirking.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Will you ever get over yourself, Malfoy? It's about time you learn that you're not so perfect. Just because your 'daddy' is rich doesn't mean you're King of England for God's sake," Hermione said coolly.

Malfoy's smirk grew larger as Hermione spoke. The Gryffindors knew he enjoyed getting them riled up but they couldn't help but be annoyed with him.

"Oh, haven't you heard? They're actually considering me as King of England," Malfoy said, and laughed at his own joke. The other Slytherins laughed along with him. Hermione shook her head at his stupidity. "Oh and by the way, Granger, don't think I've forgotten about your little prank in the Great Hall. Your payback is coming, don't you worry," Malfoy said in a quieter voice and Hermione's eyes widened slightly.

Hermione composed herself and then glared at him as he and his cronies stalked off to their own table.

"Oh I ought to give him what he deserves the bloody prat," Ron ranted angrily. "What right does he have to insult our –''

At that moment, Madame Rosmerta came with their butterbeers and Ron promptly stopped talking and turned bright red again.

The four got off the topic of Draco Malfoy as they drank their butterbeers. The atmosphere between them turned cheerful again and soon they were making their way back to Hogwarts.

However, Hermione was still rather worried about Malfoy's payback. It really bothered her that he hadn't done it yet. She had a feeling he had something big planned and it irked her.

"So Hermione, did you get that potions essay finished?" Ron asked casually, bringing her from her thoughts.

"Yes," she replied flatly, knowing where he was headed.

"Er- I uh forgot about it and since its due Monday, d'you think I could-''

"No," she replied firmly. "I will not let you copy my essay Ronald."

"I wasn't asking that!" Ron called defensively. "I was going to ask if you could help me with it, but since you're being like that, I'll do it myself."

"Brilliant; you should be doing it yourself anyway," Hermione said brightly. Ron rolled his eyes and groaned.

They reached the school in silence and Ginny gasped. "I forgot about my charms essay! I'm supposed to do some research on the vanishing charm! I'll see you guys later. I'm going to run to the library. Bye!"

The others didn't even have a chance to reply before the redhead was off. Hermione smiled and the now three Gryffindors continued their way to the common room.

They sat on the sofas and proceeded to pull out their books to do some homework. They worked in silence until dinner.

Draco sat playing with his food at the Slytherin table. He wasn't very hungry, having eaten all those sweets from Honeydukes hours before.

"Why isn't Ginny at dinner?" Draco heard Weasel ask Potter from the Gryffindor table. He decided to listen in on their conversation. Just for fun.

"Dunno, she's probably still at the library working on her charms essay," Potter replied quietly. Weasel nodded, believing this was true and Granger didn't say anything. Well, how boring, Draco thought in annoyance.

"What's bugging you, Hermione?" Potter asked Granger who looked at him in surprise.

"Oh, I dunno. Well, Malfoy I suppose. It's really bothering me that he hasn't done anything yet," she replied thoughtfully. Draco snickered quietly.

"He probably doesn't even have anything planned, but is just trying to scare you," Potter suggested. Granger nodded. Draco smirked.

"Well, if that is his plan then its working I suppose," she said and Draco grinned. Stupid mudblood.

"Don't tell him that," Weasel said, chuckling. "Then he'll know he's succeeding and it'll only inflate the git's head some more."

Draco glared at Weasley but obviously didn't say anything.

Finnegan and Thomas leaned over to the trio. "Hey did you guys hear?" Thomas asked.

Potter shook his head. "Hear what?"

"About Ginny…" Finnegan said, trailing off. He and Thomas exchanged nervous glances. Draco was curious about this too.

"Er… Maybe you should hear it from someone else. Y'know a professor or someone," Thomas said and the boys moved away from the Golden Trio, who sat in obvious confusion. Draco was confused too. What were Thomas and Finnegan going on about?

"Lavender!" Granger called to a brunette seventh year Gryffindor, known for excessive gossiping. The brunette came over to the trio. "What's going on? What's happened to Ginny?" Granger demanded.

"Er- well G-Ginny's uh, in the hospital wing. She was cursed really badly by someone in the library and Madame Pomfrey doesn't know what curse it is. She just knows its dark magic. Ginny's unconscious," Brown said rapidly, playing with her long hair.

Weasley's face went white. Granger gasped loudly and Potter's eyes closed tightly. "Who did it?!" Weasley demanded angrily. Brown shrugged, moving away from the trio a bit. For some reason, Weasley, Potter and Granger turned to look at Draco who narrowed his eyes. It bloody well wasn't him! He had no reason to curse the Weaselette. Granger maybe, but not the Weasley. That's not to say that he wouldn't curse her if he had the chance, but he hadn't had the chance to that day.

Draco noticed Weasley had gotten up sometime during Draco's mental rant and was now heading his way. Uh oh… He thought as his eyes widened. Thankfully, before Draco had time to call for Crabbe or Goyle, Granger held Weasley back.

"No Ron! Let's go see Ginny! C'mon, we don't even know if it was Malfoy!" Granger said urgently. Weasley glowered at her.

"It probably was him and you know it Hermione. And I swear if he laid one single finger on my sister, I'll bloody kill him!" Weasley said, turning his glower to Draco, who tried not to shudder but glared back.

"I didn't touch your precious sister, Weasley. I've no idea why you're even blaming me. I do believe I said Granger has payback coming her way, not Weaselette," Draco replied, glancing at Granger who was still tugging on Weasel's arm. Potter was standing beside Granger, glaring at Draco. He was clearly trying to decide whether to hex Draco to oblivion or follow his mudblood's lead and go see the littlest Weasley.

"Ron, c'mon, we should go see Gin," Potter said quietly, placing a hand on Weasel's shoulder to calm him down. Weasley sighed angrily but turned sharply and left the hall. Granger let out a breath, Potter took her arm and the two of them followed their friend from the Great Hall.

Draco released a breath he didn't even know he'd been holding.

A/N: Im not exactly sure when I'll have the next one up. Hopefully soon... but I can't promise anything. I've learned to stop making promises to you guys, cause I generally can't keep them. Hahha. xD Review.