Smiling widely, I strutted though the corridor. In fact, strutted was actually the appropriate term, because when you're wearing four inch heels, it's almost impossible to do anything but strut.

So off I strutted, feeling incredibly pleased with myself in the light of current events. I was wearing a red dress, red heels, and carrying a red purse, one that Lavender had thrust upon me before leaving the bathroom.

"You'll need it, Miss Scarlet-Shoes," she'd advised. "You know, to carry that." I'd slipped the small vial into the purse, nodding wisely. It wouldn't do me any good now to lose it now. Not after we'd cooked up such a dastardly scheme.

Preparation began in Potions. After being so very incorrectly admonished by my dear professor, I'd ignored Malfoy completely and slid over to the seat next to Ron, dragging my cauldron with me. For the next thirty minutes of class, I finished my potion and gave an enormous amount of help to Ron with his. For our plan to work, his potion would have to be perfect.

And it was.

By the end of the class, both our potions looked nearly identical, colorless and with smoke rising in spirals from the top. Snape had strode over, but either figuring that he couldn't harshly judge me on my perfect accomplishment or deciding that he'd already inflicted enough pain on me today, he'd moved on.

It was just enough time for me to conjure up a small vial and, without anyone noticing, procure a small amount of Ron's potion.

I made another vial for some of mine, too, but it wasn't for today. I'd pocketed it, just to have on hand, in case I'd need it in the near future. I had a good suspicion that I probably would, so it was better to be safe than sorry.

I tugged down the bottom of my dress, fretting. I hadn't checked a mirror in five minutes, and I wasn't sure how my hair looked, or if my makeup had smudged. I was going outside, where Malfoy and his friends were eating lunch, and I wanted to look as good as possible in front of all the Slytherins. It was crucial that I distract them enough so that my deed could go undetected.

Much as I tried to stop it, a smirk crept over my face. This was going to be rather brilliant.

If things went according to plan, I'd have Malfoy fawning over someone in the next five minutes or so.

And it wasn't going to be me.

Lavender had laughed so hard when I told her the plan in the bathroom after potions class, showing her the small vial. "Oh, Hermione," she'd giggled. "You were born to do this sort of thing." Because she agreed with me, even forgetting her affection for Ron, that this was going to rock socks.

It was going to put me on the upper side of the bet. I'd have both boys underneath me: Ron and Malfoy, both horribly embarrassed by the situation. If I was lucky, Ron would hate me for a bit and stop drooling over me for a while, and Malfoy… well, yes, he might hate me, but I had the idea he might find a newfound respect for me, being so crafty and all.

And if he didn't… I still had my vial of the Amortentia for emergency usage.

The best part was, he had no idea this was coming.

I walked out of the corridor and into the sunlight. I squinted. The courtyard was bright, lit up by the sun. But I could just make out a shock of pale blonde hair sitting in the distance...

Hurriedly, I walked over to the Slytherins, wasting no time. I wanted this whole thing over by History of Magic at the latest, which meant I only had two hours or so to carry out the whole plan.

"Hey, Malfoy," I said easily, plopping down onto the grass beside him. It earned a few glares from some of the Slytherins. I hoped I didn't look too ridiculous, since my ankles had kind of buckled in those darned heels when I had gone to sit. "Mind if I sit here?"

He narrowed his eyes at me, half-assessing and half-confused. After a pause, he waved his hand dismissively. "Go ahead." He raised his goblet to his lips and took a sip. "But I can't even begin to imagine why you'd want to be hanging around with us lewd bunch. Must be getting desperate, Granger. Is that pretty little face of yours ceasing to charm the fellows?"

A few of the Slytherins snickered. One wolf-whistled. I clenched my fingers into the grass to keep myself from spitting an angry remark at him.

"Just dying for your company," I said, trying to make my voice sound lusty.

"You've missed me that much in less than an hour?" Malfoy was attempting to keep his tone smooth and sarcastic, but I could tell he was impressed.

"More than you could imagine."

I leaned closer to him, so that our bodies were almost pressing against each other.

A boy laughed. "Nice catch, Draco. Can I have her once you're through with her?"

Malfoy glared. "Silence, Kerrigan. She wants me, not you, and if you know what's best for you, you'll keep your mouth shut."

Kerrigan sulked, but was silent. He went back to talking with the other boys, and for the moment, the two of us were forgotten.

Malfoy leaned closer, pressing his forehead to mine. "So you're not angry at me?" he whispered quietly, so soft that only him and I could hear his words. "I was afraid you would be, after today. I'm just," he glanced down at my body, "getting ahead of myself." My breath caught in my throat. "It's hard to stay sane around you, Granger," he continued. "Bet or no bet... I just keep wanting to kiss you. All the time."

That was all it took. I pressed myself against him, bridging the distance between our lips. He met mine hungrily, passionately, like a dog that had been waiting for leftovers and finally had been fed. His tongue slipped into my mouth with surprising agility, and that was all it took for me to elicit a small moan.

The moan brought back the attention of the other boys, and while they were busy gawking at our kiss, my fingers, deft and nimble, swiped the vial from my purse, and unseen, poured the potion into Malfoy's goblet. Guilt washed over me for a moment, but only for a moment. Smiling against his lips, I put the vial back in my purse and weaved my fingers through his hair, making him groan with pleasure.

The sound made the pit of my stomach plunge. Thrills raced down the length of my spine. I, Hermione Granger, had made a Malfoy groan. That was no ordinary feat.

When we finally broke apart, it was with victory that I smiled. "Good enough for you?"

He smirked at me appraisingly. "If I had known you were that good of a kisser, Granger, you would have been mine years ago."

The tingles started in my lower stomach region again, but before my mind could start dancing and spinning into mayhem, he took a long, thirsty sip from his goblet, and Plan Embarrass-Malfoy-And-Ron had officially been set into action.

He seemed fine for a second, but then a change became evident. His eyes were slightly more foggy, and a crease had appeared between his eyebrows.

"You okay, mate?" Zabini asked, noticing the change too.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Malfoy said slowly. "But... where is he?"

"Who, Crabbe? He's off with McGonagall, remember, didn't complete that essay she assigned - "

"No, not him," Malfoy said somewhat impatiently, rubbing a hand over his forehead. "You know... Ron." A resignedly sappy expression crossed his features. "I need to find him."

Zabini looked baffled. "Why? Are you going to try to hex him or something? If you need help, I can - "

"Just stay out of this, okay Zabini?" Malfoy said angrily. "I just... I just need him, that's all."

"If you say so," Zabini mumbled, looking down at his feet, confusion etched into every line of his face.

Malfoy swiveled his head around the rest of the Slytherins, as if daring them to challenge him, and when none of them did, his piercing grey eyes landed on me.

"You're friends with him, right Granger?" he asked me pleadingly. He stood up, brushing the dirt and grass off his robes. "Can you help me find him?"

"Of course, Malfoy," I said, trying to disguise a smirk and somewhat failing. "This way."

He followed me out of the courtyard like a little boy trailing behind his mother. "Are you sure you know where he is?" he asked, panting and trying to keep up with my long strides.

"Positive. Any plans for what you'll do when you see him?"

Malfoy blanched for a second. "No," he sputtered. "I w – wasn't really thinking about that. I just need to see him."

"Let me give you some advice," I said wisely. "Ronald Weasley is a slippery little creature. You have to get his attention immediately."

Malfoy nodded.

"As for me, I would suggest doing something really… well, attention-grabbing, you know what I mean. Take his hand, kiss his cheek… something to that extent."

"Okay. Is kissing on the lips good too?"

I snorted. I really couldn't help it.

"Yes, kissing on the lips is spectacular. Brilliant. Really good."

He smiled relievedly and leaned in towards me confidentially. "I don't want to make any mistakes," he whispered. "I really think I love him, Granger, and I want him to love me back."

"Then love you he shall," I declared triumphantly, straightening up and punching him lightly on the arm. "You'll do great."

He beamed at my praise and we continued walking.

Oh yes. My revenge was on its way.

a/n. Sorry for the wait, ya'll! Next chapter should be up sometime next week.

And oh man, those two boys are going to get it - suggestions for what goes down would be greatly appreciated. ;)

xoxo,
Sianatra