'Morning, stranger.'

Hermione's eyes fluttered open and before her laid an Adonis incarnate, or maybe Adonis himself, and he was stroking her cheek with his thumb. She smiled a goofy smile and stretched, arching her back, immediately feeling sore in her bottom.

'How did you convince me to let you plunge into my arse again?' She muttered as she rubbed her eyes, trying not to make much movement.

'Well, you kept moaning,' Draco pointed out. 'I took it as a yes.' He finished with a smile.

'Well, next time wait 'till I say yes.' She said and gingerly sat up. 'It hurts now.' She complained.

'Well, let me make it feel better.' Draco suggested, emitting a low growl from his chest. He lightly pushed her to lie on her stomach, despite Hermione's resistance. 'It won't hurt, I promise.'

Hermione prepared herself, half expecting Draco to shove something cold in her ass and tell her it's a joke. But she heard him mutter a spell and immediately felt loads better.

'How did you...' She began to ask.

'Learnt it from this book I was actually reading.' Draco answered her. She loved how he could answer her without her finishing her sentence. It was almost as if they were one whole.

'Do I even want to know the book?' She laughed.

'Well, it's in the library, actually. All you need to know: You-Know-What. I reckon it's to keep the adults away, the title, I mean.'

'But I'm sure some of the teachers might have read it before.' Hermione thought aloud.

'Ha, can you imagine McGonagall reading it?' Draco snorted with laughter. Hermione laughed along, but partly at him. Draco Malfoy just snorted. Snorted. And she thought that Malfoys never did anything that associated them with the lower class. Like having fun. You'd have to stop being so judgmental on Draco, he fell in love with you, didn't he?

'I'd rather not, Draco. Now, come on, we have to leave. I want to check on Harry before going back to class.' Hermione said, pushing herself off the bed. She heard Draco groan in protest.

'I was planning to stay in bed all day!' He said.

'Well, I wasn't,' Hermione laughed, starting to put on her clothes. She looked at Draco's crestfallen face and felt guilt creep upon her.Damn my Gryffindor self! She heard herself saying. 'How does 12 sound to you? I'm not going to the room in the forest because I most definitely am not going to step foot into the forest at that time.' She paused for a while. 'How about the Room of Requirement?'

'I guess that'll do.' He pouted, but he was feeling ecstatic within. Almost immediately, he began counting the hours he had left to the next amorous meeting. You're pathetic, Malfoy. His inner Malfoy scolded him. He rolled his eyes and pushed the bastard away. He just wanted to be near Hermione.

'Right, see you then.' She smiled, pulling her cloak over her head. She walked out quietly, careful not to wake the sleeping Slytherins. She spotted a lone Blaise, slumped in an armchair. She picked up his fallen cloak and gently replaced it on him. The Slytherin git did look sort of adorable, when he was sleeping. He looked like he was smirking even in his sleep. Does he ever stop smirking?

She continued tiptoeing out, and slipped out the portrait, hoping nobody would see the portrait open by 'itself'. Making sure she made no sound, she made her way to her dorm in the Gryffindor common room, after being greeted by an excited squeal from the Fat Lady.

'Didn't see you around for the past two nights, dearie.' She had whispered, clapping her hands together, looking at Hermione fondly. 'I only remember the first time I laid my eyes on you, and look at you now! Sneaking off... Ooh!'

Hermione felt herself blush. She was certain the Fat Lady would have hugged her if she could.

'Well, you know...' Hermione drawled.

'Ah, but of course.' She winked and allowed Hermione entrance.

Hermione threw off the cloak, grabbed her clothes and made a beeline to the lavatory. God knows how she looked like after a rough night.

She nearly moaned when the hot water beat down upon her still-sensitive skin. It only reminded her too eagerly of how Draco's fingers drummed against her lube-applied skin last night. Even the slightest touch of his sent shivers down her back. It was pure torture to have been chained to the bedpost while he ravished her when all she wanted to do was dig her fingers into that blond mane of his, or run her fingers down his chest and up his aristocratic face. And he was most definitely teasing her, by prolonging every touch, every lick... She blushed at the detailsHermione Granger most certainly let hair down last night and went wild.

She got a good, undisturbed shower and slipped on her clothes, not bothering to let her hair dry on its own and zapped it dry. She tied it up in a loose bun; she knew how Draco liked her hair like that, and went off in the direction of the infirmary, deciding to skip breakfast.

'Miss Granger?' Madam Pomfrey asked as she watched Hermione advance towards her.

'Yes, Madam Pomfrey, I'd like to visit Harry.'

'He's still asleep. Nasty bug, he's got there. Last night when Mr. Zabini dropped him off, he was burning up!'

'I promise I won't wake him, I just wanted to check on him, for a bit.' Hermione pleaded. Madam Pomfrey looked at her, not being able to decide. Finally she relented.

'Alright, he's on the third bed on the left row.' She said with a sigh, turning her attention back to jotting down some notes. Hermione muttered thanks and went ahead.

And there was Harry, still looking pale, like last night. On his forehead was a fine sheet of sweat. She wiped his forehead gingerly and pressed her lips to his warm cheek.

'Hope you feel better, Harry.' She whispered.

She made it to Ancient Runes without much trouble, but at lunch she decided that maybe her absence hadn't gone unnoticed as she had hoped it did.

'Where have you been?' Ginny asked her as she sat down beside Hermione. Hermione's insides twisted and she suddenly didn't feel like eating at all. She didn't wish to lie to Ginny, but she knew that Ginny would tell Ron in a heartbeat if she knew the truth. She silently picked at her tiny sandwich.

'Hermione?' Ginny prodded.

'I was, er, at the infirmary. Harry was sick. And I had fallen asleep there.' She managed, shocking herself. Since when had she become a spontaneous liar? Maybe she hung out with Draco too much.

'Oh. That makes sense,' Ginny said, but it seemed like she was talking to herself. 'What about the night before? Poor Harry got ambushed by Susie Jones when he asked her where you were. Didn't recall seeing you in your bed either. And you were wearing the same clothes you had the day before.'

Hermione narrowed her eyes. Maybe Ginny was more observant than Hermione had given her credit for.

'Er, well, I was...' Hermione stuttered, finally feeling the hot flush in her cheeks as her brain tried desperately to think up of an excuse. She felt half relieved. At least she knew she was still an honest Gryffindor. Well, almost honest Gryffindor.

'Yes?' Ginny pressed on, completely ignoring her own lunch by this time.

'Alright, you caught me.' Hermione closed her eyes, in a somewhat guilty manner, which wasn't too hard. 'I've been sneaking out to Hogsmeade recently. I'd gone the previous night to get some school necessities and some stuff from Honey Dukes but I somehow got locked out of Hogwarts. It wasn't till morning that Dobby somehow appeared and got me back in.'

'Oh! So that's where you were.' Ginny exclaimed. 'Oh, thank God. Ron was just driving me crazy with the questions he was asking me. Honestly, he sounded a bit deranged after a while...'

Oh my bloody God. Bloody hell. Merlin! I'd just fibbed so much. To Ginny! Of all people! I've always been able to tell her every trouble I had. She knows stuff not even Ron or Harry knows! Well, that's because she's a girl and it's easier to relate to her, but honestly! How could I lie to her? Oh my God, I'm going to turn into one of those rebellious punks who shoves everybody else away from her because she never opens up to anybody anymore and they don't understand her anymore and I'm going to go dye my hair black and pierce my nose and get a tattoo—Hold on a minute, did she just say Ron?

'Sorry, Ginny, did you just say Ron?' Hermione enquired.

'Yeah, he was asking me loads of questions about you. Your recent behaviour, anything out of place, your absence these few days... Frankly I had no idea how to answer him! I think we are in a great need of some bonding time, and I was thinking we could...'

But Hermione wasn't listening. For there was a loud roaring in her ears; there stood Draco Malfoy, in the doors of the Great Hall, in the arms of Pansy Parkinson, who was chattering non-stop.. The couple—ugh, it hurt to even think that—made their way to their house's table. And then Ron trudged through the doors. Hermione felt herself stop breathing.

'Er, Gin? I've got to go, all right? I'll catch up with you soon, but if Ron asked where I was, I was never here, got it?' She instructed, starting to get up, hoping to not attract Ron's attention. Too late, he was already walking here.

'Ron, eh?' Ginny guessed with an encouraging smile. 'I really don't know why you're so nervous. I thought you fancied him?'

'No, not anymore. Not that way. I've really got to go.' Hermione said, and turned around abruptly, dropping her books in her hands. She was about to yell at the person in her bad mood when she realized she had bumped into the other Weasley. Oh crap.

'Here, let me.' Ron picked up the books for her and handed it to her. With a gulp, he said, 'we need to talk.'

'Er, how about later?' Hermione suggested. Or never, she added after a while. She had no intention of confronting Ron. Ever. No way.

'No, now.' Ron insisted and motioned for her to sit down, which she did grudgingly. He shot a look at Ginny.

'Oh all right, I'll be gone.' She sighed and was gone in a flash of her brilliant red hair.

'So, er, well...' Ron started and his ears turned a bright red. Hermione knew that Ron was never a man of words. More of laughing and joking. But never seriousness. She squared herself. This was it. She was going to have to reject Ron and ruin their years of friendship. Goodbye to the stays at The Burrow. Goodbye to the warm dinner cooked by Mrs. Weasley they all sat to during dinner. Goodbye to all those gut-splitting laughs she had when Ron got pranked on by Fred and George. Goodbye to--

'I'm sorry for my behavior. I acted like a fool. I should have known.' Ron's voice broke her out of her reverie.

'Oh Ron! I'm sorry things didn't turn out the way you wanted.' Hermione said.

'Yeah, should have picked a better place to do it, shouldn't I?' Ron muttered, before breaking out into a grin. 'But I'm glad you understand me now, though. Mom said I should get you something, so I did,' he held up a box of her favourite Electric Jaw Breakers.

Hermione's mind slammed into a wall. The sweet gesture made her heart ache. Ron wasn't apologizing for his behavior that day. Well, he was. But not in the way Hermione wished him to. She was wishing that he meant that he was sorry for forcing himself on her, and that he understood that she loved someone else. But instead, he was apologizing for his apparent bad timing and place.

'No, no, Ron,' she heard herself say. 'I don't like you that way anymore.' She whispered softly. Ron's grin immediately fell off his face, and he lowered the box.

'You don't?' he asked in a somewhat strangled voice, his knuckled turning white by clutching the box.

'No, I'm so sorry.' She whispered, not trusting herself to speak properly. This was it. She was going to ruin their friendship with the rejection. He even got her her favourite treat! He knew, all along!

'There's someone else, isn't there?' He demanded. 'Harry told me you shagged someone. He also told me you two had shagged. So it really is true, huh? My two best friends getting it up behind my back.'

'No, Ron, it's not what you think. Not at all,' Hermione's voice broke. 'Harry and I are best friends, that's it. I'm in love with someone else. Not Harry.'

'Then who is it?'

'I can't—I can't tell you.'

'So it must be Harry. Why won't you just stop pretending and tell me, so that I can stop acting like a fool, being completely deluded should I ever catch you and Harry shag again, maybe under the table, and tell myself that you merely dropped a pen and he was helping you get it?' Ron snapped.

'No, no, Ron, there's really nothing going on between Harry and I.' She pleaded. Pleading for what? His hand of friendship? His forgiveness? Did she really expect him to hug her like a long lost friend after rejecting him?

'Stop, Hermione, it hurts enough to see you pretend.' Ron muttered, before getting up and walking away.

'Hermione, are you okay?' Susan Bones asked, concerned. She apparently had been listening on their conversation.

Hermione continued to stare vacantly into the seat Ron was just in a second ago.

'Are you crying?' Susan asked, hurriedly fishing for her hanky, which she held out to Hermione. Hermione only then realized that she had tears streaking down her face. She took the hanky appreciatively and dabbed at her face.

'Thanks, Susan.' She said. Susan shifted herself, so she was beside Hermione.

'That bad, huh? Want to head onto the bathroom for a bit? You know, to clean up?' She suggested, wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulders comfortingly. Hermione smiled weakly.

'Yes, that sounds nice.' She said quietly. She followed Susan out of the hall, grateful that most of the students were too busy eating to notice her abrupt flight.

Draco had not been able to get rid of Pansy for the entire day. He was getting more and more annoyed of her constant shrilly voice, commenting on almost everything that they walk past. He shot Blaise another pleading look.

'Er, Pansy, do you mind getting my book from Potions? I had forgotten to take it.' Blaise asked, but it sounded more of a command. Pansy threw a look at Draco but he merely shrugged. With a huff, she stalked off to the Potion dungeon in the opposite direction.

'Thanks for the save, mate.' Draco muttered.

'No problem. She was starting to be a noise hazard anyway. Really, who can continue talking for that long?' Blaise asked.

'Precisely! It really makes me wonder how she even started hanging out with us in the first place.'

'Well, her dad knew your dad. You caught her eyes while you, being the pompous ass you were, showed off your Quidditch skills in the yard one fine day. And of course you have to do everything daddy dearest orders you to.' Blaise said sweetly.

'Ugh, don't remind me.' Draco scowled. 'How long do you think she'll be gone?' he threw a glance over his shoulder.

'Long.' Blaise smiled, revealing his Potions book from under his robes, shooting Draco a triumphant smile. Draco smiled back. This meant he could stare at Hermione throughout the entire lunch period without being annoyed or disrupted by Pansy.

'Thanks, I really owe you one.' Draco said.

'You bet you do.' Blaise rolled his eyes.

They were just walking along the corridor to the Great Hall when Pansy caught up to them, face flushed.

'Saw. No. Book.' She panted.

'Oh, I must have left it somewhere else then.' Blaise merely shrugged. Pansy threw him a glare as she turned her attention back to Draco. 'Oh, found out that Potter's knocked out in the infirmary right now. Isn't that great?' She wrapped her arms around Draco's arm, to his annoyance.

'Super.' He said through gritted teeth. He heard Blaise stifle a laugh and wanted to tell him where to stuff it. He entered the door of the Great Hall, with a great sense of disappointment. He couldn't admire Hermione at peace now. No, instead, he'll be having a non-stop radio at his ears, buzzing about every little thing in the school. He felt a migraine coming on.

As he sat down, he saw that the she-weasel was walking away reluctantly. He returned his gaze to Hermione and realized with surprise that the Weasel was with her. He could tell her apprehensiveness. She looked like she wished the floor to open and swallow her up. Weasel finally talked, and she grimaced.

Draco squinted his eyes, trying to lip read. Hermione was talking way too fast for him to catch. However, Weasel was talking slower. Weasel had said something about place and lifted up a box. Draco squinted even more. 'Electric Jaw Breakers' the box read. Electric Jaw Breakers? Weren't they candy or something?

Hermione looked like she wanted to die. She said something and the weasel cringed. A one-side heated argument took place. Oh no, looks like something ugly... He watched every drop of tear roll down Hermione's cheek, but she took no notice of them. He watched Weasley stalk off, leaving Hermione defenseless. Susan Bones offered her a hanky. Draco wanted to be right beside Hermione, stroking every tear away, to whisper comforting words in her ear. Anything to stop her crying.

'Draco? Draco, are you listening?' Pansy asked. Draco reluctantly tore his gaze away from Hermione and turned to glare at Pansy, who visibly shrunk when he met her eyes.

'What?' Pansy asked, before looking at where Draco was looking at a moment ago.

'Ha, Mudblood crying? Must be your happiest day, Draco. Finally, that little Miss. Know-It-All gets socked and cries boo-hoo. I've always wished for this day. Let's go celebrate, how about it?' she purred, drawing closer to Draco, who moved away, disgusted.

'Shut up, Parkinson. The only day that I'll be at my happiest is when somebody hexes your mouth shut for the rest of eternity and that you finally shut up. And the only thing that I want to celebrate is you being away from me.' Draco spat with venom and stalked off, running after Hermione.

'What's gotten into him?' She huffed to Blaise.

'I don't know, but I'll do this,' mimicks zipping his mouth and throwing the key away, 'if I were you.' Blaise answered.

Draco ran around the corner, in hopes of running up to Hermione. He didn't know what sort of excuse he'd give to get her away from Bones, but he'd think about it as soon as he caught up to her.

Wait, this hallway was empty. Did he go the wrong way? He sighed. Then he caught her scent, something undeniably fruity. He looked down the hallway. Of course! The girl's room!

He walked casually into the girl's room, ignoring Bone's shrieks and empty threats.

'Wanted to check on Granger.' Draco drawled. 'Saw the little cry fest, Granger, did Weasley reject your advances?'

'Get lost, Malfoy, before I report you to McGonagall.' Susan drew herself to full height, trying to look menacing.

'And she'll what? Send me to detention? Ha, like I care. Get out if you know what's good for you. Don't worry, you can have Granger back, when I'm done with her.'

'Malfoy...' Susan warned.

'Out. Now.' Draco rolled his eyes.

'Now, now, Draco. Play nice. How about we go for a walk, Susan? I'd like to take one, the weather's nice.' Blaise said from the door, covering his eyes. He smiled, charming Susan.

'Y-yeah, alright.' She faltered. She turned to glare at Draco. 'I'm watching you, Malfoy.' And turned to Blaise, who offered his arm and led her away. Draco muttered a Locking Charm and caught Hermione before she collapsed. He sat down on the floor, laying her head on his chest.

'It's all gone. It's all my fault. Ron hates me now.' She whispered, voice cracking.

'Shush, no, I'm sure it's his loss,' he said, stroking her hair.

'No, all those years of friendship... Gone just like that. The plans, they failed. Failed, Draco. Failed! He hates me now... Hates me.' She was turning hysterical, sobbing.

'I don't think its possible to hate you, Hermione...' Draco started.

'No, you... you don't get it!' Hermione pushed him away angrily. 'Why did you have to come into my life, Draco Malfoy?' she whispered. 'You complicated everything! If you haven't come into my life, I'll still be stupidly in love with stupid Ron and none of this would have happened!'

'You're blaming me?' Draco asked. 'Me?'

'Who else is there?' She shrieked, pushing him away as he tried to hug her.

'You're hysterical, Hermione, why don't you calm down a bit before talking?' he asked, trying to wrap his arms around her, smiling encouragingly.

'Do you find this funny?' She asked. 'I don't. I don't, Draco Malfoy. Maybe it's better if we both went alone. Far far away from each other.' She turn and ran out of the door, breaking its Locking Charm. Draco stared at her in disbelief. Did that just happen? He ran out the door, looking around but he didn't see a sign of his loved one, except for her lingering scent.

'Hermione, stop joking...' He smiled to himself, running aimlessly along the corridor. So this is how you want to play, little one?

'Hermione, come on, this isn't funny at all,' he said, panic creeping upon him. He turned sharply around the corner, hoping to scare her. But she wasn't there. Not even a strand of her fine, silk-spun hair. He slumped down in a corner.

No, this was real. Hermione was for real. She didn't want to have anything to do with Draco anymore. Not anymore.

Maybe it's better if we both went alone. Far far away from each other.

A/N: Yes, I know you're going to kill me, but I've got it all planned out! Really.