Author's Note: First off, please don't kill me XD The reason for my lack of updating was because I didn't know where the story was going…and I was also focusing on 'Dalliance' my other ongoing fic WHICH IS MUCH BETTER AND I ADVISE STRONGLY YOU READ THAT ONE TOO ;) But I promised I wouldn't give up on this one, and so here it is! Enjoy. ~TheOnlyQuirk

Chapter 11 ~ Dramatics

"Ronald Weasley, what have you done to Malfoy?!"

Ron stood up proudly, puffing his chest forward like a 6 year old with the correct answer to a muggle math equation.

"No need to thank me Hermione, you would have done the same for me."

Hermione glanced down at the Slytherin who was sprawled on the floor in an inelegant fashion, and turned to face Ron who was still grinning.

"Depends whether you meant me or Malfoy…" she muttered, and bent to the ground once again.

Ron stared at her in disbelief as she paid him no mind and attempted to wake up Malfoy.

"Hermione, what on earth are you doing?!"

"Trying to clear up your own mess Ron." She refrained from adding like usual.

"But I saved you!"

"From what Ronald?" she sighed, facing him. "You've just made things worse, we don't have much time left and now he won't flipping wake up!"

"He was ATTACKING YOU!"

Ron's face had started to go a shade of purple that Hermione had seen before, and was usually a result of her spending a long time in the library as she left Harry to deal with his rage. The fact that his blinding ignorance didn't just affect himself, but others around him was something Hermione was not quick to forgive, however she may want to. Abandoning her attempts to wake up Malfoy (what spell Ron had used she had no idea, because a simple renerverate was just not working. And she would rather drag the Slytherin out of the maze herself rather than ask Ron.) She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm at the sight of Ron about to blow his top.

"No he was not. We were fine."

"FINE?!"

"Yes Ronald. Fine."

"IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE IT!"

"Oh yes, because when you only catch the end of a conversation, suddenly you MUST have the right conclusion."

"I don't need to know your conversation when I KNOW he was hurting you!"

"Use your eyes Ron, for ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!"

"Oh yeah? What about that bruise on your neck?"

The Gryffindor looked down, and sure enough, a blooming blue bruise had begun to blossom on her collar bone.

"It was an accident." She said quietly.

"And now you're DEFENDING HIM?" Scoffed Ron, gesturing to the blond slumped on the floor. "Hermione you've either gone CRAZY or INSANE or BOTH."

"They mean the same thing Ronald."

"YOU'RE STILL BOTH!"

"You truly are skilled in linguistics."

"I don't need your swotty corrections now Granger."

"Congratulations" Hermione almost snarled. "You sound like Malfoy."

"Maybe you'll like me better then."

Hermione laughed. "You're crazy."

"Who's the linguist now?"

"Ronald, we need to finish this maze or we'll be stuck with Filch, and as much as I know you love him, I don't. Malfoy needs our help as much as we do."

"YOU'VE BETRAYED US!"

"US?!" Hermione was shocked at the accusation and she could already feel the anger bubbling through her.

"ME. HARRY. GRYFFINDORS IN GENERAL. YOUR FRIENDS."

"I most certainly have NOT."

"Your allegiance to the snake is touching but the TRUE Hermione would never stoop so low."

"How DARE you accuse me of that! You just swan up, stun a few people and HEY PRESTO Ronald Weasley saves the day."

Ron's fists were clenched face an angry shade of red as Hermione continued.

"Well I don't need you Ron! You've just mucked things up, and now I have to deal with it AS USUAL. I can handle one stuck up Slytherin THANK YOU VERY MUCH."

And with that she turned away.

When she looked back, Ron had left.

5 more minutes had passed, and Hermione was fretting about the time as Malfoy refused to wake up.

"Making my life difficult even when unconscious…" she muttered and gritted her teeth as she realised the only way was to carry him.

If anyone has ever tried to carry someone double their weight, be it a piggy back or a simple bride stance, they will know of the difficulty of the situation. However, this increases 10 fold when the person cannot help in any. Hermione just hoped that the spell would wear off soon or there would be no chance in hell they would make it to the end of the corridor, let alone the end of the maze.

"For Merlin's sake…" she muttered as she once again dropped him heavily after attempting to hold him up by his arms.

"Ok. Let's try this way." And she grabbed both of his ankles, starting to drag him down the corridor, walking backwards.

She had gotten about 5 feet and was already starting to sweat when a voice made her jump.

"Granger. Why are you holding my legs?"

Her head snapped up in shock, and looking at her were a pair of cool grey eyes, accompanied by a stony faced Malfoy, now propped up on his elbows.

"You were unconscious." Hermione said simply.

"You don't say."

"And we had to get moving"

"Hmm?"

"But you're awfully heavy."

"Are you calling me fat?"

"Yes." Hermione said in spite, even though she knew it was a lie.

Draco cocked his head to the side at stared at her without breaking his gaze, and she was wondering if he was ever going to explain his staring when he said again softly,

"I am flattered by your reluctance, but I would appreciate it if you would now let go of my legs."

"Oh, yes…right." She replied slightly flustered, a soft edge of pink to her cheeks. In haste, she let go of his ankles quickly, and they hit the stone with a thump and a moan from the recovered Slytherin.

"No need to injure me again Granger."

He stood up, and brushed himself off before looking back once again in curiosity at the small Gryffindor.

"Granger?"

"Hm?"

"You know you could have just levitated me with your wand"

For once, Hermione couldn't think of what to say, and stood there like a goldfish, racking her brains to why she hadn't of thought of that herself.

Malfoy stood with his arms crossed, a grin starting to edge its way onto his face, as she struggled with her logic. Hermione, noticing the Slytherin's grin rolled her eyes, huffed, and walked away, the smirking Draco following not far behind.

XxXxXxXXx

Ron had being paying no attention to where he was walking, only trying to put as much distance between him and Hermione as possible, feet slapping loudly in anger as he sped walked his way through the unnaturally quiet maze. Being the person he was, Ronald didn't spare much guilt towards angering his friend, knowing that he could make it up later with some flattery, puppy dog eyes, and perhaps a sugar quill if she was feeling particularly stubborn. In fact, his mood was entirely consumed with his 7 year fuelled hatred towards Draco Malfoy.

If Ron had done the, perhaps, slightly more feminine thing of analysing his own feelings and why he was feeling that, he may have discovered that deep down, it wasn't Draco Malfoy he hated. It was the people that caused the war, and ruined lives. But, of course, it was far easier to take it out on someone he could regularly try to torment.

Suddenly, Ron stopped in his tracks as he heard a noise. He couldn't be sure, but it sounded like…well, it sounded like…

Giggling.

"Hello?" he called out, but there was no answer.

A few more steps however, and he heard a squeaky voice.

"STOP STWANGER. GO NO FURVER OR END YOUR LIFE!"

Accompanied by another round of giggles.

"GIVE US ALLLL YOUR MONEY!"

Ron, now very confused looked around, seeing nothing, shouted back,

"I 'AINT GOT NO MONEY!"

"Well then." Came a second voice. "Your life it is!"

All Ron Weasley saw was two tufts of bright orange hair before he was overcome in a wave of bright light.

AN: I know this took forever, but a few reviews would be greatly appreciated on what you think of this story so far Thank you!