Stay by my side

Chapter 11: What game are you playing?

Authors note: I don't own anything, everything belongs to the lovely J.K. Rowling. I do however own my mistakes. Also, I am very well aware that the last chapter was very dared, and I absolutely don't regret it. It was necessary to stir things up a little, but don't worry, I won't push them into some sort of random make out scene or whatsoever. I'll delicately build that up.

After a few seconds Draco disconnected his lips from hers and disgustingly wiped his lips clean.

Hermione was left dumbfounded, honestly having no idea anymore as to what was happening. One moment they were ready to kill each other, the next moment they were kissing.

Draco smirked as he saw Hermione clueless of the situation. "I guess that the Malfoy charm can even make the mudblood shut up."

Hermione came back to her senses and her features turned into a sneer. "Are you out of your mind!Why did you kiss me, Malfoy?"

Draco casually shrugged his shoulders. "Wanted to know if you really do suck at kissing as I've noticed the past few times that we kissed. Guess I got my answer." He said with a devious smirk.

Hermione – totally pissed off – started picking up her quill and parchment and was about to storm off, but his words stopped her dead in her tracks. "And I, of course, have to know your weakness, do I not? How else am I supposed to get back at you."

Draco started walking, forcing Hermione to follow his pace – although she quickly made it a battle as to see who got the lead – and they walked to the castle.

In the end, Draco had gotten the lead – cheating by crushing her hand, forcing her to let him lead – and they were now walking into the Great Hall, settling down at the Slytherin table.

Hermione looked around her, Hogwarts was surprisingly empty. She saw two Gryffindors in the Great Hall along with five Hufflepuffs and three Ravenclaws. As for Slytherin, it wasn't the number of people that concerned her. It was the people that stayed. All of the Slytherins had seem to go home, except for Crabbe, Goyle, Theodore and Blaise.

Talking of the boys, when she looked straight in front of her, she was met with dark brown orbs staring at her. The boy had a dark skin colour and the intensive look in his eyes made her a little squeamish.

Draco was casually talking with his 'friends' and a share of laughter filled the Great Hall, the guys laughing about something Hermione didn't even want to pay attention to.

Hermione took an apple out of the wooden bowl that was positioned on the table and tried to eat as comfortably as she could with Blaise's eyes following her every move.

Something that did grab her attention, however, was Draco swiftly passing a parchment to Crabbe. If Hermione hadn't been the observant type, she would've never noticed. But, of course, she had to notice everything and therefore make her more anxious than she already was. God knows what was on that piece of paper, whatever kind of plan he had now.

Christmas break passed way too slowly for Hermione's liking. And way too quiet as well. She expected him to strike, after all, it was the perfect opportunity. That's what scared her as well. Why didn't he?

Hermione sighed and looked at her potions homework, she was as usual a few months ahead. They were in the library, they always were whenever they made homework. It was the easiest for both of them. Because not only wouldn't they get tempted to insult each other whenever they looked at each other, they also had books of information at their hands.

A loud chatter was heard, and as soon as the people stepped in, it died out. Hermione recognized those voices – Ron and Harry.

"Potter! Weasel!" Draco loudly called out, and Hermione jerked her head upwards, looking at Draco surprisingly. What was he doing?

Hermione's eyes drifted towards Harry and Ron, and with a little hesitation, they approached them. "What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry said, both ignoring Hermione's presence.

"Take a seat, got something to tell you." Draco casually said and pointed to the two chairs in front of them. "No, thanks. I'll pass. What do you want?" Harry said, repeating his former question.

"I lied. Mudblood and I never dated. I made her play along, as to get her away from you idiots." Draco said and when he said the word mudblood, Hermione could swear that she saw Harry and Ron grabbing towards their wands.

Harry scoffed, "And we are just supposed to believe you?" Draco shook his head and then looked at Hermione. "No, but you might believe her"

Hermione looked at Draco suspiciously, what game was he playing? Nonetheless, Hermione was way more than eager to grab this opportunity and looked at the two puzzled guys. "It's true. I never wanted this, you should know that. Never, in a billion years, would I ever date this ferret." Hermione said and a small grin formed on the two boy's lips.

"I miss you." Hermione muttered and their expressions softened. "We're so sorry, Hermione. We already figured through Christmas break." Harry said and Hermione's mouth dropped. "Then why.. why didn't you say anything?" Hermione asked disbelieved.

Ron shrugged his shoulders, "We wanted to wait until he came to us. Guess, he did now. I'm sorry Hermione, for not believing you. It was a stupid thing to do." Ron said and Hermione smiled an honest smile.

"We gotta go, 'Mione. We have to tell Ginny and the rest." Harry said and Hermione nodded with a delightful face. "Thank you." Hermione gratefully said and the boys smiled at her one last time before walking out of the library.

Hermione's smile slowly faded and she turned her head back to Draco. "Why did you tell them the truth?" She asked and he smirked, "Couldn't stand a day longer pretending to be your boyfriend."

Hermione rolled her eyes and then raised her eyebrow sternly. "I'm not stupid, Malfoy. What is your plan?" She demanded.

"Of course you're not stupid, after all, you're the smartest witch of your age, right? So, I'm guessing you'll be able to find out sooner or later." He casually said and closed his books.

"Are you done, or what?" He said and stood up, Hermione warily following suit.

Author's note: I know that in the book Blaise is different than I described, and I also know that many of you see him the way he is in the book, but this is just how I would imagine Blaise to be, so please respect that. Thanks for reading and sorry about the short chapters.