I have a love-hate relationship with this chapter. But it's the only chapter 12 you're gonna get :P
It's a little M-rated, so be warned.


However when it did come around, Hermione was so full of tension she was glad to let it go. The first few hours she spent barely moving, afraid some part of her would brush against Draco and intrinsically he would know the truth, even in his sleep.

Every time Draco shifted in his sleep, Hermione stiffened.

Every time a small sigh parted from his lips, she prayed to a higher deity.

But eventually Hermione had to admit (much to her relief) that it seemed unlikely Draco would do anything to compromise her position. Besides the few times he slung an ankle over the other, or burrowed further into the bed, he hadn't turned over once. It was almost a mockery, to see how softly his shoulder blades raised up and down, whilst she remained unable to unwind.

The exhaustion got too much to bear though, and Hermione slipped into uneasy rest.

She dreamt of startling things- bees chasing her around the garden, and staying dry in a thunderstorm- but she rolled onto her side, and continued dreaming.

For a while, Draco and Hermione remained at this equilibrium of facing away from each other. But as the sun crept over the horizon, Draco drowsily decided he wanted to switch sleeping positions and thus, rolled over.

Immediately his hard-planed body came in contact with something yielding and warm. Draco subconsciously appreciated this new dimension, and wrapped his whole body behind it.

Was there a woman in his bed?

Grinning like a sick little boy, he slowly glided his hand from her hip to her flat belly. Placing one big palm against her small tiny bellybutton, Draco pushed her into his groin and sighed in contact, when hair tickled his nose.

Now this was a way, he didn't mind waking up.

Feeling content to just fall asleep again, Draco let out a small whimper when the woman in his arms wiggled her butt a little. It seemed like she was trying to find a more comfortable spot, and in detriment didn't mind rubbing against the bulge in his pants. Draco told himself to calm down. There was no need to get this excited, when sleep was so hard to come by-

Her arse wiggled again, and this time it was a full-blown sensual grind.

Draco groaned out louder than before, and felt blood rushing south of the equator. The bulge in his pants, was becoming thicker, harder, and if he wasn't careful it might even turn out to be a semi.

And there was no way in hell he was planning to shoot out buckets full of seed, so early on.

"Stay still," he whispered into her ear. "Stay still, unless you plan to carry through."

He was a little bemused when the figure in his arms, gave out a little snore. But still not opening his eyes, he tightened his arms around her and grinned into her hair. He always had to go for the amusing ones, didn't he?

The next moment, the grin turned into an on-building sneeze as the hair continued tickling his nose. He tried holding his breath, but that didn't work because the sensory nerves in his nose went into overload, and he sneezed so hard, he jerked back a coupla centimetres.

"Jesus!" he said, eyes popping open.

Before registering the other person on the bed as...

...HERMES?

Draco was so shocked, he fell off the bed and laid there on the floor, chest heaving. Up and down. Up and down. He tried to think how in hell he could've mistaken Hermes for a woman. Was he so depraved, that every single flat-chested boy he pressed against, came across like a woman? No! Draco shook his head, as Hermes sleepily peered over the bed at the theatrical image down below.

Draco instinctively went to cup his crotch, hiding his shame a little longer.

"Are you okay?" asked the boy, concern colouring his voice.

And the shame Draco felt, crept up just a little further.

###

It was obvious, they wouldn't be sitting together come the breakfast table. Hurt, and a little confused, Hermione watched as Draco breezed right past and arrogantly sit next to Theodore Nott, the only other person she knew in the entire room.

She wanted to follow after him, and ask what was wrong.

Come to think of it, Draco only started acting this way the morning after they spent a night together. Did something happen whilst she was asleep? Did her shirt happen to ride up and give a glimpse of something unmentionable?

The thing was, Draco didn't look like he knew she was a girl.

He just looked moody.

And surly.

Oh, and great. Now Theo was calling over her, and she was forced to tackle her problems head on. Hermione smiled tightly as she approached the table the guys were sitting at, and sat across from Draco. She attempted to catch his eye, to see if everything was alright.

But Draco was resolutely looking away from her.

In fact he was staring at the spreads, and lard knife as if he'd never seen them before in his life. The normally cool and indifferent friend she sought, seemed ripped to shreds as his hand reached out for the knife...and shook. His eyes quickly darting up to hers, before skittering away like leaves on a wind trail.

"Are you okay?" Theo asked.

Draco made a non-committal noise.

And placed his hand on his lap.

"ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT!" a voice bellowed from the door. It was a Royal Messenger decked in green, and a matching fez. "THE KING WISHES TO SEEK COUNCIL WITH ALL THE HEADS OF BRIGADE APPROXIMATELY AT THREE O'CLOCK!"

Hermione stored that away in her mental calendar, then wondered if the meeting actually extended to her. She wasn't a Head of Brigade, and was purely here because the asinine asshole sitting opposite, invited her when he was being all nice and charming. And now look where she was- stranded from The King's Guild away from her true friends and receiving a cold shoulder from him.

"NO OTHER THIRD PERSON NECESSARY!"

Life was pitiful, sometimes.

The Royal Messenger disappeared as swiftly as he'd come, and everyone resumed chatter over breakfast. Theo was no different, and launched onto something he'd witnessed whilst getting out of bed that morning. Something that was odd, but was perfect for some light-hearted banter right now.

"You two are a right pair of rabbits, aren't you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Snugg-"

"That's enough, Theo," Draco snapped, banging his fist on the table and standing up. Hermione jerked so badly, her jug of milk nearly spilled as Draco strode away from the them both. Hermione thought about remaining behind, and finishing her toast off. But Draco only had to reach the double doors, for Hermione to stand up and run after him.

"Wait!" she panted, when it looked like he wasn't going to stop.

Just to be cruel, Draco started jogging himself.

"WAIT!"

Draco slowed down to a walk once he got outside, and only because he nearly bumped into a Lady. He was too focused in getting away, to notice Pansy's appraisal of him as he reached out two hands to steady her. "I'm sorry," he muttered, and was off again.

Pansy's eyebrows rose even higher, when Hermes came barrelling out of the Castle.

"What's wrong?" he howled into the wind.

It was all very dramatic, as the boy caught up with the taller one, and tugged him on the back. Angrily, he tugged again and Draco swivelled with heat and ire on his face. Even Pansy, who knew all that rage and anger wasn't directed at her, was intimidated.

"YOU!" he yelled back, giving as good as he got. "YOU'RE WHAT'S WRONG!"

Pansy choked.

"I'm sick of you following me around like a lost puppy! I'm sick of you being here!"

It was never nice to have rude things shouted at you, and Hermione instantaneously felt the words smart. Was her existence that terrible, to make him feel this way? Did her presence make him reach for a sick bag, every time she came too close? Well, they did bond right after Draco finished being sick at Lavender, and the only reason they became so chummy was because she witnessed it.

But then she thought about it in another way. Sure, Draco might feel sick in her presence. But he'd done an awfully good job hiding it so far, and wasn't he the one who invited her to come in the first place?

Such a hypocrite!

"Well, if you were that sick of me," Hermione said coldly. "Then you could have said something beforehand. And the very least, not invite me to this god awful trip with you! Yeah, Malfoy! I pin this on you! And do you know what's even more sad?"

Hermione stepped up close to Malfoy, so their breaths aligned.

"I've been your friend all this time, and you never once divulged me your name."

"Well, it's DRACO!" he said angrily, reaching up two hands and pushing her back slightly. After the eye-opening incident this morning, Draco was reluctant to bring the causer of his troubles so close to his person. What had gone so wrong? They had joked so openly and freely 24 hrs ago, and now their friendship was ruined because Draco woke up with a snake in his pants.

How, just how could he treat Hermes the same after that?

"Well Draco," Hermione snarled, suddenly fed-up. "I wish you a pleasant stay."

Malfoy didn't say anything. He kept staring at her with those grey orbs, till he realized the thunder wasn't fading and he needed to escape. He turned and marched of into the distance- probably to sulk some more- and left Hermione rapidly trying to blink back tears, and failing.

She hadn't meant half the things she said. Not even the bit about Draco not revealing his name.

But it was funny how small things like that, got blown out of proportion in the middle of an argument.

Hermione wanted to call him back. Say she was sorry, and maybe give him a hug. But her pride, stupid stupid pride demanded she stay put until he came and apologised first. Listening to reason for once, Hermione turned back to return to the Castle, and maybe salvage a little breakfast. Because boy, was she hungry! But she came to a stop, when she realised a familiar beauty was preening in her path.

"Hello there," Pansy waved. "You might not remember me but I was the girl who was sitting on your lap? Pansy."

Hermione looked blank.

Sighing in exasperation, Pansy emitted a false-pitched giggle and shimmied her boobs.

Recognition lit up Hermione's face.

"Anyways, I couldn't help but eavesdrop on that little argument. Has anyone ever told you, you're a passionate man?"

"Multiple women," said Hermione, bored. "All of them screaming my name."

Why was she even indulging this over-hyped chick? All Hermione wanted to do was run to her bedroom, and bawl her eyes out like a little girl. But this unexpected arrival of a floozy, had kept the tears at bay and her mind strangely ticking. Maybe talking to Pansy, wasn't a bad thing. Especially if the girl could distract from her own misery for a while.

"Oooooh," Pansy shivered, delightfully. "Hermes, wasn't it? Good, strong, solid name."

Hermione blinked.

"Anyways, I was wondering if we could have a secret rendezvous at 3 in the afternoon? I know this delightful spot we could go to, and maybe get better acquainted?" It was Pansy's turn to blink seductively, and like talking to a true man, she knew exactly what to say to make Hermione waver.

"Don't worry," she waved airily. "I'll bring the food."

###

Approximately the same time Hermione should've been meeting up with Pansy, Draco found himself alone in the courts. He'd come here early, so he could be alone for awhile before King Albus delivered their fate.

That's how Theo found him.

Hunched over, and bowed in thought.

"Hey old boy," Theo said warily.

Draco looked up and gave him a fleeting smile. Before standing up, as the Royal Messenger made his entrance, and announced the King. Dumbledore walked in like a young man, a spright in his step and a sparkle in his eye.

Automatically Draco felt confident in their King.

But it was a far outcry an hour later, when the council was well under way and Draco realized some of the men here were being assigned to their death. The small ambush army at Dover was unnecessary, especially if they weren't going to be backed up by a bigger number. Theo was one of the people stationed at Dover, and thus one of the first people sentenced to die.

"Permission to speak, my King," Draco said angrily.

Dumbledore observed him over his glasses.

"Granted."

"If we had more of a stronghold at Dover, we would stand a chance of killing them at sea. But it would be pointless, only to station a few 100 men at Dover, if we're facing 10,000 wanting in. Either we should protect our borders- or not at all."

"Sit down," Theo sideways hissed. "I do not need you to fight my battles for me."

Dumbledore gained a sympathetic look in his eye, one normally reserved for people who didn't want to understand. "You think we can come out of war, unscarred? I have fought wars before young warrior, and I know it comes at a heavy price. Men from both sides will fall. Surely some of you in here, will not come out of this alive. But this is the nature of war. For every victory...there is death."

The fists at either side of Draco curled.

"Then let me be restationed at Dover!" he burst out. "I have nothing to loose!"

But Dumbledore was already shaking his head, already finalized in decisions.

"You are one of the best, no? The reason why you were transferred to The Guild in the first place?"

Theo, his last station partner back in Dover, looked sad.

"You have to remain at The King's Guild. The Guild is the only thing that stands in Voldemort's way to the castle. If it falls, then hope is surely lost."

Dumbledore issued a few more details, before he got up and excused himself. This was the last time they would adjourn together, but the Heads of Brigades were allowed to stay on a further 2 days to finalize battle plans, and get good rest.

The war would start in a fortnight.

###

Pansy giggled as she admired herself in the mirror. Oh Hermes was going to struggle to keep his hands away, in this! For once in her life Pansy was experiencing true happiness- she had met potentially the boy of her dreams, and now they were going to wine and dine!

The background scenery would be epic- Pansy had carefully chosen a small waterfall ten miles north.

And they were even going there, by horseback!

Oh, could things be anymore romantic?

Swirling her petticoats with one final relish, Pansy ran down the stairs and hurried out to the stables. There a beautiful pony was waiting for her and even better... Hermes!

Pansy slowed down, when she realized Hermes was requesting another horse.

Her face turned ugly.

What was the boy playing at?

"Oh, Hermes," she crooned. "Surely we could ride one horse together?"

Not to mention, I would really love pressing my breasts against your back.

But Hermes had to only look back at her, and express concern in the horse riding so far out with two bodies and a picnic basket, for Pansy to swoon. This boy was too good to be true! He treated her respectfully, cared after animals...and first and foremost...a challenge.

Hermione had never ridden a horse before. Normally she was in a carriage (or a cart) being pulled by the creatures. But there was something exhilarating about climbing on top of such a large creature, and feel it's glossy muscles contract under your thighs.

The horse nickered under her and Hermione immediately fell in love.

God...this was therapeutic.

Following Pansy's unintentional lead, Hermione lightly kicked the horse in the flanks and nearly fell of, when the horse started cantering. She laughed, as the wind whooped through her hair and the horse bounced her up and down.

The sun was glorious.

The grass was crisp.

Trees hung in the distance.

Could anything be more divine?

(Hermione tried to ignore the flashback of a corn field.)

But things started to turn downhill, when the horse she was riding saw Pansy's mare as a challenge, and started to overtake her. Pansy (not the horse), thought Hermes was trying to race her and gleefully urged her pony to run faster. On and on this game went, and Hermione barely clung on as the horse went

...faster

...and faster

...and faster still.

God, she was starting to feel sick. The so called glorious sun was turning black, and the grass withered and died in seconds. Hermione blinked and realized, there was a low hanging branch in front of her...

And too late.

She fell of the horse, in a flurry of arms and legs.

Down and down she rolled, until the hill evened out to a little river at the bottom. Splash! she went in. And all the dirt, and little twigs that clung to her outfit got plastered in seconds.

She was bleeding.

Why was it down there?

Hermione's lip trembled as she realized her moon-blood and been and gone for a week, and it was too early for the next monthly cycle. But yet it was coming out of there...and it felt like something was broken. Something deep in her, something in the very core of her...was broken?

Her pain was still throbbing in the forefront, when somewhere up above, Pansy gave a shriek and started windmilling down the incline. She was running as fast as her feet would let her, and was kicking up dust and little woodland creatures. It would've been a beautiful sight, if the momentum hadn't gotten too much and Pansy ended up a heap, in the river.

"Hermes!" she shouted elatedly, wiping water of her face.

"THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!"

Her joy turned to concern, when the next swipe of her face revealed Hermes with blood running down his legs. His crotch was coated in the stuff, and little tendrils of red were dripping down his pantaloons and into the water.

"Hermes!" she gasped, thinking the worst. "You're bleeding!"

Oh dear. Was Hermes privates so sensitive, they burst the moment he got chucked from the horse? It looked like an explosion had gone off down there, and Pansy was sad to think he wouldn't be able to sire any children now. But something was strange.

"He's a girl," Pansy whispered to herself faintly.

"Hermes is a girl."

It was like she was punched in the face all at once. How happy she'd been this morning, dolling up for the boy who didn't care. How weird it was not to feel a bulge in his pants, when she'd sat on his lap. But she hadn't really been paying attention had she?

All she'd been concerned about, was her own matters.

For the first time, Pansy raised her eyes and looked. Looked at the boy who'd been placed so tantalizingly close, and then snatched way cruelly. Of course Hermes was a girl. It would explain why she looked so jealous when Pansy danced all over Draco. It would explain why Hermes had no interest in her. It would also explain why there was blood all over her legs, and bandages peeking through her skirt.

The first time Pansy had gone horseback riding (not advised for ladies) she'd gone through something similar.

The maid explained it was because of her virginity.

Most women had the pleasure of breaking it during sexual intercourse, but there were other ways to break it too.

Extreme sports, was one.

Horseback riding, was the other.

"You're a girl," Pansy whispered and this time Hermione paled. She knew the jig was up. It would've taken extreme luck, for Pansy not to notice. But as the girl picked up her skirts and turned to run up the hill, and back to their horses-

Hermione used her lightening quick reflexes to reach out and grab her arm.

"You can't tell," she said, starting to cry. Or maybe it was the heavens opening up?

"Of course I should tell," Pansy said viciously, whipping her arm out of Hermione's grip. But this time she didn't flee. She turned and spilled all her hate and anger upon Hermione's heaving shoulders.

"Oh my God. Do you know how may laws and violations you have broken? Women aren't allowed in the army! It's punishable by death. And yet you brazenly dress up as a man and enter, so arrogant in not being found out. Either that, or you're a bigger whore than I am."

"No!" Hermione cried, her heart bursting in her chest.

"I bet that wasn't your virgin blood, I just saw now. I bet all the men in your troop know what a little pussy you are, and queue up just to have a go! What is it? A different man every night? Two at the same time? No wonder they haven't spilled your gender yet! What man, in his right mind, would grass up on free pussy?"

"IT ISN'T LIKE THAT!" Hermione shouted, scandalised. "NOBODY KNOWS, OKAY?"

She couldn't mention Harry. Although he was her friend, if Pansy found out at least one person knew, her presumptions would be validated. No matter how much Hermione strenuously denied it until she blue in the face. Her insides quivered as Pansy took a threatening step forward.

"Does Draco know?" she whispered evilly.

"NO!" Hermione burst out, horrified.

"Then should I let him know?"

"Please," she was begging. She even got down on her knees and held onto the hem of her dress. "Please no. I would do anything."

"Anything, huh?"

The glint in her eyes were merciless.

"Well, if I'm not going to tell him then someone should."

"Oh, I know!"

She bent down her head, so her equine nose was only a few millimetres away from Hermes own.

"How..."

"About..."

"You."


AN: OH MY EFFING GOD. Even I was biting my nails there. (Metaphorically of course, I kicked that habit eons ago!)

Help me reach...179 reviews and I'll

a) Update soon (hehe, that's a given)
b) Make Draco question whether he's gay or not. (This will be sooooo cute!)
c) Kiss/try-to-kiss several people to find out.

SO I CAN'T WAIT BASICALLY.
Now, anonymous reviewers! The lovely bunch you are :)

-Anonymous : Hehe. I'm incapbable of writing seriously. My english teach (last year) told me my writing was "satirical" and wondered if I was trying to imitate someone famous. Hah! Funny old world we live in :)
-A Stolen Time Turner/Bloody/Always sarcastic Arty : whom I'm 100% sure is all the same person. I laughed at all the clues you gave, and have to admit you're a genius. High praise indeed :P
-rawrmonster332 : Lol, all you horny monks interested in the spooning :P But I'm glad Pansy's around, because she inspired me when I needed it!
-nevertolatee : You're right! Reviews can never be too late! Unless the story's removed? :(
-oscarg : I don't think Draco gives 2 flying hoots if men got horny for each uvver. But when's HE's the man in question...you could see he didn't really like it. He's straight as they come...so why the hell is Hermes getting him in a flap?