Hermione crumpled down the moment she reached the knight. 'We swear we're up to no good,' she whispered. The knight stepped off its slab and she replaced him on it, sinking lower into the ground. She ran towards the bed and threw herself on it, throwing everything off it in a frenzy. With a final throw of the pillow, she sank to her knees and let the floodgates open.

'Hey mate, how did it go with Hermione eh? You know, I reckon she likes me now. She put on my cloak for me this morning... Hey, where are you going?'

'Away from here. Do you want a drink?' Draco asked, conjuring up a bottle of vodka and two goblets, continuing to walk towards the broom closet. He left the door open. 'Shut the door on your way in.' he told Blaise.

'The broom closet? Again? Really, you've got to think of a better place if you want to drink.' Blaise tutted him. He chuckled, waiting for Draco's witty comeback, but none came. He looked up to see his best friend's face, crumpled. Gone was the ever-annoying smirk, his steely gray eyes lost its steeliness, and in there was only sadness. Loneliness. Blaise gulped.

'What's wrong?' Blaise asked, sitting down on the stone floor.

'Nothing.' Draco muttered.

'Now you're behaving like a hormonal girl. Out with it, Malfoy.' Blaise ordered him.

'I don't want to talk about it.'

'Have you been eating your mother's estrogen pills? Because you sound like you are. 'Ooh, everybody wants me to do this and that but do they ever care about me? My nipples hurt!'' Blaise mimicked a whiny voice. 'Come on, continue with that prescription and you're going to sound like that. Spit it out. Be a man.' Blaise shoved Draco roughly.

'Hermione just dumped me because the stupid bitch of a weasel said something, all right?' Draco hollered, standing up so abruptly. Blaise jumped up in defense, just in case Draco decided to aim a hex on him.

'Ah, so we have it.' Blaise's mouth formed a comical O. He patted Draco lightly on the arm.

'Sit down and tell Aunty Blaise all about it.' Blaise said.

'Shut it, Zabini. You saw them, at lunch. Weasel got Hermione so agitated. Hermione ran. I followed. You got Bones away. Hermione went hysterical. I smiled trying to help. She thought I was being funny. Told me that it would be better if I went away. Said that I complicated things. Said that if it weren't for me she'd still be stupidly in love with Weasley.'

'So this is what it's all about?' Blaise asked. He snatched the goblet of vodka from Draco's hands and splashed it on his face.

'What the fuck was that for?' Draco yelled.

'Wake up, honey. Hermione's only confused. And so she'll run to the place of comfort. Something she understands completely. Translation, Weasley. I mean, look at him. He's like a book. Read the first page and you'll know the ending! Of course she wants to go to him, when you are as complicated as anything. She doesn't know everything about you. She has no sense of security when she's with you. What do you have to give her? Oh right, endless nights of shagging. But look at her, do you think she'll only settle for that? You are constantly surrounded by good-looking girls and you're a good-looking boy. Have you ever held her hand in public, like how you publicly announce your shag-mates? No, you haven't now, have you?'

'But I told her I love her.' Draco said, all defensive.

'Do you think that words can stand by forever? She's a girl, Draco, and she'll be insecure about this. You are her first boyfriend, unless Krum was, but nevertheless, can you give her what the weasel can give? Strolls down the lake in the open? Holding hands when walking to classes? Bring her back home to see daddy?'

'You know how my father is, don't give me this guilt shit!' Draco bellowed.

'If you truly love her, you wouldn't care!' Blaise yelled back. 'If you truly love her, you would play this game with Weasley, be the victor and get Hermione back! If you truly love her, you wouldn't let her do something that both of you will regret!'

'How do you prove love? You can't do it. That's just stupid.' Draco sank to his knees.

'By acts of love, darling. Woo her all over again. Openly. This will show her how much you mean to her. Unless, she doesn't.' Blaise's eyebrow was raised in question.

'But that's...' Draco's voice trailed off.

'Do you love her or not?' Blaise snapped.

'Yes.'

'Then what are you waiting for?' Blaise asked. 'Go clean up. Get flowers. Surprise her.'

'You know, I really wonder why you're helping me get her.' Draco muttered as he took Blaise's offered hand and pulled himself up.

'Because you're an idiot and as an idiot's best mate I'll have to help.' Blaise replied. Draco hugged Blaise tightly. 'But I definitely don't swing that way.'

'Oh shut up, it's not like you're Hermione.' Draco snarled, but he felt himself smile.

'You do know I can blackmail you.'

'You do know I can hex you to oblivion if you do.'

'Good point.' Blaise released Draco after a final pat on the back. 'Off you go.'

Draco rolled his eyes and gave a mock salute, walking towards where he knew Hermione would be next.

Hermione dried the last bit of her tears. If she wanted to set things right, she had to do it properly. Draco could do without her, he has loads of other girls around him, but Ron doesn't. I'm probably the first girl he ever liked, besides Lavender, if he ever liked her. She looked in the mirror. Her eyes were still puffy. Never mind, its for my benefit. She bit on her tongue the moment she thought of it.

Since when have you become a manipulative Slytherin?If you want to do this right, you have to forget about Draco. You can't have them both. You can't carry on hurting Ron. It's not fair to him. It's only right that Ron gets you. Draco has loads to choose from, but Ron doesn't. It's up to you to set things right, Granger.

She sighed, and readjusted her robes and got out of the room.

'Have you seen Ron?' She asked a passing Ginny.

'No, but I thought—Hermione, are you crying?'

'What? No, that's not important, I have to look for Ron.' Hermione ran from Ginny. Where would Ron be at this hour? She looked at her wristwatch. Oh right, we have Potions! She tore down the opposite direction, racing to the dungeon. Her breath hitched when she saw a lone Ron sitting at his desk.

How ironic was it that just yesterday he was sitting at her desk, waiting to proclaim his love, when today she was the one who was going to proclaim her supposed love for him?

'Ron.' She said. He turned around, looking forlorn and apprehensive.

'Hermione.' He finally acknowledged her. Then he squinted. 'Were you crying? Is it because of what I said? I'm sorry if I said anything harsh. I wasn't thinking right. Please don't cry.' He pleaded. If it was one thing Ron couldn't stand, it would be crying.

'Ron, look, I made a mess out of everything, and I want to set things right.' Hermione said, walking towards him. 'Will you let me?'

'Hermione, what are you talking about?' Ron asked, confused. Without warning, Hermione leaned down to kiss him. This is all wrong. It feels wrong. He isn't the correct height, the correct taste—she ran a hand through his hair—even the hair's all wrong.

'Weasel, get your hands off my girl.'

They broke apart, and turned to look at the intruder, although Hermione knew very well who it was. The velvet voice. The composure in them. She bit her lip. She must forget it all.

'If it even is your business, Hermione was the one who kissed me. And she isn't your girl.' Ron snarled.

'That's too bad, because,' Draco brought out flowers from behind his back.Poppies! He remembered! 'I've brought flowers.' He smiled at Hermione, who was fighting every urge to smile back. She remained impassive.

'She doesn't want them.' Ron answered for her.

'I think that's up to her to decide.' Draco raised an eyebrow.

'Why are you even doing this, Malfoy? Here to trick her or something? Hermione isn't stupid, you know.'

'Ah, but Weasley, you see—'

'Draco, why are you even doing this?' Hermione asked quietly. Her voice was well blanketed, but Draco knew the undertone of hurt. Why was she hurting? If it hurt her so bad, why was she still doing this? If it hurt her so bad, shouldn't she know I'm the one for her?

'I want to set things right with us.' Draco admitted.

''Us'?' Ron echoed. He looked at Draco, then Hermione, and then Draco again. 'You were in love with him?'

'Were, Ron.' She said. 'Look, Draco, maybe I didn't make things clear enough. It's impossible between us. We're from two different worlds. Nobody would ever approve of us.' She bit her quivering lip, glad that Ron was here or she might have collapsed onto Draco and sink into that comforting chest of his and break down again, before giving in with lots and lots of good sex. She pushed that thought away. No more good sex for you, Hermione, she scolded herself.

'We don't need approval.' Draco said gently. He saw a flicker of doubt in Hermione's eyes, before she shook her head.

'No, I like Ron now. The only thing you can help with is to leave me alone. I mean what I said in the girl's room.' Hermione said.

'Well, then,' Draco's voice came out strangled. He swallowed thickly. 'At least accept these.' He handed her the bouquet of flowers, not caring if he looked like a fool. He could be a fool for the rest of his life, if he could be with Hermione.

Hermione gingerly took the bouquet of flowers, when Draco abruptly pulled her in for a kiss. The kiss wasn't like any other kiss he had given. This time it spoke of sadness. He pulled away slowly. 'If you want it this way,' he swallowed again, staring into her eyes, knowing it might as well be the last they would be this close. Hermione's fingers ached to act on instinct and drag them through his hair. 'Hermione, I won't force you.' He whispered and let go of her, walking out of the door.

'Hermione, how could you just let him kiss you?' Ron yelled, face all red.

'It won't happen again, Ron.' Hermione said, on the verge of tears again. She blinked back te tears and looked at the bouquet in her hands, before reducing its size, so that it could sit in her pocket. She turned to Ron. 'Let's sit down before Snape gets here, then.'

She patted her eyes with her sleeve when she thought nobody was looking.

Harry was confused. He was sitting on the opposite bench from Hermione and Ron, during dinner. He was just released after a bloody 3 day stay in the infirmary, with Madam Pomfrey fussing over him constantly. Why was Ron here? Why was Hermione with him? Better still, did they just kiss in the common room? His brain was whirling. He looked at Malfoy, who looked defeated as he looked at Ron and Hermione.

What just happened here?

He looked at Hermione, who was looking happy—on the surface. Her eyes betrayed her. Harry knew she was upset. She immediately looked away from Harry's scrutinizing gaze. All right, something's up. Hermione only does that when she's hiding something. He caught Blaise's eye from the Slytherin table and gave him a questioning look, to which Blaise signaled towards the door. Harry gave a subtle nod. At least somebody could give me answers.

'Er, I've got to go, and er, get more medicine, from Madam Pomfrey. See you later.' He said, before departing for the door. Hermione didn't take much notice. She didn't care much now. She was tired of constantly acting around Ron. She was tired of everything. Too tired to care.

'Hermione, would you want to go to Hogsmeade with me this Saturday?'

'Don't we always go together?' Hermione asked, perking up immediately the moment she knew Ron's eyes were on her.

'As in, on a... date.' Ron choked on the last word.

'Oh, yeah, sure, fine.' She plastered a smile.

'Great.' Ron gave a jaw-breaking grin. A genuine one. Hermione tried to return the favor.

'What the hell went on? I come back from the infirmary, and see Hermione with Ron, and then I see Malfoy, alone and... UGH! Care to explain?'

'O' Great Chosen One,' Blaise started out gravely, before casually saying, 'Miss Hermione is torn between two boys. I'm guessing Weasley said something to her during lunch. Maybe she finally rejected him. She broke down. Bones brought her to the girl's room. Draco took over from there. He told me that Hermione went hysterical and told Draco to leave her alone. Forever. Had to give Draco a pep talk to get him to go get Hermione back, but he told me when he went to do so, she and Weasley were kissing in the Potions dungeon. Nevertheless, my brave boy went on and tried to get her back with her favourite flowers. Apparently it failed. I tried to get him to try again, because, well, Hermione's hard to win over, isn't she, but he says no. He says if that's what she wants, he won't force her.'

'When did Malfoy become so noble?'

'When Hermione left him. I don't think Hermione wants to, you know. She seems sort of dead, right now.' Blaise said.

'Yeah, I realize that too. But it's no use trying to get Hermione to change her mind. She must have done this for good reason.' Harry mused.

'Maybe we just need to devise a plan.' Blaise offered.

'Yeah, sure, like what?'

'Well, I don't know! How do you plan all those stupid adventures anyway?'

'Well, it sort of came to us. We had no plan. Just ran headlong towards danger.' Harry admitted.

'How very Gryffindor of you.' Blaise said dryly. They were silent for a moment.

'I've got an idea.' Blaise suddenly said. 'Make sure Hermione is at the west wing tomorrow, during lunch. And also, it wouldn't hurt to talk to her tonight. You know, try set her straight.'

Harry nodded. 'That, I can do.' Then he tugged at his hair. 'Ugh, I was away for 3 days and this happens!' He stumbled back to the Great Hall, muttering. Blaise chuckled and shook his head.

'Hermione, can I talk to you?' Harry asked nervously. Ron protectively grabbed Hermione's arm.

'Uh, Ron, it's only Harry.' Hermione forced a laugh. She winced. That sounded wrong.

'I'll be upstairs, if you need me.' Ron said, and trudged up.

'All right, Ron's not here, so you had better answer whatever I ask you truthfully, all right. Don't force me to use this.' He held up a tiny vial. Hermione leaned forward to scrutinize it.

'Veritaserum? How did you get it?'

'Snape's stock. I have to say, hanging out with Slytherins do have its benefits.'

'Stop it, Harry.' Hermione's lip started quivering.

'Stop what? Talking about the Slytherins? A particular Slytherin? Draco Malfoy?' Harry rolled his tongue on Draco's name.

'Stop it!' Hermione covered her ears. Harry jumped to face her.

'Draco Malfoy! Draco Malfoy!' He sang in the most annoying way ever.

'Stop it, Potter.' She warned, brandishing a fist.

'D! To the R! To the A-C-O! What does that spell? DRACO!' Harry sang. He knew he could sing Malfoy's name without fearing his other housemates hearing; the common room was quite empty.

'Stop it, Harry, stop it!' Hermione pleaded, her eyes swimming with tears.

'What's wrong Hermione? If you can bear to dump him, why can't you bear to hear his name? I like saying his name. Drrrrrrrrrraco.'

Hermione looked at Harry, seeming unsure if she should sock him.

'I didn't even want to!' Hermione burst out, collapsing in a fit of tears. Harry caught her just before she fell and they both fell to the floor, fall cushioned by the thick carpet. Finally, the truth.

'There there, let it all out.' Harry said in a soothing voice, letting Hermione drench his shirt with her salty tears as she broke out into huge sobs. Harry felt his shirt wet under his undershirt. Since when did Hermione cry so much?

'I'm so sorry,' Hermione pulled away after what seemed like half an hour, 'Harry, this won't happen again,' she tried to say, but it came out as a wail.

'What? This? Crying? Hermione, it's an emotion, why are you apologizing for it?' Harry asked.

'I—' she stopped. 'No, I can't say anymore, you'll just try to stop me. Get away from me, Harry. Just leave me alone.' She shoved him away abruptly and ran up the stairs.

'What the hell did you do to her?' Ron asked, appearing on the top of the stairs. His eyes narrowed.

'I'm trying to set her straight.' Harry said.

'Well, just leave Hermione alone!'

'I will when she seems alive again!'

'Are you saying she isn't happy with me?'

'Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Look at her Ron, can you honestly tell me that she is genuinely happy? Doesn't Hermione seem a bit, dead, at the moment?'

'It's just temporary, I'm sure I can do anything that Malfoy can better. I'm not saying in terms of dosh, but in other ways, I know I can do better.'

'It doesn't matter if you can do it better or not, Ron, what matters is who she wants to be with!' Harry yelled back.

'If you'll pardon me, O Great One, but she came to me.'

'That's not the point, Ron! She forced herself to do it, I know she did. Didn't you hear what she said? She said, 'I didn't even want to!' Does that seem like anything? Take one look at her and you can tell she's not herself. She's forcing herself to smile. She's forcing herself to eat. She'd practically forcing everything out of her now. How long do you think this will carry on? Until she just deteriorates to a pile of nothingness?'

'I think you're just jealous, that I finally have something that you don't. Something that the Boy Who Lived can't hold over me.'

'You do have something I never had, and that's a family. If you haven't noticed, I grew up without one!'

Ron looked taken aback. He set his jaw firm. 'All I'm asking, is to give Hermione and I a chance. That's all I'm asking for. I know I can do a better job than Malfoy. I know it.'

'Will you just get over yourself for a second and hear yourself? If you can do so much better than Malfoy, why is she still looking dead? Why isn't she giving genuine smiles? Why isn't she laughing and actually meaning it? The only emotion that she is capable of showing now, is sadness! If you claim to do so much better than Malfoy, is this the best you can do? Is it? If you truly love Hermione, you'd want her to be happy.' Harry pushed past Ron, tearing out of the room, in a hurry to get away from Ron, who had just earned the title: Worst Best Friend and Stand-In Boyfriend of the Year.

Damn you, Harry fucking Potter. 'If you truly love Hermione, you'd want her to be happy'. What sort of bullshit is that? She's perfectly happy with me! She just doesn't know it yet. Ugh, I definitely need a soak in the Prefect's Bathroom. Thank God for Colin's love for Harry. Praise you, Lord, for making Colin Creevy a Prefect.

Ron walked into the bubbling room, that smelled of something lavender and maybe chamomile. He exhaled loudly as he peeled off each layer of clothing, before soaking himself in completely in the tub, holding his breath until he couldn't stand it.

The moment his head broke the surface, he felt a pair of feminine hands on his eyes.

Out came the giggle of Julie Pyatt. 'Guess who?'

A/N: Cliffhanger! I've got it all planned out, see? And btw, anybody having trouble with their Fanfiction lay? Mine looks totally screwed and I feel weird using FF now. Ugh. Is it some glitch? Well, thanks for all the reviews! Really, I'm SUPER SUPER SUPER happy to receive them:D