A/N: Wow, so many reviews! I just want to thank all of you who reviewed, you all give me such confidence! Thanksto all who mentioned that my last chapter didn't stink as much as I thought it did. I think I'm over critical of all the chapters I write, this one included.I'm never satisfied with my work! I'm just going to mention a few reviewers here, seeing as I am pressed for time right now, but I promiseI will give all of you a mention especially for you.

Hogwartsstollaway: Your review was the longest I have ever recieved! I'm glad I can make you laugh and give you something to cheer yourself up with when you are down. enjoy the rest!

Blue Dragon Skies:Indeed it is!Competition between Malfoy and Ron is heatingup.

CherryBlossomAngel-225:Your screen name remindes me of the bath and body workslotion and shower gel I use! Your review made me laugh! (quotedamn boy got balls!

Magicalwonder: Why thank you very much!

Monica7725: Lol, no, Snape no longer has his 'fro. I couldn't leave him like that, poor Snape.Draco is starting to more than like Hermione...I am plotting and scheming to have him a tad on the possessive side too. watch this space, there's a lot more kissing coming up!

boarding-las: Happy belated birthday to you! I'm glad I made yourday a bit brighter! hugs I must say, I've never been told I have a wide vocabulary before, thanks for pointing that out! Now I know that I know something! I'm not stupid after all! dances happily

my-head-is-very-sad-tale: Thank you much! I wrote theSnape going"Boo!" part when it was 3am and I was in a goofy mood,and so therefore, so was Snape.

Okay, that's all I had time for, sorry. I will mention all of you soon! There are just so many reviews!

Chapter 14

Hermione cringed, Harry winced and Ron Gulped, and all three turned slowly around to face the Potions Master.

Snape surveyed them with a lofty gaze, raising an eyebrow. "What was that you were suggesting Mr Weasley?" He asked in a dangerously soft voice.

Ron gulped again before answering. "Well you see Professor, we were just discussing what happened outside, and um…well…" Ron trailed off as Snape.

"It was inappropriate of Ron to say such a thing." Harry said, taking over from Ron "I'm sure he was just talking in haste-"

"Without thinking!" Hermione chimed in icily. "He does that a lot Professor, do forgive him." She curtsied gracefully.

Ah, she wanted practice, thought Snape, remembering what she had learned earlier, and not forgetting his own social graces, bowed in response to her curtsey.

Harry and Ron gaped at them.

"Though I do understand Mr Weasley's tendencies to let his mouth run away with him, it is my duty as a Professor to see to it that inappropriate talk and actions do not go unpunished Miss Granger." Snape said politely, yet firmly. "Therefore, I see fit to remove points from Gryffindor."

"As you wish, Professor." Hermione said, "Please, do not allow me to stand in your path."

Snape bowed once more, and in response, Hermione curtsied again and sat down.

Then Snape turned to the shocked Ron and Harry.

"Mr Potter, do sit down." Snape said, but it was more of an order than an offer, so Harry sat down.

"Mr Weasley, I will take 20 points from Gryffindor for your inappropriate suggestion." Snape told Ron in a snarling voice. "Now sit down and work quietly. I will not tolerate any more of your nonsense, do I make myself clear?"

Ron nodded. "Yes Professor!"

Snape turned once more to Hermione and inclined his head. "Good day, Miss Granger, Mr Potter." And with that, swept off down the aisle and to his desk, where he started the day's lesson.

"Who knew Snape had manners!" Harry whispered to Hermione in awe. "That whole exchange between you two was like something out of Sense and Sensibility!"

"Well he is a pureblood! Of course he'll have manners." Hermione whispered back quickly.

"Yeah, but, Malfoy is a pureblood too, but you don't see him using his manners." Harry muttered.

"Well, just because they have them, doesn't mean they have to use them all the time! If you were raised to be a perfect gentleman, and had to do it all the time, wouldn't you get tired of it?" Hermione whispered as she set up her cauldron.

"Well, yeah, I suppose." Harry replied "But neither one of them have ever used manners before! I never thought they had any!"

Hermione merely shrugged. "Just goes to show that you can never judge a book by it's cover." She said simply.

Harry shrugged also. "Yeah…I guess."

"That bloke needs to get la-" Ron started to say.
"Ron!" Hermione hissed, cutting him off before he could say the offending word "Don't you ever learn that you shouldn't insult the professors?"

"But Mione! It's true!" Ron prostested.

"Be that as it may Ron, he is our professor and we should respect him as such!" Hermione scolded, throwing the first ingredient into her cauldron. It always irked her when Ron wouldn't give the Professor's the respect that was due to them.

"Lighten up Mione!" Ron pouted.

Hermione sighed. She had been a little harsh. "I'm sorry Ron, I'm just a little stressed out right now."

"Why?" Harry asked, prompting her to tell Ron what was really going on.

Hermione gave Harry a 'not now and certainly not here' look.

"Yeah, why?" Ron asked.

"Just some stuff I've been dealing with lately, it's nothing really, but you know how I am!" Hermione said dismissively.

Ron looked at Harry, who quickly took sudden interest in his potion.

"I shall be right back, any noise and I will not be pleased." Snape announced before sweeping out of the room.

"What's going on?" Ron asked suspiciously, his blue eyes flicking from Hermione to Harry and back.

"Nothing!" Harry and Hermione said in unison.

Ron opened his mouth to say something, but before he could say anything, Malfoy appeared beside them.

"Shove off Ferret!" Ron snapped.

"Aw, that's cold, Weasley!" Malfoy said feigning hurt feelings.

"Haven't you caused enough trouble?" Ron demanded.

Malfoy faked a thoughtful look, tapping his finger on his chin and gazing up at the ceiling for a full minute before answering. "Uuum…nope, not nearly enough Weasley!" he said as-a-matter-of-factly. "In fact," he added, reaching over and grabbing Hermione again "I'm just getting started!"

Ron's face turned a shade of red to rival Mrs Weasley's maroon jumpers and his fists were clenched so tightly that his hands were practically white.

"Let her go Malfoy!" Ron growled.

"Here we go again." Harry sighed, shaking his head and preparing himself to witness the onslaught of violence that was surely to come.

"Shove off Weasley, I need to talk with Granger!" Malfoy sneered as he began to lead Hermione off to one side.

But Ron was having none of it. He reached over and grabbed Hermione's other hand and pulled her back, and in doing so, jerked Malfoy back a step or two.

"Back off, Weasley!" Malfoy growled in warning.

"Get your hands off of her Malfoy!" Ron snarled.

Hermione was getting frightened, she didn't want them to fight, not at all! She looked at Harry who was obviously thinking along the same lines as she was in what was to come.

"Release her Weasley!" Malfoy growled easing Hermione towards him.

"No! You release her!" Ron snarled back, tugging Hermione back towards himself.

"Don't make me use force!" Malfoy warned, once more pulling Hermione back to him.

By now, the whole class was transfixed on what was obviously a standoff.

Harry found himself wishing that Professor Snape would hurry up and get back!

"Come on both of you." Harry said calmly, trying to take one of Hermione's hands so he could extract her from the standoff. If they kept this up, she was going to be torn in two!

As soon as Harry reached for Hermione's hand that Malfoy was holding, he growled at Harry, who quickly got the message that Malfoy obviously wasn't going to let go.

So, instead, Harry reached for the hand that Ron was holding, anticipating Ron to be more understanding and co-operative, but shockingly got the same response from Ron as he had gotten from Malfoy.

"Look, I'm not the enemy here!" Harry snapped at Ron. "This is stupid! All Malfoy wants to do is talk to her, what is your problem?"

"My problem is him!" Ron replied glaring at Malfoy. "I have a problem with him even being near Mione!"

"But why Ron?" Harry asked "Why is Malfoy such a threat to you all of a sudden!"

Ron didn't answer, instead he pulled Hermione suddenly to him, hoping to catch Malfoy off guard and thus be able to get Hermione out of his grasp, but Malfoy was ready for it and pulled her back immediately.

Hermione whimpered. That had hurt! Her arms were beginning to feel like they were going to pop out of place! She looked pleadingly at Harry.

Harry nodded at her. He was trying!

"Ok, but can you have a problem with him without Hermione being pulled in opposite directions?" Harry suggested "All that pulling on her arms can't be good for them. You might be hurting her!"

Malfoy's eyes flicked briefly to Harry then to Hermione. "Am I hurting you Hermione?" He asked quietly.

"Well –" Hermione started to reply, but was jerked suddenly towards Ron and cried out in surprise as she felt her hand slip from Malfoy's.

"HA!" Ron said victoriously "I won Malfoy, so you can leave now!"

Hermione felt a flare of anger, Ron was being ridiculous about this whole thing! She wanted to go with Malfoy and talk with him about whatever it was he wanted to talk about, and Ron just couldn't let that happen!

Malfoy was furious! His guard had been let down in his momentary concern for Hermione at Potter's suggestion and Weasley had taken her from him when he saw weakness!

"Let her go Weasley!" Malfoy snarled dangerously.

"No," Ron replied, glaring and holding onto Hermione.

"I'm giving you one more chance Weasley!" Malfoy growled, stepping closer "Let her go!"

"Never!" Ron snarled in response. "I have her, and here she will stay! With me and Harry. You stay away from her, Malfoy!"

Hermione had had enough. "RON! YOU DON'T OWN ME" She cried, exasperated.

Ron blinked at her in surprise at her sudden outburst.

"I am not a toy that you can fight over! I am not something to be won! I am your friend, I'm human, I have feelings!" Hermione said sharply.
Ron had the grace to look guilty. "I'm sorry Mione, but I just don't want that ferret near you!"

"Ron, I can make up my own mind! If I want to talk to Malfoy, I will talk to Malfoy! I don't need you to babysit me!" Hermione said softly and beseechingly "I can look after myself."
"But…but I…I just…how can you trust him?" Ron pleaded. "I don't get it, Mione! One day you are mortal enemies with him, and the next you are being friendly, too friendly!"

"You will find out soon, Ron, but right now, you just have to trust me." Hermione said softly.

Ron looked like he was having inner conflict with this request. He didn't trust Malfoy one bit, but Hermione seemed to trust him immensely. He didn't like this at all. This was messing everything up!

"What is it that is really bothering you Ron?" Hermione asked him gently. "You weren't like this before Malfoy started talking to me."

Harry and Malfoy stood waiting expectantly for Ron to answer.

Yes, what was his problem, Malfoy wanted to know.

Harry had a pretty good idea of why Ron was being so possessive of Hermione around Malfoy, but he didn't want to jump to conclusions, so he waited for Ron's answer.

"Can we talk about this later, Mione, in private?" Ron asked, not wanting to discuss it in front of everyone in the class, who were all watching them with rapt attention.

Hermione nodded. "Of course we can." She hugged Ron to show there was no hard feelings.

Malfoy felt a pang of something he couldn't identify, but brushed it off as Hermione turned to him.

Before she could say anything, Malfoy spoke. "Hermione, I am terribly sorry for my behavior in this, I was not thinking clearly. My anger sometimes gets the better of me." He said sincerely.

Hermione nodded and smiled. "It's okay, Malfoy, forget it, now what was it you wanted to talk about?"

Ron and Harry watched as Malfoy took Hermione off to a corner and they spoke in whispers, so they couldn't hear what was being said.

Ron looked angry again, so Harry put a hand on his shoulder to subdue him.

"Let it go Ron. They are just talking." Harry murmered.

Forcing himself to look away from Malfoy and Hermione, he turned instead to Harry.

"I don't trust him Harry." Ron said simply. "If he hurts Hermione, I'm going to kill him."

Harry nodded. "As will I, Ron. But we have to respect Hermione's choices and decisions."

Ron nodded. "Yeah, you're right, mate, you're right."

Meanwhile in the corner, Malfoy spoke with Hermione in hushed tones.

"So, we know that Dumbledore is announcing everything on Saturday, that gives us two days. We are going out to dinner on Saturday, so I think we should go to the Great Hall for the announcement, and then slip out and meet up in the entrance hall." Malfoy said.

Hermione nodded. "I was wondering how we were going to manage dinner if Dumbledore was announcing everything on Saturday night."

"Yes, well, not to worry, we'll just do what I suggested and it won't get in the way." Malfoy said, rather pleased with himself for coming up with the plan.

Suddenly Hermione's face fell.

"What is it?" Malfoy asked, bewildered.

"Our dinner thing!" Hermione groaned.

Malfoy looked hurt. "What? Have you changed your mind?"
"No, no, no!" Hermione quickly corrected him.

Malfoy looked surprisingly relieved.

"No, I'm just dreading Ron's reaction when you come to get me!" Hermione fretted. "If this is what he's like when you just want to talk, what is he going to be like when you show up at the Gryffindor common room portrait to take me out?"

Malfoy snorted. "Don't worry about that Hermione. If he want's a fight, he'll get one, but either way, we are having dinner, and he's just going to have to accept that, one way, or another."

"That doesn't help the fact that I don't want anyone to fight!" Hermione said rolling her eyes.

"Sometimes, fighting can't be avoided." Malfoy pointed out. "Sometimes you have to fight for your rights!"

Hermione had to admit he had a point.

"Well, anyway, I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but right now, we had better get back to our potions, before Snape comes back."

"Are you forgetting who you are with?" Malfoy reminded her lightly.

"No, but if he finds our potions not even started, he might have some issues!" Hermione replied wisely.

"Good point." Malfoy said nodding.
They turned and went to their respective desks and hurriedly threw ingredients into their cauldrons and caught up.

Ron was quiet and didn't talk much when Hermione returned and Harry kept exchanging glances with her, his eyes telling her that Ron had to know soon.

Hermione nodded, letting Harry know she had understood his look.

Snape burst back into the classroom looking harried and slammed the door shut and leant against it, his eyes closed.

The class looked at him, bemused.

Snape cracked one eye open and looked at them. "What are you all staring at, get back to work!"

The class did as he ordered and busied themselves with completing their potions.

Snape swept to his desk. "Stupid woman." He muttered "Meddlesome bint!"

"Everything okay Professor?" Malfoy asked quietly as he stirred his potion.

Snape sighed wearily. "yes, all except that superstitious bint, Trelawney!" Snape muttered. "She cornered me on my way back here and read me my star chart that she has apparently been working on."

Malfoy snorted. "Rediculous."

"Indeed." Snape agreed.

For the next hour, potions was spent taking notes that Snape had written on the board, and learning what the potion they were making was all about and the significance of some of the ingredients.

By the time class had ended, the students were ready for a break and only too happy to pack up and leave, hurrying out of the classroom.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Malfoy were the only one's left.

Hermione was packing up her books and potions kit and Harry and Ron were waiting for her.
Malfoy had requested to talk with Snape.

"Professor, there has been a new development." Malfoy said carefully.

"Oh?" Snape said curiously "Regarding what?"

"Granger." Malfoy replied.

Snape's eyes flicked to Hermione who was having problems getting her potions kit in order. He flicked his wand and everything went into place in her kit.

She gasped in surprise and looked up. Realizing that Snape was responsible for her potions kit to fix itself, she inclined her head to him. "Thank you Professor!" and with that, she picked up her books and kit, and left the room, followed closely by Ron and Harry.

"Go on." Snape told Malfoy, when he was confident that no-one could hear their conversation.

Malfoy lowered his gaze to the floor and began pacing, trying to summon the courage, aware of Snape's eyes following him the whole time.

"Things have…I…that is to say…" Malfoy stumbled over his words.

Snape patiently sat in silence, his arms folded over his chest and his eyes following Malfoy as he paced. He had an inkling of what Malfoy was trying to say. He could tell what was bothering the boy.

"Your father won't be pleased if he finds out, Draco." Snape said quietly.

Malfoy's head snapped up and his eyes were wide. "You…you've noticed then?"

Snape pulled a Dumbldore. "Noticed what?"

Malfoy winced and rolled his eyes. "You are going to make me say it aren't you?" he said in a longsuffering manner.

"Draco, you have been blatantly obvious!" Snape pointed out "Most un-Slytherin of you."

Malfoy sighed. "I know. I don't know what's come over me!"

There was a moment of silence as Snape regarded his Godson's predicament.

"And yet Potter does." Snape pointed out.

Malfoy nodded. "He knows that Hermione and I are friends…of sorts."

Snape shook his head. "No Draco…he knows more than that."

Malfoy stared at Snape, apprehension clouding his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, Draco, that Potter knows what is really happening here between you and Miss Granger." Snape replied.

Malfoy sighed, frowning. "Potter isn't much of a problem."

Snape raised an eyebrow enquiringly.

"It's Weasley that's the problem. He won't let me so much as look at her without getting angry. It's really stupid. What's his problem anyway?" Malfoy huffed.

Snape sighed and looked disdainful. "Mr Weasley, it seems, is rather taken with Miss Granger. I see it everyday, it's been that way since they were in first year. Why he hasn't made his move before now I don't know, perhaps he's too cowardly."

Malfoy huffed again. "Stupid Weasley."

"My my, You are in a predicament aren't you Draco?" Snape said sympathetically. "A love triangle is never much fun to deal with."

"Love triangle?" Malfoy asked curiously.

"Yes, you know, Mr Weasley loves Miss Granger, Miss Granger is rather taken with you and you have haplessly fallen in love with Miss Granger." Snape explained.

Malfoy's heart sped up. He had never said it our heard it said out loud. It frightened him, a lot.

"But, in this situation, if you truly love her, then fight for her. Don't let Mr Weasley win. Do whatever you have to do to get the message across to him that you aren't going to back down. Make him fight for her too. In the end, the best man always wins." Snape told him.

"Not to worry, Draco." Snape added comfortingly "It will all work out in the end, you shall see."
Malfoy nodded, "Thank you Professor."

"Anytime." Snape replied, giving his godson a rare smile.

Malfoy, feeling bolstered, left the potions classroom and made his way up to the Slytherin common room. He was going to make Weasley regret ever getting in the way of him and Hermione.