Sorry for the two week wait. I went on vacation, expecting to return and post but my editor friend went on vacation too and never edited this chapter. So here I am giving it to you, unedited by me or by her.

Sorry in advance for any errors. I am not really in the mood to look for any. Will repost it when my friend edits it.

As for title, I really wasn't sure so if any of you have ideas, please post them in a review and I will choose a title! Thanks so much!

This is eight pages so I hope you enjoy the length and the content. :) Please review.

Read bottom note for an idea I have that I like and I am pretty sure you will like too!

And with that, Chapter 14 awaits you:

Chapter 14:

"I can't believe the nerve of him. I mean, he has to be handsome, but he can't have a wonderful personality to match!" Hermione muttered to herself as she stormed to her dorm.

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and gasped, her hands covering her mouth. "I did not just say that out loud!"

With a sigh of relief that no one was around to hear, Hermione continued to head towards the Heads quarters.

Hermione, how can you be so stupid? You need to go to the hospital wing if you truly believe what you just said. There is no way you can think Malfoy is handsome, Hermione thought to herself.

What's wrong with what you said? You're right. He is cute, her conscience argued back.

Hermione's eyes became a little glossy and dreamy. I know he is, isn't he! Especially his face when he gets mad.

Hermione shook her head to get the thought out. Conscience, leave me alone. You're nothing but trouble.

Yeah, sure. I am so much trouble that I got you into this mess of helping Malfoy, huh? It was all my fault, huh? You like Malfoy and you know it. Just admit to yourself and life would be a whole lot less stressful for you………well, that and if you stopped stressing about everything being absolutely, positively perfect.

DO NOT GET MY PERFECTION HABITS INTO THIS! This is strictly about Malfoy!

So you do like him, her conscience had a smug sound in its voice. You changed the subject right back to Malfoy.

For the hundredth time, I DO NOT LIKE MALFOY! Did you see how he treated me? Don't tell me you didn't see it or else I'm going to have to find a way to hurt you!

Hermione, he may have acted that way, but that's Malfoy for you. He may be conceited and vain but you know he has a nicer side to you. Do you think you would have even lasted this long helping him if he wasn't somewhat good? I mean he even betrayed the Death Eaters and his father. Doesn't that count for anything?

It does! That's why I am having this conversation with you anyway! But I am telling you once and for all, I don't like him. Yeah, I might be liking him as a friend now because I am getting to know him but nothing beyond that. I am merely, sympathizing, his position.

Hermione ended in a very scholarly voice (in her mind).

Whatever, Hermione. If you say so. It's just going to take time for you to figure it out and when you do, come tell me how sorry you are for not believing me.

You know, for being my conscience, you are really very vain….almost like Malfoy.

That's why I believe the two of you make a good match.

Hermione ignored this statement. She was done arguing with her conscience. If her conscience didn't want to listen to her, she was fine with that. She knew the real truth. Or so she thought.

So Hermione continued on to her dorm, frustrated and angry like she was a few minutes ago about Draco's rudeness towards her.

Boy, was she going to get the surprise of a lifetime.

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Once Malfoy recovered from the shock he received from Hermione's strength and outburst, he cursed himself wildly.

HOW COULD YOU BE SO STUPID! YOU JUST LOST HER HELP AND WHAT LITTLE FRIENDLINESS SHE HAD WITH YOU!

Malfoy was utterly miserable. Why did he have to be so fantastic and stupid at the same time? He knew he had to do something to get her back to helping him. But what?

Malfoy's mind began formulating a plan. What can I do to make Granger all happy with me again? What do girls typically like? Something……something……where they can be all like "O that is so sweet of you"!

Malfoy almost barfed at the thought. How was he possibly going to be sweet? He had never done anything sweet for anyone in his whole life and he really didn't want to start with Granger.

Just then, Draco went down a flight of stairs and found himself in front of Lavender and Seamus. Quickly hiding behind a nearby pillar, he listened to what seemed to be an argument with great interest and amusement.

"Seamus, I don't care if you're already my boyfriend. It'd be nice if you showed you cared about me a little bit more." Lavender whined.

"Excuse me, but I am spending all my free time with you. How much more care do you need?" Seamus asked incredulously.

"Ever since I agreed to be your girlfriend, you haven't given me a single gift. I mean, you used to buy me all kinds of lotions and perfume and stuff. What happened to all of that? I'm running low, you know, and I haven't bought any because I thought you would buy it for me." Lavender complained.

Draco wanted to go slap her and congratulate her at the same time. As ridiculous as her opinions were about having Seamus buy her perfume, she seemed to have control of the relationship because Seamus was going to do anything to keep her happy.

"I'm so sorry, Lav-Lav. I didn't realize that you loved my gifts so much. On our next Hogsmeade trip, I'll buy you all the perfume and lotion you want, okay?" Seamus looked pathetic. He was pleading for Lavender's forgiveness when he did nothing wrong.

Lavender looked thrilled, though. Seamus said exactly what she wanted to hear. Lavender squealed and threw her arms around Seamus' neck and hugged him until he couldn't breathe.

Once Draco stopped laughing at how pathetic of a couple they were, Draco's mind began to formulate a scheme. That's exactly what I'll do. I have a box of chocolates in my bedroom that I haven't opened yet and the lilacs outside the castle have just bloomed. Draco smirked to himself. I am such a genius. No wonder thousands want to be just like me. And with an ego bigger than the size of his head, Draco's mood was instantly brightened.

He came out from his hiding spot behind the pillar and watched Lavender choking Seamus. Right when she looked like she was about to snog him, Draco cleared his throat to reveal his presence and said,

"Well would you look at that. Miss Stupid and Mr. Pathetic are happy together again. Isn't that lovely?" He gave his classic smirk. "Seamus, can I get a bottle of perfume too? I've been needing some for a while." Draco ended, batting his eyelashes like Lavender.

"Malfoy, get out of here right now before I…."

"Before you what, Seamus? Beg at my knees for me to forgive you like you did to Lavender?" Malfoy started to laugh.

Seamus turned red and was about to punch Malfoy when Lavender intervened.

"It's okay, Seamus. Malfoy is just jealous because he doesn't have a girlfriend as amazing as me!" Lavender giggled.

Malfoy dusted off his robes and replied, "Boy do you need a reality check. Whatever, just get a room. No one really wants to see you being all lovey-dovey in the corridors."

Malfoy began to walk off and then suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around. "By the way, twenty points of from Gryffindor for attempting to snog in the corridors."

And then Malfoy walked off to get those flowers and chocolates, extremely satisfied by the agitated looks he had left on Seamus and Lavender's faces.

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Hermione flopped down on her bed, flustered and still angry with Malfoy. Every once in a while, the words "git", "jerk", and "idiot" could be heard mumbled from her mouth.

Slowly, Hermione began to become drowsy and was just about to fall asleep when a sharp rapping on her window startled her and woke her up. Quickly running to the window to see what the ruckus was, she saw a beautiful owl who looked very much like Hedwig.

Hermione opened the window, took the letter, and summoned up some food for the owl. Curious as to whom the letter was from, Hermione quickly untied the pink ribbon that kept it rolled up.

Hey Hermione,

You're probably guessing who the letter is from since you've never seen this owl, huh? Well, it's Ginny! Mum and Dad were able to buy all of us new owls and robes because of Dad's big promotion in the Ministry of Magic. At this rate, he's going to be Minister of Magic in no time! Anyways, that's besides the point.

I'm writing this with Harry hovering over my shoulder and Ron impatiently waiting for me to finish. It's 4:15 right now and I was wondering if you wanted to meet us out by the lake at "our tree" at five. I saw you in the hallway and wanted to call out to you but then I saw you cursing to yourself and you were red in the face so I figured that Malfoy had done it again and figured I would leave you alone. Hopefully, fifteen minutes of peace has done you some good and you'll be your cheery old self in another forty-five.

Anyways, reply ASAP! Ron is really beginning to bug me.

With Love,

Ginny

PS: By the way, I've been researching some curses that might be good to use on Malfoy if he infuriates you. I'll teach you them at the lake if you come!

Hermione laughed to herself. Leave it to Ginny to make her feel better again. Hermione quickly muttered Accio Parchment and Quill and wrote her reply.

Hey Ginny,

Thanks! You know just how to cheer me up. I really love the owl. I'll meet you down there at five. I think a nice bath will clear Dunce Idiotic Malfoy out of my head. By the way, don't tell this to Harry or Ron yet, but I gave up on Malfoy. He went too far today and I told him I quit with helping him. I don't want Harry and Ron to know until I personally tell them because they'll keep telling me "I told you so" and you know how irritating that can be. I might want to learn those curses anyway, though.

See you soon!

Love,

Hermione

Satisfied with her work, Hermione tied the pink ribbon around her letter and sent off Ginny's owl with it. Now that she had something to do, she set out for the bathroom to take a soothing fifteen minute bubble bath.

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Half an hour later, Hermione was feeling utterly relaxed. The bath had done her some good. She had changed into some flared denim capris and wore a short sleeved, black, glittery shirt with a jacket to match. Hermione knew she would be too cold with a skirt.

Tying her hair into a messy ponytail, Hermione opened her bedroom door to go for a short walk before meeting her friends. What she found was a very awkward and surprising sight.

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Draco wasn't feeling so confident and sassy as he had felt half and hour ago with Lavender and Seamus. He knew what he was going was utterly un-Malfoy-like but he knew it had to be done. It was the only way to apologize.

Taking a deep breath, Draco walked up the staircase to Hermione's bedroom.

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Hermione was face to face with Draco Malfoy. But this wasn't the awkward part, just the annoying part. It was what Draco was holding that left Hermione confused. In one hand, he held a bouquet of beautiful lilacs and in the other there was a box of chocolate.

Draco kept looking at Hermione calmly, but he was having an inner conflict. His Malfoy self kept telling him no to go out with his plan while the sweet side, although very miniscule, was telling him to do it.

Hermione's confusion turned into irritation when Malfoy just stood there.

"Well what do you want Malfoy? Have you forgotten that Pansy is in the Slytherin House, not here?"

This did the trick. "No, Granger, I haven't. These are for you." Malfoy snapped back.

Hermione looked incredulous. "You have got be kidding me. You can't even be nice to me for a day. This is utterly impossible."

Draco sighed in aggravation. Why can't you just take the stuff, forgive me, and get on with your life. But no Granger! You have to be a pain in the arse and make me apologize too. In truth, he knew that he would have to say sorry anyway, but it never kills to dream.

"Granger, I just wanted to say I'm s…so…sor…sor…"

"Just say it already. It's not that hard!" Hermione replied, somewhat cheerfully. She thought it was kind of cute and amusing that Draco had gotten her chocolates and flowers just to apologize. Definitely more amusing, though.

"SORRY, okay?"

"I don't know, Malfoy…." Hermione feigned indecisiveness.

"Oh come on Granger! I can be an irritating idiot sometimes to you. I know that. That's my job. Just deal with it! You have been for the last six years!" Malfoy was getting desperate. He did not want to be humiliated like this and get no forgiveness. "I'll even buy you a book of your choice if you want!" He added in a desperate attempt.

Hermione began to burst out laughing with Malfoy helplessly watching her. "I wish I could get this on tape. I accept your apology Malfoy. I was just kidding with you. As for the book, I'm okay. The flowers and chocolate are sweet enough."

Hermione felt almost liking hugging him for what he did. She knew that Malfoy would die if anyone found out but he had gotten her a gift anyway. Hermione was actually going to give him a hug until she managed to snap herself out of it. What are you thinking Hermione! Sweet or not, you cannot hug a Malfoy if your life depended on it!!!

While continuing to mentally scold herself, Hermione set the chocolates on the bed and used magic to get the flowers in a vase.

Malfoy cautiously entered the room. He was almost afraid that this was some sort of trap on her part. How could girls be bought by things that they consider "sweet"? he wondered.

Hermione turned to him and as if reading his mind, replied, "Malfoy, it's the thought of attempting to buy something for a girl that counts. We think it's sweet that guys try hard to buy gifts for us, even if they sometimes stink."

"I bet you Viktor's gifts stink." Draco mumbled.

"Malfoy, I heard that and they do not. They're really beautiful." Hermione replied casually.

"And by the way, Malfoy, thank you. That was really sweet of you. I didn't know you were even capable of being sweet." Hermione added in a genuine, kind tone.

"Well don't expect it anymore Granger because you aren't getting any more gifts." Malfoy replied, smirking. "It is very un-Malfoy-like as it is." He added with a small humph.

"Well, Malfoy. What do you want? Some Hair Growth Serum, maybe?" Hermione asked innocently.

"Very funny, Granger. You know exactly what I want. In the time you spent teasing me, you could have finished the potion. Now it's going to take forever to look up and make." Malfoy replied grumpily.

"Malfoy, I'm shocked that you don't know me well enough by now. If you did, you would know that I have memorized most simple potions and can make them in five to fifteen minutes." Hermione replied sassily.

"No need for that attitude now, Granger. You're wasting your time, and more importantly, mine. I believe you were about to leave right now, am I not right?"

Granger just gave him a glare and began to swish her wand, muttering spells so fast that all Draco saw was a whole bunch of supplies flying from all over the room to the floor right in front of him.

They were back to being rude to each other on a moderate level, causing Hermione to be surprisingly disappointed. Although inwardly scolding herself, Hermione really wished that Draco was still being kind to her. It made her feel appreciated.

In five minutes, Hermione had brewed the Hair Growth Serum with Draco watching her, admiring her the whole time. And for once, Draco didn't stop himself from observing her and complimenting her in his thoughts. He had accepted the fact. Hermione Granger had changed and he was finding it attractive. Nothing more, nothing less. Or so he thought…..

Draco drank the potion as fast as he could and then helped Hermione put away the supplies. The smile and help he offered Hermione was enough for her to understand that he was grateful. She smiled in return. She was content.

When the room looked clean on Hermione's standards, Draco dashed to the bathroom to look at his hair in the mirror. Hermione just sat down on her bed, shaking her head and laughing. Boy are his priorities straight, she thought sarcastically.

Draco returned two minutes later with a…a….grin on his face! Hermione's eyes widened in shock when they stared at Draco's expression. Once Draco saw the way she was looking at him, his expression changed back to its normal composure in an instant.

Hermione looked down, stifling a laugh with her hand and blushing. Why are you blushing! What reason do you have for blushing, Hermione?

Draco had gone red to the face as well. Clearly, the potion was giving him more side effects that he couldn't control. He was losing control of his one weapon, his emotionless composure. Get a hold of yourself Draco! You must keep control!

By then, awkward silence had ensued, both too busy with their own thoughts. Draco finally broke the silence with a clearing of his throat.

"Nice work, Granger. It looks almost perfect. A few problems here and there but nothing a Malfoy like myself couldn't handle." He ended with a smirk. There you go Draco. Back to your usual self, just as it should be.

"Whatever, Malfoy. See you around." Hermione left, rolling her eyes but a smile playing on her lips. Malfoy really knew how to bounce back. And with that thought, Hermione set off for a very enjoyable evening with her closest friends.

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Monday morning, Hermione woke up very relaxed. She had had a lot of fun the previous night with her friends and she was happy to see Draco's hair back to normal by the end of the night.

Knowing that she had woken up early, Hermione decided to quickly get dressed and get some reading done in the Common Room.

As Hermione went down the stairs from her dorm, she found someone else coming down from Draco's stairs. At first, Hermione barely noticed the figure but something caught her eye and she turned back.

When Hermione took another look at the figure, she initially was paralyzed in shock. And then she screamed.

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I hope that was a nice cliffie for your tastes. :) Lav-Lav, no more complaining, okay?

On with my idea:

I am almost done with this fic! I am almost done with Chapter 17 and I expect to have 20 chapters, chapter 20 being the epilogue. So I had an idea.

I will post everyday or every other day IF you guys give me the minimum six reviews I so ravenously desire.

At that rate, you will have the whole fic to read by the week of January 7!

So if you're willing, click that submit review button RIGHT NOW and I will go ahead with this idea. Remember I need my minimum of six if you want me to post every other day and the more I get, the higher the chance that I will post EveryDay instead of every other!

I hope that tempts you to review. After all, reviews just make me happy!