A/N

Again, I'm REALLY sorry about the delay. I've been suffering from a severe case of writer's block. I hope you like it (yes I know it's short).

While all of this was going on, Hermione was dealing with her own set of problems. She had left the library and headed to Gryffindor Tower, only to find Ginny and Parvati standing on either side of the Fat Lady's portrait. They appeared to be waiting for her.

"What do you want?' Hermione asked viciously.

"Come on, Hermione," Parvati said, "We need to talk."

"Well, you're going to have to wait," Hermione said, with a sneer to rival Malfoy's. "Harry needs help with his-" Ginny held up her hand for silence.

"We're not here about Harry," she said seriously. "We're here about you."

"And what do you want with me," Hermione said. She was beginning to grow impatient.

"Just to talk," Parvati said smoothly. Hermione rolled her eyes, but followed Ginny and Parvati as they headed down the corridor. They saw Ron run past them, but didn't ask what was wrong. It appeared as though he had everything under control.

They made their way to a deserted classroom. Once they were inside, Parvati shut the door and locked it, while Ginny muttered a silencing charm on the door.

"What do you want?" Hermione asked again. Ginny and Parvati exchanged nervous glances and sighed.

"Malfoy," Ginny said quietly.

"What about him," Hermione asked, interested in the conversation for the first time.

"He's the reason for everything."

"What are you talking about? What's happened?" Hermione was beginning to grow frantic.

Parvati sighed. "I think it's best we start from the beginning," she said.

Flashback

"I know, what do you think Neville's going to do when Harry and Hermione are both dateless?" Ginny asked as she and Parvati exited the Great Hall.

"I don't know but it's probably…" Parvati's voice trailed away as they rounded the corner. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise Zabinni facing the wall, talking in hushed tones.

Ginny pulled Parvati back around the corner, and grabbed an Extendable Ear from the pocket of her robe.

"You're sure you've gotten him completely under the Imperius, Draco?" came Pansy's sultry voice.

"Yes, Parkinson, now keep your voice down," Draco snapped. He sounded very tired.

Ginny and Parvati exchanged shocked looks, but continued to listen.

"You're sure you'll be able to go through with this, Draco," asked Blaise.

"I don't know," Draco admitted. "Getting Longbottom under the Imperius Curse definitely wasn't easy. I just hope I can make it so that Potter and Granger aren't at the Yule Ball." Ginny's jaw hung open. Parvati had her hand over her mouth; she looked as though she was about to start crying.

"Yeah, with them there, you can forget about everything going down when you want," said Blaise. Crabbe and Goyle nodded stupidly.

Pansy, who had been looking dejected when Draco had snapped at her, saw her chance to reenter the conversation.

"Do you really think you'll be able to do this, Draco? I mean, even the Dark Lord himself-'

"Will you shut your damn mouth, woman?" Draco hissed threateningly. Pansy looked as though she was about to cry. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

"We had better get to class," Draco said. There was so much finality in his voice, that no one said anything else. When they were gone, Ginny and Parvati came from around the corner.

"We've got to tell Hermione," they said simultaneously.

End flashback

Hermione stared from Ginny to Parvati; her mouth was hanging open.

Ginny opened her mouth, but before she could utter a word, the back of Hermione's hand had made contact with Ginny's face. There was fiery passion blazing in her eyes.

"That," Hermione began furiously, "was the biggest load of bull I have ever heard!" Her heart was pounding like a drum in her chest.

"Hermione we're not-"

"SHUT UP!" Hermione shrieked. "JUST SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT TO HERE ANY MORE OF THIS FROM YOU TWO!" There was no reasoning with her.

"FINE, HERMIONE," Ginny yelled, "JUST DON'T COME CRYING TO US WHEN NEVILLE DOES SOMETHING SERIOUS WHILE HE'S UNDER THE IMPERIUS CURSE!"

Hermione stormed out of the classroom, shaking her head. Do they honestly believe that I'm going to fall for crap like that? Hermione thought.

"Neville under the Imperius Curse," Hermione muttered to herself. "Utter nonsense."

A/N

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