AN: ok, a little clarification before I begin. I'm sure that xx-I RULE-xx had questions similar to some the rest of you might have, so I'll answer those. (1) harry was following her, because he was worried about her and blaise, and I'm getting to draco in the next chapter. (2) draco likes her, but he knows that it won't be accepted by the rest of their friends, so he's stopping it before it starts to try and prevent trouble. (3) yes, I rather enjoy ron making himself look like an idiot (sorry, but I just don't like him, and ron/Hermione creeps me out), so I might just have to work something in…. you'll just have to find out….

Disclaimer: nope

Chapter 26

The next two days passed without much incident. Hermione was somber, not at all the rebel that she had been. Harry and Ginny were relieved, thinking that maybe the potion was wearing off early, but Hermione still snapped viciously at anyone that suggested going to the Hospital Wing.

During the classes that Slytherins and Gryffindors shared, Malfoy found himself staring at Hermione for minutes at a time, while she pointedly ignored him. She was trying, in vain, to play off her feelings for the blonde as merely a phase, but she didn't know how much longer she could keep up the façade. Most of her friends knew something was up, but didn't dare push it, as Hermione was likely to bite their heads off. Parvati calmed down after Ginny spoke to her in private, and she in turn spoke to Lavendar.

But Hermione's actions over the week did have some consequences. Lavendar became so jealous of Ron's infatuation with Hermione, that she broke it off. Harry was getting a little sick of Ron blathering on and on about how she didn't trust him, so he was glad when they finally broke up. He initially seemed distraught, but quickly bounced back.

In fact, Ron seemed to be the only one oblivious to Hermione's distress. He continued on with his daily ravings as if nothing was amiss, because to him, nothing was. Hermione just didn't have the heart to kill him, so she nodded as if paying attention. However, this backfired on her.

"Hermione, you are the only one who listens to me anymore. After everything that I've been through, you've been here for me. I think Harry and Ginny think they're too good to be my friends anymore. They've stopped listening to me!"

Not looking up from her book, Hermione nodded, only half listening. Wow, he's really thick, isn't he?

"Well… in light of that…I…erm…will you be my girlfriend?"

At the mention of the 'g-word', Hermione's head snapped up, cricking her neck in the process. But she ignored it and stared incredulously into Ron's wide eyes. "I…. uh, I mean, I'm really flattered, but-"

"But…? You're not seeing anyone, are you?"

Hermione looked away. "Well, no…but…you're my friend, and I don't want to ruin our friendship. And besides, I'm…uh…interested in someone."

"Oh," said Ron, looking crestfallen. Then he narrowed his eyes. "Who are you interested in?"

"Ron! You don't need to know that!" Hermione exclaimed, indignation obvious in her tone. "That's none of your business."

"Is it Malfoy?"

That stopped Hermione cold. The shock on her face must have registered with Ron, confirming his suspicions.

"You think I'm stupid? I know that you've been purposely avoiding him. And you were going further out of your way than normal, so what other explanation could there be? But just so you know," he said, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "I won't be here waiting when he breaks your heart." That said, he stalked off to the boys' dorms.

Hermione stared at the ground, and a tear slowly dripped from her eye.

"He already did."

Meanwhile….

The past two days had been torture for Draco. Seeing her there, as if all of the life had been sucked out, leaving nothing but an empty shell. Did I do this to her? Merlin! I broke it off to prevent this from happening!

He had been trying to get her attention, to see if she was okay, but without success. Harry and Ginny became overly protective of her, even if she didn't realize it. When Potter kept sending glares over Hermione's shoulder to him every other minute, he knew that they knew. But Weasely seemed to be the one that brushed everything off, completely unaware of the situation. That's why Draco was so surprised to find himself cornered after Potions by the redhead.

Ron advanced menacingly, trying to intimidate the blonde. But Draco was used to intimidation. Come on, I practically invented this game, he thought trying to brush past the Gryffindor.

But he quickly found himself on the floor on his back, staring up at a furious Ron Weasely.

Before he could say anything, Ron bent down to talk to Draco in a low voice. "I don't know what you did to Hermione, but if you do anything, and I mean anything, to hurt her, I'll kill you." He stood, gave the other boy one final glare, and walked away, not giving Draco the chance to say anything in response.

Draco just laid on the ground for another moment before getting up. I guess I did do this to her. I need to talk to her. Now.

AN: soooWhat'djathinkA little longer than some of my other ones, but not as long as it could have been. Only 3 more chapters, I think. Assuming I don't make up more stuff off the top of my head as I go….