Wooo! Over 200 reviews! Thanks guys! Also only four days until I get my HSC results! So here's the next chapter, Fremione free...mostly, for those of you want the Dramione the show is definately on the road! Thanks to my wonderful reviewers: sakura piglet, ANEwrites, Angel1618, shaymars, flowersNfreaks and Vaneesa85 - without these reviews my motivation to wite may've dwindled into nothing. On with the story!

Three Men

"So Malfoy, huh?" Fred queried as Hermione plopped herself down at the dinner table. After spending some time in social isolation – also known as Ginny's room- Hermione had forced herself to come to terms with everybody's reaction; Harry's calm exterior secretly fuming on the inside, Ginny's shock and pity, and Ron's violent outburst. The last one she was expecting, but never did she think Harry Potter would be so quiet about an issue surrounding Malfoy.

"What?" Hermione responded, shocked the news had travelled so quickly. Although, within the burrow nothing stayed a secret for long.

"You're betrothed to him" Fred stated dully. Hermione nodded silently, noting Fred's odd demeanor. Perhaps it was because George had been spending so much time at Angelina's. Hermione shook herself, no one had mentioned either George or Angelina to her since she had been here, and it was an odd conclusion to draw with so little evidence.

"So where's your other half?" Hermione said jokingly, changing the subject quickly. The less time she had to think about Malfoy, the better. Hermione watched Fred expression darken as his lips formed a thin line on his face. After an awkward moment of silence Hermione raised her eyebrows, something was defiantly wrong between the twins.

"Not here" Fred said tightly, excusing himself from the table just as Harry and Ron descended the stairs to join them. Baffled at the sudden turn of events, Hermione frowned as Ron and Harry lowered themselves into their respective sets at the table, one on either side of her.

"What wrong with him?" Ron asked, grabbing a dinner roll from the middle of the table and taking a ferocious bite out of it. Hermione shrugged and averted her eyes. Her betrothal just made her somewhat complicated relationship with Ron, even more complicated. She knew he harbored feelings for her; she just couldn't bring herself to do the same for him. They were always going to be better off being friends.

Most of the evening passed quickly. Mrs. Weasley was delighted to see Hermione and immediately busted her into the kitchen to help with final dinner preparations. Hermione had zoned out for most of the time, only nodding her head when she deemed appropriate. Dinner itself was a less separating affair. Stories of how everyone passed their holidays were being told, and Hermione couldn't help but feel as though hers had been ruined. Once the plates had been cleared, and Mrs. Weasley had put a custard danish in the oven, did Hermione decided to relay her news to the rest of the Weasley clan.

"I'm engaged to Draco Malfoy" Hermione blurted, not bothering to try and soften the blow for the family. The table fell silent. Excitement about the new school year and end of holiday's spirit died in an instant. All eyes fell on her, and Hermione resisted the urge to hide behind her bushy locks.

"I'm sorry dear" Mrs. Weasley said, "I don't think we heard you quite right." Arthur placed a comforting hand over his wife's, as Hermione's news sunk in. At least they weren't rampaging as Ron had tried to do earlier, Hermione thought. The sound of a chair being pushed back roughly brought everyone out of their thoughts. Fred didn't bother muttering an apology before storming up the stairs to his bedroom once again. Temporarily eyes were taken from Hermione to the retreating figure of Fred. But that moment was over, and the previously uninformed Weasleys were staring at her dumbfounded once more.

"Excuse me" she mumbled, "I need to be…" Hermione felt tears threating to fall and traced Fred steps straight back up the stairs. The silence was overwhelming. It made her feel like every part of her was being scrutinized for something beyond her control. She had no idea why the Malfoy's went on about blood purity, her experiences so far sucked.

Her body connected with a mass in front of her and suddenly she felt herself falling. Strong arms wrapped around her, and she opened her eyes to see Fred's concerned face peering down at her. Then as unexpected as her fall, his lips came colliding onto hers. In her shock Hermione had let her mouth fall open and Fred had taken it as an opportunity to slip his tongue in. Gently Hermione pushed Fred away, gasping for breath from both the fall and the urgency in the kiss. More tears streamed down her face and the reality of what had just taken place sunk in. Fred kissed her.

"Don't cry Mione" Fred whispered, pulling away from her completely his head hung shamefully. "It won't happen again." Hermione watched him retreat back into his room through tear filled eyes. Three men now consumed her thoughts completely. Two of them seemingly loved her or at least wanted her; the last had spent the last six years tormenting her and didn't know he had what others already loved and wanted. Numbly Hermione walked into Ginny's room and flopped onto her bed not bothering to change. The darkness of sleep soon came, and Hermione felt at ease for the first time that day.

OoOoOo

Boarding the train early the next morning Harry, Ron and Hermione moved around the train almost effortlessly searching for an empty compartment, or at least one with someone they knew in it. "Stupid kids" Ron mumbled pushing through a group of first years who were chatting away uncontrollably. Hermione rolled her eyes and pushed past Ron; he was still in a rather foul mood again, even Harry was avoiding him. Hermione could only assume it was because Malfoy would soon be discovering his betrothal to Hermione, which would make it more realistic. For everyone.

"Hi, Luna. Mind if we join you?" Hermione asked, sticking her head in the compartment.

"Not at all, I've just finished checking for Nargles."

"Thanks." Hermione motioned for Harry and Ron to come and join her. Stashing her bags away, Hermione straightened and glanced at the letter she had desperately been clutching. Her Head Girl letter. She still didn't know who this year's Head Boy was going to be. She could only pray to Merlin it wasn't a platinum blonde ferret. "I'll see you guys soon. I have to go to the front of the train" Hermione announced. The boys and Luna gave her a swift nod, and then Hermione bustled to the front of the train.

"Granger!" a voice called from behind her. Hermione stopped and turned around. Why was Draco Malfoy calling after her? Did he already know about the engagement? Folding her arms in front of her, Hermione waited for Malfoy to catch up to her. "I'm just going to guess that you're the Head Girl" he stated looking pointedly at her.

"If you're concerned about that, then I'm going to make the assumption you're Head Boy" Hermione countered turning to continue the walk to the front of the train. It was a good thing she didn't get her hopes too high that it was him. He did have the best male academic records. Malfoy strode beside her, matching her pace. As they made their way to the front of the train the younger years stopped to stare at them. Since when did the Gryffindor Princess walk beside the Slytherin Prince?

As they neared the front compartment Hermione decided to ask him about their engagement. "Malfoy, have you heard about the Snirkley-Malfoy arrangement?"

"Of course I have" Malfoy replied pompously, "It is a part of my family history. Why do you ask Granger?"

"Do you know who you are to be betrothed to?" Hermione queried. She could see Professor McGonagall waiting somewhat impatiently inside the compartment they were to enter. Malfoy snorted, and looked at her ridiculed.

"Jealous Granger?" he teased. Hermione shot him a glare, as he continued. "The Snirkley bloodline died out after that pact was made, I'm not promised to anyone." Hermione stopped walking, stunned. He thought their family was out of the pact? Maybe right now wasn't the best time to tell him about their engagement. Surely she could look into getting out of the arrangement before letting Malfoy know. "Why are you so interested in my family history?" he questioned accusingly.

"I hate to burst your fantasy bubble where you fly off into the sunset with Pansy, but the Snirkley bloodline hasn't died out Malfoy." The words had slipped out of her mouth before she could even think. So much for waiting until she was sure there was no alternative. Malfoy looked at her in astonishment, he opened his mouth several times to query her statement, but each time no words came out. Only the worst could come from her knowledge that the Snirkley bloodline wasn't dead.

"I'm engaged to you!?" Malfoy snapped.