Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story.

Draco's P.O.V

The way I felt after that task, believing Hermione might have actually died, really solidified that this was not a passing phase. I was in this for the long run. So it came as a horrific shock to me when I read Skeeter's article in the Daily Prophet claiming that Hermione and I weren't just in a love triangle, we were in a love square. Skeeter claimed that she was toying with the hearts of both Krum and Potter. Potter? At least with the Weasel I had nothing to worry about (pathetic waste of space). But now I'm up against a professional athlete and the bloody Chosen One.

The article said that she was going to visit him in Bulgaria over the summer. I couldn't have that. The others found it hilarious, and Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle had a great time snickering about it during Potions. I tried to laugh as well but my heart felt like it was beating with such violence it was going to break right out of my ribcage. I saw her look over at me when Pansy quoted something loudly and obnoxiously from the article. But she just laughed right back at us. Like this was amusing to her. Was it true then? Was she really stringing all three of us along? I didn't think she was that kind of person.

Snape wasn't happy with The Golden Trio for speaking during the lesson so he split them up and Hermione had to sit closer to our desks. I saw Pansy lean towards her and in an audible whisper said:

"With your existing love interests I'm surprised you even have time to sink those filthy claws into Draco. Glad to see you've heeded my warning."

I saw the blush creeping onto Hermione's cheeks. What warning was Pansy talking about? What had she said to her? I think she spoke loudly so I would hear, and I would certainly be bringing this conversation up with her later.

At the end of class I grabbed hold of the sleeve of Pansy's robe so I could speak with her privately. She spun around to face me and I half dragged her towards an emptier corridor away from prying eyes and pricked ears.

"What did you mean by what you said to Granger?"

"I didn't say anything to Granger." She looked at me with a smirk pulling at her lips but she was clearly trying to keep a straight face.

"Don't take the piss, Pansy. You said something to her about heeding your warning. What warning?"

"Draco, why do you care so much about Granger? Is there something going on between you?"

I looked deeply into her eyes. Pure darkness. Pansy Parkinson was the kind of person who could make you feel so much through so few words. I had to choose my next move very carefully, because I knew if I admitted to something now, I'd regret it later.

"If there was something going on between us, I don't see what business it would be of yours anyway."

She threw her head back and scoffed at me loudly.

"You invited me to the Yule ball, remember? Don't pretend that you aren't attracted to me, especially after this summer."

I involuntarily shuddered. It was true, Pansy had a certain allure. Maybe it was her cold heart that inflamed something inside me, and I have to admit we spent a lot of time with each other over the summer. But it didn't go anywhere, and I assumed it would fizzle out when we got back to school and there were other things to keep her mind occupied. Clearly not.

"Pansy you and I are not a thing. The sooner you get that into your thick skull the better." I sneered at her, dropped her sleeve and stormed off to my Charms lesson.