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

Hermione's P.O.V

Draco hadn't even asked me how I was after the second task, which made me think that what I said to him at Honeydukes was the final nail in the coffin that was our dalliance.

During our Potions lesson I realised that Draco and his cronies were laughing at me about something. In a hushed whisper and with a bowed head I asked Harry and Ron why this might be. Ron was red in the face and shaking slightly and he didn't say anything in response. Harry told me that Rita Skeeter had written an article about me claiming I was toying with the hearts of both Viktor and Harry himself. I couldn't contain my laughter at the ludicrosity of it all. I found my head turning towards Draco, hoping that together we could laugh it off, but his eyes looked pained, despite his grin.

Pansy Parkinson was quoting loudly from the article and said that I was apparently going to visit Viktor in Bulgaria over the summer. That was something we'd spoken about, but in private. How did Skeeter know that? I opened my mouth to discuss this with Harry and Ron but I was too late.

"Something you'd like to share with the class, Miss Granger?" Snape drawled.

"No Professor."

"Do you believe your love life is as important as passing your O.W.L.S, Miss Granger? Do forgive me for trying to better your future."

"Sorry Professor."

"I'm sick of you three sitting around gossiping during my lessons. Granger, back of the classroom, Potter, you will sit at the front, where I can keep an eye on you."

I made my way to the back of the classroom and took the only free seat, just next to the Slytherin's desks. Pansy leaned towards me, her hot breath tickling my ear and 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 felt my cheeks get hot. She had whispered it loud enough for at least Draco to hear. The article didn't even bother me that much, but this was torture.

When we left the classroom I saw Draco pull Pansy towards an empty corridor and my interest piqued. It didn't look like she was going willingly, and I wondered what was so urgent for them to talk about. I hung back and slowly, inconspicuously moved towards them so I stood just round the corner. I could still hear them but they couldn't see me.

They argued about me and at one point Pansy said Draco was attracted to her. It hit me in the gut like a bowling ball hitting a strike but instead of Draco agreeing with her he dismissed her and stormed off. He didn't admit to her that there was something between us, but he didn't deny it either. Everything was so confusing.

Unfortunately I wasn't hidden well enough. Before I could get away Pansy had rounded the corner and spotted me. Her face was flushed red with anger and her fists were clenched by her sides.

"You have some nerve eavesdropping on my private conversation, Mudblood."

Instinctively, I pointed my wand at her. She followed suit just a nanosecond later but before I could open my mouth she was ready with her charm.

"Everte Statum!"

I flew backwards down the corridor and landed on a heap on the floor, feeling a sharp pain run up my leg. The wind was knocked from my lungs and I struggled to breathe for a second. The look she gave me was so full of spite that part of me wanted to stay down, play dead and hope she'd leave me alone. She raised her wand again and went to shout. But I got there first.

"Expelliarmus!"

Her wand flew from her hand and landed about 5 feet to her left. At this point we had started to attract a crowd. A group of students from mixed houses gathered round us, none of them willing us to fight but none of them helping either. Pansy looked around, she must have realised how compromised she looked to still be standing while I remained crooked on the floor.

"Whatever." She scowled, before picking up her wand and walking away.