Tic tic tic tic tic Clink. Tic tic tic tic tic Clink. Clinkkkkk!

Hermione could be heard knitting furiously in the common room. A crazed-consumed expression dominated her profile, it was as if she was trying to exterminate something out of her system.

She had dashed to 5th floor Prefect's bathroom after the events of the evening and had scoured herself clean with vehemence. All traces of mud had been washed clean but Hermione had been trying to expurge herself of something else. The more she thought of it the more enraged she felt. Tears were streaming from her face, tears of indignation and anger.

To make out with Malfoy like that- the one who treated her with disrespect and had no regard for people of her background.

It had started back in second year. After the Mudblood and Slug incident she was ambushed in the Library. She was looking up books for transfiguration homework when he came up behind her and imploitely said

"Were you born with that ugly teeth or have you transfigured your face after coming to Hogwarts?".

She ignored and went to next aisle, but he followed and said loudly "Beaver face's rightful place is by my boots".

Crabbe and Goyle had hee-hawed heartily on that. He had then went on to conjuring a silken grey cloth and throwing on her face with a flourish he said

"Okay now Mudblood! Time to live upto your ignominy. Take it and wipe my boot, make your disgraced fraternity proud."

Instead of reacting she chose to fix him up with a stare.

"Go on! Take it you insolent chit. I am bestowing upon you an honour."

In response she stuck up her chin and shoved right past him.

She heard him shout dramatically behind her. "You soiled my robes you silly Mudblood. I will have to dispose them now. Even my ugly house-elf will refuse to do anything with them."

Crabbe and Goyle had guffawed like gargoyles as she made her exit with arms full of books.

The inter-house rivalry and Potter-Malfoy rivalry had further seethed the cauldron of hate. Second year and half of third year and been worst in terms of abuse from Malfoy. And than gradually at somepoint he got tired of her. His loathing had waned a bit and he got busy tormenting Hagird, plotting his vendetta of hippogriff attack and bullying second year juniors.

She had been startled when she had slapped him and was shocked he hadn't shown a reaction. She had been expecting retribution but got his icy aloofness instead. Though she discerned a bit more respect( grudging) in his manner post that.

In fourth year he mainly targeted Harry and Ron and usually left her alone. Except once he had sat behind her in Ancient runes and said cruel yet amusing things about her teeth.

"Tell me Granger does your toothbrush get stuck in your teeth?"

"Only a beaver would fancy to kiss you because these monster teeth of yours would scare any man away." Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott who took Ancient Runes with him sniggered shamelessly on hearing that.

He had than made a caricature of her kissing a beaver, rumpled it in a ball and had thrown it at her.

After the class, she summoned all her dignity and confronted him "Your doodling is so lame and third rate Malfoy", looks nothing like me."

"And if I am given a choice between you and the beaver than I will choose the beaver in a heartbeat" His face looked murderous and there was another emotion that she couldn't discern. Before he could say anything she stomped away to lunch.

He than left her alone for few weeks and his tendency to publicly humiliate her decreased considerably. Except on one occasion when he had passionately professed that he hated her more than all other 'Mudbloods' put together. Hermione ignored it and walked away with her head held high.

Her thoughts came back to present, hot tears glided down her cheeks as she felt anger at her own self more than anything else.

Her offense had been great, she had defied her own principles this evening. True he had come upon her, provoked her, insulted her and had thrown her on the ground and himself upon her. At that instant he had overpowered her completely and she found it hard to shake him off. But after he hoisted her up and carried her to the wall she had enough opportunities to throw him off.

Had she done that she would have gained leverage against him and could use it at his worst. But instead she had gyrated against his body and urged him to kiss her more.

She dropped her head into her hands as she thought about her recklessness. It made her contemplate her situation. True her dating life had never been tumultingly adventurous. Nor she was conventionally pretty. But she did turn heads as she walked by. Her popularity had soared since 'The Yule Ball' of 4th year. Post that she had taken a bit more efforts in styling her hairs and though it wasn't sleek or straight but she managed them better now. The knotty bushes had been replaced by wild locks, untamed- but glossy and silken.

She could have easily had her pick if she smiled more often and acted her part of being all interested and floored. But she chose to consistently and politely overlook all of the attention and went about her business as usual. Her lack of response and reputation as the most-efficient spell castor of the year kept the boys away.

She wasn't one of low self-esteem that sought out validation from pigs like him? Or was she so unfulfilled that she would even allow advances from anyone, even Malfoy!

NOOO! She said aloud.

"It was just a slip. A one-time slip."

People are allowed to make mistakes so that they can know better in future. Her mind spoke out of rational reasoning.

"Every child touches a hot iron once in life to know that it must never be touched again." Her prudence bought her a little consolation.

"I have better things to worry about". With this thought she got out of her bath and began to dry herself.

After changing she sprinted back to Gryffindor common room. "I should be working for those elves who live in drudgery and are not eligible for wages and pensions".

"I will start a non-profit as soon as I manage to sell some of those badges. The proceeds can go to pushing the agenda into the Magical law enforcement departments's annual summit of 'Neglected Tribulations of Magical beings'. Her spirits rose with the thought and when she reached the fat lady's portrait and entered her common room she made it straight to her room to take out wool and knitting equipment. She needed to make a lot of hats today, maybe this will atone some of her sins of the day.

Ginnerva weasley was watching Hermione with beady eyes, she had just returned from her Quidditch team practise and had seen Hermione knitting away madly. She paused to say "Hi" but the brunette was so deep in tangling the wool that she didn't respond to her.

"Hermione!, are you listening".

"Oh hi Ginny! Pratice over?

"Yeah! Almost. Ron stayed behind though to work on his defence and Harry has promised to help him with it. They will be training late today. Shall we go get some dinner meanwhile?"

"Oh no Ginny! I don't feel hungry at the moment. I am a bit under the weather." Hermione flushed crimson as she fumbled a lie.

Ginny saw right through it. Hermione was knitting with vigour and didn't look ill. There was however something unusual in her demeanour and whatever was the reason for her to skip dinner, it wasn't her health. But she didn't want to pressure Hermione into telling her, she knew the Brunette would come around after all.

"Alright! I will get you something to eat, anyway. In case you change your mind later."

"You are a darling" Hermione spoke with fondness.

"Stop gushing! I will go wash myself and change. See you in a bit." She blew a kiss to her friend as she went.

Hermione sighed with relief as she watched the red-head go. She knew Ginny was perceptive
and keen to feelings and behavioural swings. Truth be told she didn't want to run-into Malfoy right now. She knew she'd have to face him even eventually in Care of magical creatures or Ancient runes. But right now she didn't want that trouble. There was no accounting for what he would do.

But one thing she was sure of, Malfoy would keep the episode quiet.

Her thought was interrupted by a fit of giggles. - "they say he is a bit on the wild side. You know Betsy of Hufflepuff, 'Betsy Hill', "word is, she hasnt been same since, since you know"- There was a renewed fit of giggles. The speaker was 'Lavender Brown' who was gossiping idily with her best friend 'Parvati Patil', both of whom were keen observants of attractive specimen of opposite sex and partakers of other people's dating lives.

Hermione shook her head. She wondered why 'Parvati' who no matter her preference for friends was otherwise an intelligent and sharp-witted girl; indulged in such fruitless hobbies. Her companion Lavender Brown was an obtuse Bimbo though. Parvati usually did well in classes and atleast possessed a certain measure of common sense aside from her being passionately enamoured by any handsome male that walked on two legs.

But Lavender Brown's genius was limited to popular boys, gossip, fashion trends, anything pink and girly and a club that went by the name "Who's HOTTTT, Who's DOLT", whose members they both were since 3rd year. Lavender had most recently been promoted to the position of secretary and she took a lot of pride in that fact. Parvati was associated with the club on a Vice Presidential capacity, she had recently been elected to the position after 7th years had graduated that summer and Parvati was actively seeking new recruits to fill the ranks.

The mindless objectives of their club included conducting polls on the 'most handsome, 'most handsome year wise, house wise', 'hottest Quidditch player', 'charming smile', 'best dressed', 'best kisser' and other if wasn't brainless enough there were half-wit and derogatory titles like 'bad breath', 'troll' , 'goober of the year', 'fat bottom', 'sloopy kisser', 'Mr-wets-his-pants' and what not.

They also collected funds to organise parties every two months in which all the winners of Who's HOTTTT categories were exclusively invited along with their plus ones. The Who's DOLT were mostly excluded out unless they volunteered for the party preparations. Both Lavender and Parvati had been attending these parties since 3rd year as members were always allowed.

Hermione had also recieved invitations to these parties back in their 4th year. Her debut with 'Victor Krum' at the ball had suddenly made her popular amongst the male population of Hogwarts. She had also won some title next month, a bemused Parvati had told her in Charms whilst handing out the invitation.

Hermione had enquired who all were coming and as Parvati named all the shallow girls and boys of their year and above, she decided against going. The invite had come handy as a bookmark. Sometime over the next 2 months she was invited again when she was dragged under the lake by merpeople and Krum had 'saved' her life. This time she tossed it aside without even bothering to see the date.

Hermione sighed as she wished Parvati would use her brains to make the wizarding world better.

Parvati heard her and glancing up, asked her brightly "Hi Hermione, How are you there?"

"Quite well, actually! Thanks. How about you?"

"Never been better", Parvati winked

"And you? Lavender!"

"I am greatttt! We are in a middle of the calculation of this month's result of 'Who's HOTTTT' categories. It's really fun you know." Lavender sighed dreamily.

"Yeah! Looks like", Hermione replied sarcastically but it was missed upon on Lavender who had noticed Hermione's knitwork

"Ewwwww what's that you are knitting?" Lavender had an expression on her face that she reserved for people who came under Who's DOLT categories.

"Well! I am making hats for the house-elves. These will aid in their liberation", Hermione said with well practised dignity.

Parvati's eyebrow shot up at her response, "you mean for the house-elves here at Hogwarts?"

"For starters, Yes"

"Maybe you should desist, Hermione. House-elves don't like to take clothes from wizards, not even handkerchiefs."

"What do you know about"-

"I do happen to know dear, much more than you ever will because I have been raised by one, me and Padma both. My 'Lotty' never took clothes from us, not even when I was little and tried to gift her a beautiful hand-woven embroidered toga for her birthday. She refused outright. I had to get her a watch instead which she seemed to like. The toga would have set her free and she-"

Hermione exclaimed, "But it's slave labour. It's exploitation, grinding them into overwork and illness-"

"Excuse me! Our Lotty is very much well-fed and cared for. My mother herself tends to her in sickness". Parvati retorted angrily.

"But I have seen wizards overworking elves without paying them or granting them holidays and pensions", insisted Hermione.

"House-elves don't seek payment for their work. They have a sense of servitude, it makes them happy to obey their owners and fulfil all that's asked of them. Happier the house-elf, more loyal it is to its Master. I don't expect you to understand this Hermione. Anyone who hasn't owned an elf, won't", said Paravti coolly.

"But you are wasting your efforts, even an house-elf won't consent to wear that ugly thing". Lavender said pointing to Hermione's handiwork. Both of the friends resumed their giggling.

Hermione was too stunned by Pravati's coolheaded revalation and before she could come up with an appropriate retort for the blonde bimbit who was ridiculing her hats, Lavender leaned into Parvati and mock whispered-

"You won't believe who's the winner of "Hottest Male, 5th year".

"Who?"

"Guess who? You know him".

"Of course I know him, but who is he?".

"It's my secret crush," Lavender said excitedly jumping up in her seat.

"No way, what do they see in him? He's soooo"-

"He's soooo what?" Lavender demanded.

"He is soo prejudiced"

"Oh hardly matters Parvati. Besides he is never been chauvinistic to me."

"You are bewitched Lav", I mean yes he is a hot property and has got class but his look bothers me. It's always mocking or angry and his eyes- half of the time he has disdain in his eyes.

"And the other time- Intensity! His eyes are so intense and brooding, I can stare into them all day, Parvati."

"You mean giggle into them?" Hermione interjected tartly.

Lavender ignored the jibe and continued to gush to her friend "He is also this month's winner for 'Velvet Hair' and 'Amorous Kisser'. One of my fantasies is to make out with him in Snape's supply cupboard whilst you and rest of the class is gurgling potions.

"You just did not say that", Parvati squealed.

"Whom are you talking about?" Hermione was curious inspite of herself.

Lavender lowered her voice and slowly drawled out "Draacooo Maalfoyyyyy!", she clutched her heart at the final syllable and pretended to swoon. Hermione exhaled sharply as if air was trapped in her lungs, in their excitment they both missed her gasp.

Parvati laughed as she steadied her friend and spoke "You are a gone case, really". Intervention came in the form of Ginny Weasley, who was carrying a Dinner tray in her hand.