Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter! I don't even like Harry Potter! Wait, scratch that. I love Harry Potter, as well as the prospect of owning it, but I don't think JK Rowling would be willing to share. So stop asking me if you can have joint custody because I don't have any custody! But if you do, would you mind sharing some with me? I'll be good. I promise.

A/N - This is yet another chapter in the gift/prize fic for Taito-sterone. The last chapter introduced the conflict, so read it before you read this. Now, Hermione has a plan for revenge for Malfoy that could get her into trouble. But why is she going through all this trouble and not just telling someone or doing a less dangerous revenge? And what is this great plan that she cooked up? Read to find out. And read Taito-sterone's winning fic Wake up to a New Day. It's a Digimon romance fic (Yamori), and it's really good. It was the winner of my contest. Now read this fic and review please.

Revenge is Sweet

By: Hopeful Writer

Harry entered potions class to the normal sound of snickering from the Slytherins. After three months of classes, one would think they would have left him alone for a little while. But their laughter was a constant reminder of Malfoy's cruel comment on the train. Harry knew the entire Slytherin body blamed him for Cedric's death, though they didn't really care about Cedric. They just liked to blame Harry for everything that went.

Hermione and Ron followed Harry. They dejectedly noticed that he was slipping into his own world again, just like so many previous times when things displeased him.

Hermione sighed impatiently and placed her head on the table in front of her. Just one more month before her revenge could begin. She had to wait until Christmas time, when fewer people were in the school to catch her. Her eyes flickered to Ron's pale face, then her head snapped up sharply off her desk to stare Severus Snape in the eyes.

"Well, well, well, Ms. Granger. What have we here? Were you falling asleep in my class?"

Hermione swallowed nervously and glanced at Ron again. Her entire plan revolved around not being in trouble. He caught her eye and mouthed, "Don't give in. You can do it."

Hermione swallowed again and answered, "No, sir, I was just preparing myself for your lesson."

"By resting your head on the desk?"

Hermione shot another glance at Ron, who mouthed the same thing. "Yes, sir. It's a new form of meditation I do. It prepares me for the most challenging of classes, and we must admit, sir, your class is very challenging."

Snape looked slightly put at ease by that remark. Hermione chanced a small, seemingly innocent, smile. If she was good at one thing besides work, it was flattery. Of course, with her two best friends being boys, she had plenty of practice. "Fine, Ms. Granger, just don't let it happen again," Snape ordered, studying the brunette's sincere expression.

The moment he spun around, Ron's jaw dropped. Seamus Finnegan blinked several times at the retreating figure of their potions' master. Dean Thomas shook his head and muttered, "Hermione gets off without a scratch. I would have had some serious detention."

"Fifteen points from Gryffindor for talking out of turn, Thomas," Snape snapped, not turning around.

Dean sighed miserably and mouthed, "Sorry, guys," while the Slytherins snickered.

Even Hermione was surprised by her good fortune. Perhaps Snape was feeling unusually kind, but something said had touched a nerve. And Hermione was proud of whatever it was.

Class ended, all too quickly for Harry. He rather enjoyed the time he didn't have to interact with the other students. Sometimes he spoke to Hermione and Ron, but only if it was necessary for work. Everyone was trying to convince him that he did nothing wrong, yet he knew he was to blame, as Malfoy had pointed out. Harry had a new respect for the once-loathed boy. He suddenly found Draco Malfoy to be an honest guy who would always tell Harry when he was wrong. The thought chilled the young hero.

Finally Christmas break came, and it couldn't be more welcome. Hermione had regretfully turned down her parents' invitation to come home and spend the break in Italy with the family. Though she desperately wanted to see her new little brother, she contented herself with the pictures she had taken last summer that moved.

Ron was also good company for the girl. The two had become much closer over the summer, Hermione having spent two weeks at his house. She had shared a room with Ginny, but none of the kids felt comfortable telling Harry about it.

Finally it was time for revenge. Hermione was ready to risk her magical future just for her friend. But why?

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N - Um, that ending wasn't as good as I intended. Oh, well. Read the next chapter to find out Hermione's prank, and why this is the perfect one. The next chapter should be the last. R&R.